family were outing, on his Jackson river estate, called Isleham, or the
"upper farm," for he owned another estate lower down the Jackson river,
he accompanied, on horseback, a surveying party, engaged in locating or
rectifying certain lines. At many points on their route, the surface was
rough and hilly, and near the high banks of the river overgrown with
brush. While riding up one of these steep banks, through undergrowth and
brambles, his horse, a spirited animal, was beset by a swarm of bees.
The animal began to plunge and soon became unmanageable, and rushing
through the trees and brush, either dragged Mr. Peyton off or he was
thrown, falling heavily to the ground, stunned and helpless. It was
thought at the time that he was fatally injured, but after being removed
to the dwelling, he revived, after one of his tenants, Mr. Meadows, had
drawn from his arm a quantity of blood. Dr. Payne, of Covington, an old
friend and skillful physician, was by his bedside in less than two
hours, and through his care and attention, Mr. Peyton was enabled to
return to Montgomery Hall within a fortnight, and soon resumed his
ordinary life. It is supposed that this accident was the beginning of
the end, the commencement of his decline, that he never fully recovered
from his injuries, which affected the hips and spinal cord. The
following summer he was prostrated by an attack of apoplexy, but such
were the recuperative energies of his vigorous constitution, that he
recovered from it, and attended the next session of the Senate after
having made a visit to Col. Wm. M. Peyton, in Roanoke, where he was
extensively and elegantly entertained and where it is thought he may
have indulged imprudently--in his then state of health, in the luxuries
of the table. The writer was with him on this visit, and remembers well
the numerous and splendid dinner parties given him by General Edward
Watts, George B. Tayloe, Mr. Oliver, Mr. Bowyer, Mr. Preston, of
Greenfield, Mr. Langhorne, Mr. Burrell, Colonel Lewis, Dr. Griffith, Mr.
Johnston and others.
His friends in the Senate, saw with pain and regret his declining
health, and Mr. Peyton himself realizing it determined to abandon all
public employment. Accordingly in the month of December, 1843, he
announced in the following letter his purpose to retire:
Richmond, Dec. 1843.
TO THE PEOPLE OF AUGUSTA AND ROCKBRIDGE.
_Fellow Citizens_:
The term for which I was elected your senator is drawing to a close, and
as it is not my intention to become again a candidate for your
suffrages, I feel it a duty incumbent on me to apprize you of it thus
early, that you may have full time to select for yourselves a suitable
successor.
In taking leave of the district I tender you my grateful
acknowledgements for the distinguished honor which you conferred upon me
four years ago by electing me to the station I now occupy. Whilst acting
in the discharge of the duties devolved upon me by this elevated trust,
it has been my anxious desire to promote your interests and the general
welfare of my native State. That such is the opinion of my constituents
I have not had the slightest reason to doubt. Under such circumstances
it would be both my pride and pleasure to again serve you were it not
for my peculiar situation.
I have now arrived at a period of life when the quiet and repose of the
domestic fireside are much better suited to my tastes and more congenial
to my feelings than the arena of politics and the strife of parties.
Besides this I have duties to discharge to a young and growing family
incompatible with a longer continuance in public life.
I have felt the less difficulty in coming to this conclusion because I
know I can do so without injury to the Whig cause or Whig principles, in
the success of which the people of my district feel so deep an interest.
Their intelligence furnishes ample assurance that my place will be
filled wisely and judiciously; and that they will call into their
service some one fully competent to the discharge of all the high duties
of the station, and who will devote himself to the furtherance of those
great principles and sound measures of public policy, which in the
enlightened judgment of my constituents, lie at the basis of national
prosperity.
Your fellow citizen,
JOHN H. PEYTON,
Richmond, 1843.
There were universal expressions of regret on this occasion. The
Richmond Whig, edited by the distinguished and unfortunate, John Hamden
Pleasants, who was killed a few years later in a duel with Thomas
Ritchie, Jr., said: "The people of Rockbridge and Augusta and of the
State generally, will see, with regret, the announcement of Mr. Peyton's
purpose to retire from the public councils. Mr. Peyton came into the
Senate of Virginia three years ago, and his accession contributed
greatly to the object at that time much considered and desired by the
State, to elevate the greatly declined and declining standard and
character of that body for ability. The last spring elections have
started another retrogradation in the same way and we are greatly
concerned at any circumstance calculated to accelerate the down-hill
march. The withdrawal of Mr. Peyton's rare talents, large experience,
legal and general knowledge, moderation, firmness and courtesy, from any
legislative body whatever, would be seriously felt."
_John S. Gallaher_, Senator from Frederick, said in the "Winchester
Republican":
"Mr. Peyton has long been known to the public as a gentleman of great
ability and manly bearing, and his associates in the Senate will
sincerely regret a severance of the agreeable, social and business
relations so long and pleasantly subsisting between them and him. We are
happy to add for the information of Mr. Peyton's friends abroad, that
there is now a reasonable prospect of his restoration to some degree of
comfortable health. Such extracts from the papers of the day might be
indefinitely extended and every mail came loaded with private letters to
him of regret."
After the publication of Mr. Peyton's letter, several announced
themselves as candidates for the Senate, among them John McCue and R. S.
Brooke, of Augusta and R. B. Barton, of Rockbridge. Considerable feeling
originated among the aspirants and the difficulties were adjusted in the
manner disclosed by the subjoined correspondence, which explains also
Mr. Peyton's continuance in public life.
LETTERS TO THE CANDIDATES, McCUE, BROOKE & BARTON.
Lexington, April 17th, 1843.
_Gentlemen_:
You are fully aware of the difficulties which attend the Senatorial
canvass, from the circumstances that three Whigs are in the field, and
the consequent danger which may attend the Whig cause, and the Whig
representation of the Senatorial District, of Rockbridge and Augusta.
Having the fullest confidence in your political principles, and being
well assured that either of you would ably and faithfully represent the
district, renders still more difficult the task of discriminating among
you. We, therefore, in order to secure a Whig representation, and in
order to enable the people assembled here to-day to solicit a
continuation of the able services of _John H. Peyton, Esq._, propose to
you this plan, that you all retire from the canvass in order that a
_call may be made on Mr. Peyton_, to offer his services. An immediate
answer is respectfully requested.
JOHN ALEXANDER.
JOHN RUFF.
WM. MOFFETT.
WM. C. LEWIS.
J. T. SHELTNER.
CHAS. P. DORMAN.
THE CANDIDATE'S REPLY.
Lexington, Va., April 17th, 1843.
_Gentlemen_:
We cheerfully acquiesce in the plan proposed in your communication, and
retire from the canvass with the expectation that Mr. Peyton will
consent to become a candidate.
Yours, &c.,
R. S. BROOKE.
JOHN McCUE.
ROB'T R. BARTON.
Lexington, April 17th, 1843.
_John H. Peyton, Esq._,
Dear Sir: At the suggestion of our friends, and with the desire of
concentrating the vote of the Whig party of the District, we have
consented, as the most agreeable course to us all, and one which we
think will meet the approbation of our district, to decline the canvass
for the Senate, _provided you will consent to run_.
We hope you will submit to the proposed sacrifice for the sake of union
in our party, and the promotion of the country's good.
With great respect, your ob't servant,
ROB'T S. BROOKE.
JOHN McCUE.
ROB'T R. BARTON.
MR. PEYTON'S REPLY.
Lexington, April 17th 1843.
_Gentlemen_:
Your note of the above date was handed me a few minutes ago by Mr.
Michie, stating that, at the suggestion of our friends, and with the
desire of concentrating the vote of the Whig party of this Senatorial
district, you had consented as the most agreeable course to all, and one
which you think will meet the approbation of the district, to decline
the canvass for the Senate, provided I will consent to become a
candidate.
I feel greatly flattered by this testimonial of your confidence, and
though I had fondly hoped to spend the residue of my life at home upon
my farm; yet the object to be attained is so important, as disclosed in
your note, and as I have learned from other sources, I cannot refuse to
become again a candidate for a seat in the Senate of Virginia.
You are at liberty therefore to announce me as such, in such manner as
you may think best. Business calls me out of the district, and will
detain me from it until the day of election in Augusta.
I am with great respect, your ob't servant.
JOHN H. PEYTON.
To R. S. Brooke, John McCue, and R. R. Barton.
Accordingly, at the election in May, he was chosen for a second term, of
four years, to the Senate, and while he was still absent from the
district attending to the private affairs of his estates, mills, &c. in
the counties of Alleghany and Monroe.
A BUNDLE OF MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS.
The following letters are derived from the same source with those
previously given. They are not a selection from the bundle, but the
bundle itself. So little was the little bundle, we ventured not to make
that little less:
JOHN H. PEYTON TO HIS DAUGHTER, SUSAN MADISON PEYTON.
Staunton, Friday, 13th April, 1837.
_My Dear Susan_:
Your mother has shown me your letter, in which you request that I shall
write you. Why is this request made after such a short separation? Do
you already feel the necessity of counsel? If so, it is at hand in your
two Aunts, with whom you should communicate freely and fully, and whose
opinions you should not only respect, but implicitly follow, certainly
as to all matters relating to etiquette, behavior and conduct.
You are very young and inexperienced in the ways and wiles of the world,
and yet your size would indicate maturer years, hence strangers will
expect manners, conduct and conversation suited to your size and not
your years. Do not permit the buoyancy and vivacity of youth to betray
you into levity of manners. Be circumspect, be dignified, and be good
humored. The control of the temper is of the first importance to the
elevated standing of every woman. Learn to be cheerful, sociable and
agreeable. This you cannot be without controlling your temper. Be not
hasty to take offense, or captious, and recollect that though she that
will not resent an insult when offered, is a contemptible beast of
burden, yet she that is captious and ill-natured, and ready to take
offense at trifles, is a beast of prey. Half the difficulties and
disappointments and vexations we meet with in the world, had as well be
the subject of our amusement as our tears, and so far as it regards our
intercourse with the world, had a great deal better be the subject of
our amusement, for in general there is little sympathy felt for the woes
of others. In your conversation be careful that you speak grammatically
and avoid all rude or coarse expressions. The best way to acquire
colloquial power, so important to a well educated woman, is to listen to
those of your sex attentively, who are most remarkable for these gifts.
You thereby acquire correct pronunciation, good gestures, easy delivery,
and a knowledge of those topics of conversation that are most likely to
enable you to beguile an hour agreeably.
Present me affectionately to your Aunts, and believe me to be, with
solicitude for your conduct and appearance and permanent happiness,
Your affectionate father,
JOHN H. PEYTON.
JOHN H. PEYTON TO HIS WIFE.
Richmond, Jan. 15th, 1840.
_My Dear Wife_:
Your affectionate letters, one written on the 5th, the other on the
11th, have been duly rec'd and read with delight.
I presume that ere this reaches you, that Mr. Woodville will have
arrived and delivered to you those beautiful specimens of plate which I
forwarded to him, and which cost so much that it has greatly
straightened my pecuniary means--Mrs. Telfair's loan having been
invested in State stock. He will also have given you all the information
as to what has transpired since we parted. On yesterday I dined with
Judge Tucker, where I met, among others, Mrs. Wm. Moncure, and two
sons, of Stafford--old friends. In the evening, I attended, with Gerard
Stuart and Mr. Worthington, of Jefferson, a party at Anthony Robinson's,
but finding the company too youthful for my enjoyment, I returned and
was in bed before ten o'clock. To-day I dine with Mr. Patton (J. M.), on
tomorrow with Dr. Brockenbrough, so that you see that I have plenty of
good eating and drinking, but I really do not enjoy it. It gives me a
fullness in my blood vessels, and is such an inroad on my habits that I
would greatly prefer being at home. These sensual pleasures are not to
my taste, and in the future I shall avoid night parties. The business of
legislation, so far as the Senate is concerned, has hitherto been
anything but laborious. We meet at twelve o'clock, sit about an hour,
pass a turnpike bill, or some such frivolous bill, and then adjourn.
This, however, will not be the case in the latter part of the session
when bills of more importance are sent to us.
Who will be Senator or Governor is as yet altogether uncertain--numbers
are nominated for each station, of course, many must be disappointed.
* * * * *
The wound inflicted on Dr. Stribling and the death of the Rev. James C.
Wilson have filled me with grief. I do not think the Superintendent of
the Hospitals should permit the lunatics to carry arms and wander about
town. You know that I have more than once expressed apprehensions as to
our connection Towles.[15]
[15] He was an inmate of the Asylum but allowed to go at large.
I have not seen Anne Robertson since my return. I was invited to an
evening party at Judge Robertson's to-day, but declined.
Many enquiries have been made by Susan's friends as to her reasons for
not coming down with me. Rumor assigns as the season that she is to be
married. I have contradicted it and asked Anne Robertson to do so.
If Channing declines going to my Calf Pasture farm, I will rent it to
Crawford. If you see Crawford tell him so, and ask him to call on me
when I return. Tell Brown not to let slip this opportunity or he may not
hereafter be able to fill the ice house. Give my love to all and accept
the same,
From your affectionate husband,
JOHN H. PEYTON.
JOHN H. PEYTON TO HIS WIFE.
Charlottesville, Oct. 11th, 1840.
_My Dear Wife_:
I reached here on my return from Richmond, where I received your letter
of the 6th of October. The reports you have heard are true in part and
in part false. It is true I had my pockets picked as soon as I reached
Richmond, which was between 12 and 1 o'clock on Saturday, but it is not
true that I had so large a sum of money with me as rumored. I had only
$500 with me, which was stolen, together with my umbrella, tobacco bag,
pipe, etc.
It occurred thus: My trunk was in the baggage car of the train, with my
overcoat and umbrella strapped on top. The cars were crowded to
overflowing, and on reaching Richmond the younger part commenced
cheering for "Old Tippecanoe and Tyler too." The station was surrounded
by an immense crowd when the train arrived, which cheered lustily by way
of welcome to us. About this time the Fredericksburg train arrived,
which increased the crowd, the noise and confusion. After leaving the
train, I pressed forward to secure my baggage. This I succeeded in doing
as to the trunk, which was, however, _minus_ the overcoat and umbrella,
and, placed it in charge of Tom Preston,[16] who was traveling with me.
I then returned to the cars in search of the lost articles, though it
was very difficult to get through the mass of human beings, and when in
the densest part of the crowd felt a man pushing me forward from behind
and one in front pressing me back. The one in front interfered with my
progress so much that I seized him with both hands and dashed him out of
the way, at the same time demanding what he meant by his conduct. He
apologized humbly, saying it was an accident due to the crowd.
Re-entering the cars I heard the conductor crying out "beware of
pickpockets." Upon which, feeling my pocket, I discovered that my purse
and pocket-book were gone. I have no doubt my pocket was robbed while I
was between the two scoundrels outside. Many others fared no better than
myself. Next morning a man was arrested while his hands were in a
gentleman's pocket. I visited this fellow in jail with Mr. Seymour, and
he was very much the size and appearance of the man I thrust out of my
way, but I could not identify him fully. He said he was an Englishman
and had only been three months in America--was in Baltimore when Mr.
Webster came to Virginia, that Mr. W's fame in England was so great that
he felt a strong desire to hear him speak, and came on to Richmond for
that purpose; that he had no acquaintances in Richmond nor other
business there, and had brought no baggage. His extraordinary account
satisfied me that he was one of a gang of professional pickpockets from
abroad, who had come here to plunder during the excitement of our
Presidential election. I have no hope of recovering my money or any part
of it, which I much regret as I intended purchasing you a new carriage.
We must use the old one a little longer.
[16] Thomas L. Preston, of Abingdon, and brother of Hon. Wm. C. Preston,
of South Carolina.
Your sister Sarah arrived here the same day with myself. She looks grave
and depressed. The term of the court will be short, so that you may
expect my return soon. With love to Susan and the rest of the family,
Your affectionate husband,
JOHN H. PEYTON.
SAME TO SAME.
Richmond, January 8th, 1841.
_My dear wife_:
I send as presents to you and my daughter Mary, two of the most superb
cloaks that I have ever seen and such is the opinion of others who have
seen them. Yours is grave, elegant and becoming, Mary's is rich,
magnificent, dashing and unsurpassed for beauty, and is of the kind now
all the rage. She will look beautiful in it.
I carried the old toddy spoon and the broken silver spoons to Mr.
Mitchell, and he agreed to let me have in exchange a half dozen silver
spoons. He has also agreed to let me have a dozen silver table spoons
and a dozen small spoons, and some forks, but I do not know what they
will cost.
The Senate after altering the title of the bill for shortening the
sessions of the legislature, a bill to reduce the wages of the members
of the legislature was introduced and passed unanimously.
Sarah Lewis and Miss Lewis have been visited by all my brother's family
and by the Governor and family, and perhaps others.
I hope to send your cloaks by Mr. Valentine, who proposes to leave here
on Tuesday in the cars. I have them boxed and ready. They cost heavily,
as you will see from the bills in the box, viz: $58.93. Woodville is
here, and is with Judge Allen, Judge Baldwin, and myself every day.
I purchased at auction to-day a Pier glass with a Marble top, to occupy
the place in front of the mirror in the drawing room, as you requested.
It is handsome, and the mirrors below the table I think will fit the
place precisely.
The affectionate leave-taking we had on the morning we parted, sank
deeply into my heart, and I shall long recollect it. Present me
affectionately to my dear children and accept my sincerest regard.
Your affectionate husband,
JOHN H, PEYTON.
P. S. Gen'l Baldwin and myself are to visit Miss Deborah this evening.
PEYTON.
SAME TO SAME.
Senate Chamber, March 15th, 1841.
_My Dear Ann_:
I shall leave here, if no accident occurs to prevent, on Thursday next,
on my return. I will stop in Charlottesville on Friday to confer with
Cochran on business matters, and expect to reach home on Saturday. I
regret to leave before the Senate adjourns, as this is a period of
interest as to our general legislation, but I have paired with Carter,
and I have an engagement at home which is imperative. I feel great
anxiety to see you and the dear little stranger who has never seen her
father. Would not Virginia be a good name for the child, as I was denied
the pleasure of seeing her earlier, in the service of the State. I
submit the matter, to you.[17] Farewell till we meet. Love to all.
In haste, your affectionate husband,
JOHN H. PEYTON.
[17] The child was named Virginia Frances, and is, in 1894, the widow of
Col. Joseph F. Kent, of Wytheville, Va., and the mother of three fine
children.
FROM JOHN H. PEYTON TO HIS SON, JOHN LEWIS PEYTON.
Richmond, Dec. 29th, 1841.
_My Dear John_:
Your letter of the 23d of December is before me. It is true that I have
been unwell with a cold, but this has not confined me at any time to my
room, and I am now much better. As to your plans, it was not my wish or
intention that you should resume your studies until after the holidays.
You entirely misunderstood my letter to your mother, if you suppose that
I am opposed to your continuing the study of Greek, Latin or French. In
my letter to your mother, I was contrasting the benefits to be derived
from a study of the languages, ancient and modern, with those to be
derived from the Mathematics, in which I gave a decided preference to
Mathematics. I did not intend that you should infer that I was opposed
to your acquiring the languages. So far from this, I have no idea that a
man can have any pretensions to the character of a scholar without a
knowledge of them as well Mathematics. It is my wish, therefore, that
you should devote yourself to these studies under the care and direction
of Mr. Waddell. If you have time to read at home, I wish you to peruse:
1st, Gillie's Greece; 2d, Rollins' Roman History; 3d, Gibbons' Decline
and Fall of the Roman Empire; 4th, Hume's History of England, and
postpone Philosophy and Chemistry for the present. At a later period, I
will give you a list of authors you should read, in the order in which
they should come, for it is true, as Locke says, to quote him as near as
I can from memory, "educations begins the gentleman, but reading, good
company, and reflection, must finish him." I may remark here, that in a
course of reading, you should pursue method, and in order to make
yourself familiar with the literature of a country and people, say our
mother country, England, you should confine yourself for a time to the
authors of a particular era, such as the Anglo-Saxon period; then the
Anglo-Norman period, which will bring you down to about 1350, when the
character styled Black-letter, or Old English, was used, and so on. You
will find a fund of historic lore in Hall's History of the Houses of
York and Lancaster, Hollingshead's Chronicles, Stowe's Chronicles,
Camden's Britannia, Lord Bacon's Henry VII., nearly all of which is in
my library.