The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1844-07-18
From the Savannah Republican,

CRdpJeT.-1 MS IolloWlng communications Oh
Revolutionary idcidents," we copy from
the Chronicle s. Sentinel. The editor of
that sterling Wing paper says tits chased up
on the authority of one who knows, who is a
native of Mecklenburg, who speaks from
personal knowledge of the incidents referred
to, and whose reputation for veracity is not
only unquestioned, but above suspicion"
Agreeing as we do with the writer, that,
as a general thing, the character of a mans
ancestry has nothing to do with his personal
claims 10 public favor, we would not give
publicity 10 such "reminiscences" but for the
fact that so much has been claimed for
Mr.. Polk on account of the revolutionary
services of. his grand-uncle. If MIR. Folks
immediate ancestry had been entitled TO
commentator, it is not at all probable that
his Democratic biographer would have gone
out of his way to base his claims upon the
opinions and acts of a collateral branch Of
the family. The publication, therefore, is
not an idle matter, but being made on the
Authority "of one who knows,"is entitled 10
lull confidence, unless it can be refuted by a
greater weight of authority:
Revolutionary incidents.-If, in relating
the following a~necdote, it should appear that
| have ~designedly exposed the virtues Of the
PoM stock, the Jealous biographies of Mr..
james X. Polk must share the responsible
ty. Moreover, Mr.. Polk is now the candi-
date of a party whose INSCRIPTIONS assaults
upon Mr.. Clay have no limits but the ex-
nausrIon OF rnerr uwu venUrr aHd ruufvvo-
lence - who had encouraged Amos Ken
dali, that prutrid representative of the polit-
ical lazar house, the emission of his filth, by
parading it in their columns, and exhibiting
il from the house-tops-whose objects of at
traction are the '~blackleg," the "drunkard,'
the '1bargain,'' and the sbloody hand!"
"In the absence of existing circumstances
I should think it unkind, if not unwarrant-
able, to allude 10 the direct line of the an
cestry of Mr.. Polk; but his biographers have
lately published, for political effect, a short
history of his Revolutionary progenitors, and
have thus invited public scrutiny. This is
done somewhat vauntingly, with a due con-
seriousness, no doubt, Of the necessity ofbols-
tering up a man by the deeds of his ancestors
who have achieved none of his own.
at is boosted that Thomas Polk was a
signer OF the Mecklenburg county (N:C)
declaration of independence. and that be
was a distinguished actor in the stirring
scenes Of that neighborhood and period
This is true. Thomas Polk, as well as Will
liam, his brother, were both loyal hearted
Wings. But neither of these begat Samuel
Polk, the man who was lucky enough TO be-
get a candidate for the presidency. Eze-
kiel Polk was the father of Samuel, and the
orandsire of James K. Polk. Ezekiel is said
to have been the wealthiest of the three
brothers, owning Immediately after the Revo'
, luton some forty or fifty negroes, while bis
, brothers were in comparative indigence.-
Ezekiel, however distinguished and wealthy
seems TO have been overlooked, (perhaps IN
Intentionally by the bi~ographers of the
5 Presidential nominee. Why is this? Per
haps the following facts may furnish a salts
factory answer to this question, while 1t may
: afford that class of men who believe in the
blood of animals, another item in support o
their theory. Ishall succintly state the facts
: as | have derived them fIom a contempora
v nv of those times in the immediate neigh
0 borhood where the %lenuine Polk stock tooE
: IFS root, and leave it forthose who contend
!, that the sblood will TELL TO expatiate upoI
. the nature of the old Tory Ezekiel, and te
e draw an inferential connexion therefron
g with The acknowledgement principles of the
; aforesaid James X. when he was outraged
and insulted by Henry A Wise.
n eWhile Lord CORVALLIS was encampee
L at Charlotte, the said Ezekiel remained il
# the British camp, during which time, las
d mark Of respect TO his country's invaders0 he
wore the insignia of royalty, a red coat
d After the retirement of CORVALLIS, Ezekiel
: returned to his home, situated on Suga
creek, about seven miles from Charlotte
The Wings in that vicinity, unwilling to tol