The true Democrat., 1856-12-16
s~t From the New York Evening Post The Author of the Star-Spangled .ns. Banner.
LETTER FROM CHIEF JUSTICE PANTY

LETTER FROM CHIEF JUSTICE TANEY
 Robert Garter & Brothers, of this city. have Just published neat edition of the poems of francls 5. Key, esq., the gifted author of the Star-Spanged Banner. Most of the niece, were in manuscript, and the enjoyment of then, has been hitherto confined to the narrow circle and surviving personal friends. They are nre ceded by letter from Chief-Ju ustice Taney who is brother-in-law of MT. Key, detailno the circumstances originating and attending the composition of the most famous of his pieces, the StarSpangled Banner The letter we give at length. This collection is edited by Henry V. D. Johns, of Baltimore.
 Hashington, 1856.
 MY DEAR SIR: l promised some time ago tc give you an account of the incidents in the life ot Mir. F. 5. Key, which led him to write the otar-Spangled Banner" and of the circum stances under which It was written. The song has become national one, and will, I think rom Its great merit, continue to be so especial ly ln Maryland; and everything that coucerns its author must be a matter of interest to his chil- ~ dren and descendants. And proceed to ful6 my promise with the more pleasure because while the song shows his genius and taste as a poet, the incinents connected with it, and the circumstances under which it was written. will show his character and worth as a man. The scene he describes, and the warm spirit of pa- trlotlsm which breathes in the song were not the offspring of mere fancy or poetic imagina- ton. He describes what he actually saw.- And he tells what he felt while witnessing the conflict, and what he felt when the battle was over, and the victory won by his countrymen Every word came from his heart, and for that reason, even mole than from its poetical merit IT never fails to find response in the hearts of those who listen to it.
 You will remember that in 1S14 when the song was written, 1 resided in Frederick, and NIT. Key m Georgetown. You will also recol- feet, that soon after the British troops retire. from Washington, a squadron of the enemy's smps made their way up the Potomac, and ap- peared before Alexandria, which was compelled to capltuate; and the squadron remained there some days, plundering the town of tobacco and whatever else they wanted. It was rumored and believed in Frederick that marauding at tack of the same character would be made on Washington and Georgetown before the ships left the river. Mir. Keys family were still il Georgetown. He would not, and indeed could not, with honor, leave the place, while it was threatened by the enemy, for he was a voun- teer in the Light Artillery, commanded by Ma Jor Peter, which was composed of citizens of the District ot Columbia, who had uniformed themselves and offered their services to the po- vernment, and who had been employed in ac- tive service from the time the British fleet ap- pcared ln the Pautuxent, preparatory to the movement upon Washington. And Mrs. Rev refused to leave home while Mir. Key was thus daily exposed to danger.
 Believing, as we did, that an attack would probably be made on Georgetown, we became very anxious about the situation of his family. For If the attack was made, Mr. Key would be with the troops engaged in the defense; and as It was impossible to foyesse what would be the issue of the conflict, his family, by remaining in Georgetown, mi Int be placed in great and useless peril When l speak of soe, mean Mr. Keys father and mother, and Mrs Fancy and myself. But it was agreed among us that should go to Georgetown, and try to persuade Mrs. Key to come away with their children, and stay with me or with Mr. Keys father un- til tue danger was over. When 1 reached Georgetown, found the English ships still al Alexandria, and bod y of militia encannnel a Washington, which had been assembled to de- tend the city. But 1t was then believed, from information received, that no attack would be made by the enemy on Washington or George town; and prep ntions We're making on our part to annoy them by batteries on shore when they descended the river The knowledge of these preparations probably hastened their de- parture and the second or third q " after my arrival the ships were seen moving down the Potomac.
 On the evening of the day that the enemy disappeared, Mr. Richard West arrived at MT. keys and told him that after the British army passed through Upper Marlboro on their re- a1 miles below the town, d detachment was sent back which entered Dr. Beaues' house about midnight, compelled him to rise from his bed and buried him off to the British camp, hardly allowing him time to put his clothes on; that he was treated with great harshness and close ly guarded; and that as soon as his friends were appraised of hls situation, they hastened to the headquarters of the English army to solicit his release, but It was peremptorly refused, and they were not even permitted to see him; and that ne had been carried as prsouer on board the fleet. And finding their own efforts una vaillng, and alarmed for his safety, his friends in and about Marlboro thought it advisable that Mir. West should hesten to Georgetown and request Mr. Key to obtain the sanction of the government to his going on board the Ad- mirai's ship, under flag of truce. and endea- voring to procure the release of Dr. Beans be- fore the fleet sailed. It was then lying at the mouth of the Potomac, and its destination was not at that time known with certainty.
 Dr. Beanes, as perhaps you know, was the leading physician in Upper Marlboro, and ar accomplished scholar and gentleman lie wa highly respected by all who knew him; wa. the family physician of Mir. West, and the in timate friend of Mr. Key. He occupied one O the best houses in Upper Marlboro, and livet very handsomely; and his house was selected for the quarters of Admiral Cock burn, and some o' the principal officers of the army, when tn, British troops encamped at Marlboro on tht march to Washington. These officers were, O course, furnished with everything that th house could offer; and they, in return, treated him with much courtesy, and placed guard around his grounds and outhouses to preven depredations by their troops.
 But on the return of the army to the ships after the main body had passed through tn town, stragglers who had left the ranks t plunder, or from some other motives, mad their appearance from time to time, singly o in small squads, and Dr. Beanes put himself a the head of a small body of citizens to pursu and make prisoners of them. Information 0 the proceedings was, by some means or other conveyed to the English camp, and the detach A'iSie VT :" hiNA "N h"'O f'oAOL VI" bSit DdCh u release the prisoners and seize Dr. Beanes. = They did not seem toregard him, and certainl, did not treat him as a prisoner of war, but al one who had deceived and broken his faith witt them. ..
 Mr. Key readily agreed to undertake tn mission in his favor, and the President prompt ly gave his sanction to it. Orders were imme ,dlately issued to the vessels usually employed as a cartel in the communication with the flee in the Chesapeake. to be made ready withou delay; and Mir. John S. Skinner, who was agen for the government for flags of truce and ex change of prisoners, and who was well knowl as such to the officers of the fleet, was directed to accompany Mir. Key. And so soon as tn arrangements were made, he hastened to Balti more, where tbe vessel was to embark; an. Mrs. Key and the children went with me t, Frederick's, and thence to his fathers, on Pip creek, where she remained until he returned gs We heard nothing from him until the enem -A.It b.1L