Crittenden an account of a misfortune that had befallen him. A large, stalwart negro man of his had been baptized. Bob was filled with zeal on that occasion: to own another member of the church, gave him, he thought, a new right to control the congregation. The convert was valuable, and Bob was so anxious about his safety that he forgot to lay aside his watch, which was almost ruined. As they came up out of the water, the preacher was exhorting and commending the new brother as a model of piety and zeal to the assembled crowd. Bob declared he was completely carried away by the discourse, and exclaimed, "Yes, yes! a model! a model! I wish I had a thousand such." He professed to be hurt on perceiving that this was not regarded as altogether a pious ejaculation. The church members got into some difficulty among themselves, which he attempted to settle in a very summary manner; they resisted, and he entered the church by force, in the midst of the proceedings, broke up the assembly, scattered them ignominiously, and barred up the house. For this act of violence they brought suit against him, much to his righteous indignation. He employed Mr. Crittenden to defend him. The suit was talked about far and wide, and was the occasion of many merry jests. A great crowd assembled at the trial. Mr. Crittenden made one of his best speeches, and placed the character and conduct of his client in the most favorable light. In conclusion, he stated that he had not been able to do his friend justice, but had employed an assistant in the defense, whom he would now call up to conclude the argument. To the amazement of every one, Mr. Crittenden now summoned Bob Collins to speak for himself. The call was wholly unexpected, but he came forward instantly,-in fact, he was as fully convinced that he belonged to Mr. Crittenden as that the church belonged to him. The speech was, as you may suppose, original, and brought down the house. Even the judge and jury gave way to the merry spirit of the hour. At the close of a short speech, Bob said, "If their Honors would only call upon his friend John to do the finishing! before he had spoken five minutes they would think they heard a pint of bullets rattling over a shingle roof." I do not remember how this suit was decided, but expect Bob carried the day.

Mr. Crittenden and F. Preston Blair were playmates, schoolmates, and personal friends through life. In early manhood they were also united in politics, but when the question arose in Kentucky between the pretensions of Jackson and Adams for the presidency, they differed, and finally separated. Political feeling ran high in old Kentucky (in those days men, women, and children were politicians), and as parties were nearly equally divided, such a condition of things always led to great effort and excitement. Mr. Blair and Mr. Crittenden were opposed to each other, each making speeches in furtherance of his views in Frankfort and the vicinity. Mr. Blair tells this anecdote in connection with that period:

A few days before the election was to take place, an appointment was made for a political meeting in the neighborhood. Mr. Blair reached the ground first, and made a violent speech, in which he brought many charges against Mr. Crittenden's political course, and abused him personally. He was greatly excited. Ashamed of his course towards his old friend, and afraid of the lashing he knew was in store for him, he had, during his tirade, been looking round anxiously for his opponent, and found his flashing eye fixed steadily upon him. He closed his speech, and a rather cowardly impulse took possession of him to steal off and escape the scourging, the mere anticipation of which weighed heavily upon him. He reached the outskirts of the crowd, when, hearing that voice which always thrilled and, in a measure, controlled him, he turned back almost involuntarily and gave himself up to justice. As he found he was not personally alluded to, he drew nearer and nearer, with some feeling of security. Mr. Crittenden took up the charges with which he had been assailed one by one and refuted them; managed to cast a furtive glance from time to time upon his adversary, but did not call his name or allude to him. At first, this rather pleased Blair; then, as he became convinced that "John" meant to pass him by silently, he was humiliated and ashamed.

A few days afterwards Preston Blair was seated in one of the clerks' offices in Frankfort, when Mr. Crittenden entered; he advanced to Mr. Blair with extended hand, and a kindly greeting: "Well, Preston, how are you?" Mr. Blair, greatly em

barrassed, stammered out a few words of salutation, and then, feeling that something more must be said to break the silence, remarked, "You had a son born in your house yesterday, Crittenden,-what do you intend to call him?" A cloud of mingled feelings passed over Mr. Crittenden's speaking countenance. After a moment's pause, he said, "I have been thinking, Preston, of calling him by that name which you have been trying of late to dishonor."

"That," with the kind and sorrowful glance which accompanied it, "went straight to my heart," said Mr. Blair. "The fountain of my speech was dried up, and this was the only reproach Mr. Crittenden ever made me."

CHAPTER III.

1814-1820.

Letters-Elected to the Senate in 1817-His Maiden Speech-Extract from Speech on Sedition Laws-Settling Controversies between States-Sale of Public Lands-Resignation of Seat in Senate-House in Frankfort-Letters.

M

(General Isaac Shelby to J. J. Crittenden.)

April 8, 1814.

Y DEAR SIR,-Your favor of the 18th came to hand when I was absent from home, and since my return a letter from the Secretary of War has been received, informing me that the appointment of officers has been made for the corps of riflemen to be raised under the late act of Congress. This letter was an answer to one of the last which I had written to him, in favor of some of my friends who wanted to enter the service, and assures me that Kentucky has had her full share in those appointments. I have, therefore, deemed it unnecessary to trouble the Secretary in favor of Captain H. R. Lewis, whom I well recollect, and of whom I formed a good opinion upon the late campaign.

I am very apprehensive that we shall have peace by the mission to Gottenburg, if the affairs of Europe do not prevent it. Perhaps it may be well for us if we do obtain peace. The war is a ruinous one. We are, literally, "a house divided against itself." And, although we may not fall, the war, if carried on, will finally exhaust the best blood and interest of the nation; none others will embark in it unless with a view to mar its success. This is lamentable, but true! and unless we can cure the evil at home, defeat and disaster will attend the efforts of our best patriots. I may in confidence confess to you, that I lament over my country,-that she has in her very bosom a faction as relentless as the fire that is unquenchable,capable of thwarting her best interests, and whose poisonous breath is extending to every corner of the Union. There is but one way to cure the evil, and that is an awful and desperate one, and in the choice of evils we had better take the least. Were we unanimous, I should feel it less humiliating to be conquered, as I verily believe that the administration will be driven to

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LIFE OF JOHN J. CRITTENDEN.

peace, on any terms, by the opposition to the war.

We have no news from our Eastern armies, nor do we know that the fleet at Ontario has left its winter-quarters.

I wish Niagara was near to Kentucky, it should not remain long in the hands of those blood-hounds! to be given up for Malden, as no doubt it will on a general peace. Will you come to Frankfort this winter? If the war continues, the country will want her best friends in the legislature, and I shall be glad to see you.

The Eastern mail has this moment arrived, and brings information that the President unquestionably recommended the repeal of the embargo and non-importation acts. This looks like giving way to the clamors for commerce. What is to become of our new manufactories and young merinoes? It will afford me great pleasure to hear of your happiness and prosperity. Your obedient servant,

ISAAC SHELBY.

Hon. J. J. CRITTENDEN.

(George M. Bibb to John J. Crittenden.)

WASHINGTON CITY, April 24, 1814.

DEAR JOHN,-The court-martial sentenced Hull to be cashiered and shot, but recommended him to the mercy of the President, who, I understand, intends to remit the sentence of death. What weakness! If cowardice such as Hull's, which surrendered a fortress, an army, a territory without firing a gun,— which surrender was followed by such loss of lives and treasure, -is not punished with death, but pardoned by the commander-in-chief, what can we expect? No military officer hereafter can be punished but by loss of commission for cowardice. A negotiation is going on between an agent on our part and General Prevost, for an armistice. Prevost is willing to an armistice on land; our government wishes it also by sea. The negotiation may, perhaps, terminate in an armistice on the land, the lakes, and on our seacoast, leaving our coast to be blockaded, and the war upon the ocean to progress,—that is to say, that no expedition on land, nor any enterprise against towns or forts, shall be attempted,—such an armistice to be continued for a limited time, or until our negotiations at Gottenburg are broken off, or until either party shall give reasonable notice that it shall cease. I speak of the probable issue from what our government would agree to, and what it may well be supposed the British government would not agree to. The maritime superiority of Great Britain she will not yield by an armistice. Your friend, as ever, GEORGE M. BIBB.