The life of Stephen A. Douglas

Preface

In the following pages it is proposed to present as full and as complete an account of the life and public services of Stephen A. Douglas, of Illinois, as the limits of this volume will allow. The events of the last six years have given to his name a world-wide fame, but his entire public career, as well as the incidents of his boyhood, furnish an example of success following a determined purpose to adhere to fixed political principles that has rarely* had its equal. So intimately has Mr. Douglas been connected with the most important legislation, and with the history of the political parties of the last twenty -five years, that it has been found difficult at times to confine this work to a record of his acts. But as far as it has been possible to do so, the writer has abstained carefully from comments upon the acts of others, except when to do so was necessary to present clearly and truthfully the history of Mr. Douglas.

It is due to candor to state that these pages have been prepared without having been submitted to Mr. Douglas, who, if he read them at all, will do so for the first time after the issue of the book. They have been written by one who agrees fully with Mr. Douglas in political views, and who, since the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act, has been engaged in maintaining before the people of Illinois the wisdom, justice, and expediency of the policy of the Democratic party upon the question of Slavery in the Territories.

With these words of explanation the book is submitted to those who may choose to read it.

Chapter I

Ancestry. — Death of his Father. — Life on a Farm. — Disappointment. — Apprenticeship. — Enters School. — Removal to Western New York. — Studies Law. — Taste for Politics. — Goes to the West. — Experience in Cleveland. — Cincinnati. — Louisville. — Trip to St. Louis. — Hon. E. C. Bates. — Illinois at that time. — Internal Improvements. — Douglas reaches Jacksonville Page 1

Chapter II

Want of Money. — Goes to Winchester. — Clerk of Auction. — Obtains a School. — Murray M'Connel. — Admitted to the Bar. — Personal Appearance. — Jackson's Bank Policy. — Douglas proposes Meeting to defend it. — The Meeting. — Douglas's Triumph. — Meeting of Legislature. — Douglas elected State's Attorney. — Early Friends. — Predictions of his Failure. — His Tact and Ability. — His Success. — Institutes Convention System in Morgan County. — Its Success. — Douglas put on Ticket. — Democrats carry the County 14

CHAPTER HI.

Douglas in the Legislature. — Internal Improvement System. — National Politics. — Reports against Divorces. — Proposes Plan for Internal Improvements. — Is overruled. — System adopted. — Appointed Register of Land-office. — Gloomy political Prospects. — Convention System resorted to. — Origin of Democratic State Organization. — Nominated for Congress. — Memorable Canvass. — Is defeated. — First State Convention. — Public Dinner at Quincy. — Rejoicings of the Whigs. — Several Speeches. — The Case of M'Clernand and Field. — Douglas's Argument. — Supreme Court. — Campaign of 1840. — Douglas's Canvass. — Debates in the Lobby. — Appointed Secretary of State. — History of the "Alien Suffrage." — Douglas presents a hostile Decision. — The Vote saved for Van Buren. — Supreme Court reorganized. — Douglas elected to the Bench. — His Circuit. — The Mormons. — Saves Joe Smith's Life. — Gratitude of Smith. — Douglas's Influence with the Mormons. — His Popularity as a Judge. — Caucus for U. S. Senator. — Is defeated by one Vote. — Second State Convention. — Nominated for Congress. — His Opponent. — Is elected. — Violent Illness. — Leaves for Washington. — Retrospect 27

Vlll CONTENTS-

Chapter IV

Early Support of Jackson. — Speech on Jackson's Fine. — Invited to Tennessee. — Monster Convention. — Visit to the Hermitage. — Interview with Jackson. — Interesting Account. — Jackson's Estimate of Douglas's Speech. — Speech at Inauguration of Jackson's Statue Page 59

Chapter VIII

Compromise of 1850. — The Questions at issue. — The Demands on both sides. — Henry Clay in the Senate. — President's Message. — Plans of Compromise by Houston, Benton, Foote, Bell, and Clay. — Abolition of Petitions. — Protracted Debates. — Speeches by Clay, Calhoun, Webster, Douglas. — Bills reported for California, the Territories, and Texas Boundary. — Committee of Thirteen appointed. — Why Clay reported Omnibus. — Conversation between Clay and Douglas. — History of Omnibus Bill. — Davis's Amendments. — Restrictions on Territorial Legislation. — Soule's Amendment. — Douglas votes for Wilmot Proviso. — His Reasons. — Texas Boundary. — California. — Death of President Taylor. — Power of Territorial Legislatures. — Extracts from Debates. — Destruction of the Omnibus. — New Mexico put out. — Texas put out. — California put out. — Utah left alone. — 36° 30' repudiated by the Abolitionists. — Passage of the Bill. 124

Chapter IX

California Bill passed. — Texas Boundary Bill passed. — New Mexico Bill passed. — Fugitive Slave Law passed. — Exclusion of free Negroes from States. — Douglas's Speech. — Extracts from Debates on final Passage of Compromise Acts. — Douglas returns to Chicago. — The Abolition Mob. — Defends the Fugitive Slave Law. — Effects of the Speech. — The Compromise in Congress. — His Speech in 1851. — Why his Vote not recorded for Fugitive Slave Law. — Why he voted for Wilmot Proviso. — The Chicago Speech. — Defense of Fugitive Slave Law 155

CONTENTS. IX

Chapter X

The Nebraska-Kansas Bill. — Its Purpose. — The Freedom of the People. — Douglas reports the Bill. — The Missouri Compromise. — Dixon Amendment. — Sumner Amendment. — Bill taken up. — Chase asks Postponement. — Meantime Chase issues his Address. — Douglas's Exposure of the Trick. — Chase's Apology. — Protest of New England Clergy. — Of the Chicago Clergy. — 14th Section. — The Chase Amendment. — Its Design. — Why it was voted down. — Extracts from Speeches of "Wells, Toucey, Hunter, Cass, Atchison. — The Badger Amendment. — Clayton Amendment. — Bill passed. — History of Bill in the House. — Returned to Senate. — Passed. — Douglas's Speech of March 3. — President Pierce and the Nebraska Bill. ...Page 187

Chapter XI

Anti-Nebraskaism. — Know-nothingism. — Douglas denounces Know-nothingism at Philadelphia. — His Speech on that occasion. — Chicago Mob in 1854. — Description of Scene. — Reason for refusing him a Hearing. — Violence at other points. — The Election of 1854. — Fusion Legislature. — Election of Trumbull. — Douglas offered a public Dinner at Chicago. — His Speech on that occasion. — Visits New Orleans. — Denounces Know-nothings at Richmond, Va 263

Chapter XII

Relief of Supreme Court of U. States. — Douglas's Plan. — His Speech explaining it. — Plan rejected. — Bill fails. — His Defense of Supreme Court... 277

CHAPTER XHI.

Kansas in 1856. — President's Message. — Topeka Constitution. — Douglas's celebrated Report, March 12th. — Reports a Bill enabling Kansas to form a State Government. — Extracts from Report. — His Speech on same subject. — His Reply to Collamer. — Various Bills introduced. — Toombs's Bill. — Bill passed. — House passes Bill admitting Kansas. — Senate amends it. — Dunn's Bill passes House. — Douglas's Report upon it. — Laid on Ta^bja — House introduces Legislation for Kansas into Armff Bff on gy CSS con _

ment of Houses. — Congress adjourns. — A~ — ~~ 284

vened, and Bill passed...

Chapter XIV

The Lecomptoa Controversy.— Governors for Kansas.— Governor Walker.— Conditions of Acceptance.— His Instructions and Inaugural.— Constitution to be submitted.— Meeting of Congress.— President's Message.— Douglas's Speech of 9th December 3U

Chapter XV

Internal Improvements. - River and Harbor Bills. -Tonnage Duties.- Douglas's Proposition.— Letter to Governor Matteson.— Illinois Central

X CONTENTS.

Eailroad. — History of the Measure before Congress. — Its Passage. — Its • Benefits to Illinois and the West. — Pacific Railroad. — Speech on subject Page 354

Chapter XVI

Campaign of 1858. — The Lecompton Constitution. — John Calhoun. — Democratic Protests. — Unanimity in Illinois. — President sustained. — Change of Policy by Administration. — Disappointment in Illinois. — Strange Doctrines of Washington Union. — Panic of Republicans. — Their Hopes revived. — President's Message. — Meeting in Chicago. — Speeches. — Bigler and Fitch denounced. — Proscription commenced. — Danitism instituted. — Democratic Convention. — New Delegations. — How got up. — Unanimity of Democrats. — Meeting of the Convention. — Its Proceedings. — Its Resolutions. — Danite Convention. — Proscription continued. — Second Danite Convention. — Republican Convention. — Democratic Papers in Illinois. — Douglas returns to Chicago. — His Reception. — The Proceedings. — Lincoln's Speech, 17th June. — Douglas's Speech in Chicago 380

Chapter XVII

Lincoln addresses Meeting at Chicago. — Republican Aid to Danites. — German Democrats of Chicago. — Douglas leaves for Springfield. — His Route. — Douglas makes and announces his Appointments for Meetings. — The List. — Returns to Chicago. — Lincoln's Challenge. — Its Cause. — Douglas's Reply. — joint Discussions agreed upon. — Trumbull speaks at Chicago. — Proscription continued. — How a Democrat saved his Head. — Douglas's Visit and Speech at Winchester. — Freeport Treason. — Popular Sovereignty Doctrines of Orr, Douglas, Buchanan. — Joint Discussion at Ottawa. — Its Result. — The Freeport Questions. — Douglas's Answers. — Is denounced and read out of Party. — Douglas's Speech in '59 on same subject. — Joint Debates. — Trumbull's Policy. — Imported Orators to "kill Douglas." — Danite Proceedings. — Washington Union. — Letters from Breckenridge, Wise, and Clay. — Hon. A. H. Stephens. — Labors of the Campaign. — Douglas's last Speeches. — Returns to Chicago. — Election Day. — The Result. — Danite Vote. — Why it was small. — Efforts to Defeat Douglas cont j nue J.— Senator Coffee 416

Chapter XVIII

Married in 1847.— Death of Mrs. Douglas in 1855.— His Children.— ~ ried in 1856.— Plantation and Slaves Story.— True Statement. — Remarks in Senate upon it. — Slaveholders' Stories in 1858. — Mr. Slidell reuses them. — Malignity of federal Officers. — Property in Chicago. — Donation to University. — Aid in 1856 to carry Pennsylvania 435

Chapter XIX

Douglas visits Europe. — Not presented to Queen Victoria. — Court Costume. — Goes to St. Petersburg. — Interview with Nesselrode. — Costume Question again. — Is presented to the Emperor. — Sebastopol. — Douglas and the

CONTENTS. XI

Presidency. — Convention of 1848. — Supports Cass. — Convention of 1852. — Convention of 1856. — Two-third Rule. — Buchanan obtains Majority. — Douglas withdrawn. — His Letter. — Effect on Convention. — Illinois State Convention in 1860. — Resolutions. — Conventions in other States. — Democratic Organization in Illinois. — History from 1837 to 1860 Page 443

Chapter XX

Utah. — The Mormons. — Prohibition of Polygamy. — Power and Expediency of Congressional Legislation. — Mormon Government. — Their Want of Loyalty. — Aliens to the Laws of the United States. — The Remedy for existing Evils. — Douglas's Views. — His Plan. — His Speech in 1857. — Minnesota. — Oregon. — Douglas and Organization of new States and Territories. — Naturalization Question. — African Slave-trade 456

CHAPTER XXL

Cincinnati Platform. — Anxiety for Endorsement of Nebraska Act. — His Defense of that Platform. — His Interest in it. — Popular Sovereignty. — Harper's Magazine Article. — Attorney General Black. — The Pamphlets. — Gwin's Speech. — Douglas's Reply. — Cobb's unfriendly Legislation. — An unchanged Platform 466

Chapter XXII

Harper's Ferry Affair. — Debates in Congress. — Douglas's Remedy. — His Reply to Fessenden. — His Reply to Seward 502

Chapter XXIII

Popular Demonstrations. — St. Louis, Memphis, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington. — Service on Committees in House. — On Senate Committees. — Public Lands. — Liberal Policy. — Homestead Bill. — Friendship for Agriculturists. — Opposition to Monopolies. — Conclusion 524

Chapter I. Early Life

" The issues of all human action are uncertain. No man can undertake to predict positively that even virtue will meet with its full reward in this world ; but this much may be said with entire certainty, that he who succeeds in marrying his name to a great principle, achieves a fame as imperishable as truth itself." Such was the language in which a senator from Virginia concluded an able and most eloquent speech upon the Kansas-Nebraska Bill. The prediction has been verified by history. By that act of legislation, the name of Stephen A. Douglas was " married" to the principle of Popular Sovereignty ; and, even had he no other claim upon the grateful memory of the American people, that indissoluble blending of his name with the most vital principle of constitutional liberty would alone render his name as imperishable as truth itself. The name of Stephen A. Douglas, therefore, has, by that single and most memorable act, been stamped ineffaceably upon the pages of his country's history, and, though contemporaneous writers may have recorded the most widely differiug judgments upon his conduct, and future historians may differ as widely as those who were present at, and who were participants in the consequences of the passage of that great act as to the measure of censure or praise that should be awarded to him, still the assertion of the senator from Virginia will stand verified, and, in defiance of all the bitterness of his enemies, throughout all coming time the name of Douglas and the great principle of Popular Sovereignty will be so linked in the records of the past, and so closely identified with the memories of the present, that the fame of the former can only perish in the overthrow of the latter — an occurrence only possible in the total destruction of truth itself.

A

That branch of the Douglas family from which the subject of this work is a descendant emigrated from Scotland, and settled at New London, in the province of Connecticut, during the earlier period of our colonial settlements. One of the two brothers who first came to America subsequently removed from New London, and settled in Maryland, on the banks of the Potomac, not very distant from the site of the present city of Washington. His descendants, now very numerous, are to be found in Virginia, the Carolinas, Tennessee, and other Southern States. The other brother remained at New London, and his descendants are scattered over New England, New York, Pennsylvania, and the Northwestern States. Doctor Stephen A. Douglas, the father of the statesman of the present day, was born at Stephentown, in Rensselaer County, New York, and when quite a youth removed with his parents to Brandon, Rutland County, Vermont, where, after his regular course at Middlebury College, he studied medicine, and became distinguished in his profession. He married Miss Sarah Fisk, the daughter of an extensive farmer in Brandon, by whom he had two children — the first a daughter, and the second a son. On the first of July, 1813, without any previous illness or physical warning, he died suddenly of a disease of the heart. At the very moment of his attack and of his death, he was playing with the daughter at his knees, and holding his son Stephen in his arms.

In 1813 the country was at war with Great Britain — had undertaken a war with the most powerful nation in the world ; at that time the United States, with an unprotected coast, with an overbearing, and insulting, and powerful enemy menacing both seaboard and frontier; with hostile navies swarming upon the lakes, and commanding every sea where the enterprise of American commerce had unfurled a sail, and veteran armies, fresh from Continental fields of renown, landing on our shores — at that time, when the infant republic, trusting in the justice of her cause, had risked every thing to preserve the sacred principle that an American citizen, no matter where he might be, who stood upon an American deck, was to be secured, at all hazards, in all the great rights guaranteed to him by the Constitution of his country — while this war was waging, and while the contest between absolute power and popular right was maintained with fire and sword from Detroit to Key West, in the midst of this struggle, on the 23d day of April, 1813, was born Stephen A. Douglas, who, fortyone years thereafter, became the great champion of that same sacred principle, — not, indeed, in behalf of the gallant men who tread the decks of the American fleets, but in behalf of those other and no less gallant heroes — the pioneers of American progress, the founders of American states, the builders of American sovereignties — the People of the American Territories.

The grandmothers, maternal and paternal, of Mr. Douglas were of the name of Arnold, and were both descended from William Arnold, who was one of the associates of Roger Williams in founding the colony of Rhode Island, and whose son was appointed governor of that colony by Charles the Second, when he granted the famous charter under which the state continued to be governed until even after the establishment of the American Union, and until the adoption a few years ago of the present Constitution of Rhode Island. The descendants of Governor Arnold are at this day very numerous in Rhode Island, and, indeed, throughout the whole country.

Immediately after the death of Dr. Douglas, his widow, with her two children, removed from their native village to a farm about three miles in the country, where she resided with her bachelor brother, Mr. Fisk, on their patrimonial estate. From his earliest childhood, Stephen was raised to a regular course of life — attending the district school during the winter seasons, and working steadily on the farm the residue of each year. When fifteen years of age, finding that a number of his schoolmates of his own years were about to enter the academy to prepare for college, he applied to his uncle, whom he had always been taught to respect as a father, for permission and means to enable him to take the same course. This request was made in pursuance of an understanding which he supposed had existed in the family from his earliest recollection, that he was to be educated and sent to college ; so strongly was this plan for the future impressed upon his mind, that it had never occurred to him that his uncle's marriage a year previous, and the very recent birth of an heir to his estate, had in the least changed their respective relations ; nor had he seen in these events that cloud which was to darken the hitherto bright visions which had stimulated his youthful ambition. An affectionate remonstrance against the folly of abandoning the farm for the uncertainties of a professional life, accompanied by a gentle intimation that he had a family of his own to support, and therefore did not feel able to bear the expense of educating other persons' children, was the response made to the boy's request.

Instantly the eyes of young Douglas were opened to his real condition in life. He saw at once that he could not command the means requisite for acquiring a collegiate education without exhausting the only resources upon which his mother and sister must rely ; he also saw that if he remained on the farm with his uncle until he became of age, he would then be thrown irpon the world without a profession or a trade by which he could sustain them and himself. Realizing the full force of these considerations, and perceiving for the first time that he must rely upon himself for the future, he determined to leave the farm and at once learn a mechanical trade, that being the most promising and certain reliance for the future. Bidding farewell to his mother and sister, he set off on foot to engage personally in the great combat of life ; on that same day he walked fourteen miles, and before night was regularly indentured as an apprentice to a cabinet-maker in Middlebury. He worked at his trade with energy and enthusiasm for about two years, the latter part of the time at a shop in Brandon, and gained great proficiency in the art, displaying remarkable mechanical skill ; but, in consequence of feeble health, and a frame unable to bear the continued labor of the shop, he was reluctantly compelled to abandon a business in which all his hopes and pride had been centred, and to which he had become sincerely attached. He has often been heard to say, since he has been distinguished in the councils of the nation, that the happiest days of his life had been spent in the workshop, and, had his health and strength been equal to the task, no consideration on earth could have induced him to have abandoned it, either for professional or political pursuits.

He entered the academy of his native town, and commenced a course of classical studies, to which he devoted himself for about twelve months with all that energy and enthusiasm which are a part of his nature.

In the mean time his sister had married Julius 1ST. Granger, Esq., of Ontario County, New York, and shortly afterward his mother was married to Gehazi Granger, Esq., father of Julius, and at the close of his first year at Brandon Academy, young Douglas, at the earnest solicitation of his mother and step-father, removed with them to their home near Canandaigua, Kew York. He at once became a student in the academy at that place — an institution which for more than half a century has been celebrated for its thorough academical course of studies, and for the large number of eminent professional men and statesmen whose names once appeared on her catalogue. He remained at Canandaigua nearly three years, applying himself with untiring energy and zeal to the pursuit of his classical course at the academy, and, during a portion of the same time, followed a course of law studies in the omce and under the instruction of the Messrs. Hubbell. Some idea may be formed of his proficiency in the classical course, and of the energy with which he pursued his studies, from the fact that, while the laws of New York at that time required a course of seven years to entitle a student to be admitted to practice law, four years of which might be occupied in classical studies, Mr. Douglas, on a thorough examination upon his whole course of study, was allowed a credit of three years for his classical attainments at the time he commenced the study of the law, leaving four years only as the period which he would be required to continue as a law student to entitle him to be admitted to the bar of that state. He kept up his collegiate course, however, during the whole time he was studying law, so that when he removed to the West in June, 1833, he had mastered nearly the entire collegiate course in most of the various branches required of a graduate in our best universities.

While at Canandaigua, that taste for political controversy, which had shown itself in him when a boy, had a wider field. The re-election of General Jackson took place in 1832 ; and the animated, vigorous, and, at times, most heated discussions of the day, developed and matured that taste, until he made the study of the political history of the country a subject of as deep importance as he did the scholastic exercises of the academy. We have not been able to ascertain whether, during the exciting canvass of 1832, he made any address to any political meeting hi Canandaigua or elsewhere ; but we are informed that in the debating clubs, and in all gatherings, large or small, the cause of the old hero found in him a most enthusiastic champion. It was in the discussions which took place before the societies composed of his fellow-students at Canandaigua that he made his first public speech ; and it was there, after having conquered the natural diffidence of all youthful orators, that he first obtained that confidence and self-reliance, as well as that ready and constant flow of strong and forcible language, which mark the speeches of his more mature age.

A gentleman, now residing in Illinois, who was a fellow-student of Douglas at Canandaigua, states that he was universally beloved by all his companions — loved for his impulsive generosity, his frankness, and the genial kindness of his disposition. He was recognized and admitted to be the politician of the circle ; and, though the students were of all political parties, to Douglas was conceded the distinction of being the best posted student in the place. Indeed, a taste for politics was evidenced at an early day. It is stated that one of his earliest essays in behalf of the Democratic party was the organization of a band of " Jackson boys" in Vermont, who proclaimed a war upon the " Coffin handbills," and who managed to destroy those placards as soon as they appeared on the walls and fences of the town. He has lived to* read the declaration to the people of Illinois, in 1858, of a " life-long democrat," who was actively engaged in the circulation of those infamous libels upon General Jackson, that Stephen A. Douglas was not a safe or reliable member of the Democratic party !

In June, 1833, Mr. Douglas, then a few months over twenty years of age, left Canandaigua to earn for himself a livelihood and independence. His destination was that uncertain region then designated by the general and somewhat comprehensive term " the West." He left home and friends without any purpose of locating at any particular point. His intention was to go to a new country, and by identifying himself with its interests, and devoting his talents to the development of those interests, he hoped to be successful. Such a home, he concluded, could not be found in the old-settled states, where the walks of the profession were crowded with men already eminent, but a man of energy and industry might hope for one in the new settlements on the Ohio and Mississippi. Provided with a small sum of money, he left Canandaigua, and his first resting-place was at Cleveland, Ohio. It was not his intention origi-

EARLY LIFE.

nally to remain at Cleveland, but, as he had letters of introduction to persons residing there, and also personal friends, he thought he would profit by such advice and counsel as he could obtain as to other and more distant points. He made the acquaintance of the Hon. Sherlock J. Andrews, at that time a practicing lawyer, and since then a member of Congress from that district. Mr. Andrews was pleased with the youth ; gave him all the information he could furnish, but advised him to remain in Cleveland, and, as an inducement to do so, tendered him the use of his library and office until he should have pursued his law studies for one year within the state, as required by the laws of Ohio, when he would be entitled to admission at the bar, at which time, such was Mr. Andrews' liberal offer, Douglas was to be associated with Mr. Andrews as a member of the firm. To be met at the very threshold of his undertaking by such a brilliant promise of success was truly gratifying, and the offer was at once accepted. But the engagement was not to be completed. Young Douglas at once entered upon his duties as law clerk in Mr. Andrews' office, but in less than a week was prostrated by an attack of bilious fever — the scourge of the Western country during the period of its early settlement — and was confined to his room for many weary months. It was not until October that he exhibited any signs of permanent recovery. The physicians who had attended him advised him to return to Canandaigua, as, in all probability, he would be attacked by the fever again in the spring, which his feeble health and delicate frame, both now so disastrously impaired, would not be able to sustain. Under these circumstances, he concluded to leave Cleveland — then but a small village, now the beautiful forest city of the Lakes. In leaving there, he never thought of taking the back track and becoming a dependent upon his friends at home, but he determined to leave Cleveland by a forward movement, by a further step into the great West, resolved never, never to return until he should attain and firmly establish a respectable position in his profession. With this purpose firmly fixed in his mind, he left Cleveland during October, 1833, and never returned to visit his friends there until, ten years later, he carried with him his certificate of election as a member of Congress, having, in the mean time, been state's attorney, member of the Legislature, register of the Land-office, secretary of state, and judge of the Supreme Court in the State of Illinois.

He left Cleveland on a canal-boat, on which he traveled until he reached Portsmouth, on the Ohio River, where he took steam-boat and proceeded down the river to Cincinnati. For an entire week he sought some respectable employment in that city, from which he could derive means to support himself mitil such time as he could recruit his health and regain his strength to enable him to commence the practice of the law. His short stock of funds was nearly exhausted. Finding no encouragement in Cincinnati, he pushed on to Louisville, Kentucky, where he spent another week with no better success than had rewarded his search in Cincinnati. Nothing but his firm resolve not to return until he had accomplished a success at the bar nerved the heart of the friendless, moneyless, healthless boy. He never despaired of success, though from what quarter and when it was to come bid defiance to his conjectures. Turning his back upon Louisville, he proceeded by steamer to St. Louis. During this trip he for the first time witnessed and realized to their full extent the casualties incident to the navigation of the Western rivers — casualties with which, on several occasions subsequently, it was his misfortune to become too familiar. Near the mouth of the Ohio the boat was detained a whole week in consequence of running upon a " snag" and breaking her machinery ; and just below St. Louis she barely escaped destruction by fire. During this trip, thus prolonged to nearly twice the time usually occupied in going from Louisville to St. Louis, he made several acquaintances, and formed friendships which he has ever cherished with affection, and of which he always speaks with gratitude, particularly when referring to Dr. Linn, the distinguished senator from Missouri, and Colonel Miller, at that time governor of the same state, both of whom were his fellow-passengers.