At the request of my daughter and my son and by the advice of my
friends, the Honorable J. C. Bancroft Davis and the Honorable William
A. Richardson, I am venturing upon the task of giving a sketch of my
experiences in life during three fourths of a century. The wisdom of
such an undertaking is not outside the realm of debate. A large part
of my manhood has been spent in the politics of my native state, and
in the politics of the country. For many years I have had the fortune
to be associated with those in whose hands the chief powers were
lodged. I have been a witness of, and in some cases an actor in,
events that have changed the character of the institutions and affected
the fortunes of the country. Those events and their consequences must
in time disturb, if they do not change, the institutions of other
countries.
In the course of this long period I have had opportunities to know
some of the principal actors in those important events. In a few
cases I am in possession of knowledge not now in the possession of any
other person living. These considerations may in some degree justify
my undertaking.
On the other hand I have not kept a record of events, and I have had
occasion often, especially in the practice of my profession, to notice
the imperfections of the human memory. Much that I shall write must
depend upon the fidelity of that faculty, although in some cases my
recollections may be verified or corrected by the public records.
The recollections of actors, when those recollections are reported in
good faith, constitute quite as safe a basis for an historical
judgment as do the diaries in which are noted present impressions.
Usually the writer of a diary has only an imperfect knowledge of the
subject to which the entries relate. If he is himself an actor in
passing events he makes and leaves a record colored and perhaps tainted
by the personal and political passions of the times. The teachings of
experience and that more moderate view of events, which we sometimes
call philosophy and sometimes the wisdom of age, may warrant the
student and the historian in giving credence to mere recollections.
The writer of a diary takes little note of the importance of the events
to which the entries relate. Persons and events become important or
cease to be important by the progress of time, but the life of an
individual is an adequate period usually for the formation of a
judgment. I cannot assume that it will be my fortune to make a wise
selection in all cases. Important events may be omitted, insignificant
circumstances may be recorded.
I assume that my family and friends will take an interest in matters
that are purely personal: therefore I shall record many incidents and
events that do not concern the public.