Public Library

Red. June 15. 1837.

CONTENTS.

NO. V.-VOL. III.-MAY, 1837.

SKETCHES

OF PRIVATE LIFE AND CHARACTER OF
WILLIAM H. CRAWFORD.

From the pen of one who enjoyed the confidence of this excel-
lent man and his family, and who had opportunities of know-
ing him both in public and private life, which few possessed.

[CONCLUDED.]

No. V.

$5 PER ANNUM.

what a variety of meats, (never forgetting fried chickens and ham,) and bread and cakes of all kinds, that are made of wheat, Indian meal, or rice. I scarcely believe a Scotch breakfast, or a French déjeuner a la fourchette, can exceed it.

The morning was as bright as unclouded sunshine, a blue sky and green earth could make it; the atmosphere was almost sparkling, and the spirits were exhilarated by its freshness and elasticity.

But it was not in these crowded saloons that he could meet Lafayette as he wished to meet him—as a dear and long esteemed friend; he therefore invited him into the country, and fixed on a morning for his break-when the barouche and four and the attendant carriage fasting with him in a social domestic manner.

The little company, consisting of Mr. Crawford's family, and that of his neighbor-friends, were sitting in the piazza, enjoying the morning air and the scene,

The only company invited to meet him at Mr. Crawford's house, was a family living on the adjoining farm, intimate friends as well as near neighbors. Judge A-, the comptroller, was to bring Lafayette out in his carriage, while his son and private secretary were to follow in another.

When these arrangements were made known by Mr. Crawford to his family, some difficulties were started. "We have but one parlor, and that we must breakfast in." "That is of no consequence," replied Mr. C.; "the company can sit with me in my chamber until breakfast is ready."

"But it is so small, it will not hold one half the company."

“Well, the weather is delightful; they can sit in the piazza, or walk about the grounds."

"But, papa," observed one of the daughters, "we have neither our plate or china here; nothing but our Liverpool set."

"Far more suitable, child, for this house, than the china and plate would be."

"La, papa, I do not believe General Lafayette could eat with steel forks."

"True," answered Mr. Crawford; "I do believe you must send into the city for our silver forks. I believe they are indispensable."

drove into the grounds. Mr. C. advanced to the steps of the piazza, with his wife and eight children close around him, and received Lafayette not as the guest of the nation, but as his own old familiar friend. The General threw his arms round Mr. Crawford's neck, pressed him to his bosom, and, à la Française, kissed his cheeks. Mrs. Crawford and the children were then introduced, and individually and cordially greeted, when a general introduction followed.

Mr. Crawford led the way into his chamber, and took his old easy chair. An arm-chair was offered Lafayette, but spying out a low nursery chair that stood by the hearth, he drew it close to Mr. Crawford, and setting down by his side on this low seat, took his hand, and looked up in his face in a fond, familiar manner, which only those who have seen Lafayette with his much beloved friends can form any idea of—so caressing, so affectionate.

The mistress and her female friends withdrew to the breakfast room; the gentlemen walked out in the piazza; and the friends were left to enjoy a tête-à-tête after their long and eventful separation.

The breakfast was served; the company surrounded the hospitable board. "Now," thought one of the ladies, who kept a diary, "now shall I hear conversation worth recording; I shall have an almost sublimeat least an interesting page to add to my diary." She not only opened her ears, but her eyes, that she might

"And the silver dishes and waiters, papa." "Pshaw!" interrupted her father, "all that would drink in the sense of every word that fell from the great be nonsense."

'But," observed the neighbor lady, who happened to be present, "I presume you will send for a French

cook ?"

man's lips. Well, and what did she hear? Nothing that was very wise or very witty, it must be acknowledged; nothing that would afford matter for a record such as she expected.

"Will you have tea or coffee, General ?"

"Tea, madam-tea, if you please. Do you remember, my dear Crawford, what excellent tea we used to get from May. Well, my friend, May still lives in Rue de -, where he lived when you and I got our tea from him. No man in Paris keeps such good tea. I am still his customer."

"Indeed I will do no such thing," said the good lady of the house. "My fine fried chicken and corn bread are better in themselves, and will be greater rarities to him, than any dishes the French cook could prepare." Mr. Crawford sat smiling at the prolonged discussion, on similar points, between the ladies, but settled the matter by saying, "My dear, let the breakfast suit the house; the plainer the better. Lafayette is coming to visit his old friend-not the Secretary of the Treasury." And plain the breakfast was, as any American farmer need to give; but at the same time as excellent and abundant as any Virginia planter could desire. And every one knows what a Virginia breakfast is; of Grange."

"Is the old store standing yet?"

"Precisely, just as you left it. No where do you buy such very good tea.”

"Help yourself to some of this butter of my wife's making; you will find it almost as good as that of La

VOL. III.-35

"Madame's making? it is excellent. At La Grange we have no better; my daughters always churn the butter every morning at the breakfast table."

"At the breakfast table?"

"Yes, Madame, in a beautiful little china-churn, given them by a friend. It is the fashion in Paris for ladies every morning to churn their butter at table, and so the fashion found its way to La Grange, and it is wonderful with what a variety of beautiful forms and fancies this pretty toy is embellished-for these churns are but toys."

When a pause occurred in this chit-chat, a gentleman present inquired of General Lafayette, whether Baron Humboldt was in Paris.

a state of excitement was thus produced in that body, where each of the candidates had their partisans and friends. But mine is not the pen to describe political characters or events-a difficult and ungrateful task for any one determined to speak nothing but the truth. From the collisions, the treachery, the baseness and intrigues of political parties, how pleasing to turn to the cheerful tranquillity of domestic life. Mr. Crawford was now seldom alone. Members of Congress, senators, citizens, strangers, daily thronged his house; for, notwithstanding the wide spread rumors of his incapacity for office, it was still hoped by his party that the contest would be decided in his favor, and curiosity, self-interest, and friendship, continued to draw numbers

“Yes, sir, I left him there, and as fond of high places round him. If he felt anxiety on the subject, he did as ever."

"Baron Humboldt fond of high places?"

not exhibit any. His family were always with him, and that was sufficient to make him happy, let public matters be what they might. Of an evening, silent solitary chess was exchanged for a game of whist, or an entertaining book read aloud by one of his children. He took little interest in the public journals, which were filled with personal abuse and party virulence. Instead of amusing, the newspapers irritated him, and he threw them aside unread, muttering, "a parcel of

"Just so," replied the General; "he has climbed to the highest he could find, in the sixth story I believe of the house where he lodges." The company smiled at this play on words. "In fact, he wanted to get as far above the crowd as he could-out of its noise and tumult, and therefore chose his apartment as high as possible." "He is a great favorite with his king, I am told," falsehoods-not one to be depended on." On the whole, observed Mr. Crawford.

this must have been a pleasant winter for Mr. Crawford. "No sovereign was ever so proud of a subject," He never went from home-yet was never alone. Far answered the General. "He has made him his high less sanguine in his expectations than his friends, he chamberlain, and when-you remember, Crawford-suffered but little from suspense, the most difficult of all when the king of Prussia was in Paris, he would never states of mind to endure; and to judge by his converdispense with his attendance, so proud was he of him.sation, his thoughts were more employed by planning But the Baron, when he could escape and retreat to his what he would do on his return home, than scheming solitary room and throw off his robes of office, felt him- measures when he should be President. self completely happy. The good Humboldt was never meant for a courtier."

At last the breakfast was over; the young gentlemen accompanied the young ladies in a ramble through the grounds, and finding a swing suspended from the branch of a high tree, amused themselves with swinging until the carriages were announced. Lafayette's time was limited. An entertainment was prepared for him at the navy yard, to which the President, Secretaries, and other distinguished citizens were to attend him, and where crowds of ladies, gentlemen, and people awaited his arrival. Mr. Crawford returned with him in the same carriage. Mrs. C. and the rest of her guests soon followed. It was an animated day-one worth remembering, were it only for the crowds of happy faces lighted up on the occasion, from pure gladness of heart. What is the illumination of cities, so often kindled to celebrate victory, compared to the illuminated countenances of the thousands who greeted with cordial welcome the patriot hero, as the nation's guest? What are the triumphs decreed by authority, compared to the spontaneous homage of a grateful people?

Some of his political friends were extremely urgent that Mrs. Crawford should give a large evening party, that Mr. Crawford might be seen by the numerous strangers who were thronging to the city-by his political opponents, and such persons as were not admitted to his private intercourse. These friends urged the falsehoods in circulation concerning his health-that many averred him to be blind-others that he was deaf-that he was speechless. But they urged in vain. The affectionate wife could not be seduced by ambition. Tranquillity she knew to be essential to his health. Any strong excitement would be prejudicial and might be fatal. The glare of light would hurt his eyes. No, she would far rather he should never be President, than run any such risk.

The selfishness of the proposal shocked her; "it is their own interests they desire to promote," said she"the offices they expect, which makes them so anxious to have you chosen, and for this they would even risk your life." The evening party was relinquished.

Since the seat of government was fixed at Washington, and the republican party gained the ascendancy, Soon after the visit of Lafayette, Mr. Crawford and never had private society been so affected by political his family returned to the city. His health, though considerations as during this eventful winter. Each of much improved, was still too feeble to allow of his the five candidates had warm and zealous friends among going to his office to transact business, which, how- the citizens; they themselves were considered as citiever, he punctually attended to at home. During his zens, and by a mutual exchange of civilities and kindleisure hours, chess became his favorite amusement-itnesses were harmoniously united in the social circle. might be said his occupation, when released from pub- But the five separate interests split the society of the lic duty. Winter came, and Congress came. By this Metropolis into as many hostile parties. For the time, time, it was ascertained that the election of President confidence was destroyed-freedom of conversation would devolve on the House of Representatives. What | shackled-jealousies, suspicions, angry and embittered