History of Davidson County, Tennessee, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 40

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1013

USA > Tennessee > Davidson County > History of Davidson County, Tennessee, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 40

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In January, 1824, Mr. Polk married Miss Sarah Chil- dress, of Rutherford Co., Tenn., a lady of beauty and of culture. Had some one then whispered to him that he was destined to become President of the United States, and that he should select for his companion one who would adorn that distinguished position, he could not have made a more fitting choice. The following anecdote is related of Mrs. Polk when, in 1848, she was lady of the White House. It should be remembered that Mr. Polk was a Democrat, and Mr. Clay a Whig, and that they had been rival candidates for the Presidency. There was a brilliant dinner-party at the President's. Henry Clay, as one of the most distinguished guests, was honored with a seat near Mrs. Polk, who as usual, by her courteous and affable manner, won the admiration of all her guests.

During the entertainment Mr. Clay turned to her and said, in those winning tones so peculiar to him,-

" Madam, I must say that in my travels, wherever I have been, in all companies and among all parties, I have heard but one opinion of you. All agree in commending in the highest terms your excellent administration of the affairs of the White House. But," continued he, looking towards her husband, " as for that young gentleman there, I cannot say as much. There is some little difference of opinion in regard to the policy of his course."

" Indeed !" said Mrs. Polk, " I am glad to hear that my administration is popular ; and in return for your compli- ment, I will say that if the country should elect a Whig next fall, I know of no one whose elevation would please me more than that of Henry Clay. And I will assure you of one thing,-if you do have occasion to occupy the White House on the 4th of March next, it shall be sur- rendered to you in perfect order from garret to cellar."

" Thank you, thank you !" exclaimed Mr. Clay. "I am

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certain that-" No more could be heard, such a burst of laughter followed Mrs. Polk's happy repartce.

In the fall of 1825, Mr. Polk was elected a member of Congress. The satisfaction which he gave his constituents may be inferred from the fact that for fourteen successive years, until 1839, he was continued in that office. He then voluntarily withdrew only that he might accept the gubernatorial chair of his own State. In Congress he was a laborious member and a frequent and popular speaker. Being in Congress when John Quincy Adams was Presi- dent, he warmly united himself with the opponents of the administration, and was soon regarded as the leader of the Jackson party in the House. The four years of Mr. Adams' administration passed away, and Gen. Jackson took the Presidential chair. Mr. Polk had now become a man of great influence in Congress, and was chairman of the most important committee, that of Ways and Means. Elo- quently he sustained Gen. Jackson in all his measures, feeling for him the pride of a true Tennessecan. The eight years of Gen. Jackson's administration ended, giving place to his successor, Mr. Van Buren ; still Mr. Polk re- mained in the House, the advocate of that type of De- mocracy which those distinguished men upheld.

During five sessions of Congress Mr. Polk was Speaker of the House. Strong passions were roused and stormy scenes were witnessed, but Mr. Polk performed his arduous duties to very general satisfaction, and a unanimous vote of thanks to him was passed by the House as he withdrew on the 4th of March, 1839.

In his closing address he said, " When I look back to the period when I took my seat in this House, and then look around me for those who at that time were my asso- ciates here, I find but few, very few, remaining. But five members who were here with me fourteen years ago con- tinue to be members of this body. My service here has been constant and laborious. I can perhaps say what few others, if any, can,-that I have not failed to attend the daily sittings of this House a single day since I have been a member of it, save on a single occasion, when prevented for a short time by indisposition. In my intercourse with the members of this body, when I occupied a place upon the floor, though occasionally engaged in debates upon interesting public questions and of an exciting character, it is a source of unmingled gratification to me to recur to the fact that on no occasion was there the slightest per- sonal or unpleasant collision with any of the members."

Who does not envy such a record ? Returning home, Mr. Polk, after a very active campaign, was elected Gov- ernor of the State by a large majority, and took the oath of office at Nashville, Oct. 14, 1839. In 1841 his term of office expired, and he was again the candidate of the Democratic party. But, in the mean time, a wonderful political revolution had swept over the whole country. Martin Van Buren had lost his re-election, and Gen. Harrison had been called triumphantly to the Presidential chair. In Tennessee the Whig ticket had been carried by over twelve thousand majority. Under these circumstances the success of Mr. Polk was hopeless. Still, he canvassed the State with his Whig competitor, Mr. Jones, who ob- tained the election by a majority of three thousand. In

1843 the same gentlemen were competitors for the governor- ship, and again Mr. Polk was defeated.

In 1844 the question of the annexation of Texas became national. Gen. Jackson had laid out the ground and shaped the policy of the Democratic party in favor of the great measure. It was very popular in the South and Southwest, and with the Democrats generally at the North, and had able advocates among leading journalists throughout the country. On this issue Mr. Polk was placed in nomination for the Presidency by the Democratic National Convention. He was elected by a majority in the popular vote of about forty thousand, and was inaugurated on the 4th of March, 1845. The verdict of the country in favor of annexation exerted its influence upon Congress, so that the last act of the administration of President Tyler was to affix his sig- nature to a joint resolution of Congress, passed on the 3d of March, approving the annexation of Texas to the American Union. As Mexico still claimed Texas as one of her provinces, the Mexican minister at Washington, Mr. Almonte, immediately demanded his passport, and left the country, declaring the act of annexation to be an act of hostility to Mexico.

This great measure, ably advocated by Mr. Poik in his first Presidential message, and adopted by Congress, though it cost the country a war with Mexico, added to the national domain not only Texas, but New Mexico and Upper and Lower California,-exclusive of Texas, eight hundred thou- sand square miles, an extent of territory equal to nine States of the size of New York.

In justice to the memory of Mr. Polk it should be said that he regarded the annexation of Texas and the war with Mexico as entirely justifiable under the circumstances, as affording protection to an independent people from a foreign usurpation which they were unwilling to submit to. His views upon this subject will be found set forth at large in his second annual message, in December, 1846.

On the 3d of March, 1849, Mr. Polk retired from office, having closed his terin of service as President of the United States. The next day was Sunday. On the 5th Gen. Taylor was inaugurated as his successor. Mr. Polk rode to the Capitol in the same carriage with Gen. Taylor; and the same evening, with Mrs. Polk, he commenced his re- turn to Tennessee. He was honored with splendid ovations on his way, at Wilmington, Charleston, Savannah, and New Orleans, and at Nashville, where he had previously pur- chased the beautiful residence in the heart of the city, known as Polk Place.

He was then but fifty-four years of age. He had ever been strictly temperate in his habits, and his health was good. With an ample fortune, a choice library, a cultivated mind, and domestic ties of the dearest nature, it seemed as if long years of tranquillity and happiness were before him. But the cholera-that fearful scourge-was then sweeping up the valley of the Mississippi. President Polk steamed up the river from New Orleans. On board the boat he perceived the premonitory symptoms of the dread disease. When he reached his home his system was much debili- tated. A personal friend gives the following account of his last hours :

" Having reached Nashville, he gave himself up to the

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JAMES K. POLK ..

improvement of his grounds, and was seen every day about his dwelling aiding and directing the workmen he had em- ployed, now overlooking a carpenter, now giving instruction to a gardener, often attended by Mrs. Polk, whose exqui- site taste constituted the element of every improvement. It is not a fortnight since I saw him on the lawn, directing some men who were removing decayed cedars. I was struck with his erect and healthful bearing and the active energy of his manner, which gave promise of a long life. He seemed in full health. The next day being rainy, he remained within, and began to arrange his large library. The labor of reaching books from the floor and placing them on the shelves brought on fatigue and slight fever, which the next day assumed the character of disease in the form of chronic diarrhoea.

" For the first three days his friends felt no alarm ; but the disease baffling the skill of his physicians, Dr. Hay, his brother-in-law and family physician for twenty years, was sent for from Columbia. But the skill and experience of this gentleman, aided by the highest medical talent, proved of no avail. Mr. Polk continued gradually to sink from day to day. The disease was checked upon him four days before his death ; but his constitution was so weak- ened that there did not remain recuperative energy enough in the system for healthy reaction. He sank away so slowly and insensibly that the heavy death-respirations commenced eight hours before he died. He died without a struggle, simply ceasing to breathe, as when deep and quiet sleep falls upon a weary man. About half an hour preceding his death, his venerable mother entered the room and offered up a beautiful prayer to the King of kings and Lord of lords, committing the soul of her son to the holy. keeping."

His death occurred on the 15th of June, 1849, in the fifty-fourth year of his age. His funeral was attended the following day with every demonstration of respect. His remains rest in a tomb in the grounds of the home mansion, at the corner of Vine and Union Streets, in the city of Nashville, where his venerable widow still resides at the age of seventy-seven years. It will be fitting to give a few remi- niscences here of one so honored and esteemed, in connec- tion with this brief sketch of her distinguished husband.

Mrs. Polk is the daughter of Capt. Joel Childress, of Rutherford County. At the age of nineteen she was married to Mr. Polk, then a young member of the Tennes- see Legislature. When he went to Congress, in 1825, she accompanied him, and was his constant companion during the eighteen years of their residence in the city of Wash- ington, with the exception of one winter. She was regarded as one of the most regal and accomplished ladies that ever graced the White House,-stately, beautiful, gifted in social intercourse, and apt and brilliant at repartce. She also possessed a mind of no ordinary endowments, both natural and acquired. Educated at a Moravian school and reared in the Presbyterian Church, her discipline had been too severe for anything like trifling or frivolous display. She dressed plainly, save at her receptions, when her beauty was almost regal. But richly or plainly attired, she was always modest and commanding. Surrounded generally by home and foreign celebrities in their costly costumes, their wives

gorgeous in silks and satins and blazing with jewels, and by officers of the army and navy, she stood during their many levees by the side of her husband, in his iron-gray hair, welcoming with a charming grace and cordiality the gay and brilliant visitors. An English lady, Mrs. Maury, in her book entitled " An English Woman in America," speaks in the most flattering terms of Mrs. Polk's faultless man- ners, her natural ease, her literary taste, and her brilliant repartec. Mrs. Polk was imbued with strict though not narrow principles. She held aloof from cards and dancing, and never allowed these prejudices to be overruled during her many years' sojourn at Washington. That city was her social school. She mingled with the gay life at the nation's capital, and saw and heard and treasured what was trans- piring around her.

Scenes of gayety, however, were ended with Mr. Polk's death. His widow, though yet in the prime of her life, bc- took herself to her peaceful Nashville home, hallowed by sweet memories, where she was surrounded by all she held most dear on earth. Within view of her library-windows is a plain monument that marks the resting-place of one who served his country well. " James K. Polk" is the simple inscription. The ex-President's study remains an- other sacred memento. There still is the chair he occu- pied, the desk he wrote at over thirty years ago. Nor has the public exhausted its sympathy and affection for the lonely inmate of this mansion. For many years the Legislature of Tennessee was in the habit of calling upon Mrs. Polk in a body on the first of every year, the highest compliment ever paid by State authorities to a lady. Various military companies have at odd times paid her marked respect, and during the Centennial at Philadelphia she was one of the distinguished few favored with a special official invitation to attend the Exhibition, and a palace-car was placed at her disposal by the president of the Pennsylvania Railroad, an honor, on account of her advanced years, the lady was obliged to decline.

At the Nashville Centennial, in 1880, every possible demonstration of respect was shown her. All the military companies, the Mexican veterans, and many distinguished individuals called upon her at Polk Place. It has been a custom for many years for all civic, ecclesiastical, and judi- . cial bodies, such as synods, conferences, and members of the Supreme Court, to visit Mrs. Polk at her residence, and the members of the American Scientific Association, which convened here in 1878, adjourned for the purpose of pay- ing her a formal visit in a body.

Mrs. Polk never had any children. She adopted one of her nieces, Sarah Polk Jetton, several years ago, who subse- quently was united in marriage to Mr. George W. Hall, of Nashville. They have a daughter, Sadie, who will proba- bly fall heir to most of Mrs. Polk's estate. These four constitute the family at Polk Place.

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CHAPTER XXVIII. GEN. SAM HOUSTON.

His Birthplace and Early Life-Sketch by Col. Willoughby Williams -Houston as a Clerk and Indian Agent-His Career in Congress and as Governor-Marriage and Separation from his Wife-Life among the Indians-His Military Career in Texas-HIe becomes President of the Republic and United States Senator after its Ad- mission as a State into the Union-His Second Marriage and Fam- ily-His Death.

THE following interesting sketch of one of the most re- markable men of our day is copied from the Washington Sunday Gazette. It was written by Col. Willoughby Wil- liams, late of Nashville, an intimate personal friend, who was better acquainted with the illustrious hero than per- haps any other living man. As Col. Williams begins his sketch with his first recollections of Gen. Houston in 1811, we will precede his narrative with a few facts relating to his early life and parentage.

Gen. Houston was born in Rockbridge Co., Va., on the 2d of March, 1793. He was descended from a Scotch- Irish family, who emigrated from the north of Ireland to Pennsylvania, and thence to Virginia, towards the close of the last century. His father served in the Revolutionary war, where he was brigade inspector, and upon his death, in 1807, his widow removed with her family to Blount Co., Tenn. Sam was then a lad of fourteen years of age, and about this time was adopted into the Cherokee Nation and became clerk to a trader.

Col. Williams' sketch proceeds as follows : " My earliest recollections of Gen. Houston date back to 1811, at King- ston, Roane Co., Tenn. He was a clerk at the time in the store of Mr. Sheffy. My mother, in her widowhood, was living about three miles from Kingston. I was thirteen years of age, and Mr. Houston was five years my senior. The line of the Cherokee country was about three miles south of Kingston, the Holston River. being the boundary. The Indian trade being much valued, his services were highly appreciated from the fact that he spoke with fluency the Cherokee language. He was especially kind to me, and much of my time was spent in his company. He remained in the capacity of clerk until after the declaration of the war of 1812. At that time the United States were recruit- ing troops at Kingston for the war. Lieut. William Ar- nold, of the Thirty-ninth Regiment of Regulars, was sent to Kingston on recruiting service. The whole population had caught the war fever, and intense interest prevailed.

The manner of enlisting at that day was to parade the streets with drum and fife, with a sergeant in command. Silver dollars were placed on the head of the drum, and, as a token of enlistment, the volunteer stepped up and took a dollar, which was his bounty; he was then forthwith marched to the barracks and uniformed. The late Robert H. M'Ewen, of Nashville, cousin to Gen. Houston, and my- self were standing together on the street, and saw Houston take his dollar from the drum and enlist as a private in the year 1813. He was taken immediately to the barracks, dressed as a soldier, and appointed the same day as a ser- geant. Soon after this Licut. Arnold received thirty-nine soldiers, and was ordered to send them forth to join the

troops marching to the Creek war, under the command of Gen. John Williams, of Knoxville, who commanded this regiment of regulars in person at the battle of the Horseshoe, and afterwards became a distinguished senator in Congress from Tennessee. Soon after Houston left Kingston, his friends applied to President Madison for his promotion, who commissioned him an ensign. The com- mission was promptly sent, and reached him before the battle of the Horseshoe.

At that battle he mounted the Indian defenses with colors in hand, and was wounded by a barbed arrow in the thigh. A soldier, whom he ordered to extract it by main force, made several ineffectual efforts, and only succeeded under a threat by Houston to kill him unless he pulled it out. He was carried back, suffering intensely from the wound, which had been much laccrated. His indomitable will led him immediately back into the fight, when he was soon wounded by two balls in his right shoulder. His intrepid spirit dis- played on this occasion won for him the lasting regard of Gen. Jackson. Disabled from further service, he was sent back to Kingston with the sick and wounded. Robert H. M'Ewen and myself met him some distance from Kingston, on a litter supported by two horses. He was greatly ema- ciated, suffering at the same time from his wounds and the measles. We took him to the house of his relative, Squire John M'Ewen, brother of R. H. M'Ewen, where he rc- mained for some time, and from thence he went to the house of his mother, in Blount County. After this battle he received the appointment of lieutenant for his gallantry. After the restoration of peace he was appointed sub-agent of the Cherokee Nation under Return J. Meigs, who was agent, the agency being on the bank of the Hiawassee, near where the railroad between Knoxville and Chattanooga crosses, the spot where the remains of Governor M'Minn and Return J. Meigs lie buried, both having been agents of the Indian nation.

" While in the capacity of sub-agent, a controversy arose between himself and Mr. Calhoun, Secretary of War, which caused his removal about the year 1818. Soon after this he came to Nashville and commenced the study of law with Hon. James Trimble, father of John Trimble, of this city. and obtained license to practice after six or eight months' study .* At the first meeting of the Legislature he was elected attorney-general of this district over some distin- guished lawyers as competitors, and in 1821 he was elected major-general of the militia of this division of the State, and in 1823 was elected to Congress and re-elected in 1825.

" While a member of Congress he preferred some charges against the postmaster here, who, it was understood, would hold him personally responsible on his return home. The matter was public, and great excitement existed among the friends of both parties, and rumors were afloat that a duel would follow. Col. John Smith, a noted duelist living in Missouri, arrived in the city, and it was understood he would be the bearer of the challenge to Houston. It was believed that Col. M'Gregor, who was the second of Gen.

* The record of the County Court shows that he was admitted in 1819.

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Houston, would refuse to accept the challenge through the hands of Col. Smith for reasons which he explained. This caused some excitement among the friends of Gen. Hous- ton, as they expected a difficulty to occur between M'Gregor and Smith, because of the refusal to accept the challenge if borne by Smith, he being well known as a desperate man.

"It was anticipated that the challenge would be deliv- ered at the Nashville Inn, where Gen. Houston was stop- ping that afternoon, and all were on the lookout for the movements of Smith. He was soon seen, about where now stands the Hicks china-store, walking in the direction of the Nashville Inn, and the friends of both parties hur- ried to the inn, where the meeting was to take place. Maj. Philip Campbell, a gallant soldier in the Creek war, and a warm personal friend of Gen. Houston, with ten or fifteen other Houston men, made their appearance at the. inn, prepared to take part, as it was expected there would be a fight when M'Gregor refused to accept a challenge borne by Smith. The challenge was presented by Smith to M'Gregor in front of the door of the Nashville Inn with these words : ' I have a communication from Col. Irwin to Gen. Houston, which I now hand you, sir,' extending his hand with the challenge. M'Gregor replied, 'I can re- ceive no communication through your hands from Col. Irwin,' and the paper dropped on the pavement before them. Col. Smith then returned to his quarters, walking down the public square, the same route by which he ap- proached the place of meeting.

" The crowd rushed into the hall of the inn where Gen. Houston was standing, greatly relieved that there was no fight between M'Gregor and Smith. Gen. William White, a brave and chivalric gentleman, remarked that he did not ' think the proper courtesy had been extended to Col. Smith.' Houston heard the remark, and said to him, ' If you, sir, have any grievances, I will give you any satisfaction you may demand.' Gen. White replied, ' I have nothing to do with your difficulty, but I presume to know what is due from one gentleman to another.' This ended their conver- Bation. The next day it was rumored on the streets that Gen. Houston had ' backed down' Gen. White. When it reached the ear of the gallant White, through some evil- minded person, he resented the imputation by sending a challenge to Gen. Houston, who readily accepted. Robert C. Foster, a prominent citizen of Davidson County and preserver of the peace, came to town and heard the rumor. He expected the fight, and immediately had a warrant issued for the arrest of both parties, which was placed in the hands of Joseph W. Horton, the sheriff of this county at that time.

" Mr. Horton requested me to accompany him next morn- ing to the residence of Gen. White to make the arrest. White was then living four or five miles north of the Cum- berland River. Declining the request of Mr. IIorton, I immediately went to Houston's room and found that he had heard, late in the afternoon, of the warrant for the arrest of both himself and Gen. White. That evening he left the city and passed by the Hermitage on his way to the home of Jimmy Dry Sanders, in Sumner County. The next day he sent a messenger to learn what had been done with

White, and to notify him that he would be in Kentucky on a certain day to offer him any redress he might desire. White met him according to appointment, and they fought a duel at sunrise. White was thought to be mortally wounded, but recovered. On the evening of the fight a large crowd was assembled at the inn to hear the news of the duel, among them Gen. Jackson. While waiting in great expectation a personal friend of Gen. Houston, and a noted character, John G. Anderson, who had gone up to witness the fight, was seen coming in full speed over the bridge, and soon announced that Houston was safe and White mortally wounded.

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History of Davidson County, Tennessee, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 40

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford) Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1013

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1013