USA > New Hampshire > A synoptic history of the Granite state > Part 4
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CHAPTER VIII
MESHECH WEARE, THE FIRST CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE AFTER THE ADOPTION OF ITS PER- MANENT CONSTITUTION IN I784. JOHN LANG- DON WAS THE SECOND, JOHN SULLIVAN THE THIRD (TWO TERMS), JOHN LANGDON THE FOURTH, AND JOHN SULLIVAN, THE FIFTH. THEY WERE CALLED 'PRESIDENTS."
T HE people of New Hampshire, as soon as the War was over, set out to frame and adopt a more perfect Constitu- tion than the hasty one under which they had been gov- erned during the War. In doing this job they consumed over two years in deliberations, and refused to ratify two different drafts which were submitted to the people. The third draft submitted was finally approved on October 31, 1783, to become operative for the year 1784. Meshech Weare, in poor health, acted as President for the year 1784-by vote of the Senate, without an election, since there is no record of a popular election in 1784. While Governor he entertained President Monroe in his Hampton Falls home.
Mr. Weare had been acting as Chief Executive of the colony for eight years during the War, by vote of the "Committee of Safety" and also by vote of the "Council." The New Constitu- tion styled the Chief Executive "President," and he actually presided over the State Senate until the name was changed to "Governor." Moreover, the title "President" was fitting be- cause for five years there was no "President" of the unformed United States. In the event the Federal Constitution failed of ratification New Hampshire might have continued alone as a nation, just as Vermont did even after the Federal Constitution had been adopted. It was this idea that caused them to adopt the title "President" instead of "Governor."
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The first popular election for "President of New Hampshire" was in 1785. The elections were then held annually. The result was as follows:
Whole vote cast
7,079
Necessary for a Choice
3,540
John Langdon had
2,497
George Atkinson
2,755
John Sullivan
777
Josiah Bartlett
720
Scattering
330
There being no choice, the Senate (then consisting of 12 members) elected John Langdon, although not the highest on the list.
In 1786 the total vote was 8,567. John Sullivan received 4,309-a majority, and was elected over Langdon with 3,600 votes, while 658 votes were "scattered."
In 1787 the total vote was 9,907, of which Sullivan had 4,642, Langdon 4,034 and there was no choice. The Senate, however, chose Sullivan-the highest on the list.
In 1788 Langdon won over Sullivan and had a choice by just two votes out of a total of 8,840. But Langdon soon resigned and was elected to the new U. S. Senate, and John Pickering served out his term as "Acting President."
In 1789 Sullivan defeated Pickering although it was decided by the State Senate, there being no choice by the people.
In pursuance of the provisions of the Federal Constitution, elections for President of the new nation were held in all the newly created States, and the electoral votes were messengered to New York City where the first U. S. Senate and House were to assemble. Although March 4, 1789 was the date set for the inauguration of the President under the Constitution, it was April 6th before a quorum of the Senate and House arrived.
The first business transacted by the first Senate was the choice of John Langdon President pro tem of the Senate. He took charge of counting and announcing the votes. He found that General George Washington had been elected and caused the
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result to be sent to Washington to his home in Mt. Vernon by a messenger, named Charles Thompson, who arrived there on April 14th. The great General accepted the office gravely. Throughout his long journey to New York, by horse and buggy, he was joyously greeted and acclaimed. Arriving on April 30, 1789, he drove directly to Federal Hall, where, on the balcony, in the presence of the Senators, Congressmen and a cheering populace, the oath of office was administered to him by Robert R. Livingston, Chancellor of the State of New York. John Langdon, because of this delay, was acting as the "Number One Man" in the nation for 57 days. Was he acting as President? If not, who was Chief Executive of the United States during that interval?
Washington Visits New Hampshire. On October 31, 1789, the first President of the United States, only six months after his inauguration, visited his New England friends, includ- ing the people of the "Granite State"-the State which had sent so many gallant heroes to his aid in the War, which breathed the breath of life into the Federal Constitution, which he so earnestly desired, and which cast every one of its votes for him for the Presidency. He entered triumphantly into its Capitol city of Portsmouth-the city from which the King's Governor, the brilliant John Wentworth, had been driven out fourteen years before at the mouth of a cannon.
At Greenland, President Washington, leaving his Secretary, Tobias Lear, in his carriage, mounted "his favorite white horse," and led the parade into the then metropolis of New Hampshire. At the "Plains" he was greeted by President John Sullivan, and those old friends and comrades, Langdon, Bartlett, Dearborn, Wingate, General Cilley, a brilliant array of cavalry, infantry and many committeemen. It was the most momentous historic event in New Hampshire's three centuries. We know very well-at least we suspect, that in the great crowd which gathered there were seen Captain Webster and his seven year old son, Daniel, who probably "horse-and-buggied" down from Salisbury to see the new President on this occasion.
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Since one hundred and fifty years have passed to sanctify every word the Father of our country wrote, we choose to let his diary, penned by him at this time, tell in part the story of Washington's four days in Portsmouth, as follows:
Washington's Diary.
"Saturday, Oct. 31st, 1789.
Left Newburyport a little after eight o'clock (first breakfast- ing with Mr. Dalton) and to avoid a wider ferry, more incon- venient boats, and piece of heavy sand, we crossed the river at Salisbury, two miles above, and near that further about: and in three miles came to the line which divides the State of Massa- chusetts from that of New Hampshire. Was received by the President of the State of New Hampshire, the Vice-President, some of the Council, Messrs. Langdon and Wingate of the Senate, Col. Parker, Marshal of the State, and many other respectable characters; besides several troops of well clothed horse, in handsome uniforms, and many officers of the militia, also in handsome (red and white) uniforms of the manufacture of the State. With this cavalcade we proceeded, and arrived before three o'clock at Portsmouth, where we were received with every token of respect. I went to Colonel Brewster's Tavern, the place provided for my residence, and asked the President, Vice-President, two Senators, the Marshal and Major Gilman to dine with me, which they did; after which I drank tea at Mr. Langdon's."
Note: A formal program of welcome was held in the "State House," then in the "Square," in response to which President Washington addressed the gathering in part as follows:
"Gentlemen: I am forcibly impressed with your friendly welcome to the metropolis of New Hampshire, and have a grate- ful heart for your kind and flattering congratulations on my election to the Presidency of these United States.
The interest which you take in my personal happiness, and the kind felicitations which you express on the recovery of my health, are peculiarly grateful to me; and I earnestly pray that the great Ruler of the Universe may smile upon your honest
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A Synoptic History
exertions here, and reward your well doings with future happi- ness."
"November Ist, 1789.
Attended by the President of the State (General Sullivan) Mr. Langdon, and the Marshal, I went in the forenoon to the Epis- copal Church, under the incumbency of Mr. Ogden; and in the afternoon to one of the Presbyterian or Congregational churches, in which a Mr. Buckminster presided."
"November 2nd, 1789.
I went to the Old Fort (formerly built while under the English government) on an island which is at the entrance of the harbor, and where the lighthouse stands. As we passed this Fort we were saluted by thirteen guns. Having lines we proceeded to the fishing banks, a little without the harbor, and fished for cod. Dined at Colonel Langdon's and drank tea with a large circle of ladies, and retired a little after seven o'clock."
"Tuesday, 3rd, (1789).
I called upon President Sullivan and the mother of Mr. Lear, having walked through most parts of the town, returned by twelve o'clock, when I was visited by a clergyman of the name of Haven. About two o'clock received an address from the Executive of the State of New Hampshire, and in half an hour after dined with them and a large company at their Assembly room, which is one of the best I have seen anywhere in the United States.
At half after seven I went to the Assembly, where there were about seventy-five well dressed and very handsome ladies, among whom (as was also the case at the Salem and Boston assemblies) were a greater proportion with much blacker hair than are usually seen in the Southern States. About nine I returned to my quarters."
Tobias Lear, Secretary to President Washington, accompanied him to his own home town. The Lear home is still standing. So is the Assembly. The Brewster Tavern is gone but on the site is the Elks home. Many other buildings that Washington contacted, including the Churches, may still be seen. The State
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House then in the Square has been removed. The President wrote regrets that he had not the time to visit Exeter and other places in our State.
Sullivan Appointed Judge. After this visit President Washington appointed John Sullivan the first U. S. District Judge of New Hampshire.
We have seen that the Rev. Payne Wingate of Stratham was John Langdon's colleague in the first Senate. The three Con- gressmen in the first Congress were: Nicholas Gilman of Exeter ; Samuel Livermore of Holderness; and Abiel Foster of Canter- bury.
President Washington had five places in his official Cabinet- State, Thomas Jefferson; Treasury, Alexander Hamilton; War, Henry Knox; Attorney General, Edmund Randolph; Post- master General, Samuel Osgood.
It was a strange coincidence that the first President of the New Hampshire Senate, Woodbury Langdon, was a brother of the President pro tem of the first U. S. Senate, John Langdon. The first Speaker of the State Legislature was Richard Waldron, Jr., of Portsmouth. The first Secretary of State was Richard Chamberlain of Portsmouth, and the first State Treasurer was Samuel Penhallow of Portsmouth. The first Adjutant General was Nathaniel Peabody of Exeter, and the third Adjutant Gen- eral was Benjamin Butler of Deerfield (1813-1820), father of Benjamin F. Butler.
First Census. The U. S. Government took its first census of "Heads of Families" in 1790, as soon as possible after the Government was organized. The total population of the country was 3,231,533. At this time New Hampshire had 141,885, clas- sified as follows: "Free white males over 16 years," 36,086; under 16, 34,857; free white females (over and under 16) 70,100; all other free persons (not heads of families) 684, slaves 158 (note that they were "officially" recognized as slaves in the census). The largest State in population at that time was Vir- ginia with 747,610, of which 292,627 were slaves.
Slaves in New Hampshire. Governor John Langdon had
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A Synoptic History
a few slaves for a time. One left an "imprint." His name was Cyrus Bruce, and he was a great man among the Portsmouth slaves, who were a clever group, allowed by the city authorities to hold their own court for petty offences and to inflict cat-o'- nine-tail whacks on the bare backs of those found guilty by "Judge Cato." But Cy Bruce was a man of "rank" because he was the Governor's slave. He "dressed to kill," "put on the dog," and was looked up to by all his brethren.
CHAPTER IX
"TORIES" ABUSIVE TOWARD PRESIDENT WASHINGTON
D URING President Washington's second term, and to some extent in the first, political interests began to define Party issues. To do this, the faithful old warrior and patient statesman, the one man whose life had blessed the coun- try most of all men of his time, began to feel the lashes of per- sonal abuse from political enemies. The "Jay Treaty" with France, and the shipping problems in general, became "hot" at that time. As to the malicious propaganda set in motion, Wash- ington himself once remarked: "Such exaggerated and indecent terms would scarcely be applied to a Nero, a notorious defaulter, or even a common pick-pocket."
What "terms" did they employ? They charged "disloyalty," "usurpation" and "dictatorship," called him an "Anglomaniac," and some called for "impeachment." Washington was a proud and sensitive man. On one occasion Washington was heard to sigh he had "rather be in his grave" than bear this calumny. Political enemies asserted that he sought "to be King." Biog- rapher Owen Wister wrote: "The Farmers Alliance and populists impaired Washington's health, fatigued and disenchanted him in his ceaseless effort to set the 'Infant Republic' on its legs." For those days Washington would be rated among the rich. We have learned now at last that rich men can be patriotic and human.
New Hampshire Loyal to Washington. Washington's most cordial reception in New Hampshire was always there- after a comforting memory to him. Tobias Lear, his devoted New Hampshire Secretary, was an ever present comfort and consoler. Washington was close to the hearts of the New Hamp- shire people. We have seen that all our strong Presidents, such as Jefferson, Jackson, Lincoln, Wilson, and Theodore Roosevelt
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A Synoptic History
were hated and treated with the same madness by a few. Frank- lin D. Roosevelt is now getting a dose of the same poison treatment.
Washington died in 1799-about two years out of the Pres- idency. He never dwelt in the White House, since it was not finished for six months after he passed away.
Many Tories in New Hampshire. We are often led to believe that all New Hampshire people were desperately enraged at Britain and ready to do battle. Not so. Then, as now, there were traitors. Hundreds of such joined the enemy, fought against us, sulked at home, or fled to Canada. The names of some of these are available. Many refused to sign the "loyalty test," and avoided military service. There was present the same self-interest as is with us to-day.
We record this here since it reveals to us the great debt we owe to those who did brave all and risk all to win our birthright.
President Thomas Jefferson of Virginia selected General Henry Dearborn of North Hampton, New Hampshire, as his Secretary of War, the first man from this State to make the Cabinet.
CHAPTER X
DR. JOSIAH BARTLETT, PHYSICIAN, CONTINENTAL CONGRESSMAN, "SIGNER," JUDGE, AND GOVERNOR.
T HE next State election after the new Federal Constitution began turning its wheels, with General Washington as President, and John Sullivan had retired from the Gov- ernorship to become a United States Judge, resulted in the choice of Dr. Josiah Bartlett of Kingston (1790). He was re-elected three times, once over John Langdon and once over John Taylor Gilman. During his fourth term he found himself in failing health, and hence resigned, sending to the Legislature a sad valedictory letter. He died the next year in May 1795. This was about four years before President Washington passed away. There was, by the way, a close bond of friendship in our then small country between Washington, Langdon, Bartlett, Whipple, Thornton, Sullivan and other New Hampshire patriots. The title "President" was changed to "Governor" during Bartlett's last term.
Dr. Josiah Bartlett was a tall, forceful man-a descendant of Richard Bartlett, immigrant from England, who, in turn, was a descendant of Adam Bartlett who came to England with "William the Conqueror." All the early New England Bartletts came from the pioneer, Richard Bartlett. The original Adam Bartlett's homestead now stands in excellent condition in Stopham, England, and has always been in the family, now being occupied by Sir Walter Bartlett, an officer in the Coldstream Guards. We have visited it.
Many of the early New England Bartletts descended directly from the pioneer Richard, or his son Richard, or his grandson, Richard. Josiah Bartlett was descended from the grandson Richard. Josiah's only living direct descendant whom we know is Levi Bartlett who is living at present, as always in the old homestead at Kingston. We visited him recently. He is over
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A Synoptic History
82 years old, has been a State Senator and a leader in his town. The old house has the same parlor furnishings that Josiah left, and a large portrait of Josiah hangs over the mantle. Levi got out Josiah's breeches, the original sheep-skin, "barn-door" knee breeches which he wore on horseback to Philadelphia to sign the Declaration of Independence. And he pointed to a forty foot high linden tree in front of the home and said: "He brought that in his saddle bag from Philadelphia." The house was burned by British spies in 1775 and rebuilt. They discovered that Josiah was drilling recruits for war in the attic.
The John Langdon house still stands at Portsmouth, the John Sullivan house at Durham, the John Wentworth house at Portsmouth, but in none of them do we find a living descendant of a Revolutionary patriot of note, except at Kingston.
John T. Gilman Governor Eleven Terms. Let us intro- duce the first "political boss" in New Hampshire politics. His name is John T. Gilman of Exeter (a Conservative). Elected Governor of our State, he repeated the trick 10 times in succes- sion, from 1794 to 1805, inclusive, the longest consecutive tenure of any Governor before or since. After John T. Gilman's eleventh term as Governor, John Langdon, the Revolutionary patriot, get- ting old, a Republican (Liberal), was trotted out of the political stables again to defeat the boss, and he succeeded in doing so four times in succession, 1805, 1806, 1807, 1808, although he had previously been Governor twice, as well as a United States Sena- tor. John Langdon was New Hampshire's most dynamic char- acter while New Hampshire was in the making.
The Federal election of 1796 resulted in the election of Vice- President Adams of Massachusetts as President. Following him came President Thomas Jefferson who served two terms. During this period international problems were multiplying and national issues were shaping. Adams and Jefferson represented the political poles of thought. England had not recovered from the War sufficiently to be reconciled. She was at war with France, and American shipping became involved. Portsmouth was then a shipping port.
CHAPTER XI
NEW HAMPSHIRE MEN IN THE WAR OF 1812 James Madison (R) became President on March 4th, 1809
A® FTER Langdon had served these four terms there appeared a new leader-Jeremiah Smith, a Federalist, to capture the first place, concurrent with Madison (1809). Smith had served with Stark at Bennington. In 1810 and 'II, John Langdon "came back" again. William Plumer, a Republican, squeezed him out in 1812. Then boss John T. Gilman sea- sawed in again for 1813, '14, '15. He certainly was a political monster, indeed a strong man, a patriot, but above all a political artist.
New Hampshire was placed under constant hazard during the War of 1812, because Portsmouth had become a live shipping port, having many commercial freighters on the high seas. Fearenside's "School History of England," frankly admits that the commercial regulations of England and France, then at war, were "ruinous to American trade and industry," and both were to blame for trespasses on our right to enjoy "the freedom of the seas." That is true, but Congress, it seems, thought Britain more to blame, or else forgave France, and so declared war on England June 18, 1812-many thought unwisely.
Secession Feared. Partisanship was then both raw and destructive. Britain was tipped off by spies that New England would secede from the Union in a crisis, and there was some . ground for this since Tories sneered at the War as "Mr. Mad- ison's War," Madison being a Republican. Our New Hampshire hero at that time, Major General Henry Dearborn, sent the official notice of the Government to Governor Plumer, inform- ing the State of the declaration of war by Congress. Governor Plumer called out the State militia, as requested. Certain other States refused to do so. The War was doomed to be a failure until the Federalists came into line. They were de-
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nouncing the "War as unconstitutional," or rather, that to send State troops out of their own State was unconstitutional. So they sulked for a time.
Governor John T. Gilman, a Federalist, who was Governor of New Hampshire and a political leader for years, favored the Hartford (Connecticut) Convention, which was called (1813) after the War began, to see if New England would refuse to support the War-really a secession move. His Republican Councillors, be it said to their credit, dissented and prevented the State taking an official part in that disloyal proposal. The instant flare-back of public sentiment against that Convention was practically the end of the Federalist Party in New Hamp- shire. It went out of existence as a real force, and no Party took its place for several years.
General Miller at Lundy's Lane. New Hampshire's General Miller of Peterboro at Lundy's Lane became the most outstanding hero in this War. James McNeil of Hillsborough and Colonel Lewis Cass, then of Michigan, did heroic service in the War.
March 4th, 1813 Madison began his second term. The Fed- eralists cooperated better toward the end of the War, perhaps because they had elected their Governor, the old boss, John T. Gilman. Then too there surged back such a boomerang from the disloyal Convention of anti-war Federalists (Tories) at Hartford, that it frightened Governor Gilman. He changed his tune completely. Patriotism was fired when the Capitol was fired by the British Army. Politics subsided.
Captain Lawrence with his ship "Chesapeake," was defeated and killed. Finally, when we were sufficiently frightened, aroused and united, victories began.
Victories. Captain Perry on Lake Erie made a clean-up of the British fleet. General Harrison was victorious in Canada on the Thames River, yet forced to leave. "Old Ironsides" sank the "Genevieve," and the navy was surprisingly successful in many other engagements between frigates.
"Letters of marque" were issued to private individuals author-
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izing them to prey upon the shipping of the enemy, and scores of such privateers going out from Portsmouth did a land office business, and piled up riches during the War of 1812, bringing in hundreds of captured merchant vessels. This kind of warfare was legalized robbery. Those who did the same thing without such letters were called "pirates." Daniel Webster was in the United States House and Jeremiah Mason in the United States Senate during the War.
General Jackson captured a British Army about to capture New Orleans. News of peace, signed in December 1814, at Ghent did not reach here until February 1815. The War did not settle anything, and did nothing except to demonstrate that America would continue to use the sea like other nations, or else fight.
New Hampshire raised 37 regiments and our men were used more generally in proportion than any other State's.
CHAPTER XII
DEMOCRATS CAPTURE CONTROL
T HE only surviving Party, the Republican Party, at this time changed its name to "Democrat." It was the same Party in leadership, and the Party that was inaugurated by Jefferson as "Republican." The name "Republican" had a special meaning in the earlier history because people so much feared its opposite-a monarchy. But since there was no longer any fear of a monarchy, there came a desire to emphasize the idea of democracy --- a genuine government by the people.
Plumer, Governor. William Plumer in the elections of 1813, '14, '15 ran close to the Federalist "boss," Gilman. In 1816 he downed the powerful leader, putting the Democrats in control of New Hampshire. The Hartford Convention finished Gilman.
Monroe's first term as President began March 4th, 1817. Governor Plumer was re-elected twice (1817 and 1818) as a Democrat.
A new political leader, Samuel Bell, Democrat, became Gov- ernor, 1819, '20, '21 and '22, and then a U. S. Senator for 12 years. He was one of the first great Democrats in New Hamp- shire. Governor Bell had no opposition party candidate during his career as the Federalist Party was extinct, and no other had yet arisen.
Monroe was re-elected for a second term from 1821-1825.
Levi Woodbury, Governor. In 1823 two Democrats were opponents for the office of Governor, there being no opposing Party candidate. Levi Woodbury of Portsmouth was elected. As a statesman he ranks perhaps among the three highest in New Hampshire's history. Later he became a power in the U. S. Senate, being known there as the "Rock of New England Democracy." Elected Governor from Portsmouth at 34, he also became not only a Senator but a Cabinet Officer for many years
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