" JAMES BARBOUR.

W. . S . Long, A . B The period from 181 5 to 1 845 has been well named one of nationalit 1 y and democracy, since the progress of these forces

- m stands out pre eminently as the great work of this ti e . The second war with Great Britain had kindled the whole country f n 2 n into a new flame o natio al patriotism . Tra sportation was revolutionized by the introduction of the steamboat and by the n n developme t of canals and tur pikes . The factory system ,

the Em o war de~ nourished by restrictions of the barg and , x n n n velop ed rapidly . The e pa sio of cotton pla ting trans f m of or ed the activities the South, and turned them into the f v l f newer regions of the Gul , and ga e a new i e to the decaying n A i stitution of negro slavery . stream of immigrants began n to pour into the new la ds of the West, and there , among the

f n n of n f rough and health ul co ditio s pio eer li e , democracy arose in a society in which strong manhood was the basis of equality . This restless spirit soon began to react upon the older states through those strong western leaders who looked upon govern an ment, not as an evil, but as instrument for good, and with m the rise of their influence , the day of nationalis began to

. f h dawn But then the interests o sections clashed . T e tariff f enabled manu acturers of the North to grow rich , while the f of n n armers Virgi ia and the South were bei g impoverished . The tariff collected money from them which Congress now m wished to spend for internal i provements . John Randolph of Roanoke , Spencer Roane , John Taylor of Caroline , and others began a determined fight against these loose construe tion tendencies , and a great popular reaction followed their 3 n lead . The as the nation tended to sink back into the old ruts of particularism , the maj ority of the old Republican party held out for a still stricter interpretation of the Constitution and

- called themselves the National Democratic party . But the still

—n__ "T h B enn a e ett Hi story Med l was award ed th e writer of this essay. l As h F ra St t ley, ed e l a e, p . 1 3 5 . 2B m r a t a b k e i an t na i Cha te s to . coc , A c N io l y, p r IX XVIII t r N ew e t T um e R ise o the s . 4 . , f W , p 2 powerful minority broke away from this attitude and under

f - the leadership of Clay, united to orm the National Republican 4 party, afterwards called Whig . It should be borne in mind , however, that the old Republican party had not always been consistent in their advocacy of state rights . The purchase of 1 801 un ff Louisiana, in , der Je erson, and the United States

' T arifi of 1 81 6 Bank , and the Acts under Madison, made it , n 5 m in fact, strongly natio alistic . At this ti e , however, new issues were appearing which were to draw a sharp line through n mm fin the old party, showi g some men co itted de itely to a of i policy nationalism , and turn ng some who had favored the policies of 1 816 back to the extremer tenets of the old - time

f r faith . There were many causes o this division into loose and n strict co structionists . Sectionalism was a main cause ; the injection of the personality of Andrew Jackson into the presi dential contests of 1 824 and 1 828 was another cause ; and the birth of organized politics under Martin Van Buren , Thomas

Ritchie and others , played its own large share . This was the period which was to claim the best energies of

James Barbour . His unselfish devotion of these energies car ried him too far beyond his fellows in Virginia to permit any i n m return upon the crest of this react on , and whe his aturer

wisdom might have helped them most , his fellow citizens mis

n for of took this stand for pri ciple , a desertion their interests , him and in . return , deserted It is hard to reconcile the hot defender of the Virginia Resolutions of 1 799 with the man n who later in the Senate voted for the ba k bill , the bill for

t arifi en~ internal improvements , and the , and who , still later , But d orsed the n ationalistic policy of John Quincy Adams . if any defense be necessary at all , we can surely point to the

respective changes of Calhoun and Webster , and Barbour s tands in good company indeed . O n 10 He was born at Barboursville , in range County , Ju e , only twenty miles from the home of Jeff erson and one year before the pen of Jefferson recorded our Declaration of

4 A s h1e e era S tate . 1 41 . y , F d l , p fi B ur ess T h e M e eriod . 3 . g , iddl P , p

" me a h 446 . t na C e a o r an B r . . . T h e Na io l yclop di f A ic iog p y Vol V. p 3

Independence . Madison lived only a few miles away and at

of tended the church which Thomas Barbour, father of James , 7 was vestryman .

’ James Barbour s ancestry was very honorable . There are many legendary accounts of the foundi ng of this family in

i im rob Virginia, some of them conflict ng, and many of them p 7 a ahle. l n What seems to be the most re iable accou t however, is the following extract from an autograph note in the Bible “ " I of Gov . James Barbour The farthest back have been able

- m to trace with any certainty, is my great grandfather, Ja es m Barbour, who came to this country fro Scotland, in the latter half of the 1 7th Century . He came in the character of a merchantman, and was wrecked on his first adventure . His friends, as stated by tradition , being rich , furnished him with another cargo which he turned to a profitable account, in (I

n and . believe ) the cou ty of King Queen He had issue , only m one son , whom he called after himself , Ja es , who married ’ Sarah Todd, of a most respectable family . My grandfather s prospects in life were considerably shattered by the second marriage of his mother, by which a second son was born who n by some means obtai ed control of the whole Barbour estate ,

. J and squandered it ames then left the home of his childhood , ul and went to C peper county, near the end of the first quarter 1 8th C n of the entury, being the first settler of the cou try lying between the eastern base of the Blue Ridg e and the ”8 Southwest Mountains . Here he lived , died , and was buried . m ’ He was a vestry an of St . Mark s Parish at its organization

7 m r n a 9 0 . O l Chur hes Mini s flers and a es in . . d c , , F ili Vi gi i , Vol II , p 7 a —~Al unts a ee t at the ound e the inia am y Note. l acco gr h f r of Virg f il h e t a k a Wi liam B a b u s ai w t . me t a e t is an s b to as Sco ch So r c c ry c l r o r, d

’ ‘ d r th counts to have been a y ounger son of th e B aron of Mul e g . O er ac “ ” oint hn B a b u the S tt sh et and auth T he u e p t o Jo r o r, co i p o , or of Br c

see een N tes on Cu e er a t II . 1 3 5 and ete U . S . Su reme ( Gr , o lp p , P r , p , P r, p h m is en e e B arber in the State Co urt R e rts . XVI . T e na e p o , Vol ) r d r d an Re ts and m a seal n l ate in th e ss ess n the a ms L d por , fro ri g l y ir po io , r d is a e are t se th e am in Sta d sh e Eng an " Gu es p l y d ho of f ily ffor ir , l d l , t ee mul ets a ent w t a b u e e m ne. C est " A ass n s s hr l , rg , i h ord r r i r p io cro “ T h m tto hi ni ruce eem o in on th ee s te s u es . e " s C s s t d r p ; G l o Ni lo i , i Se Ha est ir n a cate an i n in th e a s of th e Crus ad e s . e d or gi d y r ( r y, V g i i and ir inians . I . V g , Vol , p 1 een tes on Cu e er a t II . 1 3 5 . Gr , No lp p , P r , p 4

’ t t G s in He appears as a gran ee of lands in S . eorge S otts lvania n n 26 173 1 Parish, p y cou ty, Ju e , , and again in ’ 1 0 1 73 3 . n . , in St Mark s Parish of the same cou ty He was pre of 1764 di 1 775 siding justice the Culpeper Court in , and ed in

C c . S c in ulpeper ounty His widow arah, a se ond wife, died in

1 781 . and Their wills are both recorded in Culpeper county, show them both possessed of large estates 1 1 They left five

f m s sons and our daughters , of whom Tho a Barbour, father of n Gov . James Barbour, was the seco d son . He married Mary m of Pendleton Thomas of Orange county . He was a me ber n the House of Burgesses from Ora ge county, and signed the

- 1 769 . 1 775 Non Importation Act of In , he was a member of “ ” n 1 2 Af the Committee of Public Safety for Ora ge county . ter the formation of the Union he was a member of the Virginia

Legislature . Then Richard Henry Lee , in a letter to his brother,

Arthur Lee , wrote that he was glad that Thomas Barbour was “ in the state councils , For he is a truly intelligent and patrio ” 1 3 tic man . f Such was the stock from which sprang this race o statesmen , f 1 821 1 825 m and during the period rom to , a ti e when Clay , u n Webster, Ruf s King, Nathaniel Macon , and Pink ey of Mary n land made our natio al legislature a wrestling place for giants , we find our James Barbour one of the acknowledged leaders of n the Senate , while his brother, Philip Pe dleton , and their m f . o second cousin , John S Barbour, were prominent me bers “ the lower House .

' In James Barbour we have an example of that inherent

— 9 te T h s ext a t in all its eta s is b ne out b a numbe No i r c , d il , or y r of h the aut ent acc unts . See a dest r n a and r n ans . o r ic o ( H r y, Vi g i i Vi g i i , Vol m 1 1 r VL . . 3 and ete U . S . Su e e C urt R e rts . X I , p ; P r, p o po , Vol ) I OSmi h v n t G er rs o r n a . 3 21 . , o o f Vi g i i , p 1 1 een tes on Cu e er a t I I . 1 3 6 . Gr , No lp p , P r , p 1 2 m h G vern r n S t r s o a 3 21 . i , o o f Vi g i i , p . 1 8 G een tes on Cu l e er a rt I I . 1 3 6 . r , No p p , P , p “ te — o T u ne sa s that In De emb e 1 821 a b u No Pr f , r r y , c r of , B r o r, of in a was h sen s eake th e use R e esentat ves b a Virg i , c o p r "of Ho of pr i " y ” ’

se v te . See u ne s R se o the N ew es t . h s clo o ( T r r i f W , p T i " ” rbo u i nd e x m u b He e ames a s e as Ja es B a b I . . B r i d r o r ( id , p r J B a b u h as b een confused w th his b th e hi i B a b u who r o r i ro r P l p P . r o r, w as h s en S e a k e a ha m S A bri em nt the ba te c o p r t t t ti e. ( ee dg e of D e s of

C n r ess . VII . 21 6 and nna s o C n ress l 7i b C n res s l i t o g , Vol , p , A l f o g , o g ,

Ses s n . I . io , Vol , p 5 genius which can rise to eminence without the regular educa 1 5 . tion so necessary in our own time , Very little is known about m n . W his boyhood a d early education However, Ja es addell , “ ” m n com emorated as the Bli d Preacher by William Wirt, taught school for a while at his home near Gordonsville , and m n 1 8 James Barbour studied for a short ti e , u der him there . ff While still very young , he served as Deputy Sheri in his and n m n county, duri g this ti e , he read enough law to gai his admission to the bar in when he was only nineteen " 29 1 7 92 years old On October , , he married Lucy Johnson ,

n of n m m daughter of Benjamin Johnso Orange cou ty, a e ber ” f f B ur a o the House o gesses . 1 796 n In , you g James Barbour was elected to the Virginia 1 8 m Assembly and soon gained the respect of the older embers , both for his excellent judgment and for the fluency with which n n 1 798 m n he expressed his opi io s . In , the fa ous Virgi ia Reso efl erson lutions , which J had inspired Madison to write , were proposed in the House of Delegates . The discussion continued

and over into the next session , then James Barbour entered

1 5 It h as been cl aimed that James B arb-our was a j unior at Willi am M R b B h oh and a C l e e w t t . . a l and Cabe ll and t at n ry ol g i h o T y or , J i n w w See R andolph of R o anoke j o ed th i s Cl ass h en it as Senior. (

- B ran h st r a a ers o R an l h Ma n C e e . I II . 2 . c Hi o ic l P p f do p co oll g , Vol , No , p w eve it is e ta n th at ohn R an h R anok e l e t Wil Ho r, c r i J dolp of o f 84 Se a t na Enc clo li am and Mary Coll eg e in th e spri ng of 1 7 . ( e N io l y “ h l 7 d G a an hn R an Vo . 9 an ia mer an B io ra . , p oed of A ic g p y , V , p , rl d Jo m e ame B a b ur h o R an ke l . I . T h s w u l ave a s dolp f o o , Vo , p i o d h d J r o i i m and Ma C e e in 1 783 when he was eight a Junior at W ll a ry oll g , years old . A s imilar mis take may b e notice d in th e Wi lli am a nd M ary Coll eg e wh e e w find i a li st ve n s uar ter . VII . 5 e n Q ly, Vol , p , r , of Go r or of Vir g ini a from 1 7 76 to 1 861 with th e pl aces of th eir education " “ - ames B arb our 1 81 2 1 4 ivate S h s . J , , Pr c ool m 1 89 to S . Senat s 7 On page 8 of th i s vol ume in a li st of U . or fro 0 h he a es the r e d u at n w e find 1 86 wit t pl c of i c io , - m s B b ou 1 81 5 1 825 am and Mar C l ege. Ja e ar r, , Willi y o l It is very lik el y th at James B arb our h as al s o in th is l ast c ase been wh did atten i iam and he . . B a b u o d l l conflised with his brot r P P r o r, W

Mary Col lege . G 2 mi th vern rs o Vi r 1 Scott s t r o ran e C unty p . 1 7 ; S , f , Hi o y f O g o , Go o 4 n and r n ans l . I . 1 1 . nia . 3 21 a est r a g , , gi , p ; H rd y, Vi g i i Vi i i Vo p

h . 1 7 T he a ti na Ene clo oedi a o mer i an B i grap y, , Ibid . ; N o l y p f A c o Vol V 21 446 Sm th G vern rs o i r i ni a p . 3 . p . ; i , o o f V g , 1 7 a Ibid . , p . 3 25 . - 9 6 9 1 . 1 8 urna o the use o e e a tes Ses si n of 1 7 7 , p . Jo l f Ho f D l g , o 6 the lists in support of them with his usual impetuous elo n 1 9 n que ce. Although he was the you gest man in the House , he was one of the foremost in denouncing the odious laws n and which had called forth the resolutio s , his speech was con 2 0 i fi iv . 1 s dered the most e ect e that was delivered On January ,

1 801 on m , he was appointed a com ittee to confer with a com 2 1 mittee from the Senate on these resolutions . In these de nni of bates , we find a begi ng of that able advocacy the rights of the States which he maintain ed until continued service in a larger Sphere and an experience in the national adminis tration brought a conviction that the whole is greater than its m in parts . From this ti e on , until his election as Governor, 1 812 on , the name of James Barbour appears all of the most m i portant committees , frequently as chairman . He proposed “ ” n - D Act one m v the A ti uelling , of the ost stringent legislati e 2 2 2 3 c . In 1 80 0 c c m a ts ever passed , he was hairman of a om ittee which prepared a bill To simplify the mode of procedure in ”2 4 . In of 1 807 n real actions May , he served on the gra d jury n 2 5 n which indicted Aaro Burr . What he evidently co sidered his most important work in the Assembly was the bill which 2 1 810 became the Act of February , , and provided for the ? “1L Literary Fund of Virginia He later requested that re 2 6 ference to this be the only inscription on his tomb . He served of v repeatedly as Speaker of the House Delegates , and recei ed much praise for the able manner in which he presided over that body .

” ard es t r n a and r nians l . I . 1 1 5 . H y , Vi g i i Vi g i , Vo , p 2 0 h M e S ut ern L terar ss en er l . I I . o i y g , Vo XV I 2 1 - u Ho s De e a t s Ses f 1 800 01 an 1 80 1 . rna o the e o e s n o J . 1 Jo l f u f l g , io , , 2 2 s t r n a n r n a n a e a d s . . 1 1 5 H rd y, Vi g i i Vi g i i , Vol I , p . ” urna h s - D 2 o t e u e o e e a tes Sess n 1 800 01 ec. . Jo l f Ho f D l g , io of , 2 4 I bid . 2 5 h R hm nd Her ast n r sent C st an a d e . 77 . ri i , ic o , P P , p 2 5 a - See R r th S e n u t r o ir n a on the C on Note. epo t of e co d A d i o f V g i i d t n the ub ebt th e te a un and R et e ea he s i io of P lic D , of Li r ry F d , ir d T c r m un fis a ea e n n Se te be 3 0 1 9 1 2 . 5 2 a s n a ) F d , c l y r, d i g p r , , p ; l o ( Virg i i A t th ssemb 1 9 1 H st r ran e s o e o 80 . 5 a s S tt o c f A ly f , p ; l o co , i o y f O g

C unt r n a . 1 82 . It h as b een s t enu us en e th at ove n o y, Vi g i i , p r o l y d i d G r or a b u as he nat h B ut n th st en h t is B r o r w t ori gi or of t is Fund . o e r gt of h ev en e h ave e t us t fie in statin th at h e was as h e h mse id c , I f l j i d g , i lf h n me . Se Sm t Gover r r i n lai d e s o a . c ( i , o f Vi g i , p 2 6 mit vern rs r inia . 25 S o 3 . h , Go o f Vi g , p 7

O n of 26 1 81 1 an the night December , , event occurred which threw Virginia into mourning and cast a gloom over all the m n i . n m n country The Rich o d Theatre , Rich o d , caught fire ’ and of n n m n many Virgi ia s best people were bur ed . A o g m f m 2 7 them were Gov . George William S ith and his a ily . On 3 1 812 Friday , January , , the Legislature met and elected James

n of of Barbour , the Speaker the House Delegates, Governor 2 8 n . n e n of Virgi ia On the next day, A drew Stev nso was elected him 2 9 to succeed as Speak er .

1 1 h n t . On February , Gov Barbour se t a message to the Legis

latur e n f or n for n aski g an appropriatio the defe se of Virginia , 3 0 1 in case of a war with Great Britain . On March 3 st he wrote to the commandants of regiments that it was the duty of in Virginia to be a state of defense . He then called upon them to use every means in their power to be prepared in case 3 1 f “ of war . In this way he earned his title o The War Gov ” n ernor . It was a tryi g period upon men in authority, but

. and v Gov Barbour never faltered , was said even to ha e pledged m 3 2 his personal eans to sustain the credit of his State . By 4th f in n n n July , of this year, the eeling Virginia agai st E gla d ran so high that the customary celebrations were much more

enthusiastic even than usual . The Governor reviewed the m n n fol Rich o d and Manchester troops , and at a di ner which v our lowed , Capt . Heth proposed the Toast , The Go ernor ,

- in- n Commander Chief, may his military ge ius equal his ardor ” “ m n . a in in the cause To which he replied , Un ni ity our cou

co- in m cils , and a hearty operation the field will place A erica fl i ”3 3 m beyond her present con ct . The artial Governor was evidently not well pleased with the selfish attitude of New n m England in denounci g the War . Si ilar meetings were held all over the state and the zeal of the Governor was every h f f n . t e where the subject o si cere toasts On fi th of May, in

2 7 Ch st an R hm n Her as t and resent . 80 . ri i , ic o d , P P , p 2 8 T h e r n a a tr t l . III anua 1 81 2 . Vi g i i P io , Vo , J ry, 2 0 I b id . SO r 81 2 Ib id . eb ua 1 1 1 . , F ry , 8 1 Ib Ma h 3 1 1 8 1 2 . id , rc , ” Sm t vern rs o r in a . 3 24 . i h , Go o f Vi g i , p " T h ir inia atriot l . III ul 4 1 81 2. e V g P , Vo , J y , 8

response to an order by President Madison , Gov . Barbour is an n of sued order, calling for four divisio s militia , each to u m n 3 0 e . n mber On November , he sent a massage to

n and the Legislature , avowi g his zeal for state rights , de f f ending his course . He then called attention to the act that a larger sum of money should be left to the discretion of the mm m Executive . He reco ended that the upper Ja es be ex

lored if nn n p , and possible , co ected with the wester waters .

m m and He recom ended , also , that our roads be i proved , then that the Legislature of Virginia should establish a great n n 3 4 Literary I stitutio , equal to the State . This course was

2n - n approved December d with a formal re election as Gover or .

t m n and This las ad i istration was as acceptable as the first, of 1 814 on the first December , , he was elected by the Legis n 3 5 lature to succeed Richard Brent in the United States Se ate . a 1 81 5 On the eleventh day of J nuary, , James Barbour pro

du ced n and in his crede tials , was qualified took his seat the n 3 6 1 9 n Se ate . On the th of Ja uary, we find him with Rufus n m n m n d . King a Wm . B Giles opposing the a e d e ts to the bank “ charter bill . Mr . Barbour , particularly, in an eloquent man

f of ner, en orced the necessity acting decisively on a subject n which had been so long pending betwee the two Houses , and n f n which so greatly i terested the feelings o the commu ity, which ‘ turned its eyes with ceaseless anxiety upon the dila ’ m n m n tory proceedings of Congress . The a e d e ts were lost v 21 1 3 by a ote of to . The bill then was passed, and vetoed 3 7 by President Madison . It was then brought again before ’ and Congress , for passage over the President s veto , Barbour v oted But in a few days Barbour himself proposed (presumably at the instigation of Calhoun ) a new bill to

k n a w as rech arter the B an of the U ited States . This b nk to be

much larger than the old one . The capital was to be

000 of n , which were to be in treasury otes , and the government was to suscribe It was to have the

3 4 m 1 2 T h e r nia a tr t . I II ve be 3 0 1 8 . Vi g i P io , Vol , No r , ” m 4 S ith G vern rs o r nia . 3 2 . , o o f Vi g i , p “ n n a s o C n ress l . III . 1 66 1 3 th Con. 2nd Sess . ) A l f o g , Vo , p ( ” br ement o th e Deba tes o C n ress . . 3 04 . A idg f f o g , Vol V , p ” m n 05 . A bri d e cnt o the ebates o C ress . . 3 g f D f o g , Vol V , p 9

3 9 capacity of borrowing His bill passed . The next ’ “ ” n for n year, we find him voti g Calhoun s famous B o us Bill, O which his brother, P . P . Barbour , pposed so strenuously in the House 4 ° These were his early departures from the old

principle of states rights . Although he supported these m m n easures , our cha pio of the Virginia Resolutions had not

- entirely forsaken his old time faith . m an Just at this ti e , incident occurred which may have had in much to do with the future of James Barbour . He brought a resolution directing President Monroe to present a sword to

0 1. . . n n C R M Johnson of Ke tucky, as a token of the tha ks of Con gress and of the nation for his gallant conduct in the battle m 1 3 1 1 3 8 . of the Tha es , October , In a splendid speech , he f showed how the di ficulties , which had caused the testimonial

to be withheld , could be removed , and then he described the m n in battle , and the a ner which Johnson killed Tecumseh , w ff ith such telling e ect , that the resolution passed unani m u l 4 1 n m o s y . It is worthy of ote that from this ti e until the ’ s and n end of Barbour service in the Senate , he Joh son were and n m m ff the best of friends , their a es seldo appear on di erent n m sides of any questio . When John Quincy Ada s was elected

n one President, Johnso , who had been of his most consistent n v supporters , requested stro gly that James Barbour be gi en 4 2 f w in n . e a place the Cabi et In a days after this , Barbour, m mm on as chair an of the co ittee foreign relations , reported a bill closing the ports of the United States to British vessels n 4 3 n engaged in the West I dia trade . Followi g this very closely , he championed the cause of Matthew Lyons who had peti

3 9 b m n D bat C n r e r e e t o the e es o ss . . 30 9 . A idg f f o g , Vol V , p — Note In th e es d ent al Cam ai n 1 840 w en B a b u s Pr i i p g of , h r o r up mn r H. a is n h w n e h 0 1 e ene al . H e as e i su t d. s po G r W rr o , co d d for p port " t is all n ank . It ma be int e estin weve to n te t at h , B oo B y r g , ho r, o h , e ven as l ate as e e mbe 1 81 9 u e S en e R ane that in D c r, , J d g p c r o , pr ce of adv ates for the hts the s tates w te to B a b u and dvis oc rig of , ro r o r, a ed “ him t o su bm t t o the B ank the United States the esent un i of , for pr , Se i iam n M r l er constitut ional as it is . ( e W ll a d a y Col ege Q uart ly

l . Vo . X , p 4 0 m t h e br e en o t e bates o C n ress l . . 66 5 A idg f D f o g , Vo V, p . 4 l i b d . l . . 45 . i , Vo VI , p 4 2 m M em rs o . . A a s Vol . . 509 . oi f J Q d , VI , p 4 3 men he eba tes C n ress br e t o t o Vol. VI . 47 . A idg f D f o g , , p 10 tioned Congress for a remission of the fines imposed upon him under the odious sedition act of the first Adams adminis i n n trat on . Lyons , perso ally, was very u popular, but his case involved the old question which had done so much at the polls 1 800 for the Republican party in . It very likely reminded f Barbour o his youthful fight in the Virginia Assembly . So n he made a brilliant speech , de ying that the unpopularity of

Lyons should be held as an objection to his case , and claim ing that they merely had to pass upon the constitutional ques “ tion involved ; that The law was unconstitutional , and Con and gress ought to say so , repair the damages made under ”4 4 m color of its authority . In Dece ber of this year rm n Barbour , as chai a of the committee to which it was referred, m sub itted a long statement of the case , coupled with a resolu tion declaring that the law was unconstitutional , and asking f r m fi o a com ittee to report a bill to that c ect . The proposition “s failed by a few votes . J B arbour was now rising rapidly to that lea dership which his talents so well justified . It was an important time . Sectional j ealousies between the North and South had never m f before been so keen . The ad ission o Alabama as a slave state swung the balance of representation in Congress to a 4 6 dead center, with eleven slave states and eleven free . Then

Missouri , a slave territory, applied for permission to form a n n n constitution and state gover me t . This threatened a tur in n n the bala ce , a turn which seemed to statesme of the North more serious than ever before because they thought this their m last chance to stop the progress of slavery . To them it see ed for inevitable , that in the industrial scramble the conquest of n the West, the slaveow er with his slaves must surely triumph n over the free laborers worki g as individuals . They seemed n to see , in the future , the whole Louisia a Territory converted f ‘ 7 o . into an area slave states On the other hand, the South

f had had even larger cause for ear . Population in the North

4 4 88 I b . . 1 85 to 1 . id , p 4 5 b id 1 . , p . 660 . 4 6 M B u ess T he e er . 63 . rg , iddl P iod , p 4 7 T u ne R s e o th e N ew es t . 1 5 5. r r, i f W , p 11

1819 increased over that in the South, until in , the eleven north 1 05 n 81 ern states could muster votes in the House , against o ly 4 8 f r o the eleven slave states of the South . This maj ority was spurred on to increased hostility to slavery by that tide of n free labor which was pushing into the West, and dema ding lands where freemen would not need to work in competition

h . t wit slaves But this hostility was held in check by the Sena e , if t where each state had only two votes . So that the Nor h were ever to abolish slavery it would be necessary to obtain n control of the Senate . Thus , there the co test centered, and for f a n there the South years , ought with surpassi g power and eloquence for what then seemed the very basis of her economic m existence . Indeed, states en of the South were far superior in intellectual powers to those from the free states of the 4 9 in N and North . It was reco gnized both the orth South, that f slavery itsel was largely responsible for this superiority . Thus we find as one of the strange tricks which fate some m v n ti es plays , that the system which was dri e by persecution to a desperate defense had itself provided the p ossibility for of n and the development defe ders , whose eloquence political genius harked back f or comparison to the best that Greece n n a d Rome had produced . Nowhere was this more evide t “ n n ot than in Virginia . The Virgi ia Dynasty had depended entirely upon the large number of electoral votes which Vir n ginia could deliver . Hers was a sheer i tellectual domina n tion , supported by wealthy pla ters who lived upon their es

afiorded tates, and who , in the leisure which slavery , reveled

- in well stocked libraries, and studied the science of govern in n . ment u til it became an instinct and a passion In Virg ia , plain little courthouses became the arenas of giant contests

over simple points at law , and the halls of her Legislature rang unceasingly with resistless reasoning which ‘ flowed in a

strange and fiery eloquence . Such was the environment of

the men who were to fight for the South , and among them

James Barbour was a giant indeed .

4 8 ' T u ne R s e o th e N ew est . 1 54 . r r, i f W , p 4 9 M m m e rs o . . A a s l . . 3 06 . oi f J Q d , Vo IV, p 12

1 5th At the close of the Congress , the Senate had Resolved, u i nan mously , That the thanks of the Senate be presented to

he t Honorable James Barbour, for the dignified and impartial manner in which he has discharged the important duties of ”5 0 President of the Senate since he was called to the Chair . n At a di ner, during this session , his republicanism had offended the decorous John Quincy Adams , who confided to his Diary, that “ He "James Barbour"was a man of affected pomposity m m of speech , full of prejudices and dogmatis , and of co mon ’ 5 1 a n of R c . N v t e on J an place ex ggeratio epubli anism e er hel ss, ’ u 1 6 the n x ar 1 820 t in ary , of e t ye ( ) we find his entry Adams “ f f Diary " With the single exception o Ru us King , of New

of m m m York , there is not, in either House Congress , a e ber fro the free states able to cope , in powers of mind , with William ” m 5 2 n n . Pi kney, or Ja es Barbour This change of opi ion is i and . significant, carries with it high praise ndeed Barbour was now ready to take high ground . Hi s ability was

and recognized , an opportunity was waiting to give to it its fullest expression . 1 6th v n When the Congress con ened , about the first busi ess f h t e . was the disposal o Missouri question In the meantime , m expecting the ad ission of Missouri as a slave state , and deter m n ined to preserve the old bala ce , Massachusetts had given t i to that par of her terr tory which is now Maine , permission to form a constitution and apply for admission to the Union , ff 4 h 5 3 t . if that could be e ected before March , of the next year

Accordingly Maine drew up a constitution , and applied for admission without the preliminary form of asking the permis “ f n sion o Congress . The North ow had an opportunity to

5 0 m e e e e br e nt o the bat s o C n r ss l . VI . 1 9 9 . A i dg f D f o g , Vo , p “ m Me m ir . d s o . a s l . IV 226 . o f J Q A , Vo , p . — M r B arbo u ha main n Note . r d ta i ed th at an American Ambassador at a foreign co urt s ho uld pr esent h imse lf in frock coat and meta l b ut t ns and if he we e not well eceived s u d eti e in indi nati n an o , r r , ho l r r g o , d th s M a on a ll u e bu nes s b es n en e. H weve r. B ar c rry f r r i y corr po d c o r, bou r is not record ed as h aving d one this wh en h e actually became our ambassad or to Engl and . s 2 d 06 l o i , , p . 5 . “ th New st 0 4 . u ne R se o e e . 1 6 61 T r r, i f W , 9 l“ B ur ess T he Mid e eri d . 7 7. g , dl P o , p 13

n - n gai two new states with four anti slave Se ators , if Missouri m if could be ad itted as a free state . Or this were not pos an n sible , they would deadlock Missouri , d get Maine i , thus gaining a majority of two votes . They had a maj ority in in ’ m n m the House , and succeeded passing Taylor s a e d ent to m n restrict slavery in Missouri . When the bill ca e to the Se ate m n m thus a e ded, the hopes for the South were s all . Little m objection could be raised to the ad ission of Maine , and if that state were admitted , her two Senators would decide the dead in f f m in lock avor o the amend ent to restrict slavery Missouri . The only way to prevent this lay by way of a parliamentary

n of 1 820 trick , and accordi gly , on the third January , , James

Barbour rose at his seat , and served notice that he would on 5 ofier m Wednesday, the th , a motion to couple the bill to ad it n 5 5 m Mai e with the one to admit Missouri . The motion ca e in 5 6 . n n oh due time The next day, Mr . Roberts , of Pen sylva ia , ected and j to this coupling of the two bills , moved that the bill be recommitted with instructions to the committee to separate in m f the two , and report Maine a distinct bill as it ca e rom the other house . m f Then a me orable debate ollowed . Mr . Barbour spoke at some length against the proposition to separate the bills ; de f ended the right of Missouri to statehood , and admitted that Maine had an equal right ; but deni ed that her h aste in adopt in n n n of n g a co stitution , without the co se t Co gress could give

n n of her any claim on the Se ate , or that the forbeara ce Mis suori should be held to make her any the less worthy of state n of 25 hood than Mai e . The proposition failed by a vote to n Then the fight began i real earnest . Mellen and n n n Roberts of Pe nsylvania , Ki g of New York, and the two se a tors from Massachusetts supported the House amendment to restrict, and opposed the Senate proposition to couple the two bills . But at no time has southern talent shone more conspicuously" Nathaniel Macon began with a wonderfully n m telli g argu ent , and he was ably supported by William

5 5 B M ri 1 A bri emen o the Deba tes o u ess T he i e e . 8 t rg , ddl P od , p ; dg f f

C on r es s . VI . 425 . g , Vol , p ss I bid . 5 7 m n th eba te br e e t o e s o C n ress l . VI . 3 86 . A idg f D f o g , Vo , p 14

m Pinkney, the new Senator fro Maryland , with one of the most eloquent speeches which had ever been delivered before 5 8 m f the Senate . Then Ja es Barbour entered the fight and ully

justified the high tribute which Adams had paid him . n f n After a further stateme t o the poi ts at issue , he showed that the South had always supported every proposition to

suppress the slave trade . He said that the South did not m f v m wish now to multiply the nu ber o sla es , but to spread the “ over a larger area ; that the real question was , Shall we violate the Constitution by imposing restrictions upon the peo ple of Missouri while exercising the great privilege of form

ing their government ; shall we violate the solemn obligations imposed by treaty ? And shall we finally do an act of im

measurable injustice in excludin g the people of one - half the

m t n r b b republic fro participating in tha cou t y, ought y a m n 25 9 And a 2 . co mon treasure , d their exclusive councils for ? m n n n what Not to di i ish slavery, but to confi e it withi its n m n f m prese t li its . To seduce the white populatio ro n this portion of the cou try , thus interdicted . To drive us v from the country, and surrender it exclusi ely to the

r blacks . The Constitution has not authorized the exe

of and n in cise such a power directly , there is nothi g it to f m n n‘ justi y such an exercise by i plicatio , if implicatio were

‘ n n allowable . If then it be true that your discretio , eve m s m in as to ad is ion is li ited , and the present case all the con stitu ent qualifications exist on the part of Missouri for state

hood, you are bound to say that she shall be admitted as a state i n . attri nto this Unio If she be admitted as a state , all the of n butes the old states i stantly devolve upon her, and the most prominent of these is the right to fashion her govern

l RB ur ess T h M e e er 84 . g , iddl P iod , p .

l” —“ Note a ter in his s p ee h he exp ai ne that by Th eir ex lus ive ” L c l d c un s he mea nt th at a S uthe n env M n e h ad b a a ne co cil , o r oy ( o ro ) rg i d for the Lo ui s i a na T erritory ; th a t a Southern Pre s i d ent ( Jeffers o n) h ad a ve the ba a n th at a Senate nt e b s uth e ne s h ad ppro d rg i ; , co roll d y o r r ra ti fied the trea ty ; and tha t a ho use of repres entati ves entirel y con t e b s uth e ne s h a d a ated th e u h as e m ne all in th e roll d y o r r ppropri p rc o y , fac e o r th e viol ent p arti s an pro tests of s enators and represe ntatives from that s ame s ectio n wh ich was th en trying to monop ol i z e this same ter t w h l ri ory i t a p arti san contro . 1 5 ment according to the will and the pleasure of the good people of of that state . Whereas your restriction deprives them that ” f f n n in privilege fore ver . Then a ter de e di g the moral issue “ m " n o of n volved , he exclai ed Sir, portion the Union has bee more loyal than the South " Is this your reward for our ? n a loyalty Sir , there is a poi t where resistance becomes m m and n . virtue , sub issio a cri e Our people are as brave n n as they are loyal . They ca endure a ything but insult .

B ut the om tha t R w e m e m ent you pass ubicon , they ill r dee th ir m h in uch abused character , and t row back upon you your ” n n n 6 0 sole e s a d your aggressio . n n mm n In It is ot ecessary to co e t upon this speech . it he

n of and had graphically stated the whole positio the South , he had added a fire to southern arguments which Pinkney f m alone could intensi y . His otion to couple the two bills had made it impossible for the North to secure the admission of Mai ne in time to have her two senators vote upon the admis

n of f r sion of Missou ri . The sanctio Massachusetts o the state

f n n f Fur hood o Mai e held good o ly until March the ourth .

n f f or and ther delay would have bee oolish the North , they m n m saw that a co promise was i evitable , although the ove ment had gone too far for the House to recede entirely . The amendment to restrict failed by a vote of 27 to The m otion to unite the two bills then passed by a vote of 23 to m n n Mr . Barbour then oved that the Se ate insist o this m n 6 3 of a d . first clause its amend ents , it was carried Then and n n com Messrs . Thomas , Barbour , Pi k ey were elected a mit f m f m tee to con er with a com ittee ro the House , which was 6 4 led by Mr . Clay . m m n an m During this ti e , excite ent in Virgi ia reached alar m ing pitch . The otion to couple the two bills was practically

OO m D te n res s VI . 425 . A brid nt o th e eba s o C . g e e f f o g , Vol , p “ br ement o th e Deba tes o C n ress . . 425 . A idg f f o g , Vol VI , p 6 2 I b . . 4 5 0 . id , p os I d 2 . bi . , pp . 4 5 6 4 — m m s N0 te T h s n eren e a ee o n th e am us M ss ou C e, . i co f c gr d f o i ri o pro i h ve as t b e e m tte in M ss u i b ut ex u e eve by wh ic sl a ry w o p r i d i o r , cl d d for r ’ 0 tu e See fro m the Lo ui s i ana territory north of 3 3 north l ati d . (

u ess T he Mi d e er d . B rg , d l P io , p 16

the only way to prevent restriction in Missouri . But on the same day that Barbour served notice of his intention to offer m n m n this otio , he received a letter fro Preside t Monroe , n mm n n stro gly advising him against the plan , and reco e di g that m n n n they ad it Mai e at o ce , thus throwi g the South helpless 6 5 upon the charity of the North . That Mr . Barbour did not 9 h f . t ollow this advice , has already been shown On February a c aucus of the Virginia Assembly was held to nominate Presi n m de tial electors . Just as they ca e together , a report got

n m m re out that Mr . Charles Yancey, a leadi g e ber, had just ceived n m n an i teresting letter fro Se ator Barbour, on the ’ n Pre sident s position . Ya cey at last yielded to the cries about him m , and read the letter to the . Immediately an intense ex citement and n n n prevailed , so i dig a t were they all with Mr . Monroe that the caucus broke up without making any nomina n 0 6 tio . Then new s came to Virginia that a compromise was im n and n f m m pe ding , when the ature o this co pro ise was under m stood , the excite ent increased beyond all bounds . On Feb ruar 1 1th y , Harry St . George Tucker wrote Barbour that the South thought that President Monroe was afraid of losing his re- e n and i el ctio , was thus try ng to play to the North , but that the South was unwilling to purchase his services at such a 6 7 e . On 1 9th n pric February , Judge Spencer Roa e wrote to the 6 8 m ff - e . On ru 14 sa e ect Feb ary th , ex President Madison wrote f to Barbour rom Montpelier, and advised him under the con ditions m m 8 9 to yield to the co pro ise . But following this close ly am n c e letters from A drew Stevenson , Charles Yancey, h m . . T o as Ritchie , Judge Roane , W F Gordon , Linn Banks , and others , all telling him of the tremendous opposition in

Virginia to any compromise whatsoever ; all complimenti ng m n n the ag ifice t fight which he had made for the South , and all u n him of n n ff n 7 0 ass ri g their u cha ged a ectio and support .

fl f- W a m a nd M ar C e uar t r e e . 9 . illi y oll g Q ly , Vol X , p . "B l d in . 6 t 1 0 . p o . t” T h e W a m and Mar C le e ua r t rl l y e . 1 1 i i g p . ll ol Q y, Vo X , . “ I bi d n p . 1 7 . " b I . . 1 2 id , p . — 7 0 te Al l o r these tt No l e ers can be fo und in th e Willi am and Mary C le ua r t g e er . . 5 24 ol Q ly , Vol X , pp to .

n m n him givin g his adhesio to Ada s . This Joh son advised to 7 3 n do . It is well know that the caucus was held and resulted in the nomination of Crawford by a small minority of the 7 9 B ut i R epublicans in Congress . after the nom nation, Bar

’ m and . bour s enthusiasm see s to have waned, in April , Col “ n m Joh son reported that, Barbour see s ready to give up the ” 8 0 m u and cause . In May, Mr . Ada s talked to R fus King James Barbour about his plan for a slave trade convention “ n v m m with England . Ki g appro ed it, and Ada s re arked, But

u s Barbo r, a Caucus man , seemed very coolly disposed toward ”8 1 it 24th of . . Nevertheless , on the May, Col Taylor reported “

m . to Ada s , That Gov Barbour had this day made the best him Conven speech he had ever heard from , in support of the ” 8 2 m n and it . tio , had done entire justice to Now he see ed to ’ In n . be taki g Col . Johnson s advice December of this year 4 n f n m . a d 1 82 . ( ) Mr Ada s called on Mr Barbour, a ter talki g fi n about various public matters , asked him con de tially about m n n the co i g electio . Barbour told him that the entire Vir

i if his g nia delegation would vote for Crawford, but that

an cause should be hopeless , they would in y case , vote for n 8 3 a other than a mere military leader (Jackson) . A few days

later , Barbour called on Mr . Adams and repeated that the

and Virginia delegation would vote , at first for Crawford ,

then , if that were impracticable , their next choice would be “ for Adams . The main facts of this election are now common n how k owledge , that in the House , under the leadership of

Clay, the supporters of Crawford went over and voted for m wh 8 5 o on . 12 Ada s was elected the first ballot On February th ,

7 ~M em ir m s o . . a s . VI . 23 5 Ambl e S e t na s m o f J Q Ad , Vol , p ; r, c io li i r n a 1 2 V g i i , p . 7 . 7 0 B u ess T h M e e er . 1 3 3 . rg , iddl P iod , p 8 0 Mcmo ir o m s . . a s . VI . 284 . f J Q Ad , Vol , p B l I id b . , p . 3 23 . 3 2 b 8 I . 3 4 . id , p . “ M i d . p . 46 6 . 1“ I b 4 5 id p . 7 . s aB ur es s T M er 2 h e e . 1 4 . g , iddl P iod , p 19

1 CO . R . M . Johnson had a long talk with Mr . Adams and strongly advised him to appoint Gov . Barbour to one of the n 8 6 4th Departme ts . On March , the name of James Barbour 8 7 was sent to the Senate for confirmation as Secretary of War . Here we find the turning point in the career of James Bar m n bour . Until this ti e he had bee upheld by his statesman ship and genius as one of the acknowledged leaders of his St n i i l ate. Now he had been received i to the p o t ca family of a President against whom the political leaders of New and in York Virginia were soon to unite a deadly opposition . A s a memb er of the new admini stration he must help frame c and c n in a n l its poli ies , onseque tly, be held , p rt, respo sib e for “ v Er F its e ery act . The a of Good eeling had already broken f of m up into a seething oment political sche ing , and Jackson , f n v n n de eated, was already preparing to i flict a dire re e ge upo “ m the men, who , as he said , had co bined to cheat the people f ” m o . their choice In November, President Ada s was pre paring his first message to Congress , and read it to his Cabinet . n Mr . Barbour objected to that part relati g to internal improve “ n v n f in me ts , and e e Mr . Clay thought there was much orce ”8 8 his remarks . While they were discussing this message , a

n m n . very striking contrast appeared betwee these two e . Mr mm n n un o u Clay was for reco e di g nothing , which , from its p p larit y, would be unlikely to succeed , while Mr . Barbour wished to recommend n othing that might be carried without recom m n i n 8 9 e dat o . Among the first duties of the new Secretary was the disposal

of n n and those I dia tribes , in Georgia Florida , which had

already begun to block the progress of civilization . This was

ffi and . a very di cult matter, gave him a great deal of trouble of Gov . Troup , Georgia , was continually quarrelling with the f n ederal Indian agent, and at one time threate ed to treat

ublic on Barbour as a p enemy, should he insist his order to n 9 0 block a survey which Troup had pla ned . But by a skillful

8 6 M m r m e s of . . A a s l . . 509 . oi J Q d , Vo VI , p 8 7 d I bi . , p . 51 0 . 8 8 I b d . . VII . 59 . i , Vol , p 8 9 I d b . i , p . 6 1 .

N est . 3 1 2. . 1 3 6 u ne R ise o the ew p ; T r r, f W , p 20

n and judicious manageme t, Barb our was able to avert any real f issue with the hot headed Governor . Thus it was le t for his s u ccessor un der An drew Jackson , to stir up the trouble which “ ” caused Old Hickory to back down . Mr . Barb our , at first pl anned to incorporate the Indians within the States of the m and Union and to cease making treaties with the at all , consider them altogether subject to our laws . Mr . Clay thought that the Indians could not be civilized and that they were . an destined to extinction . He said that he did not believe y of them would be left in fifty years . Mr . Barbour was shocked 9 1 n In of 1 826 . at these opinio s . January , Mr Barbour finally agreed on a treaty with the Creeks in Georgia , by which

Chattahoochie . treaty , the was to be the boundary The Presi 9 2 n n n . de t havi g agreed to it , it was sig ed The next month , f n t o mm Barbour laid be ore the Cabi et , his letter the Co ittee n f m one on Indian Aff airs . His pla had changed ro the that he

n for m n of at first co sidered , into a plan for i g all the tribes i of into a great territor al government , west the Mississippi

v v h e sm ri er . This letter pro oked muc hostil critici from the n 9 3 m m in Virgi ia press , but Mr . Ada s re arked his Diary, There

n m of n ~ are ma y excellent re arks in the paper, which is full be e ’9 4 volenc and . e, humanity

This same characteristic of Gov . Barbour appeared perhaps

1 st more strikingly in July of this year . On July , he told President Adams about the damage which recent rains had n ff do e to the estate of Mr . Je erson and proposed that on July f m n the Fourth , a ter the usual cere o ies at the Capitol , he should

an m address the audience , and invite i mediate subscription for of n nd m the benefit the gra d old sage , a that he hi self would v gi e Mr . Adams doubted the success of the plan .

Nevertheless , on the Fourth , Barbour delivered his address , w n hich , although o ly a few subscriptions were secured , Mr . “ m f n n Adams re arks , was the over lowi g of a ge erous , bene

v en and ineffici ol t , patriotic heart , respectable even in its

“ M mr e J . m s o . a s VII . 89 . oi f 0 Ad , Vol . , p m m 1 , D. 0 8 . ”R c hm n E n u rer eb ua 1 826 i o d q i , F r ry, . " Mem r I m s o . . a s . VII . 1 1 3 . oi f Q Ad , Vol , p 21

”9 5 . had ency . On the sixth of July, Mr Barbour the sad duty ff of reporting to Mr . Adams , that Je erson had died at Monti

ou . cello , July the Fourth All were profoundly touched by the w s strange and striking coincidence , and Barbour a especially ff a ected, as he prepared his special order to the army, in de ff m 9 6 ference , both to Je erson and to the elder Ada s . 2 m In 1 8 6 . December, , Mr Clay talked to President Ada s n about the ensui g presidential election . He said that his

n him - friends were talki g about (Clay) for vice president , but that he did n ot care about this and would be willing to remain as Secretary of State if the friends of the administration

“ for v - would unite in supporting Gov . Barb our the ice presi 9 ‘3 ?7L In v m f x in dency . No e ber o the ne t year when the elections n nf n New York were goi g u avorably to the admi istration ,

n and Barbour called o Mr . Adams asked his opinion about

- n f n f the vice preside cy . Adams pre erred not to i ter ere , but n n said that his i cli ation was for him (Barbour) . Mr . Barbour then said that Mr . Clay had proposed it to him ; that he

n c n r out and wished all perso al o side ations to be pushed , let the man be selected who could giv e the most stren gth to the

H d n t hin r - . e id o t k howeve tha Mr a t . O d cause , , l y coul 9 7 e ect thi fi s . Only a few months were necessary to make this prospect n u attractive . The combination of Van Buren and his hench m en in New York with Thomas Ritchie and others in Vir n a gi i , into an organized fight against the administration in n f favor of Jackso had been all too success ul . It was hard now “ ” not v to see that the people would soon ha e their Choice . ’ And Barbour s desire for the vice - presidential nomination de

i . one m creased accord ngly At ti e the support of Gov . Barbour

would have been a tower of strength to Adams in Virginia , at least . But now his identity with the administration was too well established for the enemies of this administration to leave his popularity intact . Hi s nationalistic ideas had come up for

9 5 Mem i r A ms s of . . da l . . 1 1 8 o J Q , Vo VII , p 9 6 1 bid . , p . 1 22.

nea M m m - e oirs o J . . Ada s l . f . 21 6 1 7 . Q , Vo VII , pp "I bi d . , p . 3 52. 22 assault in the Jackson papers and Jackson himself began to , , count as personal enemies all who did not support him . Little m wonder that Barbour began to dread a ca paign . But he n n was not inactive . O e especially interesting i cident was his m 21 1 828 ’ call on Ada s , March , , to leave copies of Jackson s

n in m 1812 . letter to L . W . Campbell , writte Septe ber , This n n in letter a d a ote were very abusive language , with a total mm I t di sregard of or ignorance of spelling or gra ar . was pro posed to publish them in some way so as to form a contrast to his printed speeches which had really been written by Harry n m Lee . This had already bee done by a printed na ed Force ,

i . n Nashville , Tennessee The plan now was to get a resolu tion through the House calling for the publication of the cor n n ’ respondence relating to the I dian passports . Jackso s n frie ds did not know of this letter, and it was hoped to get it in m published this way . Ada s approved the stratagem , but it “ ” “ 9 8 and f later failed . The Old Hero his riends were on the ” j ob . Perhaps these latter suspected something of this sort, f or at least were a raid to run any risk .

2 2 n 3 1 8 8 . As early as January , , Dr Watki s , of Virginia , m n m went to President Ada s to urge the appoi t ent of Gov . n Barbour as Minister to E gland to succeed Albert Gallatin , saying that Mr . Clay had already talked to Barbour about and this , had induced him to expect it . Mr . Adams said that it would be very agreeable to him to gratify any wish of

Gov . m Barb our , but that he had al ost promised this place n f to a other, however he would wait until the close o that n m m 9 9 session of Co gress to ake an appoint ent . In March , Mr . Clay told Adams that Webster desired the mission to England f m ; . be ore he passed the pri e of life But as Gov Barbour, who nx was very a ious to go , would certainly not stay more than two h or t ree years , Mr . Webster was willing to postpone his own m n . . m clai s u til that time Mr Clay then entioned Gen . Porter and Spencer as possible successors of Barbour as Secretary of m “ . n n in Mr Ada s the otes his Diary, Webster wants

“ Me m rs o m i f . . A a s l . VII . 482 o J Q d , Vo , p . " I b . . 41 7 . id , p ”Wi n d , p . 474 . 23

it through ambition , Rush and Barbour, as a shelter from the political storm of which they are now afraid— I cannot blame ” 0 m 1 1 few m the . In a days , Barbour hi self spoke to Adams m about his desire for the appoint ent , and asked to have notice n in n some time beforeha d , case of his appointme t , in order to f m 1 0 2 n . arra ge his private af airs This Ada s promised . m In May, Mr . Clay began again to urge the clai s of Gov . n u Barbour, and Adams remarked agai that both Barbo r and f Rush wanted to save themselves rom the wreck . Then he “ ’ not n ~ adds , And it is inoperative upon Mr . Clay s rece t pro i n n pens ties to resig . As the rage of the tempest increases a d

one the chances grow desperate , each will take care of him f self . I know not that I could do better than grati y Gov . f n Barbour, who has rendered faith ul service to his cou try an n an d whose i tegrity d honor are unsullied . In my own

f am n political down all , I not necessarily bound to i volve my

f n . n n n rie ds Mr . Clay thi ks that the appoi tme t of Governor Barbour would not have a bad political effect upon the admin i m ff istrat on . . In this he is istaken The e ect will be violent,

men and probably decisive . But why should I require to sacri ”1 0 3 fice themselves for me ? Such was the spirit of John

i . Qu ncy Adams , the grand old Puritan In a few days Barbour m n talked again with Ada s about the appointme t , and insisted that Adams should not let his claims be an embarrassment to m him ffi the ad inistration . Adams told that the di culties had

c e and n e to lear d away, that there was o ly his desir preserve nd the administration unbroken to the e . But that in a few 1 0 4 n days he would decide . Accordi gly he called a Cabinet

meeting for May 17th to consider the subject . Barbour asked 1 0 5 to be absent from this meeting and was excused . At this n m meeting Adams suggested that the appoi t ent be postponed , but the Cabinet was all of the opinion that it should be made

1 0 1 m . VII . 483 . M em rs o . . A a s V , p oi f J Q d , ol 1 0 2 5 1 bi d . , p . 48 .

1 0 8 m l II . 525 . Mem irs o . . A a s Vo . V , p o f J Q d , 1 0 4 3 8 . I bld . , p . 5 1 0 5 44 1 bid . , p . 5 . 24

f r . and . a o immedi ately, that Gov B rbour was the man the place Adams again mentioned the bad effect this might have on the ensuing election . Clay argued that this might not be the

1 ° ° case .

Adams knew more than his advisers . When the appoint ment became known the enemies of his administration jumped at once to the conclusion which Adams had feared ; the hos tile press charged at once that the administration had a cknowl f edged its de eat ; that James Barbour had deserted the cause , and some declared that the choice of Barbour to succeed ”7 Gallatin was ridiculous . However, other papers rallied to the n and R m n Whi t defe se , in the ich o d g this la ter criticism “ was ably answ ered in a striking editorial " It is the fashion in Virginia to depreciate James Barbour for the purpose of d f i o . ispensing a larger share pra se to his brother, Philip P f Barbour, who has more success ully cultivated the regard of 1 0 8 n that political club , which has so lo g ruled things with a despotic sway . To deny that Gov . Barbour has fine talents , l v on y pro es the weakness of those who make the objection . of On the score talent , Gov . Barbour is amply equal to the ” 1 0 9 n . S n occasio ubsequent eve ts proved that this was tru e . On 28th of the May, the Senate ratified the nomination of m n 2 1 2 . Ja es Barbour as Mi ister to England , by a vote of 7 to It may be interesting to note that among the 12 who voted “ ” no w and , ere John Tyler L . W . Tazewell, both of Vir

. n Gov Barbour we t at once to London , and took up his new d uties . He was introduced to the British Premier early in 1 1 1 d r im October and , un er inst uctions from Secretary Clay, mediately began negotiations for a settlement of the old trouble

OI bid . , p . 5 46 1 0 7 R hm n Enqu rer Ma 26 and 27 1 828 ic o d i , y , ( m New Y k Even n s t M Fro or i g Po , ay, he R hm n unt wh h m h ic o d J o , of ich T o as R itc ie was one of the ene rs l . l O O T h e C ns t tut na h Ma 24 1 828 o i io l W ig , y , . H O ' Congress i ona l De ba tes I , . V a t II . 2773 2oth on l S Vol , P r , p ; C . , st ee T h e C ns t tu t na Wh M a 28 1 828 . o i io l ig , y , l l l N iles R e s ter l . 3 5 g . 1 21 . i , Vo , p

26

the highest satisfaction in Mr . Barbour, as the representative “ ” “ n of a great nation . It is very gratifyi g, said he , to have

an m at last , A erican ambassador who can watch the progress n n of o f England with i terest a d pleasure , instead the jealousy ” 6 1 1 1 st which former ministers have always held . On July , xf n i the University of O ord ho ored Mr . Barbour w th the de m nf gre e of LL . D . This degree was at the same ti e co erred on

n n m f . ma y oble en , army o ficers , scientists , etc It was a great

a n n m m men occ sio , large crowds havi g asse bled to see the fa ous n n who were to receive honorary degrees . After the prese tatio 1 1 7 n n of . of these , there was a gra d processio dignitaries

v and f m f m v Go . Barbour his a ily sailed ro Li erpool in Octo 1 1 8 an a v in New York l st ber, d rri ed , November , He was immediately invited to attend the dinner which New 6th n York was to give , on November , to Mr . Brow who had m n been recalled fro France . But private reaso s compelled 1 2 0 him t o decline , and he set out at once for Virginia . But the next week he was splendidly entertained at a great public nn v m 1 2 1 di er gi en by citizens of Rich ond .

f x m f o Gov . u In May the ne t year, Barbour anno nced hi sel as a candidate to represent Orange county in the next General m . n Assembly He ade a powerful speech at Ora ge courthouse ,

v n and n re iewi g his own political life , vi dicated his acceptance ’ of 1 2 2 a seat in Adams Cabinet . The election was very close

x n . n n and e citi g So inte se was the oppositio that , although ’ an n man Barbour s opponent was illiterate and u known , there seemed to be little doubt that he would be elected over the v n Am man who had been Go ernor, Se ator , Secretary and bas ’ sador . Even a number of the members of Barbour s own m f him fa ily are said to have re used to vote for , because of m a conn ct Adams v ex- his e ion with Howe er , President Madi H GI bid " p . 3 29 . l ” Di/ I d . 3 7 , Vol , H BI bid t be r q Oc o 1 1 9 I bl’ d m . ve be , No r 1 2 0 1 bid m . ve be 1 4 1 829 . , No r , 1 2 l I bi d m . ve be 28 1 829 . , No r , 1 2 2 R es e s ter . 8 2 8 3 . 1 . Nil g i , Vol , p ‘ i fim F m a ro a n a unt b . . S tt Law b a ian o f n a ( cco y W W co , Li r r Virg i i ne hew ames B a b u p of J r o r) . 27

v for son, old as he was , attended the election and oted Gov . 1 2 2 10 ’ Barbour . At first it appeared that Mr . Davis , Barbour s

n m of 14 . f oppo ent, had a ajority votes But the sheri f dis

e a m u t Dav and de cov red nu ber of fraud lent vo es for is, 1 2 3 l r d . . n c a e Mr Barbour elected The electio was contested, however, and Mr . Barbour took his seat in the Assembly de claring that he would retire if there should be any reasonable mm proof that his Opponent had not been defeated . A co ittee

to o th m t and a ared was appointed look int e at er, it ppe to B not e ve them that arbour had rec i d a legal majority, although

e ffi . . they wer unable to show su cient proof Nevertheless , Mr Barbour saw that the intense partisan hostility was deter f l 6th 1 83 1 mined to de eat him , and on the of February, , he “ in re gave notice that he would retire , order, as he said, to liev e the committee of the expense and labour of going over ”

m . f the great ass of records , etc He then bade arewell to the one m Assembly in a valedictory , which is of the ost beautiful m of all his speeches But he still had many friends in Orange

and n n for him n county, they arra ged a public di ner at Ora ge

C o c l 0th. . n w as nv ourth use for Mar h Mr Madiso i ited , but was “ f n too eeble to accept the invitation , else he would have joi ed in the tribu te to be offered to one whose private w orth and ” n social virtues are known to all . Judge P . P . Barbour ha d

somely accepted the invitation extended him . Robert Taylor in f m nn also accepted an earnest and eeling a er . In those days political views were personal things, and it was no small tribute to the private worth of a public man to be entertained at a public dinner with his political opponents present to do

of him honor ; and in his letter acceptance , Gov . Barbour f n 1 2 5 showed himself ully sensible of the complime t . m “ ” 1 2 6 He now retired to his beautiful ho e , Barboursville ,

1 2 2 b Nil R ter l 3 . 3 es e s . 9 . 1 7 . g i , Vo , p 1 2 3 I b . h r er s m . 1 73 T e e k bur Arena ove b e 1 83 0 T he id , p ; F d ic g , N r, ; r r cks b r er m 83 0 e e u a ve be 1 . F d i g H ld , No r, 1 2 4 Ni es R e ister l . 3 9 . 464. s va ed t is e u ed l g , Vo , p ( Thi l ic ory r prod c

here in full . ) 1 2 5 i les R e s ter Ma h 26 1 83 1 . N g i , rc , 1 2 6 e - A h -t n n ravin and nte est n es t n th s Not . alf o e e g g i r i g d crip io of i time d mansi n ma be found in Sc tt st r o ran e C unt ol o y o , Hi o y f O g o y,

p . 8 1 and 202. 28 and took very little active part in politics until early in the

f 1 83 9 n n n . spring o , whe the preside tial campaig began He n n and then entered heartily i to the campaig , with Benjamin V X f m n - at - . Leigh o Rich o d , was elected delegate large from n h Virgi ia to t e Whig Convention to be held at Harrisburg , 2 n i 1 7 n m et Pe nsylvan a . This conventio at the Lutheran Church

m x . in . Harrisburg, on the fourth of Dece ber The ne t day, Gov James Barbour was elected president of the convention 1 2 8 with

- John Tyler of Virginia as one of the vice presidents .

In this Convention , the New York politicians , led by Thur ff s low Weed, e ected the slaughter of Henry Clay, and avail ili m 1 2 9 b ty had its first complete triu ph in our national politics . Men of every political creed had come together to seck a com m and n . t mon advantage , to reve ge past wrongs Old en i ies n m n m f were forgotte a o g those who had asse bled, and old riend f n m ships were orgotte , too . Even Ja es Barb our forgot the many personal services which had cemented his friendship with “ n n Clay, and in his ope i g speech declared , that he had not

come there with any personal prejudices in his heart, nor had an n f fi h y of them come to whi e a ter the es p ots of Egypt , but i to g ve perpetuity to republican institutions . To reach this

end , it mattered not what letters of the Alphabet spelled the ’ n m for nn candidate s a e , his part, he could sing Hosa as to any ’ “ 3 0 m n Alphabetical co binatio .

for n During the balloting the presidential nomi ee , Harrison

seemed to have a lead on Clay . Finally a letter from Clay

. n was read It gave the conve tion a free rein , but Clay de clined to withdraw . Barbour then made a beautiful speech in

1 2 7 m R ich n h Oct b e 1 1 83 9 . o d W ig , o r , 1 2 8 es R e s ter l VI I 5th S e i s 249 h d M rt n n . e . S e a a Va Nil g i , Vo , r , p ; p r , i e m m B ur n A States en Se es . 3 7 8 . ( . ri ) , p e — h v B a h e s i h x Not T e Go . rbo ur ere ref rred to is li ted n t e ind e of “ ” th s b k a s h . B arb u s ee . eve th e es s Gov. . i oo P ilip P o r ( p N r l , P u h m h e w th . B a b r w o w a s a ank e at is ea n use e P r o , r D ocr , cl rl y co f d r i m w h ubt e esi ent h is b th e Gov. Ja es B a b u o; w as und ro r, r o r, , o dly, Pr d of

th s C nvent n. ( See es R e ster VII 5th Se ies . i o io Nil gi . , r , p 1 2 Q d M r n Van B ur n . 3 78 . Sh epar , a ti e , p l ao s t VII Se i es . 249 . N i les Re er l . 5th g i , Vo , r , p 2 0

m compliment to Clay , but ended with a strong endorse ent of 1 3 1 n General Harrison . Harrison was nomi ated with John

n . m Tyler, of Virginia, for a run ing mate It will be re embered f that just eleven years be ore , Tyler had voted in the United States Senate against the confi rmation of B arbour as Ambassa h ’ dor to England . Now e had come over into B arbour s own par t B y, and arbour atoned, in part, for his desertion of Clay, by “ ee m an re u proving that he had ind d, not co e with y personal p j ” ’ dices in his heart. Since he worked faithfully for Tyler s nom “ ” ination and n m , then sang Hosan as throughout the ca paign n I to this very unusual combinatio . t was a memorable cam ’ “ ai n. m en J c Let p g The who had lost the most by a kson s slogan, ” the e e w t peopl rule, now cam back ith an echo o that cry, and Jac em l the successor of kson tr bled as the echoes rang. O d as he n was , Gov . Barbour plu ged into the campaign with his old m ti e eloquence . At Staunton, he met Gov . William Smith in

f r a debate and spoke o five hours . Gov . Smith himself later “ pronounced this speech the ablest he had ever heard from ” 1 3 2 f the lips of any m an. Soon a ter this Barbour made a n speech at a convention at Marti sburg, Virginia (now West “ V R hm n Whi m m a irginia) , which the ic o d g noted as The ost g nificent burst of eloquence to which the times have given ”1 3 3 . e the too Cla Calhoun and birth These wer times, , of y, , Webster "

If we leave out any thought that Gov . Barbour may have n bee spurred on by memories of former personal wrongs , and s think only of the great is ues which were at stake , there is A something sublime in this his last great fight . fter ten years of f of retirement rom his thirty years eminent public service , o f f he had c me back be ore the people, not seeking for o fice , but “ ” to warn them against the Little Magician and his crew of “ in politicians , and to help give perpetuity to Republican ” " stitutions . A contemporary remarks Gov . Barbour pre an n sented imposing appeara ce , with striking face , long , shaggy

eyebrows , and head covered with silvery flowing locks ; with

1 3 1 es R e s ter . VII 5th Se es . 3 78 . Nil g i , Vol , ri , p 1 3 2 M e m m h B e i r v W S it . 4. m s o Go . . 1 l , o i f , p l sa t hmond h Se tembe 21 1 840. W ig, p r , 3 0

’ a majestic and sonorous voice , he filled one s conception of a ” 1 3 4 Roman Senator in the last days of the Republic . f At the close o this contest, broken in health by the strain , he went to Baltimore and Philadelphia to consult certain

eminent surgeons and physicians, and it was found that he had been suff ering for several years under the effects of a slow and insiduous disease which had gradually impaired his v constitution . The surgeons could gi e him no hope for a per “ ” n ma ent cure , and he returned sadly to Barboursville . In of 1841 December , he started again for Baltimore , this time by way of Richmond where he was to attend the A gricul m tural Convention . But the trip to Rich ond exhausted him , and after a few days of rest there , he returned again to Bar ” f m bourville . A ter a few weeks of rest , he see ed to recover

sum again , and was able to take charge of his estate , but as mer approached the old statesman weakened fast, and on the m seventh of June , in the possession of his ental faculties , and

conscious of the approaching end, he died, surrounded by his m 1 3 5 fa ily . Now the hand of death had silenced his enemies , and the voices of his friends united into one full chord of

. m n praise From a o g these many notes, the fittest one de “ clared " One him of the noblest of the sons of Virginia , the virtues of whose private life and character outshone all of the splendor with which popular favor or political distinction ” 1 3 6 could adorn his name . It is characteristic of the man that he desired only this simple inscription on his tomb "

Here lies James Barb our Originator of The Literary Fund “ of Virginia? 7

But he shares the fate so common to distingu ished Vir ginians n , si ce even this small tribute has been denied him ,

1 8 4 B e11 M em rs o Go Wm v. m , i . S th . 1 4 . o f i , p 1 8 5 R hm n h une 1 6 1 842. ic o d W ig , J , 1 3 6 I b id . H T Smith G vern rs o ir n a 2 , o o f V g i i , p . 3 5 . 3 1

in m and he still lies an un arked grave . However the little n n W tow of Barboursville sta ds near here his home had been , and n in n m 1 842 Barbour cou ty West Virgi ia , for ed in , also 1 3 8 perpetuates his name and memory . Time has not yet healed n the enmity which his desertio caused in Democratic Virginia , and the silent neglect of his contemporaries proves all too elo m n quently how intense this en ity had bee . It is not our task f o n to de end James Barb ur, but o ly to ask that his critics study closely all his actions before condemnin g any single motive of this man whose Whole life supports no baser charge than that he stood for conviction in the face of political

and n of disaster, refused to cri ge for safety before the altar a

demagogue .

I SS m n r n . 3 25 S ith G ver rs o i ia . , o o f Vi g , p