Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1858-11-27
From the Watchman.
MATTHEW LYON.

From the watchman.
MATTHEW LYON.
A citizen of Western Vermont, seventy-seven
years old, who in his boyhood knew Matthew
Lyon, has just sent me several interesting docu-
ments relating to his career and has accompa-
MED them with certain "reminiscences of his
own. Some of the facts which he communi-
Gates deserve to be put on record.
The printing paper which Lyon made at
Fairhaven was made from basswood This is
an important fact in the history of manufac-
lures, showing that Lyon anticipated, by more
than half century, the attempts which have
been made to provide substitute for rags in
the manufacture of paper
About l11O a challenge to duel passed be-
tween Lyon and Peter French of Hampton, n.
Y, adjoining Poultney. The appointed place
Of meeting was Frenchs meadow, now in plain
sight of Poutney village. The parties did not
meet, and each accused the other of not being
present at the appointed hour l have no
doubt this quarrel grew out of certain proceed
ings connected with Lyons first canvass to
Congress He was accused of importing votes
from Hampton, and sundry affidavits, pro and
con, were published in the bennington Gazette.
They led to suit for libel, brought by Lyon
against one of the atlantis, and doubtless led to
his abortive attempt at duel.
Among the documents sent to me are some
verses written in regard to Lyons imprison-
ment at Nergennes, and letter from Lyon to
Maj. Samuel Beach. Both Of them are given
below. The verses are of the least possible
merit as verses, but they are valuable as afford
ing circumstantial evidence that Lyon amply
atoned for his mistake at Jericho by services
on several well-fought fields. Writers of dog
gerel must be tolerated, for they sometimes un-
/ Irxttt tutrlr I
only interesting per SC but as showing that
there is no difference worth mentioning he
tween the rules of distributing government of
! fees in ITS and in 1853
Let me take this opportunity to request all
persons who may have in their possession any
documents, in prose or rhyme, relating to
Matthew Lyon, or who can communicate any
information respecting him, to send the same
to me. 1t is too late, indeed, to incorporate
them with what has already been sent to press,
but it is not too late to compile and put them
on record, so as to make them available to some
future bographer or historian.
PLINY H. WHITE.
Corentry w., Nor. 10Th, 1853.
SENTIMENTS OF MATTHEW LYON, 177s, AT
VERGENS JAIL.
BY z. PORTER.
When the Morning first blush'd a Long in til Esst
! | haste to Ny dayly employment
drudge all the day whilst the high Born can Feast
It's they that can afford the enjoyment
Our Rulers cad feast on six dollars pr day
the poor Nlsut be tax't their extorsion to pay
and if Should unto them any Thing say
they would trump up Bill of Sedition.
Being fired with courage flew to the Field
aud Joined with My musket the army
determind to perish before would yied
| The Wrongs Of Ny Country aarn'd me
at the walls of quebec Bed in the War
: both york town and Monmouth they left me scar
and now My Rulers say your unfare
For in Jail must Lie for Sedtion.
! on Time hs We Thought with sigh in nv heart
I What fool is poor man for fighting
If tirans will quarrel shall wee take their part
IN war Blood and carnage delightng
! Ne soon May disown before it be long
That while we were fighting we fought for a rong
Il knaves will Oppress us and make themselves strong
BY the help of a Bill Of Sedton.
Letter from Matthew Lyon to Maj Samuel
Beach Of Waiting, w.
PHILADELPHIA, June 10th, 1898.
DEAR SR:-Philadelpha is full of office hun
tiers many of them little better than Starving
and hanging on their friends. You think Justly
about coming to Philadelphia. and | need not
tell you that it is not the Meritorous Soldier or
Officer who have with their blood and in Jeop-
ardy of their lives sealed the Independence of
u III.
it is those who bend the knee to Presidential
inialhbility supinely profess and promise ac-
quiescence in all the political raveings of the
reigning party of the Day that are to receive
the Honors x Emoluments of Government, but
not till after Probationary Dance of Atten-
dance sufficient to try their patience & their
Temper
Unless you think I am very much changed
you must be sensible of my willingness to serve
you ii in my power, but my Opposition to the
Measures of the Executive & the Adulation paid
to the President renders me very unlikely per-
son to obtain favor from that Quarter, there are
many in the same predicament with myself,
some OF them refuse to recommend at all &;
Others their recommendations are totally neg
; lected
Should we be seriously engaged in War & an
army wanted for real service more than for
show or party zeal, there will be new leaf
turned over, 4 men of Merit and experience
will be encouraged most probably. Should you
think Seriously of an Appointment the best &,
most customary way is to write the Secretary OF
War yourself, tell him what you would wish for
your experience x services your age &C. and
write to Judge Chipman if you think he will be
OF service to you, in your letter you may refer
the Secretary of War to the Representatives &
Senators. We shall sit probably till the Middle
of next Month L. if you enclose your letter to
me Twill forward it to him if you choose you
have right and it goes free. am Glad to
hear from Chester & am much Obliged to him
it is very probable / shall see you on my tour
to Onion River e. if 90 away from here before
your letter arrives will mention Your name to
the Secretary Of War.
Accept OF the best wishes & be assured of the
fidelity of your Old friend, M. LYON.