Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-11-30
THE LATE RICHARD M. JOHNSON. OF KY.

Of the late member Of the State Legislature, tn
Hon. r. M. JOHNSON, Ex-Representative and Sc
nator in Congress, and Ex-Vice President of thu
United States. We avail ourselves of the follow
ing sketch of his life, contained in the speech
his colleague, Mr.. SHEPARD, on that occasion, al
aordng to our readers biographical sketch of hi.
history that is at once brief and authentic.
SPEECH OF Mn. SHEPARD.
Mr. SrEAKxR: A distinguished and time honorel citizen
of the Common wealth has passed from amongst men-ha.
been gathered to his fathers Col RcHARD M Johnson
no He expired at his boarding house m this city
o'clock this morning.
For the last few weeks he has suffered under the effects Of
general paralysis but he had been to the trust
reposed in him by bis fellow citizens he has constantly
tended the Hall OF Representatives. until at last nature refused
her offices, and he sunk under his malady.
Col. RIcHARD M. JOHNSON the third of Col
Robert johnson, who emgrated 10 Kentucky during the
Revolution, and settled in the county Of Scott at that time
the theatre Of Indian ncnons, and repeatedly led bodies
men repel Indian nvasions possessing 10 high degree
those qualities Of chivzc vaor and daring enterprise
cesssry that early period Of the history Of Kentucky
Col. Richard NJ Johnson was born and reared in the
stormy period Of which speak, and be mbbed from the char
aer of the times and the noble impulse Of his nature those
principles Of liberty and equality which, at ripper age pro-
duced in the councils Of the nation and the tented field chose
acts devotion the best interests of bis country that will
transmit his name to the remoest ages.
He born in the then county, now State OF Kentucky
in the year l779 pass the early part of bis life and
find that in the year 1902 the port of New Orleans had
been closed by tho Spanish authorities against the United
States thus barring the that foated down the Mis-
sissppi In expectation Of immediate war, Richard M,
Johnson then in his twentieth year. raised company of
men, ready unite with corps OF troops that il expect
ed would be raised by the General Government to pass down
and make descent upon the port Of New Orleans. The
settlement of the dispute with Spain deprived him OF the OPP
portuny Of rendering his country the intended service.
In the year 1907 he entered the House Of Representatives
Of the Congress Of the United States He united with the
Republican party Of that day in all their measures; and in
June, 1912, voted for the with Great Britain He
commanded regiment Of in the year 1912, which did
and in the of 1918 he again raised
volunteer regiment numbering thousand men, and Joined
the army on the Northwestern frontier under Gen Harrison
Penys victory Lake Erie opened the communication with
the Canada Shores and the allied army Of British and Indians
commanded by Gen. Proctor and the Indian chief Tecumse
fled n the direction Of Lower Canada The army was put
in immediate pursuit. and on the 9Th day of October ls3
fought the memorable battle Of the Thames It al
entirely by the regiment commanded by COL Johnson
that the allied forces Of British and Indians were routed and
defeated.
Some Of the best blood Of Kentucky was poured out upon
the battle eld-and the Of Col Richard M. Johnson
the chvay of Kentucky, and the battle c the Thames be-
ndssolubly united in the history of American arms
expect Mr. Speaker, to portray in full the deeds
of departed friend This will be done by more eloquent
voices than mne and them leave the honorable post of
pronouncng the fitting euogums As the representative Of
the county OF Scott the neghbor and friend OF the lament
ed Colonel have risen in place in this body to bear
feeble but free testimony to the patriotism the galanty and
noble daring of the departed hero. My own feelings have
prompted me- the love and affection which the citizens Scott
county bear their -honored feowcitzen prompt me,
this branch Of the General Assembly the
lancholy and sorowfu tidings which this day bear
After serving his country in the council and the field,
half century, and among other stations that Of Vice Pres
dent of the United States, he again returned Repre-
sentative the Kentucky Legislature the present and
has closed Of glory at the post assigned him.