The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-11-15
TIE AUTHOR OF THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER
LETTER FROM CHIEF JUSTICE FANEY.

Robert Carter and Drothers OF hs Guy lsays the New
York Evening POST have just published edition Of
the poems Francis s. Key esq the gifted author of The
sar-Spanged Banner Most Of the pieces in manu-
script and the enjoyment of them has been hitherto CON-
fined to the circle of his family and surviving per-
sona friends They preceded by letter from Chief
Justice fancy, who is brother-in-law OF Mr. Key, detail
ing the circumstances originating and attending the CON-
position OF the most famous Of his pieces the SarSpangsd
Banner. The letter give at length This collection
edited by Henry " d. Johns, OF Baltimore;
WASHINGTON 1885,
Ny DEAR SIR promised time ago to give you an
account of the incidents in the life of Mr. s. Key which
led him to write the Star-Spangled Banner and Of thee
under which twas written Thesong has become
national one and will think, from its great merit con-
tnue be especially in Mary and eryhing that
its author must be matter OF interest to bis chill
dren and descendants And proceed to fulfil my prom
Use with the pleasure because while the song shows
his genius and taste poet the incidents connected
with it, and the circumstances under which was written
win show his character and worth as man. The scene
he describes and the spirit OF patriotism which
breahs in the song not the offspring OF mere fancy
poetic imagination He describes what he actually saw
And he tells us what he felt while witnessing the
ct and what he felt when the battle and the
victory by his countrymen. Every word came warm
from his heart and for that reason more than from
It's poetca merit it never fails to find response in tho
hearts Of those who listen to it. H
You will remember that in 1914, when the song was
written resided in Frederick and Mr. Key in Georgetown
You will also recoec that soon after the British troops
retired from Washington, squadron of the enemys ships
made their way up the Potomac and appeared before
Alexandria, which compelled TO capiulate and the
squadron remained there days pundering the town
of tobacco, and whatever else they wanted II ru.
mored and believed in Frederick, that marauding attack
of the character would be made Washington and
Georgetown before the ships left the river Mr. Keys am
ly were still in Georgetown He would not and indeed
could not with honor leave the place while It was threat
ened by the enemy for he volunteer in the Light
Artillery commanded by Major Peter which composed
of citizens Of the District of Columbia who had uniform.
ed themselves and offered their services to the government
and who had been employed IN active service from the time
the movement upon Washington. And Mrs Key refused
to leave home while Mr. Key was thus daily exposed
| danger.
made Georgetown we became very anxious about the
situation of his family; for if the attack made Mr.
Key would be with the troops engaged in the Defence
it impossible to foresee what would be the issue
the conflict, his family, by remaining in Georgetown might
be placed in great and useless peril When speak 70.
mean Mr.. Keys father and mother, and Mrs. fancy and
myself But it was agreed among that should 60 to
Georgetown and try persuade Mrs. Key to away
with their children, and stay with me with Mr. Keys
father until the danger was over When reached George
town found the English ships still at Alexandria, and
body of militia encamped in Washington, which had been
assembled to defend the CITY, But then believed
from information received that attack would be made
by the enemy Washington Georgetown and preps
rations were making on our part TO annoy them BY bate
res shore when they descended the river The know
edge of these preparations probably FASTENED their dpa
ure and the second third day 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 Mr.. Keys and told him that
after the British army passed through Upper Marlboro on
their return to their ships and had encamped miles
below the town, detachment back which enter
ed Dr. Beaness house about midnight compelled him
rise from his bed and hurried him off to the British camp
hardly allowing him time to put his clothes on; that be
treated with great harshness and closely guarded
and that his friends apprzed Of bis su
ton they FASTENED to the headquarters of the English
to solicit his release but it peremptory refused and
they not permitted to see him and that be bad
been carried as prisoner board the fleet And finding
their own efforts unavaing, and alarmed for Ills safety
his friends in and about Marlboro thought advisable
Mr. West should hasten TO Georgetown, and request NJ L
Key to obtain the sanction Of the government to his g
on board the admirals ship, under flag Of truce an
endeavoring to procure the release of DR.. Beane r
the fleet sailed 1t then lying at the mouth of the
tomac, and its destination was not at that time know
with certainty. ...
Dr. Beanes, perhaps you know was the leading ply
stefan in Upper Marlboro, and an accomplished scholar
and gentleman. He was highly respected by all who
knew him; the family physician OF Mr. West and The
intimate friend of Mr. Key. He occupied one of the best
houses in Upper Marlboro, and lived very handsomely
and his house selected for the quarters Of Admiral Co
burn and some of the principal officers of the army when
the British troops encamped at Marlboro their march
to Washington. These officers were of course furnished
with yerythng that the house could offer and they 10
return treated him with much courtesy and placed guards
around his grounds and outhouses to prevent dpredb
| tons by their troops.
But on the return of the army to the ships, after ls
main body had passed through the town. straggers VITO
had left the ranks to plumber from other movs
made their appearance from time to time sngy OF
small squads and Dr. Beanes put himself at the head
small body OF citizens to pursue and make prisoners
them Information OF this proceeding was by mean
or other conveyed TO the English camp and the dea
ment OF which have spoken sent back to release
prisoners and seize Dr. Beanes. They did not to
gard him, and certainly did treat him. prisoner
war, but one who had deceived and broken bis faith
with them.
Mr. Key readily agreed to undertake the mission ia Bio
iavor and the President promptly gave his sanction III
orders were Immediately issued to the vessel usually emf
The Chesapeake TO be made ready without delay; and vi
John s. Skinner who agent for the government I'll
hags OF truce and exchange Of prisoners and who vel
known as such to the officers of the feet directed III
accompany Mr.. Key. And the arrangement
were made be FASTENED TO Baltimore where the vessel WI
to embark and Mira Key and the children went with
to Frederick, and thence TO his fathers on Pspe ore
where she remained until he returned. III
We heard nothing from him until the enemy reteshdE
from Baltimore, which, well as now recolect vi
week or ten days after he left and we were becoming
uneasy about him. when 10 our great joy be made his q
Pesrance at my house, on his way TO join his family
lie told me that he found the British feet at the mous
Of the Potomac preparing for the expedition against B
more. He was courteousy received by Admiral Coehn1
and the officers Of the army well the navy. Bl
when he made known his business his application
ceiyed so codly that he feared IL would fail Gen Ros
and Admiral Cockburn, who accompanied the expedmE
TO thelatterspoke Of Dr. BeaDa
in very harsh terms and seemed at frat disposed to
lease him II however happened, fortunately that VI
left at Badensburg, and in these letters their friends
board the feet they all spoke Of the humanity and kind
pe5s with which they had been treated after they had 81
len Into our hands And after good deal Of conyerR
ton, and strong representations from Mr. Key az TO
character and standing Of DR. Beanes, and Of The deg
xa - fkn T.