New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1856-12-01
The Author of the star-spangled Banner
LETTER FROM CHIEF JUSTICE TANEY.

published neat edition of the poems of Francis S.
Key, Esq, the gifted author of the StarSpangled
Banner. Most of the pieces in manuscript, and
the enjoyment of them has been hitherto confined to
the narrow circle of his family and surviving personal
friends. They are preceded by letter from Chief
Justice fancy, who is brother-in.law of Mr.. Key,
detailing the circumstances orig nating and attending
the composition of the most famous of his pieces the
Star-Spangled Banner The letter we give at length
| This collection is edited by Henry V. D. Johns:
WASHINGTON, 1856
| Nh Dear Sir:-I promised some time ago to give
YOU an account of the incidents in the life of Mr. T.
key, which led him to write The star-Spangled
Banner and of the circumstances under which it
was written. The song has become a national one,
and will think, from its great merit continue to be
so, especially in Maryland and everything that con.
Germs its author must be matter of interest to his
children and descendants. And I proceed to fulfil
my promise with the more pleasure because, while
the song shows his genius and taste poet the
incidents connected with it, and the circumstances
under which it was written, will show his character
and worth as man. The scene he describes. and the
warm spirit of patriotism which hreahes in the song,
were not the offspring of mere fancy Or poetic imagi-
nation. He describes what he actually saw. And he
tells what he felt while witnessing the conflict, and
what he felt when the battle was and the victory
won by his countrymlen. Every word came warm
from his heart, and for that reason, than
from its poetcal merit it never fails to find re-
| Iou will remember that in 1914, when the song
was written, resided in Frederick, and Mr. Key in
Georgetown. You will also recollect, that soon after
the British troops retired from Washngton a SQUAD
ron of the enemys ships made their way up the Poto-
mac, and appeared before Alexandria, which was
compelled to capitulate and the squadron remained
there some days plundering the town of tobacco,
and whatever else they wanted 1t was rumored and
believed in Frederick, that maraudng attack of the
same character would be made on Washington and
Georgetown before the ships left the river: Mr. Key
family were still in Georgetown. He would not, and,
indeed could not with honor leave the place while it
was threatened by the enemy; for he was volunteer
IN the Light Artillery, commanded by Major Peter,
which was composed OF citizens of the District of
| Columbia who had uniformed themselves and offered
their services to the government, and who had been
employed in active service from the time the British
fleet appeared in the pauXcnt, preparatory to the
movement upon Washington. And Mrs Key refused
to leave home while Mr. Key was thus daily exposed
to danger
Believing as we did, that an attack would probably
| be made on Georgetown, became very anxious
about the situation Of his family For if the attack
was made, MIR. Key would be with the troops engaged
in the deence and was impossible to foresee what
would be the issue Of the conflict, his family by re-
naming in Georgetown, might be placed in great and
useless peril. When speak of eee mean Mr.. Keys
father and mother, and Mrs fancy and myself. But
| 1t was agreed among ns that should 60 to Gorge+
town, and try to persuade Mrs Key to come away with
their children, and stay with me with Mr.. Keys
| father until the danger was over. When ] reached
Georgetown, found the English ships still at AeNan-
dra, and body Of militia encamped in Washington,
which had been assembled to defend the city But it
was then believed from information received, that no
attack would be made by the enemy Washington
or Georgetown; and preparations were making on our
part to annoy them by batteries shore when they
descended the river. The knowledge of these pre-
paratons probably FASTENED their departure, and the
second or third day after my arrival the ships were
seen moving down the Potomac.
On the evening of the day that the enemy lisar
pealed Mr.. Richard West arrived at Mr.. KEYS and
told him that after the British army passed through
Upper Marlboro OH their return to the ships, and
had encamped some miles below the town, dctach-
ment was sent back which entered Dr.. Beanes house
about midnight, compelled him to rise from LIS bed.
and hurried him to the British camp, hardly giving
him time to put his clothes that he was treated |
with halshness, and closely guarded and that as
soon as ms friends were apprsed Of hissituation they
hstened to the headquarters OF the English army to
solicit his release, but it is percnpoly refused and
they were not even permitted to see him ; and that
he had been carried as prisoner board the fleet.
And finding their own safety unayailing and alarmed
for his safety, his friends in and about Marlboro
thought it advisable that Mr. West should hasten to
Georgetown and request Mr., Key to obtain the sane
ton of the government to his going on board the lI
mirls ship, under flag Of truce, and eudeayoling
to procure the release of Dr. BeancS before the fleet
had sailed 1t 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 an accomplished
scholar and gentleman He was highly respected by
all who knew him. was the family physician of MI.
West, and an intimate friend Of MIR. Key. He occu-
pied one Of the best houses in Upper Marlboro and
lived very handsomely and his house selected for
the quarters Of Admiral CockbnIn, and some Of the
principal officers of the army, when the British troops
at Marlboro on heirmarch to Washington.
These officers were, OF course furnished with every
treated him with much courtesy, and placed guards
around his grounds and outhouses to prevent dcpred
lions by the troops.
But on the return eff the army to the shins. after
the main body had passed through the town. strag-
gers who had left the ranks to plumber for some
other motives, made their Appearance from time to
time. sngly on in smnll Squads and Or, Beanes put
himself at the head of small body of citizens to nur-
sue and make prisoners of them. information Of this
proceeding was by some means or other, conveyed to
the English camp, and the detachment of which
have spoken was sent back to release the prisoners
and seize DR.. Beanes. They did not seem to regard
him, and certainly did not treat him as prisoner of
war, but who had deceived and broken his
faith with them.
Mr. Key readily agreed to undertake the mission in
his favor, and the President promptly gave his sane
ton to 1t. Orders were Immediately issued to the ,
vessel usually employed cartel in the communi-
cations with the fleet in the Chesapeake. to be made
ready without delay and Mr.. John S. skinner who
was agent for the government fer flags OF truce and
exchange OF prisoners and who was well known as
such to the officers Of the fleet, was directed to ac
company Mr.. Key. And as as the arrangements
were made he fastened to Baltimore, where the YES
sci was to embark and Mrs. Key and the children .
went with me to Frederick and thence to his fathers
on Pipe creek, where she remained until he returned
We heard nothing from him until the enemy re-
treated from Baltimore, which well as can now
recocct, week or ten days attey he left and
we were uneasy about him, when to great 10y he
made his appearance at my house, on his way to Join
his family.
He told me that he found the British fleet, at the t
mouth Of the Potomac, preparing for the expedition
I9h1