USA > Maryland > Biographical sketches of distinguished Marylanders > Part 18
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made between his qualifications and those of his rivals. Against such a leader and such forces, the proud hest of the enemy came on. . Where now are the great ora- tors and writers? "Ubi nunc facunlus Ulysses ?" Where shall we find a man to disperse the advancing foes from the eloquence of a proclamation, or overwhelm them with the terrors of a speech ? Andrew Jackson was there. He made neither proclamation nor speech, but he put a tongue into the mouths of his artillery, and bade them speak to them.
There was a speech to be held in everlasting remem- brance. It was written in the brightest page of our Country's history, and future conquerors who may desire to send their myrmidons to shores defended by freemen will be wise enough to remember it. He was not dis- posed (he said) to undervalue those talents in which it was said (upon what authority he knew not) General Jackson was so inferior to the favorites of his opponents. The speaker and the writer may render essential ser- vices to the Country; but there are times which will demand doers instead of talkers, and every friend of his country has rejoiced that we had the right sort of talent at the defence of New Orleans. If their services were even equal all must admit that there was some difference in suffering and s .crifice between the talker and the doer, be- tween him who, on soft carpets and to smiling audiences, makes speeches for his country, and him whose nights are spent in sleepless vigilance and his days in toil and peril, who offers ease and health and life upon the altar of patriotism. If there was any suffering in speech- making certain patriots, whose daily labors in that way throughout the last winter had been so extraordinary, were greatly to be commisserated. For himself, he said that when he had a good subject, as he now had, and saw before him such a company as he now did, and
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read in their kindling countenances the warm feelings . of approving hearts, he considered it a pleasure and a privilege to make a speech. But he would return to the song -- the company had thought it worthy the honor of a toast. Perhaps they were not unreasonble in placing so high an estimate upon a song. It has been said by one thought wise in the knowledge of human nature that " if he could be allowed to make a nation's song he cared not who made its laws."
He would undertake to say that if a nation's songs were of any importance to it there was but one way of providing a supply of them. He had adverted to the occasions of which he had spoken for the purpose of showing that way. If national poets, who shall keep alive the sacred fire of patriotism in the hearts of the people, are desirable to a country, the country must deserve them-must put forth her patriots and herocs, whose deeds alone can furnish the necessary inspiration. When a country is thus worthy of the lyre she will command its highest efforts. But if ever forgetful of her past and present glory, she shall cease to be "the Land of the Free and the home of the Brave," and be- come the purchased possession of a company of stock- jobbers and speculators; if her people are to be the bought vassals of a great moneyed corporation, and to bow down to her pensioned and privileged nobility; if the patriots who shall dare to arraign her corrup- tions and denounce her usurpation are to be sacri- ficed upon her gilded altar ; such a country furnish venal orators and presses, but the soul of national poetry will be gone. The muse will " never bow the knee in Mam- mon's fame." No, the patriots of such a land must hide their shame in her deepest forests, and her bards must bang their harps upon the willows. Such a people, thus corrupted and degraded --
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: " Living, shall forfeit fair renown ; And, doubly dying, shall go dowo To the vile dust from whence they sprung, Unwept, unhonored and unsung."
While holding the office of attorney under the Gor- ernment of the United States Mr. Key had ever in view the high responsibility and trust of his position. "It is the duty of an attorney representing a government in a criminal prosecution to see that the prisoner has jus tice done him, and not to aim only at conviction. He as well as the Court represents the law, whose officers they are." This was manifested in a remarkable in- stance, in a manner worthy of being recorded to the honor of Mr. Key and Maryland: In the year 1836, at the funeral of Warren R. Davis, of South Carolina, a representative to the United States Congress, General Jackson and his Cabinet were in attendance. While waiting on the East Portico of the Capitol for the coffin to be brought from the Rotunda a man who had been concealed behind one of the pillars of the portico fired a pistol at the President. Undauntedby the President ad- vanced toward his assailant with uplifted cane, intending by striking the man's arm to prevent another shot. Ser- eral Cabinet Officers losing presence of mind pulled Gen- eral Jackson back, when another attempt was made to fire the pistol. The mischief intended, however, was probably prevented by the non-explosion of the pistol cap. The daring assailant was seized and taken into the custody of the Law. General Jackson, his friends and adherents believed this act of violence to be in- stigated by a party of political conspirators, headed by a United States Senator. The prisoner was taken before one of the judges of the Circuit Court of the District of Columbia for an examination. Francis S. Key, in behalf of the Government, appeared to conduct
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the inquiry. Mr. Frank P. Blair, Mr. R. H. Gillette and Mr. Kingman (Ion, of " The Baltimore Sun") beheld the whole transaction. Mr. Kingman was called before the court as a witness. He says that he remen :- bers Mr. Key's circumspection regarding the pris- oner's right, as one accused before the Law, when co :- ducting the inquiries. Filled with partisan suspicions he did not lose his calmness, allowing only a sense of jus- tice and a desire for the truth to influence him in the matter. He seemed aware of his responsibility in an inquiry of so grave a nature. The investigation, thus conducted, terminated in discovering the prisoner to be insane. He was immediately sent to the Asylum for the Insane near Washington, where he was seen by a noted Physician of Washington not many years ago. And here this poor fellow, who had played so important a part in a little drama, could be seen day after day standing with a grave countenance and clasped hands as he revolved his thumbs one about the other. When ques- tioned as to his occupation, his reply was ever the same : "I am keeping the weather ; " alas, far-shadowed prophet of Probabilities !
Of Mr. Key, Mr. Kingman says: "He was one of the best and the noblest of men. A lawyer and an orator of the first rank. Ever interfering as a peacemaker be- tween men; and striving for the good of the human race. Everybody honored and loved one so brave and yet so gentle."
From the lately published " Casket of Reminiscences," by ex-Governor H. Foote, of Mississippi, the following extract is taken :
" I do not remember to have at any time witnessed a more interesting forensic discussion than one to which I had the pleasure of listening in the Chamber of the Supreme Court of the United States in the beginning
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of the month of March, 1825. A vessel engaged in the African Slave Trade had been, a month or two before. seized on the coast of Florida, and had been regularly libeled for confiscation under the Act of Congress de- claring this species of traffic piracy. This case involved pecuniary interests of much magnitude and certain moral considerations also of much delicacy and dignity. The argument attracted a large assemblage of refined and intelligent persons of either sex. The discussion was opened by the celebrated Francis S. Key, so honor- ably known then and now as the author of "The Star Spangled Banner." Mr. Key had been employed to aid the Attorney General (Mr. Wirt), while Charles I. In- gersoll, of Philadelphia, and John M. Berrien, of Georgia, were enlisted in the enterprise. I was very much enter- tained with the whole argument, but I was particularly with the speech of Mr. Key and that of Mr. Berrien. Mr. Key was tall, erect, and of admirable physical pro- portions. There dwelt usually upon his handsome and winning features a soft and touching pensiveness of ex- pression almost bordering on sadness, but which in moments of special excitement, or when anything oc- curred to awaken the dormant heroism of his nature, or to call into action the higher power of vigorous and well cultivated intellect, gave place to a bright ethereality of aspect and a noble audacity of tone which pleased while it dazzled the beholder. His voice was capable of being in the highest degree touching and persuasive. Ilis whole gesticulation was natural, graceful and impres- sive ; and he was as completely free from everything like affectation or rhetorical grimace as any public speaker I have known. He had a singularly flowing, choice, and pointed phraseology, such as could not fail to be pleas- ing to persons of taste and discernment; and I am sure that no one ever heard him exhibit his extraordinary
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powers of discussion, to whom the ideas to which he essayed to give expression seemed at all cloudy or per- plexed, or his elocution clogged and torpid, even for the shortest possible period of time. On this occasion he greatly surpassed the expectations of his most admiring friends. The subject was particularly suited to his habits of thoughit, and was one which had long enlisted, in a special manner, the generous sensibilities of his soul. It seemed to me that he said all that the case demanded, and yet no more than was needful to be said ; and he closed with a thrilling and even an electrifying picture of the horrors connected with the African Slave Trade, which would have done honor either to a Pitt or a Wilberforce in their palmiest days."-Page 12.
The following letter from the Paymaster-General of the United States Army proves the confidence reposed by General Jackson in the administrative wisdom of Mr. Key:
DEAR MISS BOYLE :- I promised to give you a statement of an incident in the career of Francis S. Key, which occurred during the administration of General Jackson, and which was an example of the great confidence reposed in the tact and dis- cretion of Mr. Key by that Statesman. I have failed to find dates as I had hoped, but I think it took place in 1835.
I was then serving with the Fourth Infantry as a Subaltern, of which regiment a distinguished Georgian, Brevet Major Jantes S. McIntosh, was a Captain, and then in command at Fort Mitchell, Alabama. He had performed very gallant and bril- liant service in the war of 1813, for which the State of Georgia gave him a sword. He was an officer of high spirit and indomi- tible pluck and of very chivalrous temper, as will be shown here- after. For it was for the protection of a single enlisted man That he took the st ind, which arrayed against him the State of Alabama and its whole military power under the Governor.
In execution of the Indian intercourse acts it became the duty of Major McIntosh, upon the request of the Indian Agent, t) have removed from the Indian country certain intruders. In
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execution of this order a Corporal, in self-defense, had unfortu. nately been compelled to shoot down one of the intruders, who died of the wounds he had received.
An indictment for murder was found against the Corporal. The whole frontier was excited. The sympathies of the whole population of that region were arrayed against the Indian Agent and the military. Major McIntosh feared that any jury called out in that region would not do justice to his soldier. Like old Hickory, he " took the responsibility " and refused to surrender the Corporal to the civil authorities. A posse of men from neighboring counties was at first summoned, and finally all the militia of the State were called out by the Governor. The entire militia of the State of Alabama arrayed against Major MeIn- tosh and his two small companies of regulars !
General Jackson no doubt appreciated the chivalrous senti- ment and firmness of McIntosh, but wishing peace and harmony, he put trust in Francis S. Key, then, I think, United States District Attorney for the District of Columbia, as Minister Pleni- potertiary upon the part of the United States between the State of Alabama and the obstinate Soldier.
Mr. Key had no small task in his hands, for it was ever a tradition in the regiment that Major McIntosh was not very easily persuaded to submit to the programme. When allusions were made by Mr. Key to the important principles involved, which made the example in this case very important and preg- nant with good or evil to the latest "posterity," Major Meln- tosh exclaimed, "let posterity take care of itself, I must take care of my soldier, whom the people intend to hang for the simple discharge of his duty !"
Finally, however, Mr. Key succeeded, I think, by arranging for the trial of the soldier in a part of the State farthest re- moved from the Indian frontier.
Very truly yours,
· March 26, 1875.
BENJ. ALVORD.
'The following letter, written by Mr. Key to his aunt, Mrs. Maynadier, at Annapolis, Maryland. gives us an in- sight into his labors in behalf of the Negro race, and his ardor in the cause:
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GEORGETOWN, January 24, 1819.
MY DEAR AUNT :- I received your letter last night, and had before seen in the paper the notice for the meeting of the Col- onization Society. Our Court has been much longer than we expected, and is still sitting, and I fear I cannot get away from it as soon as Thursday. If I could, I would bring Mr. Burgess with me and all his African affairs; as it is, I shall try to send him, if I can get anybody to go with him. I have just been down to see if Mr. Herbert or Mercer could go, but I did not see them. I fear, however, that as they have so interesting a ques- tion before them in Congress, they cannot leave their stations, and I cannot just now think of any one else. If it was put off for a week, or if they meet, elect their officers and do whatever else is necessary, and adjourn for a week to receive a communi- cation from us here, we could then send Mr. Burgess and our journals and papers and opinions, and some of us would try to come with him. I shall, nevertheless, (if I find I can do it), come on Thursday ; and if not then, I think I could come about that day week. I will see Mr. Munro and bring your books if they are still to be bad. The Testaments cannot be got cheaper bere than the price you mention, but does not your Bible Society furnish Bibles and Testaments for Sunday Schools without charge? I presume you could certainly get them in that way from Baltimore. With the hope of soon seeing you,
I am ever your affectionate, F. KEY.
McSherry says of this portion of our history, a sub- ject to be studied from 1836 to 1861: "The wiser and more humane friends of the negro had early embarked in a truly noble and beneficent design-the American Colonization Society. Satisfied that the Black man could never mingle as an equal with the White race, they proposed to establish colonies on the western coast of. Africa, and settle there those of the free and emanci- pated Blacks who should be willing to return to the land of their forefathers. A branch of this association was immediately formed in Maryland, as peculiarly suited to the views and necessities of the people. The association, however, was entirely subject to the National
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Society, and it was soon found to be too much under the control, or at least liable to the vexatious interfer- ence of the Northern Abolitionists. It was, therefore, determined to establish an independant organization in the State, and plant a separate Colony, under the name of " Maryland," in Liberia. This design, with a praise- worthy perseverance, was accordingly carried into effect. As it was not only founded upon enlarged philanthropic views, but upon sound policy, in the condition of the State, with its large free black population, an appeal was made to the Legislature for assistance. It was generously afforded. An annual appropriation of twenty thousand dollars, to be raised by taxation, was bestowed upon the Society, and never withheld or diminished in the darkest hours of pecuniary embarrassment, and three commissioners were appointed on behalf of the State to take part in its affairs. In spite of the opposition of the Abolitionists, its bitterest enemies, the Society con- tinued to flourish. Emigrants were yearly sent out to Cape Palmas, and the Maryland colony is now one of . the most prosperous on the western shore of Africa, having a considerable trade, and being visited periodi- cally by a regular packet from Baltimore.
" The wisdom and good policy of fostering this noble scheme, is evident from a single glance at the statistics of the African race in Maryland, and the necessary re- sult of the present system of manumission. Their increase is exceedingly small-scarcely more than suf- ficient to supply the loss by deaths and transportation of slaves to the South. Thus, in 1810, they numbered, free and slave, 144,971; in 1840, 151,657; so that in a period of thirty years their aggregate increase was only 6,686, and while there was an actual diminution in the number of slaves in that period of 21,783, there was a positive increase of free blacks of 28,469."
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Francis Scott Key manumitted all his slaves, and was one of the founders of the African Colonization Society. At the breaking out of the war between the North and the South, Maryland had one hundred thousand freed negroes, and eighty thousand slaves. The following extract from a Memorial presented at the Colonization Meeting in Washington city, May the 6th, 1842, is taken from "The African Repository and Colonial Jour- nal" of July, 1842:
"The colony of Cape Palmas is a conclusive evidence of what a single state, and by an appropriation of a few thousand dollars annually, can accomplish in this cause. A prosperous colony of about six hundred emigrants has risen with all the order and institutions of a well organized society, under the fostering care of the Legislature of Maryland and citizens of this State, at the cost of less than the establishment of a single plantation of the South."
And in an appeal from Mr. H. L. Ellsworth, one of the executive committee, he says: "I was most happy to hear our friend and early benefactor in the cause from Maryland (Francis S. Key, Esq.) declare what were the true interests of Maryland."
The following resolution from Mr. Key will, how- ever, attest in the best manner the sentiments of that noble gentlemen. It was read by Mr. Key at a meeting of the convention on the 9th of May, 1842 :
" Resolvedl, That a committee be appointed to pre- pare and present a memorial to Congress, recommend- ing such measures to be taken for the protection of the colonies now established on the African coast, the pro- motion of American commerce on that coast, and the suppression of the slave trade, as the National legisla- ture may approve."
Then, with his accustomed eloquence, he continued :
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" Light has pierced into the thick darkness that has long enveloped that outcast Continent, and the treasures and blessings of a benignant Providence are seen to smile in all her plains and wave in all her forests. It is true this fair creation of God has been marred by the wickedness of Man. A trade, abominable and detest- able beyond all epithets that can be given to it, at the very name of which the ·blood curdles, and no man hears it who
' Having human feelings does not blush And hang his head to think himself a man,'
has long since desolated Africa and disgraced the world. This trade has been stamped with the double curse of offended Heaven-curse to the givers and receivers of the guilty traffic-to Africa, in the wretchedness, rapine and murder of her children, to her rapacious tempters in innumerable just and fearful retributions.
" The wrath of God has been manifested at this crying iniquity on the blood-stained borders of all her coasts, where the angry elements are let loose against this in- human trade. What is the stormy cloud that darkens these infested shores but the frown of the Almighty ? What the fierce tornado but the blasting of the breath of displeasure ? It is true that under this curse Africa has long groaned and bled, and many a fair field, and happy village, and crowded town, has been made a wil- derness. Itis true she is still an awful sufferer. Even now, while we are speaking of her wrongs, some dis- tant and peaceful hamlet, hitherto beyond the reach of the spoiler, hidden, and hoped to be secured by inter- vening forests, has been hunted out and surrounded, and its sleep awakened by the shout of ruflians. But these horrors will have an end. The dawning of a better day appears. These wronged and wretched outcasts will be brought back into the family of Na-
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tions. The crimes that warring elements, and fearful visitations and judgments could not restrain shall have a conqueror. Man shall be honored as the instrument in accomplishing this work of mercy. Man's heart shall be softened and humanized, and glowing with love to God and Man go forth on this errand of com- passion. Thus the virtue and benevolence of Man shall repair the outrages committed by the inhumanity of Man.
"The trade that has wasted and debased Africa shall be banished by & trade that shall enlighten and civilize her, and repeople her solitary places with her restored children. And Africa thus redeemed and rescued from curse, and the world from its reproach, shall ' vindicate the ways of God to Man.'"
Mr. Key died suddenly while upon a visit to bis daughter in Baltimore, after being attacked with pneu- monia, in January, 1843. When the fact of his death was made known to the Supreme Court of the United States, the court adjourned in honor of his memory. The next morning, January 13th, 1843, the Attorney- General of the United States, Mr. Legere, of South Carolina, after presenting the resolutions of condolence passed by the Bar, addressed the Court in the following manner :
" May it please your honors, a meeting of the mem- bers of the Bar and officers of the Court, held since the adjournment yesterday, they have been pleased to im- pose on me the melancholy task of communicating their proceedings to the Bench, and conveying to it their sense of the loss which society and the Profession have sustained in the death of the late Francis Scott Key. I cannot but be deeply conscious of the disad- vantages under which I labor in acquitting myself in this presence of the duty that has been confided to me.
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My acquaintance with the excellent man whose sudden death, in the midst of a career of eminent usefulness, public and private, and of the most active devotion to the great interests of humanity, we are now called to deplore, was until a recent period extremely limited ; but short as was my personal intercourse with him, it was quite long enough to endear him to me in a pecu- liar manner, as one of the most gentle, guileless, amiable, and attractive beings, with whom, in an experience suf- ficiently diversified, it has ever been my good fortune to act. Ardent, earnest, indefatigable in the pursuits of his objects and the performance of his duties, eloquent as the advocate of whatever cause he embraced, because his heart was true and his sympathy cordial and suscep- tible; decided in his own conduct without one particle of censoriousness or acerbity towards others, and with the blandest manners, the most affectionate temper, the considerate toleration of dissent, the most patient acqui- esence in the decisions of authority, even where he had most strenuously exerted himself to prevent them.
" His life seemed to me a beautiful pattern of all that is lovely, winning and effective, in the charity of a Christian gentleman. I say effective for his was no ' fugitive and cloistered' virtue which gave no offence, because it shunned all contest, and maintained its purity only by avoiding the contaminations of the world. He lived, on the contrary, in the very midst of the passions, the struggles, and the warfare of active and even public life. He was always in the heat and dust of the arena, armed and equipped for the conflict; he omitted no op- portunity of doing good, which either chance or design offered him; and his patriotism and his philanthropy vied with each other in turning to account every moment of his time which was not engrossed in the cares of his fireside or the business of his profession. . I remember,
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