There are some here who entertain hopes of the passage of the land bill; for my own part, I anticipate nothing so good; party spirit has paralyzed Congress to too great an extent! Van Buren's election to the Presidency is, with many, a much more important object than the public good, and so, too, perhaps, is his defeat with some of his opponents. With respect to the coming controversy, I can tell you nothing more than you already know. Webster is still standing in the field, though he can hardly be considered a competitor. My confidence in him leads me to believe he will do what is right and proper. Harrison's interest in the North is manifesting itself more strongly than was expected, and every day confirms the impression that Pennsylvania will certainly go for him. The opponents of Van Buren here, from every quarter, are confident that a majority of the people are against him, and that the only chance of his success is in their divided and distracted condition. Why did not our friends in Kentucky nominate Granger when they did Harrison? I see that some of our papers in Lexington have come out for Tyler.

Upon every principle of policy, we should rather gratify Pennsylvania and the Anti-Masons of the North, by taking Granger. I do not like to turn my thoughts to your late actings and doings in Kentucky. The distance has somewhat broken the effect upon me, but still I am grieved in spirit at some events. They denote, I fear, even more than a want of union,—a bad spirit has gotten up among you; but let me say no more of things which I cannot mend.

Give my love to your wife; yes, my love. I do feel that I love everybody in Frankfort, and if this is so, I am sure I must love her very dearly.

ORLANDO BROWN.

Your friend,

J. J. CRITTENDEN.

(J. J. Crittenden to his wife Maria.)

SENATE CHAMBER, April 8, 1836.

MY DEAR MARIA,—I write merely for the pleasure of writing to you; it is a sort of mental association that is the best consolation for actual absence. I have nothing to write, unless I should write in the strains of a mere lover, and I suspect you have already had so much occasion to laugh at me for that, so I ought to be a little cautious how I proceed in that melting mood.

I am quite amused to hear of what you all call Hick's badness. I suspect he is more petted than whipped. Eugenia writes, “Poor Hick is whipped almost every day for cursing," and then adds,

"He is a most charming fellow." I suspect he is a spoiled chap, and that I shall have work enough to reform the young gentleman.

But I must attend to the business of the Senate, so farewell, my dearest Maria.

Mrs. MARIA CRITTENDEN.

Yours,
J. J. CRITTENDEN.

IN

CHAPTER VIII.

1836-1837.

Mr. Webster's Visit to the West-Anecdote told by Mr. Evarts-Letters.

N 1836, Mr. Webster visited the West, and came from Lexington to Frankfort to see Mr. Crittenden. He was his guest for some days at that time, and received from the yeomanry of Franklin County the usual compliment paid to distinguished visitors in that locality, "a barbecue," or, as it was called at that time, "a bergoo." This was regarded as an unusually great occasion, and extensive preparations were made to do honor to Mr. Webster. The men were rallied far and wide, and a mighty gathering was the result. The place honored by custom for this Kentucky festivity was about seven miles from Frankfort, on the farm of Mrs. Innes, the mother of Mrs. Crittenden. A romantic little stream called Elkhorn wound about through the woods near the house, and in the dense forest along its borders the Kentucky host assembled. I cannot explain the origin of the word "bergoo;" the feast differed from a "barbecue," in that it was more primitive. Immense iron pots were kept on hand in some secluded spot, ready for such occasions, and each man was expected to bring his own tin cup and pewter spoon. "Bergoos" were always the order of the day when summer vegetables abounded; only one dish was prepared, but it was savory as the mess brought by Esau to his father, the blind patriarch. All the birds and squirrels round about were shot, prepared, and thrown indiscriminately into the large pots; then all the farms and gardens in the neighborhood were put under contribution, and young corn, tomatoes, peas, beans,-in short, every vegetable that could be found, was added. All this boiled away vigorously till the salutations of the day were over, family news told, and kindly questions asked and answered. The business of the day (which was making speeches

and listening to them) concluded, then all present gathered around the steaming pots, cup and spoon in hand, to receive their portion. I don't remember that I ever tasted this famous broth, but it perfumed the woods, and I know that every one "asked for more." There was no distinction of persons on these occasions, except that the orators of the day and the visitors were first served; but a tin cup and a pewter spoon were the only implements. Mr. Webster was accompanied by his wife and daughter Julia, afterwards Mrs. Appleton, and on the great day of the feast we drove out to Mrs. Innis's. After resting at the house, we walked over to the camping-ground. Mr. Webster was received with shouts that almost rent the heavens. He was welcomed in the usual form, and called upon for a speech, which he made in his inimitable style. Mr. Crittenden, knowing his boys of old, feared that he also would be called upon for a speech. Before Mr. Webster concluded, he was seen quietly and stealthily withdrawing to the outskirts of the crowd, and concealing himself at last behind a tree.

One amusing feature of this occasion was seeing Mr. Webster accommodate himself to a stump. This was not the kind of platform he was accustomed to, but he would not have been equally acceptable in any other position. I suppose he had never felt his footing so insecure, but, being a quiet speaker by nature, he got through like a man and a Kentuckian. After the conclusion of Mr. Webster's speech, a great shout arose for "Crittenden! Crittenden! Crittenden!" The crowd swayed backward and forward, the merry laughter of those near his place of concealment betrayed him, and he was literally dragged out and passed over the heads of the people to a tall stump, and put down gently. Such a triumphant shout of victory was rarely heard on any battle-field as arose when this was accomplished. Mr. Crittenden was laughing so heartily that it was some time before he could utter a word. I shall never forget Mr. Webster's expression on that day,—amazement and amusement contended for mastery. Those who were acquainted with Mr. Crittenden have not forgotten the intensely humorous expression of his countenance when hearing or relating a good story. On this occasion his mirth was contagious. He peremptorily declared he would not make a speech, made a comic appeal to "his boys"

"not to force him to hold up his little lights while greater lights were shining;" he declared that "there was not a stump within five miles that did not bear the marks of his footsteps." This plea seemed to touch "the boys,”—they behaved well, letting him off for that time, although I verily believe they would rather have heard him speak than Demosthenes or Cicero. Before leaving the ground, many pressed forward to take Mr. Webster by the hand and to say a word on the great political questions of the day. Every man in Kentucky was a politician, and those mass-meetings were political schools for uneducated men. They listened with intense interest to public speaking, and were, many of them, natural orators. In returning to town, one of my sisters and myself occupied the same carriage with Mr. Webster. During the drive he spoke almost exclusively of Mr. Crittenden, and pronounced an eloquent eulogy upon him. Among other things he said, "Mrs. Coleman, your father is a great and good man. Great men are not difficult to find, but a great and good man is rarely seen in this world. Mr. Crittenden is a great and good man."

In 1868 I was in Washington, and was introduced by Senator McCreery to Mr. Evarts, then Attorney-General of the United States. Mr. McCreery introduced me as the daughter of John J. Crittenden, and I received from Mr. Evarts a cordial grasp of the hand and a touching allusion to my father's public character and private worth. I told him in the course of this conversation that I was collecting materials for a life of Mr. Crittenden, and asked for his assistance. He encouraged me in my purpose, and expressed the conviction that such a book would be gladly received by the public, and promised me to write out some reminiscences, which he hoped would be useful. In this connection Mr. Evarts told me this anecdote: "At the very outset of my professional career I was associated with Mr. Crittenden as counsel in the famous trial of Monroe Edwards for forgery." (Monroe Edwards was a Kentuckian, his parents lived in Logan County, where he was born, and where Mr. Crittenden commenced the practice of law. Mr. Edwards's family were among Mr. Crittenden's most intimate friends, and Monroe had been, in boyhood, one of his special favorites. In this case, as, many years later, in the Ward trial, Mr. Crittenden came VOL. I.-7