The review. [volume] (High Point, N.C.) 1908-19??, 1913-05-01

whom he was bound by the dearest ties of afec-
tiOn and arrangements were speedily MADE oy
which the younger brother and his bride shou'd
come into possession of thousand acres adJoni-
ing his estate where house was bullt ana
land cleared for the coming cotton season Inc
husband and wife began life together resoiutely.
Mr.. Davis worked with his hands, and di-
rected personally and through his trusty foreman,
James Pemberton the labor of the fields. A
promising harvest was approaching, when, as Is
usual, the malarial season came on. Not being
acclimated, and to escape the added dangers Of
living on freshlycleared land he left the respon-
sibility of the estate to his beloved brother, Jo
seph Davis, and moved down the river with his
wife to the home of sister. Mrs. Luther Smith,
near Bayou Sara in southeastern Louisiana. It
not long before both fell seriously ill., and in
September, 1886 Mrs. Davis died. In the shadow
of his sorrow Mr.. Davis slowly recovered from
his severe illness and returned in mid-October to
the lonely plantation, only to leave it again in
search of health and oblivion Of affection. He
visited New Orleans in the early winter, whence
he sailed to Havana and the island of Cuba-the
resort Of the invalid and grief-stricken of that
day.
In 1S43 Mr.. Davis became the candidate of the
Democratic party for seat in the legislature of
the state of Mississippi. In February, 1916, Mr..
Davis married Miss Varina Howell of Natchez.
the granddaughter of Governor Howell of New
Jersey, and daughter of William B. Howell. In
the course Of the year he elected to
congress Gas a representative from the state cat
large"), and took his seat in the house after
the opening of the first session Of the Twenty
ninth congress- in December 1845.
Mr. Davis devoted disciple of John G.
Calhoun, and statesman after the order.
When the president not congress, settled the
Texas embroglio by causing the American army,
under Gen. Zachary Taylor, to threaten the Mex
lean position the Rio Grande and hostilities
followed matter of course, from the White
House the word came to congress early in April
that war already existed, and called for troops.
Calhoun arose in his place in the senate and de-
manded to know the authority Of the executive
in usurping the rightful powers of congress. Mr..
Davis made similar protest, at the same time in
the house The South Carolinian continued to
arraign the presidents policy. but Mr. Davis,
despite his admiration for Mr.. Calhoun, yielded
his support to and deprecated all criticism of
Colonel Taylor and his men for their unnecessary
advance. It would appear that neces-
sary for the annexation of Texas, and having
favored the war, Mr.. Davis selected to COM
mand the first regiment enlisted in the state of
Mississippi. called the Mississippi Rifles. Before
leaving his seat in congress, Mr. Davis had in
sisted that his regiment should. be armed with
rifles. Later, when secretary of war, he intro
duced into the regular army the improved guns
he now used on the Mexican He set out for
New Orleans, the rendezvous of his regiment
early In June 1S46. After short stay at "Briar-
field" where he procured his trustworthy servant
and horses. he continued his journey, embarking