Washington County, Ohio - Chapter 5: Politics in Early Times, 1902

Chapter 5: Politics in Early Times

Washington County Created - Governor St. Clair with a Legislature on His Hands - Chillicothe vs. Marietta - A State Constitution - Slavery - Despair OF THE Federalists and Exultation of the Republicans - Harman Blenner- HASSETT - Local Questions Cease to be the Point of Difference Between Political Parties - The Era of Good Feeling - New Questions.

On Saturday. July 26, 1788, Arthur St. Clair, who had recently come to Marietta and entered upon iiis duties as Governor of the Niorthwest Territory, created the first county in this region ar.d fittingly named it Washington. At first it included more than tme-half of what is now Oh.io. Its northern boundary was Lake Erie from the Pennsylvania line to the mou-th of the Cuyahoga, its southern boundary e.xtended to the moutli oi the Sciota, and its western followed that river far north of the present site of Columbus. By the erection of JetYerson County in 1797, of Fairfield in 1800 and of Belmont in 1801, Washington County had lost at least half of her original territory, but it still contained, until the State Constitution was adopted, the most of the Tuscarawas and Mfnskingum valleys and extended along the Ohio almost to the Scioto.

To tlie Territorial- Legislature it sent two representatives, or one-ele\-enth of the whole number; to the Constitutional Convention which consisted of 34 members, it sent four.

The .government of the "Territory Northwest oi the River Ohio" from 1788 to 1798 had been simple. The go^-ernor and the three judges enacted such laws as they deemed necessary, giving meanwhile the scattered settlements a measure of local self-government. The plan has been imitated since in Louisiana, in Hawaii, Porto Rico, and in the Philippines.

Li 1798 it appeared that the Territory had 5,000 free male inhabitants. According to the Ordinance of 1787. it was then time to organize a representati\e government. Governor St. Clair ordered the election of 22 representtatives, who met in Cincinnati September 16, 1799. Five of these members came from territory not within the present boundaries of Ohio. Tlien his troubles began in earnest.

The old soldier w-ho had fought with W'olfe at Quebec, who had served his country through the Revolution and for the last 10 years in most arduous labor on the frontier, had ver}^ strict ideas of honor and duty. Perhaps his long military experience was not the very best kind of a training for civil service, but it can be truly said that it made him scorn all schemes that had the least appearance of dishonest}-. The county seat boomer who had wished to speculate in new sites, selected not for public convenience but for his own profit,

No other proof is needed of the sterlinghonesty of Governor St. Clair than the fact that after half a century of faithful service, much of the time in very responsilile positions, he retired a poor man. Even the tardy pension given him in his old age was taken t< » pa_\- debts contracted in the government service.

In the Washington C(junty, represented in the first and second Territorial Legislature, the population was chiefiy along the Jargeii' water courses. From Gnadenhutten on the Tuscarawas to Marietta, and along the Ohio from Newport to Gallipolis, there were tiny settlements on the best bottoms, and a few openings in the wilderness on the Hocking and on Duck Creek. There had been little increase in population until after the close of the Indian war and Wayne's treaty of 1795; even in 1800 the population was only 5,427. This estimate of the enumeration probably did not include the scjuatters whoi had long ere this taken summary ])ijssessian of many tracts wlhich they sometimes held in defiance of the lawful .owners.

In the beginning of the period between 1798 and 1803, the people in this countrs' knew very little about politics. Gen. Rufus Putnam tells one of his eastern friends long before this time that some of the Kentucky settlers had the "maggot in their heads"' of separation from the Eastern States, 1)ut he thouglit it had not troubled the people un the ^Muskingum.

The New England traditions had been transplanted to the new colony, and the old social order: first in rank were those who brought with them the military and naval titles they had won in the Revolution. Then there were a few professional men and the sons of the I ilficers- These were reported in the Court of (Ju;iru-i' .Sosions with "Esq." or "Gentleman" after their names, a distinction which some of them wore with honor. For example, Ephraim Cutler, -a son of 'Manasseh Cutler, would come four times a year all the way from \vhat is now Ames township of Athens County to attend his judicial duties at Marietta.

Often in his journey to and from the court, he was compelled tO' hobble his horse and pass a night in the woods with a tree for shelter. For this arduous labor he received no salary, and no other remuneration than his share of costs - frequently not enough to pay his board bill. These men, who were classed in the records as "Gentlemen," seem' to have realized that their position brought with it certain responsibilities. There was another class known on the records as "yeomen," and it is worthy of note that some of those who were classed as "yeomen" in documtents written in New England were enrolled as "gentlemen" in the Muskingum settlement. New occasions h.ad taught them new duties and their duties well performed had gi\'en them new honors.

There were others classed as "yeomen" even here, wdio have borne an honorable part in om- history. For example John Brough, "A'eoman," the father of the War Governor, in 1797 and again in 1798 gives a bond for $200 "to be of good behavior and observe all the laws and ordinances which are or shall be made, or be in force, relating to inn or tavern keepers." He seems to have borne a good rqjutation as inn-keeper and four years later he is' enrolled in the "First Religious Society of Marietta as John Brough, Esq. James Mason, of Waterford, also a "yeoman," gives a bond aboitt the same time 'to "keep a good tavern" and ofifers as security Daniel Converse, a }oung man who was then carr_\-ing the mail on horseback between Marietta and Zanesville. Air. Converse was already well known in the settlements on account of his capture by the Indians and his subsequent escape through Canada.

For the first 10 years of our histor\-, the choice of leaders did not vex the minds of the settlers. They were too busy in building up honfcs. In 1798, at the first election for representatives from Washington County to the Territorial Assembly, Paul Fearing was elected by almost unanimous \-ote, and his colleague was Return Jonathan Meigs, Jr., who a little later belonged to a different party. With the meeting of this Legislature at Cincinnati, in

The Legislative Council, consisting of five members appointed by President Adams, was of course in harmony with Governor St. Clair. Its duties were similar to those of our State .Senate. In this Council sat Col. Robert Oliver until 1803. But in the House there were the representatives of a new order - men who were destined to be leaders of the new State. In the Ross Co'unty delegation were Nathaniel -Massie, Edward Tiffin and Thomas AVorthington. Tliey were the champions of a "New Revolution." llie friends of Jefferson looked to France rather than to Old or NfeAv England for their political models. For its second session this Legislature met at Chillicothe by the direction of Congress, which had then erected the Territory of Indiana.

Before the second Assembly of the Territory was called together, Paul Fearing had gone to Washington as delegate and Return Jonathan IMeigs, Jr., had been appointed judge of the Supreme Court of the Territory. William Rufus Putnam, a son of Gen. Rufus Putnam, and Ephraim Cutler, whom we ha\-e already mentioned, were elected to fill the vacancies.

The writings of Mr. Cutler, which have been preserved in a very interesting book written by his grand-daughter, Miss Julia P. Cutler, give a pretty full account of the proceedings of this last session of the Territorial Legislature. Evidently Washington County had able representatives at this time.

If we look closely at a towniship map of Ohio we shall find two systems met at the Scioto. On the eastern side, the land is laid out in squares and rectangles with mathematical precision - an emblem of the Federalist love of order. On the western side the township and farm lines are zig-zag and crooked, suggesting the Republican love of freedom for the individual. Throughout Washington County the ideas of Hamilton prevailed; in Ross and Adams the Virginia settlers had brought with them Jefferson's ideas of personal liberty - at least for the white man. In Hamilton County the Federalists rallied about Governor St. Clair, but they were fighting a defensive battle and soon the Federalists of Washington County were left with none to help them but the representatives from Jefferson and Trumbull coun- I ties, in the north and east, and those from the district about Detroijt, which was then known as Wayne County.

The Jeffersonians wished to get rid of the Wayne County delegation by assigning all its/ inhabiteld territory to Indiana. The counter movement of the Federalists was not exactly a secession, but the formation of a new State east of the Scioto, which would include about the original area of Washington County. Although this would have made a State larger than those once proposed by Jefferson for the Northwest Territory, we may now rejoice that the Buckeye State was not created with such restricted boundaries.

The proposal was especially distasteful to j Chillicothe, which applied to become the perj manent capital. The toast of William R. Putj nam expressing the wish that "the Scioto may I have the borders of two great and flourishing States'' was especially displeasing, for it was apparent that neither of tliese prospective States would choose a town on the border for a capital. This proposal for a division of what is now Ohio seemed to meet the approval of all the leading citizens of Marietta, even of Judge Meigs and others who were afterwards considered Republicans. In Chillicothe the feeling was so bitter against the movement and also against Governor St. Clair and his friends that there were attempts to incite a riot. We will let some of the witnesses of these events describe in their own language the acts and feelings of those days. It was a period when parties were forming and political disputes were separating old friends. Mr. Cutler says :

Sii'bley, Colonel Oliver, General Schenk, and the Detroit and Washington County members boarded. An entrance was forced into Gregg's house, in the hall of which a citizen of Chillicothe (Michael Baldwin) met and struck Mr. Schieffelin, who immediately drew his dirk, and would assuredly have wounded the man, had not his arm been caught by some friends who were near."

We have passed a law declaring the assent of the Territory to an aheration of the original boundai'y lines for States which I dare say you have had a particular account of. This has offended the counties of Adams and part of Fairfield and we had like to have brought an old house over our heads. The grand jurors of (the county of Adams have presented the Gov. and Council as nui-ances in the Territory (a copy of which I am intormed by Cutler he forwarded to >'«u) ; however, that is not all, for on Christmas Eve, Mr. Baldwin was purposing to burn a barrel of tar before the house of Capt. Greggs where the Governor -and a large number of the members of both Houses who gave iheir voice in favor of the above bill lodged, and to burn the Govr, in effigy and if any opposition was made to whip those that made it. However, by Col. VVorthington ^nd some others (they) were prevented, but on Saturday night ( which jou may recollect was the night after) a number of men being half drunk were, as we believe, determined to abuse some of the members down at their quarters, but three of them a little drunker than was necessary came down before the others (as we believe) were ready. Mr. Schieffelin, a niemix'r from Wayne, being some irritated from what had been heard, gave them some war n words so that one collared him but Schieffelin drew his dirk and. I have reason to believe, if it had not been for Capt. Gregg, lie would have put it into him up to the hilt. Thev were inline li.itely separated but the arms in the liuu-e were -ikui loaded and we were delermine.l to defend the house. It being a Iinek !iiiii-;i- we tbuik \\e should have made a good defense. llMv.wer, iKithing further happened, but we hear tlie\' lie;i\e nut now and then threats, but I think there is no danger except at the close of the session, rt-hen we are separated, the devil and whiskey luay enter into them, but we shall keep a good lookout. I know not what will be the end of these things but am persuaded that the Assembly will never sit at this place again. The members from the county of Washington (.William Rufiis Putnam and Ephraim Cutler) have done them'selves honor thi,-. ses^ion. When they speak (they) are alwaiys listened to. You who put them into office need not be ashamed of your

Saturday next is proposed as the day for closing the most turbulent session of the Legislature that we have yet had. It appears, to me that popularity is the governing motive of many of the members of the House and that they calculate that the most effectual way of gaining their point is to make as much noise as possible, and to condemn everything that is attempted.

I rejoice that the hof.r is at hand, when I am to retire from this scene of confusion to the serene pleasure of my own family. Your friends here who have written you often are apprehensive that their letters have been suppressed, as they have not heard of your receiving them.

On account of this insult to its members, the Legislature resolved to hold the second session in Cincinnati. Although this session was never held, since a State Legislature took its place, the remembrance of the riot probably had much to do with the choice of another place for the seat of government. Even while waiting for permanent quarters at Columbus, the majority of the Legislature chose to meet for a time at Zanesville rather than in Chillicothe. The following extract from a letter of Gen. Rufus Putnam to "Paul Fearing, Esquire, Member of Congress. City of Washington," casts some light on the subject:

"One thing I will venture to suggest - Lancaster ought to be the place appointed for the meeting of the convention not only from its central position ibut because of the aversion which a great portion of the inhabitants have to Chillicothe on account of the treatment the Legislature met with there the last session. If we are to form a Constitution, let every obstacle to union and harmony be removed as far as possible. I think it not impossible to bring Col. Worthington into this meaure - he owns the falls of the Hockhocking and is largely interested at Lancaster - he must be convinced that Chillicothe will not be agreed to by the great bod}- of the people - that fixing upon Chillicothe wih appear to be an act of power and revenge without any regard to justice."'

This "aversion" to ChilHcothe and to the group of leaders who faxored it had an influence upon the politics of Washington County for many years.

As late as October, 1811, the Western Spectator, a Federalist paper of Marietta, (hscussed the question of a State capital and very strongly favored Zanesville. The editor said, - "Let it remain at Zanesville until the progress of population and so forth shall render us able to judge more accurately on the subject. We think no place at present has better claims - nor do we think these claims will appear diminished after a lapse of several years." In January, 1812, it has these significant words to say about its pet enemies, the Chillicothe clique: "The Senate (of Ohio) have notified the House that they are ready to receive proposals respecting the seat of government - in other words to sell it to the highest bidder." The accession of Thomas Jefferson to the Presidency gave the Republicans a new point from which to attack Governor St. Clair. Tliey would secure his removal and if they could ftot succeed in this they would form a State and thus get rid of "Arthur the First," as they called him. '

The Federalists retaliated by dubbing Colonel Worthington "Sir Thomas" and tried to postpone the change from Territory to State. Tihe letters passing to and from Washington tell of plots and counterplots.

Your friends in this place have too much reason to fear that their letters are all suppressed by the postmaster before they leave this place.

DE.^R Sir: - There lis much business at present before the President and before Cona^ress r^ -pectins our N. W. Territory, for the reason of our own iKiltr\ -i|uabble3 and jiarties among ourselves in the Terntory we make ourselves cheap and even ridiciilou-> in the eyes of the general government. In my opinion the Governor may fairly be charged with all the blame. If he has not in a direct manner, like Samson, spread the flames of discontent and wrangling by means of his ,W0 miscliievious animals sent through the Territory, yet he has never acted like a father to and friend of the Territory generally.

I liel'eve the Governor will soon have his own hand- full ot contention and vexation. He pretends to be wise '-nougli to dictate to others - let him see whether he be wise enough to acquit himself of crimes and malpractices in his office, of which he is now charged by Col. Worthington and Mr. Pjaldwin. The complaint is now before the President.

I think our territory will not be divided by Con- .gress, a majority of whom are wishing us to become a free State, as they presume. If Governor St. Clair, the old aristocratic sinner, wa , once out of the way, we should all be honest and wise enough to make good Republicans. Nothing has presented since I came to this city whereby I could serve you, sir, but in recotumendin.g you to the Postmaster-general as a proper person to fil! the office of postmaster at Marietta. In this I succeeded and Ji^dge Meigs informs me you have received the appointment. I wi<h it may be of use to you. Mr. Granger asked of me z^'Iu-tlirr your t-olitics iK.\-rc Federal or Rcpnhlitan. I answered that I could not define your politics, but even supposing that you might have been Federal in times past, yet I had such an opinion of your honor and integrity that I wriuld pledge myself to him for the faitliful performance of every duty required from a postmaster.

Whether any of those letters have got to your hands is not known, and whether they ever will, or any that may be sent to you thro' this postoffice is very uncertain. ]\Iany of us have long thought that many improper practices prevailed in it during the last session 'jt the Legislature, for the communications between the rtelegiites and me came to the hands of each very irregularly, as well as those of Mr. Burnet with them, ind soine of them were even suppressed.

Mr. Worthington and Mr. Baldwin must have been lit V\'ashingiton for some time. Mr. Miller will not set ou,t to meet them till the 25th ; and it seems to be uncertain whether Mr. Tod will go or not. ^ can mvcnt will bv spared. 1 tru.-t in the nUcgrity of my conduct, and to the good ofKces of those few who knoiv nie. to counteract them; and yonrs, I trust, will not be refused.

In the letter he gives an account of the mob at Chillicothe which does not differ materially from that found in the letter of Colonel Oliver. The Governor also gives credit to Colonel Worthington for earnest efforts to repress all violence.

I sliould not be the least surprised if the person you nu'iuiiiiitd -lioidd be appointed Governor. He will be at W.i-liumton before this reaches vou. ready to pay adulation at the Shrnie of the Democratic Idol. You know that I wri.^ ever moderate in politic-; and wi-ht 1 to see Mr. Jefferson unite all candid Kepid.liraii, an/l Federalists fhroughoiU the United .Sta.e^, His inaugural speech promised it bnt -ince that lime what a sad falling ott. Some of the late measures of the present administration ha\c de-lroyed all my confidence and hopes. Of the late alteration ot postmaster at thi.s place. I v,'ill only say. thai :l i^ the most pitiful, dirty measure that ever w;'s underiaka-n and reflects disn Chillicothe ample details of the proceedings of our Legislature. In to-day's naper vou will hud two angry notes of Gov. St. Clair' to Coi. Fi'idley. 1 fear the Govr. has shown too much temper.

I am very anxious to have an office for the clearance of vessels at this place by the middle of March. A petition will be forwarded by ne.xt mail:

The person referred to as the prnbal.'le successor of Governor St. Clair was Return Jo'jathan Meigs, Jr., whose defection was greatly resented by the Federalists.

who are despiser! by all good -citizens. Nothing is waininy :.i my humble opinion to complete the climax I iiuaniy Ijut the return of Paine, the apostate Barlow, tu our country under executive patronage.

* * * You will know that I thought favorably of Mr. Jeffer-:on before he came into office. But when I see foreign minions, who deserve the gallows, enjoying posts of profit and RevolntionaTy characters neglected, my so'.il abhors the man who is instrumental in bringing .such disgrace on the .American character.

David Putnam is a. well etdcithited for naval officer a,-, any man in towii-hut , ther quesdons than "Is he capable? Is he honest." are yet to be asked in filling even the most trifling offices.

In justice to Mr. Gilman, it must be confessed that for some excuse or other Air. Jefferson made a general removal of federal offices in Washington County, and in subse- (|uent appointments the current of presidential fa\(ir flowed only on Republican lines and tu those "persons of a particular sort" mentioned by Mr. Burnet. The change which especially disgusted the Federalists of Washington County was the removal of Rufus Putnam from the office of surveyor general.

No thorough-going Federalist of that day could be made to believe that the cause for this removal was anything else than Jefferson's bitter hatred of one who had been a friend to Washington. P>ut the man whom Jefferson appointed to succeed Putnam - Jared Mansfield - was not a politician but a scholar, an instructor in the West Point Academy. His son, E. D. Mansfield, who spent part of his boyhood in Alarietta, a political writer not likely to be unduly prejudiced in favor of Jefferson, says in his memoirs that Putnam had not sufficient scientific training to establish meridian lines and that for this reason Jefferson sought a specialist who neither sought nor desired the office.

"I have the pleasure to inform you that I have this day rec'd your letter of 9th inst., in reply to which I observe that the county of Clairmont I believe is bounded on the east by the west line of the county of Adams, therefore I believe that none of the inhabitants in the census taken were included in the county of Clairmont. So far as I can collect the sense of this county on the report of the committee on the subject of an admission into the union, they are unanimous in favor of it, and congratulate themselves in the prospect of having it soon in their power to shale off the fetters of aristocracy, and in the downfall of the Tory party in this Territory, and hope the day may soon approach when they shall be governed by a constitution founded by true Republicans chosen by the people free from the -control of an arbitrary chief."

When the JefTersonian Republican of that time was speaking of his political opponents, '-Tory" and "Aristocrat"' wejre his favorite epithets; when the Federalist retaliated with names, "Democrat," "Jacobin" and "Robespierreian" were in his speech synonymous terms.

Chillicothe, Jan. 13th, 180.2. I dm also sorry that he (Judge Meigs) could not liave the appointment of Major-general which was intended for him 'by a large majority of members until a constitutional objection took place. Then Colonel Oliver was proposed but could not be taken up by as many as would carry him in opposition to Colonel Sproat, whom the Federal party was using evei-y influence to support. Others were mentioned but it was found that none was as likely to succeed as Major Buell. who is elected by a respectable majority. From \\4iat 1 have yet discovered, Mr. ]?ackus seems to be :in open and decided Republican. Party spirii prevails .=0 much, chiefly by the influence of two or three meratiers, that business progresses very slow. Please to favor me by next mail w'ho you would wish might be appointed .Associate Judge in place of Major Buell and whether you would wish Judge Wood continued and if not who you would recommend in his place, were presented to the electors. The friends of Jefferson, or Republicans as they called themselves at that time, nominated Return Jonathan Meigs, Jr., Griffin Greene, William Skinner and William Wells. The Federalists nominated Gen. Rufus Putnam, Benjamin Ives Gilman, Ephraim Cutler, and John Mc- Intire. The Federalist ticket was elected by a large majority.

It is sug'gestive of the estimate of the distribution of population in the county that three candidates on each ticket were from the southern part and one (Mr. Wells for the Republicans and Mr. Mclntire for the Federalists) from the upper Muskingum.

At this time the question of slavery in the proposed State was discussed with a great deal of earnestness. It was claimed that even Jefferson was iir favor of permitting slavery for a limited period in the hope of thus hastening its ultimate extinction in Virginia as well as Ohio. In the convention the clause prohibiting slavery was adopted by a majority of one. Even that majority was gained through the labors of Mr. Cutler, who convinced some who favored a liinited slavery that such a policy was a violation of the compact made in the Ordinance of 1787. At this time there were slaves held in the Territory ; two had that year been reported by the "lister" among the personal property held in Belpre township, and a few years later Blennerhassett sent a slave to Marietta to be hired out by the year.

Although "Arthur the First" had been removed from his position as governor, the Republicans in the convention were in such haste to be rid of his friends that they would not wait to have the State Constitution ratified by a popular vote. It is an example of political paradox that the Constitution which began with "We, the people" was not referred to the people at all. That which was the fundamental law of our State for half a centurv was adopted by the vote of 27 men. Against this form of adoption were the votes of Putnam,

It begins with we the people and if we may judge from the judiciary article few constitutions were ever so "bepeopled as it is throughout. * * *

We are to have a Supreme Court of Appeals to consist of three Judges, and instead of making them as respectable and independent as the situation of the State would admit of, they have not only confined the Legislature to a parsimonious pittance, but the Judges are to travel like peddlers, once a year at least, into - every county of the State. * * * j think it will be well for us lawyers. It will be well for clients if they get their causes through in seven years iinless they pay well.

Mr. Belt's prediction concerning the Supreme Court has hardly proved true. As the increase of the State in population made it necessary for the Supreme Court of Ohio to hold all its sessions at the capital, the people have found it expedient to create nine Circuit courts each consisting of three judges. These judges travel from county to county in their circuit and thus sa\-e great expense to litigants. The duties of the Circuit judges of today are therefore similar to those prescribed for the Supreme Court in the days when the population of the whole State was much less than that of a single circuit of the present time. This plan ridiculed by Mr. Belt was devised by Ephraim Cutler and by his influence carried in the convention.

With the adoption of a State Constitution, the leadership in Ohio passed from the pioneers of the Muskingum to those of the Scioto and the Miami. The memory of Governor St. Clair's vetoes caused the convention to fear the executive, and thus it happens that in Ohio the governor even yet does not have the veto power. As we read the letters of those days we find the Republicans hopeful and exultant might be expected. The Federalists are utterly despondent. They think the country has gone a long way on the road to destruction.

"I noticed in the public prints, a few years since, that T. Jefferson had honored you, by removing you from an office (surveyor general) bestowed upon you by the great and virtuous Washington, the real Father of his country. *****

"The numerous removals of honest, capable men from office, and, in many instances, the vacancies so made by T. Jefferson filled again by him with d - d rascals, has excited my warmest indignation."

Mariett.\, Feby. 14th, 1803. * * ^- You have undoubtedly had an account of the issue of our election - the result is enough to disgust me with a Republican government. If the people will believe lies in preference to truth, if honest men are neglected and rogues promoted, what will be the issue? Despotism, I fear.

Could yon have believed that Wyllys Silliman and William Jackson would be elected Representatives - and Bowen, Coroner? Greater disgrace never fell on a people.

No opposition is made to Tiffen for Governor, and I am well satisfied that he became the either rather than to hold a .six years' seat in the Senate, as was first contemplated by the Democrats. * * »

You saw Backus' attack on your character. It was answered by one of your friends, since which the mighty censor has been silent. This man's conduct has been mean in tlie extreme and he appears to be unpopular wi'h all. Xevertheless so uncertain is the sovereign will, thai he may bt one of our Senators ne.xt October.

What i'S Mathews after? Is it possible that he will become a pliant Democrat for the sake of office ? I am told that he discovered some symptoms of change before he left this place.

Yesterday Capt. Barker laun-hed Mr. Woodbri.Igj's brig and Ned Tupper's schooner. We have had a very severe winter. We have not yet heard anvthing re>peGting the proposals made by our convemion to Congress.

us in publishing the Ohio Gas:ettc and the Territorial and J 'irginiw Herald. When Mr. Silliman withdrew from the partnership, he removed to Zaitesville and President Jefferson appointed him register of the land office. In 1824 he was a candidate for United States Senator, and for this position he received hearty recommendations from Colonel Converse and John Alathews. Mr. Mathews had married Miss Sally Woodbridge and removed to Springfield, opposite Zanesville, afterward named Putnam in honor of Gen. Rufus Putnam and now a part of Zanesville. He afterward represented Muskingum County in the House in 1807 to 1808 and his district in the State Senate in 1820.

"I take the liberty, as an old Federalist writing to an old Federalist, to electioneer a little lor a renegade Federalist. W'yllys Silliman, who will be a candidate for the Senate of the United States.

"I have long agO' forgiven him and feel some zeal in adding my mite to promote his election. Silliman has never been a sneaking Democrat, Horn-blower, or anything of the kind; in point of talents, I think (he) will not be behind any other candidate."

William Henry Harrison w^s elected and in the whirligig of politics, he soon afterward became the successful leader of the very party that had formerly opposed him.

"Of politics I am most heartily weary, and the more so as I foresee the Robespierreian system fast approaching. At the end of this Congress I retire from public life to a private station which I consider in these days' as the only post of honor.

"We might possil)ly get into a war with France by our trade to St. Doiningo, if certain men did not prefer creeping and crawling with peace to war on any terms and for any cause. What Bonaparte commands respecting our concerns will I believe be most scrupulously obeyed. We shall pass an act to restrain the trade."

The contest between Washington County and its neighbors was only an incident connected with our emergence from a provincial to a national State. At first each little group of settlers had its prejudices against all other. The New England emigrants did not like the settlers from Virginia or the Scotch-Irish from Pennsylvania, and both Virginians and Pennsylvanians hated the Yankees. Many years ago an old lady, whose parents had brought her in childhood to a part of Ohio almost exclusively settled by Pennsylvanians, used to give this amusing incident of her first visit to one of her new neighbors. After she had been in the cabin a little while and had been very curiously surveyed by a ring of children, one of them exclaimed, "Mother, get her a piece of bread. We want to see a Yankee eat. ' It took a long time to wear away these provincial prejudices and teach each little group that they could learn some useful lesson from the other.

Puritan ideal o'f union, (irder and nationality seemed for a time to be supplanted by the Jeffersonian doctrine of equality and personal liberty. But we have learned that the two are not antagonistic. By the fusion of the colonies the best in each of them has survived.

When General Putnam was striving to keep the Constitutional Convention away from Chillicothe, he little thought that his own greatgrandson would make that town his home. Rufus Putnam is now on honored citizen of Chillicothe and has no fear of riot or insult from his fellow to\\Hismen. The Scioto divides neither State nor people. The contending elements have blended to build up a grand commonwealth. It is not strange that Ohio has gi\-en to the nation such a rich treasure of jewels - -that illustrious group of soldiers and statesmen. Every section of the older settlements gave some of her noblest sons and daughters to subdue the Ohio wilderness and

This romantic episode in the history of pioneer times gave brightness and beauty to those years of toil, but the tragic end which awakened the interest and sympathy of the whole country was the direct result of political strife.

It is not strange that the story of this tragedy on the Ohio has been treasured with so much interest. \Mien the white settlers came to the valley of the Ohio, there were scarcely any red men along its banks ; the home of the tribes was far to the North or away on the waters of the Tennessee. The story of that other race who once inhabited this region was buried in their mounds and ramparts and the scenes of their busy life covered again with a dense forest. Hence, the new race found no stories associated with the beautiful sites which they had chosen. The Ohio had along its bank works as old, perhaps, as the Roman towers on the Rhine, but there had been no continuity of race to preserve and build up its traditions. Xo wonder, then, that the sad storv of the Blennerhassetts has touched the hearts of all who live in this region. Many of our readers, no doubt, will eagerly read this vi\-id retelling of an old but always interestiug story.

Harman Blennerhassett, born in Hampshire. England, at some date between 1764 and 1767, educated in Ireland for the profession of the law, came to Marietta with his family in 1797 and the next spring purchased the upper lobe of the island which still bears his name. It is in the Ohio, 14 miles below the mouth of the Muskingum. Here he fitted up a home luxurious and grand for those times - a veritable palace in comparison with the plain homes at JMarietta and Belpre. In this beautiful place he lived until 1807. In 1805 the tempter and destroyer came.

genial Blennerhassett and persuaded him to mvest his fortune in a venture which even yet has in it something of mystery, Init which at the time promised \v-ealtii and fame to the sanguine promoters.

A filibustering scheme to seize some of the Spanish territory of Texas - a scheme no better and probably no worse than that of Lopez in 1 85 1, of Walker in i860, or of many others that have been favored by Americans - was interpreted by the sycophantic worshipers of the reigning Jefferson, and especially by the drunken General Wilkinson, into a plot to destroy the Union. That Burr was not unwilling to see the West become an independent empire is probable, indeed almost certain. There were many true men in Kentucky and Tennessee who felt even at the beginning of" the 19th century that Spanish misrule in North America should be ended, if necessary by force. Senator Blount, wh(3 was expelled from the United States Senate for entering into a plot in 1796-97 \-ery sim,ilar to that formed by Burr 10 years later, did not for that reason lose any of his popularity in Tennessee. But Jefferson could not neglect the opportunity to crush his hated rival, Aaron Burr. Governor Tiffin detained the boats which had been built on the Muskingum ; the Virginia militia ravaged the beautiful island home: Burr and Blennerhassett were taken ta Richmond and there, after a tedious trial, released. A little later Blennerhassett's beautiful home land was seized by a creditor and the family with a small remnant of their property went to Mississippi. Nothing reinains of his buildings, which were destroyed by fire in 181 1 : even the foundations were dug up long- ago, and part of the site is now covered by a bowling alley and dancing hall erected for picnic parties.

In the eight years of his residence on the Ohio it was natural that a man of Blennerhassett's culture and intelligence would have intimate social and business relations with his neighbors at Marietta. In private collections and in the library of Marietta College are pre- I served manv of his letters and numerous relics of his island home. Among his intimate friends were Dudley Woodbridge, a prominent merchant of those times, with whom he formed a business partnership for the sale of imported (English) goods, Paul Fearing, a representative in Congress, Griiifin Greene, a cousin of the American general, and David Putnam, the first preceptor in Muskingum Academy. When Blennerhassett first came, to Marietta, he brought the following letter of introduction to Mr. \Voodbridge:

Presuming upon a short acquaintance I take the liberty of introducing to you my friend Harman Blennerhassett, Esq., a gentleman from Europe who wishes to become a resident of the Western Country. He visits Marietta and the adjacent settlements for the purpose of observation. Any information you may pleaise to show him will be fully compensated by his acquaintance and gratefully acknowledged by Your very Humble Serv't

In the numerous letters from his Western home, there is revealed the genial, hospitable gentleman, honorable in his dealings, hopeful in the midst of discouragements. The following letter to Griffin Greene, Esq., is typical of many which he wrote in his quiet, peaceful days :

In pursuance of your letter I enclose you my Dft for the amt of your Demand on the score of our last Dealing as by our }''rien<l's Capt D'hebecouit's accts returned to me whicb I take it for granted are correct : - 1 have not particularly examined them yet for want of time, but rest persuaded that should any error appear at any tmie, you and I shall be equally forward on both sides to rectify it.

I have suice a week or ten days past entertained a hope that your occasions would not press for my Dft till things looked up !)etter at Philadelphia where everything is so deranged by the conuuon calamity that foreign bills of e.xch. I find must suffer a heavy depreciation. This consideration however, I have made give way to your necessities.

On the subject of the Boat I wish to have a little unreserved conversation with you. I therefore beg of you to slip down and give nie the week you have promised me. Let me add, among your older acquaintance perhaps you have not one disposed towatd you with more friendly sentiments than

The "common calamity" was the war actually begun by France. It will be recalled by the student of history that in 1798 Washington had been called to the command of the army and that the general expectation of the people was that the war with France would be continued. Hence foreign bills of exchange were subject to an unusual risk; they could be sold only at a heavy discoimt.

We will pass over the eight quiet yeara and give another letter written shortly before the outbreak of the storm. This letter addressed to Dudley Woodbridge, gives us a hint of the way in which slave labor might sometimes be used even in the territory reserved for freedom:

I forgot to mention to a small business I wish you to transact for me at Mar'a viz - to place Kager for a year or by the month with Lincoln or Allen. The latter K. tells me offers at the rate of no Drs. a year. But Mr. L first spoke of hiring him. I want 120 Drs. if I am to find his clothing, but will take the above offer if Mr. L win not give my demand. I wish you would take the trouble to write or get written a few lines by way of an article or oblig'n as security for the wages .specifying the time an owner of a slave may safely hire one there. Whenever Kager ishall earn for me 4 years wages I mean to set him free. [Then follow directions about some produce he had sent to Marietta to be sold.] Yours &c..

We have seen but one letter from ;\Irs. Blennerhassett. and that is only a fragment, supposed to have been written December 12, 1806. We are indebted for this and other papers to Mrs. J. A. Gallaher, a granddaughter of Mr. Woodbridge, to whom the letter was addressed:

Our runaways have just arrived and would start immediately off in the wherry if they ciuld only get a supply of biscuit. I enclose the order of Mr. B. to get it from Jones & I wish also to have your keel boat loaded & sent down with as much provisions of all sorts as it will carry, also to get another keel boat of Mr. Miller's which lies at Colonel Lord's, and load it and send them down with as many hired hands as can be got. Mr. Elliott was to have .Muncel's bill discharged and two coils of rope got which he left at Muncefs. I wish to settle all accounts with Miller. My mind is so distracted I scarcely know what I write but hope to see you.

On the 2d of December, 1806, the Ohio Legislature met in secret session at ChilHcothe to discuss the movements of Burr and Blennerhassett. The following orders show the result of the deliberations :

You are hereby authorized and required, with such of the Militia of your Division as you may think necessary, to arrest and secure Harman Blennerhassett, Esq., if he may be found within the jurisdiction of the State of Ohio, to answer to the following charge?;, to-wit : that he the said Harman hath fitted out and is attempting to fit out, and hath procured to be fitted out on the Muskingum river within the Jurisdiction of this State a number of flatteaux, with the Intention that such Batteaux shall bp employed to disturb the peace and tranquility of the United States, all of which Doings of the said Harman Blennerhassett are contrar\' to an act of the State of Ohio entitled "An .\ct to prevent certain Acts hostile to the peace and Tranquility of the United States, within this State."

And you are further authorized and required to take possession ot and detain the Battcaux aforesaid, together with all their Tackle, Apparel, and Furniture and the S3me secu.rely to keep according to the provisions of the fourth section of the above recited Act. ' Given under my Hand and Seal at Marietta, in the State of Ohio, this Tenth day of December. Anno Domini One Thousand Eight Hundred and Six.

Vou are hereby authorized and empowered to raise by voluntary enlistment two sergeants, one corporal, one dr'immer. one fifer and * * * privates for the service of the United States to be stationed in the County of Washington. They will receive such pay and rations as the troops of the standing army. By authority,

The number of privates was given in the commission but the figures are no longer legible. In the roll of the company, which has been preserved, there are 35 names. Dr. S. P. Hildreth states that they were posted near the mouth of the Muskingum during the winter of 1806-07, s"d that many amusing scenes occurred during this period.

On inquiry I find it will be in vour favor to attach the Debt due by Gen. Beauel [Buell] on the Virginia side as ti;e property of Burr. Clay is of the opinion it will do. Vou will therefore by some means get him over and have a writ served on him. If any difficulty should arise co.ioerning bail you will please apply to Mr. McNeill, who. I presume, will oblige me therein. In the meantnne I suppose the other attachment need not be altered or relinquished. Clay thinks that as the whole expedition was fitted out for Burr, although Brht. was the person who paid for the<e boats and cargoes, yet it is probable that he can be considered m no other light than as the friend or agent of Burr. Perhaps }'OU can obtain some information from Barker respecting the person who required them built and gave directions as to their form, number, &c. You may find sufficient evidence to prove that Blennerhassett said they were for Burr. I will expect to hear from vou shortly.

The attempt to attach under Virginia process the boats and cargoes seized by General Buell under orders from the Governor of Ohio was not successful. The property which had not been lost or destroyed was sold at public auction in Marietta. One can hardly read these old letters without being convinced that in equity Ohio and Virginia owed a large debt to Blennerhassett for property wasted or recklessly destroyed. In the light of subsequent events there is something pathetic in the following appeal to Dudley Woodbridge:

.'\midst the various conjectures that may have arisen in your mind out of the friendship I long thought 3"OU had for me, respecting the situation of my family and the destiny that awaits me, it will not be indifferent to you to hear that we have sought an aslyum here from the persecution that has pursued us, where we shall rem.-iin ir, exn<?ctation of collecting so much of the wreck of our property as we can receive, thro' you and others.

Vuur letters therefore will be anxiously looked for and the earliest statement and remittances you can forward of the property or its proceeds which I paid for before I came away.

I need not advise you of the dilapidated state of my affairs or suggest the narrowness of mv means to resettle my family. Your punctuality and industry will save both : and the temper of the times however big with terror and alarm will not cover in your mind with the garb of treason or conspiracy the operations of buying or soiling provisions here or at Marietta. I allude to the pork, biscuit .ind whiskey - which if not sold at

Marietta I will bona fide sell at this place. - unless some new law sliall prcvinusly compel me to eiisage by what mouths tbcy shall be eaten or drunk. I am verydesirous to rere!\e my ace. with ynu toij-eilier with your order in my i.Wi^y <.u Ca|>t. l-:ili- an.i Shawa \iy\ will all nsp e\cry nitrllioence >..u can Cillcct t^. mfc.nn me how far mv family m.ay iii->pe inv iin'R-nmity from the govt, of Ohio and Virginia for any part of my property ictained or destroyed. For myself, I am satisfied to abide any chance of considei-ation for actions I never conrmittcd in which I will always be ready to exculpate you froni any participation rnlierwise than as a merchant liaviuL; nn intere^t or c.mcern in any views that ha\e been attributed to Col. Burr injurious to the U. S.

I write to Col. Cu.shing and Mr. Jas. Wilson to reque.st their special exertion to collect and forward to me here for the use of my family every article of my property that will be worth transportation.

Col. C. will inform you of the situation in which I am placed liere uiider charge of being an associate of Col. Burr, who has substracted himself from the treachery of his friends and the persecution of his enemies.

It would astonish you to witness the prosperity of this country nri-inn- orf of tlie cotton Ijusjness. If you could visit 'ii-- i-- >.-" ".mbl nm hesitate to take your stand air<iiL>-: - u i <rllnia Imm 200 to

For further particulars I will refer you to Col. dishing and the better information I shall hereafter collect and with our best wishes for yourself and family I remain. Dear Dudley

P. S. The want of our negroes and horses constitutes our greatest embarrassment. If you -can succeed by any means to get them all down on Mr, Jones' vessel or any other the earliest opportunity you will coi!fer a signal obligation upon inc. H. B.

]\Ir. W'todliridge was tmalile to carry ntit Blennerhassett's wislies cuncernino- credits and other persunal prdperty, for everythino- wliich Burr's creditors could seize was tied up by legal processes in the Virginia and Ohio courts. Although propert}' amounting to many thousands of dollars was wasted or destroyed. Blennerhassett seems to have met every legal obligation in an honorable way, and after a delay of six years Mr. Woodbridge was permitted to pay him the balance, $330.20, due him on goods.

In a letter to David Putnam, dated "St. Catharines near Natchez, July 15, 1808," Blennerhassett gives many directions about the sale of his property and especiallly of the island which he offers "for 30 prime hands.

Of his own work he reports, "With a force of but 8 or 9 hands in the field and with an overseer on a farm I rent for $300 my cotton will fetch me $2200. A negro bought here will clear himself in two years,"

Mr. Miller had previously given directions from his home in Kentucky to bid on such articles as could conveniently be brought down the river but not to offer more than half the real value.

In Blennerhassett's letters, written after the tragedy that robbed him of his beautiful home, there is no trace of bitterness. E\'en the scoundrel who had betrayed him and then "subtracted himself," is dismissed with a single line. iHow carefully, too, he protected the reputation of his Marietta friends, who for years had known him as a neighbor vet had no knowledge of any scheme for seizing Spanish territory!

That Blennerhassett had formed no politcal plot with the citizens of Marietta to promote disunion is evident from the fact that among his most intimate friends and business associates were many ardent Jefifersonian Republicans. It is true that, as he himself admitted, he did publish in the Ohio Gazette, a Marietta newspaper, "a series of short essays calling the attention of the people of the Western Country to a subject that might engage their interest * * * * setting forth motives of right and expediency which should induce the country west of the mountains to seek a separation from the Atlantic States in a peaceable and constitutional manner." These articles were answered by "Regulus," who denounced the thought of separation and defended the administration of Jefferson. "Regulus" was the Jared ]\lansfield already mentioned as the successor of General Putnam in the office of surveyor general.

That Burr was at one time engaged in plots illegal, if not treasonable, is probable. One can easily believe such charges when preferred against the first great Tammany boss and the murderer of Hamilton. Yet even he was not proved guilty in the United States court. Against his victim, Harman Blennerhassett, not one word of the charges uttered under the authority of an administration noted for its sonorous proclamations, has been substantiated. All that can be truthfully said is that he risked his fortune in a wild speculation and in the venture lost.

Local Questions Cease To Be The Point Of Difference Between Political Parties

The point of division between political parties in this county for the period between 1803 and 1812 turned from local to international questions. The Xapoleonic wars awakened the interest of all Americans and men were divided into two ]iarties, one of whicli adniii'c(l Napoleon while the other feared and hated him.

The veterans who had spent the lic^t }ears of their ynuth in resisting the aggressions of the Tories of England and the prime of their manho<xl in erecting a bulwark against English armies in the W'cst, resented the imputation of being Tories, but they were filled with horroi- at the atrocities comtmitted by a Corsican savage who had ruined France in his ruthless efforts to reduce all Europe to his despotic sway. It is not strange that the patriots who had fought to establish a free coimtry would synlpathize with the power that had struggled to liberate Portugal, Spain and Germany, rather than with the tyrant who had crushed out liberty in Holland and Switzerland and deluged Europe in blood, yet they recognized that both France and England had in their struggle committed many outrages upon our neutral commerce.

Both ha(l \i()]ated international law in many ways with an arrogance which no selfrespecting power would now tolerate. We had abundant cause for war with France and England at any time between 1804 and 1812, but the Federalists and Republicans could not agree which score should be settled first. We could not very well fight them both at the same time. The Federalists said, "France is our worst enemly;"' the Republicans said. "England is doing us the greatest mischief." and the fact that England had so recently been holding a part of our State and inciting the savages to hostility made the people of Ohio believe that the Republicans were right.

Turks, Russians, tremble at his frown^ - - Where freedom with the Switzer trode And midst his cliffs found sure abode, The blood-stained Gallic eagles rise. And liberty and virtue dies!

Wdien war with England was threatened in 1812 the Il'estern Spectator finds fault with the administration for not sooner arming against France, but it finds no excuse for the aggressions and outrages committed by England, and as early as Mlay of that year gives the following :

"The corps of volunteers, which assembled at Zanesville under the command of Colonel Cass, arrived at this place on Saturday last and were saluted by the discharge of cannon. They were joined by Colonel Sharp with the

"As war is declared, we must necessarily wish success to the army of our own country; of that country in whose welfare is embarked the welfare of all we hold dear in the world. But a state of war is the last situation in which we will be induced to be silent on the acts of an administration which we deem unfit to manage the concerns of our country."

Federal managers are desired to be cautious, while residing m Marietta, of speaking disrespectfully of Poor Madison and his Cabinet, as it is reported that the Governor of the State of Ohio, on the evening of the reioicing for the war, gave out as his opinion that a coat of Tar and Feathers ought to be given to all those who sport an opinion derogatory to volunteering or who shall venture to repeat Jno. Randolph's assertion in Congress, that the present war was an evidence of French inrtuence. No doubt the Governor's understrappers will profit by the hint, and we understand the price of Tar and live geese feathers is advancing, in consequence of the prospect of a great consumption.

A few weeks later the editor said : "A great number of groundless reports against the Federalists are circulated in this county. Every good man should repel them."

Tom Jefferson next (a known servant ^of France) As American's Ruler did proudly advalice ; With ambition and treachery seated the throne Where his base disposition was presently known. Your Navy was sold. Embargoes were laid, Your money by millions to Napoleon conveyed: No commerce allowed, your produce must rot, You must obey Bonaparte, let it suit you or not.

On Monday last the militia of the regiment in this county were assembled in Alarietta, by request of Brigadier-General Tupper, for the purpose of obtaining volunteers to supply our quota of the 5,000 militia to be detached from this State. There is no doubt that a suffi-ient number were disposed to offer their services, but were prevented by the influence of certain (not Federalists, by the bye). It was industriously circulated that as more Democrats than others would go, it would be improper to encourage volunteering : probably on acjount of the October elections. In this manner, for sheer party purposes, has the patriotism of our citizens, particularly of Grandview, Ibeen repressed, and the draft, which may call into the field those upon whom their families depend for daily subsistence, must be substituted in place of volunteering, by which more than a sufficient number could have been raised of persons whose circumstances do not render the leaving of their homes inconvenient. Times are changing. We have been told that the Governor, when attempting to raise volunteers in April, declared those who discouraged the good work to be no better than the Tories of the Revolution.

Members of the Ohio Volunteers have passed this place on their way borne. They are all inclined to stigmatize General Hull as a traitor. We will wait for his defense, if he has any.

At a meeting of the citizens of Marietta and its vicinity spontaneously assembled at the Court House on Monday the 2nd of September, 1812, by reason of the recent arrival of intelligence that the 'Northwestern Army had surrendered - and for the purpose of considering of the course proper to be pursued in relation to that event.

Gen. Joseph Wilcox was chosen chairmam and Levi Barber, clerl<, A committee consisting of William Woodhridge, Robert Williamson, Samuel P. Hildredth, Caleb Anderson, Alexander Hill and Levi Barber, reported that in their opinion there was little danger that the enemy would invade the interior of our State. Vet urged the formation of volunteer companies, even of those beyond the military age. They also deplored the lack of firearms and recommend a thorough inspection of all that were to be found. They reported that there were not in or about Marietta one-half t'ne number of muskets or other firearms requisite for the equipment of those citizens capable of using them.

In A'pril, 1S13, the Western Spectator was discontinued and in its place appeared the American Friend, an earnest advocate for a vigorous prosecution of the war against England. The first editor, David Everett, who had already won some reputation as an editor in Boston, intended to write a "History of the Present War," but before the end of that war death had closed his earthly labors.

In May, 1813, there appears a poem signed by C on "The Times." The editor explains that the lines on slavery have been omitted from this poem because "The American Friend has subscribers in two neighboring States."

A "Back Woods ]\Ian" vents his spite on the people of Boston on account of their opposition to the war with England. He is especially bitter against the clergy. His article begins with what he calls a "Russian" adage, but it makes plain English to one who reads it backwards: "Snoiton ollufera; sklofn O Tsob!"

At a meeting of "Republican delegates from the different townships" held at Marietta Septeml>er 20. 1813, it was resolved that "at the present crisis, when our country is beset by the savages of the forest and by the civilized savages of Great Britain, it becomes the imperious duty of every good citizen to exert himself." William Woodbridge was nominated for State Senator; Sardine Stone and Elijah Hatch for Representatives. John Sharp was president oi the convention and S. P. Hildreth, secretary. The candidates nominated were all elected.

February 14, 1815. A treaty of peace v as signed at Ghent on the 24th of December. Signed by the Prince Regent on the 30th and arrived here this day.

In 1813 the "Republican citizens of Marietta" were invited to meet and make arrangements for celebrating the Fourth of July. Joseph Holden, Levi Barber, J. B. Regnier, S. P. Hildreth and R. C. Barton were the committee of arrangements. Oration by D. H. Buell. Dinner Mas served at the house of John. Brough, where Joseph Wood presided. The toasts were distinctly "Republican" in the partisan sense, but number fifteen in the list revealed the new condition which was soon to cause a new alignment of parties :

Domestic Manufactures. - ^Let not the strong arm of ingenuity and industry relax at the sound of Peace, but let us rather strive to double our resources against a future day of adversity.

The Fourth of July will be celebrated in this town. Republican citizens. generalK', are requested to attend in front of the Court House on said day, at ten o'clock, when a procession will be formed, and conducted to the Methodist Meeting House, where the eeremonies will be performed ; from thence they will proceed to a Bower on the plain, where a dinner will be prepared.

There was a toast to "James Monroe, our next president" - not then elected - and the following to General Jackson : "While the God of Rivers continues to roll its floods to the Atlantic, the gallant Jackson and the 8th of January, 1S15, will be remembered and cherished by the Democratic citizens of the United States."

Aritcrican Friend are taken up in charges of exclusively 'cruel actions committed by one Oliver H. Perry, of whom we have all heard something in our school histories. These charges sound very much like the report of a senatorial committee on the Philippines.

In 1817 the "Era of Good Feeling" seems to have reached Marietta in advance of the date usually assigned by historians, for the invitation to celebrate the Fourth of July is extended to the "citizens of Marietta" and there is no restriction of party lines.

In the American Friend for July 11, 1817, it is announced that President Monroe had arrived in Springfield, Massachusetts, and that "great preparations ha\-e been made for his reception at the patriotic town of Boston, " that "the Blue Lights have been extinguished and party spirit laid aside," and that "more amn-junition will be expended in this quarter on this occasion than there was during the whole war."

"Seneca" in the same paper calls attention to the change which had taken place in public sentiment as shown in the toasts on the last Fourth of Julv. It is no longer "Free Trade and Sailors' Rights" but "Domestic Improvements and Manufactures." He complains that the short war of 1812-14 ha^d so demoralized the county that more robberies and murders had been committed in the three years past than in 20 years before.

"Seneca," by the way, was a resident of Virginia, and a few weeks later he paid his respects to his own State in this fashion : "It is a fact no less strange than true, that nearly two-thirds of her white male population have no share, either in the administration of her government, or in the election of officers." Strangely enough he dates his letter from West Virginia.

In the fall of 181 7 a "Friend to Order" warns the Republicans against the "disorganizing Jacobins" who are seeking to run an independent ticket and divide the party. The appeal has a very modern sound. Tlie "disorganizers" seem to have had their own way, for there were four tickets in the field with former Jefifersonian Republicans and Hamiltonian Federalists mixed up. One ticket, having William Skinner for Senator, Col. Joseph Barker for Representative and Daniel Goodno for Commissioner, is preceded by this announcement, probably written by Nahum Ward: "Be It known to all Jacobins and Blue-lights whether of Federal origin or Democratic origin, that their day is past and gone - the sword of party is sheathed." This ticket was not elected but a selection from the other three. Mr. Skinner announced before the election that his name had been published without his permission and that he was not a candidate. Colonel Barker also made a similar announcement.

February 21, 1818, a meeting was held in the Court House to express an opinion about the recent increase of compensation of Congressmai, which had been fixed at $8 a day and $8 for e\-ery 20 miles of travel. Ai vote of thanks was gi\en to William Heniy Harrison and Samuel Herrick for having 'opposed the measure.

In August of that year all legal voters were requested to meet in their respecti\-e townships and select delegates to a nominating convention and in the ensuing nominations Federal and Republican lines seemed to be broken up.

New Questions

Oh the fifth of July (since the fourth came on Sunday), 1819, resolutions were passed expressing the hope that party might S(X)n die and be forgotten, that domestic manufactures might be encouraged, and that there might be no miore Slave States. Xew questions were coming fast.

In i8ig, when there was some discussion about holding a convention to make a new Constitution, some people in this county were afraid such a convention would adopt slaver)'. One who was opposed to calling a convention said : "If the Constitution should be clianged, there will be a strenuous effort to prevent a prohibition of slavery.- Those wlio have lived near the Slave States must be both deaf and 'blind, if they have not heard and seen, that this is conhdently expected. We know that our legislative body is composed of at least one-fourth \'irginians. It would be next to madness to believe, at such a time, there is no danger of trusting the Constitution out of our own hands."

In the ensuing election 26 votes in this county were cast in favor of a constitutional convention, and 880 against it. Although there were many objections to the proposed revision of the State Constitution, the fear that slavery might be permitted in Ohio caused the vote in this county to be almost unanimous against the calling of a constitutional convention. From this time the discussion against slavery is bold and aggressive, especially on the part of those who had formerly been Federalists. In 1820, when threats of disunion had been made by a few men in the South, a writer in the American Friend gives them this warning :

"If you intend to beguile the good people of Ohio, and tlie other Western States, to join in your unhallowed attempt tO' dissolve the Union, and establish slavery on a still broader basis, yoir will be woefully mistaken ! For rest assured that the Western States understand the \-aIue of liberty too well to aid or assist in depriving others of that invaluable inheritance. If a dissolution of the Union (which we deprecate) is to take place, let it be on the principles of the Friends of Liberty or the Friends of Slaz'ery - we beloug to the former; whereveir her standard floats there ours shall -c^'az'e."

Missouri. - Uer admission into tlie Union without r;-stricliii,u; -Ipytry is irreconcilable with the first "Selfcviilcn; initli" expressed in our Declaration of Independrnci.'. 'tliai .,11 men are created equal."

of the United States Bank doing business in Ohio, and authorizing the Auditor of State to go into each room or vault of such banking house and seize tlie money necessary to pa\ the tax. Acting on this law, the collectors for the Auditor entered the branch of the United States Bank at Chillicothe and seized $100,000 in specie and bank notes. This act of nullification was greatly resented in some other States but the American Friend thus justifies it:

"It is with the deepest regret that we oI> serve a rancorous and persecuting spirit e\inced in tlie Eastern prints against our State for ha\'ing presumed to carry into effect the law of the last Legislature, levying a tax on the branches of the Laiited States Bank at Chillicothe and Cincinnati. Ohio presumes she knows her rights. An aristocracy has been introduced among her Republican institutions - she has required a tribute from it - and the Eastern editors have raised the hue and cry against her, because she has resisted the rapid strides and destructive eft'ects of this mammoth institutiun. The people are the proper and only tribunal to decide whether an institution leading to oppression and tyranny is agreeable to our Constitution or not."

On the same day, at the house of S. D. Buell, in AJdams township, more than a hun- -dred guests were ser\'ed at tables "loaded with .a magnificent profusion and extensive variety articles of domestic origin." After an address by Cyrus Spooner many toasts were .drunk, one of which was prophetic :

Slaxiery. - It? origin is in barbarism. In its effects >on the United States, pernicious as "the pestilence that walketh at noonday." Let the lovers ot "equal and exact justice" to all men be active in abolishing the degrading practice.

Sentiments of similar imiport, but milder in form, were also expressed on that day at a celebration held in District No. 5 of Fearing township where Joel Tuttle was the orator.

and eight others voted for an examination into the practicability of connecting Lake Erie with the Ohio, but there were 59 votes in the Ohio House of Representatives against the motion. These extracts show that the memories of a war that had ended ten years before both in America and Europe could no longer serve as a dividing line for parties. Those who hated N'apoleo'n and those who worshipped might heartily agree on questions of currency, tariff, internal improvements and slavery. From 1824 on\Vard the political thought of Washington County blended with the stream' of national interests. Only a few incidents more demand special mention on account of local interests and they will be discussed in the following chapter.