The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1906-09-07
THE WESCOTTS,
FATHER AND SON.
Hon. Robert w. Davis Memoirs of
Noted Men Who Have Figured
in Florida History.

although 1 never saw senator Jas.
d. Wescott, ST., he was still living
when | first came to Florida, and was
much talked about. The things /
heard of him always interested me.
He died in Montreal, Canada, in 1880,
and is remembered as erratic, but
one of the talented men of his time.
Born at Alexandria, Va, in 1902, he
went to New Jersey when a 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 tastes and
Iinclinations 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
genera of the state. Young Westcott
was appointed to some government
position in Washington and there
won the friendship of President Jack
son. 1t is related of him that he
challenged a man at the national CAPT
tai to duel on account of some scan
dalous remark made about the pre-
sident's marriage. Jackson, hearing
it, sent for Wescott, and in the pres
ence of number of people in the ex-
ecutive chamber, scolded him severe
Lea +bo !, rdI,, OF a oiD nm Fur
ly, but when the young man sullenly
left the room, Jackson followed him
to the head of the stairs and in a
stage whisper said, 'Snoot the scoun-
drel, James, shoot him and / will
stand by you The duel, l believe,
was never fought, but old Hickory
remembered young Wescott's good
intentions" and rewarded him by ap-
pointing him secretary of Florida, and
to I'LL this position he came to the
theh territory in 1880. After several
year. as secretary, he was made u.
s. attorney for the middle district"
later becoming member of the ter
ritorial house of representatives, and
stir later was sent as delegate to
the constitutional convention of 1889.
When in 1S45 Florida was admitted
to statehood, James d. Wescott and
David Levy (Yulee) became the first
L. S. senators, being elected as demo
Gratis over George Hernandez and
Jackson Morton, the whig candidates.
Senator Wescott served his statee
faithfully and ably, but for some rea-
sen did not return to Flo-ida az
ter the expiration of his term. Wheth-
er he became disgruntled over his
defeat for reelection in 1849, when
jackson Morton, his old wing adver
sary, succeeded him, or whether the
aliuI ements of the capital city held
him captive, as they have so many
public men since that time, ] have
never learned; but certain it is that
he remained there for years without
so much as a visit to his state. 1t
is said that while in Washington, af-
ter he ceased to be a senator, he
lived by writing speeches for and fur
nishing data to congressman who
thus availed themselves of his ability
and vast store of information. When
the civil war came, Senator Wescott
went to Canada to reside. He was
intensely southern in his sentiments,
and yet, for some unaccountable rea-
son, chose to seek the protection of
another flag. When he died in 1880,
his son, James d. Wescott, caused his
remains to be brought to Florida and
buried where he now sleeps.
JAMES D. WEscoTT.
(The Younger.)
With the talented son of Senator
/ was on terms of the closest friend
ship. / met him for the first time