The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1857-01-08

Letter from chief Justice Ts"ey.


Letter from chief Justice Ts"ey.
Roa,Kr CARTER 4 Brothers, Of New
York, have jns, published neat edition Of
Of the poems Of FRAxcis 3. Key, Esq, the
gifted author Of the Star Spauglcd Banner
Most of the pieces were in manuscript, and
,hcenjoyment ofthem has hitherto been con
fined to the narrow circle of his family and
surviving personal friends They are pre-
ce,led by letter from Chief Justice TASk'
who il a brother in-law Of Mr.. KEY, detail
ing the circumstances originating and a'ten.
ding the composition Of the most famous OF
his pieces, The Star Spanglel Banner.- -
The letter We give at length; and also add
Mr.. KEYS celebrated poem. The circum
stances attending its composition and those
which melted the author Of the Marsea
l.ase to pen that noble and spirit shining an
them, "A great resemblance
JUDGE rANgYs LETTER.
WAmISGroS, 1856.
My DEAR SIR Il promised some time
ayo to give you an account Of the incidents
in the life Of Mr.. r. s. Key, which lei him
TO write the "Star. Spangled Banner" and
of the circumstances under which II was
written. The song has become national
one, and will, think, from its great merit
continue to he so, especially in Maryland,
and everything that concerns its author
must he a matter of interest TO his children
and descendants. And lproceed to fulfil my
promise with the more pleasure, because
while the song shows his genius and taste
as poet the incidents connected with it,
and the circumstances under which il was
written. will show his character and worth
as man. The scene he Describes, and the
warm spirit Of patriotism which brcathes in
the song, were not the offspring Of mere
iancy or poetic imagination. lie describes
what he actually saw And he tells us wha,
he fel. while witnessing the conflict; and
wha, he felt when the battle was over, and
the victory won by his countrymcn. Ev.
ery word came warm from his heart. and
for that reason, even more than from its po
etical merit, il never fails TO find response
in the heart OF those who listen 10 il.
You will remember that In l8l4, when
the souQ was written. resided In Freticr
ick. and Mr.. Key in Georgetown. d. c.
You will also rccollect that soon after the
British troops retired from Washington.
squadron Of the enemy's ships made their
way up the Potomac, and appeared bcfort
Alexandria. which was compelled TO capt
uiate and the squadron remained there
aonis Gays piassieriny rae tdwu o. sosacer'
and whatever elsc they wantei. 1t was rn
mored, aud believed In Frederick. tha, q
msrauding attack Of the same character
would be made on Washington and George
town before the ships left the river. Mr.
KEYS family were still in Georgetown. Ht
would not. and indeed could not. with hon
s. leave the place. while 1t was thrateDe
by the cnemy. for he WIS a volunteer IL
the Light Infantry. commanied by Majo'
Peter, which was composed OF eitizens q
,hc District Of Columbia. who had Uniform
cd Themselves and offsred their services Il
the eoyernment. and who had been employ
I'd in active service from the time the Brit
ish fect sppcared in the Patuxent. prepar
ainry 10 the movement upon Washington
and Mrs. Key refused to have home With
VIZ Key was thus daily exposed 10 danger
Relieving. as We did. that an attack wouh
probably re made on Georgetown, W. b
came yerv anxious abonf the situation o
his family. For Il the attack was rnais
Mr. Kew woali he with the troops engages
~. ,sx,xs,sztt,le q
krS~ What soud he the issue of the COZ
eisa. III fsmay. by remaining in Georg'
t0vv, nieha hr placed IN great AMI uA3es
rsr;l Win ypak Of We. J mcan Mr.
ksvx lhahey ard mother. and Mrs. TaDe
and my>sae. nsn il WAS agreed among
th,s I shnald 10 10 GsorgrtowH. ard try
px~.axie Nm. Key TO osne away with the'
aitkvu sna saay with me or Mr.. keys "a
aw sntn tiye danger vs over. WIZ,
N~eAai 0ssrHsown, soapi ,he kngiis
ulin 4 Alezaskia, aDd a body Of MALTA "a
o.musa b Washington. which had bssTl a
wkh1 = auoRd ,hc city. Bat !, Vas the
h1sSvsA Gbuo affirmation rcosvssi, thai
sfsprk vsulA h- made by the eoemy o
CIV sAiugsso - tsr"rgrto~n; and prefara
ssnnu vsse mahinr 90 our part 10 aBoo
,lem hy hatserls- 90 shn~r ubrn they u
.srr,.i the river. Tbr krowsrire Of tbs
prrfArasious probably hasssned their d'Ia
,nrr. sfsi thr -coni q third day Af'er m
,y-,yal IN. shir~ arr .s<n rr"vin2 down u
Potomac.
~ ,hs evening Il the day that ,be fr'eEa
Asan.a,.i, Mr. Richard Wcr, arrived ,
NJ and ,ohf hiin that after the Bri