The weekly true Democrat. (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1905-1912, 1906-09-14
MR.. DAVIS POLITICAL
HISTORY OF FLORIDA.
He Writes In His First Of the West.
cots. WAo Were PrOminsnt In
Public Life Of Florida.

RObt W. Davis. In Tampa Tribunal
Although never saw Senator James
ID. WestcOtt, ST., he was still livinI
when first came to Florida, and wa
much talked about. The things hear,
Of him always interested me. He die
in Montreal, Canada, in 1880, and is re
membered as erratic, but one of the
talented men of his time.
Born at Alexandria, Va, in 1902, hi
went to New Jersey when youth, and
in his early manhood, began the practice
OF law. 1t is to be presumed that he
did not follow the profession with much
ardor, as his taste and inclinations were
in the direction of politics. He ran for
the Legislature in New Jersey against
his father and defeated him, although
the father was popular and had been
Attorney General of the State. Young
Westcott was appointed TO some gov
eminent position in Washington and
there won the friendship of President
Jackson. 1t is related of him that he
challenged a man at the national capital
to duel on account of some scandalous
remark made about the Presidents
marriage. jackson hearing of it, sent
for Westcott, and in the presence of a
number of people in the executive
chamber, scolded him severely, but
when the young man sullenly left the
room, jackson followed him to the head
of the stairs and in a stage whisper
said, Shoot the scOundrel, James;
shoot him, and will stand by you. "
The duel, l believe, was never fought,
but old Hickory remembered young
Westcott's good intentions" and re-
warded him by appointing him Secre-
tary of Florida, and to fill this position
he came to the then Territory in 1885.
After serving several years as Secre-
tary, he was made United States Attor-
ney for the middle district" later be-
coming member of the Territorial
House of Representatives and still
later was sent as delegate to the Con-
stitutional Convention lOf 1889. When
in 1845 Florida was admitted to State
hood, James d. WastcOtt and David
Levy (Yulee) became the first United
States Senators, being elected as Dem
ocrats over George Hernandez and
Jackson Morton, the Wing candidates. |
Senator Westcott served his State faith
fully and ably, but for some reason did |
not return to Florida after the expira-
ton Of his term. Whether he became |
disgruntled over his defeat for re.elec- !
ton in 1S49, when Jackson Morton, his
old Wing adversary, succeeded him, or
City held him captive, as they have so
many public men since that time, have
never learned; but certain it is that he
there for years without 80
much as visit to his State 1t is said
that while in Washington, after he
ceased to be a Senator, he lived by
writing speeches for and furnishing
data to Congressman who thus availed
themselves of his ability and vast store
Of information. When the Civil War
came, Senator Westcott went to Canada
10 reside. He was intensely Southern
IN his sentiments, and yet, for some
lnaccountable reason, chose to seek the
OF another flag. When he
lied in 1880, his son, James ID. West
,ott, caused his remains to he brought
% Florida and buried where he now
sleeps.
JAMES d. wEsTCoTT (THE YoUNGER).
With the talented son of Sena. or {
Nestcott, l was on terms of the Closest !
| met him for the first 7
ime one bright, cold winter morning
n the old Supreme Court room at Talla- .
lassee. wnen he came in from the con-
ultatIon room, before the converting of /
curt, to JON circle of gOOd-humoreu ;
awyers VINO sat around cheerful bIaze
n one OF the DIOdu, open UfeDIdCeS Of
hat famous old chamber. lie Was then
N Associate Justice of the Supreme c
;ourt and was regarded and esteemed
n able jurist.
Judge WestcOtt was born and reared
n Tallahassee, receiving only an AGA c
emic education. In 1859 he Was pri-
ate secretary TO Governor Madison 5. {
Jerry, and was admitted to the bar
When almost a boy. Whether he saw &
ny military service during the Civil
Var, / do not know, but shortly after G.
he close Of the war we find him repre-
enting Leon county in the State Legis- Il
sture, and, a year or two later, the
.ttorney General of the State. His Ct
iarked ability and industry attracted
luch attention, and at the early age of
" enty-nine years he was appointed CT
.ssocIate Justice Of the Suprems CoIr
Phen he was appointed TO the Dench,
OWN M. Randall was Chief Justice, Il
nd Osslau b. Hart was Associate, but al
hen ] first looked upon the sourt II
as composed OF Randall, Chief Justice,
nd James ID Westco.t, Dr., anu n. u.
an VRlkenburg, AssO, i4Ies. ! recall
le faces Of these judges as wildly to- m
~ a. when first saw them upon the ii
ench ia the historic Old court room, Ie
ore than twenty-five years ago. The N
hief Justice In the center, the venera- OF
e and and hearted Van ValkenburRh 80
his left, and the alert Westcott at bI
Dnu~as.tl .ss1 w.. Vel | \