Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1867-04-24
Webster and Calhoun.

[ was in Washington in the winter of
lS30-31, when | painted the portrait of
John c. Calhoun. During the sitting, he in
vited me to come up TO the Senate, as there
was to be an interesting debate Mr. Hayne
was to speak on the subject Of - Foote'S
Resolutions IN reply to short speech Of
Mr.. Webster. | acceped the invitation,
and Mr. Calhoun admitted me as one of
the many favored o:.e>. Mr.. Hayne was
most eloquent, and exceedingly bitter in
his remarks upon Mr.. Webster's speech;
and so scathng IN his denunciations of New
England and her policy, that [ felt his sar-
casms were umanswearble | think all the
friends Of Mr. Webster thought 50 too
The south side Of the Senate were vocifer-
Gus in the applause. At night, | went to
see the fallen great man, as | considered
him Ny daughter was visiting lIr. Web
ster's daughter at the time. To my sur
prise, | found him cheerful. even playful.
He had the two girls upon his knees. |
told him | expected to find him in another
room. pointing TO his library. Time
enough for that in the morning" said he
Mr.. Calhoun gave me another sitting
the next morning. He seemed to think
the great champion of the North was an
initiated lie said it was a pity he had laid
himself open at many points. [ needed
no invitation to 90 TO the Senate that MORN
ING [ went early to the gallery and Sc
cured seat among the reporters. As Mr..
Webster entered the Senate all eyes were
turned upon him. He was elegantly dress
ed, and apparently less excited than any Of
his friends | felt towards Mr.. Webster
as imagine criminal might feel who
looks to his counsel to save him from pun
/ ishment for some crime he IS charged with.
He soon, however, put me at my ease. As
he proceeded with his speech, all his friends
felt satisfied that victory was his | need
make no further allusion to his splendid
effort. as it is as familiar to all as household
words. The next morning, | asked Mr.
/ Calhoun what he thought Of Webster reply.
He said simply, but with great emphasis,
E" Mr. Webster is a strong man, sir, very
strong man"
WEBSTER AT HOME.
Webster's family dinners were always
charming We always found sumptuous
fare, though not elaborate Often the
great feature Of the feast would be chow
der or dun-fsh, both of which dishes he ex-
celled in One day | was admiring and
praising the latter, and asked him where he
procured them. He said from his friend.
Charles Gutter, Of Portsmouth, y H.
said that | got my fish from the same gem
teman, but they did not seem to be the
same quality; but perhaps they were not
as skillfully cooked Thereupon he gave
a detailed history of the fish, mode of cur
ing, &c Then he entered into a minute
description of the way of cooking it, end
ing with, Have ready good, mealy pota-
toes. beets, drawn butter, and oil have it
all served up hot. and then send for Ash
um and me"
had few bottles of old Scotch whis-
kew, such as Wilson and Scott have immor-
talized under the name of . mountain dew.
This beverage Is always used with hot wa
ter and sugar. | put bottle of this whis-
key into my overcoat pocket, one day when
was going to dine with Mr.. Webster; but
| thought, before presenting it to him, |
would see who was III the drawing-room.
put the bottle on the entry table, walked
into the drawing room; and seeing none
but the familiar party, said, % have taken
the liberty to bring a Scotch gentleman to
partake Of your hospitality to-day" |
am most happy, sir" was the reply.
walked back TO the entry, and pointed to
the bottle oh" said he, q that is the
gentleman that bathes in hot water."-
Chester Hardin3's AutoJiography,