Newspaper Page Text
BY 8. HOSE & CO.
s< r. CHAPJI VY A S. ROSE, Editors.
T E It >1 s .
‘l’] ie Georgia Journal S? Messenger is published eve
. Wednesday morning in the city of Nkicon, at the
following
RTIDUCED RATE:
If paid strictly in advance, per year, 92*50
If not paid in advance, 3 (XT
jf n ot paid till the end of the year, 4 00
I"ie above terms will he rigidly enforced, without re
< eet to | reons, as the object of the Publishers is to do
I, as nearly as possible upon the cash principle
■referring that their subscribers should reap the profits
w hich usually go to ageuts and collectors. In no case
ill the paper be sent out of the State unless first paid
I'.r or a satisfactory reference is given in Macon or its
vicinity.
\)Y r ,a RTE MGN T S inserted at the usual rates —
],*; ~,r U nite i when Inn 1c I in, will be inserted till
; r ;„.l • hiC a liberal discount will be allowed to persons
dv> advertise by the year, and who pay on demand.
Yd marriage notices, and obituary notices of over
ten tines, wilf be charged at the usual rates.
Ml announcements of candidates for office, to be paid
for at the usual rates, when inserted.
I liberal arrangements made with County Officers,
Druggists, Auctioneers, and others, who may . wish to
n delimited contracts.
Persons advertising will please observe the following:
Sales of Land and Negroes, by Executors, Adminis
trators and Guardians, arc required by law to be adver
i , iin a public gazette, sixty days previous to the day
° Th -sc sales mnt he held on the first Tuesday in the
t (, between the hours of ten in the forenoon and
r e u the afternoon, at the Court House in the county
in which the property is situated. . .
Tiie sales ot Personal Property must be advertised m
like manner forty days. ..
Notice to Debtors and Creditors of an Estate must be
nnblished forty days.
v N otice that application will be made to the Court ot
Ordinary for leave to sell Land and Negroes, must be
published weekly for four months
F Citation* or Letters of Administration must he pub
.• i | f • r fy ,/ njs—foT Dismission from Ad ,'iinistration,
monthly six months-for Dismission from Guardian
tor foreclosure of mortgage, must be published
monthly for four months—tor establishing lost papers,
for fie full ree of three months —tor compelling ti
[„vn yxewui rs or Administrators where a bond has
been given by the deceased, the full space of three
II nor Letters on business to be post-paid.
NEW ARRANGEMENT.
United States 2YEail liine—Daily,
Better n Savannah and Charleston via TTilton Head\
and Beaufott, Inland two-thirds of the way.
■jf jIW THE WELL LKuWN ‘
jL N . splendid Steam Packets<^^^^^
.HETAIIORA, Captain F. Barden,
WM SE VBROOK, Cant T. Lyon,
GEN. CLINCH, Capt. Win. Curry,
Will hereafter leave Savannah every evening at halt j
past 8 o'clock, and Charleston every morning at 9 o’- [
clock, precisely, touching at Hirton Head and Beau
fort each way, and avoiding two-thirds of the sea route.
For Freight <>r Passage npnlv on board or to
BROOKS A TUFPGR, Vg’ts Savannah.
E. LAFITTE, Sc CO. Ag’ts Charleston.
N. B.—All Goods, intended for Savannah or Charles
ton, will he forwarded by the Agents if directed to their j
care, free of commissions.
All way freight payable by shippers.
.lan 26 43
Semi-weekly U. S. Mail,
Steam-Packet Line.
Jik ’ * BETWEEN
SAVANNAH & PALATKA, FLA.
BY THE WAY Os
Darien, Brunswick, St. Mary’s. Ga.; Jacksonville ,
Black Creek and Ficolata, Fla.
In connection with the Charleston Daily Mail Steam
packets at Savannah, the steamer SARAH SPALD
ING, from Palatka to Lake Monroe, the U. S. Mail |
Stages from Picolata to St. Augustine, and from Black
Creek, via Newnansvttfo, Alligator, Mineral Springs
and Columbus, to Tallahassee.
Ol Adi CLG EE, Capt. P. McNetty.
ST. MATTHEWS, Capt. N. King.
WM. GASTON, Capt. J. Hebbard.
Th Packets leave Savannah every Tuesday and |
Saturday mornings, at 10 o'clock, and arrive at Picola- !
tain time lor tin- Mail Stages to go through to St. Au
gustine before night every Thursday and Monday.
Returning, leave Palatka every Tuesday and Friday
morning a 7 o’clock, touching as above each way.
BROOKS & TUPPER, Agents.
Savannah, Jan 26 43
N. B, —Goods consigned to the agents forwarded free
of commission. Freight from Savannah and Charles
ton, and all way freight, payablehy shippers’
Hail Hoad.
THE following resolution was passed at the last ,
meeting of the Board of Directors. j
“That the Board adopts generally, the line of Road,
surveyed by Mr. Holcomb, Chid Engineer, crossing ;
Flint River, in the vicinicy of the tnouthof Beaver creek,
and that the localities be continued thereon, with only
such deviations as may shorten the line, or diminish (
the expense.”
ELAM ALEXANDER, President.
Office So. Western R. R. Cos. t
Macon, 9th June, 1848. $
June 14 11 3m
Kail Road Installment.
AN additional installment of Ten Dollars pershare j
in the Stock of this Company, has been called,
payable on the Ist of October, 1848, and a further in
stallment of Thirteen Dollars per share, payable on the ,
Ist Januury, 1849. Payments to be made at the Of
fice of the Company, at Macon.
ELAM ALEXANDER, President. !
Office So. Western R. R. Cos. J
Macon, 9th June, 1848. S June 14 11
S, y CARRIAGES A HARNESS.
’ jA/ De Loache & Wilcoxson have on !
t hand, at their old stand on Mulberry
1 street, Macon, one of the most exten
sive and valuable stocks of ready made
CARRIAGES, BUGGIES, SULKIES,
Ac. Ac. Ac.
to be found in the Southern States. Customers can be ‘
accommodated either with Northern articles or with
those of Domestic manufacture, as they prefer. Their
stock of materials is very superior, and their workmen
not surpassed by any in the Northern shops. They
can, therefore, warrant every article which they offer
for sale. They feel assured that, for extent, beauty .va
riety and workmanship, their present stock is not sur
passed in the South.
ZiiF Carriages, &c. made to order, and all kinds of
Repairing done with neatness and despatch.
For Safe, also, on the most accommodating terms,
Jwtic Springs, Axles, Steps, Bands, Lamps, Coach
Ince; Latent and Top Leather, Plated and Ja
panned Harness Mountings; Paints, Oils, Var
nish, tfC.
March 29,1943. 52
WOOD ATTD BRADLEY,
MANUFACTURERS AND DEALERS IN
ABINET F U KNIT U E
and
\ l * ll* CHAIRS.
\\ * ‘J. most respectfully inform the citizens of
p i th.- ‘ | Con > a .nd public generally, that having avaii
\V,:; ‘"‘‘lves ot the services of some of the very best
lire , n ’ and having a supply of the best materials,
hi if J 10 make to order any article in their line.
Cc/r ‘".’V 0 our P re3ent stock, such ns Dmitm, Tea,
Bav-in’. ,^ r ° r k> Toilet, Quartette and Sofa Tables;
b. .. ‘ Sideboards ; Solas and Wardrobes; Sofas ;
r .” i'j • toinai,s ; Tettetetes; Foot-stools; Secreta-
Ft, r: ’ ’'Y mid Book Cases; Ladies’Work Boxes and
G. .. pj* > Piano Stool; Looking Glasses and
Frj,,.. 1 R 1 ; Gilt, Mahogany and Walnut
neat :i! ‘- J izes for Pictures and Portraits; Cane
nut (■, 1 ‘ ! " , p, a d Counter Stools ; Mahogany and Wal
ty ot Cl ': “ j ‘ U(i 'a and Hair Cloth Seats ; a great varie
k.u.J^. 1 1‘, . la ple and Walnut Cane seats and other
‘•teai’ h Chairsof patterns too numerous to
Poplar „’., l i l,o -? an y• Walnut, curled and plain Maple,
daw BKi |, Ul ’ Bedsteads, cheaper than ever ; Win
ers. p e ..! s ’p PW - beautiful and rare patterns ; Feath
aud M *. 1 r °eds ; Mat trasses of curled Hair, Cotton
W e kT”
*! 1,!.* ‘'’any articles not enumerated or introdue-
To 11 ls market
■Mah o „, 2 ""\J, C [ ,lr ers —For sale, Furnitiie Varnish,
Xj>p’ “ ainut. Plush,and Veniersand Bad Posts.
*?*! Sofas r . e P a * !< 'd neatly and with dispatch.
Lane.
- n ’ov.3, 1447. 6—ts
rpt: . ( S*Liajo Fortes.
- .‘ .t/ r ‘!* r respectfully informs the citizens of
’ has the Agency for the sale oi
!' I "."ff-redT a ? manufactory in New’ York-the arti-
Ei?'f the lat.-Qt” -i xst woikmanship and materials,
■son* w ; G,, 8 ‘- ’ vel T superior at low prices.—
VAN VAMENBUROH
#corgift Jotnnct anh itfeesenge v.
SHHILES! SADDLES:
MORRIS Sc WESTCOTT have on hand
a first rate assortment of SADDLES, HAR-
G NESS and CARRIAGE TRIMMINGS, of
all kinds, which they will sell at prices to suit the times.
‘I heir facilities are such that they can sell lower than
any other establishment of the kind in the city.
Give us a call tie fore you buy, is all we ask fora re
commendation. REPAIRING done at reduced prices,
in a workman-like manner.
Cotton Avenue, next door to Isaac Winship.
April 1, 1848. % 10
ill usicstl Instruments.
THE undersigned having been appointed Agent for
F. Zogbaum s Harmonic Institute. Charleston, S.
C. is enabled to offer an assortment of Musical Instru
ments at unparalleled low prices; he will also keep
constantly on hand an assortment of Musical Merchan
dize ot all kinds. Complete sets jof Instruments for
Bands &e. can be furnished.
These goods are imported into Charleston direct from
Europe by Mr. Zogbaum. and can therefore be afford
ed at prices far below any thing that has yet been offer
ed in this |>art of the country.
March 22 51 6m B. L. BURNETT.
15. L. BURNETT,
(“3L HAS removed from the old stand of C. K.
Wentworth is, Cos. to Cotton Avenue, near the
of Cherry street, where he is prepared to
offer his customers olfi and new, some ot the cheapest
bargains in JEWELRY ever sold in Macon. His
collection ofgoods lias been made with great care, and
will be sold remarkably cheap.
Alt kinds of Clock and Watch Work done with
despatch nndwarranted.
April 5 • 1
FINE WATCHES.—Just received and for sale,
next door to Mr, Bancroft’s, on Cotton Avenue,
anew supply of Fine Gold Hunting, Double Bottom
and Ancher Lever Gold Watches. Warranted to keep
time, and at prices to suit the times.
April 5 I B L. BURNETT.
\\f ATCII KEYS. —Anew and elegant article.
” ▼ Dont forget to call and see them.
April 5 1 B. L. BURNETT.
/'(OLD PENS in both Gold and Silver holders.—.
YT Also, a large assortment of Gold and Silver Pen
cils—the best and cheapest in the market.
April 5 1 - B. L. BURNETT.
C'l OLD STUDS for Gentlemen’s use and nowall
T the fashion, for sale by
April 5 1 B. L. BURNETT.
FINGER RINGS, —A new and elegant assort
ment, just received. B. L. BURNETT.
April 5 ‘ ~ i
LADIES’ IJREAST PINS.-A few of new
patterns, rare and extremely neat, for sale at
April 5 1 B. L. BURNETT’S.
PECT ACLES—GoId Sc Silver frames with Burt’s
IO Perifocal Glasses—the best now in use, forsale by
April 4 1 B. L. BURNETT.
SOLAR LAMPS.—Fine Solar Lamps, Brittania
and Brass Chamber Candlesticks, for sale by
April 5 1 B. L. BURNETT.
SILVER SPOONS and Butter Knives—just re
ceived and for sale by
April 5 1 B. L. BURNETT.
PLATED WARE, —Elegant Plated Castors,
Fruit Baskets, Waiters, Candlesticks, Snuffers and
Trays, Cups,&,c.—-just opened and for sale by
April 5 1 B. L. RURNETT.
-. Fine Wines.
OLD MADEIRA of the very best quality.
Do. SHERRY do. do.
Do. PORT the pure juice ot the grape.
CHAMPAGNE AND CLARET, choicest brands.
Also—Second quality Madeira, Sherry and Port.
A large supply in Store and for sale by
SCOTT. CARHART & CO.
July 26, 1848. 17
Whiskey, Gin and Hunt.
1 AA BBLS Rectified Whiskey.
lUU 75 do. Baltimore do.
150 do. PHELP’S (and other brands) GIN.
50do. U. E. RUM.
On hand and for sale by
SCOTT, CARHART & CO.
July 26, 1848. . 17
Tobacco ami Cigars.
A large Stock, of every brand and quality, always on
hand and for sale low by
SCOTT, CARHART &, CO.
July 26,1848. ‘ 17
Faints, Oils, &c.
WHITE LEAD of different qualities.
LINSEED OIL.
LAMB do.
WINDOW’ GLASS—different sizes.
InStore and forsale by
SCOTT, CARHART &. CO.
July 26, 1848. 17
Cottou Yanis him! Os 11 a burgs.
THE undersigned, are Agents for the sale of the
MILLEDGEVILLE STEAM FACTORY
YARNS.
Also, for YARNS AND OSNABURGS from the
CURTRIGHT MANUFACTURING CO. Greens
boro’, forsale by the bale, on the usual time, at Manu
facturer's prices.
SCOTT, CARHART Sc CO.
July 26, 1848. 17
Porter.
rAA DOZ. LONDON PORTER (pints and quarts,)
UU U This day received, and for sale by
SCOTT, CARHART & CO.
July 26, 1848. 17
Groceries*
QCOTT, CARHART & CO., still continue the
IO GROCERY business, and keep constantly on hand
a full supply of every article in their line, wnich they
are disposed to sell in any quantity, on as good terms
as any other house in the State.
July 26, 1848. 17
Codec.
1 A* I Bags Prime Rio.
1 * “40 do. Old Java.
8 Half bales Mocha.
In Store and for sale by
SCOTT, CARHART Sc CO.
July 26,1848. 17
Brandies.
1 rv Half pipes dark “Otard” old and fine.
1U 10 do. light do. do.
5 do. pale do. do.
For sale by
SCOTT, CARHART & CO.
July 26,1848. 17
1 A PIPES HOLLAND GIN, a genuine article.
1 U 20 BBLS OLD MONONGAHELA WHIS
KEY.
In Store and for sale bv
SCOTT, CARHART & CO.
July 26,1848. 17
1 AA BALES GUNN CLOTH.
1 1/17 Also, Kentucky Bagging,
Bale Rope and Twine. For sale by
Aug. 9,-19 SCOTT, CARHART & CO.
No. 3 Jltickerel—ln Store, and forsale bv
Aug;9—l9 SCOTT. CARHART' Sc CO.
OflA RACES Gunny Bagging,
ZUU Kentucky do.
Bale Rope and Twirr. For sale by
SCOTT, CARHART Sc CO.
August 16 20
Sight 4 hecks
ON the City Rank New York, in sums to suit pur
chasers. For sale by
SCOTT, CARIIART Sc CO.
August 16 20
Sal*.
OAHH SACKS SALT in store, and for sale by
OUUU CHAS. CAMPBELL Sc CO.
August 16 20
Bugging, Rope uml Twine.
A BALES Gunny Bagging,
J 100 pieces 52 inch Kentucky Bagging,
200 “ 48 in ill
j 15q “ 44 inch “ “
200 Coils Kentucky’ Rope,
500 lbs. Bagging Twine,
For sale on moderate terms by
CHAS. CAMTBELL & CO.
August 16 20
Hams, Lard, Ac,
1 TAA LBS. Carolina firm Hams.
J)U U 1000 lbs. Kentucky do.
10,000 “ Sides and Shoulders,
2000 “ Leaf Lard. For sale by
CHAS. CAMPBELL &, CO.
August 16 20
On Consignment.
, FILOUR, in bands and sacks from the “Lebanon
F Mills,’’ Cobb county. For sale in lots to suit pur
chasers. CHAS. CAMPBELL Sc CO.
August 16 20
MACON, GEORGIA; WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 20, 1818.
Hleaelied and Domestic Goods.
Cl A BALES 4-4 and 5-4 brown Sheeting,
rC\) 20 “ 3 4 fine and heavy brown Shirtings,
25 “ Oznaburgs, medium and heavy,
2 “ Nankin Oxnaburgs,
2 “ Shetucket Stripe Drills,
5 M Tickings,
2 Cases Checks and Plaids,
lo “ 7-8, 4-4, 5-4, and 6-4 Bleached Goods,
1 “ Bleached Drills,
2 “ Brown ““
Now in Store and for sale by
GRAVES, WOOD Sc CO.
August 16 “ 20
Paints ami Oils.
Number i, white Lead,
Extra and Pure do. do.
Red Lead, Black do.
Chrome Green, Chrome Yellow,
19-12, 12-14, 12-16, 12-18, Glass,
Putty, Chalk and “Whiting, Brushes,
l.insead Oifi Sperm Oil, EepliamOil,
Bleached t>il, Train Oil, Turpentine and Varnishes.
Now in Store, and lor sale by
GRAVES, WOOD & CO.
August 17 20
ToSmcco, Smill", Ac.
1 g'A BOXES Tobacco, various brands,
-LOU 1 Bbl. Maccoboy Snuff,
1 “ Scotch do.
2 “ Mrs. Miller’s fiue Cut Tobacco. For
sale cheap by GRAVES, WOOD Sc CO.
August 16 20
Shoes.
j i \ CASES heavy Black and Russett Brogans,
i. U a do. Men’s sewed and pegged Calf Brogans,
10 do. do. Kip Brogans,
6 do. do. Kip and Goat Boots,
10 do. Women’s Boots and Clay Ties,
5 do. “ Low quarter Shoes,
5 do. Boys Kip Brogans,
Also—A good assortment of Ladies fine Shoes,
Yfouth’sand Children’s Shoes. Now in Store, and
for sale by GRAVES, M OOD, &c CO.
August 16 ,20
fsiack Karages ami Fringes.
5 PIECES Black Barages,
5 Do “ Silk Warp Alpacas,
5 do Black Slk Fiingt^
Thread Edgings, Do. Laces,
Muslin Edgings, do. Ittsertings,
Queen’s do do. Laces,
Tapes, Bobbins, Thread, Buttons, &c.
Just received and for sate by
GRAVES, WOOD Sc CO.
August 30 22
POTASH, Sal iEratus, Sal Soda, Sal Nitre, Sal
Epsom, Crem. Tartar, Tart. Acid, Gum Cam
phor, Magnesia, Gum Aloes, Assafoetida, Borax, Al
um, Copperas, Brimstone, Sulphur, Red Lead, Blank
Lead, &.C. &c. Forsale by
GRAVES, WOOD & CO.
August 16 20
Sugar, Coflee, Ac.
a HHDS. St. Croix, P. R. Muscovado and N
/CtJ Orleans Sugars.
20 hhds. Crashed, Powdered, and Loaf Sugars,
40 “ Refined Coffee Sugars,
180 bags Rio Coffee,
10 “ Java “
10 cases Tea, (some very fine.)
30 bbls. Prime Country Fiotir. For sale by
GRAVES, WOOD de CO.
August 16 ~ 20
Baling, Hope and Twine.
r/A BALES Gunny Bagging,
i OU 150 pieces Kentucky do.
J 200 Coils Kentucky Rope,
500 lbs. Baling Twine. Just received and forsale by
GRAVES, WOOD Sc CO.
August"l6 20
C 8 UNNY Bagging, Bale Rope and Twine, forsale
T by HYDE & BENTON.
Aag. 23 21
Sugars Sugars.
ST. CROIX, Porto Rico and New Orleans.
Clarified; Crushed,Pulverised and Loaf.
For sale by HYDE & BENTON.
Aug 23 21
RIO and Old Java Coffee. For sale by
HYDE & BENTO N.
Aug 23 21
CEDAR and Painted Tubs,
Do do do Buckets,
Flour Pails, Sugar Boxes,
Market Baskets, Brooms,
India Mats. Forsale by lIYDE &. BENTON-
Aug 23 21
SPERM Candles, Lamp and Linseed Oil,
Soap, Pepper, Spice, Ginger, Starch,
Salairatus, Mustard. Forsale by
HYDE & BENTON,
Aug 23 21
onnn LBS. CHOICE HAMS, for sale by
OUUU J. SEYMOUR.
August 16 20
Just Received and For Sale.
1 /v AAA LBS. Georgia Bacon,
iUjUUU 25 barrels Georgia Flour,
25 do. Canal F'iour,
10 half barrels Canal Flour.
JAMES SEYMOUR.
August 30 22
A A B ALES Gunny Bagging,
/C\J 75 P.eces Kentucky Bagging.
For sale at the lowest market price by
’ An ff 3o J. SEYMOUR.
1 AA BAGS RioCoflee,
lUU 20 Hhds. Fiue Sugars. In store and for
sale by J. SEYMOUR.
August 30 22
miU-Wrights Sake Notice.
THE OcmulgeeFoundry is nowcasting the Cele
brated HOTCHKISS WATER WHEEL and
the ATKINSON IMPROVED WHEEL. I have
the general agency for disposing of the right for the
Hotchkiss. Wheel. These Wheels do not needa recom
mendation, as they are in use all over the country,
where they can be seen.
CHARLES P. LEVY,
Cotton Avenue, near Macon i* W. R. R. Depot.
August 23 Telegraph copy. 21
F.ANTERS your interest at the Ocmulgee Foun
dry. lam now prepared to build the Bullock
.Cotton Press, in all the eounties in this State ex
cept Baker, Butts, Dooly, Henry, Houston, Jones,
Lee, Macon, Monroe, Pulaski, Sumter, Twiggs and
Upson. CHARLES P. LEVY,
Colton Avenue, near M. J( IV. 11. R. Depot.
August 23 Telegraph copy. 21
; Ssepci-finc Flour from New Wheat.
THE subscriber keeps constantly on hand fresh |
ground Superfine Flour from new Wheat. Also 1
! fresh ground Meal, Grits of all sizes, Horse Feed, j
1 Wheat Bran, &c. Apply at the Steam Mills near the
Market House.
JAMES VAN VALKENBURGH.
July 26 17
W lieat M auled.
THE subscriber will at all times pay the highest
market price in Cash for good Wheat delivered at
I the Steam Mills in this city.
JAMES VAN VALKENBURGII.
July 26 17
NEW GOOES.
THIS day received, by G. W. Woodruff,
20 pieces French, Earlston and Linen Ginghams,
20 Embroidered Muslin Capes.
Fine Figured Lace for Capes.
Egf'tian Mitts, Brown Lines, Apron Cheeks, Tick
ings, Whalebone, <fcc. &c.
Macon, August 9, 1848. 19
marine & Fire Vnstiranro linnk, |
Savannah, June 27th, 1848. $
r f"WIE following Resolutions were adopted thisdnv:
JL “ Resolved, That an EXTRA DIVIDEND of
Four Dollars ter Share be declared, payable to the
present Stockholders, on and after the 15th proximo,
in the new Stock authorized to be issued by the Act of
the Legislature of December 22, 1847. ‘l’he Certifi
cates to bear date June 1, 1848, and all fractions of a
Share of Fifty Dollars to lx- paid in Cash.
“ Resolved. That Books of Subscription be opened at
the Banking House in Savannah, on the 15th of July
next, for the sale of the remainder of the $400,000 of
additional Stock authorized by said Act, and be kept
open (unless the whole amount be previously sold,) un
til the first day ot November next. The Certificates of
new Stock sold alter the sixth day of any month to
bear date on the first of the follow ng month; and all
new stock to draw dividends from the date of Certifi
cate, pro rata with the old Stock.
Extract from the Minutes,
J. OLMSTEAD, Cashier.
July 5 14 17t
Ljivv Notice.
CHRISTOPHER B. STRONG, of Perry, Hous
ton county, am! THEODORICK W. MONT
FORT. Knoxville, Crawford county, Ga. Attorneys,
Counsellors and Solicitors, have entered into copart
nership in the practice of the law and Equity in the
Superior Courts of the counties of Crawford, Talbot
and Macon. The junior member of the firm will as
sume the responsibility of alt collection business, and
. promptly and punctually attend to the same. But all
, matters of litigation confided to their charge, will have
the vigilant nnd personal professional attention of each
member of the firm.
August 16 20 3m
111 ro It r ANT TEST ITS ON Y,
DC?“To be carefully read by the good men
and moderate men of both parties.
What Honest .lien say of Taylor.
The enemies of General Taylor finding it impossible
to say any thing against his personal or military char
acter, now affect to believe that he has neither the
mental qualifications nor the experience requisite to fill
the Presidential Chair, either with credit to himself, or
profit to the country. In this they are as much mista
ken as they formerly were when they thought him un
fit to command the army.—We give below the testi
mony of some of the best men in the nation.
11011. John C. Spencer’s Opinion.
?Jr. Spencer is well known as one of the ablest
statesmen and jurists in the nation. While Secreta
ry of War, he was frequently brought into close
communication with General Taylor, and of course
is well calculated to form a correct opinion of his char
acter and qualifications. Mr. Spencer when applied
to for his opinion, gave it in the following dear, strong
and unmistakable language:
“You ask me to communicate the opinion, which
you understand has been expressed by me, in reference
to the attainments of Taylor, derived from his corres
pondence with the War Department during the time it
was in my charge. It is very true, 1 have often stated
my high opinion not only of the sound judgment and
unsurpassed discretion of Gen. Taylor, but also ot his
j capacity as a writer ; and when doubts were cast upon
the authorship of the admirable despatches which came
from Mexico under his name, 1 declared unequivocally
my thorough conviction that he was the authormf them.
And I stated my reasons for this conviction; that his
official letters and other communications wliichhad
fallen under mv observation contained the same con
densed vigor of thought and expression, th 1 ’ same pecu
liarities of style, tind Deauty, and force of language that
characterized Lis Mexican despatches ; and that, from
circumstances personally known to tne, I was certain
that he could not have had the aid in writing the letters
and communications referred to, which sorhe of the
newspapers alleged had been rendered to him in Mexi
co. This opinion 1 now deliberately reiterate. You
and I know perfectly well that persons who are in the
habit of literary composition can detect the style, man
ner of thought, and turn of expressions of a writer, af
ter having been acquainted with some of l;is produc
tions, with a certainty at least equal to that with which
an expert in penmanship can decide upon the signature
ot one whom he has seen write his name.
“I do not mean to deny that Gen. Taylor, like Gen.
Washington, and like every other modest man, may
Rave hod the aid ofa literary friend in looking over his
despatches written, as they must have been, under ex
citement and sometimes in haste ; and that friend may
have erased a redundant word or phoi.se, or rounded a
period. Ifthis be evidence of Incapacity, who shall es
cape ? It is notorious that the writings of Waslnnglon,
and particularly his Farewell Address, underwent the
revision of Gen. Hamilton ; and the messages and pub
lic communications of every otlier President have al
ways been subjected to the critical examination of his
who will submit important public papers to the. public
scrutiny without the revision of a friend, when it can
be obtained, will evince more presumption than good
sense.
“For forty years Gen. Taylor has been in the military
services of his coontry ; more than thirty years of the
time in garrisons anti at posts, where in a time of peace
lie has had abundant leisure. His habifs are admitted
on all sides to be exemplary, and he is any thing
hut an indolent man. Wnat, then, have probably been
his occupations during the tedious days, weeks, months,
and years of garrison duty ? The answer to the question
may be found in the rich, manly, and condensed
thought that makes his compositions models of episto
lary writing. And it may be found in the significant
fact stated by the veteran Gen. Gibson to Mr. Ontten
den, and,by him proclaimed at Pittsburg, that he liad
been for many years associated with Gen. Taylor iu
military service, and frequently on courts martial and of
inquiry with him, and that General Taylor always
drew up the proceedings and reports of the courts. —
Men accustomed to business will see the l ull force of
tliis tact. - ’
Gen. Persifer F. Smith’s Opinion.
No man has had better opportunities to judge of
Gen. Taylor’s capacity than the gallant Hero of Con
treras. Gen. Smith has known Gen. Taylor for years
—was with him in Florida ns well as in Mexico. He
is a man of acknowledged talent and a Democrat.—
Yet when called npon for his honest opinion, he comes
out frankly as follows, and we may add that his opin
ion will be sanctioned by his vote in November next.
Gen. Smith says:
“Gen Taylor’s military exploits are not the causes of
his popularity, they are only the occasion for the display
of his sound m igmem, energy of character, lofty and
pure sense of justice and incorruptible honesty He
has as much reputation for what he has written, as for
what he has done.
P.? V( ; r R e >. ir d anyone, however corrupt or base
hiniscit, that after five minutes conversation with Gen.
I ayior has dared to propose, or even to hint, at any
thing dishonest or mean, and no intercourse in the or
dinary events of common life, can give the true idea of
the lottiness of his character.
“I remember you asked me at the time he was put in
command of Coj pus Christi, whether he was equal to
the circumstances? I told you in reply, of his sound
judgment and inexhaustible energy, as J learned them
in Florida, but 1 did not then properly estimate the
other and higher points of his character, lit the cam
paign on the Rio Grande I saw him tried under all cir
cumstances, and he always came out pure gold.
“His profession that he will be the candidate of no
jKirty will, if he be elected, be carried out in practice,
not that his opinion on matters of policy may not be
tLose otone or the other party, as on most of these lie
isir Whig, and he is not the man to net adverse to his
own opinion?, but no party management or power,
can ever lead him to do a mean, or what he thinks a
wr< ing thing.
As soon as General Taylor was furnished by events
with the opportunity to display his character, you see
that it was at once properly estimated, and I come back
to the proposition 1 started with, that the people will al
ways properly measure great men. Ido not say that
they will always reward them properly, for they can
not always give a direct expression to their feelings,
aad the less worthy may have their vote without their
wishes.”
Col. Jefferson Davis’s Cpinion.
“Colonel Jefferson Davis, who, Ironi the connection
existing, is not very likely to be influenced by other
than true and proper motives, is represented by the
New Orleans papers as having used the following lan
guage concerning General Taylor:—After compli
ment iug his follow companions from other States, he
or a moment dwelt upon the virtues of the old hero
who had led them to victory, and to whom they looked
up as children to a parent. Col. Davis said :
“Gen. Taylor had shown himselfthe distinguished sol
dier of the age, yet he was equally remarkable for his
kindness of heart and simplicity of habits, his strong
ludgnient and excellent sense. He alluded to <he fact
that Gen. i aylor had shared the humblest soldier’s for
tune in the campaign ; that he had in every thing iden
tihed himself with his troops. He alluded to that hour
ottlie battle of Buena Vista, when the day seemed, ts
not lost, to be going against our arms, when General
1 aylor, amidst the thickest of the iron hail, rode upon
the plateau, and surveyed the scene. Vast as were the
consequences of that hour, he appeared to fear no dan
ger, expect no harm. From that moment, said Col.
Davis, the volunteersfe.lt assured of victory. The pre
sence of that old man inspired a courage that could
not be overcome ; and not a soldier present, said he
(pointing to the regiment before him,) but felt then wil
ling to die rather than yield an inch. It was not, con
tinued Colonel Davis, on the battle-field that we learn
ed to love General Taylor. The excitement of the car
nage over the same soul that could remain unmoved
when his triends were lading like leaves around him,
who could look unblanched upon the from of the thun
dering artillery, became the poor soldier's most sym
pathizing friend; and the eye, so stem in battle, was
ns mild as the tender-hearted matron's.”
“Having traced General Taylor through all his bril
hant military achievements, Col. Davis spoke ofthe old
hem as a man, a civilian, a member of society, a pillar
ot the State, and declared that in all these stations he
had no superior. He was proverbial for his modesty,
firmness, intelligence, uprightness, and humanity. He
had known him long and known liim well, and he had
never known a man with a purer or better character.—
In whatever station Ire might be placed of honor and
trust, he would adorn it. He was a man of great wis
dom and firmness of character, and he had never un
dertaken any step and failed to carry it out!”
Capt. Dragg’s Opinion.
This distinguished officer, though formerly one of the
most ardent Democrats in the country is now the
j open advocate of his old commander. Upon his re
| turn to Mobile from Mexico, the Democracy presented
| him with a sword. Col. Lindsay, the orator for the oc
j casion, in addressing him signified, that he was regard
ed as the hero of Buena Vista. Bragg with the mag
j nanimity peculiar to a real hero, responded as follows :
i “Passing by the incidents of Fort Brown and Monte
rey, to which you have so eloquently alluded, I may be
pardoned for saying, in reference to the more memora
ble field of Buena Vista, that the credit which has been
awarded me for the part performed by my command on
that occasion, has had its origin in the disinterested
; ness and generosity of our noble old Chief, who is ev
-1 er inclined, to bestow on others, honors justly due to
j himself. To Gen. Taylor,and to him alone, belongs
i all the glory of that achievement. And l but express
; the universal opinion of those who served muter him,
in saying that no other living man could have obtain
ed that victory. So great was that confidence reposed
in him by his troops, and uo other could have com
manded it, that, his presence on any pa ft ofthejicld
was sufficient not only to change despair into hope
but to give assurance of victory, and dispel all doubt
of ultimate triumph.”
Father Richie’s Opinion.
W’hen the Editor of the Washington Union first
heard of the triumphs of Gen. Taylor, and before he
began to fear him as a candidate for the Presi
dency, he thus spoke of him in the honesty of his heart.
W r e copy from the Setni-W’eekly Union, of May 30tli,
1846, as follows;
“ The pen worthy of the Sword. ”
“Nothingcan be more happy, appropriate, modest,
yet dignified, titan the despatches from Gen. Taylor.—
They are worthy of the man and of the occasion which
hascalied them forth. We thoroughly agree with the
compliment tnat the New Orleans Courier pays to the
general order of Gen. Taylor, ‘giving thanks to his
troops for their bravery and good conduct.’
The American reader will remark with pride and
pleasure the striking contrast it exhibits to the tedious,
extravagant, vainglorious productions of the Mexican
General. The neatness 01 the style is admirable — not
a word too much or in the. wrong place—all in Jine
keeping with the energy and decision with which his
military operations are conducted. ”
Gen. Humphrey Marshall’s Opinion.
Gert. Marshall was a leading Democrat from Ken
tucky appointed by Mr. Polk. He went to Mexico
with many prejudices against Gen. Taylor even as a
military man. He associated with the old Hero for
one year ; saw him during the trying period preceding
and subsequent to the memorable battle of Buena Vista
and yet when called’upon thus speaks of him:
“ My service in Mexico frequently brought me near
to Gen. Taylor, nnd 1 was industrious in my examina
tion of the actual character of the man whenever op
portunity was presented. I have no motive to deceive
yon, and you must take the impressions 1 received for
what they are worth. If desired to express in the few
est words what manner, 1 man Gen. Tayfor is, 1 should
say, that in his manners and appearance he is one of
the common people of this country. He might be trans
ferred from his tent at Monterey to this assembly and
Ik- .v G not be remarked among this crowd ot respec
tm>> fanners, as a man at all distinguished from
those arc nd him. Perfectly temperate in his habits ;
perfectly plain in his dress ; entirely unassuming in his
manners, he appears to be an old gentleman 111 fine
health, whose thoughts are not turned upon his person
al appearance and who has no point about hint to at
tract particular attention. 111 his intercourse with men,
he is free, frank, and manly. He plays off no airs like
some great men whom l have met. Any one may ap
proach him as nearly as can be desired,mid the more
closely his character is examined the greater beauties
he discloses.
1. He is an honest man. I do not mean by that
merely that he doe? not cheat or lie. 1 moan that he is
a man that never dissembles, and who scorns all dis
guises. He neither acts a part among his friends for
effect, nor assumes to be what he is not. Whenever he
speaks you hear what lie honestly believes,and, wheth
er tight or wrong, you feel assurances that he has ex- ;
pressed his real opinion. His dealings with men have ;
been ofa most varied character, and 1 have never heard
his itonest name siatned by the breath of the slightest
reproach.
2. He is a man of rare good judgement. By no
means possesed of tnat brilliancy of genius which at
tracts by it3 flashes,yet, like the meteor, expires even !
while you iook upon it ; by no means possessing that j
combination of talent which penetrates instantly the
uhstrusest subject and measures its length and breadth i
as if by intuition, Gen. ’Baylor yet has that order ofiu- I
tellect which more slowly but quite as surely masters j
ul! that it engages,and examines all the combinations |
ofwhich the subject is susceptible. Wren he announ- ]
ces his conclusion, you feel confident that he well un- 1
demands the ground upon which he plants himself, 1
and yet rest assured that the conclusion is the deduc- I
turn ot skiil and sound sense faithfully applied to the
matter in hand. It is this order ofmind whichhnsen
abled him,unlike many other officers of the army, to
attend to the wants of his family, by so u-ing the means
at his disposal to surroundltiuiseli in his old age with a
handsome private fortune, and to be blessed with an
almost perfect constitution. I would to-day prefer his
advice in any matter of private interest—would take
his opinion as to the value of an estate —would rather
follow his suggestions in a scheme where property or
capital was to be embarked, would pursue more confi
dently his counsel where the management of an army
was involved, or the true honor of my country was at
stake than thatof any man that 1 have ever known. I
regard hisjudgement as being first rate at every thing,
from a horse trade up to a trade in human life upon the
field of battle.
3. He is ufirm man and possessed of great energy
of character.— lt were a waste of time to dwell upon
these traits ot character, for his military career has
afforded such abundant examples of his exercises of
these quailies, as to render them familiar to every citi
zen wiio has ever heard or read of the man. In the ar
my they are daily exhibited and stand conspicuously
displayed in every order which emanates from his pen.
4. lie is a benevolent man. —This quality has been
unitoianly displayed in his treatment of the prisoners
who have been placed in his power by the vicissitudes
of war. No man who had seen him after the battle of
Buena Vista, as he ordered the wagons to bring in the
Mexican wounded from the battle held, and heard him
as he at once cautioned his own men that the wounded
were to be treated with mercy,could doubt that he was
alive to all the kinder impulses of our nature The
mdi sc ret 10ns ot youth he chides with paternal kiriduess
yet with the decision which forbids their repetition and’
the y oung men oi his army feel that it is a pleasure to
Ratlrer around him ; because they know they are ns wel
come as though they visited the hearth-stone of their
own home,and they are always ns freely invited to nar
take ot what he has to offer as if they were under the
r<Kit cl a lather. His conduct in sparing the deserters
who were captured at Buena Vista exhibited at the
same time in a remarkable maimer, his benevolence
ami bis judgement. “ Don’t shoot them,” said he •
“we worst punishment I will inflict is to return them
10 l * ie Mexican army. ’ \Ylien Napoleon said to
-if h.s battalions, “ Inscribe it on their flag,
No longer ol the armv of Italy,’ ” he used an
mm which was deemed so remarkable that history nnv
serveii it for the admiration of future a<res yet it vyas
not more forcible as an illustration of power in tor cli
mg the spring ot human action, than is that of < j e n
Tayfor illustrative of the manner in which Gen’
1 ayior would make an example for the benefit of the
army. •
5. He is a man of business habits. I never have
known Gen.'Baylor to give up a day to pleasure I
have never visited his quarters without sceinw evidence
of the industry with which he toHed. If his talented
adjutant was surrounded by papers sq was the Gen
eraL And though he would salute a visitor kindly, and
bid him with a familiar grace to amuse himself until he
was at leisure, he would never interrupt the duties
which his station called on hint to'periornj. When these
were closed for the day, he seemed toenjo/toa remark
able degree the vivacity of young officers and to be <dnd
to mingle in their society. Asa conversationist, fdo
not think Gen. ‘l’aylor possesses grea*,power. He uses
few words, and expresses himself wit’a energy and force
but not fluently. His language is select. I would say’
however, from my knowledge oi the man, that he is
entirely capable of producing any thing in the shape of
an order or letter which hasevei appeared over hissig
nature, and in saying so much, I understand myself as
asserting that he is master of his mother-tongue, and
can write about as handsomely and effectively as he
con fight. Such then is the picture of the man—not of
the General—who won my esteem. lain not in the
habit of eulogizing men. and have indulged on this oc
casion because I desired to describe to you with the ex
actness of truth, those qualities which, combined in
General Taylor, made him appear to me as a first rate
model of American Character. Others will dwell up
on the chivalry he basso often displayed and great
ness so conspicuously illustrated upon the field of battle
i formed my ideas oi the mail when he was tree from
duty, and had no motive to appear in any other light
tran such as was thrown upon him by nature, educa
tion and principles.
Testimony ot the Common Soldier.
VV e give the testimony of a young soldier, who serv
ed under Gen. laylor, and who was the recipient of
many kind favors at his hands. Evidence front such a
source and upon a point of exceeding interest to any
good citizen, must go far to establish the purity and
simplicity of the character of Gen. Taylor:
-1 young Soldier from Tuylor's Army.”
“ At a meeting of the Rough and Ready Club of one
of the Philadelphia city wards, held a few’ weeks since
after the business had been transacted and an ad
journment was about to take place, a pale faced youth,
apparently about nineteen years of age, and a stranger
to all present, asked permission ot the President to sav
a few words about General Taylor. His request was
of course grunted. There was a profound silence in
the meeting when he rose, and with some trepidation
apologised tor asking to be heurd. He said he had rea
son to know General Taylor, he knew him as a man
and a soldier. He had been in his army seventeen
months, and a portion ot that time, when he was sick
and exhausted by long matches, and ready to diej lie
found a warm hearted iriend and protector in Ge leral
Zachary Taylor. “Gentlemen,” said he, “I am but
nineteen years old —1 am a stranger here, and never at
tempted to speak in public. But 1 have read in some of
the papers attacks upon General Taylor’s character as
a man—charging him with inhumanity and cruelty,
and 1 want to say bianily, that such charges are false—
false Irotu beginning to end, no matter who utters them.
I have seen cruelty and inhumanity on the part of subor
dinate officers to their men—inhuman punishm nt in
flicted for slight offences ; but never in the presence of
Gen. Taylor— who was always a kind lather and orotec
tor to the poor soldeir, and whom every honest
soldier in his army loved. No man of honor who ever
served under him will charge him with cruelty, either
‘o his own troops or to the enemy. I was w;th him at
Fort Brown—m .relied with him to Point Isabel —was in
(he battles of Palo Alto, Resacn.and Monterey. After
the captuie of” Matamo-a9, instead of using one of (he
houses in the city as his quarters, he gave them all up to
the sick, wounded and suffering soldiers, and slept in his
tent on a bed that was not more than four inches above
the mud and water that surrounded it.
The speaker related many interesting incidents con
nected with the movements of the army, ilhi*< rating the
benevolence of General Taylor, and the perfect con
fidence ol the troops in the goodness of ins heart, and
his skill as a commander. “He made us all tee! as
if every man was double, and had twice the strength
we really possessed, and copld do twice as much as any
other army in the world. Be was alw’ays the first to
meet danger, and used to tell us to watch him close
and never run till he run. But he never ran from the
enemy ; he never turned away from a suffering soldier
without doing all that he could to relieve and cheer
him. On the inarch to Seralvo,‘continued the vouth,
“my strength gave nut, and had it nnt been for General
Taylor, 1 might have been lett upon tue road to die or
be murdered. But he saw me, and knew front my
looks that I was exhausted. He took me up and set me
on his own mule, and I rude with him in that way for
several days. He saved my life then, and lam ready
to give him every drop of my blood, whenever he wants
a soldier.” ******
“At one rime we were almost out of provisions. We
had noihing to eat hut musty biscuit,and slushed,mag
gotty pork. An officer went to Gen. Taylor and com
plained that he could not eat such food. ‘Well, sir,’ said
the General,’come and take your dinners with me. —
The invitation was gladly accepted, and the officer glad
ly anticipating a first rate dinner, dresaed hiinseli up,
and went to the quarters of the General,but instead of
finding a regular dinner table, filled with delicacies, he
8a w the -General sitting before a fire, toasting a piece
of the same old slushed pork on a stick, and that with
some musty biscuit and a little bean soup, made the
dinner for himself and the disappointed officer who et
pected to dine on roast beef and plum pudding. That
gentleman diifnt eat any more dinners with General
Taylor.
The young 9oldier continued his interesting narrative
about twenty minutes, his bright eyes often flashing
with indignation, when ppeaking of the slander with
which Gen. Taylor is assailed, and his voice trembling
with emotions of gratitude and affection in the relation
of the benevolent acts of the noble hero and patriot.—
We need not say that he was frequently interrupted by
the hearty applause of the meeting. At the conclusion
of his remarks, the President, having a-certained from
the stranger his name, announced to the audience that
the young man who had addressed them was Serg’t
Edward Sherman, of Massachusetts.
Testimony ofa Democratic Soldier.
William Davidson, a young and intelligent soldier
gives the following testimony in regard to the character
ofGen. Taylor in a letter addressed to the Editprsof the
Louisville Journal, and dated Coles county, Illinois,
July 18th, 1848:
“Gentlemen : —I feel it my duty to state what 1 have
observed of the respect that Gen. Taylor manifests
towards his soldiers. I was under h a command at the
battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma. On our
march to face the enemy, and after corning in sight of
them, w<- continued to advance. Taylor ordered a halt,
and inquired of the different commanders whether their
men had plenty of water in their canteens. One and
all cried out that they had none. All this time the
Mexicans were advancing on us, and yet he gave the
men pennissson to go and get water ; without which 1
am certain that I could not have stood the exertions of
the day. I heard many of my comrades express them
selves in the same language. I was one of Gen. Tay
lor's body guard, and was close to him all the time.—
He was requested by Lieus. Blake, who shot himself
on the morning of the 9th, accidentally, to leave his
position, or the enemy would aim their centre battery
on him. But he still maintained his ground, bold and
undaunted. A cannon ball came close to him and kill
ed Sergeant Bowling's horse,of Company 8.,2d Dra
goons. Oil the night after the battle, the General, with
part of his escort, went to each of the commanding of
ficers, giving orders in person. I was one of the party
that went with him. On the morning of the 9th when
the enemy retreated, he sent me to the quartermaster to
have teams furnished to take away the wounded Mexi
cans that were left on the field of battle. When we en
tered the chapparel, the enemy were killing every per
son that got in range of their guns. Gen. Taylor ad
vanced, and was requested to go to one side or the oth
er, or ft little father back, but he continued to advance,
when Caut. May made his charge, General Taylor was
close behind with his cap in hand in the midst of 10,
000 muskets and cannon of the enemy. At that time
Col. Paine was wounded, and I was also wounded.
On the morning of the 10th, we who were wounded
were sent to Point Isabel. During the even ng Gen
eral Taylor came to the hospital and inquired of each
of us where we were wounded, and when he was going
out he halted on the steps and said lie was sorry to
leave so many brave men with auch brave hearts. I
for one had to forget tny wound and shed tears. This
was the case with many of the wounded. So highly
do I esteem the brave old soldier, and truehearted man,
that I would at this moment leave my wife and child
that are dear to my lieart, and follow him wherever he
might lead, if it were necessary. Further, to show the
respect that he has for a common soldier, 1 will add that,
alter I got to'Matamoras, he came near where 1 was,
and stopped and asked how I was, expressing his pleas
ure in the most tender manner, to hear that I was get
ting belter. He also listened to me at Corpus Christi,
where I wanted a transfer to Cos. D , 5d Dragoons,Capt.
J. O. Graham, Com. He listened to me as he would
have listened to one of his officers, and 1 was transfer
red by liis order. I iiave always supported the Demo
cratic party. I voted for Van Buren, and m ’44 for J.
K. Polk ; out as long as such a mail as Z. Taylor runs
for President, I shall support him. lam a Taylor man,
and, if you publish this, ( hope that many ot my old ac
quaintances and fellow soldiers will do as 1 have done,
and declare lor the Hero of Palo Alto, Resaca de la
Palma, Monterey, and Buena Vista,and vote for him
next November. Yours with respect,
WILLIAM DAVIDSON.
Taylor’s humanity and good nature.
A correspondent of the Montgomery (Alabama)
Journal, says that General Taylor lately had occasion
to Visit Point Isabel, after the battle ot Buena Vista,
and the captaiu of the steamboat had reserved a suite
of state-rooms tortile General’s accommodation. —
There were several sick and wounded volunteers on the
boat, en route for New Orleans, who had to take the
way tare incident to a crowded boat, and particularly so
on this occasion. Ge.eral Taylor saw alt this, and at
once ordered these men to be placed in his state-rooms,
and proper attention paid them. It was rather a cold,
rainy day when this occurred. The deck hands and
many others on the boat did not know General Taylor.
The wind blew high,and the firemen had raised a sail
in front of the boilers to protect themselves lrom the
rain, and under this sail there were some old mattras
ses ; here Gen. Taylor laid down and went to sleep.—
At supper time great inquiries were made for the Gen
eral, and servents sent on to look him up. But he could
not be found ! At last someone going below, inquired
ofa fireman if he had seen any thing of such and such
a man —the fireman said no, but added,“there is a clev
er old fellow asleep there under the sail, in front ot the
fire !” It was General Taylor.
Father McElroy’s opinion.
It will l>e recollected that the late father Anthony
Rey, and the venerable father McElroy, wereappoint
ed Chaplains in the army of the United States, under
Gen I aylor, in 1846. hather Rey was basely murder
ed by the Mexicans. Father McElroy after a most ar
duous service with Gen. Taylor returned to this country
and is now pastor of the Endicott street Catholic Church
Boston. The editor of the Albany Evening Journal, in a
recent visit to Boston,called on Father McElroy,and
obtained from that distinguished clergyman the subjoin
ed character of Major General Taylor. Father Mc-
Elroy from his very relation to the Church must be re
garded as an impartial witness. In a recent letter he
confirms in every particular the following statement of
of his conversation,with the editor of the Evening Jour
nal, who says:
“ We called a few evenings, since, when in Boston
upon the veneral Fa her McElroy, one of Gen. Tay
lor’s chaplains, who is now Pastor of a Church in En
dicott street and, who in confessedly among the most
enlightened and devoted Philanthropists and Chris
tians in the Union. He was near General Taylor
through his most trying scenes JMexico. fie con
| firms, in the most emphatic language,all the highly fa
vorable options we iiad previously heard expressed
| by Map Kibay.Capi. Henry and other distinguished
| officers who have served long and reputably with him
: Father McElroy says that Gen. Taylor is a truly
great and good man. Courage, guided by prudence
I and justice, tempered with humanity, are, with Gen’
j Payior, prominent characteristics. Temperance and
i simplicity of habit and manner mark his intercourse
| with society. Integrity and patriotism stand out boldly
in all ins official acts. In a word Father, McElroy
expressess, os the result ot a familiar acquaintance, his
conviction, that Gen. I aylor, in the elements that
■ form his character, and the motives and objects which
prompt anu guide him, bears a strong and marked re
l semblance to Washington.
j . “ Ibe concurring testimony of good men, soldiers,
! citizens, statesmen and divines, in favor ofGen. Taylor
| under circumstances which might be expected to pro
[ vok* conflicting opinions, goes far to establish the pa
| triotism and purity of his character. If there were
■ seams in his corslet, his opponents, now that he is a
candidate tor President would find them out and send
their javelins through them. If there were blemishes
m his character, ot stains upon his reputation, his rivals
would ce sure to point them out. But while his friends
refer with pride to Gen. Taylor’s virtues, his oppo
nents hud him wholly unassailable.”
A Methodist Preacher’s Opinion.
The following truly graph c portrait of Gen. Taylor
is taken from a long and interesting letter from the Ed
itor ot the Southern Christian Advocate, who was at
VOL. XXVI.—No 25.
the time on n visit to the Mtmseippi Conference ot ths
Methodist E. Cluircb. The writer is so weh and so
favorably known to the people of Georgia, that we
need not ssy a word in regard to the faithfulness of the
likeness. Let every man, woman and child in the
South read the sketch and then ask themselves if indeed
the age or nation has produced another such character;
and if General Taylor is not well worthy to fiil the
chair of Washington ; and the place of Washington in
the hearts of the American people ! —The Editor says:
“At Baton Rouge, where we touch a few minutes to
take in passengers there stands, in company with two
or three other gentiem *n, anelderlv plain looking man,
who, after a brief leave-taking comes on board. We
I shove off, the breakfast bell rings, and we find our way
to the table. 1 observed that the entrance ol our new
fellow voyager• occasioned a subdued remark, and
brought upon him the curious glance ot several specta
tors; and whimpering to the clerk, woo was about to
take the head of the table, I asked who lie was ‘ —
[“Gen. Taylor,” was the reply. “Indeed! ’ Lucky
t chance thought I; that threw me on board this craft.
There was the veritable “Rough and Ready” sitting
opposite me, sipping his coffee ; the most remarkable
man, in many respects,on the Western hemispiiere. I
had missed the gorgeous spectacle his New Orleans
reception—the most magnificent affair which had ever
shaken that city with excitement; but vastly better, I
had him now where [ could see and study the man—a
man whose name belongs to history and whose achieve
ments place him side by side with the great captains of
the world.
“The first thing that struck me was his simplicity, art
i unfailing attribute of true greatness. He ate, and
talked and carried himsed w ith ‘.he unstudied ease of
! a little child. You would liave supposed him some
plain country gentleman, who dreamed not of attraet
mga look or calling out a remark. Ail right in that
line, thought I; but how different looking, and bet ter
looking, than the million of lithograph likenesses which
stare you in the face at the shop windows and every
where else. There ismthe living original none ot that
extreme breadth between the chin and the back of the
head, very little of the protrus'onol’the iower lip to be
found in the lithographs. In a word, they are a bardie
ot caricatures, one and all. He is precisely the height
of your present correspondent; has a considerable
sprinkle of grey hairs, is sixty-two years of age, erect
and firm when on his feet, with one ot tie- kindliest ex
pressions ol face you ever saw. He had on a common
blue frock coat with flat buttons, the covering of which
was worn off, showing that it belonged to an order of
things which had passed away some two or three years
ago. Still his dress as a whole was sufficiently becom
ing, though exhibiting no trace whatever of the milita
ry. As we arose from the breakfast table I was intro
duced to the old hero. 1 told him I was from South
Carolina, and rejoiced in the good fortune which had
allowed me to see him and tell him how much the peo
ple of my native State honored and loved him. His
eyes filled with tears as lie shook my hand warmly ;
and I saw that the simple assurance ot love could af
fect profoundly a mail who faced the storm ot battle
with a nerve that never moved. His conversation ex
hibited fine clear common sense, without the slightest
tinge of any soi tof affectation or personal vanity. In
the course of the day he gave rne the details ot the great
battle of Buena Vista, the key to all the successes of
the American arms in Mexico. Had that field been
lost, the fate of the war would have been entirely dif
ferent, even though indomitable courage might in the
long run have cut its way to the Mexican capital —-
That victory, won against odds so vast. g*ve a pres
tige to American valor that made the subsequent bat
tles comparatively easy afilurs. .
“But 1 must put a curb to my galloping pen or you
will never see the end of this epistle. The General re
mained with us until after breakfast the next morning,
and was landed at his own residence on the river,some
distance above Natchez. 1 smiled to see the Republi
can simplicity with which a couple ol his negroes, field
hands, who happened to be at the landing, walked up
as he got onshore, and shook hands with him without
doffing hat or cap, and the expression of delight w:th
which they looked into his face as he spoke kindly and
familiarly to them. Our engine he'd rang as soon as he
touched the shore, and we were off.”
ff w w
1 y
Such is the character of Gen. Taylor as developed by
the concurrent testimony of the best men in the Repub
lic. What man in the nation is not proud of him f
He is equal to every occasion—every crisis. On the
21st of February, 1847, when Mr. Polk’s Mexican
General and special friend “Antonio Lopez de Santa
Anna,” was advancing upon Buena Vista with his
hordes of Mexican savag s, “Old Rough and Ready’
retired to his tent and addressed a letter to an iuthnate
personal friend, in which he says:
“This may be the last communication you will re
ceive from me. I have been stripped by the govern
ment of regular troops, and reduced in volunteers; and
thus stripped and at the mercy ol the loe, have l>een ex
pected to retreat or res'gn ; but I shall do neither. —
i care not tor myself, but feel deeply tor the noble sol
dier who are about to be sacrificed tor iheir country—
ice shall stand still and sice them battle, relying on a
just Providence for a right result .”
Such is the man now before the American people
for the first office in their gift. He is a Republican of
the old school. He comes up in every particular to the
true Jeffersonian test. “He is honest — he is capable
—he is faithful to the constitution..” Let those who
doubt it, read the following able, lacid and patriotic
letters.
Gen. Taylor’s first Letter to Capt, Allison.
Baton Rouge, April 22, 1848.
Dear Si* : My opinions have recently been so o,ten
misconceived and misrepresented, that 1 deem it due
to myself if not to my friends, to make a brief exposi
tion of them upon the topics to which you have called
my attention.
I have consented to the use of my name as a candi
date for the Presidency. I have frankly avowed my
own distrust ot my fitness for that high station ; but
having at the solicitation of many of my countrymen
taken my position as a candidate, I do not feel at lib
erty to surrender that position until my (fiends manifest
a wish that I shontd rerire from it. I will then most
gladly do so. I have no private purposes to accomplish—
no party projects to build up—no enemies to punish—
nothing to serve but my country.
I have been very often addressed by letter, Bnd my
opinions have been asked noon almost every question
that might occur to the writers as affecting the interests
of their country or their party. 1 liave not always res
ponded to these enquiries lor various reasons.
I confess, whilst I pave great cardinal principles
which will regulate my political life. I am not sufficient
ly familiar with ait the minute details ot political legis
lation to give so emn pledges to exert my influence, if
I were President to carry out tins, or defeat that meas
ure. I have no concealment. I hold no opinion which
I would not readily proclaim to my assembled coun
trymen; but ciude impressions upon matters of pofiev
which may be right u>-da> and wroug to-morrow, are
perhaps,not the best test of fitness for office One who
cannot be trusted without pledges, cannot be confided
in nicely ou account of them.
1 will piOceed, however, now to] respond to your in
quiries.
First, I reitteraW I have often said—l am a
Whig, but not an ultra Whig- If elected, I would not be
be the mere President of a party. I would endeavor
to act independent of perty denomination. I should
feel bound to administer the Government untrammel
led by party schemes.
Second. The veto power. The power given by the
Constitution to the Executive to interpose his veto, is a
high conservative (lower; but, in tny opinion should
never be exercised except in cases ol clear violation ot
the Constitution, or manifest haste and want ol consid
eration by Congress. Indeed, I have thought that for
many years past, the known opinions and wishes of the
Executive have exercised undue and injurious influence
upon the legislative department of the Government ;
and for this cause, I have thought our system was in
danger of undergoing a great change from its true the
ory. The personal opinions ol the individual who may
happen to occupy the Executive chair ought not to con
trol me action ol Congo as upon questions ot domestic
policy ; nor ought his objections to le m<er;Mr-d where
Questions of constitutional power have been settled bv
the various departmentsol Government, and acquies
ed in by the people.
Third. Upon the subject of the tariff, the currency,
the improvement ot our great hiahways, rivers, lakes,
and harbors, the will of the people, as expressed through
their representatives in Congress, ought to be respected
and carried out by the Executive.
Fourth. The Mexican War. I 3neere!y rejoice at
the prospect of peace. My life has been devoted to
arms ; yet Hook upon warai all times, and under all
circumstances, as a national calamity, to be avoided if
compatible with national honor. The principles ol our
Government, as well us its true policy, are opposed to
the subjugation of others nations, and that the dismem
berment of other countries by conquest. In the language
of the great Washington,” Why should we quit our own
to stand on foreign ground J” In the Mexican war, out
national honor has been vindicated, amply vindicated •
and, in dictating terms of peace, we may'well afford to
be forbearing, and even magnanimous to our fallen lbe
These are my opinions upon the subjects reierted to
by you ; and any reports or publications, written or ver
bal, from any source, differing many eentiat partic
ular from v,fiat is here written, are unauthorized and
untrue.
I do not know that I shall again write upon the sub
ject of national polttics. I shall engage in no schemes,
no combinations, no intrigues. If the American peo
ple have not confidence in me, they ought not to give
me their suffrages. It they dp not, you know me welt
enough to believe me when I declare fshad be content. •
lam too old a soldier to imiynntr. against such high
authority. - .. .. sETAY LOR
To Capt. J. S