Lexington, Kentucky - History (part 4 of 8)

Chapter Xvi

Town Affairs - James Brown - The Methodist Church - Father Foythress - The Cloud - Adams and Centenary Secessions - Pastors and Incidents - The Lexington Light Infantry - Its Brilliant Record - Share in the War of 1812 - Death of Hart and Searles - The Killed - Incidents - The Man who smoked out the Indians - List of Captains.

In 1789, the trustees of Lexington, with an eye to the public comfort and welfare, directed " all fences to be removed from the streets," and prohibited " the cutting and removing of timber from the public grounds." A curious phenomenon caused great anxiety among the good citizetis this year. It was so dark in the afternoon of October 31, that the people had to dine by candle-light, and the darkness lasted nearly three hours.*

James Brown, wh@ became one of the eminent public men of this county, settled in Lexington in 1789. He was born in Virginia, September 11, 1766, and was educated at William and Mary College. He commanded a company of Lexington riflemeu, in Wilkinson's expedition against the Indians, in 1791. At the organization of the commonwealth in this city, the next year he became the first secretary of state of the new government, which subsequently necessitated his removal to Frankfort. Soon after the cession of Louisiana, he removed to that state, and was twice elected to the United States Senate. He was also minister to France from 1823 to 1829. He died in Philadelphia, in 1835, distinguished for his eloquence and legal ability. When Mr. Brown lived in Lexington, his residence was

The Methodist Church commenced its history in Lexington, in 1789, with a feeble but devout little band of Christians, who assembled at times in a dilapidated log cabin which stood on the corner of Short and Dewees streets, where the Colored Baptist church novsr stands. Two years before this, the first Methodist church built in Kentucky (a log one) had been erected at Masterson's station, five miles northwest of Lexington, and in 1790, the first annual conference of the church in Kentucky was held there, and had the great and good Bishop Francis Asbury as its presiding officer.* The father of the little church at Lexington was the impassioned, the self sacrificing, and the unfortunate Francis Poj'thress, who went from station to station, preaching and toiling and suffering in silence. At a conference in Baltimore, in 1776, Father Poythress had been admitted into the traveling connection, and in 1778 he was sent to Kentucky. As a preacher, few, in those days, excelled him. His voice was clear and musical, his knowledge of the Scriptures vast and accurate, and his sermons fell as the dews of life upon the hearts of his congregation. His mind finally gave way, from the excessive draughts made upon it, and he never preached again after the fall of 1800. He died and was buried near Nicholasville.f John Page, James O'Cull, and Thomas Allen preached at various times to the Methodists in Lexington, from 1792 to 1800, when Lewis Hunt, a Virginian, was appointed to "Lexington town," where he labored with much acceptability to his little flock. In 1803, the church at Lexington was detached from the circuit, and organized into a station.

This was the first Methodist station in Kentucky, and comprised seventy-seven members, forty-seven white and the rest black. Thomas "Wilkinson was pastor at that time. He was succeeded by Nathaniel Harris and Burwell Spurlock. Dr. Caleb W. Cloud was assigned to, the care of the church in 1811, at which period he was one of the moat able and prominent preachers in the state. Dr. Cloud's ability and piety was only equaled by his eccentricity and independence, and his elaborate "spencer," nick-tailed horse, and imprudent language soon occasioned trouble among the members of the church, which, at that day, was noted for its great simplicity.

An incident, characteristic of the man, occurred when Postlethwaite's tavern was burned. The doctor, who was then an enthusiastic officer of a fire company, saw a man sitting on a horse amusing himself by watching the fire. He ordered him to assist at the engine ; the man declined, saying that he was a " county " man, and " did n't have to help at town fires." Without more ado, the doctor, with words more plain than elegant, pulled him from his horse and made him " help."

The church became so dissatisfied with the doctor's "ways," that, in 1812, he withdrew from it, carrying a number of the members with him, and formed the Independent Methodist Church. After preaching for several years at his own house, he built "St. John's Chapel," on Main street, where Douglass' carriage factory now stands. The doctor officiated gratuitously, and often invited the various denominations to worship in his chapel. After preaching independently for a long series of years, he at last went back to the church he had left. He died May 14, 1850, aged sixty-nine, and was followed to his grave by the Masons, the medical profession, and a large number of other citizens.

But to return. After the withdrawal of Dr. Cloud, the church was blessed with the services of Mr. Akers, but the congregation, crippled by the secession of the independent doctor and his adherents, languished until 1820, when it began to grow under the pastorate of Edward Stevenson, and was still further enlarged by Eichard Tydings. Its prosperity was such in 1822, that a new church building was erected on Church street, between Tipper and Limestone, at a cost of $5,000, and was dedicated in that year by Bishop George. It was a plain, well-finished, brick edifice, nieasuriug fifty by sixty feet. It held seventy-five pews on the ground floor, and was provided with a gallery above. T. P. Satterwhite, Stephen Chipley, I^icholas Headington, John Shrock, T. K. Layton, Thomas Gibbons, James Hamilton, J. W. Russell, Harvey Maguire, and B. W. Ehoton were members of the church at that time. In 1829, William Holman was pastor. His successor was Bishop H. H. Kavanaugh, who was born January 14, 1802, in Clarke county, Kentucky. He joined the Methodist Church at the age of fifteen, was licensed to preach in 1822, and was regular pastor of the Lexington church, both in 1830 and 1847. He was elected bishop at the general conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, at Columbus, Georgia, in 1854. Bishop Kavanaugh was a resident of Lexington for many years, and was greatly beloved and esteemed.

Among the ministers who succeeded him may be named George C. Light ; the worthy and useful Spencer Cooper, who died in 1839, and the eccentric, widely-known, and now aged Peter Cartwright. The wonderfully eloquent Maffit conducted a revival in the church on Church street in 1834. Immense audiences were entranced by his glowing words, and many connected themselves with the church. Maflit preached in Lexington again in 1887.

The present church edifice on Hill street, between Upper and Mill, was commenced in 1841, and dedicated by the gifted bishop, Henry B. Bascom, in 1842. Bishop Basoom was born in New York, May 27, 1796. His boyhood life was a hard one, and his early manhood full of trials and discouragements, but surmounting every obstacle, he lived to gain from Henry Clay the eulogy, " He is the greatest natural orator I ever heard." He was appointed chaplain to the House of Representatives in Congress in 1841, but soon resigned, and accepted, in 1842, the presidency of Transylvania Hniversity, which position he held for seven years. In 1849, his volume of sermons was published. He died in Louisville, Kentucky, September 8, 1850.

States, in 1844, the church in Lexington connected itself with the Southern Conference, and it had abundant; prosperity until 1856, at which time a dispute arose, concerning the power of the officers of the church, and ended in the secession of a large number of the members, under the leadership of Samuel Adams and Nicholas Headington. The seceders bought the old medical hall lot, on the corner of Church and Market streets; built the house now known as the City Library with subscriptions raised from the general public; organized an independent church, and made Samuel Adams their pastor. The church was called "Morris Chapel," after Bishop Morris, of Ohio. A disagreement between the congregation and the officers of the new church resulted in the resignation of Mr. Adams and the calling of C. B. Parsons, who failed to give satisfaction, and at last, after existing independently for eight or nine years, most of the members returned to the "church on the hill," and deeded their property to the Church South.

The names of some of the ministers who labored for the Hill Street church before this secession are "William Gunn, L. D. Huston, S. Adams, T. C. Shelman, J. H. Linn, E. P. Buckner, R. Heiner, "W". C. Dandy, Mr. Spruell.

The Methodist Church, like the Baptist and Presbyterian, had its war troubles also, which grew worse and worse, until they culminated, in September, 1865, in an open rupture, when the party favoring the Northern Conference seceded, and formed what is now called the Centenary Methodist Church (see chapter on 1865). Since that time the Hill Street church has enjoyed the services of the following pastors, viz : H. P. Walker, B. M. Messick, R. K. Hargrove, S. X. Hall, H. A. M. Henderson, and "W. S. Rand, the present untiring and acceptable minister. No church in Lexington has had more discouraging circumstances to contend with than the Hill Street church, but she has come out nobly from them all, and is now rapidly growing in strength and usefulness.

this country, was organized in 1789.* Its formation was due to a threatened Indian invasion, and to the martial passion of General James Wilkinson, who was chosen its first captain. Its first ensign was John Fowler, afterward postmaster of Lexington. Since that time a host of stirring associations have clustered about the simple name " Old Infantry," for it has been connected with victories and defeats, conflicts and massacres, and with some of the most brilliant military achievements recorded in the annals of Kentucky. It was led by Wilkinson in successful expeditions against the Indians; shared in the disastrous defeats of Harmar and St. Clair ; bore a gallant part in the victorious campaign of "old Mad Anthony" Wayne against the Sciota and other Indians,! and, in 1792, escorted Governor Shelby into Lexington, then the capital of the state, and assisted in the ceremonies of his inauguration. These were the days when the "Old Infantry" delighted in flint-lock muskets, and in tinder-boxes and steel.

In 1803, the company was called out by President Jefferson to go to Louisiana, but the purchase of that state by the government superseded the necessity. It was about this time that the well-known and historic uniform suit of the company was adopted. It consisted of a blue cloth coat, with cufis, breast, and collar faced with red and ornamented with bell-buttons. The pantaloons were of blue cloth, the hat black, and the plume red. The favorite parade ground of the company, at this time, was a beautiful level spot back of, and belonging to the property of Mrs. John Carty, on Broadway. Subsequently, the Maxwell Spring grounds were used. A "turn-out" of the Old Infantry in early days was a grand event in Lexington, and was always witnessed by a large and admiring crowd of natives of all ages, sexes, colors, and conditions.

The Lexington Light Infantry was one of the first companies to volunteer in the war of 1812, it having organized for the campaign on the 11th of May of that year, with E". S. G. Hart as captain. The " silk-stocking boys," as the members of the company were then often called, were attached to the Fifth Regiment of Kentucky Volunteer Militia, commanded by Colonel William Lewis, and marched for the Northwestern army in August, 1812. On the march to Fort Wayne an incident occurred, which, amusing aa it may appear, speaks volumes for the principles which actuated the men. A member of the company having stood manfully up under the severe fatigues of the march until the last day, at length, sank on the grass of the prairie through which the company was marching, and, whilst his comrades were passing rapidly on, he shed bitter tears at his condition. An officer* approached him, in company with one or two others, to aid him to one of the few wagons that attended the march, and on inquiring the cause of his tears, he earnestly exclaimed, " What will they say in Lexington when they hear that James Huston gave out ?"

The glorious share which the "Old Infantry" had in the terrible battle and sickening massacre at Frenchtown, on the river Eaisin, in this campaign, is told in our chapter on the year 1812. At that river of death, the heroic band lost half its members in killed, wounded, and prisoners; the brilliancy of their uniform causing the men to be readily picked ofi' by the enemy. The gallant captain of the company, who was wounded and disabled in the battle, was barbarously murdered by the savages after having trusted himself to the protection of his pretended friend, Captain Elliott, of the British army, who infamously abandoned him to the mercy of the Indians.f

The heroic death of Charles Searles, another gallant member of the Light Infantry, wounded in the battle of the 18th, should never be forgotten.f On the morning of the 23d, by strong exertion, he was able to walk, and so to conceal his wound, that he was allowed to accompany his captors unmolested, until they stopped for the night. No doubt the fatigue, aided by the sufierings from his wound, at length revealed to the savages his disabled condition, and marked him out as a victim. He, with several other prison- ers, was seated on the ground, partaking of some food, when one of the savages rose up, and drawing his tomahawk, approached Searles from behind.

The prisoner marked the movement, and apprehending his intention, watched the descending blow, and tried to catch it in his hand, but only partially succeeded, the weapon inflicting a deep wound in the shoulder. Rising to his feet, he seized his antagonist, who was unprepared for such a bold resistance, and snatching the tomahawk from his hand, was about to inflict a deserved vengeance on his cruel assailant, when Dr. Bower, of the regiment, told him that if he struck the Indian all the prisoners would be murdered, and his death, now inevitable, would not be prevented. As soon as he found that he might endanger his comrades by resisting, he dropped the uplifted arm, let fall the weapon, and, without a murmur or a complaint, waited until the astonished savage picked up the tomahawk, and coolly and deliberately dispatched his victim.

It was at the battle of Frenchtown that a member of the "Old Infantry" company, James Higgins,* astonished even the boldest of his comrades by his daring contempt of death. Vain eflEbrts had been made to dislodge a large number of Indians from a barn, into which they had crowded, and from which they were pouring a destructive fire into Colonel Lewis's command. The soldier we have mentioned asked permission to " smoke 'um out." It was granted. He then coolly picked up a large blazing " chunk " from a camp fire, deliberately walked up to the barn in the very face of a hail storm of bullets, and applied the " chunk." The barn was soon one mass of flames, and the brave infantryman quickly had the satisfaction of seeing all the Indians " smoked out." The most remarkable feature of the case was that the man had always been regarded at home as ridiculously timid, and had often been imposed upon, both by his neighbors and conu-ades in arms. But after this bold deed, the past was forgotten, and it was not safe for any one to say anything in the presence of the "Old Infantry" against the man " who smoked out the Indians." James Higgins, the hero of this glorious incident, was born near Side View, Montgomery county, Kentucky, but removed to Lexington, and was one of her citizens when he enlisted in the Old Infantry. This gallant man died many years ago.

A few names of the killed of this company have been preserved, viz : IS". S. G. Hart, Charles Searles, J. E. Blythe (son of President Blythe, of Transylvania University), Jesse Cock, Alexander Crawford, Samuel Elder, William Davis, Jesse Riley, Armston Stewart, George Shindlebower, Samuel Cox, and Charles Bradford.

On the 11th of September, 1839, the Light Infantry celebrated in Lexington its fiftieth anniversary. At eleven o'clock A. M., a procession, consisting of the Louisville Guards, Captain Anderson ; the Volunteer Artillery, Captain Trotter; the Mechanics Infantry, Captain Forbes; and the "Old Infantry," under Captain G. L. Postlethwaite, marched to the beautiful woodlands of John Love (now J. H. Mulligan's, adjoining the Maxwell Spring grounds), where an exceedingly appropriate and interesting address was delivered by General John M. McCalla, after which came a banquet, and then the survivors of the war of 1812 reviewed their hardships and dangers, and fought their battles over again.

At the commencement of the war with Mexico, the Light Infantry again took the field, under the command of Captain Cassius M. Clay, and was known in the army by the remai'kable name of the "Lexington Old Infantry Cavalry." In that war, the Kentucky cavalry used as its regimental flag the colors which the ladies of Lexington had presented to the " Old Infantry," some years before, on an anniversary of the battle of the Raisin.

In times of peace, the company amused itself with target shooting at Maxwell's spring. On one of these occasions, Captain Richard Parker, then commanding the Old Infantry, but now one of our oldest citizens, was accidentally

In 1860, the Old Infantry took its stand in the Kentucky State Guard, with the following officers, viz: Captain, Samuel D. McCuUough ; First Lieutenant, George W. Didlake; Second Lieutenant, S. W. Price; Third Lieutenant, J. B. Norton; Ensign, E. H. Prewett; Surgeon, Dr. G. W". McMillin; Right Guide, Charles Dobyns; Left Guide, W". W. Dowden; Third Sergeant, B. W. Blincoe; Fourth Sergeant, Charles Schultz ; Fifth Sergeant, M. Hogarty.

In the memorable summer of 1861, just before' Kentucky was drawn into the gigantic civil contest then waging, the Old Infantry held a reunion in the densely crowded Odd Fellows' Hall, on the corner of Main and Broadway. The company was conducted to the hall by those two noted organizations, the " Lexington Rifles " and the " Chasseurs," headed by the splendid ITewport band. An opening address was delivered by JudgeL. L. Todd, of Indianapolis, a former captain of the Old Infantry, after which a new flag was presented to the company by General Combs, in behalf of the donor, Mr. David A. Sayre. The old flag of the Old Infantry, which had gone through the leaden storm of Buena "Vista, was then unfurled, a roll of all the captains called, and the Star Spangled Banner sung, after which the meeting adjourned.

Many of the members of the company served gallantly on either side in the terrible war between the States, and fully maintained the ancient renown of the venerable organization, which, for the credit of Lexington, should never be permanently abandoned.

From the year 1789 to the present time, the Lexington Light Infantry has been commanded by the following captains, viz : General James "Wilkinson, 1789 ; James Hughes and Samuel "Weisiger, 1791 ; Cornelius Beatty, 1793; John Postlethwaite, 1797; Thomas Bodley, 1803; IST. S. G. Hart, 1811-12; and since the last date by Daniel Bradford, J. G. Trotter, Adam Beatty, "William Logan, Levi L. Todd, ' Robert Megowan, Richard Parker, G. L. Postlethwaite, T.

List Of Captains Chapter Xvii

"While the actual population of Lexington, in 1790, was not large, the town was a place of some importance as a stopping point for traders, as it was on the line of communication between the East and the West. In this year, the trustees ordered a " canal " to be dug to carry the water of the " Branch " straight through town. They also made the announcement that "the town commons shall i hereafter be known as Water street." Lexington's encour- ' agement of art in 1790 is exhibited in the eagerness of the citizens to obtain " black profile likenesses, taken by the physiognotrace."

In July of this year, the delegates from Fayette attended the eighth convention, held at Danville. At this convention, an act of separation, passed by the Virginia legislature, was finally accepted, and a ninth convention, to form a state constitution, was called for April, 1791.

Incursions and murders by the Indians had now become so frequent and unbearable that the new general government, which had just gone into operation, sent out a military force to protect the frontier. In the fall. Colonel Trotter, with some volunteers from Lexington, went to Fort Washington (Cincinnati), and joined the expedition of General Joseph Harmar against the Miami towns. The campaign ended disastrously.

That distinguished statesman, John Pope, came to Lexington in 1790, at which time he was about twenty years of age. He lived in this city for many years. Mr. Pope was born in Prince William county, Virginia, and emi- grated to Kentucky while quite a boy.* He was a man of great ability and remarkable talents, and was one of the most formidable opponents Mr. Clay ever had ; and, like Mr. Clay, he attained distinction by his own exertions. Mr. Pope was often a member of the Kentucky legislature, was for mariy years a representative in Congress, was United States Senator in 1807, and was for six years governor of the Territory of Arkansas. He died in "Vyashington county, Kentucky, in 1842, aged seventy-two. He built and resided in the house now occupied by Joseph "Wolfolk, near the junction of Rose and Hill streets. When Mr. Pope ran against Mr. Clay, in the Lexington district, it was in the vigor of their days, when each one was able to do his best. It was Wagoner and Gray Eagle against each other. Mr. Clay was the winner, but did not, we believe, distance his competitor. The I'ace was honorable to both, and if Mr. Pope had had the same passionate determination, and the same fiery and never-relaxing ambition of Mr. Clay, there would have been two Clays in the state without room enough to hold them. An amusing incident occurred during this race.f Mr. Pope had but one arm. On the approach of the contest, Mr. Clay called upon an Irishman in Lexington, who had been his political friend heretofore, but now declared his intention to go for Pope. Mr. Clay wanted to know the reason. The answer was, " Oeh, Misther Clay, I have concluded to vote for the man who has but one arm to sthrust into the sthreasury."

A log jail succeeded the pillory and the stocks in Lexington in 1790, and stood near the first court-house on Main, not far from the corner of Broadway.J In these early days, when imprisonment for debt was in vogue, the "jail bounds," or the precincts within which a debt prosoner could walk, was marked on the pavements and the houses near the jail by^a broad stripe of black paint. A larger jail was erected in 1797, on the same ground where the present jail stands, was destroyed by fire in 1819, and another one was completed the next year. The building of the present prison commenced in 1850. The following is an incomplete list of those who have filled the office of jailer, viz: Innis B. Brent, Clark, Barker, Wm. Bobbs, Nathaniel Prentiss, Eichard Sharp,

Lexington's first regular fire company was organized at Brent's tavern in 1790, with John Bradford as secretary. It was styled the Union Fire Company, and used buckets only. Before this, in case of a fire, each citizen was required, when the alarm was given, to attend with a bucket filled from his own well. The Union company's " buckethouse " was a building on Main, near Scott's block. Later, it was on Water street, and was finally converted into an engine house. In 1805, the officers of the " Union" were: Captains - Dan'l Bradford, Christopher Keiser ; Directors - William Macbean, George Anderson, John Jones, Alexander Frazer, Thomas Hart, Jr., John Jordan, Jr., Thomas Bodley, Alex. Parker, Charles Wilkins, Lewis Sanders, William Boss, Thomas Whitney, Maddox Fisher. The trustees passed a resolution in 1812, authorizing a committee "to procure four additional ladders, four fire-Oiooks, three rope-ladders, and three tubs to put under the pumps, all to be marked with the name of the company, etc., and a fine of ten dollars imposed on any person who will use them, unless in case of fire." In 1818, two little " newly-invented" engines were bought by the town authorities. They attracted great attention and admiration.

The fire department was organized in 1832, when the city was incorporated. In 1840, the city could boast of the " Eentuckian," "Lyon," and "Resolution" hand-engines, and others were added from time to time. The period included betwee.4 1850 and 1860 was the golden age of the tire companies in Lexington. Then the Fourth of July was the day of their glory, and the old Lyon, Clay, Eentuckian, and other engines, with their hose carriages, were resplendent with beautiful decorations fashioned by the ladies of the city. Three hundred firemen have been known to turn out in procession on such occasions, presenting a splendid appearance with their brilliant uniforms and gay trappings. But these are memories of an age which ended with the purchase of the first steam fire engine, in March, 1864. The "Lyon" engine house was on Limestone street, near the corner of Hill ; the " Clay," on Broadway, between Short and Second, now known as Pruden's marble works ; the " Union," on Short, between Upper and Limestone, is now the headquarters of the steam fire department.

Chapter Xviii

During the spring of 1791, the trustees of Lexington made war on " wooden chimneys," the use of which, for the future, was prohibited. They also ordered "all the post and rail fences across Short street to be taken down." In the latter part of March, the following survey of the town was made, the report of which we give verbatim, with the drawing which accompanied it.*

" Surveyed by order of the trustees of the town of Lexington, 204 acres of land, including the court-house of Fayette county in the center, in a circular figure of two miles in diameter. Beginning at A, one mile southeast from the said court-house, at a post on the northeast side of the road, running thence south 56J, west 125 poles to a post crossing Tate's creek road at 85 poles ; thence south 78f, west 125 poles to a post, thence north 78|, west 125 poles to post ; thence north 56^, west 125 poles to post crossing the Hickman road at 25 poles, thence north 33|, west 125 poles to post crossing Craig's mill road at 45 poles ; thence north 11 J, west 125 poles to a stake in Hackney's field, about 40 poles southeastwardly from his house; thence north llj, east 125 poles to post; thence north 33f, east 125 poles to post 15 poles northeast of the old Leestown road, crossing the head of McConnell's mill pond at 45 poles ; thence north 56^, east 125 poles to post, passing and leaving out Eckle's and Brown's plantations ; thence north 78|, east 125 poles to post, crossing Johnston's mill road at 35 poles ; thence south 78f , east 125 poles to post, leaving out Irvine's house, 14 poles ; thence south 56i, east 125 poles to post crossing Russell's road at 75 poles; thence south 33f, east 125 poles to post near Springle's house in the survey, and crossing Bryan's road at 25 poles; thence south 11}, east 125 poles to post; thence south Hi, west 125 poles to post near Captain Wilson's house, leaving him in the survey ; thence south 331, west 125 poles to the beginning, leaving Javell 14 poles in the survey, and passing Masterson, and leaving him out."

Hackney'S

The Indians, greatly emboldened by their success over Harmar, extended their incursions, and immigrants were killed by them even in the neighborhood of Lexington. In May, General Charles Scott organized an expedition of mounted volunteers to punish the Indians on the Wabash, and General James Wilkinson, who was appointed second in command, augumented the force with a number of men from Lexington. The troops began their march from Fort Washington, May 23, 1791, and early in the following June, destroyed three Kickapoo towns, killed thirty warriors, and took fifty-eight prisoners, without the loss of a man.* By the 18th of June, all the volunteers from Lexington had returned, highly elated at their success. It is a matter of great regret that only the following few namesf of soldiers from this city have been preserved, viz : Thos. Allen, Jas. M'Dowell, Jas. Brown, Wm. M'Millin, John E. King, Sara' I Patterson, Jos. Jones, Kich'd Bartlett, John Peoples, John Arnold, Benj. Gibbs.

In July, General Wilkinson was appointed by Governor St. Clair to complete the work so successfully commenced by Scott. He organized his expedition in Lexington, and engaged the celebrated Indian-hunter, Bland Ballard, as his guide. He started for the Wabash country August 1st, and on the 7th, surprised and burned the town of Kathtippecamunk, not far from the ruins of which afterward stood the celebrated Prophet's town destroyed by General Harrison in 1811, killed six braves, and took thirty-four prisoners, for all of which he was duly thanked by his country. Wilkinson's loss was two killed and one wounded. The prisoners taken justified their defeat by constantly declaring " Kentucky too much." Only the following names of the volunteers from Lexington and Fayette in this expedition are extant, viz :J James McDowell, Levi Todd, F. M'Murdie, Jos. Logsdon, Dav. Caldwell, W. M'Dowell, Wm. Lewis, Wm. Berry, Thos. Atkins, Rich. Bartlett, Moses Caldwell, Patrick Burk, Philip Phillips, John Arnold, Chas. Snedeger, Samuel Harrod, Wm. Clark, Thos. Bruer.

During the entire spring, and while these expeditions were in progress, preparations for the great invasion of the Indian country by General St. Clair were progressing. As early as May, St. Clair had come to Lexington in person to get the aid of the militia; but the infirm old man, with his well-known character for rigid discipline and bad luck, met with very small encouragement. One company of sixty men, under William Ellis* (one of the founders of Grant's station), comprised all the volunteers from the whole of Lexington and Fayette county. The balance of the troops obtained by St. Clair from Kentucky had to be drafted, and they, without confidence in their commander's ability, and regarding the regular force which they were compelled to serve with as doomed to destruction, deserted every day.f Beset by a combination of unfavorable circumstances, St. Clair, with his disaffected troops, commenced his march from Fort Jefferson against the Miami villages, and on the 4th of November, while encamped on a tributary of the Wabash, was suddenly attacked hy twelve hundred Indians, and suffered one of the most terrible and overwhelming defeats recorded in the annals of savage warfare. The news o' this great disaster brought sorrow to many a household in Fayette county; but no record of her loss is known to be in existence. In an old journal,! mieution is casually made that " Israel Hart, William Bryan, Charles Bland, William Lee, Matthew Eobinson, Noble Wood, and James M'Farin had been paid for their services during St. Clair's campaign." An incident of the day was the arrival in Lexington of a band of friendly Chickasaw warriors on their way to join the army of St. Clair, who had been defeated just the day before they got to this city. In December, 1791, Fayette elected the following delegates to the convention to form a constitution for Kentucky, viz : Hubbard Taylor, Thos. Lewis, George S. Smith, Robert Frier, and James Crawford. This was to be the last of the long series of Danville conventions, as Congress, on the 4th of the preceding February, had admitted Kentucky into the Union.

Chapter Xix

Indian Depredations - First Session of the Kentucky Legislature: Proceedings, Addresses, Ceremonies, and Appointments - Removal of the Capital - List of Public Officers since 1792 - Circuit Judges and Clerks - State Representatives and Senators - United States Representatives and Senators.

The spring of 1792 had hardly come, before the Indians, exulting in St. Clair's defeat, renewed their incursions, and the danger soon became such that immigrants and settlers were compelled when traveling to go in armed bands. About the first of March, the Indians burnt two houses, and killed a man and woman on North Elkhorn, and shortly after, as if determined to aggravate their white foes by every possible means, they crept even nearer to Lexington, and stole negroes, carried them off and sold them.* The last man killed by the Indians, in the vicinity of Lexington, was shot and scalped in the spring of 1792. His body was brought to town, and was prepared for burial in a house on Hill street, between Spring and Merino. Bad as matters were, no expeditions against the Indians were attempted, as fruitless efforts were then being made by the government to effect a peace with the enraged savages.

The ninth and last convention met in Danville, April 1st of this year, and on the 19th of the month, and the seventeenth anniversary of the battle of Lexington, Massachusetts, the first constitution of Kentucky was adopted, to go into effect on the 1st of June following. In May, the governor and other officers, and the members of both houses of the legislature, were elected. On the 4th of June, 1792,t commenced in Lexington the first session of the Kentucky legislature, and the organization of the state government. Early in the morning of that eventful day, the infant capital of the new state presented a scene of unusual bustle and excitement. The streets were crowded with citizens and soldiers. Men, women, and children, arrayed in the gayest pioneer fashion, poured in from the country in every direction. Orderlies dashed about, drums beat, sabers clattered, and ramrods rattled, and such a cleaning of rifles, patching of buckskin suits, snapping of flints, and gathering of provisions, was wonderful to behold. The day was well worthy of the attention it received. It had been eugerly and anxiously desired by the people of Kentucky for years, and was destined to be an era in their history, for on that day Isaac Shelby was to take the oath of office as governor of a commonwealth then but three days old, and the work of setting up the political machinery of the new state was to be regularly begun.

As the morning waned, news came in that the governor, then being escorted from Danville by a detachment of the Lexington troop of horse, was approaching the town, and forthwith the " county lieutenant," the board of trustees, the members of the legislature who had arrived, and a large number of prominent gentlemen, went out to meet him. At the corner of Main and Broadway, he was received with military honors by the " Old Infantry Company,'" and, in the midst of enthusiastic cheers from the great crowd there assembled, was presented by the chairman of the board of trustees of Lexington with the following written address :

" Sir : The inhabitants of the town of Lexington beg leave through us to present to your excellency their sincerest congratulations on your appointment to the office of chief magistrate of the State of Kentucky.

" Truly sensible that no other motive than a sincere desire to promote the happiness and welfare of your country could have induced you to accept an appointment that must

"Having the fullest confidence in your wisdom, virtue, and integrity, we rest satisfied that under your administration the constitution will be kept inviolate, and the laws so calculated as to promote happiness and good order in the state.

" In the name of the inhabitants of Lexington, we bid you welcome, and assure you that we, and those we represent, have the warmest attachment to your person and character.

After the presentation of this address, the oath of office was administered; then the horse and infantry paraded on the public square, and, after firing alternately fifteen rounds, a general discharge of rifles was given in honor of the new governor, who was escorted to his lodgings by the largest and most picturesque procession that the western cpuntry had then known. " Store clothes" were scarce in that multitude, while tow-linen shirts, powder-horns, moccasins, buckskin pants, and coonskin caps were abundant.

" To Mr. John Bradford, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Lexington : " Sir : I receive, with the warmest sentiments of gratitude and respect, your very polite and genteel address, which , added to the friendly treatment exhibited by you this day in conducting me to this place, commands my most cordial respect and esteem ; and, although I am thoroughly sensible of my want of experience and abilities to discharge the very important duties committed to me, the warm congratulations only of my country induce me to come forward, with some hope that by a strict attention to the duties of my ofiice.

and a firm adherence to public justice (both of which, I trust, are in my power), I may in some degree merit a part of that confidence which they have placed in me.

" Unacquainted with fiattery, I only use the plain language of truth to express my warm attachment to the inhabitants of this place, and assure them, through you, sir, that I shall be happy to render them any service in my power which may not be incompatible with the interests of our common country.

This address was read to the citizens, and also the announcement of the appointments, by the governor, of James Brown as secretary of state, and George Nicholas, attorney-general.* The legislature met and organized by electing Alexander S. Bullitt, of Jefierson county, speaker of the senate ; Eobert Breckinridge, speaker of the house, and John Logan, of Lincoln, state treasurer, after which it adjourned, and the rest of the day was spent in rejoicing and in interchange of courtesies between the citizens and their distinguished guests.

On the 6th of June, after the general assembly had been fully organized, the members of both houses assembled in the senate chamber of the state-house, a two-story log building of the regular old pioneer type that stood nearly in the center of the east side of Main street, between Mill and Broadway. At twelve o'clock, Governor Shelby entered the hall, attended by the secretary of state, and was immediately conducted to a position on the right of the speaker of the senate, where, after respectfully addressing, first the senate and then the house, he proceeded to read the communications he had prepared. He was listened to with the deepest attention, and amid the most profound silence on t^e part of the mass of the legislators and citizens, who filled almost to suffocation every nook and corner of the gloomy but substantial edifice. At the close of his address, the governor delivered to each speaker a copy of the manuscript, and retired aa he had entered. The two houses then separated, and, after voting an address in reply to that of his excellency, adjourned.* What a scene for a painter, what a subject for a glowing pen, was that of the opening of the first session of the Kentucky legislature, where the courtly practice of the British kings and colonial governors appeared in such strange and striking contrast with the rude and simple surroundings of early western life. The pomp and state of the house of lords in a log cabin, the royal ermine, and the republican coonskin, European refinement and elegance, western simplicity and virtue. Probably just such another scene has never been enacted before or since. The example set by Governor Shelby, of addressing the legislature in person, was followed in Kentucky up to the time of Governor Scott, when it was changed to the present one, in accordance with a precedent established by President Jefferson.

The legislature was engaged during its first session in organizing the government, the judiciary and revenue requiring much of its attention. The session lasted twelve days. The first bill that secured the sanction of the governor was entitled " an act establishing an auditor's office of public account8."f Acts were passed " establishing the town of Versailles, at Woodford court-house;" and forming the county of Clark from a part of Fayette. Bills were passed establishing the various courts, and taxes were imposed on land, carriages, cattle, billiard tables, ordinary licenses, and retail stores. Commissioners were appointed by the house of representatives to select a permanent seat of government, then a matter of great jealousy and contention between the people of the opposite sides of the Kentucky river.J Five gentlemen were chosen, any three of whom might fix upon a location. Their names were Robert Todd, of Fayette; John Edwards and John Allen, of Bourbon ; Henry Lee, of Mason ; and Thos. Kenneday, of Madison. The commissioners met soon after their appoint- ment, when it was fouod that two were in favor of Frankfort, and two for Lexington. The matter was decided by the vote of General Robert Todd for Frankfort. "Why General Todd decided against his own town has long been a mystery to many, but it is known that he regarded his position as a delicate one, inasmuch as he owned a large amount of land in this vicinity, and feared if he gave his vote for his own place of residence, it might be attributed to motives of personal interest. Modern legislators are seldom troubled with such acute sensibilities. What a pity it is that General Todd listened to the seductive voice of old Mrs. Grundy. But he did, and Lexington lost the capital.

Some of the first "appointments in the militia made by the governor were those of Benj. Harrison, Thos. Kenneday, and Robert Todd, as brigadier-generals; /William Russell, James Trotter, Henry Lee, William Steele, and Levi Todd, lieutenant-colonels; James McDowell, John Morrison, and John McDowell, majors. Robert Parker was appointed surveyor of Fayette county.*

The members of the assembly received one dollar per day for their services, and as no revenue had yet been collected, the treasurer had to borrow that, and when they were at last paid they had to rest content with " cut money;" silver dollars cut into convenient "change," sometimes counted, but oftener weighed.f Old time wages of a dollar per day in "cut money," would not be extravagantly relished, we imagine, by our present public servants. The office of the first state treasurer, who had neither treasure, nor building to put it in if he had, was in " the big log tavern" of Robert Megowan, deceased, then the tavern of this place, which stood on the spot now covered by Mr. Thomas Bradley's hardware store on Main street.J

At the time of this first session, Lexington was the largest town in the state, and CQnta.ined one thousand inhabitants, the population of the entire commonwealth being about ninety thousand. The nine counties then in

As we said above, this first meeting of the Kentucky legislature was an event of great moment and heartfelt satisfaction to the people. The infant republic of the vast wilderness had seen nothing but trials, vexations, and disheartening obstacles in its way from the time it was a district of Virginia till it became an independent state. Ifine conventions met and toiled before the much-desired result was obtained. The whole work was done over and over again. They were aggravated by the tardiness of Virginia to complete the work of separating the district from the mother State. The old Congress of 1788 declined emphatically to act on Kentucky's petition to be received into the Union. The distinguished John Brown, first and only member from Kentucky in the old Congress, said that "the New England states wanted no new Southern states admitted.*

Here was another delay. Kentucky had to wait till the old crumbling government had dissolved, and the new one had gone (into effect. To these repulses may be added the other troubles of French, Spanish, and English intrigues, the ambitious and disturbing conduct of some of her own statesmen, and ever recurring Indian troubles. But all difficulties were overcome. The first legislature met, and the citizens of the new commonwealth rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

The magistrates composing the Fayette court of quarter sessions in 1792 were Thomas Lewis, John McDowell, and Robert Todd ; and those of the county court were James Trotter, Walter Oarr, Percival Butler, Edward Payne," Joseph Crockett, William Campbell, Abraham Bowman, Hubbard Taylor, and James McMillan. The other public officers who have served the town and county since the organization of the state government are as follows, viz:

State Representatives

First Representatives of Payette in Legislature of Kentucky, May 1, 1792 - William Russell, John Hawkins, Thomas Lewis, Hubbard Taylor, James Trotter, Joseph Crockett, James McMillan, John McDowell, Robert Patterson.

United States Senators

The following citizens of Fayette county have served terms in the Federal Senate, viz : 1792, John Brown ; 1796, Humphrey Marshall, John Brown ; 1801, John Breckinridge, Buckner Thruston; 1813, Jesse Bledsoe, John Pope; 1818, Henry Clay; 1825, Henry Clay; 1836, Henry Clay; 1861, John C. Breckinridge.

Lexington Indignant - A Virginia Town - Democratic Society Founded - John Breckinridge - Inventors and Inventions - West and the First Steamboat - Barlow's Planetarium - Music of Light - Speeder Spindle - Burrowes' Mustard - Locomotive - Vaccination.

The removal of the state capital to Frankfort, in 1793, caused great disappointment in Lexington, and no little indignation, as Lexington was at that time the most important settlement on the frontier. A few months after the removal, and while the general assembly was in session in Frankfort, the Indians drove some hunters within five miles of the town, and shortly after actually penetrated into the place.* These incidents formed a standing subject of wit and ridicule among disappointed Lexingtonians for weeks after their occurrence.

Lexington, in 1793, was a perfect type of the Yirginia towns of that period. The manners, tastes, and appearance of the people, and the general characteristics of the place were "Virginian, and though many of the citizens were emigrants from Marj'land, North Carolina, l^ew Jersey, and Pennsylvania, the great mass of them had come from the Old Dominion. The grand old customs and distinguishing features of the mother of states and statesmen, then impressed upon Lexington by her children, are happily not yet extinct.

Early in the summer of 1793t was founded the "Democratic Society of Lexington," John Breckinridge being president, and Thomas Bodley and Thomas Todd, clerks.

This society was noted for its hostility to ferleralism, its efforts to secure the free navigation of the Mississippi river, and its passionate sympathy for the young republic of Prance. The members of the society, which embraced all the democrats in Lexington, wore tri-color cockades, and planted poles, surmounted with the cap of liberty, on every corner. One of these " liberty poles " remained standing for several years, on the corner of Main and Cheapside. The federalists, to show their aversion of the tri-color, wore a black cockade with an eagle button on the left side of the hat. Party spirit was high and fierce, and if the democratic society of Lexington, with little regard for the general government, encouraged the agents of the French republic in their efforts to organize a force to wrest from Spain her Louisiana territory, it is not to be wondered at when we remember that Spain stubbornly refused the western people an outlet to the ocean, and the federal government, in addition to the almost studied coldness shown to Kentucky, was remarkably slow in bringing Spain to terms.

John Breckinridge, president of the Democratic Society, had arrived in Kentucky just a few months anterior to the formation of the society. He was born in Augusta county, Virginia, December 2, 1760. His father's early death compelled him, while but a boy, to labor hard to sustain his widowed mother and her impoverished family. Under these discouraging circumstances, Mr. Breckinridge practiced law in Albemarle county, Virginia, from 1785, until his removal to Kentucky, and as a lawyer, no man of his day excelled him, and but few could compare with him. "While a member of the Kentucky legislature, he inaugurated the movement against the alien and sedition laws, and was prominent and influential in the convention which framed the state constitution of 1799.

As a senator in Congi-ess, as attorney-general of the United States under Jefferson, and as a great leader of the old democratic party, he displayed the qualities of a patriot, and made himself famous as a statesman. He resided for some time in a house which stood in the rear of the present residence of Mr. B. Gratz, fronting on Broadway, and be- tween Second and Third. He died near Lexington, December 14, 1806. Mr. Breckinridge was the grandfather of our distinguished fellow-citizen, General John C. Breckinridge.

With the year 1793 commences the history of invention in Lexington, for at that time, in all reasonable probability, was invented the first steamboat that ever successfully plowed the waters of the world. The inventor, Edward West, was a Virginian, and moved to this city in 1785. He was the first watchmaker who settled in Lexington. His shop and residence both were near the corner of Mill and Hill streets, opposite the present residence of Mrs. Letcher, Mr. "West was a hard student and close investigator. He spent all his leisure time in experimenting with steam and steam machinery of his own construction, and the little engine that so successfully propelled his little boat, was the result of years of untiring industry. He obtained a patent for his great invention, and also one for a nailcutting machine, the first ever invented, and which cut 5,320 pounds in twelve hours, the patent for which " he sold at once for ten thousand dollars."* Models of both inventions were deposited in the patent office, but they were unfortunately destroyed when Washington was burned by the British in 1814. It is said that John Fitch, of Pennsylvania, made the initiatory step in steam navigation in 1787, but it is also known that he had no success till August, 1807, while West's boat was notoriously a success as early as 1793, years before Fulton had built his first boat on the Seine. In that year (1793), in the presence of a large crowd of deeply interested citizens, a trial of West's wonderful little steamboat was made on the town fork of Elkhorn, which was damned up near the Lexington and Frankfort freight depot for that purpose. The boat moved swiftly through the water. The first successful application of steam to navigation was made, and cheer after cheer arose from the excited spectators. A number of our most respected and venerable citizens remember witnessing this experiment when boys. In confirmation of the early date of this invention, we quote the following editorial notice from the old Kentucky (gazette, dated April 29, 1816 :

"Steamboats. - A steamboat owned by a company of gentlemen of this town (Lexington) was to sail for New Orleans yesterday, from near the mouth of Hickman creek. We are informed that she is worked on a plan invented by Mr. West, of this place, nearly twenty years ago, and in a manner distinct from any other steamboat now in use. On trial against the current of the Kentuckj-, when that river was very high, she more than answered the sanguine expectation of her owners, and left no doubt on their minds that she could stem the current of the Misassippi with rapidity and ease."

, The editor settles the question of the antiquity of the invention, but speaks indefinitely. John B. West, the inventor's son, states decidedly that it was in the year 1793. The memory of Edward West should be cherished by all his countrymen; for to his genius is due one of the grandest inventions recorded in the " geographical history of man," since Jason sailed in search of the golden fleece, or the Phcenicians crept timidly along the shores of the Mediterranean, in their frail, flat-bottomed barges. The time when steam was first used as a motive power will form an era in the world's history, for the revolution it has worked has been a mighty one, and a hundred years from now, the little stream called the " Town Fork of Elkhorn" will have become classic. The identical miniature engine that West made and used in 1793 is now in the museum of the lunatic asylum in this city. Edwin West died in Lexington, August 23, 1827, aged seventy.

In 1796,* Nathan Burrowes, an ingenious citizen of Lexington, introduced the manufacture of hemp into Kentucky, and also invented a machine for cleaning hemp. Like many other inventors, he was betrayed, and derived no benefit from either. He afterward discovered a superior process of manufacturing mustard, and produced an article wMch took the premium at the "World's Fair, in London, and which has no equal in quality in existence. The secret of its compounding has been sacredly transmitted unrevealed. It is now three-quarters of a century since " Burrowes' Mustard " was first made, and it is still manufactured in Lexington, and has a world-wide celebrity. Mr. Burrowes settled in Lexington in 1792, and died here in 1846.

At the beginning of the present century, John Jones, who died in Lexington in 1849, at the advanced age of ninety years, invented a speeder spindle and a machine for sawing stone, which were afterward " caught up " by eastern impostors.

Though not an invention, it may not be inappropriate here to state that vaccination had been introduced for several years in Lexington by Dr. Samuel Brown, of Transylvania University, when the first attempts at it were being made in I^Tew York and Philadelphia.* Up to 1802, he had vaccinated upward of five hundred persons in Kentucky.

In 1805, Dr. Joseph Buchanan, long known as one of the most remarkable citizens of Lexington, invented, at the age of twenty, a musical instrument,! producing its harmony from glasses of different chemical composition, and originated the grand conception of the music of light, to be executed by means of harmonific colors luminously displayed; an invention which will, if ever put in operation, produce one of the most imposing spectacles ever witnessed by the human eye.

About 1835, Mr. E. S. l^oble, of Lexington, invented an important labor-saving machine, for the purpose of turning the bead on house-guttering.

One of the greatest mechanical geniuses, or inventors, that Lexington has produced, and one who has done honor to America, was Thomas Harris Barlow. His shop was, for a long time, located on Spring street, between Main and

Water. He settled in Lexington in 1825, but first attracted public attention in 1827, by making a locomotive which would ascend an elevation of eighty feet to the mile, with a heavily-laden car attached.* He, at the same time, constructed a small circular railroad, over which the model locomotive and car ram successfully in the presence of many spectators, some of whom are still alive. This model is yet in existence in the Lunatic Asylum of this city. Lexington can claim, therefore, the Urst railroad and the first locomotive ever constructed in "Western America. After this, Mr. Barlow invented a self-feeding nail and tack machine, which was a success. He sold it to some Massachusetts capitalists. In 1855, he invented and perfected a rifled percussion cannon, for the testing and experimental manufacture of which Congress appropriated $3,000.t This gun attracted the attention and admiration of the Russian minister at Washington during the Crimean war, which was then raging, and is believed to be the pattern which subsequent inventors of rifled guns have more or less followed. It weighed seven thousand pounds, the bore was flve and a half inches in diameter, twisting one turn in forty feet. It was cast at Pittsburg.

His last, and greatest achievement, and one that will long cause his name to be gratefully remembered by the learned and scientific throughout the world, was the invention of the planetarium, now so celebrated, both for the wonderful ingenuity of its harmonious arrangement and working, and for the ease and accuracy with which it represents the motions and orbits of the planets. The planetarium was the result of ten years' patient study and labor, having been commenced in 1841, and finished in 1851. J It was finally perfected and exhibited in a room in the upper story of the building which formerly occupied the site of the present banking-house, on the corner of Main and Upper streets.]] The first planetarium Mr. Barlow made, was purchased for Transylvania University. The instrument is now used at Washington, West Point, and in most of the great ed- ucational institutions of this country. At the late grand Exposition at Paris, in 1867, Barlow's planetarium was examined with delight and admiration by the savants of Europe, and received a premium of the first class. Mr. Barlow was born in ITicholas county, Kentucky, August 5, 1789, and died in Cincinnati in 1865.

Chapter Xxi

Game, once so abundant about Lexington, had greatly diminished by the year 1794. Teal and duck were still plentiful, and the deer had not left the forests, but the buffalo and the elk had disappeared, and wild turkeys were never seen. Immense numbers of quails, which before the settlement of Kentucky had been unknown, now migrated from the other side of the mountains, following up the grain scattered by emigrants.

Kelief from the plundering and murdering Indians was now at hand. General Anthony Wayne, the successor of the ill-fated St. Clair, after having organized his forces with great care and deliberation, moved against the Miami savages in the summer of 1794. General "Wilkinson, Robert Todd, and Thomas Lewis, and a large number of mounted volunteers from Lexington and Fayette county, constituted a part of the army, and participated in "Wayne's brilliant and decisive victory over the Indians at the rapids of the Miami, August 20, 1794. A few months after the battle, peace was effected with the northwestern tribes, and, after long years of bloodshed and misery, anxiety and watching, the settlers of the Dark and Bloody Ground had rest from their savage foes, who never again ventured upon Kentucky soil.

The Lexington post-office was established about the year 1794, the inefficiency of the old confederation and the incomplete organization of the new government rendering it impossible until that late period. Before that time, all letters and papers received by the citizens were obtained through the kindness of friends and innniigrants, or came by private enterprise. A lady in Lexington, at that early day, whose husband had gone to Crab Orchard, received a letter from him which he had intrusted to a party of settlers who intended to go through Lexington on their way west. In passing through the ""Wilderness," the Indians attacked the party, killing the man who had the letter, and his companions carried it to the anxious wife stained with his blood.*

In 1787, Bradford's "post-rider" brought letters to the citizens, and in 1790 to still further accommodate them, he opened a letter-box in his office where all letters and papers brought to town could be deposited, and he published a list of them in the Gazette once a month.* The first postmaster, Innis B. Brent, who was also jailer, had his office in the log jail building which stood on Main street, between Graves' stable and the corner of Broadway. It was next located in " Postlethwaite's tavern " (Phoenix). In 1808, it was in a building with immense hewed log steps, which occupied the site of the new Odd ^Fellows Hall, on Main. Mr. Jordan was then postmaster, and our venerable fellowcitizen, Mr. Ben Kiser, was his deputy.

In the year 1812 and for some time after, the post-office was located in a little red frame-house which stood on the site of Hoagland's stable, on Main, between Limestone and Kose. Persons are still living who remember when the news came to Lexington that the war with England was over. The post-rider, with the mail bag strapped behind, him, and furiously blowing his horn, dashed up to the postoffice door with the word "Peace" in big letters upon the front of his hat.

At a later period the post-office was near the old Kentucky Gazette office, near Clark & Bros, grocery, on Main. In 1861, it was removed from the building now known as Eule's cigar store, on the corner of Main, to its present location, on the corner of Mill and Short streets.

Joseph Fickliu, who was appointed postmaster in 1822, is believed to have held the office longer, and through more presidential administrations than any other postmaster in this country. The names of the postmasters of Lexington, in order of their succession, are Innis B. Brent, Peter G. Voorhies, John W. Hunt, John Jordan, Jr., John Fowler, Joseph Ficklin, Thomas Redd, Squire Bassett, Jesse Woodruff, L. B. Todd, S. W. Price.

The Catholic church in Lexington owes its establishment to the self-sacrifice and untiring energy of the Rev. Stephen Theodore Badin,* who commenced, in January, 1794, to gather together the few Catholics then in the town. Father Badin was a native of France, and had been a subdeacon of the diocese of Orleans. He escaped from Bordeaux in 1792, while the furious Jacobins were murdering his fellow-priests, and sailed for the United States. He was ordained in Baltimore, by Bishop Carroll, the following year, being the first priest of his church ever ordained in this country, and shortly after set out for Kentucky. He journeyed from Limestone (Maysville) to Lexington on foot, and passed over the field of the disastrous battle of Blue Licks, and though the defeat had taken place more than eleven years before, the scene of it was still marked by the whitened bones of the massacred settlers. For a number of years after his arrival in Lexington, Father Badin, like the majority of the pioneer preachers, fared badly.

A little hut was his home ; he ground his own corn with a hand-mill, and once had to go several days without bread.f Father Badin celebrated mass in private houses until the year 1800, when his congregation erected a log church in a corner of the lot on which the First Baptist Church, on Main, is now located. Here he officiated until 1812, when the wants of his flock demanded a larger house. A gothic chapel of brick was accordingly built in the old Catholic graveyard, on Winchester street, and was dedicated May 19, 1812. J The subscription for this new church was opened on St. Patrick's day in 1810, at which time the Rev. F. O'Flynn preached in the court-house an eloquent panegyric on Ireland's patron saint. Three hundred dollars were subscribed on the spot, and enough was raised shortly after to commence work on the chapel.

Father Badin labored in Lexington for many years, beloved by his congregation, and respected by all who had the good fortune to know him. This early and zealous missionary, whose goodness, learning, and wit would have made him an ornament in the most polished society, spent his life with hunters and hardy settlers, in doing what he believed to be the best for his fellow-men. In 1822 he went to Paris, France, and while there published a book entitled " Early Catholic Missions in Kentucky." In 1832 he labored among the Potawatomie Indisms. After traversing Kentucky and other states on missionary duty a hundred times through rain and storm, and heat and cold, he went to his rest at last in 1853.

Eev. G. A. M. Elder, born in Marion county, Kentucky in 1793, succeeded Father Badin. He was a student at Emmettsburg College, Maryland ; was ordained by Bishop David in 1819, and is noted as the founder and first president of St. Joseph's College at Bardstown. He was a man of strong mind and unconquerable energy. Rev. Elder died September 28, 1828, in the institution he had established, and which remains as his monument.

St. Peter's Church, on Limestone street, was built during the pastorate of Eev. Edward McMahon, a native of Ireland, and was dedicated December 3, 1837. On Sunday, August 13, 1854,* just a few moments after the congregation had retired from this building, the entire ceiling fell in with a crash that would have carried death and destruction with it if it had occurred a little while before. Fathers Butler, John Maguire, and Dismarias succeeded each other. Father Diemarisewas an Italian, learned and scholarly, and endowed with unusual philosophical talents. He died in

Rev. John H. Bekkers, a Hollander, took charge of the church in 1864, and has remained its faithful and efficient pastor ever since. Under his direction, the present handsome and commodious St. Paul's Church, on Short street, between Broadway and Spring, was completed. The cornerstone of this church was laid by the Rt. Rev. Gr. A. Carroll, on Sunday, November 12, 1865, and was dedicated, with impressive services, October 18, 1868, by Archbishop Purcell.

Chapter Xxii

Brick Houses - Immigration - Infidelity - Free Navigation of the Mississippi - German Lutheran Church - Lexington Library, Founders, Incidents, Librarians.

Brick houses began to take the place of wooden ones in Lexington in 1795. The first one erected is believed to have been the one built by Mr. January in the back part of the lot, betv7een Mill and Broadway, on which the residence of Mr. Benjamin Gratz now stands.*

The fear of all future invasions by the Indians having been removed by the decisive campaign of General Wayne, immigrants in great numbers poured into Kentucky, and many of them settled in Lexington, whose substantial growth dates from this year. Unfortunate!}', some of the newcomers were admirers of Thomas Paine, and exerted themselves to spread his peculiar views through the community, and being aided by the existing partiality for French ideas, met with some success, and laid the foundation of the infidelity and lax morality which became unpleasantly prominent shortly after.

There was great rejoicing in Lexington, in the fall of 1795, over the welcome news that a treaty had been coneinded with Spain, by which the United States was conceded the free navigation of the Mississippi river to the ocean, with a right of deposit at New Orleans.

About this time (1795), the organization of a German Lutheran church was eflFected in Lexington, mainly through the efibrts of Captain John Smith, Jacob Kiser, Casper Kernsner, and Martin Castel.f Money enough was secured, by means of a lottery, to purchase the lot on Hill street, between Mill and Upper, on which the Southern Methodist

Church now stands, and to erect a story and a half frame building, which was used both as a church and school-house. The pastor of the church was the Rev. Mr. Dishman, the teacher was Mr. Leary. The congregation was composed almost entirely of Germans, among whom were Henry Lanckart, Jacob Springle, John Kiser, Adam Webber, George Adams, Haggard, Edward Howe, Malcolm Myers, and Mr. Bushart. Many members of the Lutheran Church were buried in their old graveyard, which is still to be seen back of the present Hill Street Methodist Church.

About the year 1815, the little frame Lutheran church was destroyed by fire, and no other was ever erected. The congregation became scattered, and finally died out, even from the memory of many. "When the old church lot was sold to the Lutheran Methodists, only one trustee of the Lutheran Church, Adam Webber, was still alive.

The Lexington Library, the oldest institution of its kind in Kentucky, if not in the West, commenced its existence in this year (1795). On New Year's day, a number of gentlemen met in the " old state-house " to consult in regard to establishing a library for the benefit of the citizens of Lexington and the students of Transylvania Seminary. It was resolved to organize such an institution, to be called " Transylvania Library," and the following citizens were appointed a committee to perfect the work, viz : Robert Barr, John Bradford, John Breckinridge, James Brown, R. W. Downing, Thomas Hart, Thomas January, James Parker, Samuel Price, Fred. Ridgely, H. Toulmin, and James Trotter.

So earnest were these gentlemen in the good work to which they had been called, that in a few days they had secured subscriptions from the public amounting to five hundred dollars. A purchasing committee was appointed, and the money forwarded for the books.* At this time, Transylvania Seminary, as the present university was then called, was a small school, with no collection worthy the name of " library," and there were no private libraries in the city, though it could boast, even at that early day, of many citi- zens of culture and education, who no doubt waited with the greatest impatience for the infant library. Patience was needed, for it took nearly a year to collect and transport the books to Lexington. But they came at last (four hundred volumes) in January, 1796, and were placed for safe keeping in the seminary building.

In 1798, when the Presbyterian grammar school, "Kentucky Academy," was merged in Transylvania Seminary, lorming Transylvania University, the library was increased by the addition of the little library of Kentucky Academy. By this means, the library came in possession of valuable theological works, obtained through the generous exertions of Rev. Doctor Gordon, of London,* and also books bought by subscriptions obtained by Eev. James Blythe from President Washington, Vice-President Adams, Aaron Burr, and other distinguished gentlemen. The library now numbered over six hundred volumes, and the committee, believing it could be made more useful if placed in a more central location, removed it to the drug store of the first librarian, Andrew McCalla, which was located at that time on the corner of Market and Short streets, where the Daily Press office now stands, and its name was changed to " Lexington Library." By this name it was incorporated November 29, 1800. The shareholders named in the charter are : Thomas Hart, Sen., James Morrison, John Bradford, James Trotter, John A. Seitz, Eobert Patterson, John McDowell, Robert Barr, "William Macbean, James Maccoun, Caleb Wallace, Fielding L. Turner, Samuel Postlethwait, and Thomas T. Barr. At a general meeting of the shareholders, held at the house of John Mcl*?^air, on the first Saturday in January, 1801, a complete organization under the charter was effected by the election of a board of directors.

In 1803, the library contained seven hundred and fifty volumes, and had been removed to a room in the old statehouse on West Main street, between Mill and Broadway. The juvenile library of one thousand one hundred and thirty-five books, which had been collected by an association of ambitious and energetic boys, was consolidated with the Lexington Library in 1810. It was further increased by donations and sales of shares, until, in 1815, it had grown to two thousand five hundred and seventythree volumes. La 1824, the books of the Lexington Athseneum were turned over to it. Small as it was, the Lexington Library was now the largest and most prominent one in the western country, and it received frequent contributions of books, pamphlets, journals, and documents from various literary, scientific, and philosophical societies throughout the country, not to mention many donations of books from private citizens of Lexington and Fayette county. The library numbered over six thousand volumes in 1837, and was increased the next year through the eftbrts of Henry Clay, Eobert "Wickliffe, Jr., and A. K. Woolley, who addressed public meetings in its behalf. In 1839, Leslie Combs gave one thousand three hundred dollars in turnpike stock to the institution. At present, the number of books in the library is estimated at ten thousand, a small number when the age of the library is considered, but its smallness is due, to some extent, to the vicissitudes it has encountered during an eventful history. It has suffered from frequent removals, from fire, and from water. At one time, the books were kept in the old Odd- Fellows' hall, on Church street, between Upper and Limestone. The building was destroyed by fire, and the books sadly damaged. They were then removed to the Medical hall, which at that time occupied the site of the present library building, on the corner of Church and Market street. This hall was also destroyed by fire, and many books were lost. The library found another refuge in the new Medical Hall, erected on the corner of Broadway and Second streets, but still the fire fiend pursued it ; the hall was burned, and the books, for the third time, were damaged, both by the fire itself and water from the engines. That the library was not scattered and almost entirely destroyed, Lexington may thank the watchful care of our late fellow-citizens, Leonard Wheeler, and also William A.

Leavy, Lyman W. Seeley, and John S. Wilson. The library finally landed in the house now owned by the library company, on Jordan's row, and at present occupied as the internal revenue ofELce.

In 1865, the present library building was bought by money raised from issuing bonds of the company for six thousand dollars, and the books were forthwith removed to it. This important occasion is the result of Mr. Thomas Mitchell's enlightened exertions.

At the meeting of the Kentucky Press Association in Lexington, in January, 1870, the editors in attendance re-, solved to send their various journals free to the library. The Lexington Library is an exceedingly valuable one, abounding as it does in rare old works, which can not now be obtained elsewhere for any consideration, and the good that it has done can not easily be overestimated. The names of the librarians, in the order of their succession, are : Andrew McCalla, Lewis H. Smith, David Logan, Thomas M. Prentiss, James Logue, Lyman W. Seeley, James Logue, Wellington Payne, William M. Matthews, Henry C. Brennan, Allie G. Hunt, Joseph Wasson, William Swift, and J. B. Cooper. The oflice was held longer by James Logue than by any other librarian. He was custodian of the books for more than twenty-five years. Mr. Swift will be remembered for his accurate and extensive information and for his extraordinary memory. The institution has never had a librarian more devoted to its interests than the present one, Mr. Cooper.

Episcopal Church - Mrst Building - Bev. James Moore - Early Members - The " St Paul" Schism - List of Rectors of Christ Church - Present Condition.

The history of the Episcopal Church in Lexington commences with the year 1796, when a feeble little band organized the present Christ Church, in a dilapidated frame house which stood on the site of the present church, on the corner of Market and Church streets. Rev. James Moore, who was the first minister of the Episcopal Church of the United States who settled permanently in Kentucky, was the first rector of Christ Church. He came from Virginia to Lexington in 1792,* and was at that time a candidate for the ministry in the Presbyterian Church, but shortly after, considering himself too rigorously treated by the Transylvania Presbytery, he connected himself with the Episcopal Church. He was a man of learning, great piety, and beautiful manners. In 1798, he was appointed acting president of Transylvania University, which oflice he held for several years. He died June 22, 1814, at the age of. forty-nine.

A little brick house succeeded the frame one, in 1808 and was furnished by means of a lottery, of which William Morton, "Walter Warfield, Daniel Sheely, and John Wyatt were managers.f Among others, who were either members of the church at that time, or were adherents of it, may be namedj John D. Clifford, Thomas January, John Bradford, Henry Clay, John W. Hunt, Thomas B. Pinkard, Frederick liidgely, John Jordan, Elijah Craig, Alexander Parker, John Postlethwaite, William Essex, John Brand, Matthew, Elder, Matthew Shryock, and T. King.

The Rev. John "Ward succeeded Mr. Moore in November, 1813. Mr. Ward conducted a successful female school in Lexington for many years. He died in this city in 1860, aged eighty-two. After performing the duties of the rectorship for six years with great acceptability, he was succeeded, in September, 1819, by Rev. Lemuel Burge, who officiated as pro tern, pastor for five months, when he was called to the church eternal.

The zealous and talented Dr. George T. Chapman, who is still living, at a very great age, in Massachusetts, became the next regular rector, in July, 1820. His volume of " Sermons to Presbyterians of all Sects," which was published in 1828, passed through several editions.* He was rector of Christ Church for ten years.

During Dr. Chapman's ministry, the little brick chapel gave way to a larger and more church-like edifice, which was built on the same spot which had been occupied by both of its predecessors. The building was of brick, stuccoed to imitate stone, and the aisles and other parts of it were, in time, strewn with memorial slabs and tablets to those who were buried in and around the edifice. This church building was badly constructed, audit became more and more insecure every year. A knowledge of this fact made the growth of the congregation very slow as long as it was occupied.

The present bishop of the diocese, the Rev. Benjamin Bosworth Smith, was called to the rectorship of Christ Church in November, 1830. Bishop Smith was born June 13, 1794, in Bristol, R. L, was graduated at Brown University in 1816, ordained priest in 1818, and consecrated bishop in St. Paul's Church, New York city, October 31, 1832. This learned, faithful, and now aged minister, resigned the rectorship in October, 1838, since which time he has been constantly employed in a laborious oversight of the diocese. In addition to publishing several sermons and charges, Bishop Smith has contributed largely to religious journals. Dr. Henry Caswell,t an English clergyman, was assist- ant rector of Christ Church for a part of Bishop Smith's term. In 1834, he was called to the professorship of Sacred Literature in the Episcopal Theological Seminary, then just established in Lexington, which position, with that of assistant rector, he held for three years. In 1839, he published a volume entitled "America and the American Church," and, about the same period, returned to England, and was for ten years vicar of Figheldean, Diocese of Salisbury. He came back to the United States a few years ago, and subsequently died in Franklin, Pennsylvania.

In 1837, Christ Church became divided* upon some comparatively unimportant questions, and a part of the congregation organized a church, which they named " St. Paul's." They worshiped in Morrison College, but only for a short time. The trouble was soon settled, and the seceding members renewed their connection with Christ Chi.rch.

For a short time after the resignation of Bishop Smith, the amiable Rev. Edward Winthrop, a native of ITew Haven, Connecticut, was temporary rector. He died in l^ew York, in 1865.

The regular successor of Bishop Smith was Rev. Edward F. Berkley, who entered upon the duties of the rectorship in January, 1889. Mr. Berkley was born in "Washington City, September 20, 1813. He came to Lexington in 1835, was for three years a member of the Episcopal Theological Seminary in this city, and was ordained to the ministry in Christ Church in December, 1838. Mr. Berkley's fine qualities of head and heart so endeared him to his congreo'ation that he was retained in the service of the parish for nearly nineteen years. He resides at present in St. Louis, Missouri.

On the 17th of March, 1847, the corner-stone of the present tasteful and elegant church edifice was laid, with appropriate ceremonies, and a dedicatory address was delivered by the Rev. James Craik, of Louisville. The remains of those buried in and around the ,church were subsequently removed to the Episcopal Cemetery. The memorial tablets of Mr. Moore, first pastor of the church, and Mr. John D. Clifford, one of its early and generous benefactors, were preserved through the provident attention of Mr. John 8. Wilson, and, in 1858, when the church was still further improved, they were set in the wall of the building, where they still remain.

Mr. Berkley resigned in November, 1857, and was succeeded, in March, 1858, by the Eev. James H. Morrison, of Pemberton, Virginia, a gentleman of superior scholarly attainments.

The present rector, the Eev. Jacob S. Shipman, took charge of Christ Church on the 14th of October, 1861. Mr. Shipman was born in Niagara, New York, November 30, 1832. In completing the Yale College course he enjoyed the special instruction of Dr. Joseph M. Clark. Mr. Shipman was ordained to the priesthood in 1858, and had been rector of two churches successively before he was called to Christ Church. Scholarly and original, possessed of a cultivated mind and a warm and generous heart, Mr. Shipman has gained the highest esteem of his congregation, which has enjoyed abundant peace and prosperity under his efficient ministry.

Christ Church, has been steadily increasing in membership amd influence for many years, and its present very flourishing condition is a source of great gratification to all christian people.

Chapter Xxiv

Lexington Immigration Society - Size of Town - Town Propperty - Market Houses - Theater - Henry Clay: His Character as an Orator, Statesman, and Man - Incidents.

The year 1797 produced an association in Lexington, whose influence was so salutary that it was soon imitated in other places ; and this was the " Lexington Immigration Society." Strong exertions, and successful ones, were made by it to induce industrious farmers and mechanics to remove to this region. Publications were made and circulated full of information regarding the amount of the ordinary products of the soil per acre, the common prices of marketing, the various species of mechanical labor, and productions, etc. Of this society, Thomas Hart was president ; John Bradford, secretary.

Avekage Pkoducb Of One Acke Of Land Lexington Makket Prices

The establishment of this society shows that our enterprising ancestors were determined to build up their flourishing town, which consisted of sixteen hundred inhabit- ants, and over two hundred houses,* a few of them brick ones, many of them frame, but the most of them log ones, with chimneys built on the outside. A town lot was worth thirty dollars, and good farms in the vicinity could be bought for five dollars per acre.f The best farmers lived in log cabins, and even whea they went " to town " wore hunting-shirts and leggings. The then beautiful vale through which town fork poured, was variegated with corn-fields, meadows, and trees. The means used for carrying on the town government were not as extravagant then as those of modern times, as all the town property in the hands of the trustees consisted of " two oxen, a cart, a wheelbarrow, sledge, mattock, crowbar, shovel, and a two-foot rule. "J

By this time, the ground-room of the old state-house, which had been converted into a market-house, had become entirely too small for the ambitious citizens of Lexington and a subscription was raised, which resulted iti the building of a substantial market-house on the public ground, between the present court-house and Cheapside, from which circumstance Market street derived its name.

In 1814, a market-house was built on Water street, but the Cheapside structure was not removed until 1817. The market-house now in use was built in 1844,

How Lexington supported a place of amusement in 1797, we are not prepared to say, but she certainly had one. "An exhibition-room, adjoining Coleman's tavern," was erected by George Saunders, and opened to the public Monday evening, June 5th. "Admission at sunset; performance to begin at dark ; pit, 3s. 9d. ; gallery, 2s. 3d."§ A theatrical performance was held in the court-house in 1798. In 1807, Melish, the traveler, was in Lexington, and visited the theater, which then stood on the corner of "Water and Limestone, but his metropolitan tastes were not entirely gratified, as he said afterward, that " the performance did very well, but there was a deficiency of actresses, and one

In 1812, "Macbeth" was played at the "Hotel Theater," atid on the evening of May 30th, in that year, " John Bull," a comedy, was performed before a packed audience, by Thespian amateurs belonging to the " Old Infantry" company, in honor of the Lexington volunteers for the war against England. A goodly sum was realized, and used to buy arms, clothing, and camp equipage for the soldiers.*

" Usher's Theater" was built about the year 1816.t It was located on the old Bruen property, at the corner of Spring and Vine streets, and, though it was on a small scale, it could boast of regular boxes, a pit, and a gallery. The celebrated Drake family constituted one of the first regular companies which appeared in the theater. Edwin Eorest, who had before played minor parts in Philadelphia, made his debut as a leading actor in " Usher's Theater." He was brought out by Collins and J ones. J Sol. Smith, the noted comedian, who died in St. Louis in 1869, raised his first theatrical company in Lexington, and played in this theater for several weeks previous to his first tour.

In 1832, and frequently thereafter, the Masonic Hall was used for theatrical purposes. The theater was located, in 1837, on the lot now occupied by John 8. Wilson's residence, on Upper street, and here the noted Mrs. Duff made her first appearance in Lexington. The remarkable GrUS Adams charmed a crowded audience, in 1840, in a building neither very large nor very pretentious, which the citizens dignified with the name "Theater." It stood on Short street, between Broadway and Jefferson, opposite the residence of J. B. Wilgus.

After this time, Melodeon Hall and other rooms were used; but for the last fifteen years, the Odd Fellows' Hall, corner of Main and Broadway, has been " the theater." The followers of Thespis and Orpheus who have visited Lexington would make an army, and we can only mention, in addition to the distinguished artists already named, the famous elder Booth, the great pioneer actor Cooper, Julia Dean, Murdoch, Mrs. Lander, Joe Jefferson, Sontag, Patti, Parodi, Brignoli, and Ole Bull.

Henry Clay, whose greatness is crystallized in history, and whose name is the most illustrious one associated with Lexington, came to this city in November, 1797, and made it his home for the rest of his life, a period of more than half a century. Here he struggled. Here he triumphed. Here he sleeps.

On the 12th of April, 1777, in the " Slashes " neighborhood, of Hanover county, Virginia, in the midst of a great revolution, Henry Clay was born. His father, a Baptist minister, died when Henry was four years old, and left his family no legacy but poverty and toil. Fortunately, the mother of Henry was a woman of vigorous intellect and great energy, and she managed to maintain her large family in comparative comfort. Both parents were natives of Virginia. The early years of the future orator were years of much labor and little education, and it was then that he was known as "the mill- boy of the slashes,"* from the fact that he was often seen, when the meal-barrel was low, going to and fro between his mother's house and the mill, on the Pamunky river, mounted on a scrub pony, with a meal-bag for a saddle and a rope for a bridle. Up to the age of fourteen, he had received three years' "schooling," in a log house of the period, and from Peter Deacon, of whom little is known, except that he was the only teacher of Henry Clay. He was now placed by Captain Henry Watkins, whom his mother had married, in the store of Richard Denny, of Richmond. At the end of a year, Peter Tinsley, of Richmond, clerk of the high court of chancery of Virginia, gave him a situation in his office, and about the same time, namely 1792, his mother removed with his stepfather to Kentucky, and settled in Woodford county, where she died in 1827.

him as an amanuensis, assisted him in mental improvement, and encouraged him to study law, which he subsequently did, in the office of Robert Brook, then attorney-general of Virginia.

Mr. Clay, having obtained a license to practice law from the judges of the court of appeals of Virginia, immigrated to Lexington, Kentucky, in N'ovember, 1797. Here (to use his own words), *" I established myself, without patrons, without the favor of the great or opulent, without the means of paying my weekly board, and in the mid?t of a bar uncommonly distinguished by eminent members." Lexi ngton was then the metropolis of the "West, claiming sixteen hundred inhabitants, and George Ificholas, Joe Daviess, James Brown, John Breckinridge, William Murray, and James Hughes were the leading lawyers. Mr. Clay, at this time, seemed to be in bad health.f He was delicate in person and slow in his movements ; but he quickly rallied. His first speech in Lexington was made in a young men's debating club. I'he smiles provoked by his awkward beginning were succeeded by cordial cheers and congratulations. J The first fee Mr. Clay received was fifteen shillings. His first public speech he made at the age of twenty-one, in the summer of 1798. The news had just arrived in Lexington that Congress had passed the infamous alien and sedition laws, and while crowds of excited and indignant men were discussing the news on Main street, a cart was drawn out, and Clay was put in it and told to " speak." He did speak; and the brilliant and crushing eloquence of his denunciations of those odious enactments, revealed his genius to the people, and laid the foundation of his fame. He rose rapidly in his profession. In 1799 he married Lucretia, daughter of Thomas Hart, one of the earliest citizens of Lexington. The marriage took place in the house on the corner of Mill and Second, now occupied by Mrs. Ryland. Mrs. Clay was born in Hagerstown, Maryland, 1781.

1803, he was elected from the county of Fayette to the lower house of the Kentucky legislature, and was re-elected to that body every succeeding session, until 1806, when he was chosen United States senator, to fill out the unexpired term of General Adair. The rapidity with which these favors were showered upon Mr. Clay evidence how soon he had gained a strong hold upon the popular heart. After serving during the session for which he was elected, Mr. Clay resumed the practice of his profession in Lexington. He was now thirty, the leader of the bar, and overwhelmed with important cases.

In the summer of 1807, he was again sent to the state legislature, and was elected speaker of the house. He was continued in the assembly until 1809, when he was returned to the United States Senate to fill out the unexpired term of Buckner Thurston. He bore a conspicuous part in the discussion of the great national questions before the senate. His first speech of the session foreshadowed the outlines of that vast scheme of " protection," known as the "American system," of which Mr. Clay has been called the " father." His powerful eflbrts in favor of the " protection " of domestic manufactures, on the " line of the Eio Perdido," and in opposition to the rechartering of the United States Bank, stand pre-eminent in congressional history. Mr. Clay subsequently changed his opinion, and urged the chartering of the United States Bank, and gave his reasons for the change with characteristic force.

In 1811, Mr. Clay was elected to the lower house of Congress, and entered on the great period of his life, commencing with his election as speaker of the house of representatives, and terminating with his death, during which all his great endowments became so conspicuous through services and eflbrts so illustrious.* He had never before been a member of that house, which renders it still more remarkable that he should have been elected its speaker on the day he took his seat. He was re-elected speaker six times, and after occupying the chair about thirteen years, left it to become secretary of state in the cabinet of the younger Adams, in 1825, which situation he held till the close of that administration in 1829. He was out of Congress during two short periods ; first in 1814-15, while engaged as one of the American commissioners in negotiatating the treaty of Ghent, and again in 1820-22, when the condition of his private affairs obliged him to return to the bar. After the close of his service as secretary of state, in 1829, he remained in private life till the autumn of 1831, when he was elected to the senate of the United States for the third time, and commenced a senatorial career even more protracted and glorious than his previous career in the more popular branch of Congress. He was elected to the senate the fourth time in 1837. In March, 18i2, after twelve years continuous service in the senate, covering six years of the administration of General Jackson, the whole of Mr. Van Buren's administration, and the first two years of Mr. Tyler's, he resigned his seat in the senate, and retired, as he supposed, finally to private life. In 1848, he was elected to the senate for the fifth time, and was a member of it till his death, in 1852. From bis entrance into public life, just fifty years had expired at his death; and of these more than forty years had been passed in the most laborious public service. From his entrance into the house of representatives, in 1811, he had served thirteen years as a speaker of that house, about sixteen years as a senator, and four years as secretary of state, thus occupying far the greater part of the last forty years of his life in a career unsurpassed by any statesman of his era.

That career of forty years was as diversified as it was brilliant.* During the war of 1812 he was " the master spirit, around whom all the boldness and chivalry of the nation rallied. He was the life and soul of the war party in Congress." In 1815, we find him one of a commission concluding a treaty of peace with England, in the ancient city of Ghent, and shortly after enjoying the society of the most noted characters in Europe. Then comes his review of the