The life of Gen. Frank. Pierce, of New Hampshire, the Democratic candidate for president of the United States

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Preface

The nomination of General Franklin" Pierce to the Presidency by the Xational Democratic Convention at Baltimore — sudden and unexpected to a large portion of the people of the Union — has created a strong and natural desire to obtain a reliable record of his life. This volume has been prepared to meet that desire. Friends in whose judgment we have been accustomed to confide, advised to the undertaking; and we have endeavored to throw aside all personal or political preferences, and prepare a candid and impartial life of General Pierce. The fact that no complete life of the candidate of the Democracy had been published, was in itself, a strong argument in favor of the project. General Pierce has ever been a retiring man, never courting popularity and fame, and, therefore, he is less known to the people at large than other personages whom we might mention, yet who are far infe-

YI PREFACE.

rior to him in intellect, statesmanship, and all the attributes which are to be found in the character of a perfect man. We have written the book for the million, who desire to know all that can be known of "the coming man" — the man whose destiny it is to occupy the Presidential Chair.

The candid reader will discover General Pierce, as a man and private citizen, to be generous, gentlemanly, and exceedingly attractive in all his qualities of mind and manner. As a soldier, he will appear able, courageous and sagacious.

Of all the base inventions of political party presses, the charge of cowardice on the part of General Pierce, while in Mexico, as preferred by certain Whig journals, is the basest. The most respectable journals of that party, however, have refused to propagate so infamous a libel upon the character of one of our bravest generals.

As a statesman, General Pierce will be found able, intelligent and honest. His course and views upon the subject of Slavery, we present without any remark either of approval or dissent, for the public wishes not our opinions, but the facts of General

PREFACE. YII

Pierce's private, professional and political career. These we have endeavored faithfully to present. We feel confident that all our statements may be implicitly relied upon, yet we wish to say here, distinctly, that General Pierce is not responsible for a line in this volume. Certain leading facts we obtained from him or distinguished Democrats in New- Hampshire, and we have received valuable advice from prominent Democrats in other parts of the Union; but for this volume, we stand alone responsible.

It is but just to remark that circumstances have compelled us to prepare the volume with great haste, so that the reader who is expecting a volume of elegant writing, stands in a fair way to be disappointed ; but he who desires a candid, unpretending, yet reliable record of the public career of Franexin" Pierce, may — we trust we may say it without egotism — consult our pages with safety. r>. w. b.

Chapter I. Page

Benjamin Pierce, Father of Gen. Pierce— His Early History- Anecdote of hiia — His Family — Political Career — Personal Appearance — His Generosity — Anecdote, - - . . 13

Chapter II

Birth of Franklin Pierce— Preparation for College— Anecdote — His religious friend, Zenas Caldwell — Solving a Problem- Military and Civil Law in conflict— Takes his Degree — Studies Law — Elected to Huuse of Representatives — Ma;le Speaker,.. 22

His Congressional Career — Subject of Slavery— Resigns his Seat- Again appointed to the Senate, but will not accept — Correspondence — Offered a seat in the Cabinet of Mr. Polk, 121

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Chapter VII. Page

Mr. Tierce as a Soldier and General — The Breaking out of the Mexican War — Mr. Pierce Enlists as a Private — Appointed Brigadier-General — Sails for Vera Cruz— Attacked at National Bridge — Joins Gen. Scott at Puebla — His Course through the War — His Return — Reception at Concord — His Speech, 135

Chapter VIII

General Pierce on the Religious Test Question— His Speech — Letter to the Stark Monument Committee, 191

Chapter IX

Gen/Pierce as an Orator — His success in Examining Witnesses — His power as a Pleader — His Plea in the Wentworth Case, 210

Chapter X

General Pierce at Home — His Family — His Popularity — Anecdote — His Generosity — Personal Appearance — The Compromise Question — Nominated to the Presidency by the N. H. Democr racy — Declines — Letter to Colonel Lally, 238

CHAPTER XL

The National Convention— Letter of the Committee — Gen. Pierce's Reply — Remarks, 243