USA > Alabama > Reminiscences of public men in Alabama : for thirty years, with an appendix > Part 49
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JOHN T. TAYLOR, who was defeated, in 1847, by Gov. Gayle, for Congress, was of course the candidate of the Democratic party. He had been a merchant, and failing in business, like many others of his time, he studied law, and entered upon the practice in Mo- bile. Although commencing late, comparatively, he has succeeded well in his profession. He was several times elected a member of the House from Mobile, and established a good reputation as a legislator. His habits of close application, secluding him, in some
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degree, from social enjoyments, have well compensated him in the very respectable rank he maintains at the bar. He still resides in Mobile, in the practice of the law.
STATE ARCHIVES.
In October, 1847, the Secretary of State received notice from Judge Nimrod E. Benson, Mayor of the City of Montgomery, that the new Capitol Building would be ready by the 1st Novem- ber, for examination by the Commissioners, (Miles W. Abernathy, George Steele, Daniel Pratt, Johnson J. Hooper, and John K. Col- lins, Esqrs., elected by the Legislature,) who had been notified to meet in the discharge of their duty, and that upon such examination the key to the Capitol and title to the property upon which it was erected, dedicating it to the State, free of charge, would be ready; therefore the Secretary repaired to Montgomery, and received, on the part of the State, a compliance with the law for the removal. This was fully performed by Judge Benson, the Mayor, and Col. Charles T. Pollard, Chairman of the Building Committee. The title papers were referred for legal examination, and reported suffi- cient. The key of the great front door was used in locking and unlocking, and therefore the result was announced, and reported to the Governor, after which the law for removal declared the Seat of Government was, to all intents and purposes, removed.
No time was to be lost in transferring the archives, to be ready for the assembling of the Legislature, the 6th of December, less than a month. This, however, was accomplished by industry. On or about the 20th of November, the archives, records and papers of the Executive and State Departments, and Supreme Court, had been packed up in 113 boxes, and loaded in 13 wagons; and this train, under the control of James H. Owen, the Door-Keeper of the House of Representatives, moved off in the direction of Mont- gomery. The cargo in weight was 26,704 pounds. Without acci- dent, the whole train, in due time, arrived at Montgomery, and the archives deposited in their appropriate rooms. The entire cost of the removal of these archives from Tuskaloosa to Mont- gomery, was $1,325, which was paid by Col. Pollard, Chairman of the Building Committee.
LEGISLATURE.
The Legislature met in the new Capitol on the 6th day of De- cember, 1847; and the novelty of the occasion, together with greater facilities to reach the Seat of Government, brought to- gether an immense concourse of people-more visitors than I ever saw before or since at a meeting of the Legislature. The hotels
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Reminiscences of Public Men in Alabama.
were crowded to inconvenience, private boarding houses were in- creased and thronged, and every avenue to the Capitol presented, at all hours of the day, a stirring multitude. Candidates for the various offices were as thick as blackbirds in a fresh plowed field in Spring.
The attendance of members of the two Houses was large. In the Senate, nearly every one was present, and in the House 94 out of 100 answered to the call. John A. Winston, of Sumter, was elected President of the Senate, without opposition; Jennings F. Marrast, Secretary; Wilson M. Kidd, Assistant Secretary; and A. R. Thomas, Door-Keeper.
In the House, Gen. Leroy Pope Walker, of Lauderdale, and Col. Felix G. Norman, of Franklin, were placed in nomination for Speaker. The vote stood: for Mr. Walker, 60; Mr. Norman, 8; Mr. Robert Jemison, of Tuskaloosa, 8; Mr. Elisha Young, of Marengo, 14; Mr. Walter H. Crenshaw, of Butler, 1; and Mr. B. F. Porter, of Tuskaloosa, 1. So Mr. Walker was elected Speaker. A. B. Clitherall was elected Principal Clerk; T. F. Samuels, Assistant Clerk; William J. Greene, Engrossing Clerk; and James H. Owen, Door-Keeper.
The two Houses being organized, the message of Governor Martin was transmitted to the two branches of the General As- sembly on the second day, which was read and laid on the table, and ordered to be printed.
This document occupies about sixteen pages of the printed Journal of the House, and the business portions of it refer mainly to the Banks, the domestic and foreign debt of the State, the 16th Section Fund, a system of revenue and taxation, a proper system of public education, the affairs of the University, the disputed boundary between Georgia and Alabama, the condition of the Penitentiary, and the war with Mexico. As it was the only op- portunity which Gov. Martin had of presenting the part he acted, in his official character, the portion of his message relating to the war is given entire, as follows:
Since the last session of the General Assembly a war has been declared to exist between the United States and the Republic of Mexico, and requisitions have been made by the President upon Alabama for troops for its prosecution. The first requisition was made in May, 1846, for "one regiment of volunteer Infantry or Riflemen," to serve for the term of twelve months. This force was supplied in June of the same year. In a short time thereafter I was requested by the War Department to raise five companies of the same description of troops to be held in readiness to enter the service of the United States when called for. This re- quest was complied with, and duly reported; the troops, however, have not been called for by the Government.
Before any requisition was made upon the State for troops, at a time when it was reported that the small force constituting the army of occupation on the Rio Grande, under the command of General Taylor, was in imminent danger from the large number of the enemy in its neighborhood, three companies of patriotic citi- zens, ¿commanded by Captains Desha, Elmore and Platt, respectively, without
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delay, marched to its supposed relief. About the same time, and induced, doubt- less, by the same report, I received a communication from General Gaines, then commanding the Southern Division of the United States Army, suggesting the pro- priety of recommending to our "Young Chivalry" to raise and organize volunteer companies in anticipation of a call which was expected to be made upon the State for troops by the President, in order to be able promptly to respond to it. Ap- proving the course suggested, I issued a proclamation accordingly, but at the same time carefully guarded againt any procedure of the companies which might be raised without my further orders.
The excitement that prevailed at that time throughout the country was such as to induce a large number of volunteer companies to proceed to the city of Mobile without my order, where they were received and mustered into the service of the United States by the order of General Gaines, to serve for the term of six months. One regiment was organized, and elected their field officers; and six additional companies were received as a part of a second regiment. I had no farther con- nection with this procedure than to commission the officers. Entertaining fears that the course of General Gaines in regard to these troops might not meet the sanction of the President, and feeling anxious that our patriotic citizens thus en- gaged should not be disappointed, apprehending too, that injurious consequences would follow their discharge, in future efforts to raise a volunteer force in this State, I addressed a communication to the Secretary of War, urging their accept- ance-describing the high quality of the troops, and the patriotic motives by which they were governed-adverting also to the consequences which would prob- ably follow their rejection.
Before the reply of the Secretary of War reached me, I received a communica- tion from that Department, which rendered it necessary that I should disband this force, which I proceeded to do without delay, as it was clear from this communica- tion that the troops could not be received. Having proceeded without authority of law, there was no provision for paying those troops, which rendered their con- dition extremely unpleasant. In order to relieve them as far as possible, I caused the discharge of each man to be so framed as to embody all the facts which might be necessary to secure the benefit of such provision as should thereafter be made by Congress for their compensation, for I did not doubt but that provision would be made. With these, I was enabled to relieve them from embarrassment, and to afford the means of conveyance for each to the neighborhood of his home. My expectations were soon after realized in regard to the action of Congress in the premises. Provision was made for the compensation of these troops, and the whole matter was adjusted to the satisfaction of all concerned, as I have been in- formed.
Four companies of the regiment mentioned, under the command of Lieutenant- Colonel Raford, had embarked for Point Isabel, before the receipt of the commu- nication referred to. Fearing that aid might become necessary to them, I dis- patched Maj. Sanford, of General Smith's staff, to make such provision for them as might be required. I am happy to be able to say, however, that no difficulty was encountered by them requiring the assistance contemplated, These compa- nies were sent back by the Government to Mobile, where they were discharged, and returned home. The important aid afforded me in the management of this difficult and painful subject by Gen. Walter Smith, and his staff, entitle them to my gratitude and thanks.
Early in May last, a further requisition was made by the President on this State for troops to the extent of one company of mounted volunteers, and five companies, or one battalion, of infantry, to serve during the war with Mexico. This call was made known to our citizens by a proclamation dated on the 6th day of May, 1847, in which they were requested to respond to it promptly. In a very short time thereafter, the company of mounted volunteers was furnished. I was not so fortunate in regard to the infantry requested. Having failed to obtain a single company, on the 30th day of September last I published a second proclamation, in which I urged upon our citizens the importance of supplying the force called for by our country. I ascertained in a short time that unless the necessary expenses to be incurred in raising and subsisting the tro ops were pro-
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Reminiscences of Public Men in Alabama.
vided for, no effort which I could make would be successful. In consequence of which, and in order to preserve the honor and standing of the State, which I felt to be deeply involved in the success of my efforts, on the 14th of October last, I published an address to the people, in which I undertook to provide for the ex- penses mentioned, with the funds of the State. The result of this course has been the accomplishment of the great object sought.
The five companies of infantry called for have been tendered me, and accepted, two of which have been mustered into the service of the United States, and the other three are en route to Mobile, the place of rendezvous for muster. The ex- penditures which have been made, so far as they have been certified to me, have been paid out of the contingent fund, which will be reported to you by the Comp- troller. I have endeavored to observe throughout, proper economy in the appli- cation of this fund to the object mentioned. My instructions. to the agents who have disbursed the funds have been to require proper vouchers for the claims cer- tified for payment, which I presume have been strictly observed. I entertain no doubt, from the past course of Congress on like occasions, that, upon proper ap- plication, the amount expended, or most of it, will be refunded. And I submit to you the propriety of making such application.
I made the expenditures mentioned, under a full knowledge that my power to do so was of questionable character-and that my course involved great responsi- bility. I could not have been induced to pursue such a course upon an ordinary occasion. I trust, however, that I shall never see a time when I will hesitate to maintain the honor of the State at any hazard. I have acted in good faith, for the best interest of the State, in view of the emergency presented, and I submit my procedure on this subject, with confidence, to the Representatives of the people.
The two Houses contained a good amount of experience and talent. Many gentlemen who had been long connected with one or the other of these bodies, were returned, and several young men entered the House for the first time as members, who were destined to occupy a large space in public affairs. The principal Committees of the Senate were headed by Chairmen as follows:
On the Judiciary, Mr. McClung; On Education, Mr. Beckett;
On Propositions and Grievances, Mr. Abercrombie;
On Accounts, Mr. Creagh.
In the House, the important Committees had Chairmen thus arranged by the Speaker:
On the Judiciary, Mr. A. B. Cooper, of Monroe;
On Federal Relations, Mr. Walker, of Mobile;
On the State Bank and Branches, Mr. Scott, of Jackson;
On Education, Mr. Norman, of Franklin;
On Ways and Means, Mr. Jemison, of Tuskaloosa;
On Internal Improvement, Mr. Porter, of Tuskaloosa; On the Military, Mr. Jackson, of Autauga;
On Accounts, Mr. Kittrell, of Greene.
On Friday of the first week, the two Houses convened in the Representative Chamber, to count and compare the votes for Gov-
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ernor, at the last election, as presented in the official returns from 42 counties, of which the following is a statement:
Counties.
Reuben Chapman.
Nicholas Davis.
Autauga
492
520
Baldwin
182
173
Barbour.
700
1002
Benton
1528
584
Bibb.
541
416
Blount
754
112
Butler
295
699
Chambers
1149
468
Cherokee
602
223
Conecuh
333
393
Coosa.
937
487
Covington
87
208
Dallas
704
839
Dale,
497
262
DeKalb
795
231
Fayette.
911
245
Franklin
1009
523
Greene.
481
362
Jackson
1732
114
Jefferson
609
286
Lauderdale
870
641
Limestone
730
494
Marengo
548
814
Marion
689
183
Marshall.
879
219
Mobile.
1284
1117
Monroe.
353
536
Montgomery.
821
1136
Morgan
466
526
Perry
841
900
Pickens
1035
1039
Pike
731
927
Randolph
846
414
Russell
681
818
St. Clair.
661
51
Shelby
459
529
Sumter ..
918
1020
Talladega
902
832
Walker
597
594
Wilcox
Total
.29,722
23,467
Reuben Chapman having received a majority of all the votes cast for Governor, at the late general election, as appeared from the said official returns, Mr. Speaker declared him to have been duly and constitutionally elected Governor of Alabama for the term of two years. And then the Senate withdrew to their chamber.
The returns from the other seven counties either had not been received, or were deemed irregular, so that they were not counted. The majority, however, would not have been much varied by the absent returns.
519
243
Henry
686
1004
Clarke
768
1263
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Reminiscences of Public Men in Alabama.
This table is given complete, to show the relative strength of the Democratic and Whig parties in Alabama, before their organ- izations were modified by the fusion of other elements, as was the case in 1848 when Gen. Taylor was elected President; also in 1851 when the Compromise and Southern parties were antago- nistic, and again in 1855 when the American or Know-Nothing party took the field, to the utter absorption and disbandment of the Whigs as a distinct, and once powerful organization, in the politics of the country.
A joint Committee of Arrangements was appointed, consisting of Messrs. Storrs, Manning, Davis, Coggin and Judge, on the part of the Senate, and of Messrs. Jackson, Young, Wynn, Norman and Perkins, on the part of the House, to prepare for the inaugu- ration of the Governor elect, who, on the 15th of December, re- ported the following programme of the order of the day:
1st. The two Houses will adjourn at 11 o'clock, A.M., on Thursday next, 16th instant, and form a procession at the Capitol, and in proper order repair to the Montgomery Hall, and receive the Governor elect.
2d. The procession will form in the following order:
1. The Military.
2. The Senate and House of Representatives and officers.
3. Judges of the Supreme and Circuit Courts and Chancellors.
4. Officers of State.
5. Committee of Arrangements.
6. Governor elect and retiring Governor.
7. Chaplain and Clergy.
8. Senators of the United States and Ex-Senators and Ex-Governors.
9. Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Montgomery.
10. Citizens.
3d. The Ceremony of Inauguration, if the weather permit, shall take place in front of the Capitol.
4th. Rev. Basil Manly will act as Chaplain.
5th. Mr. Wilson, of the Senate, Chief Marshal ; and Mr. Raiford, of the House, Assistant.
The ceremony of inauguration took place in the Represent- ative Hall, in the presence of a very large concourse in the gal- leries, in the lobbies, and on the floor of the Hall. Perhaps more than a thousand of the fair daughters of Alabama graced the occa- sion with their beauty and their smiles. After reading his address in a very calm manner, Gov. Chapman took the oath of office, and was duly proclaimed Governor of the State for the term of two years.
Thus closed the administration of Governor Martin. He had difficulties in his path from the day he set himself against the nomination of the Democratic party for Governor in 1845. Some of these will be noticed under another head. Those relating to the Mexican War are enumerated by himself in his message. Whatever may have been the coldness of his party toward him, Gov. Martin was really a safe and judicious man, with every dis-
30
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Reminiscences of Public Men in Alabama.
position to do right, and to serve his country as a true patriot. Minor differences should be pardoned and forgotten, when the substantial good in his character so far outweighed his imperfec- tions.
At this point it may be remarked, that Gov. Martin left several sons, one of whom, J. M. Martin, Esq., of Tuskaloosa, was Sena- tor from that county at the session of the Legislature 1871, who is a gentleman of great promise in the legal profession, and of usefulness to the State.
RECEPTION OF GEN. SHIELDS.
The Mexican War had pretty much run its course. The great battles around the city had been fought, and a peace conquered. Many of the officers who had won laurels in that far-off land, and who had entered the Halls of the Montezumas as victors, were returning on their way to Washington to catch the first acclaim of the people, who were anxious in some way to acknowledge their services. In the early part of the session, two distinguished Gen- erals, fresh from the battle-fields of Mexico, arrived at Mont- gomery, and were voted a public reception. Gen. Shields came first, and had the cream of the pageant.
There was a very large concourse of people at the wharf to witness the reception of Gen. Shields as he landed from the steam- boat. A carriage and four horses had been provided for him, and he was escorted to the Exchange Hotel at the head of a formal procession. The Journal of the House for 11th December, 1847, says :
Mr. Perkins, from the joint committee appointed to make arrangements for the reception of Brigadier-General Shields, [reported that they] have performed the duty assigned them. They have appointed Mr. Wilson, of the Senate, first Mar- shal ; and Mr. Raiford, of the House, second Marshal. They have also appointed Mr. McClung, of the Senate, to deliver to General Shields the welcome of the General Assembly.
The Committee recommend that the two Houses assemble in the Hall of the House, on this day, at 11 o'clock, A.M., for the purpose of receiving their distin- guished guest.
The House concurred in the report and adopted the resolution.
Mr. Porter offered the following resolution, which was adopted :
Resolved, That the ladies be invited to occupy seats within the bar of the House to witness the reception of Gen. Shields.
At the hour appointed, the Senate came into the Representative Hall, soon after which, Gen. Shields was presented by Marshals Wilson and Raiford, to the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives. On the part of the General Assembly, Mr. McClung, of the Senate, delivered an eloquent address, bidding General Shields welcome, to which the latter. gentleman made a suitable reply. The Senate then withdrew,
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Reminiscences of Public Men in Alabama.
and the members of the two Houses were personally introduced to Gen. Shields.
It is unnecessary to describe the vast multitude present in the Capitol, and the wild enthusiasm which prevailed throughout the ceremonies of reception. During his stay in Montgomery, Gen. Shields received every courtesy, and demonstration of respect and gratitude which it was possible to accord to a successful military man, short of a formal coronation with garlands. A senatorial canvass was in prospect. General Shields was elected a Senator in Congress a short time afterward, from the State of Illinois. That he did not reach the Presidency was owing to no want of conviction on his part that he was qualified for the office.
MAJOR-GENERAL QUITMAN.
Another military pageant followed in a few days, on the arrival of Major-General John A. Quitman, from the fields of Mexico, with a high reputation for courage, and skill as a commander. His landing at the wharf, and escort to his lodgings, with other mani- festations of popular regard, will not be particularly described here, as it was a mere repetition of that which was extended to Gen. Shields.
On the Journal of the Houses for Saturday, December 18, 1847, the following proceedings appear:
Mr. Young, from the Joint Committee to provide for the reception of Major- General Quitman, reported the following orders of the day-
1st. Adjutant-General Carroll will act as Chief Marshal, assisted by Messrs. Raiford, of the House, and Wilson, of the Senate.
2d. The two Houses will take a recess at 11 o'clock A. M., to enable the Door- Keepers to prepare the Hall of the House of Representatives for the Senate, for the ladies who may be in attendance, and for the reception of General Quitman.
3d. The Joint Committee of Arrangements will proceed to General Quitman's quarters in the city, and attend him to the Capitol, and at 12 o'clock M,, they will attend him into the Hall of the House of Representatives, the two Houses being assembled there to meet him.
4th. The members of the two Houses and all within the area, will remain sitting, when the Committee, with General Quitman, enter the Hall, and while they are so sitting, the Chairman of the Joint Committee on the part of the Senate, addressing the President of the Senate, will present General Quitman in the recognized mode of proceeding when the two Houses are met in Convention.
5th. The President of the Senate then rising, will announce in the usual form, that Major-General Quitman is presented to the two Houses of the General As- sembly. Whereupon the members shall then rise to their feet, in honor of General Quitman; and Mr. Benjamin F. Porter, in behalf of the General Assembly, bid him welcome in a salutatory address.
6th. The reception and public salutations being concluded, the Senate will with- draw to the Senate Chamber and continue its proceedings.
The above report was concurred in.
The hour of eleven having arrived, the House took a recess.
At the hour of 12 M., Mr. Speaker called the House to order, and the Senate, by invitation, appeared in the Hall of the House for the reception of Major- General Quitman.
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Reminiscences of Public Men in Alabama.
Major-General Quitman, escorted by the Joint Committee of Arrangements, then entered the Hall, and was presented by Mr. Manning, of the Senate.
Mr. Porter, on behalf of the General Assembly, then weleomed General Quit- man to the State of Alabama, and tendered him the salutations of the General Assembly.
After a response from General Quitman, the Senate withdrew, and the House resumed the consideration of its appropriate business.
Mr. Perkins (by leave,) offered the following resolutions, which were adopted:
Resolved, That the consummate skill and indomitable courage of our army in Mexico, entitles it to the gratitude of the whole Nation; it evidences that while life, liberty, and property are protected by our republican institutions with scrupu- lous exactness, a strength may be put forth to punish injury and insult from abroad by which the National honor and the respect of the nations of the earth, will be perpetuated.
Resolved, That while the General Assembly of the State of Alabama, for them- selves and in behalf of their constituency, join in the general lamentation caused by the loss of many brave men in the field of battle, and by disease; and heartily sympathising with their friends and relatives, and feeling a common interest in the fame and advantages acquired, take this method of expressing their highest admiration and their warmest gratitude to the Generals in Chief, and all their officers and soldiers, who, under privations, on marches, in camp and hazard in so many well-fought victorious battles, have acquired such accumulated honors, and advantages to our common country in Mexico.
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