USA > Indiana > Carroll County > Recollections of the early settlement of Carroll County, Indiana > Part 10
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Mr. Whitcomb is now writing his opinion upon the claim of our State for additional selections of land for the extended line of canal from Tippecanoe to Terre Haute. I feel very solicitous on this subject, but fear the mad-dog cry against donations of land to the new States. I think the decision of the department will be favorable.
We have had a Winter of unusual mildness, and generally good health, in which blessing I participate. General Tipton was quite sick a few days back, but is convalescing.
FROM THE SAME.
WASHINGTON, April 13, 1840.
DEAR SIR,-I have received your letter of the 2d inst., covering petition for post-road from Prince William via Lexington to Burlington, and for the cs- tablishment of a post-office at Lexington, and appoint- ment of Adam Clark, Esq., as postmaster.
I will immediately present the memorial, and if any law is passed this session for new routes, will see that this is included.
It will be proper to await awhile the issue of such a bill, before taking steps to comply with your request to remove the present office from Xenia to Prince Will- iam, which, I understand you, is asked with the consent of the people and postmaster at Xenia.
The subject of a former petition for a route from Frankfort via Delphi, Monticello, and Buncombe, to Ottowa, is still borne in mind, and as well for these routes, as others in my charge. I have pressed the
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Committee to report a bill for the new states, if they can do no more. They are embarrassed only by the want of funds in the department, and have not yet determined what report to make.
Political matters have been so much transferred from Washington to the different sections of the Union, where the Presidential struggle is going on, that we look to the interior for news with more eagerness than you can expect any thing from the center.
The month of May will be the great gathering-time in Baltimore, when I shall expect to see many of my Indiana friends of both parties who will doubtless ex- tend their visits to Washington, and should be gratified if you were one of the number. The honorable desig- nation of my townsman, Dr. Jackson, as a State dele- gate, will doubtless compel his attendance.
Most heartily I congratulate you upon the decisive measures adopted by Ohio for the completion of the Wabash and Erie Canal. That work accomplished, we shall soon look for better times in our beautiful valley ; yea, doubtless under the anspices of Mr. Van Buren's administration, or under those of General Harrison.
General Howard's circular, announcing his inten- tion to resign at the end of the session, has, I presume, been read by you. The filling of his vacancy will add a spice of interest to the August clection in the Seventh District.
Mr. Smith, from the Ripley district, who has been very ill, is rapidly recovering.
The offices of the Madisonian and the Democratic Review were burnt down on Friday night, with almost a total loss to both. Allen's loss, about $5,000, without any insurance; Langton & O'Sullivan's losses are equally or a larger amount beyond their insurance.
After considerable debility, during a great part of
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the Winter, I am at length reinstated in good health. I hope you are in the same condition.
With sincere respect, I remain your friend and servant, ALBERT S. WHITE.
HON. EDWARD A. HANNEGAN.
INDIANAPOLIS, January 21, 1833.
DEAR DOCTOR,- , In the way of legislative busi- ness, the most important is the passage of the Bank Bill through the Lower House, on Friday last, by a vote of 41 to 28. There was a most bitter and inveterate op- position displayed to the measure throughout. Notwith- standing all, however, the bill was carried in a shape that, I think, will be every way safe and satisfactory. Its fate is somewhat uncertain in the Senate.
A bill appropriating fifteen thousand dollars for the improvement of the Wabash River, at the Rapids, has passed the Senate, and is now before the House. This sum is intended to meet a similar appropriation on the part of the State of Illinois, and there is no doubt, should we succeed in carrying it through our House, but the aggregate of the sums will be sufficient to remove the main obstructions to the navigation of the stream at that important point.
A change will be made in the manner of electing the canal commissioners, so that one shall be elected every year. This is done for fear that at some time the whole Board may be turned out at once, and, having all new men, might for a time retard the work. I think the change every way salutary.
We have no news of any consequence from the East. Congress is engaged in discussing the tariff. The late treaty with the Pottawatomie Indians has been ratified in every particular.
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CARROLL COUNTY, INDIANA.
FROM THE SAME.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Fune 9, 1834.
DEAR STEWART,-I received your letter last night, and may proceed as per direction to return an imme- diate answer; but what interest I can lend to the let- ter by the news I have to give, must depend on your love of reading, not the matter that will be written.
You have doubtless heard of the resignation of Ste- venson as speaker, the election of Bell, ete., and our determination, with the consent of the Senate, to ad- journ on the 30th of the present month.
Tyler has been nominated by the President to the Senate; but that body, however, has not as yet acted on the nomination. I sometimes fear he will be confirmed. I drew up a protest against him, and sent it to the Senate, signed by myself, Boone, and Kinnard.
I have not as yet received an answer to my applica- tion, founded on your letter, for future transportation of the mail, as you desire.
The bank has finally blown herself out of the water. Her refusal to permit an investigation by the Commit- tee, has produced a reaction in the public mind beyond what you would believe, even in the large cities; the excrescenses, as I consider them, of the body politie. I fear mueh, however, that the opposition will not suffer us do any business for the country at the present session. They are determined to spend even the little time now left us in useless and idle debate. Let the responsibility, however, rest where it should, though, no doubt, there are those who, even removed from the corrupt atmosphere of the bank, will still justify the course of the leaders of that party. .
The weather has grown outrageously hot, and, you may rely upon it, I am anxious to return home. Pre- sent my respects to Mrs. S.
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FROM THE SAME.
WASHINGTON, April 3, 1836.
MY DEAR STEWART,-I have delayed answering you for some days, until the department should determine upon the course to pursue in relation to the Indian lands. There being no appropriation for the purpose by Congress, of course, no regular commissioner could be appointed, and Mr. Ellsworth offered his services with- out compensation, to go to Indiana and submit Mar- shall's treaty (so modified as to suit the President's views) to Richardville. He has accordingly gone, and if he is successful, commissioners will be appointed to purchase the remainder; one of whom will be Aaron Finch. The other man I am not at liberty to name, as his friends wish nothing said about it at present; but on this you may rely, Finch will be one, as I have a promise to that effect. But you must not make it known, nor, indeed, any thing about the transaction, as it would only be the means of sending on some fifty applicants, thereby involving us all in trouble. ·
On last evening, the bill to admit Michigan into the Union passed the Senate, after a desperate strug- gle of two days. It contains stipulations on the subject of boundary, confirming Indiana, and extending Indiana to the point she contended for, which must be acceded to by Michigan in convention, after which the President is authorized to declare her a member of the Confed- eracy by proclamation. The bill to admit Arkansas was also ordered to be engrossed, last night, for a third reading. The debate in the Senate during the two days was in the highest degree interesting ; a deal of excite- ment existed, and every speaking member of the body was called out. The North Carolina election, which, first and last, gave us a good deal of trouble, was decided during the week, by sending the election back to the
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people. For this I voted, as I would do in all cases of contested elections, where the merits were not clear and palpable. Some time during the coming week, I will have an interview with Kendall, and endeavor, if possi- ble, to have a general arrangement of stage-routes in my district. I have been put off from time to time, but it is now necessary that something should be done, if at all. The Senate have set the - day of May for ad- journment, but whether our House will agree, is more than I can say ; in fact, I do not believe they will. We have too many talking members, and too little disposi- tion for business. Benton gave them a most glorious lecture in the Senate on this subject yesterday. After all, Stewart, he is the great man of our party, the great man of the country, whom no selfish considerations can warp or bias. The more I see of him, the more I ad- mire him.
My respects to Mrs. S. and all friends.
FROM THE SAME.
WASHINGTON, March 20, 1836.
DEAR STEWART,- Your mail-routes are all before the committee, and will pass in the general bill, if that passes.
You will doubtless have seen the confirmation of Taney, Barbour, Kendall, Stevenson, etc. This is at last a glorious triumph ; but Judge White has astonished us wonderfully by voting against every one of them. On yesterday Benton called up his expunging resolu- tion, and occupied the Senate for three hours, in a speech of unsurpassed force and vigor. He has not yet concluded, but will probably occupy Monday, as the Senate does not sit to-day. His speech will produce a tremendous effect throughout the country, as it has on all who heard it. I will send you a copy so soon as it is published.
.
13
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Cass will be sent out as Minister to France, and King, of Alabama, instead of Polk, will be appointed Secretary of War. Polk does not desire to leave his present station. Some time back, I thought we would adjourn by the 1st of June, but I entertain no such hopes now; there is such a disposition to speak in this house, that the people at the polls must interfere to check it. I have some hope that the Graduation Bill may pass, more especially if Clay should resign, as is it confidently stated he will do in a short time.
WASHINGTON, March 1, 1844.
DEAR STEWART,- I send you a copy of my Oregon speech. I hope you will like it. I believe it is better received here than any speech I ever made in Congress. Robinson, for the present, must consider this an answer to his favor also.
The horrible occurrence on the Princeton, you will see in the papers. I was standing with General Jessup at the main-mast, some twenty-five or thirty feet from the explosion, and was the first person who pressed forward to the place. Colonel Benton had been pros- trated by the awful concussion, having been standing immediately behind the breach of the gun. When I reached his side, he was lifting a poor sailor in his arms, whose left arm was shot off; thoughtless of himself, he thought only of the poor suffering man. But I need not comment on it: you will see at once the noble heart it betrays. He was cool and collected. I asked him if he was wounded "No, Hannegan," was his reply; " but look at this poor fellow. Bring a surgeon to him quick." Judge Phelps, of Vermont, was standing near Benton at the time of the explosion, who acted likewise with great coolness and courage; has declared publicly that injustice shall no longer be done to Benton's generous and noble heart; that he will seek an occa-
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sion in the Senate to pay him a tribute. He is, as you know, a warm Whig. Benton and Phelps were stand- ing immediately by the bulwarks, which were swept entirely away, and their hats were also carried over- board, with the bonnet of a lady who stood between them. Benton is out of danger, but not able to sit up. The force of the concussion struck his breast; had it struck his head, he must have been instantly killed. Yours truly, ED. A. HANNEGAN.
FROM GENERAL T. A. HOWARD.
ROCKVILLE, INDIANA, January 15, 1839.
SIR,-The letter of yourself and others, members of the Lafayette Convention, dated the 9th inst., has been received.
In regard to my visiting the northern counties, I take great pleasure in assuring you that I shall do so as early as the circumstances connected with the can- vass will justify. Should I do so before the adjourn- ment of the Legislature, it might seem that I desired to forestall public opinion in the absence of a gentleman who is already announced as a candidate for Congress. I shall visit every part of the district, during the Spring and Summer, and publicly address the citizens on the various topics involved in a canvass for the Congress of the United States.
FROM THE SAME.
ROCKVILLE, INDIANA, September 5, 1839.
DEAR STEWART,-I make no apology for troubling you, and challange you to write me frequently in return. I want you to do me the favor to furnish me a list, embracing the names, at length, of your sheriff, coroner, judges, clerk, lawyers, doctors, merchants, tavern-keepers, ministers, contractors, who reside in Delphi ; and the names of your townships, with the
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justices in each, of both parties, the names of all the other towns in the county, and some of the citizens in each. Send me the names of all the school-masters in the county, and their residences.
Give my respects, most gratefully tendered, to my friends in " old Carroll," and to my friends in Delphi, including those ladies with whom I had the pleasure of becoming acquainted when I was therc.
FROM THE SAME.
WASHINGTON CITY, December 17, 1839.
DEAR SIR,-The opposition, this morning, again brought up the New Jersey case, and it has been dis- cussed throughout the day. When we will be done with it, I know not. It will, however, I hope have one good effect ; it will open the eyes of the people to the dangers which may attend the rights of suffrage, even after they have deposited their will in the ballot-box. Your friend, T. A. HOWARD.
FROM GOVERNOR WHITCOMB.
JAMESTOWN, N. Y., July, 21, 1849.
MY DEAR FRIEND,-Yesterday was three long months since I was so violently attacked by sickness at Buffalo, while on my way home, as to make it im- practicable to proceed any further; and since that time, I have been under medical treatment. My disease is, essentially, great debility or prostration of the nervous system, of a chronic or complicated character, hastened and aggravated, if not produced, by mental labor of a severe and unremitting character. Few are apprised of the severity of my labors while in the General Land- office, the labor of two canvasses for the office of governor, and the solicitude and anxiety incident to that position, especially in arranging the State debt with advantage to the best interests of the people who had honored me
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with their confidence. All this was only calculated to accelerate the silent but sure progress of disease. Above all, the great domestic bereavement with which I was struck, as with the arrow of death, two years ago, on the 17th inst., worked fearfully on my health and spirits. And, although, after some three or four weeks, I flattered myself with making some progress toward the restoration of my health, yet I continued to have so many " baek-sets" and new symptoms, requiring an altered treatment, that I am greatly discouraged. Eleven days ago, however, at my suggestion, my physician, a prudent and cautious man, but not a dog- matist, assented to my use of the cold-water bath. I have already taken eleven of these baths, in as many successive days, in water of the temperature of 62º, and latterly fresh from the well, and as low as 52º. The effect on my feelings and symptoms for the better has been wonderful, and I thank God that I now begin to feel a strong confidence that by His mercy, through this instrumentality, I shall again see in this life my own Indiana. And the moment I think of Indiana, there is indissolubly associated in my mind, and intertwined in every fiber of my heart, the noble-hearted of her sons who have favored me with their friendship, in the very first rank of whom my heart instinctively places you. Being sufficiently recovered to write, it is natural, therefore, that I should address you. It is not yet deemed prudent for me to travel, and I shall scarcely get home in time to see Delphi before another session of Congress, but if my life continues to be spared by the Divine mercy, I yet count on the great gratification of again taking you by the hand. as well as seeing you. Pray write me (at this place) soon, as to all the news, the progress of the cholera, etc., etc. If you see your late worthy representative, give him my most grateful thanks and respects.
-
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I desire my most respectful compliments to your lady, and accept my best wishes for your prosperity, from,
Faithfully, your friend, JAS. WHITCOMB.
FROM GENERAL LEWIS CASS.
DETRIOT, February 21, 1834.
DEAR SIR,-I have received your obliging favor, and thank you heartily for your friendly feelings.
Duty and inclination equally prompt me to be a silent spectator of passing events. My name has been placed before the country, without any action of my own, and the result gives me as little trouble as almost any other man. I have sat still since my return, and have not been out of the place, except during the short trip I made to Fort Wayne.
I am not, however, the less grateful to my friends, who have espoused my cause, and I am under a deep debt of gratitude to the State of Indiana, for the mani- festations of favor which have been exhibited there. It is obvious that the most active politicians through the country have determined upon Mr. Van Buren, as the candidate of the " Republican" party. Whether this decision will be confirmed by the people, remains to be seen. It may be that at the Baltimore Convention, such doubts respecting the result may prevail as to lead to the selection of some other person. Indications of dissatisfaction, as you say, are exhibiting themselves, and it is difficult to foresee the extent to which they will reach. But under no circumstances ought the Demo- cratic party to suffer itself to be broken up by divisions. After the nomination, I hope we shall. all take hold and support the candidate agreed upon. This I shall do, and I shall recommend my friends to act in the same manner. With great regard,
I am, dear sir, yours truly, LEW. CASS.
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CARROLL COUNTY, INDIANA.
JOHN DUMONT,
AND THE ELECTION OF 1837.
ONE of the most exciting and interesting election canvasses ever witnessed in this state, was the race for governor, in 1837, between Governor Wallace and the Hon. John Dumont. These gentlemen both belonged to the same political party, and the sole issue between them was the classification of the Public Works. Gov- ernor Wallace and his friends favored a simultaneous carrying on of all the works embraced in the mam- moth Internal Improvement Bill; while the friends of Dumont favored a classification, contending that by prosecuting one or two works to completion at a time, the whole might ultimately be finished, and the State saved from bankruptcy. In the early part of the race, Judge Gamaliel Taylor, a Democrat, of Madison, was on the track, but the great interests at stake, in the all- absorbing subject of Internal Improvement, produced an overwhelming desire to ignore old party lines and fight the battle on the new issue. Judge Taylor, per- ceiving this feeling, declined the race, thus leaving the contest between Wallace and Dumont. Although Governor W. was the successful aspirant, Mr. Dumont made a most brilliant canvass, and the author remem- bers very well the effect his speeches produced in Carroll County. Like Whitcomb, he made no effort at the " spread-eagle style," but he presented his points so ingeniously, his illustrations were so plain, and his manner so candid and honest, that he produced a pow- erful effect. In fact, few men in the state were better calculated to make votes on the stump, than John Dumont. Being a warm advocate of the classification of the Public Works, the author supported him.
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FROM JOHN DUMONT, CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR IN 1837.
SCIPIO, JENNINGS CO., INDIANA, July 2, 1837.
DEAR SIR,-I have progressed so far, and made a speech here this evening. Since I left Indianapolis, I passed through Johnson, Morgan, Owen, Monroe, and Bartholomew Counties, and have no doubt of a strong impression in my favor in Owen, Monroe, and Bartholo- mew. As to the others, I have no certain intelligence, but do not doubt of getting a respectable number of votes in each of these counties. I have been on, and will be on, all the battle-ground of the railroad from Indian- apolis to Madison. I call it the battle-ground, because it is the ground to be contested ; but even along this line there is a great division of the people. If Taylor has any force in any county that I have passed through, it has entirely escaped my observation. Will you be so good as to notice favorable articles in the prints, and have them republished in the Delphi Oracle ? I have, from the journals, made the following abstracts, which you could weave into an article for the Oracle. It is from a report to the Board made by Mr. Blake, and it shows, what is not generally known, that the corps of officers belonging to the present system, cost more than the whole State Government! It was some labor to extract it, but you may rely on its being a true expose of that which Mr. Blake reported in such a way as not to lead the mind to the expense of this almost sinecure Board.
These are :
1 Principal Engineer on Canals. $3,500
1 66 on Roads and Railways, .... 4,000
11 Resident Engineers $1,500 16,500
5 Senior Assistants 920 4,600
7 Assistants 696 5,072
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CARROLL COUNTY, INDIANA.
11 Junior Assistants
$556
$6,116
6 Senior Roadmen
456
2,736
16 Roadmen.
396
6,336
2 Junor Roadmen
348
696
15 Axmen
315
4,725
$54,271
Besides the Board of Internal Improvement, their secretary, and other contingencies. A classification would tend to disband two thirds of this eating corps.
Has my speech in favor of opening the Wabash and Erie Canal been published in the Oracle. It was to have been published in the Mercury, of Lafayette, and in the Logansport papers, from one of which it may be copied. If it be copied in the Oracle, can a paper with a mark for publication be sent to the Miami Chief and to the Fort Wayne paper ?
Please write me a line about matters and things, to Vincennes, Knox County, and,
Believe me yours, truly, JOHN DUMONT.
FROM THE SAME.
MIDDLETON, VIGO COUNTY, July 22, 1837.
DEAR SIR,-I received your favor at Vincennes, for which I am greatly obliged to you. I at the time re- ceived a letter from the north, speaking of my prospects being good in the northern counties, excepting Michi- gan City. Also, a letter from General Burnett, of New Albany, stating that I could obtain very large majori- ties in Clarke and Harrison, and a respectable vote in Floyd County. The latter I had not expected. I have also had a confirmation of good news from Parke, Vermil- ion, Monroe, and Owen. I was advised to spend no more time in my own Congressional district; good judges thought I would get a majority of three thousand in it. I have traversed the Pocket, and am not much elated with the prospect that it affords. You know I must
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be beaten in Vanderburg. In Posey I will get a heavy majority. In the rest of the river counties, below Craw- ford, though I will get majorities, they will not be large, because my notices could not get on in time. My own opinion is, that I will do well in Knox, Davis, and Gib- son, but as yet have had no certain information since I left them. In Sullivan my vote must be very heavy, and in Vigo I must be beaten. I have labored indefatigably. I spoke in Madison, July 4th, to a large and delighted audience. I go to Terre Haute to-morrow; thence to Clay, Greene, Lawrence, Orange, Crawford, Harrison, and Floyd, to speak in New Albany again; thence up to Washington, Jackson, Scott, and am to speak again at Madison, on the 5th of August. I will then take a steam-boat, and speak at Lawrenceburg, on Monday morning, August 7th.
As I travel, it is so difficult and impossible to have a full view of the state, or to have the news, that it baffies conjecture as to the result. I shall, however, be- lieve that on my own part I have done as much as almost any other person would have done in the same time, and I have a well-grounded confidence that I have active and efficient friends in every county, among whom I consider you as one of the most zealous.
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