The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-01-22
"Reminiscences OF the Late John g. Calhoun.
BY ais PRIVATE SECRETARY.

Since my conversation with you this morning. the
subject Of has increasingly occupied my thoughts.
You seemed 80 struck With what told you we're the
solemn convictions of Mr.. Calhoun but few days
previous to his DEATH as they appeared to my mind,
that chserfully comply with yonr reque,t to re-
member and place upon paper my recolle ,tions oil
those days. Before proceed, however must state
. few facts TO which your own recollections must
bear witness. You know that, with few nternls- |
sions was with Mr.. Calhoun for constant period
Of eleven uninterrupted months Joined MN ~
his home in Fort Hill early in the year lea9' ana
separated from him when his body lett " washington
for the South after the close OF his earthly career IN
1850. Nv stsy AZ Fort Hill is fiaught with the most
pleasant and thrilling "reminiscences OF the great
dead. NV main occupation from day to day, for
several months in writing the work
GA Disquiston on Government, and Discourse
on the Constitution and Government of the United
States" which has recently been published by D.
Appleton Il Co.. of this city, volume one Of the
works OF Calhoun, edited by my personal FRIEND
Richard X. Crabbe, one Of the ablest in the
South, and one of those that Mr. Calhoun honored
with his confidence Tor many years. Several
hours each day ! was engaged with him upon
this interesting work. 1t was during this period
that received request from you to this effect
"Nobody knows anything about Mr.. Calhoun, where
he lives, how he lives, THAT he says and does at home
The American people know all about the habits of
Webster and Clay, but nothing abos Mr. Calhoun.
would like to know all about those things, and get
his opinion q variety Of subjects. The public
know nothing about him except when he is heard
from in some great State paper, or in Senate
debate or course ] showed this letter 10 Mr. Cal
houn and it led 10 very singular result. Mr. Cal
houn hesi.a.ed a moment AID then said in his
pleasant vein, " There is but little known about my
place or home habits. Mr.. Bennett has beena very
gncere and devoted friend OF the South; would be :
pleased to oblige him in any way. You may write
him private letters about me if you choose TO do
so.n
:" But, Mr.. Calhoun, II is quite Evident that
Mr.. Bennett wants to have something about Fort
Hill and you that he can publish
swell, you may zri.e him letter to publish, but
sign to it that will not let psope suppose
you wrote IT," did write, and ssut you the letter
which appeared IN the HERALD headed "A Visitto
Fort Hiln and signed "A Traveller" But hive
to tell you some things still more singular, aud
which we're unknowa to you until now. Carrying
out your wishes would often, while with him in his
little study take pen and psp:r, and after calling
his attention to particular subject would write it
in the form Of an editorial He would read the
article IN manuscript, and hand it back to me, with
the remark, Those are nay ideas. Gu have them
in very exact and coucise form Those articles
enclosed 10 you without remark, and Il You refer to
fles Of the HERALD, your leader on Friday, July ~
ls49, headed . The European News" was really Mr..
Calhouns, as well as many other editorials a that
ton of the North and South" Objects Of the Ad-
ministration," :" Action and his Hounds Office
seeking and its Mssion-What is TO pc Done abont
IT, " Manufactures of the North When the
HERALD reached Fort Hill he of course remarked
them On ore occasion he said TO re, . Has Mr..
Bennett an idea how these articles originate =
mot the slightest Tas my truthful reply. "Hs
probably suppOses talk with you about matters and
things in general and that these conversations had
suggested the articles About that time you received
fr1m me great many private letters, giving you
Mr.. Cahouns views about men and measures l
read him those letters, and before sent the first one
he made 60 up stairs and add postscript ch ,as
near as | can recolect, was as folloss-'Feli Mr..
B.Dnstt that my private options about men aud mat
ters are not to be usea by him IN any way publicly
while am alive, after am dead he make taem puo-
kc.p The words made an Impression upon my mind
aud wrote you as he desired. | was little startled
about year afterwards. when seated in the I'M he
died his body in the metallic case near me to find Ia
. copy of the Herald OF the day previous which
was handle me by his son. large extracts from these
identical letters attached. He was dead, bat gr at
many simple minded people give me the credit Of
being the author of some OF those tremendous sen
fences contained those letters and extracts. But
have not yet done with this preface Previous to
my leaving New York, at Mr. Calhoun's written re-
quest to 60 to him In the South, an authorized per
son asked while away to write some letters alb Sut
the South for the Times in London thought no.
thing more of the matter until had been at Fort
Hill month more Mr. Calhoun and myself were
in a wagon, coming from the village of Perdleton,
when mentioned the circumstance. why don't
you do it?" was his sudden comment.
"Well, why should |! don't know who wolld pay
ne for my trouble
PAY you T. was his rather sarcastic hint PAY,
why il would give you au opportunity OF lay |
ing before the world the real position OF the |
South the real advantage that Europe would pos
cess in direct trade with US aud the London Tunes
would publish what you write he continued
Unquestionably they would, The party IN New
"Tben do you do it at once. Why even your friend
Mr.. Benxet dare not publish, in New York the pro-
as see IL no,c, and al wN see i ,cithin tgeaty
gears Every day wrote on series Of letters. wrote
on half sheet of foolscap turned down-aud half |
wrote, and every night he read them and made cor
rectons opposite When sometimes would hest. |
tate at what TO me appeared such novel ideas as
direct intercourse between Europe and the South,
have seen him shake his head goomily and as If
speaking to himsef-it will all come 60 eventually
Isee it. Corruption, unjust AID impartial Legislation
OF a northerR majority the slow, sure and steady
Increase of the liberty feeling in the North will
eventually open the eyes OF the South, aud then
hey will see | was right. The existence Of
the South will depend upon separation, aud
then the South will reach her true position"
The rough draft OF these letters was finished,
and hold them yet / had no time to copy them
before we went to Washington, and once only we're
they alluded to In the sick room. Keep them careful.
", Sslu MI ", YOU VIII II u u~e luT tuem ~ souc
future day. He knew that | frequently made
notes of conversations. with him. He used to
make me read them to him. and on one occa-
sion, as If seeing into the future. he said u
me:-."Be sure that you perfectly comprehend
my idea when you take note Of it, and if you nave
any doubt about it, ask me- and never publish aay
thing about me that yo1 are not perfectly clear IN
your own mind that you understand me-" Since hs
death these words have come back wildly 10 my
mind and have rehgiousy adhered to then. now
come to the time when we both reached Washington,
and from personal intercourse which you yourself
have witnessed, you can safely voueh that the i'm.
preston shall give of his own mind, had the OPP
portunty Of ascertainng one else had, could
possibly have had. But day before he died he told
me that he would give world could he have but one
hour Of streng in the United States Senate clear