The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-07-16
SCENES IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Our Granite Hills Correspondence.
CONCORD, N. H., July IA. 1852

i
Piocc-His Manner Of L,te-What his Esllou
Citisens Think and Say Of him.
According to promise, I have visited Concord and
have seen General Pierce, the democratic nominee
for the high Office Of President Of the Unitod States
Not belonging 20 the democratic party, nor 10 the
wings, the free sellers, and never having seen o,
communicated with General Pierce before, am in
position to give you impartial description OF
what have seen and heard, and the impressions
made upon my own mind in reference to the best
abused man in the nation. In nothing will cox
tenuate, nor aught set down in MALICE
Frank Pierce, as his personal friends call him and
their name is legion-is above the middle height,
erect, well built, though not very muscular, of a
large, intellectual, handsome, and benevolent cast
Of countenance. He is one Of those men whom,
when seen once, you will never forget. His face
is full Of character. He is forty. eight years of age
and looks as old as he is though evidently hale and
hearty. His hair, which appears to have been org-
naly brown, is streaked with iron grey and his
complexion is fair, without any red When first
saw him. yesterday, il was at the railroad depot,
where lie had just left the cars, having been to Wolf
boro on the exquisite lake Winnipisseogee, with ts
three hundred and sixty.iye islands, to show some
friends from the South the scenery, and to procure
them comfortable quarters. Crowds of strangers
are every cay visiting him, on their way TO the
lakes and the White Mountains. He is also be
seiged with politicians from New York and al
quarters.
! afterwards met the General at his office. He is
lawyer in good practice, but he is not rich, and
from his disposition is never likely to be SO. His
Office is Oh the second floor OF a plain three story
building in the main street. The Patriot news
paper Office, room, and the Selectmens
chamber, are all in the same building. The Office is
plainly furnished, but has large, well chosen Ii.
hpnru I've M, z
man, appeared to respect him very much. When
was there, an immense pile of letters and papers
arrived for him, and among them letter addressed
to him as the democratic nominee for the Presi-
dency." upon which he observed to me facetiously
that the writer thought he was SO obscure that he
could not be found unless with that designation
lie receives many curious letters. The paper first
searched for among the bundle was the ubiquitous
NEW YORK HERALD. He enjoyed amazingly Horace
Greeley's black mail letter to Talbot Watts the
nervous antidote man. He thought it was the rich
est thing he had met for long time. / accom-
panied General Pierce at his invitation, to the Su
perior Court, this being the first day of the term
1t was openeoS according to custom, with long
prayerby one OF the clcrgymen Of the city. There
was a large number Of lawyers present. this being
the highest court in the State, and for every county
OF the State. 1t is purely cour; Of law, there
being no juries. Among the lawyers was Mr.. John
s. Wells, President of the Senate, to whom was
introduced by General Pierce. He is man of gen.
tlemanly manners, and have learned from poll
tician here that he is about to take the place of
John 7. Hale, as Senator in Congress. General
Pierce was as transformations and as modest among
these lawyers, as if he totally unconscious Of
the dignity conferred on him by the nomination,
which win, III all probability, result in making him
the chief magistrate Of the greatest nation in the
world. He was perfectly free and familiar with
hon. ana they all seemed to like him.
General Pierce resides in the south end of the
city, in the main street, in a neat, though plain
two story wooden cottage, where he boards with
Mrs. Williams, whose name is on the hall door.
Ile house overi9oks the Merrimac.. and commands
a beautiful prospect. Mrs. Pierce is lady of ee-
CANT manners, and highly accomplished She is
of a respectable wbig family General Pierce has
son, about ten or twelve years Of age His sister
resides at the family homestead, in Hilisborough,
in this State. She is the widow Of General Nc
Ncill, who fought at Lundy's Lane, and was Grip
pled from wound he received in that battle. He
died about two years ago. She has pension from
government. General Pierce has no relatives in
Concord.
Having seen statement in the New York T,i-
bune-a paper that has bcen Away nssailiag the
General, even before his nomination, as well as
sinee1haying seen siatemert in that seracous
journal that franklin Pierce aristocrat,
was prepared to find something in his personal mp
pearanee that gave that impression at first sight;
or, If not u his appearance. at least in bis manner
or bearing in some shape that would afford
ground FEASIBILITY for the assertion. In every
particular found him the very reverse-notbing
Of the arstocrat about him, in any shape or form.
1t is tue there is something noble in his face, but
meet him you feel perfectly ut home He is digni-
fed. gentlemanly, and quiet III his manner, but
afiabe, warm, and cordial. He is not daedied in
dress. though neat and cleanAyery unlike Horace
Greeley His simple and respectable attire is in
keeping with his unaffected manners aud his
straightforward character. In fact, his intelligent,
manly countenance, so full of good sense, forbids
the idea o. any approximation to the fopon side,
or the sloven on the other. lie wore, when saw
him, dark coat with velve. collar. summer vest,
of light color, and pautalooDs OF the shepherds
plaid pattern lie had on white beaver
hat, with black Grape, being in mourning
for his brother, his wife's brother, and a
child. He enters into conversation freely
has nothing mysterious nothing reserved in
his manner nothing that tells you he is uncandid,
or keeps back any thing. He is truly "frank,' by
nature as well as by name Yet, while you feel the
highest moral certainty that you are talking to an
honest, Straightforward man, you feel at the same
time convinced that he is no fool. butt on the con-
trory. wise and sensible man. shrewd and pene-
trating intelg ence wrinkles in his clear blue eye,
which together with set of good humored features,
gives him very interesting expression Of counten-
He has fne forehead, and the prevailing
impression his face gisesy you is that of uuclouded
high intellect, sound sense, mingled with beneyo
lence, ard having the animal passions i'll complete
subsection.
The absurd Islander in the New York 1iibry,e, of
bis being drunkard or a sot. is reflAed in every
line of his countenance. No man ever vet was a
dInnkard with such face as that of Franklin Pierce
With his neighbors. who know him best his charac-
ter for sobrcty, ard every description of moral
duct. stands blameless and respectable in the very
highest degree All classes heIe-whigs as well as
democrats-are indignant OF newspapers at dis
lance propsgating such barefaced, infamous lies
against hin.. The wing local papers, though warm
y opposed. never dream Of making such accusations
In truth, if he is liable TO any inputation on that
score, II Is that be is staid in his habits-by
far too much 80 for most New York folks, on for the
people OF the South Were il mo, for The genial sun
Shine OF warm heart that ghts Hphi. corntcnancc,
Il X n !,
n cold water diinker.
Ills accent, though that # IN cdnc9tcd gentle
man. IS not refined 10 the highest degree, nor aro
ms marners though bland. those of an exquisite or
dancing master. Hc is not 9s highly iushei as
fne malhc-lc - rather like the polished granite
Of his native biS-such an exterior ~ b,fts the
sturdy mat 5risls H. is loved and respected 81 I'll,
and 4 is SAID of hu, with great truth, that ii i
possible to come in contact with hm without be-
coming his friend.
tirmness is STRONGLY indicated in his counten-