A memoir of S. S. Prentiss

Preface

■4+-

The first plan of this Memoir contemplated no larger audience than the little circle of Mr. Prentiss' own family and kindred. It was hoped that the sharpness of their grief, cansed by his death, might be soothed by a few simple memorials of his life. But the materials were soon found to be ample for a biography ; and, encouraged by many friendly voices, I resolved to attempt it. The task has proved far more serious than was anticipated. But it has been a most grateful labor ; and were the result quite worthy of the theme, I should be well satisfied. The fact that the work has been written in odd moments, stolen from an exacting profession, may serve to explain, and perhaps to palliate, some of its imperfections.

In arranging the materials, my aim has been, as much as possible, to shape them into an autobiography. This has led to the insertion of the speeches

VI PREFACE.

into the body of the narrative. It has also led to what, I fear, may be regarded as an excessive use of the domestic correspondence. If any one should think that some of the letters, whether on the score of taste or value, might better have been omitted, I beg him to consider this point ; and, also, how hard it is in such a choice, not to be biased by mere personal feeling. During the first ten years of Mr. Prentiss' residence in the South "West, this correspondence is almost the only record of him that remains. As it is, not a few of his most beautiful and characteristic letters are left out.

It is proper to say, that in describing his electioneering campaigns in 1837-8, as also his speecli at Portland in 1840, and that at Natchez in 1844, several distinct accounts — oral, written and printed — have been condensed into one. This seemed better than to publish three or four separate notices of the same address.

My best thanks are due, and are hereby most heartily tendered, to all who, in any way, have aided me in my fraternal task. Nothing could exceed the kindness with which my brother's old friends, in the North and South, have answered my inquiries, and given me the benefit of their reminiscences. To my brother-in-law, the Pev. Jonathan F. Stearns, D.D.,

PREFACE.

Vii

1 am under special obligations. Without his constant encouragement it is doubtful if the work would ever have been completed; that its imperfections are not far more numerous, is chiefly owing to his critical taste.

Should these unpretending volumes render the name of S. S. Prentiss dearer to his old friends, or make it honored amongst those who never knew him, I shall be rewarded a hundredfold for all the pains they have cost me.

New York, Ang. 2, 185S.

V

CONTENTS OF VOL. I.

Chapter I

His Parentage, Birth and Childhood— Removal of the Family to Gorham— Hia Grandfather Lewis— Devotion to his Mother, and early Taste for Reading. 18

Chapter II

The District School-house — His Fondness for Gunning and Fishing— It is decided that he shall go to College — Preparatory Studies at Gorham Academy — Rev. Reuben Nason — Anecdotes of his boyish Wit and Oratory — Enters Bowdoin College— Reminiscences of him at this Period — Graduates, and commences the Study of Law— Judge Pierce's Recollections of him— Letters from his Friend Appleton, ..........28

Chapter III

Emigration of Educated Young Men from New England— Maine Twenty-five Years ago — He determines to go West— His setting out — His Letters Home, describing his Journey to Cincinnati, and thence to Natchez — Notice of his Uncle, Rev. James Lewis — Obtains a Situation as Teacher, . . . . .49

Chapter IV

Letters Home while teaching in the Family of Mrs. Shields — Notice of George W. Pierce — Letters from his Class-mate, Appleton — Takes Charge of an Academy — Trip into Louisiana — Anecdotes of him by one of his pupils — Is Licensed, and commences the Practice of Law in Partnership with Gen. Huston — His Appearance at this Time — Anecdote of his first Speech at the Bar — Trip to Columbia Springs — His Views of Slavery, . . . . . . .69

Chapter V

Essay on Toasting — Removes to Vicksburg — Mr. Chilton's Reminiscences of Hhn — Letters Home— Visits Washington City— Advice to a College Student — Forms a Partnership with Mr, Guion — Letters, ...... 109

1*

CONTENTS OF VOL. I

Chapter VI

The Southwest a Quarter of a Century ago— Hostile Meeting with Gen. Foote— Frequency of Duels in Mississippi at that time— Lord Bacon's Opinion of this " Desperate E/il," its Causes and Cure — Letters Home— Rapid Increase or Business— Recollections of him when riding the Circuit— A Night's Imprisonment — Eulogy on Lafayette, ....... 129

CHAPTER VH.

Letters— Voyage to New York— His First Visit Home— Letters — Serious Accident — Is elected a Member of the Legislature — Entrance into Political Life — Anecdote of a Backwoods Speech— Session of the Legislature — Letters Home — Visit to Kentucky — His Trips up and down the Mississippi — Scenery and Scenes on the River— Vicksiburg in 1S36-7, . . . . • • .157

Chapter VIII

Adjourned Session of the Legislature— Mr. Prentiss's Speech on the Question of admitting the Delegates from the New Counties— Protest against their Admission — Resigns his Seat, . ..... 187

Chapter IX

Recollections of him in the Winter of 1836-7— Letters— Gains the great Commons Suit— Second Visit Home— Fourth of July Speech at Portland— Becomes a Candidate for Congress— His Views on the Question of a National Bank— Mississippi in 1837— Opens the Canvass with a Speech at Natchez— Electioneering Campaign— His Letters describing it, . . . . . • • • 218

Chapter X

Arrives in Washington— The Lower House of Congress in 1838— Mississippi Contested Election— His first Speech on claiming his Seat— The Admiration it excited —Mr. Webster's and Mr. Fillmore's Opinions of it— Mr. Legare's Reply to it— His second Speech— What followed— The final Result— Is rejected— An Error corrected touching a Remark of Mr. Clay— Public Dinner on the Eve of his Return to Mississippi and a Union Speech of Mr. Webster— Letters, .... 244

Chapter XII

Address to the People of Mississippi — Return to Vicksburg — Second Canvass of the State— Reminiscences of it— Speech at Natchez— Anecdotes illustrating the Effect of his Eloquence— His own Account of Scenes with a Menagerie— Result of the Election— Address to a Jury— Letters— Return to Washington— Claims hia

CONTENTS OF VOL. I. x j

Seat under the November Certificate of Election— Characteristic Incident mentioned by Mr. Word— Speech on the Sub-Treasury Bill— Letters— Speech on Small Note Bill— North and South, ..... 317

Chapter XIII

Visits Portland— Attends the Public Dinner given to Daniel Webster in Faneuil Hall— Letter from Edward Everett— His Speech on the Occasion— Trip to the Whit« Mountains— Invitation to a Public Dinner in New York— The Correspondence—Reminiscence by Judge Wilkinson— Returns to Mississippi by Sea- Reception at New Orleans— Extract from a Speech at Vicksburg on Disunion— Letter8 » 366

MEMOIR OF S. S. PRENTISS.

Chapter I

His Parentage, Birth and Childhood-Removal of the Family to Gorham-Hii Grandfather Lewis-Devotion to his Mother, and early Taste for Reading.

The subject of the following memoir was descended from one of the oldest New England stocks. His paternal ancestor, Henry Prentice, came over from England and settled as a "Planter," in Cambridge, Mass., some time before 1640. He was a member of the first Church in Cambridge, formed in 1636, and of which Rev. Thomas Hooker, who soon removed to Hartford, Conn., was the first pastor.' His eldest daughter, Mary, married Deacon Nathaniel Hancock, great grandfather of John Hancock, the illustrious President of the Continental Congress. Not a few of the most respectable families in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont, trace back their orio-iu to Henry Prentice, of Cambridge.

Rev. Joshua Prentice, minister of Holliston, Mass., and great-grandson of Henry, altered the spelling of the name to Prentiss, in order, probably, to distinguish it from other branches of the same family ; an alteration, which seems to have been generally adopted by the descendants of Henry, of Cambridge.*

Samuel Prentiss, the grandfather of Seargent, was graduated at Harvard University in 1771, and after the birth of his eldest son William, removed to Gorham, Me., where he resided until his death.

Seargent Smith Prentiss was born at Portland, Maine, September 30, 1808. His father, William Prentiss, a highly respected and prosperous shipmaster, was a man of much energy and decision of character, of quick intelligence, and strong domestic affections. His return from sea was always the signal for great family rejoicing ; a season, too, redolent of oranges, pine-apples, and other products of foreign climes, sweet to the taste, or pleasant to the eye.

Eew things contribute so much to give variety and animation to the household-life of a New England seaport as the

* I am indebted for these facts to The History and Genealogy of the Prentice or Prentiss Family in New England, from 1631 to 1S52, published in Boston, 1S52, by C. J. F. Binney. The work contains much curious and valuable information about the family, but is not free from inaccuracies ; e. g. in stating that the Editor of this Memoir was " a Representative to the Massachusetts Legislature,- 1848, from New Bedford." Mr. Binney says the name is an old one in England. In Rhymer's Fcedera, vol. ill., page 730, mention is made of Thomas Prentiz, Anno Domini 1318, An. 12, Ed. 2. Also, John Prentys, Rector of Winterborn, Bradston, Aug. 22, 1413, and Prebendary of York, North Newbold. The first of the name in America was, probably," Valentine Prentice, who came over with Elliot, the Apostle to the Indians, in 1631, and settled in Roxbury, Mass. "He lived a godly life, and went through much affliction by bodily infirmity, and died leaving a good safr (savor) of godliness behind him." Deacon Henry Prentice, grandfather of Samuel, " owned the Fresh Pond property in Cambridge. A valuable document, written and signed by him, instituting the first prayer meeting, is in possession of Rev. Mr. Albro, of the Shepherd Congregational Church. He was a tall and very gravelooking man, sat in the Deacons' seat in church, directly in front of the minister, and in cold weather he put on a green woollen cap with a tassel on the top, to keep his head warm, it being bald on top."

ORIGIN OP HIS LAMENESS. 15

constant coming and going of husbands, fathers, sons, and brothers, on their more or less distant voyages. The home of a sea-captain is marked by peculiar excitement and gladness during his visits, followed by unusual fears, anxiety, and loneliness while he is away. How differently affected are his wife and children by the wintry blasts, by tidings of shipwrecks and storms at sea, by reports of pirates and naval captures, from those of the landsman. And when, after long and perilous voyages, he comes back in safety, with what eagerness do the children listen to his story. How they talk it over among themselves, and feast their young imaginations upon its wonders.

Capt. Prentiss had not a few hair-breadth escapes to relate. He had encountered storms and hurricanes, had been repeatedly shipwrecked, chased by pirates, and boarded by a British man-of-war. Many of these things happened while Seargent was a boy, and all were among the familiar traditions of the fireside, repeated a hundred times by his mother during the long winter evenings. It was in these early days, no doubt, his memory became stored with those wild, ocean images which, in later years, he wrought into forms of such exceeding beauty and grandeur.

While yet an infant, he was seized with a violent fever, which reduced him to the verge of death, deprived him for several years of the use of his limbs, and was the cause of the defect in one of them, from which he never recovered. For his partial recovery he was indebted to the unwearied care and devotion of his mother. Every day she was accustomed to spend an hour or two in rubbing and bathing his torpid limbs ; this she continued to do, as far as her own infirm health would allow, year after year, until one by one they became strong enough to perform their appropriate functions : the right leg alone refused to be entirely healed, remaining lame and feeble to the last. With this exception, his physical development was perfect; that of an ancient wrestler could hardly have been more so.

Those who knew him in after years, will, perhaps, recollect his horror of cold water bathing. It had its origin in infancy. After trying in vain all other appliances, his mother was advised to dip him every morning in cold water drawn directly from the well ; and this she did, except in winter, for several years. It proved effectual in hastening his restoration ; but he could never after hear of a cold bath without shuddering.

He did not forget the patient love that rescued him from the misfortune of growing up a helpless cripple. The filial piety, which will form a chief attraction of these pages, had in it a depth of tenderness and gratitude of which that love is the best and only solution.

Seargent's parents were members of the congregation over which Rev. Edward Payson, then in the first glow and outburst of that apostolic zeal which, at length, consumed him, had been recently ordained minister. They were among the earliest of a great company who were indebted to his pious labors for their Christian hope ; he was endeared to them, therefore, not merely as a beloved teacher and friend, but as the father of their religious life. The impression made upon Seargent by this devoted man, was strong and abiding. Aside from the veneration he cherished for him as the one by whom he had been baptized, and who was regarded by his parents with an affection scarcely "this side idolatry," he felt, doubtless the electric touch of that genius for which Dr. Payson was no less eminent than for his seraphic piety. One fond of tracing the subtle influences which shape and give tone to the development of the individual mind, could easily believe that in this close contact of the embryo orator with the ardent and eloquent divine, lay the secret cause of not a little that he afterwards became.

REMOVAL OF THE FAMILY TO GORHAM. IT

-

He ever retained an affectionate respect for the memory and virtues of his early pastor, and often spoke of his peculiar talent for original, happy illustration, in terms of congenial admiration and delight.*

He retained, too, through life an almost boyish attachment to his native town. Casco Bay, upon which it lies, he once called, in poetic phrase, " the fairest dimple on ocean's cheek." It is studded with pretty islands, some say one for each day in the year. No stranger who visits Portland in the summer, or early autumn, can fail to admire the charming variety and beauty of its scenery. The sea-views, sweeping down the coast, or opening out upon the broad Atlantic, are singularly fine ; while the landscapes, bounded far away in the distance by a magnificent prospect of the White Mountains, are not less attractive.

During the war with Great Britain, Captain Prentiss removed to Gorham, a town distant some eight or nine miles from Portland. Like many others, he was driven into the country by the ruin which had fallen upon commerce. Portland was one of the leading shipping-ports in the Union ; the amount of its tonnage being less than that of only three or four others. The prostration of business caused by Mr. Jefferson's embargo policy, and then by actual hostilities with our great transatlantic customer, was complete. It is remembered to this day with terror by old merchants and shipmasters, some of whom, during forty years, have not been able to recover from its blighting reverses. So long as the lessons of the war of 1812 are kept in memory, the commercial temper of the country is not likely to be belligerent.

* In a letter written in 1S43, he alludes to Dr. Payson as " our old family pastor, one of the most, if not the most, eloquent of the American divines, whose name is reverenced by all good men."

This removal to Gorham was fraught with the most import* ant results, being one of those domestic changes which, apparently trifling at the time, in the end prove to have been turning-points in the destiny both of parents and children. It gave form and coloring to Seargent's whole subsequent life.

Gorham was a pleasant farming town, especially distinguished for religious and educational advantages. Its origiual settlers, a hardy, intelligent and pious race, were sprung of the genuine Pilgrim stock. Some of them still survived, full of anecdotes of the Revolutionary times, and of their early conflicts and adventures with the wild beasts and Indians, who, long after their coming, continued to haunt the forests of Gorham.*

In this town lived Seargent's maternal grandfather, Major George Lewis. Like most of the early settlers of Gorham, he was a native of Cape Cod, whence he had emi grated after the close of the Revolutionary War. His farm was situated at a little distance from Clement's Corner, on the old county road to Standish, at the point where it turns off towards Buxton. The house, erected by him in the wilderness, three-quarters of a century ago, is yet standing, but untenanted, and ready to vanish away.

Major Lewis was a man of great weight and force of character, of excellent understanding, and noted for the earnestness of his religious and political convictions. One might have gone far before finding a truer specimen of the Puritan deacon, or of the old-fashioned Washingtonian Federalist. Before emigrating to Maine, he had been out in the Revolutionary war, served as an officer in the battle of Bunker-Hill, and was deeply' imbued with the patriotic

* For an interesting account of the settlement and early history of Gorham. with sketches of its leading men, see Judge Pierce's Centennial Discourse, Portland, 1835.

HIS GRANDFATHER LEWIS. 19

spirit of the times. An aged aunt, recently deceased, used to depict, with much vivacity, the scene of her father's setting out to join the Provincial army. All hands were busy in preparing for his departure ; but it was a task of mingled fear and hope. The dread shadow of approaching war and revolution was resting upon every household in New England ; and many a wife's, mother's, daughter's or sister's heart already presaged the agony that was to come ! Neither mother nor daughter, on that night, gave slumber to her. eyelids ; long before daybreak the retreating footsteps died upon the ear, and the house was left solitary and desolate. How different was the scene, when her father and his fellow-townsmen returned home with the laurels of Bunker Hill still fresh upon their brows. Among Major Lewis's intimate friends were his cousin, Hon. George Thacher,* of Biddeford ; General Peleg Wadsworth ; Judge Longfellow, of Gorham ; and the late Hon. Prentiss Mellen, Chief-Justice of Maine. When visited by these friends, the state of the country was an invariable subject of discourse ; and they would often sit up till after midnight, absorbed in warm political discussions. Major Lewis, as has been intimated, was a strong Federalist, of the school of Washington ; and, like many others of that school, " hated" Mr. Jefferson " with perfect hatred." To his boyish intercourse with his grandfather is to be

* Mr. Thacher died in 1824. He represented the District of Maine in Congress for several years, and was then appointed an Associate Judge of the Supreme Court of Massachusetts. He continued on the Bench almost to the day of his death. He was a man of superior ability, gifted with the keenest wit, and endeared to all who knew him by his fine social qualities. While in Congress, he was challenged to fight a duel. His reply has passed into a proverb. It was to this effect, —that in matters of such gravity he always consulted his wife, then at home io Maine, and he should feel especially bound to do so in the present instance. In the meanwhile, if the other party would chalk out a man of just his size, and shooting at it according to the rules of the duello, should hit it, he (Judge T.) would cheerfully admit that, had he stood in the ilace of the chalk-man, the ball would have hit him too.

attributed much of the political spirit which marked Sear* gent's mature years. Hardly a pleasant day passed, during the latter part of the venerable man's life, in which he failed to pay his daughter a visit. Seargent was a particular favorite with him, and, unconsciously, perhaps, was thus early imbibing principles and a habit of feeling in reference to public affairs, which underwent no essential change to the day of his death.

In this connection the name of his uncle, Hon. Lothrop Lewis, should not be omitted — a name- still cherished by all who knew him with peculiar respect. For many years he was entrusted by his fellow-citizens with numerous important offices, and, but for his untimely decease, bid fair to reach the highest honors in the State. A man of eminent worth, mildness, and dignity of character — a model of public virtue — he was admirably fitted to inspire the young with just and honorable sentiments. Seargent was much in his family, and conceived for him the greatest regard and veneration.

Capt. Prentiss' farm was about half a mile from Major Lewis's, on the road to Standish. The old homestead, built on a gentle elevation, has a very pleasant outlook, while from a neighboring hill the eye rests on a landscape, or rather series of landscapes, of more than ordinary attraction.

Owing to his lameness, which precluded walking for several years after the removal to Gorham, Seargent passed the greater portion of his boyhood in-doors, and under the immediate eye of his mother. He was emphatically the son of her right hand. The sufferings of his infancy, long oscillating between life and death,* and his still crippled state,

* While his father was absent at sea, a sweet little sister, whose memory is still cherished in the family, died ; but, by some mistake, the report reached his father that it was Seargent. He immediately wrote to the mother, congratulating her that it had pleased Providence to spare Caroline, and to take away the poof cripple, whose prospect for life seemed so hopeless. How little do we know when we are most blessed !

DEVOTION TO HIS MOTHER. 21

would of themselves have especially endeared him to her — • for what touches the maternal heart like a sick, unfortunate child ? — but he was endeared to her yet more by his extreme beauty, sprightliness of mind, and affectionate disposition. Everybody was struck with his noble forehead, fine eye, and frank, open countenance ; a countenance beaming, even in its dawn, with that intellectual fire which, in later years, was wont to shine with such lightning brightness. Everybody, too, noted his mental forwardness, and predicted that he would one day be heard of in the world. The tradition of him and his witty sayings is still fresh among the old neighbors and his playmates at school. But more than by his beauty, or his wit, was the little cripple endeared to his mother by his sweet disposition. From the first, he was a tender-hearted, generous, loving boy ; singularly free from that selfish petulance and illnature which too often cast a shadow over the face of childhood ; and all these fine qualities crystallized, as it were, into devotion to his mother. Never was he so happy as when sitting by her side or nestling in her bosom. When, according to the good old Christian custom, she on Sabbath evening retired with the younger children to pray with and for them, he always insisted upon kneeling beside the same chair with his mother. What began in weakness and suffering, grew into a habit, a necessity, and

"A joy for ever."

His in-door life afforded excellent opportunity for reading. There were few Puritan families of New England in which one might not meet, in whole or in part, the writings of John Newton, Baxter's SainVs Rest, Bunyan's Holy War and Pilgrim' 's Progress, Edwards On the Affections, Milton's Paradise Lost, Young's Night Thoughts, and similar works. The list would have now to be greatly enlarged. In many a plain, rural household, may be found a select library of the best poets, historians, essayists, and divines of England and America. The sons and daughters of the intelligent New England farmers are early initiated into the noblest literature of their mother tongue. Before reaching his tenth year, Seargent was master of every book upon which he could lay his hand. The Bible, in particular, he read and re-read, until his acquaintance with its contents was astonishing. He would repeat large portions fYom memory. When, no one else could " find the text" on Sabbath evening, he was seldom appealed to in vain. Next to the Bible, his greatest favorite was the Pilgrim's Progress. Over this matchless allegory he pored with unceasing delight ; he knew by heart every step which Christian travelled from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City. The copy used by him was full of pictures, of the Palace Beautiful, Vanity Fair, the Cave of Pope and Pagan, Giant Despair, Doubting Castle, and the Delectable Mountains ; and so deeply were the scenes, thus graphically depicted by pen and pencil, engraven upon his fancy, that in after years Pilgrim's Progress, like the Bible, was to him a never-failing treasury of felicitous allusion and illustration.

Thus passed away the first ten years of his life ; the season of budding to the intellect and the affections. No feature of his mature character was wanting in that of his boyhood. Those who knew him, from the cradle to the grave, recognized the same high-souled, genial, and affectionate being at ten and at forty.

" Thfe Child was Father of the man."

THE DISTRICT SCHOOL HOUSE. 23

CHAPTER IT.

The District School-house — His fondness for Gunning and Fishing— It is decided that he shall go to College — Preparatory Studies at Gorham Academy — Rev. Reuben Nason — Anecdotes of his boyish Wit and Oratory — Enters Bowdoin College — Reminiscences of him at this period — Graduates, and commences the Study of Law — Judge Pierce's Recollections of him — Letters from his Friend Appleton.

At a little distance from Captain Prentiss's farm stood, and still stands, the district school-house. It was thus described by his son, more than a quarter of a centurylater : —

Behold yonder simple building near the crossing of the village roads! It is of small and rude construction, but stands in a pleasant and quiet spot. A magnificent old elm spreads its broad arms above, and seems to lean towards it, as a strong man bends to shelter and protect a child. A brook runs through the meadow near, and, hard by, there is an orchard ; but the trees have suffered much, and bear no fruit except upon the most remote and inaccessible branches. From within its walls comes a busy hum, such as you may hear in a disturbed bee-hive. Now peep through yonder window, and you will see a hundred children, with rosy cheeks, mischievous eyes, and demure faces, all engaged, or pretending to be engaged, in their little lessons. It is the public school — the free, the common school, — provided bylaw; open to all; claimed from the community as a right, not accepted as a bounty. Here the children of the rich and poor, high and low, meet upon perfect equality, and commence under the same auspices the race of life. Here the sustenance

24 MEHOIB OF S. S. PBF.NT1

of the mind is served up to all alike, as Spartans served their food upon the public table. Here young Ambition climbs its little ladder, and boyish Genius plumes his half-fledged wings. From among these laughing children will go forth the men who are to control their age and country ; the statesman, whose wisdom is to guide the senate; the poet, who will take captive the hearts of the people, and bind them together with immortal song ; the philosopher, who, boldly seizing upon the elements themselves, will compel them to his wishes, and, through new combinations of their primal laws, by some great discovery, revolutionize both art and science.*

Until his eighth or ninth year Seargent continued so lame that he could only walk by means of crutches ; a little carriage was, therefore, provided, and for several winters his elder brother was in the habit of drawing him to and from school. At length, he was able to move freely by the help of a single cane. No sooner was this the case than he conceived the greatest passion for roaming abroad in the fields and woods, — but especially for gunning and fishing. The principal game, which he went in quest of, were partridge, wild duck, grey squirrel, and wild pigeon. In the time of harvest, immense flocks of the latter would fly over the country, and thousands of them alight in the neighboring woods. It was the custom of his brother and himself, as soon as the wheat-fields were reaped, to raise two dead trees, and prepare beneath them a long bed of earth, covered with grain and tinctured with certain fragrant oils, which the pigeons were supposed to scent from afar. Hard by, a booth was built, in which they could conceal themselves and await the coming of their prey. When a goodly number had alighted on the bed, a net was sprung upon them. Seargent's excitement was always irrepressible ; the instant