Mariposa Democrat., 1857-04-01
From the New York Evening Post,
The Author Of the star-spangIed Banner.
LETTER PROM CHIEF JUSTICE rANEy.

LETTER PROM CHIEF JUSTICE TANEY.
|
Robert Carter & Brothers, of this city, have
just published neat edition of the poems of
Francis s. Key, Esq, the gifted author of the
StarSpangled Banner. Most of the pieces
were in manuscript and the enjoyment of
them has been hitherto confined to the narrow
circle and surviving personal friends. They
are preceded by letter from Chief Justice Ia
ney, who is brother-in-law of Mr. Key, de-
failing the circumstances originating and at
tending 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, Of baltimore.
Washington, 1856
My DEAR SIR: i promised some time ago
to give you an account Of the incidents in the
life of Mr.. F. S. Key, which led him to write
the "Star-Spangled Banner" and of the cir
cumstances under which it was written The
song has become national one, and viii
think, from its area. 4ncrfI continue 10 DC so,
especially in Maryland and everything that
concerns its author must be matter Of interest
to his children and descendants And pro-
ceed 10 fulfil my promise with the more plea
sure, because, while the song shows his genius
and taste as a poet, the incidents connected
with it, and the circumstances under which it
was written viii show his character and worth
as a man. The scene he describes, and the
warm spirit Of patriotism which breathes in the
song, were not the offspring of mere fancy or
poetic imagination. lie describes what he ac-
MANY SIT. f.Ir't's.'is s.,hai ha f.i r,-lilo
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 more than
from its poetical merit, it never fails to find a
response in the hearts Of those who listen to it.
You will remember that in 1914, when the
song was written, resided in Frederick, and
Mr. Key in Georgetown. You will also recol-
lect, that soon after the British troops retired
from Washington, squadron Of the enemy's
ships made their way up the Potomac, and ap-
peared before Alexandra, which was compelled
to capituate and the squadron remained there
some days, plundering the town of tobacco,
and whatever else they wanted. II was ri-
mored and believed in Frederick, that ma
rauding attack of the same character would be
made on Washington and Georgetown before
the ships left the river. 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, COM
manded 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 employ.
ed in active service from the time the British
fleet appeared in the Patuxent, 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, 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 foresee what would be the
issue of the conflict, his family, by remaining
in Georgetown, might be placed in great and
useless peril When speak of we, / mean
Mr. Keys father and MOTHER and Mrs 1aney
and myself But it was agreed among us that
| should 60 to Georgetown and try to persuade
Mrs. Key to come away with their children,
and stay with me or with Mr. Keys father,
until the danger was over. When | reached
Georgetown found the English ships still at
Alexandria, and body Of militia encamped in
Washington, which had been assembled to de-
fend the city, But it was then believed, from
information received, that no attack would be
made by the enemy on Washington or George
town; and preparations were making on our
part to annoy them by batteries on shore when
they descended the river. The knowledge Of
these preparations probably FASTENED their de-
parture, aud 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
disappeared, Mr. Richard West arrived at Mr..
Keys, and tod him that after the British army
passed through Upper Marlboro, on their re-
turn to their ships, and had encamped some
miles below the town, a detachment was sent
back which entered DIR. Beane's house about
midnight, compelled him to rise from his bed,
and hurried him off to the British camp, hardly
allowing him time to put his clothes on; that