USA > Arkansas > Biographical and pictorial history of Arkansas. Vol I > Part 19
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[NOTE BY THE AUTHOR .- The child was a boy, and was named " Old Hickory." He lived to be seven years old, and died with scarlet fever, within a week of his little sister Maria Ellen. Noland married Miss Harriet Berryhill, one of the belles of Nashville, Tennessee, who, as well as her husband, was a favorite with General Jackson. Years after this appointment Noland met a melancholy death in Fort Smith, Arkansas, at the hands of a man he had believed to be his friend.]
Fulton's Letter to his Wife -Dines with the President - Life in Washington - Land Suit.
WASHINGTON, February 7, 1832.
MY DEAR MATILDA - I have postponed from day to day for eight or nine days to write to you, in the fond expectation of receiving a letter from you. But all the western mails came in to-day, and brought some business letters to myself, and twenty or thirty letters to Colonel Sevier, but not a line from you. How is this ? You surely have written two or three times at least ? But, as I expect to leave about the first of April, no letter written after the first of March will reach me. You see I am not at the ball to-night. I propose paying a visit to the president to-night, previous to going to Baltimore, where I have permission to go to-morrow. I will spend a week in the old city, but have little hopes of seeing our eastern-shore rela- tives, or my uncle and cousins near Elkton.
I was accompanied by six members of congress to the presi- dent's this evening. We spent two hours most agreeably with him. All the "mess" with whom I board have become warmly attached to him.
I have dined three times with the president, and have spent many evenings, and indeed whole days, with him since my ar- rival. I have been treated with great politeness by the senators and other high officials. My old friends, and many new ac- quaintances, have paid me such attention that all my spare time has been most agreeably spent. They have too much high life here for business men ; in truth I consider this (for any other than those persons devoted to pleasure) the most irk-
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some place in the world. The habits contracted here, unfit both men and women for the sober, industrious pursuits of life. It is ruinous to health ; the hours for eating and sleeping are so different from those we have been accustomed to. We eat too much, and spend money too fast. My weekly expenses are about $13. I have no hope that our case will be argued this term of the supreme court. The court refused the applica- tion of the attorney-general to set the case down for a special day. The land cases from Florida and Missouri will consume so much of the term, the court considers it would be great in- justice to other sections to exclude them entirely from a hear- ing. Mr. Taney and Mr. Dodridge, united with me in the ap- plication for a hearing at an early day, but to no avail. The attorney-general, with whom I am associated in the argument of the case, involving such large landed interests in our State, has little hope of the case being reached this term. He is so occupied with other cases, he has not yet found time to consult with me, and has given me eight or ten days leave of absence.
Governor Fulton to his Father, February 14, 1832, on removal of the Remains of Washington.
Governor Fulton in a letter to his father, dated Washington February 14, 1832, relates an interesting debate in the house of representatives as follows :
I witnessed, yesterday a most interesting debate, on the sub- ject of moving the remains of Washington from Mount Vernon, and depositing them in the capitol on the 22d inst. I at first strongly favored the resolution, but when I heard the warm entreaties and remonstrances of Virginia members; when I heard them beseeching that his bones might repose in the bosom of his native State, and upon that spot, made sacred by his own consecration; when I heard his will, expressing the wish that his remains might repose with those of his relations in a vault to be built at Mount Vernon, I could not find it in my heart to approve the resolution which proposes to violate this sanctuary. The nation, however, has claimed him as her own, and the removal is to take place. Already the vault has been built under the rotunda of the capitol. I heard all the great men speak on this subject. The scene will be a very
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solemn one. It will cause the nation to mourn afresh the loss of our universal benefactor, " the best, the greatest of men."
Fulton's Letter to his Wife -President's New Year Levee, etc. WASHINGTON, January 1, 1833.
MY DEAR MATILDA - I arrived in time to be one of the wonderful crowd who paid the president a New Year's call. Colonel Sevier happened to be at the tavern when I arrived. After making my toilet, I went to his boarding-house, and ac- companied him and Mrs. Sevier to the president's. We found him in fine health, also Major and Mrs. Donaldson, and Mary Coffee, all of whom inquired most affectionately after you. I learn from Mary, that I may expect the pleasure of seeing my old friend, General Coffee, here in a few days. I know of nothing which would be so pleasing, as to have you here, where you could enjoy the society of your old friends, (and they all say they regret I could not bring you). It would have been delightful for you and Mrs. Sevier to have been companions in the enjoyment ; you could each hold your own with the best of them.
I am no hand at describing such a scene as I witnessed to- day. Such a description, Sophia (if she were here), could hit off to life. The ladies were splendidly dressed; the gentle- men had on their holiday suits. The crowd was so great, it was at one time impossible to pass from one room to another. The hall and three large rooms were filled to overflowing two or three times, by different companies. We had a fine band of music, and the whole multitude appeared highly pleased. The president was kept on his feet, shaking hands and receiv- ing the salutations of his friends, from twelve until nearly two o'clock. We did not arrive until after one, and were too late to. see all the foreign ministers and their attaches ; they all were in their court dresses, and must have looked very fine. Our own naval and military officers looked quite martial. The ladies made a great display, and all of our acquaintances showed off to admiration.
Tell your sister Harriet, that Mrs. Donnelson inquired par- ticularly for her and your mother. I intend if possible to get Mr. and Mrs. Sevier to accompany me to Baltimore. I know
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it will be in my power to have them delightfully entertained there, as long as they can find it convenient to stay.
Our trip to Washington in the mail was a fatiguing one ; we traveled day and night until we got to Fredericktown, then we slept a night. From there, we were carried on the railroad to Baltimore, part of the way by steam at the rate of fifteen miles an hour.
Governor Fulton to his Wife -Dined with the President- Taney's Opinion of him as a Lawyer.
In a letter to his wife dated Washington March 3, 1833, he says :
"The president gave a splendid dinner on Friday and I had the honor to be seated on his right hand. I have been invited to take a seat in the stage, which has been taken by General Coffee to Pittsburgh, who intends leaving in a few days. He will take with him Mary Coffee, Miss Mary McLemore and Mr. and Mrs. Polk. If I can get ready we will have six. Great preparations are making for the inauguration to-morrow. I fear we will find the Ohio closed with ice; in that event, we will have difficulty." * *
" I have made my maiden argument in the supreme court of the United States and occupied part of two days."
[NOTE BY THE AUTHOR .- That great lawyer, Roger B. Taney, was then attorney- general of the United States, and Governor Fulton was associated with him in the case which involved large landed interests in Arkansas. The argument in this case by Governor Fulton was able, thorough and exhaustive, and was so pronounced by Mr. Taney. I make this record because Governor Fulton, from his advent in the territory in 1829 to his death, was continually in official position, and was not an active member of the bar, because public duties required all his time.]
First Speech in the Senate. January 1, 1837.
These letters were written under the protection of that con- fidence and privacy which imparts a charm (now the actors are dead) they otherwise would not possess. The naive and . charming simplicity in which they are conceived will entertain the living and honor the memory of their author.
WASHINGTON, January 7, 1837.
MY DEAR MATILDA - I have made my first speech in the senate. It was a very short one, and made just before the
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vote was taken upon the admission of Michigan. I felt it my duty to explain my reasons-what I said was quite ex tempore and without preparation or notes ; and, altho' some of my po- sitions were novel and different from those taken on both sides, yet they were well received, and I was happy to find they were highly approved by all our political friends. If my remarks are published in the report they will occupy but a short space; but, as it will appear that I did not attempt to make a labored speech, I am in hopes they will not be con- sidered as discreditable to me.
My brother members around me, urged me to speak, and ex- pressed themselves as highly gratified with what I said. Mr. Wright of New York (who is my most intimate friend) scolded me for not saying more. I have been this evening, to two evening parties - one at the secretary of state's, the other at the secretary of the treasury's. I went in Mr. Speaker Polk's carriage, to both parties, in company with Mr. and Mrs. Polk, and my old intimate friend and acquaintance, Mrs. Ca- tron [wife of Judge Catron, of the supreme court, another one of General Jackson's intimate friends - AUTHOR] of Nashville. I enjoyed myself very much.
Postal Facilities.
WASHINGTON, February 7, 1837.
MY DEAR MATILDA - To day has been a happy one to me indeed. This morning, soon after the senate convened, Mr. Har- ris sent for me and handed me your's and my father's welcome letters of the 31st ultimo. I only had time to run over them, in the midst of a most animated debate in the senate, when a mes- senger brought me your letter of the 13th inst., which came by the express mail from New Orleans, having left that city on the 19th, only six days ago. You may well imagine my surprise and astonishment, as well as gratification at receiving a letter by such a ronte in so short a time from home. I could well afford to pay the postage, seventy-five cents, for such a letter. . I could scarcely realize the fact that I had received a letter written by you only twelve days ago, after having been annoyed all winter in not receiving my letters until they were forty or fifty days old. We have, however, succeeded in ob-
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taining so many mail facilities, that hereafter I hope we will be relieved from this most vexatious state of things. Our letters will now pass, I hope, in from fifteen to twenty days.
To his Wife just after taking his Seat as Senator. WASHINGTON, February 14, 1837.
MY DEAR MATILDA - I am happy in being able to acknowl- edge your charming letter of the 13th ulto. It is all I could wish it to be, full of interest and the purest affection. I admit I was highly gratified, at the articles published here, in relation to myself and the other members of our delegation. The more so, because I felt how acceptable and gratifying they would be, to my relations and friends ; and how disagreeable to my enemies. Things have, however, taken such a turn, and my opportunity to make myself, worthy of the confidence and kindness of the people, is now so complete, that I think they will soon cease to annoy me. I have the entire confidence of our political friends, and am taken into secret council by the leaders. This I may be permitted to say to you but not to others.
I have not been much of a speaker this winter. Indeed I did not desire to make myself conspicuous, until I felt myself better prepared ; and besides, I am still restrained by my old feeling of agitation. *
Our relation, David Davis,* is now in the city. I am much pleased with him. He is a fine-looking and a highly-cultivated man. He will return immediately to Illinois, where he has permanently settled. He desires me to remember him affec- tionately to you and the dear children.
Jackson's Letter to Fulton on the Banks.
The following letter possesses historic interest in Arkansas as elsewhere. It graphically details the financial distress of 1837, and the causes leading to it, at the moment when Arkansas was making the greatest and most unfortunate mistake in her finan- cial history - when she was chartering a Pandora's box in the shape of the old Real Estate and State Banks, which wasted her substance and shadowed her fame.
* Judge David Davis of the supreme court, United States, and ex-senator from Illinois.
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HERMITAGE, June 27, 1837.
The Hon. WILLIAM S. FULTON, Senator in Congress, Wash- ington, D. C .:
MY DEAR SIR -The combined simultaneous suspension of specie payments, by nearly all the banks at the bidding, as it appears, of the Biddles and the Barings, to subserve the interest of England, by robbing us of our specie and bringing ruin and bankruptcy on our country, I have no doubt was unexpected by you as it was by myself, although I had long known of the combination of Biddle and the aristocracy to break our deposit banks, by combined speculation and over-issues to inundate our deposit banks with insolvent paper, and by that means break them. Hence the treasury circular to preserve our deposit banks, keep the specie in our country and prevent our public lands from being sold for worthless paper. And you must recollect my warning to our professed friends in the senate, when they were making that insidious attempt to repeal the treasury circular, and thereby open the flood-gates of broken bank paper upon the government, to foster speculation for some of their own private ends, regardless of the great injury to our country at large. These gentlemen can now say whether my warnings were well-founded. The labor of our country is now groaning under the oppression of depreciated paper, with which our country is inundated ; it has produced over-trading and every species of gambling ; has produced the present evils, to at least twenty-five or thirty per cent - say in all eighty millions. There is no voice raised in behalf of the honest laborer. The cry is, call the legislators together to preserve the bank charters, instead of passing laws to coerce the banks to fulfill their charters, restore to the people what they by dishonest and fraudulent acts, in open violation of their charters, have forced them to lose.
The safety of the banks is the cry. Who, by their miscon- duct, has brought this distress upon the country, and who laugh at the calamity, and after having robbed the treasury, cry aloud in strains of rejoicing, " the government is broke and unable to pay its debts ?" To add to the injury, they have flooded the country with shin-plasters to drive out of circulation
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all specie, that brokers may purchase it for the Biddles and the Barings, for the benefit of England. Having locked up all the specie by which their paper is depreciated, the speculators and gamblers are buying up their paper at twenty-five to fifty per cent discount to pay their bank debts. These injuries added to the barefaced, dishonest conduct of the aristocracy, combined with the Biddles and the Barings, have, with the people, destroyed all confidence in banks, as it has with the government. I have no doubt but good will result to the n'ation from the experience these wrecked institutions entail. The government must now separate from all banks ; it never ought to have had any connection with them. It must pro- vide for the safe-keeping of the money by its own agents; it can do this as well as collect it. With this in view I beg leave to suggest the following outlines for your consideration :
First. The revenue to be forthwith reduced to the real wants of the government - the duties, all cash, no credits, to be paid in gold and silver, agreeable to the fundamental laws of 1789, and 1800. This will prevent over-trading - be a protection, to our own labor and manufactures, and prevent us from being inundated with foreign goods, by the agents of foreign manu- factures, and prevent the Biddles and Barings from draining us of our specie, and make it flow to us with the tide of com- merce.
Second. Agents of the treasury, under proper restrictions and regulations, to be appointed to receive, safely keep and disburse the revenues, agreeable to the drafts of the treasury, as the deposit banks heretofore performed.
Third. That all disbursements of the government shall be in gold and silver coin.
This will in one year give gold and silver a general circula- tion throughout the Union, through payments made to the army and navy and for public works and supplies.
The revenne, say $18,000,000 to $20,000,000 paid in specie ; our mints well supplied with bullion will pay in the course of the year about $180,000,000 of debt, and as the revenue will be disbursed as it is paid into the treasury, and being thus disbursed will keep the specie constantly circu- lating for the benefit of all classes. This will give us a stable
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metalic currency, restore confidence, leave the banks and bank- ers to manage their own affairs in their own way, render small bills uncurrent, and if the States do not prohibit their issue they will not be received by any when all public dues are paid in specie. Then the people will be redeemed from bankruptcy by their paper-credit-system, and vacillating policy of over-issue and sudden contractions, and will no longer be hewers of wood as heretofore. This will save the democracy of num- bers from the domination of the moneyed aristocracy of the few, by their credit-paper-system. And I can say with truth, that then, and only then, will we have a stable currency, and be a free, happy, prosperous and moral people.
I have only attempted, as you will see, to generally outline a system, which, if adopted, I pledge myself will work well and be a blessing to our country. Can you call and see me on your way to the call-session of congress? My health is not good. I write in pain, but impressed as I am with the wicked proceedings of the banks, their unfaithfulness to the govern- ment - to favor over-trading and gambling of the worst sort - to drain us of specie for the benefit of England and our de- struction. I have made the effort to write you with the free- dom of a friend, and with kind wishes to you and yours and all friends, I remain yours,
ANDREW JACKSON.
P. S .- You will see many blunders in diction, but none in principle in the within - the first excuse, the latter adopt.
A. J.
General Jackson's views as to the Financial Policy of the Government strongly stated.
HERMITAGE, Dec. 26, 1837.
His Excellency, WILLIAM S. FULTON, Senator in Congress, Washington City :
MY DEAR SIR - I sincerely congratulate you and our coun- try on the result of your late elections in Arkansas. It gives confidence of the rally of democracy in the great struggle now going on between the democracy of numbers against the aris- tocracy of the few, who by the corrupting influence of the
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banks and depreciated paper system, are determined to rule or ruin our beloved country. The battle will be a severe one, but I never despair of the republic, or that the people will yield up their republican system for a moneyed despotism. The people cannot be corrupted, but some politicians may. Give to Mr. Sevier and Judge Yell my high regard and congratulations upon this event, so honorable to the young State of Arkansas. I see the battle has commenced in the representative branch. I trust the republicans will with energy unite and pass the di- vorce bill. I would to God there were in the lower house a . Benton, a Buchanan, a Walker, a Wright to sustain, with their talents, the principles so ably sustained in the senate, and the bill would be carried.
It is the only bill that can sustain our republican system. It at once checks over-banking, over-trading, gives purity in our legislation and safety to our beloved country in time of war. Could any one who loves his independence, his country and laws, intrust the money in the hands of irresponsible banks, which, in time of peace, have suspended and robbed the treas- ury of millions ? Suppose we were in a state of war; is there any security that they would not again suspend, through feel- ings of interest or treachery, and compel the government to make a dishonorable treaty or submit to a foreign yoke ? Can any real patriot place our safety and independence as a nation upon such hazard ? I answer none! Men who profess pa- triotism, but have more love for money than for country, may; but they are not patriots, whatever they may profess.
Tennesseans are opening their eyes, the democracy are mov- ing - they are to have a large mass-meeting on the 29thi. Bell's speech at Faneuil Hall has politically prostrated him here ; he can get no indorsers for his sale of this State to Webster. I will be happy to hear from you, and of the po- litical features of the house of representatives. Present my thanks to Judge Yell for the president's message.
All my household unite with me in kind regards to you and yours. Your friend,
ANDREW JACKSON.
Gov. FULTON.
P. S .- My health has improved a little, but my eyesight has
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lately failed me very much. I hope they will soon get better. I see so badly that it is painful to write.
General Jackson's Letter to Senator Fulton relating to his Fine by Judge Hall for not Obeying the Injunction of the Court, when he was Preparing for the Defense of New Orleans in 1815, and the Opposition of the Louisiana Dele- gation to Reparation.
HERMITAGE, February 15, 1839.
Hon. WM. S. FULTON, Senator in Congress, Washington, D. C .:
MY DEAR SIR - I have received your several letters, with one under cover to me for Mrs. Randolph, which was carefully conveyed to her. I have carefully perused your private let- ter, and have but one remark to make on the ideas expressed by the Louisiana delegation : That, in the event of their country again being invaded, I hope they may find a patriot commander, who, with the precedent before them, may have patriotism enough to adopt all measures of defense, that neces- sity may authorize, regardless of fine and imprisonment, that may await them from an apostate, traitor judge, whose acts of tyranny and oppression, may again be practiced, and again pass without rebuke by congress. I hope in this their expectations may be realized, but I do not believe they will. I beg of you never to name the subject to them again.
I am passing off the stage; will soon be gone; having done my duty I can only pray for the prosperity of our happy republican system, which I think is in danger; but I trust an all-ruling Providence and virtue of the great body of the people will preserve us, and that in all times hereafter, our beloved country may be successfully defended against an in- vading foe, combined, as it always will be, with internal enemies.
Before you leave the city for home, let me hear from you the result of the Swartwout committee. I have been quite unwell -still sick and feeble -dragging on a wearied life, and waiting patiently for the last summons. My little family join me in kind salutations to you and yours.
Believe me sincerely, your friend,
ANDREW JACKSON.
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David Fulton to Governor Fulton - Surveyor-General's Ofice, January 4, 1841.
David Fulton, the father of the senator, was a thoroughly-educated and polished old Irish gentleman. He was one of the gallant defenders of Fort McHenry in the war of 1812. He was surveyor-general of Arkansas by appointment from President Van Buren. In a letter to his son dated Little Rock, January 4, 1841, he thus dis- closes the situation :
"I have been one of the republican family since September, 1788, the memorable year our admirable constitution was adopted; when I happily, with father, mother and family be- came adopted members, my grandfather and his family having emigrated into Maryland three years previous. Since then I have stood with the defenders of my country and its institu- tions in peace and war without wavering until this hour. It is the general impression here, although some of the whigs seem to think otherwise, that all the Federal officers of any note will certainly be removed on the coming in of the new administration. I shall be prepared to comply with the order when it arrives. And were it not for the sake of those de- pending on me for support, I would cheerfully at this moment resign the office of surveyor-general and the responsibility it imposes, but on account of those who look to me, I am some- what desirous to hold the present office, until the term of ap- pointment expires, which will be two years from the eighth of this month. And it is my first term, so that rotation in office cannot operate against me; nor was any one turned out to make room for me."
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