USA > Connecticut > Connecticut as a colony and as a state; or, One of the original thirteen, Volume IV > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25
SUSTINET
QUI
TRANSTULIT
Gc 974.6 M82c v.4 1448935
M. L.
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
Щ
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01149 3399
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/connecticutascol00morg_2
CONNECTICUT AS A STATE
(No Buckingham
CONNECTICUT AS A COLONY AND AS A STATE, OR ONE OF THE ORIGINAL THIRTEEN
BY FORREST MORGAN Editor in Chief
ASSOCIATE EDITORS
SAMUEL HART, D. D.
FRANK R. HOLMES
JONATHAN TRUMBULL
ELLEN STRONG BARTLETT
VOLUME FOUR
The Publishing Society of Connecticut HARTFORD 1904
COPYRIGHT, 1904, BY THE PUBLISHING SOCIETY OF CONNECTICUT All Rights Reserved
PUBLICATION OFFICE 194 BOYLSTON STREET BOSTON, MASS., U. S. A.
1448935
DEDICATED TO WILLIAM ALFRED BUCKINGHAM LINCOLN'S FRIEND AND COUNSELLOR
SYNOPSIS OF CHAPTERS
CHAPTER I
THE CRISIS
33-55
Sentiment in Connecticut as to the advisability of War- Spring Election of 1860-Majority given for Lincoln-South- ern Sympathizers-Connecticut's Representatives in the XXXVIth Congress-Delegates to the Peace Conference- Connecticut's contribution to Buchanan's Cabinet-Gideon Welles becomes Secretary of the Navy-Re-election of Gov- ernor Buckingham-News of the Fall of Fort Sumter reaches Connecticut-Battle Sunday-President's Proclama- tion calling for Seventy-five thousand Troops-Meeting held in the office of the Hartford Press-Connecticut's Quota- Formation of Three Regiments-Governor Buckingham visits Washington-Regiments go into Camp-First Town to offer a Company to the State-First man to enlist-Mass- Meeting in Union Square-General Aiken's trip to Wash- ington-Account of D. W. Bartlett's journey from Wash- ington to New York-Money loans offered to Governor Buck- ingham-Financial resources of the State at his Disposal- War Sermons preached-People's Aid in equipping Troops -First Regiment encamped at New Haven-Second at Brewster's Park-Third on Albany Avenue Hartford-De- parture of Connecticut Volunteers for Washington-Briga- dier General Tyler in Command-Convening of the Legisla- ture-Acts of Governor Buckingham approved-Amount of Soldier's Bounty established.
CHAPTER II
THE CALL TO ARMS. .57-86
Scene of Conflict-First Martyr of the War-Death of Major Winthrop at Big Bethel-Captain Ward killed in an attack on Mathias Point-Border States warfare-General Lyon the first General killed in the War-Connecticut Regiments at Falls Church-Stedman's account in the New York World of the Connecticut Brigade-President Lincoln's second call for Troops-Enlistment of the Fourth and Fifth Regiments for Three Years-Peace Meetings held-Formation of the Sixth. Seventh, Eighth and Ninth Regiments-Colonel Al- fred H. Terry in command of the Seventh-Tenth. Eleventh. Twelfth and Thirteenth Regiments organized-Sixth and Seventh known as the "Fighting Regiments," attached to Sherman's South Carolina Expedition-Patriotism of Con-
23
CONNECTICUT AS COLONY AND STATE
necticut's people - Connecticut Troops Express - Alfred Walker's work in forwarding contributions for the Sanitary Commission-Soldiers Aid Societies organized-Regimental Libraries established-Religious and Temperance Services held-Standard of Morals of the Fourteenth Connecticut- Unsuccessful expedition against Charleston-Battle of Roan- oke Island-Tenth distinguishes itself at Kinston North Carolina-Ninth assigned to Butler's "New England" Expe- dition-The Charter Oak Regiment at New Orleans-Re- enlistment of the Fifth Regiment for three years-Colonel O. S. Ferry their Commander-Butchery of their men at Ce- dar Mountain-Disheartening Summer of 1862-Quota of Connecticut in the President's third call for Troops-War Meetings held-Raising of the Fourteenth, Fifteenth, Six- teenth and Seventeeth Regiments-Patriotism of Elias Howe-Quota of Connecticut for Nine Months Volunteers- Connecticut's Regiments at South Mountain and Antietam- Death of General Mansfield-Connecticut's honored dead at Antietam.
CHAPTER III
THE DAYS OF STRIFE 87-126
4
..
--=
Connecticut's Naval Officers-Andrew Hull Foote-Efforts of C. S. Bushnell to introduce Ericsson's Monitor-Contract made with the Naval Board-Monitor and Merrimac at Hampton Roads-Defeat of the Northern Army at Fred- ericksburg-Connecticut Troops engaged-Brave action of the Eighth Connecticut-Harland's Brigade-Fourteenth at Marye's Heights-Connecticut Regiments in the Red River Expedition-Fort Mansfield-Army of the Potomac during the Winter of 1862-3-Spring Election of 1863-Hooker's de- feat at Chancellorsville-General Sedgewick's impossible task-Connecticut Regiments at Gettysburg-Death of Lieutenant-Colonels Fowler and Merwin-Colonel Terry made Brigadier-General-Engagement at Pocotaligo-Bat- tle of Morris Island-Assault on Fort Wagner-The Sev- enth's gallant advance-David and Jonathan of the Tenth Regiment-Evacuation of Fort Wagner-Southern Prisons- General Wessel's defense of Wilmington-Hardships of the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Regiments-Judge Chamberlain's narrative-Grant's Virginia Campaign-General Sedgwick killed at Spottsylvania-Colonel Stedman mortally wounded before Petersburg-General Terry chosen to command ex- pedition against Fort Fisher-His co-operation with Admiral Porter-The Hero of Fort Fisher-First Connecticut Caval- ry-Connecticut Troops in the Great Review at Washington -Governor Buckingham's proclamation for a day of Thanks- giving-Total Expense of the War to the State-Number of enlisted Men-Their lenghth of Service-Number of Killed, Wounded and Missing-The State's undying Glory.
24
CONNECTICUT AS A STATE
CHAPTER IV
AT THE CLOSE OF THE WAR . 127-140
Veterans return to their Old Life-New Haven Soldier's Aid Society-Increased activity in Manufactures-Inactivity of State politics-General Hawley elected Governor-His successor James E. English-Marshall Jewell in the Gover- nor's Chair-Connecticut Industrial School for Girls-The establishment of Educational Institutions-Libraries, Mu- seums, Laboratories and Observatories heavily endowed- Enlargement of the Hartford and New Haven Hospitals- Parks and Water-Works established in Cities and Towns- Hartford becomes the sole Capital-The New Capitol occu- pied as the Seat of Government-Battle Flag Day-Railroad approach to Hartford-Charles R. Ingersoll elected Gover- nor-Financial depression of 1876-Administrations of Gov- ernors Hubbard, Andrews and Bigelow-Black Friday- Causes of Money Panic-Marshall Jewell Post-Master Gen- eral in Grant's Cabinet-His triumphant State Reception.
CHAPTER V
REVISIONS OF THE GENERAL STATUTES . . 141-151
A Commission of Revision appointed in 1847 and 1865-An- cient Titles become obsolete-Revision of 1875-Date of State Election changed-Specific Appropriation Bill- Changes made in the terms of Judges of the Supreme and Superior Courts-Biennial Sessions established-Philadel- phia Centennial-High Art in Household Articles-Con- necticut's display of Agricultural Products-Her Manufactur- ing Exhibits-Seth Thomas Clock-Blake Stone Breaker- William P. Blake sent by Government to Vienna Exposition -General Joseph R. Hawley President of the Centennial Exposition Commission-Richard D. Hubbard elected Gov- ernor-His successor Charles B. Andrews-Adjustment of the Boundary between Connecticut and New York-Gener- al Practice Act.
CHAPTER VI
THE DECADE FROM 1880-1890 153-160
Hobart B. Bigelow chosen Governor-His successor Thom- as M. Waller-Building of the Breakwater in New Haven Harbor-Opening of East Rock Park-Erection of Gover- nor Buckingham's Statue-Henry B. Harrison elected Gov- ernor by the General Assembly-State election carried by
25
CONNECTICUT AS COLONY AND STATE
the Republicans, Phineas C. Lounsbury becomes Gover- nor-He advocates strict laws regarding Temperance and the running of Sunday Trains-Incorrigible Criminal Act-Tidal wave of Foreign emigration-This the cause of important Changes-The Commonwealth becomes a great Industrial Centre.
CHAPTER VII
THE ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR BULKELEY. . 161-176
Secret Ballot Law put in practice for the First time-Gener- al Assembly in 1888 declare Morgan G. Bulkeley Governor- The Prohibitionist and Labor Parties in 1890-No candidate for Governor receives a majority of votes-The Famous Dead- lock-The Senate Democratic-The House Republican- Wording of the Constitution regarding Elections-General Assembly convenes-Their failure to choose either Governor or Lieutenant-Governor-Governor Bulkeley exercises the duties of the Office-Machinery of State Government inoper- ative-Governor Bulkeley becomes personally responsible for State Expenditures-Supreme Court decides he is the legal Governor-Election of Luzon B. Morris to the Execu- tive Chair-World's Columbian Exposition-Connecticut's money for expenses obtained by Popular Subscription-The Foot Guards in the Dedication Ceremonies-Connecticut's share in the charms of the White City-The Century Clock- Columbia Bicycles-Electric Traveler-Her Grains, Grasses and Cattle-Contributors to the Forestry Building-Display of Minerals and Metals-Steinert's collection of Musical In- struments-The Connecticut House-Its Interior Decora- tions-Connecticut's Room in the Woman's Building-Miss Sheldon's Work-The Library.
CHAPTER VIII
THE SPANISH WAR AND THE CONSTITUTIONAL CON- VENTION ......... 177-191
Democratic party carries the State in the Presidential Elec- tion of 1892-Financial depression felt in Connecticut-O. Vincent Coffin elected Governor by a large majority-State gives a sweeping majority in 1896, for Cooke for Governor and Mckinley as President-Tragic fate of the Maine-Dip- lomatic relations between United States and Spain ended- Response to President McKinley's call for Volunteers-Four regiments raised-First Connecticut Regiment U. S. Volun- teers-The Third Regiment-Yale Battery-Batteries B and
26
CONNECTICUT AS A STATE
C-State Board of Control-Connecticut exceeds her Quo- ta-The Disposition made of the Connecticut Regiments- Naval Militia-Mustering in of the Connecticut Naval Battal- ion-Re-naming of the American Liner Paris-Yale's con- tributions-Total War Expenses-Work of Connecticut Wo- men in the War-George E. Lounsbury becomes Governor -His successors George D. McLean and Abriam Chamber- lain-Changes made in the Constitution-Hinsdale Joint Stock Act-Governor McLean recommends the calling of a Constitutional Convention-Convention assembles at Hart- ford-In session four months-Their compromising Amend- ments rejected by the People.
CHAPTER IX
LOCAL INDUSTRIES OF MODERN TIMES. 193-211
Connecticut's Population-Leading Industries-Her Treas- ure of Fish-Shell Fisheries-Middle of the Sound desig- nated as the boundary line between Connecticut and New York-State Jurisdiction established over Oyster grounds- Rights of Navigation paramount to those of Fisheries-Arti- ficial cultivation of Oysters-First Steamer employed in the Oyster business-Connecticut the great Railroad Thorough- fare-Introduction of the Third Rail-Street Railway Sys- tem-State Taxes of Railroads-Agricultural interests- Abandoned Farms-Scientific Methods of Farming-Butter Making-Yale School of Forestry-Cultivation of Tobacco- Market Gardening-Fruit Culture-Peach Orchards-High- ways-Connecticut's Manufacturing interests-Proportion of Production to her Population-Remarkable inventive gen- ius of her Citizens.
CHAPTER X
THE INSURANCE INTERESTS. .213-232
First Partnership-First Policy issued-Connecticut Insur- ance Company-Hartford and New Haven Insurance Com- pany-Formation of the Protection, Hartford and Aetna Fire Insurance Companies-Marine Risks-Reason for the Pre- eminence of Hartford Companies-Name of Wadsworth in the Insurance Interests-Major John Caldwell, Ezekiel Wil- liams and others-Growth of the Protection Fire Insurance Company-General Nathaniel Terry first President of the Hartford Fire Insurance Company-Incorporation of the Aetna Insurance Company-Its growth due to Business En- terprise and Caution-Its assets in 1903-Dramatic Crises-
27
CONNECTICUT AS COLONY AND STATE
Disastrous New York fires of 1835-45-Establishment of a Reserve Fund-Losses in the Chicago and Boston Con- flagrations-Early History of Life Insurance-Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Company-Its founders-Life De- partment of the Aetna Insurance Company-Formation of The Phoenix Mutual and Connecticut General Life Insur- ance Companies for specific purposes-Local Mutual Fire Insurance Companies-Hartford Steam Boiler Company- Insurance of slaves, coolies and live stock-First Accident Insurance Company in America-Insurance as a Science- Yale University establishes Insurance as a new course of Study.
CHAPTER XI
YALE COLLEGE IN THE LAST CENTURY .233-268
Inauguration of Timothy Dwight as President-Fines and Fagging abolished-Extensive Land purchases-"Old Brick Row"-Professor Silliman's electrical experiments-Medi- cal Institution of Yale College-The Medical Faculty-Pro- fessor Jeremiah Day succeeds President Dwight-College Rebellions-Alexander M. Fisher, Denison Olmsted and others become members of the Faculty-Divinity and Law Schools established-Purchase of Colonel Gibbs' Mineral Collection-Theodore Dwight Woolsey becomes President- New members of the Faculty-Celebration of the One Hun- dred and Fiftieth anniversary-The Great Oriental Scholars -Gymnasium added to the College Buildings-The Art School-Farnam and Durfee Halls-Winchester Observa- tory and Peabody Museum-Yale Scientific Expeditions- Zoological Specimens-Founding of the Scientific School- First American Professor of Agricultural Chemistry-Noah Porter succeeds President Woolsey-Formation of the Row- ing Association of Colleges-Introduction of Foot-ball-Yale Athletic Association-Inter-collegiate Base-ball Associa- tion formed-Yale Field-Erection of new Buildings during President Porter's administration-Timothy Dwight elected President-Erection of Vanderbilt and Dwight Halls-Also of other Buildings-School of Music established-Organiza- tion of Clubs-The College Periodicals-The Day of Special- ist and Special Study-Resignation of President Dwight- Arthur T. Hadley his successor-The Bi-centennial Celebra- tion-Bi-centennial Fund-Founding of the Forest School- The Number of Students and Instructors in 1903-The Li- brary-The Trumbull Gallery-The Steinert Collection- Peabody's Museum Collection-The "Yale Spirit"-Yale's part in the History of Missions-Position of Yale Graduates in the World's Work.
28
CONNECTICUT AS A STATE
CHAPTER XII
CONNECTICUT'S NATIVE SONS AS COLLEGE PRESI- DENTS
.2 9 281
Burr and Edwards at Princeton-Christian work for Indians founded Dartmouth and Hamilton Colleges-Pioneer la- bors in the establishment of Western Colleges-Doctor Sam- uel Johnson at King's College-William Samuel Johnson first President of Columbia College-Abraham Baldwin's plan for a State University adopted by the Georgia Legisla- ture-Ntt and Hickok at Union College-Owen, Vice Pres- ident of the Free College of the City of New York-Hum- phrey and Seelye at Amherst-Laurens Clarke Seelye at Smith College-Three Presidents of Williams College of Connecticut birth-Holley President of Transylvania Uni- versity, Finney of Oberlin College and Northrop of the Uni- versity of Minnesota-Daniel C. Gilman, President of three Colleges-William Adams, President of the Union Theo- logical Seminary-Yale's Presidency.
CHAPTER XIII
LITERATURE IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 283-312
The First Scholars and Writers of the State were Divines- Lyman Beecher as a powerful Preacher-Establishment of the "Christian Quarterly Spectator-Jarvis the Church His- toriographer-Dr. Taylor the leader of the New Haven School of Theology-Remarkable Group of Oriental Schol- ars-Sprague, the Author of "Annals of the American Pulpit" -Sparks the Historian-Editorial work of Nathan Bangs- Founder of the "Cultivator"-Foote as a Church Historian- The Rector of St. Thomas Church-The Dwight family-Ba- con and Bushnell noted Divines of the Nineteenth Century- Peter Parley-The Poetry of Lydia Huntley Sigourney and Rose Terry Cooke-Connecticut's Poet, Fitz Greene Hal- leck-The erratic genius James Gates Percival-The Friend of Whittier-"Battle laureate of the Union"-The Poet- Banker-One of the famous "Concord Philosophers"-The Works of Theodore Winthrop and John William DeForest -William Henry Bishop and others-Ike Marvel-Fiske the Historian-George D. Prentice of the Louisville Journal- "Veteran Observer"-Editorial work of Bromley and Bart- lett-Charles Dudley Warner-The Author of "Innocents Abroad"-The Genealogical work of Professor Salisbury and Wife-The Bi-centennial Books-Beecher family-Editions of "Uncle Tom's Cabin."
29
CONNECTICUT AS COLONY AND STATE
CHAPTER XIV
EDUCATORS AND PHILANTHROPISTS. 313-328
Murdoch and Atwater noted Teachers-Founder of the Jef- ferson Medical College-Amasa Walker an authority on Fi- nance-Webster "Grammatical Institutes"-Daboll Arithme- tics and Morse Geographies-Olney's Atlas-Geography and Andrews' Latin-English Lexicon-The Hart Sisters-Mrs. Porter's work at Farmington-Sketch of Henry Barnard- The Originator of Arbor Day-William T. Harris United States Commissioner of Education-Founder of the Board of Commissioners of Foreign Missions-Elihu Burritt-Gifts and Donations by Natives of Connecticut.
CHAPTER XV
IN ARTS AND SCIENCES
329-344
"Connecticut is not Athens"-Miniature Painting of Morse and Jocelyn-The Flagg Family-Hartford's great Painter- Artists of later date-First Connecticut Sculptor-Work of Edward Bartholomew and Paul Bartlett-Hartford and New Haven as Art centres-"American Barbizon"-James Ham- mond Trumbull-Silliman "Nestor of American Science"- Olmsted and Lyman the Astronomers-Newberry the Geol- ogist-Dr. Horace Welles-Introduction of the Bessemer Process of Steel making by Holley-Frederic Law Olmsted.
CHAPTER XVI
CONNECTICUT'S HONORED SONS ABROAD ....
. 345-360
The Founder of a New School of Calvinism-The Emmon- ites-First Episcopal Bishop of a Diocese including all of New England-Samuel Nott, Pioneer Missionary to India- Beecher's addresses in England-Champions of Anti-Slavery cause-Mansfield as Surveyor General of the United States- Mitchell's work in North Carolina-Hunt, the famous Chem- ist and Geologist-Mason and Walworth noted Jurists-The able Diplomat Edward Pierrepont-Amasa Parker and the Anti-Rent Trials-Lyme the Home of Governors and Judges-Charles Johnson MacCurdy-Morrison R. Waite- Sketches of David Dudley, and Stephen J. Field.
GENERAL INDEX.
30
ILLUSTRATIONS
Buckingham, William A. Frontispiece.
Barnard, Henry Facing p. 320
Beecher, Henry Ward. Facing p. 348
Caldwell, John Facing p. 218
Commencement Day Yale College, July 26th, 1860 Facing p. 238
Day, Jeremiah Facing p. 238
Field, David Dudley Facing p. 356
Foote, Andrew H
Facing p. 90
Halleck, Fitz Green Facing p. 302
Lyon, Nathaniel Facing p. 62
Mansfield, Joseph K. F. Facing p. 84
Percival, James Gates Facing p. 304
Sedgwick, John Facing p. 114
Sigourney, Lydia Huntley Facing p. 300
Silliman, Benjamin
Facing p. 238
Sparks, Jared Facing p. 290
Stowe, Harriet Beecher
Facing p. 310
Terry, Alfred H.
Facing p. 118
Waite, Morrison R.
Facing p. 354
Welles, Gideon Facing p. 38
Winthrop, Theodore Facing p. 60
Woolsey, Theodore D Facing p. 238
Yale College in 1858.
Facing p. 242
31
:
CHAPTER I
THE CRISIS
1448935
T HE sturdy qualities of the little State have never contributed more signally to the credit of her citizens and the support of the government than during the stress of the Civil War. No thoughtful observer of events in Connecticut during the immediately preceding years could fail to feel that a storm was gathering. Many hoped that it would pass by ; a few realized its dreadful portents. Whether the last analysis of the causes brings us to the undying antagonism between centralization of government and State sovereignty, between the slaveholder and the abolitionist, or between the Roundhead, and the Cavalier, the fact remains that there was serious friction between the North and the South.
In Connecticut, as in other Northern States, the people were slow to believe that the threats of secession would be car- ried out; they credited others with their own real loyalty to the Union, and to preserve that Union they were ready to make any reasonable concession. But if it takes two to make a quarrel, it certainly takes more than one to keep peace; and as the depressing years of Buchanan's administration wore on, and the pivotal autumn of 1860, with its momentous elec- tion approached, the wise ones looked into the future with foreboding eyes.
In the State, the approval of secession had been really denied finally by the hotly contested spring election of 1860, which called out a poll of 88, 576 votes. This was a large increase over the succeeding presidential election. Both par- ties put their strength into the contest, and a majority of 541 gave Connecticut the honor and inestimable blessing of keep- ing her "war-governor," William A. Buckingham, at the helm. Well may New London County be proud of Trumbull
35
CONNECTICUT AS COLONY AND STATE
and Buckingham, who supported our two greatest Presidents in our two greatest wars.
It is difficult to say what would have been the war-story of the State had she chosen otherwise on that April day in 1860.
In the autumn of that year, a token that this decision was accepted was given by the majority for Lincoln of 10,292. The die was cast for the nation, too. Lincoln was legally elected, and an angry South prepared to show its resentment.
There was ample opportunity for carefully considering the claims of both sides in Connecticut, long a State where parties were nearly matched; for the South had then a strong party of "sympathizers", who brought forward every plea for yielding to her demands, and suggested every conceivable measure of conciliation. The great number of intelligent citizens who were accustomed to weigh carefully every judg- ment, and to listen with fairness to an opponent's arguments, increased the probability that public action would proceed from conviction rather than from impulse.
Both men and newspapers of ability uttered their disap- proval of the election of Lincoln, and in varying degrees befriended the South. Of the newspapers, the Hartford Times and New Haven Register amended their course in the light of succeeding events, and the Bridgeport Farmer was silenced by the force of public opinion. Still, few were ready to defend secession; but many felt that it would be such a calamity that we ought to use all possible moderation and for- bearance in order to avert it. Even the Hartford Times, which had bitterly opposed the election of Lincoln, said "It is right that he should be inaugurated, and that he should be sustained in the legitimate discharge of the executive duties of his government."
All looked with anxiety to the XXXVIth Congress, to
36
CONNECTICUT AS A STATE
which Connecticut sent an able and representative delegation ; in the Senate, Lafayette S. Foster and James B. Dixon; in the House, Dwight Loomis, John Woodruff, Alfred A. Burn- ham, and Orrin S. Ferry. They bore, on the whole, an hon- orable part in that memorable session, when the hot, per- sistent debates filled the halls of Congress day after day with excited listeners. Mr. Ferry was the Connecticut member on the important committee of Thirty-three, one from each State, to confer on "the state of the Union." Senator Dixon repre- sented the conciliatory spirit of many when he said, "My con- stituents are ready to make any sacrifice which a reasonable man can ask or an honorable man can grant."
Senator Brown of Mississippi hardly met him half-way when he rejoined, "There is but one way : the Northern peo- ple must reverse their whole policy on the subject of slavery." Perhaps those brief sentences are accurate types of the temper of the North and the South during that winter. On January 9, the signal for war was really given by the shot fired on the Star of the West, pursuing its legitimate errand of carrying food to Major Anderson; but still the effort to pacify went on. Some towns actually sent petitions to Congress praying that the peace proposals of the Border States be accepted.
To the Peace Conference, Connecticut sent some of her most learned and dispassionate sons. Ex-Gov. Roger Sher- man Baldwin, who had won the fight for justice to the Ami- stad captives; Hon. Robbins Battell, a benefactor of his State and town; Hon. Charles J. McCurdy, our former chargé d'affaires to Austria ; and others of similar character. Ex-Gov. Baldwin urged a National Convention which should so amend the Constitution as to satisfy the opposing claims ; but that plan was rejected. In short, every possible solution
37
CONNECTICUT AS COLONY AND STATE
of the problem was suggested in vain; we see now that the conflict was inevitable.
The Connecticut Congressmen began to declare positively that the government must be maintained. Mr. Ferry offered, on Feb. II, a resolution to so amend the Constitution as to forbid the withdrawal of any State from the Union, except under certain conditions; but it was never voted on. In an able speech, he predicted that concessions of even all that was demanded, or could be demanded, would buy only a tran- sient and therefore to be dreaded peace. When Mr. Wigfall of Texas declared in open session that he was a foreigner, and belonged to the foreign State of Texas, it was Senator Foster who moved that he be expelled for treasonable language, a motion which was pased.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.