The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-07-31
SOME RELICS OF THE PAST.
INTERESTING LETTERS OF LONG AGO.
Gen. lack Taylor's Comments OnHis ID efeat
For the Presidency-A Letter From the
First HarrisoR-An Early Trib-
ute to Indianapolis.

flrst hnrr1sOh-An Early IT'D
ute to Indianapolis.
THE SENTINEL is indebted to Mrs. Mary A.
Potts, an estimable and highly intelligent lady
who has been resident of indianapolis almost
from its incorporation as a city, for two inter
esting letters, which are subioined, from two
x-presidents-Zachsry Taylor and William
Henry Harrison. Neither of them has ever
before been printed and while they would be
interesting if only in consideration of their
authors, that from President Harrison will be
especially interesting because of the eulogy 1t
pronounces upon Gen. Washington. These
letters are but two specimens of large
number of very interesting documents and
mementoes of old-time days which Mrs. Potts
has preserved with scrupulous care. She takes
great pride in their possession and bitterly Ia
ments the fact that they constitute but 1rac-
ton of the collection which she TO rmerly had,
but which has gradually been diminished by
thefts of the most despicable character. TIL
letter from Gen. Harrison is not complete some
one having torn of and taken away the last
page. She did not discover this theft until last
summer, when, just after Gen. Ben Harrison's
nomination Mrs. Potts still calls him BENZ
she came TO look for the document. The dis.
covery of the theft caused her great distress.
The letter was in response to one written by
Mrs. Potts then Miss Mary A. Popel who had
made beautiful banner and sent TO him along
with the letter. Miss Pope's letter and the re-
ply from Gen. Harrison were rs follows:
INDIANAPOLIS, June ,. 1870
SIR-Permit me, with feelings of the most sincere
respect and esteem, 70 address you these few hnes
and though to you l am an entire stranger, yet
trust you will excuse the freedom take OF introduce
ing to you Mr.. William F. Slater of our city. who
has politely offered to convey this banner to you.
which beg you to accept, as token Of my regard
TO defender OF country and not for its intrinsic
value As the prosperity OF our country in its in
fancy depended on the great and many virtues Of
George Washington, so the people have selected yOu
second Washn ton, for the preserver of its lib
critics in its maturity Believing that the same vir-
and will ever bloom in the heart of William
Henry Harrison, and that all their energies will be
put forth for the preservation of prosperous
heads of both with the same flowers, which though
simple in themselves, speak the language of the
brave and worthy. The oak leaves represent bray-
cry, true emblems of the benefcence that
ifested in the tense OF country, and TO which
il is still indebted. The moss rose denotes superior
merit which ever has and ever Will ind response In
the hearts Of the people The oak boughs speak
truly of feeling, for which need stronger
proof than to cast our ewes over our land and see
the proud gatherings of the people, TO lend to
their shouts OF JOY when the name OF the hero OF our
western country is proclaimed aloud and responded
to by all but the few who would trample true merit
under their feet for their self interest. Truly
does it speak with George Washington, first in the
hearts of his countrymen Around the heads
have placed a wreath of strawberries, denoting
merit far as il can be ascrbed to man-perection.
All have their failings but few have been sscribed
honestly to George Washington or William Henry
Uorrison Perba1s Won will 1oot With more leasura
on this memento of my regard when inform you
that it was presented TO the Marion county deega-
ton and was borne by them upon the battlefield OF
Tippecanoe the bearer of it to you delivered
highly interesting and appropriate address when 1t
presented to them for that occasion. Ny mother
proposed the motto placed over your head which, we
think, speaks the language of our country Please,
sir. accept this simple gift and with it my sincere
and heartfelt wishes for your health prosperity and
true happiness.
Gen. William Henry Harrison.
Yours truly with respect,
indianapolis, June 2, 1s4O. MARY \. POPE
NORTH BEND I4th Augt 1870
General Harrison presents his best respects to
Miss Mary A. Pope has the pleasure to scknowl-
edge the receipt OF the elegant banner her very
fatterng letter OF the 18th Ultime from the hands
OF VIM. +. Slater Esqr. Absence from home a
continued presence of business must form his apol-
ogy for having so long delayed to make this ac-
acknowledgement.
General II assures Miss Pope that her present is
regarded by him with great esteem, not only for its
value as splendid specimen of art in painting &
embroidery but a token of her regard for his pub
lie services. The association OF Genl. II. with the
father OF his country on the banner he considers the
highest honour that Miss could confer upon him.
However great the distance which separates his
humble services from the splendid achievement of
that greatest d best OF men, he has endeavOred To
make him the model OF his conduct in the discharge
OF the important trusts which in peace in war have
statesmen other military commanders have rem
dered important services to their country the pages
OF history do not furnish an instance OF single in
dividual perfect in all the characteristics which
are desirable In the highly trusted servant OF free
people.
in times of difficulty danger personally cheer
by his courage enlighten by his wisdom. but
his bright example remains, legacy invaluable to
his country, presenting it does a picture
rounded by the emblems of all the qualities which
we admire in the warrior, venerate in the statesman
or love 4 honour in the man private citi-
zen. What an advantage to the successive
rising generations of our Republic to be
able to have constantly before them
model thus perfect in the character OF OF their
own countrymen. 1t will have the effect of urging
the good & the vrtuous to redoubled exertions in
prafigate in contemplated career OF unhalOwed
ambition.
General H assures Miss Pope that he will carefully
preserve her present well her beautiful letter
leave them as relics to one Of the most deserving Of
his grandchildren.
1.-THE remainder of the letter, including the
signature, was stolen.
The letter from President Taylor was adj
dressed to Mr. James X. Gordon, Mrs Potts
first husband. 1t was as follows:
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA
December 10 1s4s
Your highly esteemed letter Of the lst inst asking
among other matters to be furnished with my auto
graph, was this moment received, which request is
with much pleasure compiled with altho. majourity
of the voters OF the good people OF grong and
porous state thought proper TO cast their votes at the
late election for my opponent Yet have no doubt
they done from the purest & best of motives; at
the same time was more than grateheld there was
ny of her stood by sustained me on the
occasion referred to, for which shall
be ever greatful. Not with standing the
slanderous attacks made on me in various ways
by the army of office holders, and office seekers
throughout the country, well as in Indiana, by
the party in power particularly disappearing my
course aud report, touching the battle OF Buens
Vista in regard to the conduct Of her gallant sons
who with me in said battle, who / was glad to
learn gave the lie to that base SANDER by most of
them voting for me for the first Office in the gift OF
great and free people, and NEARLY will say the first
in the word world For the very fattering
terms you have been pleased to refer to my name in
conjunction with that of the Honr. Willard Fillmore
for the presidency accept my most cordial thanks
accompanied by my best wishes for your continued
health and prosperity through long life.
With consideration of high respect & esteem
have the honor
your sir, obi, Servt.
TAYLOR MAR Genl,
U 5 Army
Among many other curious relics Mrs. Potts
has the following poem on Indianapolis, which
shows that fifty years ago the people were as
I. = - Il. IL.