USA > New Hampshire > History of New Hampshire, from its first discovery to the year 1830; with dissertations upon the rise of opinions and institutions, the growth of agriculture and manufactures, and the influence of leading families and distinguished men, to the year 1874; > Part 31
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During the administration of President Monroe arose that sharp, bitter and "irrepressible conflict " between liberty and slavery which culminated in the late civil war. It lay in the in- clinations of men from the adoption of the federal constitution down to the period of the admission of Missouri. Then con- cealed opinions took voice and utterance, and a war of words commenced which resulted in a war of swords in the Great Re- bellion. During the discussion of the restriction of slavery, while Missouri was asking recognition as a state, some of the members of congress from New Hampshire uttered sentiments as bold and as offensive to southern statesmen as any that have fallen from the pen or tongue of modern reformers. Hon. Da- vid L. Morrill, then in the senate of the United States, took a most decided stand against the extension of slavery, and fear- lessly denounced the whole system as unrighteous, and there- fore destructive of the peace and prosperity of the nation. In closing one of his speeches he said :
"The extension of slavery will tend to the violation of your laws, and to demoralize society. The people of this country are fond of property. It is impossible to restrain them within legal bounds, when you present to them a pecuniary advantage, even from illicit commerce. You thus indirectly cor- rupt the rising generation and demoralize the community. Extend slavery into the vast territory of Missouri, you heighten the value and offer a new market for slaves; you encourage their importation, you invite to a violation of your laws, and lay a foundation for a systematic course of perjury, cor- ruption and guilt. All the public ships in the service of your country are now insufficient to suppress this species of traffic. What could prevent it if the market were increased? Sir, close your market, remove the induce- ment to their introduction, and the nefarious commerce ceases of course.
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Look to your laws of 1794, 1798, 1800, 1804, 1805, 1807, 1818, and 1819, and say, do they not imply one uniform and uninterrupted determination to abol- ish the slave trade? This single act would stamp hypocrisy on the face of every previous law.
I will close my remarks with a few lines from the late President Jefferson :
' With the morals of the people, their industry also is destroyed. Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis-a conviction on the minds of the people that their liberties are the gift of God; that they are not to be violated but with his wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that his justice can- not sleep forever ; that, considering numbers, nature and natural means only, a revolution on the wheel of fortune, an exchange of situation, is among pos- sible events; that it may become probable by supernatural interference ! The Almighty has no attribute which can take side with us in such a contest. But it is impossible to be temperate and to pursue the subject through the various considerations of policy, of morals, of history, natural and civil. We must be contented to hope they will force their way into every one's mind.'"
Similar sentiments were uttered by members of the house of representatives. A few sentences from a speech of Hon. Wil- liam Plumer will indicate his opinions on slavery as well as those of his constituents. He said :
"These, then, are the motives of our conduct : we find slavery unjust in itself; adverse to all the great branches of national industry; a source of danger in times of war; repugnant to the first principles of our republican government ; and in all these ways extending its injurious effects to the states where its existence is not even tolerated. We believe that we possess, un- der the constitution, the power necessary to arrest the further progress of this great and acknowledged evil; and the measure now proposed is the joint result of all these motives, acting upon this belief and guided by our most mature judgments and our best reflections. As such, we present it to the people of Missouri, in the firm persuasion that we shall be found in the end to have consulted their wishes not less than their interests by this meas- ure. For what, sir, is Missouri? Not the comparatively few inhabitants who now possess the country, but a state, large and powerful, capable of containing, and destined, I trust, to contain, half a million of virtuous and intelligent freemen. It is to their wishes and their interests that I look, and not to the temporary blindness or the lamentable delusions of the present moment. If this restriction is imposed, in twenty years we shall have the people of Missouri thanking us for the measure, as Ohio, Indiana, and Illi- nois now thank the old congress for the ordinance of 1787."
This subject, at that early day, was debated in every caucus, convention and legislative assembly, and forced its way to every private hearth and dining-room in the state. The people then began to be classed as radicals and conservatives. For a few years all assumed the common name of republicans, and when they could no longer contend about measures they divided on candidates. Sometimes federalists united with republicans in the election of a governor whom only a fraction of the party in power had nominated. In 1823 Hon. Samuel Bell retired from the gubernatorial chair and passed, by a large legislative vote, to the senate of the United States. By the republican members.
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Hon. Samuel Dinsmoor was nominated as his successor. A portion of the party did not approve this selection and brought forward Hon. Levi Woodbury, who had been a judge of the superior court, and by the concurrent vote of federalists he was elected. He served only one year, and in 1824 there was no choice by the people. The legislature chose Hon. David L. Morrill of Goffstown governor. Mr. Woodbury was his com- petitor, and both were republicans. In 1825 Mr. Woodbury, then residing in Portsmouth, was chosen a member of the house and was made speaker. He soon after passed into the senate of the United States, and during the administration of President Jackson, in 1831, was appointed secretary of the navy, and, in 1834, secretary of the treasury.
Near the close of President Monroe's administration a warm controversy arose about his successor. There were four can- didates in the field, John Q. Adams, Andrew Jackson, William H. Crawford and Henry Clay, each having some peculiar ele- ment of popularity to recommend him. Then arose in New Hampshire the party term "amalgamation," which the most learned could not define and which the most ignorant daily used. It was employed to designate the union of federalists and republicans in favor of the election of John Quincy Adams. There was no choice by the people and Mr. Adams was elected by the house of representatives. This result accorded with the electoral vote of New Hampshire. During his administration arose those strongly marked political parties which have ever since waged an internecine war upon each other, first as demo- crats and republicans, then as democrats and whigs, and finally under the old names of democrats and republicans.
CHAPTER LXXXI.
LOCAL MATTERS DURING THE ADMINISTRATION OF MONROE AND ADAMS. .
The population of New Hampshire in 1820 was two hundred and forty-four thousand, showing an addition of thirty thousand in ten years. This number indicates a larger increase than the average of the next fifty years. The population of the entire country was about ten millions. New Hampshire gave its elec- toral vote for John Quincy Adams. He was for several years the favorite candidate of the state for the presidency. His fam-
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ily prestige, his New England origin and his devotion to northern interests gave him greater popularity in New England than in other sections of the country. Though he had been a republi- can and had sustained the war, yet soon after his elevation to the presidency the federalists united with one section of the re- publicans in forming, by " amalgamation," the great "New Eng- land Adams party," whose aim was to give John Quincy Adams a second term as chief magistrate of the nation.
For several years the legislation of the state was devoted chiefly to the creation of literary, financial and manufacturing corporations. In 1821, an act was passed to establish a literary fund for the purpose of endowing and supporting a college, to be under the direction and control of the state, for instruction in the highest branches of literature and science. An annual tax for this purpose, of one-half of one per cent., was levied upon the capital stock of all the banks in the state. This tax produced at first about five thousand dollars annually ; but in a few years the avails of it amounted by the accumulation of prin- cipal and interest to more than fifty thousand dollars. By the increase of banks in the state the tax alone yielded more than ten thousand dollars annually. In 1827, a bill was introduced to establish a new college in the central portion of the state, which failed to pass. In 1828, the literary fund was distributed among the several towns in the state for the maintenance of common schools according to the apportionment of public taxes existing at the time of such distribution. The annual tax was also devoted to the same laudable purpose ; and since that en- actment legislative hostility to Dartmouth College has ceased.
The period now under review, from 1820 to 1830, was marked by numerous changes in the social condition of society. Sev- eral important modern reforms originated in this decade. Re- vivals of religion were a prominent feature of it. "Protracted meetings," held from three to twenty days, in almost every town in the state, greatly advanced the spiritual welfare of the people and gave new power to the churches of Christ. This custom continued for many years, and contributed largely to the union of different sects, who cordially cooperated in sustaining the meetings.
The temperance reform commenced about the year 1826. Dr. Lyman Beecher was among its earliest advocates. He preached six sermons in Boston upon the nature, occasions, signs, evils and remedy of intemperance. These were published in 1827, widely circulated and made extensively useful in the promotion of total abstinence from intoxicating drinks. All classes in society freely used them. Drunkenness had its victims in the bar, the pulpit and the halls of legislation, as well as humbler
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positions in life. Judgment began at the house of God, and spread through all classes of society with unparalleled rapidity. In New Hampshire Jonathan Kittredge, Esq., in the early stages of the reform was instrumental of great good by the delivery and publication of three very eloquent addresses on temperance, which were widely circulated throughout the northern states. His address before the American Temperance Socicty, in 1829, closes with these prophetic words : "I believe the time is com- ing when not only the drunkard but the drinker will be excluded from the church of God-when the gambler, the slave-dealer and the rum-dealer will be classed together. And I care not how soon that time arrives. I would pray for it as devoutly as for the millennium. And when it comes, as come it will, it should be celebrated by the united band of philanthropists, pat- riots and christians throughout the world, as a great and most glorious jubilee."
The anti-slavery agitation had its birth about the same time. It was a period of unusual activity in the discussion of morals, politics and religion. On the first day of January, 1831, Wil- liam Lloyd Garrison published the first number of the Liberator. He had for some years advocated the gradual abolition of slav- ery. In the prospectus of that paper he renounces and denoun- ces that doctrine and says : " A similar recantation from my pen was published in the Genius of Universal Emancipation at Balti- more, in 1829." In closing he writes : " I am in earnest-I will not equivocate-I will not excuse-I will not retreat a single inch-and I WILL BE HEARD." These declarations then seemed absurd, egotistical and fool-hardy; but in process of time he made them good. The final adoption of abolition views by all denominations of christians and their united labors in common for the publication of them, together with the reforms in tem- perance and religion, tended to soften sectarian prejudices and promote christian union in the work of renovating society. In many pulpits dogmatic theology gave place to philanthropy and creeds were supplanted by works. But controversy did not cease. The field and weapons were changed but the warriors were the same. Sectarianism was merged in reform; and its advocates and opponents were more bitter and fierce in their deadly strife than different sects had previously been.
For a season political controversy was calmed by the visit of the nation's guest, Lafayette, at the capital of New Hampshire. The legislature was in session when he arrived. The New Hampshire Patriot of June 27, 1825, has the following account of his reception at Concord :
"The General, in his usual appropriate and feeling manner, thanked the gentlemen of the committee and the citizens of Concord for the very affec- tionate manner in which they welcomed his entrance into their town.
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A national salute was fired by the artillery, and the procession was received at the bridge by eight companies of light troops under the command of Brigadier-General BRADBURY BARTLETT. On entering the main street the General was greeted by the shouts of from thirty to forty thousand citi- zens who had collected; the windows and doors were lined with ladies and children gazing and admiring as he passed along. The procession moved to the north end of Main street, and returned to the residence of the Hon. Mr. Kent, where lodgings had been prepared for him and his suite. Remaining there till 12 o'clock at noon, he was escorted in the same manner to the gate of the state-house yard, when he alighted, and moved, being supported by the Hon. Messrs. Webster and Bowers of the senate, to the capitol, where he was introduced to the legislature in the manner as detailed in their proceedings.
In the meantime a noble company of more than two hundred heroes of the Revolution had collected and formed rank and file under the direction of that veteran, General BENJAMIN PIERCE of Hillsborough, who had just re- turned from Bunker Hill. These marched into the area of the state-house, where they were introduced to the guest by General PIERCE, who vented his feelings in one of those spontaneous and unpremeditated addresses for which he always had a talent the most happy. Here was a scene more af- fecting and gratifying than ever has probably taken place in our state ; tears of alternate joy and sorrow trickled down the cheeks of the veterans, and few of the spectators remained unmoved. After spending an hour here, the guest retired to the senate chamber where he was introduced to many gentle- men who had not before had an opportunity. During the ceremonies in the representatives' hall, the galleries and all the avenues were crowded with a brilliant collection of ladies, whose eyes sparkled with gratitude and joy at the interesting spectacle.
The General was especially introduced to the members of the legislature who had been participators in the Revolution-among them, Messrs. HUNT- LEY, DURKEE and BLAISDELL. Hon. Mr. BRODHEAD, senator for district No. 2, and chaplain to the legislature, on being a second time presented by the governor, inquired of the general whether he recollected the name as among the soldiers of the revolution. After pondering a moment, the general answered, "Yes, I recollect Captain Brodhead of the Pennsylvania line-he was with us at the battle of Brandywine; he was a brave man." Mr. B. an- swered-"I am the son of that man." "I am, says General Lafayette, very glad to see you; how happy am I that the children of my companions in arms still love me." This Captain Brodhead commanded the first rifle com- pany in Pennsylvania, and was in the service during the whole war; he was wounded and taken prisoner at the battle of Long Island. He died in Penn- sylvania in 1804. With this interview the reverend and amiable man who officiates in the double capacity of legislator and chaplain was deeply af- fected, and the general cordially reciprocated that feeling which pure patriots alone can appreciate.
At three P. M. the largest assemblage in our state that ever was at one table and under one roof (from seven hundred to eight hundred) sat down to a sumptuous dinner prepared by Mr. J. P. Gass. In front, and surmounting the others, was the table at which the guest was seated; on his right hand the governor and council, and on his left, the marshal of the day, Hon. Sam- uel Bell, Judge Green, the secretary and treasurer of the state. Four tables two hundred feet in extent ran down facing that of the guest; at the left were seated the surviving heroes of the revolution, General Pierce at the head; on the right of these the speaker and members of the house of rep- resentatives ; next, the president and senate; and on the right the Concord committee and other citizens. After the cloth was removed, the following toasts (interspersed with songs) were read by the Hon. Mr. PIERCE of the
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senate, and reiterated over the cheering glass, amidst the firing of artillery : I. Our Guest-The friend of WASHINGTON, the friend of man.
General LAFAYETTE rose and expressed his affectionate acknowledg- ments for the so very kind welcome he had received to-day from the people of New Hampshire at this seat of government, particularly for the toast that has just been given, and for the pleasure he felt to be now at this social table with all the representatives of the state in every branch, with his nu- merous beloved revolutionary companions in arms, and other respected citi- zens; to the whole of them he begged to propose the following sentiment :
NEW HAMPSHIRE, its representatives in every branch, and this seat of government-May they forever enjoy all the blessings of civil and religious liberty, which their high-minded ancestors came to seek on a distant land, and which their more immediate fathers have insured on the broader basis of national sovereignty and the rights of man."
On the fourth of July of the next year, two of the illustrious framers of the constitution of the United States, Thomas Jeffer- son and John Adams, departed this life. The government which they helped to form and which probably never would have ex- isted without their aid, had been in operation fifty years. The day of their death was the anniversary of the national indepen- dence. Jefferson penned the declaration which was made on that day ; and Adams eloquently defended it. They had both been presidents, and leaders of opposing political parties. Both had very warm personal friends and both commanded universal respect. Their departure together on that birth-day of the nation was regarded by many as a divine interposition ; and by all with sentiments of profound sorrow. This was among the most striking events of American history. On the second day of August, 1826, Daniel Webster, New Hampshire's most elo- quent son, delivered a fitting eulogy, in Faneuil Hall, Boston, on these illustrious patriots. It is difficult to decide whether the departed dead or the living orator was more admired on that eventful day.
In 1826 a company was formed at Hartford, Conn., for the purpose of improving the navigation of the Connecticut river. It was thought that by building dams and locks round the suc- cessive falls the river could be rendered navigable for steamers as far as Lyman, N. H. The company also had in view the con- nection of Canada with the capitals of New Hampshire and Boston by canals extending from Dover to Lake Winnepiseogee, thence to the Connecticut and Lake Memphremagog. A survey was made and the legislatures of New Hampshire and Vermont authorized the company to construct the canals, but the expense was beyond the means and enterprise of that day. What was actually accomplished appears in chronological order in the fol- lowing extract from a brief address by William H. Duncan, Esq., delivered July 1, 1859, at the opening of the first free bridge across the Connecticut from Hanover to Norwich :
"I think of the contrast between this section of the country, as it now is,
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as to its facilities for travel and transportation, and what it was sixty or sev- enty years since, when a charter was obtained for building a toll bridge over the Connecticut, between this place and Norwich. The charter was obtained about 1794. Previous to this time a large part of the heavy trade of this part of the country was carried on with Hartford and New York, by means of boats upon the river, and sloops and schooners upon the Sound. The roads between this place and Boston were so poor that Madam Smith, the wife of Professor Smith, formerly of the college, was obliged to make her bridal tour from Boston to this place on horseback.
A large part of the capital for building the bridge was furnished by the merchants of Boston, not for the sake of making a profitable investment, but with the intention of diverting the trade of northern Vermont from Hartford and New York to Boston. The Higginsons, the Salisburys, the Phillipses were among the stockholders,-names distinguished for mercantile honor and probity, and which have been inherited and worthily worn by many of their descendants.
The building of this bridge was the first link in that chain of internal im- provement which has done so much towards developing the resources, and which has added so immensely to the comfort and material prosperity of this section of the country.
The second link in this chain of internal improvement was the construc- tion of the Fourth New Hampshire Turnpike. A charter was obtained in 1800 for making a road from a point on the east bank of Connecticut river in Lebanon, nearly opposite White River, to a point in the west bank of the Merrimack river, either in the town of Salisbury or Boscawen, with a branch road from the easterly abutment of the White River Falls bridge, running southeasterly to intersect with the main trunk. This has now become, I be- lieve, a public highway.
The third link in this chain of improvement was the building of the White River Falls locks and canals, which were chartered in 1807, and com- pleted in 1810, at an expense of nearly forty thousand dollars, an enterprise set on foot and completed by a single individual, Mills Olcott, Esq., of Han- over, then a young man a little more than thirty years of age. President Dwight, in his tour through New England in 1803, speaking of overcoming the difficulties in the navigation of Connecticut river at the White River Falls says, 'at present the amount of business is insufficient to justify the ex- pense necessary for this purpose.' In 1812, speaking of this undertaking, he says, 'my expectations have been anticipated by a period of many years.' I would say of this enterprise, that for nearly forty years it was to its propri- etor a source of almost constant litigation, of excessive annoyance and anxi- ety, and at the same time of the most ample and satisfactory returns."
" About 1831 or 1832, as nearly as I can learn, an attempt was made to su- persede the clumsy flat-boats then in use on the river. A diminutive steamer, the John Ledyard, commanded by Captain Nutt, a veteran riverman who is still living at White River Junction, came puffing up the river from Spring- field, Mass., and was received, at various. places, with speeches and such other demonstrations as were deemed appropriate to the opening of steam- boat navigation on the upper Connecticut. Captain Nutt went up as far as Wells River, near which place he found obstructions which he was unable to surmount.
Two or three hundred Scotchmen, who lived in the vicinity and were anx- ious to have the steamer go farther, undertook to pull her over the bar with the aid of ropes, but after raising her so far from a horizontal position that an explosion of the boiler became imminent, they were asked to desist by the captain, and it took twenty or thirty of them to pull her back into the deep water. The next season another steamer, the Adam Duncan, was built at Wells River, under the superintendence of Captain Nutt, for the company of which he was the agent. Other steamers had been put upon the river at
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various points below, the previous season, and the Adam Duncan was de- signed to ply between Wells River and Olcott's Locks, but after a single season of practice in backing off the sand-bars between the two places, was attached for debt, her works were taken out and sold, and the remainder of the hull may still be seen lying close to the shore a few rods above the falls. With the opening of the Passumpsic railroad, however, the days of flat-boats were numbered, and the locks also became useless. One of the mills was presently destroyed by a freshet, a portion of the dam was afterwards swept away, and as the amount of business then done there would not warrant its reconstruction, the remaining mill was taken down about 1862, and since then the water power, said to be equal to that at Lowell, has not been used except to turn the wheel of a small paper-mill on the Vermont side."
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