Newspaper Page Text
round him. and “for some moment* preserv.
eil n rrvptwiti'i! hilritro. New tie* had
been discovered among them—new aft’ec
ti.ni nnihhtiot have been t reated. Btow-ter
was the first to speak.
•• In the same scrap <*f paper is the fol
lowing paraginph : 1 Died recently in ——.
John Carletoii, the misanthrope and tnis'*r.
He had for many years refrained from all
communion with hi* fellow creatures, be
yond that requisite to obtain ttie barest ne
cessaries. and bequeathes a luge property
to an *nly sister, supposed to ho livin'* in
America,” whom and her children, if she
have any. he make* his sole legatees.”
“Poor John” —said Catleion, musingly,
“he would not let me he his brother. But
he is gone now—gone to a tneiciful Judge.”
Again there was silence. 11 “l ire Sycamore
is still ours! your*, children! Now Lord
let thou thy servant depart in pence!”
Hi* face was again buried in hi* hands, in
prayer.. They waited some moments —In*
sister’s child, the creature of hi*
disitTtcrested benevolence, caught in her
arms a t-ore.
The pitcher was broken at the fountain
of joy ; and a parallel mound now rises be
side Grandmother's GRAVE.
‘MD@©!EIL[LAKIY.
The following interesting particulars
in the life of the lady of General Gaines
are given by a Washi ‘gton correspondent
of the Journal of Commerce, under date
of February 13:
Mrs. General Gaines.— The two most
important eases now liefme the Supreme
Conti are those of the licit sos Stephen Gir
ard, versus the city of Philadelphia, and
that of Mrs. Gaines, the wife of General
Gaines, who lias long and earnestly laltoied
for her rightful possession. Eminent Conn*
el ar* engaged in these cases, mid it is
pleasant to contrast the quiet dignity of tin*
Supreme Court Room, with the more uni
mn'i'd hustle of inferior Conns.
■ The history of Mrs. Gaines, were it un
folded, would he seen to possess soim-lliing
of I hr? romantic. For a long time her pa
ren'age was concealed from her. In early
life she was brought fmm New* Orleans to
the middle states, and for many years li\iug
in tln> family of a Col. Davi-, nem Wilming
ton, Delaware, passing under the mime of
Myra Davis, as the niece nr perhaps daught
er of this man, who was believed to have
possession of some poitiou of her prnpeity.
A* her mind was unfolded with Ihe growth
of her person, Myra naturally became in
quisitive on the subject of her liennge, ex
pert aI it ms, &r.. hut obtained lilt le salisl'ac
lion I'nim her reputed uncle oi father. Da
vis. however, sent her to I lie best schools,
that she might receive n finished education,
where she learned French, and Riving. &r.—
Arrived at womanhood, vviih a sprightly
mind, good pet son, and a veiy flank, Hl'er
iionate, ulul confiding disposition, Myia be
came an object of interest to those of the
other sex. who are not insensible to the
chatins of the mole tender poilion of mu
race. Probably the air of mystery that
Surrounded her did imt dirnitt sh that inter
est.
There was one young man in particular,
wlm was smitten with her chatnrt*— Mr.
Whitney, son of Gen. W’hilnej, of your
state, a lawyer by profession, an amiable
young man, and in the cslitn ition of Miss
Davis to be preferred h.-fore all others to a
place in her affections. To his piojamal
fm a union, Miss D. assented, with a fiank
ness which piesented a strong cnnlmst to
the feelings of her uncle. He was violent
ly opposed to : t, without, it is believed, as
signing a sati.-tactory lenson. Every obsta
cle, however, thrown in llu* path of the
lovers, served only to strengthen their mu
tunl attachment. MissD. fled the house of
her uncle, took refuge m u seclusion which
Ire in vam-endeavored to jieuelrate, awaited
with a maiden’s modesty and a lovr*s anx
iety, the at rival of her betrothed, fin I .vers
will exchange pledges, though it be through
atone walls or over tempestuous ware
made a grand mistake in meeting another
gentleman by the name of \\ liitney, who
happened to airive at a ci-tlain place in a
train of cars, in which, at the same hour,
die expected the real Whitney. At length,
after the course of ilu*it ime love had run
with a roughness to which their young hearts
had hiihiMto been strangeis, they were hap
pily and triumphantly martied.
Mr. and Mrs. M liitney went to New Or
leans, the scut or some million* worth of
property, which she claimed as her own,
nml which she Contends is (randomly w ith
held from Iter. Mr. W. tlieie investigated
the matter with untiling diligence, met the
usual obstinate opposition in such rose*,
and was. 1 believe, even thrown into prison.
He was not destined to recover the proper
ty, nr to continue in lift* with his beloved
bride. Mrs. Whitney became a youthful
widow, and very sincere mourner, (u this
slate of widowhood, she was approached by
the gallant old General, who sympathized
so deeply with her sorrows as to offer to
take that place in her affection* which hud
been occupied by her departed hlislililld.—
Whether those substantial charm* in ex
pectancy had any hand in vanquishing the
iiemt of .he old gentleman, it would lie pre
-B'implii"U< in any way to determine, with
out looking into the interior of the mind,
and inspecting his motives. The frank
hearted girl, however, was understood in
have assured the brave soldier, in accept
ing his hand, that ulie condition must ever
he reserved. She was always to have the
privilege of eulogizing the character, loving
the memory, mid descanting on the viilue*
nf her first and youthful love, ad libitum. —
Who would refuse such a boon ?
Os late years the General and hi* lady
have been engaged at times in trm iling us
the minister*of peace nod good will in men;
ot times in pioseeulMig ibis cl i in, involving
an immense folium*. The law's delay lias
for n long lime held the result in abeyance.
But ut this sessi"li of the Supreme (Joint,
it. has been argued by e mu ml counsel at
length—the matter is before ike Judge* in
fqtl—the parties are uiikiouly await ug the
decision which i* tu >n ike nr break. But
injustice he done, lline is little douht that
Mi#. Uaiue# will win the cause, and mm*
into the possession of that properly which
I believe Inis been unjustly denied I er.
firs. G. is a lady of many fine qualities.
Happily, among the list of her viitoes is to
he found that of peisevi-iauce. and every
buoyant hope, which have carried her safe
ly thus far. Siliould she even fail of her oh
ject, fortune will not forsake her. Resig
nation will then he expected to ndolli that
mind which has hitherto In en equal to eve
iv emergency.
A decision has been made in the above
case—by. which the Genetal and liis lady
are made the lord and mistress of junpeity
to the amount of piohuhly fill cell millions
of dollars.
The Young Gurk Gnl —A young Greek
girl, whose lover, smitten w th the plague,
was eoineyed to the li'itijiorarv hospital at
the seven lowers, had lio sooner nsceitaiu
ed whither they had canied him, than with
out saying a wind to her parents, who
would, she well knew, have opposed her
deign, she left her home, and ptesenled
herself at the portal of tlie infected (nitres*,
as a muse of the yoni-g Gtcek who had
been received there nti the previous day.—
In vain did the governor, imi/gining fionr
her youth, ami the calm and collected man
ner in which slu* i-fleicd heiself up as an
almost c rtain victim to the pestilence, that
she was not aware of her danger, endeav
ored to dissuade her from her plnjecl. She
was immoveable, and was ultimately per
mitted to approach the bedside of the dy
ins sufferer.
Not a tear, not a murmur escaped her,
as she took her place beside his pillow and
enteied upon her desperate office. In the
pauixy-nis of his madness, as the poison
was feeding upon hi* stietigth and grap
pling al his brain, he spoke of her finally
—he talked to hei —he stiitclud fintli his
hand In clasp lict —and in* tl.nist her fmrri
him when he yelled out in his agony, ami
his limbs w rithed beneath thetoituie of the
passing spasm.
And she I me it all inis’ rinkii g'y; and even
amid her miseiy she fell a fluid of joy as
she discovered that pain and madness had
alike failed to blot hel image from his niem
ory. But then* vveie moments less feaifnl
than these, in vvhieh teason lesiimeii hei
temporary sway, and the devoted gill was
pressed to the leveled bosom of liei f till
lover, and in these, brief as they were, she
felt that slit* vvns ov*-paid fm all.
But the struggle of even vontli and
stionglli against the most painful of.-. 11 dis
eases could not last long. The patient ox
piled in the aims of his devoted mistress
Hildas he luealhed his last, hi quatheil to
her at once his dying smilt* and the foul poi
son which was nun sing tlimiigh Ins veil’
She saw him laid in his uariovv grave; and
tin'll she turned away with the conviction
that she too was plague-smitten.
She did not ret in n heme; hut stood ii few
paces front elien! llie companions of hei
youth, and mule hei bear to I rr agi and pu
n-tits lit r blessings and In r pi avt-r. This
done she fled to Hie liioiuitains and sought a
solitary spot wherein to die. None knew
how long she lingered, for she was in vet
seen again in life; but lit-i body was fotitd
a few days attervvnids beneath a ledger of
earth, in a doubled up position, us though
the spasm was a biitei one.
Mu* who had sai l diced herself to soothe
the last limns of him w horn she loved, pel
isheil alone, mi'crnbly, in the wild solitude
of the Asian hills ; and her almost Roniai
virtue has met with no oilier n-eoid that
the hiief one in which 1 have I ere atten p'-
ed to pel pi mate the ii.eruoiy of her devo
tion and her fate.
A Mother's Tints. —There is a touching
sweetness in a mother's teals win ii they full
upon the face of her dying babe, which no
eye can behold without iin I ibing its infiii
ence. ITpon such hallowed giound llu* fool
of piof nily dates mil approach. Infidelity
itsell is silent, and forbeais its seoffings.—
And lieie woman displavs not her weak
ness, but her sln-ngtli; it is that strengtli ol
attachment which ran never to its It.II in
tensity le realized. It is perennial, depci.-
■<ant on ii*i climate, no changes ; out aliki
in storm oi sunshine; it knows no shadow
of turning. A fati-er when he sees lii
cliild going ih or ii to tin* daik valley, wilt
weep when die shadow of dent It has fully
C"ine over him ; and as the last parting
knell falls mi hi* eat he may say, •• I gi
down to the giave ot my son in mourning.”
Bill the hurry of business diary's him away ;
the tear is wiped fmm his eye, and if when
he tin tis from his fireside, the vacancy in
the family circle reminds him of his loss,
the succeeding day blutits the poignant v of
his giief until at length it finds no perma
nent seal in his heart. Not so with hei
who has borne and liomislied the lender
h'n-soin. It lives in the heart where it was
first entwined in the di earning In mis of night
She sees its pi yful mirth or lieaisiis plain
live cries: she seek* it ill the morning, and
goes to the grave to rveep there.
Runaway suitor rase. —A Cumbediind
damsel was about to lie mini led, the ntlici
da . to a young man rr I o found mere farm
in the eyes of the fat er than tic riaughiei.
hei In art being set another suitor.
Tin* farmed swain, says llu* Gateshead Ob
mover. H*i*leil by •* friend, lesulred to inn
off with Jenny, and laid silent seige to llu
cottage of h r patent'i t midnight.” Unlue
kilv, hi old aunt (confound all old aunts !)
waiving awake, and al.uined tin* whole
family, in all instant, rriiliout lli cetenm
iiv us diessitig, the iumnles iiisliedout upon
• In- la*si gers, hut not in jme to prevent
them from hearing Jenny from lie eoita e.
The |)llisuers, Imwcvei, c m y it: h as we gl t
than tin* fugitive-*, soon oveitonk tli m. and
II desperate collision ensiled, in which the
resolute lover rvas solely mauled. St 11. In*
and Jelili v C'lldi ived o in kt* lliei*’ >sc pe
and af ei vvuida to become man i ml w fe.
That she w ill make n prudent and eeo nini
cal pint net hcie can lie i o doubt • fi, r j h
spite of I er yrakefulohl hum, he manged
to carry off’ with her the bride cake, rvliii Ii
hud been Inked for llel'wedding with the
slighted suitor !
Beauty never appear* w ith mi much grace
IIS when lieumilig lliiimgli u shower of vir
tuous terns.
S(D m tl’ Ii IS Hi Ft £Q a 8 liMAno
An elephant in the town of Wliihy* (Eng.)
recently got louse in a brewery vvhcie he
yv s lodged. Some time during the night,
befVig seized with an iitiroiniruip ilrmii It,
and suspecting, from the nature “f his quar
ters, that good cheer must he nt hand, the
animal made seatch, and putting his foot
through the head us nil eighty-gallon cask of
poiler. and finding it to his taste, speedily
(hank the eonirn s. He next enipiied a bin
of brass, and when found next morning, was
making some ex|*-rinient* upon n second
cask of stout. Tlie tetotalers were very
much shucked at the occurrence*
Flitches in a Shi r t. —A young ladv in this
f ! wii recently had die corii s fy. while mak
ing it, to count the number of stitches in a
shiit. They were * follows ;
Seyy iug over and over, G 375
Felling, : : : : : 3853
Hemming, : : : : 1901
Gathering, : : : : 7GO
Button-holes, : : : : GB3
Stitching : : : ; 2054
Thus we see, at the price of 50 cents for
making such a shirt, about three hundred
stitche* aie taken fur a ctul.-*-Portsmouth
(N. II.) Journal.
IP© L 0 T D ©&Lo
general Hamilton’s letter.
Tlu* letter below addiessed tu a gentle
man of this city, ysid he read by every class
of politicians. The vviiter, Gen. Hamilton,
having for some time retired from the busy
scenes of party warfare, may justly he re
garded as an impaitial spectator of the great
contest now raging throughout the country.
Intimately acquainted with the piesent end
past history of men and measures, and hav
ing no peisonal views to advance, or private
etuis in accomplish, lie stands amidst the
moving elements of political discoid an im
jiaitinl nmpiie, anil a credible witness.—
Nothing can he more candid than this letter.
W ithout in the least altempiing to dispar*
iage the pretensions of others, he tegatds
Mr. Clay ns eminently qualified, to guide,
coni to] and manage the a flails nf this great
andgnming republic. Let those who seem
feaifnl of Mr. Clay, on the subject of the
Tatlff lead this letter. The writer rras
the veiy impersonation of anti-lai iffism, the
gieat leader of the nullification paity iti
South Ca’olina. His opinion* of Mr. C.
are Wnilh mote than a thousand of these
modern fiee-trsdi* men, who never discov
e-l tl-at resistance was a viilue, until they
deemed such a pietence of impoitance to
their political success. Gen. H. is right ;
the whig party stood bv our Sister State in
the hum of her trial, and vv ill stand by her
again when theii fiend-hip is needed. But
we are saving too much. Read the lettei,
and let it speak for itself. — Columbus En
quirer.
Ostcichcc Pent}. Russel Cos., Ala . I
March 4th, 1844. J
My Dear Sir—On retiiiiiing *’rom Savan
nah to this phir . | |uul the pleasure to re
ceive vmir kind favor of the Sfilli ultimo,
enclosing an invitation of llu* Muscogee
Clay Cluli to In* pre-ent at the reception of
Mr. Clay, at Columbus, on the lltli inst.
1 very much regret that the necessity for
a slum, hut urgent visit to Texas, will com
pel me to leave home for New Oilcans, on
the Bth in-taut. I shall, thetefore, have to
deny mvself the sincere gratification which
their invitation so acceptably pmmises.
\ou do menu more than justice in sup
posing that veiy high estimate which I have
long since formed of Mr. Calhoun's eminent
qualifieiitioiis for the government of this
mutiny, -lionld in no degree ifitetfeiv with
my eoidial disposition to do ho? or to the
di-ttiigiii.-hed individual who is about to vis
it you.
It is tine, that however much I may have
did’ red with Mr. Calhoun on a mere fi
nancial question, which at one lime more
materially divided the eountrv than at jnes
etit. yet 1 have always tecogni-ed in his ad
mirable genius, consummate ability and ac
ktiotv It dged irunal worth, those resources
lorlvgli public sen ice which in any station
won!d confer senility and renown on his
coiiutiy. But it seems that the usual organs
of the party to which lie is supposed to be
long, whether accredited oi not, have so
far pronounced a different judgment, ns
tnobablv to postpone his claims in favor of
another distinguished candidate ; and cer
tainly. neemding to all the tokens nf jiarty
organization, it appeals that the Baltimoie
Convention will peifoini no other office hut
to register an edict which has already gone
fintli, and that, like Miielzel’scelebrated au
tomaton Tiumpeter, this curious piece of
mechani-m has been specially wound nj> to
sound a pnitieiilar note. Whether this
note will he in Record with the sentiment of
die people of the United .States, remain to
I e seen.
My own bosom testifies to the truth nf a
renuitk that you must justly make, that the
pirfcieiu e which I have expressed for my
distinguished fellow countryman, Mr. Cal
houn, is in no di-giee inconsistent with the
pe sonal friendship 1 entertain fur Mr.
Clay, or of the just nppieeialion which I
have finmed nf bis ability nail patiiotism,
dining a set vice f-ir sevemlyenis with him
in the Cotigiessof the United Stales; often
in an excited opposition, in which we are
best able to estimate the worth and pmv
ei of those with whom we may lie unlici
p ited.
I became acquainted with Mr. Clav in
tin* se-sion of 1523, when he filled the chair
of Speaker of the House us Representa
tives. Although al that time n young mem
ber yet lliiough hi*kindnt sand pailiality, I
whs placed at the head ofone us its iiitlueuliiil
coiiitiiiitee*. Our acquaintance ripened into
llu* strongest social intimacy, which contin
ued without iihaleineiit, until the formation
of that gieat putty which was constituted
to efli'i't llu* eh*’ lion of Geti, Jueksuti to the
I’lesideuey us the United State*. It is
known to you we look different side*. 1
fell liiyself, in the angry amuv#t which mink
ed that great public convulsion gradually
separated from him. Although I never in
dulged ituthe smallest peisonal abuse and
denunciation of this gentleman—which
would have been so utteily inconsistent with
our former relations—yet. after the election
of Mr. Adams to the Presidency. 1 was in
tlie habit of passing Mr. Clay, in ;he streets
ot Washington, without even a distant re
cognition—fin I liiid then the folly to le
gmd at: opponent of Gen. Jackson almost
as a public enemy of the country. Such is
the madness of parly ! ‘I hese relations
continued until I was sutnn oned by Mr.
Randolph to attend him to the field, under
Mr. Clay’s challenge, in consequent e of the
flagrant insult which he had offered him in
the Senate of the United States, in conjunc
tion with your lamented and gall; lit fellow
countryman Col. Tattnall, at that time n
member of the House of Representatives
fmm Georgia. Theieme some circumstan
ces connected with this duel which have
neve r been made public, which, as they aie
hnnoiahle both to llu* living and the dead,
I hope I may be paidonen in relating. 1 do
nut think they will tender Mr. Clay’s re
option less cordial and enthusiastic, among
a peojile who. if they cherish romantic, arid,
as they are called, false notions of honor,
are at the same time alive to the testimo
nies of a gallant, generous and feeling spir
it.
The night before the duel, Mr. Randolph
sent for me in the evening. 1 found him
cairn, but in a singularly kind and confiding
mood. He told me that he had something
on his mind to tell me. He then remaiked,
“ Hamilton, 1 have deteimined to receive
without returning Clay’s fire; nothing shall
induce me to harm a hair of his head : 1
will not make his wife a widow, oi his chil
dren orphans. Their tents would he shed
over his grave, hut when the sod of Virgin
ia lest* on my bosom, there i- not, in this
wide world, one individual to pay this tri
bute upon mine.” Hi- eyes filled, and rest
ing his lit-ml upon his hand, we remained
some moments silent. 1 teplied, “my dear
fiiend,” (fi routs was a soil of posthumous
Ii ie ndship, bequeathed by our mothers.) “I
deepiy regret that you have mentioned this
subject to me, for you c II upon me to go to
the field and see you shot down, or to as
sume the responsibility, ill tegaid to join
own life in sustaining your detei mi at ion
to throw it away. But on this Mil jeet a
man’- own conscience and his ow ii bosom
are his best monitors. I will not advise,
but under the enormous and unpiovoked
personal insult you have offered Ml. Clav.
i cannot dissuade. I feel In mid, however,
to communicate to Col. Tattnall your decis
ion.” He begged me not to do so, and said.
“he was very much iilr :id that Tatnall would
take the studs and n fuse to go out with.”
I however sought Col, Tattuell, mid we re
pniied. about midnight, to Mr. Randolph’s
lodgings, whom we found reading Milton’s
great Poem. Far some niotnet ts he did
Hot pel nut Us in say olie Wold ill telalii Ii to
the upproai liing duel; and fie al once com
menced one of those delightful criticisms,
uii a passage of ibis Poet, in which he was
wont so enthusiastically to indulge. Afiei
a pause. Col. Tattnall remaiked, “ Mr.
Randolph, I am told yon have determined
not re'iii ii Mr. Clay’- fire ; I rnu-t say to
you, my dear sir, if I am only to go out to
see you -hot down, von must find some oth
er. ilend.” Mr. Randolph lematki and that it
was his deteini’iiiitiou. After much con
versation on the snbj-ct. I inriured Col.
Tattnall to allow Mi. Randolph to take his
own course, as his withdiavval, as one of his
friends, might lend to very injurious mis
construction*. At last, Mr Randolph,
smiling, said “ well Tattnall, I promise you
one thing, if I see llu* devil in Clay’s eve,
and that with malice prepense he means to
take my life, I may change my mind.” A
lemaik 1 knew he merely made to propi
tiate the anxieties of his friend.
Mr. (.’lay and himself met at 4 o’clock the
succeeding evening, on the hanks nfthe Po
tomac. But lie saw “no devil in Clay’s
eye,” hut a man feailess, and ex pressing tin*
mingled sensibility and firmness which be
longed to the occasion
l shall never forget this scene, as long as
I live. It has been my misfoitnne to wit
ness several duels, Imt I never saw* one, at
least in its sequel, so deeply affecting.
The sun was just setting behind the blue
hills of Randolph’s own Virginia. line
were two of the most extraordinary men
our country in its prodignllily hail prod need
about to meet in moitnl combat. Whilst
Tattnall was ha ding Randolph’s pistol, 1
approached my friend, I believed fur the
last time; I took his hand; there was riot
in its touch the quickening of one pulsation.
He turned to me and said, “Clay is calm,
hut not vindictive. I hold my purpose.—
Hamilton, iti any event ; remember this.”
Gn handing him his pistol. Col. Tattnall
sprung the hair trigger. Mr. Randolph
said, “ Tattnall, although I am one of the
best shots in Virginia, w ith either n pistol or
or gun, yet, 1 never fire with the hair trig
ger; besides. I have a thick huck-kir. glove
on whit It vvill destroy the delicacy of my
touch, mid the trigget mayfly befuie 1 know
where l am.” But. from his great solici
tude for hi.* fiiend, Tattnall insisted upon
bailing the nigger. On taking their posi
tion. the fact turned out as Mr. Randolph
anticipated : his pistol went off’ before the
word, with the muzzle down.
The moment thisevent took place, Gen.
Jestip. Mr. Clay’s It iend, called out that he
would instantly leave the giound, with his
friei.d, if that 0,-ciured again. Mr. Clay at
mice exclaimed it was entirely an accident,
and begged that the gentleiimn might lie al
lowed to go on. On the wind being given.
Mr. Clay fired wit limit effect, Mr. Randolph
discharged his pistol in ilie* air. The mo
meiil Mr. Clav saw that Mi. Randolph had
thrown away hi* fire, with a gu-li of sen-i
----bilily, lie instantly apptoached Mr. It., and
said, with an emotion I never can foiget.—
” I trust in God, mv dear sir, yon ate un
touched ; after vvl.ut Ima ■ crimed. I would
not have harmed you fin atliousaiid vvoihlv.”
Deeply iifl’ecled by this scene, I could nut
tefVaiii from grasping Mr. Clity by the hand,
and said, “My guial Sir, we have been
long separated, after the events of lu-dav, I
feel that we muat lie friviula fi never.” iKc
hurt been to.
1 do nut know that l should hovo refer
led in this trniiaarlinn, if I did lint believe
this last incident bad no small influence on
an impoi tar.J public event in Mr. Clay’s
life. I allude to ilie * celebrated compro
mise <in ilie action of llie ‘l aiifl of IS2B, l>y
die Slate of South Camlina.
I need not tecapitulate die circnmstnnres
which precipitated that measure, or the
fearful situation in which the country was
pledged, when Mr. Clay end .Mr. Calhoun
standing, as it were, ovet the tiouhled wa
ters, npnroaced nearer in each other to still
the angry flood. Apait from all public con
siderations, which could adequately find
their organ in his own patriotism. I have
always believed, although pi ideand delicacy
have hitherto forbid an explanation, that the
touch of onr hands on the uid battle-field,
on the hanks of the Potomac, was not with
out its influence with Mr. Clay, when unit
ing his exertions to those of Mr. Calhoun,
to compose this seemingly disastrous quar
rel, he took an anxious and friendly esti
mate of what he deemed the difficulty of
my ow n position. But, in the vicissitudes
of ail Immtiti things, how strongly the rela
tions of party had been changed ! Here,
on the one hand, was (Jen. Jackson to whom
South Carolina had dedicated the embodi
ed spiiit of all her sons, beleaguering her
wit>i his troops, and Mr. Clay, who had
been the unspared object of her reproach,
striving to avert a conflict ! !
1 feel sir, that the country owes him a
large debt of gratitude for his exeitions at
this conjuncture, and that the South has
never done him justice. 1 desire rut to be
misunderstood. There was no day in the
week. Sundays excepted, on which thp
volunteers which 1 had the honor to com
mand, at that time, in Charleston, would
not have gone out and have given General
Jackson’s Regular’s battle, if this was to
have decided the issue, notwithstanding our
just appreciation of the skill and gallantry
of the distinguished officer to w hom their
command had been confided, and who, on a
trying occasion, added to his known valor
so benignant a desire for peace and concili
ation. But, we knew that on the dischaige
of the first musket, the afreets of our city
would run with fraternal blood. Mr. Clay
lent Iris hand t>> stay the terror. Can we,
thr'U. regard with indiffeteme the services
such a man tendered at such a time 1
You will permit me to remark thatl now
la e rut part m the politics of the country.
I have not voted sot five years, at an elec
tion, nor, do 1 know that 1 shall vote for
the next five years to come. Engaged in
ati anxious and indent effort to pay my
ileitis, by tilling the soil on the hanks of this
ii\ei the sunny acclivity of public honors
has no ailriictiniis for me—l seek the valley,
and prefer the shade. Theie was a lime
when 1 might have cherished other aspira
tions, but that time has gone flu ever. Re
tired. thciefore, fmm the contest of pait es,
I think my veiy position makes me a wit
ness beyond exception. But. still, my op n
ituis nisy be of veiy little value; such as
they are, you .vemb'ed to them.
1 believe Mr. Clay’s election is about as
piolmble as any bun.an event, in fulinily,
can well be. A vista of leuown will be
opened to him, which has awaited the ail
ministration of no previous Piesident, since
that of the “ Father of onr country.” If
he is able, by his commanding influence to
airest, in Congress, the porteiitioiis agitation
of the slave question, and to fix the tariff,
fiindy, on the basis of the principles of his
nint compromise, he will, in saving his coun
try. have leaped his own harvest, abundant
and fructifying, now and forever. 1 know
no man who has more of the iristumental
means to pel form this high function than
himself.
1 believe, in the s'dendor of a vet uncloud
ed genius, his ambition will he on a level
with the august position he is likely to oc
cupy. God gi ant that it may lie so !
Thai man “’list have n limited sight, and
strong nerves, who does not see, or seeing
does not feel, that the country has to pass
through a valley encompassed with clouds
and darkness. The crisis requires a gified
sagacity, and the highest moral courage;
Ml. Clay has these qualities, in a degree
conferred otifew men. In making these re
maiks, I heg von not to consider one of
them as intended in disparagement of the
gentleman who is considered, as hitherto, in
opposition to Mr. Calhoun in the ranks of
the same party, to which they are both said
to belong.
For Mr. Van Buren 1 cherish feelings of
kindness and esteem, which 1 should he in
sensible to both his mei its and his uniform
fiiendship, if I did not both entertain and
exp-ess. If. at any lime, I have ever ap
peared to occupy an antagonist position to
this gentleman, it has been lather to the
measures of his patty, than himself—meas
uies which derived their authority from the
potent influence of a Chief, the repose of
whose declining years I would not note dis
turb, if 1 could. Let the lays of his glory
gather together on the hanks of the river I
am soon destined to visit, settle with collect
ed majesty, eternal and enduring, on his
fame.
You may well ask, if I entertain these
feelings towards most of our public men, to
whom ain 1 opposed 1 I answer no one. —
The embers of party spirit are extinguished
in my bosom, after having fell, as intensely
as most men, their burning heat. lam sen
sible, with one of their most eloqiuMit and
philosophical of stalest: en, of the truth of
the remark that •• Old factions me volcanoes
burnt out ; Horn their ashes the fruitful ol
ive and vine take root.’’ 1 feel that by these
exhausted etaters I can piaut a few of those
chinities which induce us to look with in
dulgenre on the opinions of others and with
a less overweening confidence in our own.
Although I have not (Vl’ it worth my while,
i r auy I o y’s while, to define my position,
and to determine whether 1 am Democrat
or Whig—(for on certain points I have dif
fered and agieed with both parties)—yet, 1
cannot hut feel and express my strong re
gards for the Whigs of Georgia, who. at a
lime when South Carolina needed friends,
were, nearly all. nullifieis to a man. and
prepared “to hack us to the death.*’ I there
fore, arn little di-posed toquarrel with them
now, if they happen to have made up their
mitlils to suppoit an individual for the Pres
idency who wan mainly instrumental in the
only substantial reduction of the Tariff
which has been effected, on any recognise,)
principle of public security; who has stood
forth on two occasions as the great and.suc
cessful mediator of the pel ilium si rife* of
this confederacy, and who, to brilliant cour
age and surpassing genius, unites the most
attractive social qualities. 1 mny have had
rnv preference, my dear Sir. and they are
entitled to theiis, whii h they are qnije li e
lv to make far more eff’eetual ihan mv own
by a triumph deci-ive and overwhelming. *
Pardon this long, rambling letter, which
is at your disposal, to use as yon please
Retain but the assurance of the great es
teem with which lam.
Faithfully and respectfully,
Your friend, and
Obedient servant,
J. HAMILTON,
Robert B. Alexander,
Columbus, Georgia,
MESSRS. STEPHENS AND STILES.
We have read ti e speech of Hon. Wil
liam H. Stiles, in defence of the rights to
their seats of those members who were
elected contrary to law, and. notwithstand
ing its great length, we were unable to find
anything at all remarkable, except the fob
lowing attack upon Hoii. Alexander H,
Stephens, which we consider not only un
provoked, but ungentlemanly : l
“ It is to me a source of regret that the
course which my colleague has pursued on
this question, has made it necessary to ad
vert to the unenviable pin-it ion which, in re
gaid to if, he has alone chosen to assume.
I regret, that he should have thought it ne
cessary, by a labored speech, to have con
vinced us of his want of title to his sear,
when that end could have been so much
more effectually and consistently accom
plished, without the utleinticc of a single
woid, by his absence from the hall. But 1
regret, more than all, with a declaration on
his lips that he is not entitled to his seat, he
should still undertake to vote, act, and re
ceive the emoluments, to which a right to
that seat alone entitled him. There was a
time when such assurance would have been
considered at least a want of delicacy;
w hen such a difference between opinion and
aetion would have been held at least a want
of consistency; but those days, I suppose,
are gone, and the time arrived when such
unblushing effrontery is deemed, perhaps,
an exhibition of “moral firmness,”suipass
ing that w hich distinguished General Jack
sou at New Oileans, and equalled only by
that of the judge who pronounced the infa
mous sentence upon him.
“ Mv eolle gue savs that this is a Question
for the judgment of this House; hut let mo
tell him, in all kindness, that he has, in my
opinion, mistaken the tribunal in which such
a question was properly cognizable. His
position involved a question, let me say to
him, tint to he tiied and decided in this
House, but alone to be ileteiniineii in Jura
con sciential. Define that tribunal do 1 nr
laign and charge him with the commission
of two high and enormous offences.
” He cannot hut know, from the study of
that profession for whit h he was edu< ated,
the natuie and ciimiunlify of the offence;
and I therefore leave him to name it, w hile
1 charge him with taking that to which he
says, and pci haps thinks, he knows that he
has no right, or even *• color of title.”
‘•Again; he cannot hut know, from the
profession he has followed, that, to partici
pate in the deliberations of this body, with
no right to a seat, is against the constitution ;
and 1 thereupon charge him with the of
fence, leaving him to name it, which arises
out of the violation of an instrument which
lie has sworn to suppoit.”
Mr. Stephens, on leave being given him,
asked if the gentleman would undertake to
he the keepei or the judge of his conscience.
Mr. Stile? replh and : God forbid that I
should be the keeper of such a conscience!
“ Yes, sir, my colleague, wiih a declara
tion on his lips, mid a feeling in his heart,
that he is rmt entitled to his seat—which,
consequently, in the very act of violating
the constitution of his country —lays his
hand upon the word of life, and calls iquin
God to help him, or not to help him, as he
may or may not suppoit that instrument. —
If not before high heaven—if not before the
world, at h ast in the silent winkings of hi*
thoughts, he must plead guilty ! guilty !
Sir, I dismiss him; and without presuming
to he his ‘judge,’ 1 may say to him with as
deep sincerity as ever it was pronounced
from the bench to u condemned criminal,
* may God Almighty have mercy upon your
soul.’”
In a note, appended to his speech on the
same subject, Mr. Stepheus’ makes the fol
lowing caustic reply;
*• Since the preparation of the foregoing
sheets for the press, I have seen published
in the Glohc what purports to be a speech
delivered in the House upon the same sub
ject, by * Mr. Stiles of Georgia,* in which
rue some remarks quite personal to myself
This, 1 lake it fur granted, was written by
himself, and published by his authority. —
And I notice, that in what he repot ft me to
have said to him in the House, in the pm*
giess of his speech, he has represented me
as saying what I can but believe he knew
that I did not say, and has entirely omitted
what I am equally confident he must hart
known that I did say .
“ Here, is not only a tnpprestin vtri,. ha*
a clear snggestwjahi, either of which accord
ing to most casuists, is wholly incimsisteat
with a very high degree of * moral attain
ment,’ and not surpassed in enormity of tmf
tilde, even by the slrociousness oi that hy
jwetisy that would commenre the grossest
of i eismial attacks with the profession ‘of
all kindness.’
Efforts to assail me or my position, o' 1 ®
such a source, and of such a character,*®
those of that member, either as originally
made, or now reported, will prove w* h’**
impotent in their object, than they were ma
lignnnt in their or gin. To his remade* a*
far bh my position is concerned, therefore,
have no reply. TANARUS such an argument,
shall never deign to teply. Thai po-iti"*’ <
have placed Itilly before the couutry, * ,,u
leave the country to judge of it.
“ But, ea far his remark* m*y
been intended to answer the porpo** ‘