St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1891-08-27
LOCAL HISTORY.

Letter to Gov. Erastus Fairbanks from
DanfaI Webster Results in the Pardon
of Foreer.
u. S. W." writes the following
letter to the Boston Journal concern
ing the pardon of Meadows by Gov.
Erastus Fairbanks of St. Johnsbury:
Away back in 40 the writer in
vited gentlemen living in various
parts of the state to meet in Mau-
chester for consulta ton, whether or
not to organize a New Hampshire
State Agricultural Society. The
response was prompt and unanimous.
The venerable Richard H. Aver pre-
sided over the conference. A state
society was organized by the choice
of the Hon. George w. Nesmith as
president, Hon. n. B. Baker, treas
urer, and John S. Walker, secretary.
The late Preseason Sanborn of Dart
mouth College delivered an eloquent
and stirring speech, which aroused
much enthusiasm.
The first State fair was held in
Concord, Vim. E. Chandler, then
youth of 16 years, acting as assist
ant secretary. The fair was mark
ed success and surprised none more
than the exhibitors themselves. The
secretary had invited the ex-Presi-
dent of the United States, Martin
Van Buren,, to address the society
on that occasion, but that gentle
man, although at first giving some
encouragement that he would accept
the invitation, asked the liberty to
name as his substitute his friend and
neighbor at Undertook, DR.. John P.
Beekman, who gave us an interest
ing and acceptable GRAFTON.
Previous to this first exhibition an
artist had been sent to Salisbury to
make a sketch Of the birthplace of
Daniel Webster This sketch was
engraved on copper by Christian
Meadows, a convict in the Vern ont
used in the diploma of the society,
given for 1neritorious exhibits. AS
reward to Meadows for his elegant
engraving Judge Nesrnith proposed
that an effort be made to secure his
pardon, the major part Of his SEN
tence having already been served.
"But how is this to be done?" was
the inquiry.
II will send a copy to Mr. Web
ster," said the Judge, land perhaps
he will help u.s.
This was done, and the receipt of
the engraving was acknowledged in
a hearty and characteristic letter.
A few weeks after this l received a
note from the Judge, proposing that
l should go to Boston on a day
named, there to meet MIR. Webster
and explain that we desired him to
write to the governor of Vermont
asking the pardon of Meadows.
Accordingly l presented myself to
the Senator at his room at the Revere
House and was graciously received.
My errand was but just told when
several gentlemen filed into the room.
After mutual greetings and hand
shakes he turned to me with this
singular proposition:
Now, Mr.. W., these gentlemen
have come to take me to court. ct
was to argue the great Goodyear
rubber case.) l will do what you
wish about the letter to the Cover
nor, but that l may make no mis-
take in the details sit you down right
here at my table and draft the letter,
and on my return from court l will
attend to it." and he vanished with
his escort.
This was a mandate not to be
trif1ed with. | took the statesman's
pen and wrote what l intended as
an outline of the circumstances, as |
best could, and left by the next train
for home.
Now it so happened that the late
Hiram Harlow of Windsor, warden
of the State Prison, with whom l
had contracted for the engraving,
was at the same time representative
in the Legislature, then in session.
Meeting him a few days after the
event just related, he said:
why, do you know, Daniel Web
ster has written Governor Fairbanks,
asking him to pardon Meadows?"
81 know he was asked to do SOL
! "Ah, then you have had a hand in
it?
Yes, Judge Nesmith and I have
been plotting little. What will the
Governor do"
pardon him, of course" said the
Warden. "The Governor called me
into his room just before left Mont
pelier Saturday, read me the letter
and asked me about Meadows, his
general character and conduct, and
it is agreed he shall be pardoned and
set at liberty on the coming Fourth
Of July"
What said the letter." inquired
Mr.. Harlow could repeat it nearly
verba tim. Mr.. Webster had adopted
nv page added his SIGNATURE and
so dispatched it to the Governor.
Meadows was summoned to the
warden's room i'll the forenoon OF
the Fourth, as arranged, much Won
dering of what infraction of the
prison rules he had been guilty
When told that the rest of his SEN