CHAPTER XXIX.

1865-1868.

MARRIAGE OF MISS LANE—LETTERS TO HER AND OTHER PERSONS.

In the year 1866, Mr. Buchanan had the happiness of seeing his

niece, Miss Lane, married to Mr. Henry E. Johnston, of Baltimore. It

seems that this engagement was first made known to him in October,

1865, when Miss Lane was absent from Wheatland. He writes to her as

follows:

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MISS LANE.]

WHEATLAND, October 21, 1865.[181]

MY DEAR HARRIET:—

I received yours of the 18th yesterday. We will talk the matter

over in regard to Wheatland after your return. I believe you say

truly that nothing would have induced you to leave me, in good or

evil fortune, if I had wished you to remain with me. Such a wish

on my part would be very selfish. You have long known my desire

that you should marry, whenever a suitor worthy of you, and

possessing your affections, should offer. Indeed it has been my

strong desire to see you settled in the world before my death. You

have now made your own unbiased choice; and from the character of

Mr. Johnston I anticipate for you a happy marriage, because I

believe, from your own good sense, you will conform to your

conductor, and make him a good and loving wife. Beware of

unreasonable delays in the performance of the ceremony, lest these

may be attributed to an improper motive.

I have no news to communicate of the least importance; besides, I

hope to see you by the middle of the next week at the latest.

Blanche and Martha paid me a brief visit yesterday,—better late

than never, and so I told them.

Governor Porter was here two days during the present week. He and

I began political life nearly together, and we can talk over the

men and measures of the “auld lang syne” for the last fifty years.

His visits are always agreeable to me.

Among your numerous friends you ask only for Punch,[182] and this

in the postscript, which is said to contain the essence of a

lady’s letter. He is a companion which I shun as much as possible,

not being at all to my liking. I believe, however, his health is

in a satisfactory condition.

The proceedings of a majority of the Episcopal Convention have

afforded me great satisfaction.

If the opportunity should offer, please to remember me with great

kindness and respect to Bishop Hopkins. I have no doubt his

preaching extempore is excellent.

Give my love to Mrs. Reigart, and be sure you place an indelible

mark on _that_ stocking. Should I again get the gout, how it will

solace the pain.

Miss Hetty desires to be kindly remembered to Maria and yourself.

With my love to Maria, I remain,

Yours affectionately,

JAMES BUCHANAN.

Footnote 182:

It seems from the following letter from Dr. Blake to Mr. Buchanan,

that Miss Lane was in Washington in March, 1865, at the second

inauguration of President Lincoln.

[DR. BLAKE TO MR. BUCHANAN.]

HIS EXCELLENCY, JAMES BUCHANAN:—

MY DEAR SIR:—Your favor of the 21st inst. did not reach me until

the 23d. On the following day I saw Miss Lane, and had the same

pleasure yesterday. I expect to call on her to-morrow in company

with some ladies who wish to pay their respects to her on your and

her own accounts. She will not require any attention from me, as

her reception hours are occupied by the many friends and admirers

who visit her. At Mrs. Lincoln’s afternoon reception she was the

observed of all observers, and she was constantly surrounded by

crowds of acquaintances, and persons desirous of being introduced

to her. She, I am sure, must be highly gratified by her visit, as

nothing has occurred to mar the pleasure of it.

Our city is full of strangers, who have been attracted among us by

the approaching inauguration. There is nothing new, and I have

nothing of local interest to communicate at this time.

Very truly your friend,

JOHN B. BLAKE.

Footnote 181:

A favorite dog.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MISS LANE.]

WHEATLAND, November 30, 1865.

MY DEAR HARRIET:—

I enclose two letters. That from Mr. Capen I opened, supposing it

might require immediate attention; but when I discovered the

subject of it I ceased to read. I go to town to-day, and shall

keep this open, so that if other letters should arrive I will

enclose them.

I go to York on Saturday, having received a very kind and pressing

invitation from the Shunks. Rebecca was ill in bed, and that is

the reason why I had not heard from them. I have not a word from

either Mr. Schell or James Henry. I infer there is nothing

encouraging to write about the book. A strong attempt is making to

cry it down in New York, but it will make its own way. No news.

Yours affectionately,

JAMES BUCHANAN.

Miss Lane’s marriage took place at Wheatland on the 11th of January,

1866. The note of invitation to one of their most valued friends was

written on the same day on which he received from Mr. Johnston a

deed of settlement which that gentleman made in favor of his

intended wife.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO COLONEL J. B. BAKER.]

WHEATLAND, January 6, 1866.

MY DEAR SIR:—

Miss Lane requests me to invite you in her name to her wedding on

Thursday, the 11th inst. The ceremony will be between 12 and 1

o’clock. It is to be a private affair. No cards of invitation have

been issued. I hope you will not fail to countenance us with your

presence.

Your friend, very respectfully,

JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MR. JOHNSTON.]

WHEATLAND, January 6, 1866.

MY DEAR SIR:—

I have received your favor of the 4th, with the deed, which

I think has been well and carefully prepared. For this

purely voluntary act of your kindness Miss Lane feels

herself greatly indebted, and you will please to accept my

cordial acknowledgments.

Had I been consulted, I should have preferred that my name had not

appeared as a trustee, having determined, at my advanced age, to

relieve myself, as far as possible, from all worldly affairs; but,

as the chief burden will rest upon your brother Josiah, who is

abundantly competent to perform the duty, I shall cheerfully

accept the trust. Besides, this will place upon record, for

whatever it may be worth, my entire approbation of the marriage.

With sentiments of warm regard, I remain,

Very respectfully your friend,

JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MR. LEIPER.]

WHEATLAND, February 24, 1865.

MY DEAR SIR:—

I have received your favor of the 21st instant, and rejoice to

learn that your health has so much improved. I trust that the

genial air of the spring and the active exercise to which you have

been all your life accustomed, may restore you once more to

perfect health. Thank God! my own health has been good thus far

throughout the severe and inclement weather.

I duly received your letter of the 17th January, and have been

under the impression it was answered. I have often since thought

of the description which you gave of your happy Christmas meeting

with your children and grandchildren under the old paternal roof,

and what heartfelt satisfaction it must have afforded to Mrs.

Leiper and yourself. I trust that several more such family

reunions may be in reserve for you, though we have both attained

an age when we cannot expect much time in this world, and when we

ought to be preparing to meet our God in peace.

I had not learned, until the receipt of your last, that Mr.

Lincoln had joined the Church. Let us hope, in Christian charity,

that the act was done in sincerity. The old Presbyterian Church is

not now what it was in former years. The last general assembly has

thoroughly abolitionized it.

I confess I was much gratified at the capture of Charleston. This

city was the nest of all our troubles. For more than a quarter of

a century the people were disunionists, and during this whole

period have been persistently engaged in inoculating the other

slave States with their virus. Alas, for poor Virginia! who has

suffered so much, and who was so reluctantly dragged into their

support.

Miss Lane is now on a visit to Mrs. Berghman’s (the daughter of

Charles Macalester), in Washington city.

From your friend always,

JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MR. FLINN.]

WHEATLAND, near LANCASTER, April 18, 1865.

MY DEAR SIR:—

I was much astonished to learn from yours of the 17th that you had

not received the bond and mortgage. At least ten days before the

1st of April, I enclosed the bond and mortgage to you, with a

regular power of attorney, duly stamped and acknowledged,

authorizing the recorder of deeds from Alleghany county to enter

satisfaction on the record. My letter inclosing these papers was

placed in the post office at Lancaster on the day after its date

by a friend who happened to be at Wheatland, and the postage was

paid. What can have become of it, I cannot conjecture. It must

have gone astray, as many letters do. Should it not soon turn up,

I shall send another power to enter satisfaction. Not knowing the

name of the recorder, I gave the power to him by his official

title, which is sufficient. Should it prove to be necessary to

have a new power, please to state his name.

I thank you for the information relative to the assassination of

President Lincoln, though I had received the news of this

deplorable event before it came to hand. The ways of Divine

Providence are inscrutable; and it is the duty of poor, frail man,

whether he will or not, to submit to His mysterious dispensations.

The war—the necessary war—forced upon us by the madness of the

rebels, we all fondly hoped was drawing to a triumphant conclusion

in the restoration of the Union with a return to friendly

relations among all the States, under the auspices of Mr. Lincoln.

At such a moment the terrible crime was committed, which hurried

him into eternity, and God only knows what may be the direful

consequences. I deeply mourn his loss, from private feelings, but

still more deeply for the sake of the country. Heaven, I trust,

will not suffer the perpetrators of the deed, and all their guilty

accomplices, to escape just punishment. But we must not despair of

the Republic.

I have known President Johnson for many years. Indeed, he once

honored me with a visit at Wheatland. That he has risen from an

humble station to the highest political position of the Union, is

evidence both of his ability and his merits. He is (certainly he

used to be) a man of sound judgment, excellent common sense, and

devoted to the elevation and welfare of the people. I wish him

success, with all my heart, in performing the arduous and

responsible duties which have been cast upon him. I shall judge

him fairly, as I ever did his lamented predecessor, though my

opinions may be of but little importance. I hope he may exercise

his own good judgment, first weighing the counsels of his advisers

carefully, as was ever the practice of the first and greatest of

our Presidents, before the adoption of any decided resolution. The

feelings naturally springing from the horrid deed ought first to

have a few days to subside, before a final committal of the

administration to any fixed policy.

I have weighed your suggestion with care, but regret to say I

cannot agree with you. Such an act would be misrepresented.[183]

With my kind regards to Mrs. Flinn, I remain always your friend,

JAMES BUCHANAN.

Footnote 183:

His correspondent had urged him to “write a few lines on the death

of Mr. Lincoln, which will soothe the bitter prejudices of the

extremists of his party against you and your friends.”

[MR. BUCHANAN TO THE HON. J. W. WALL.]

WHEATLAND, near LANCASTER, April 27, 1865.

MY DEAR SIR:—

Upon a reperusal of your letter of the 30th ultimo, I consider it

my duty to furnish a specific denial of the statement, by

whomsoever made, that I refused you the mission to Rome, “because

of a doubt as to the genuineness of your Democracy.” Any such

statement is without the least foundation. Indeed, according to my

best recollection, those who professed to be the best friends both

of yourself and of Mr. Stockton, never intimated a suspicion

either of your Democracy or your ability. On the contrary, they

expressed much anxiety that you should be the Democratic candidate

for Congress in your district.

Permit me to observe, as your father’s friend, and as your own (if

you will allow me so to be), that I regretted very much the tone

and manner in which you say that “the Republicans will sweep the

State of New Jersey next fall.” You ought to recollect that the

life of a public man under this, and indeed under all popular

governments, is exposed to many vicissitudes. For this, whilst

ever keeping steadily in view a sacred regard for principle, he

ought to be prepared. His true policy is to “bide his time,” and

if injustice has been done him, it is morally certain that the

people will, in the long run, repair it. Indeed, this very

injustice, if borne with discreet moderation and firmness, often

proves the cause of his eventual benefit. Do not mar your future

prospects by hasty actions or expressions which may be employed to

your injury. Still believe “there is a better day coming,” and

prepare the way for it.

I was seventy-four on Sunday last, and, considering my advanced

age, I enjoy good health as well as a buoyant spirit.

From your friend, very respectfully,

JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MR. KING.]

WHEATLAND, near LANCASTER, April 27, 1865.

MY DEAR SIR:—

Rest assured that I was much gratified to receive your favor of

the 22d. If I was indebted a letter to you, I am sorry for it,

because I entertain no other feeling towards you but that of

kindness and friendship.

In common with you, I feel the assassination of President Lincoln

to be a terrible misfortune to our country. May God, in his mercy,

ward from us the evils which it portends, and bring good out of

this fearful calamity. My intercourse with our deceased President,

both on his visit to me, after his arrival in Washington, and on

the day of his first inauguration, convinced me that he was a man

of a kindly and benevolent heart, and of plain, sincere and frank

manners. I have never since changed my opinion of his character.

Indeed, I felt for him much personal regard. Throughout the years

of the war, I never faltered in my conviction that it would

eventually terminate in the crushing of the rebellion, and was

ever opposed to the recognition of the Confederate government by

any act which even looked in that direction. Believing, always,

secession to be a palpable violation of the Constitution, I

considered the acts of secession to be absolutely void; and that

the States were, therefore, still members, though rebellious

members, of the Union......

Yours very respectfully,

JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO REV. P. COOMBE.]

WASHINGTON, May 2, 1865.

MY DEAR SIR:—

I have received your favor of the 29th ultimo, proposing that I

should endow a Professorship in Dickinson College for the

education of poor students who do not possess the means of

educating themselves. The object is highly praiseworthy, but I

regret to say I do not feel myself at liberty to advance $25,000

for this purpose. Under existing circumstances my charities,

including those to relatives who require assistance, are

extensive, and the world is greatly mistaken as to the amount of

my fortune. Besides, if I should hereafter conclude to endow a

Professorship, whilst I highly approve the theological doctrines

of the Methodist Episcopal Church, I could not prefer a college

under its direction to a college of the Presbyterian Church, in

which I was born and educated, or to the German Reformed College,

in my immediate vicinity, in which I have taken a deep interest

ever since its origin at Mercersburg, near the place of my

nativity.

I might add that Dickinson College, when I was a student, was not

conducted in such a manner as to inspire me with any high degree

of gratitude for the education I received from my “_Alma Mater_.”

This was after the death of Dr. Nesbit and before a new President

had been elected. I am truly happy to believe that it is now well

and ably conducted under the auspices of a Christian Church

founded by John Wesley, whose character I have ever held in

highest veneration, and whose sermons I have read over and over

again with great interest.

Yours very respectfully,

JAMES BUCHANAN.

[TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW YORK EVENING POST.]

WHEATLAND, near LANCASTER, May 11, 1865.

SIR:—

In the New York _Tribune_ of yesterday I read, with no little

surprise, an extract from the _Evening Post_ (which I do not see),

stating in substance that the Cincinnati Democratic convention of

June, 1856 (not “May”), had come to “a dead lock” on the evening

before Mr. Buchanan’s nomination, and had adjourned until the next

morning, with a fair prospect that it would meet only to adjourn

_sine die_; but that in the meantime, arrangements were made to

secure his nomination as soon as the convention should reassemble,

in consequence of pledges given by his friends. The nature of

these pledges, according to the article in the _Post_, was openly

avowed by Judge Black on the floor of the convention immediately

after nomination had been made. According to it: “A silence ensued

for a few moments, as if the convention was anticipating something

prepared, when Judge Black, of Pennsylvania (afterwards Attorney

General under Buchanan), rose in his place and made a set speech,

in which he proceded to denounce ‘Abolitionism’ and ‘Black

Republicanism’ very freely, and to argue that the States

possessed, under the Constitution, the right of secession. He went

further, and told the convention that if the nominee was elected,

and a Black Republican should be elected as his successor, he [Mr.

Buchanan] would do nothing to interfere with the exercise of it.

This pledge was ample, and was accepted by the Southern leaders.”

You will doubtless be astonished to learn that Judge Black,

afterwards Mr. Buchanan’s Attorney General, by whom this pledge is

alleged to have been made, and through whom the evident purpose

now is to fasten it upon Mr. Buchanan, _was not a delegate to the

Cincinnati convention, nor was he within five hundred miles of

Cincinnati during its session_. _Instead of this, he was at_ _the

very time performing his high official duties as a Judge of the

Supreme Court of Pennsylvania._

It may be added, that from the date of General Jackson’s message

of January, 1833, against South Carolina nullification and

secession, until that of his own message of December, 1860, and

indeed since, no public man has more steadfastly and uniformly

opposed these dangerous and suicidal heresies than Mr. Buchanan.

Had any person, in or out of the convention, dared to make a

pledge in his behalf on this or any other subject, such an act

would have been condemned a few days thereafter by the terms of

his letter accepting the nomination. In this, after expressing his

thanks for the honor conferred, he says that: “Deeply sensible of

the vast and varied responsibility attached to the station,

especially at the present crisis in our affairs, _I have carefully

refrained from seeking the nomination, either by word or deed_;”

and this statement is emphatically true.

A few words in regard to the alleged “dead lock” in the Cincinnati

convention, at the time of its adjournment on the evening of the

5th June, after fourteen ballots had been taken for a candidate.

It appears from its proceedings, as officially published, that on

each of these ballotings Mr. Buchanan received a plurality, and on

the sixth, attained a majority of all the votes of the convention,

but not the required two-thirds. On the fourteenth and last ballot

on that evening, the vote stood 152½ for Mr. Buchanan, 75 for

Pierce, 63 for Douglas, and 5½ for Cass. This being the state of

the case, when the convention assembled the next morning the New

Hampshire delegation withdrew the name of General Pierce, and the

Illinois delegation withdrew that of Judge Douglas, in obedience

to instructions from him by telegraph, on the day before the

ballotings had commenced. After this, the nomination of Mr.

Buchanan seemed to be a matter of course. He had never heard of “a

dead lock” in the convention, or anything like it, until he read

the article in the _Post_.

It may be proper to state that Colonel Samuel W. Black, of

Pittsburg, was a delegate to the Cincinnati convention from

Pennsylvania, and being well known as a ready and eloquent

speaker, “shouts were raised” in the convention for a speech from

him immediately after the nomination was announced. To these he

briefly responded in an able and enthusiastic manner. From the

identity of their surnames, had this response, reported with the

proceedings, contained the infamous pledge attributed to Judge

Black, or anything like it, we might in charity have inferred that

the author of the article had merely mistaken the one name for the

other. But there is nothing in what Colonel Black said which

affords the least color for any such mistake.

Colonel Black afterwards sealed his hostility to secession with

his blood. At an early stage of the war, he fell mortally wounded

on the field of battle, whilst gallantly leading on his regiment

against the rebels.

I doubt not you will cheerfully do me justice by publishing this

letter, and I would thank you for a copy of the paper.

Yours very respectfully,

JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MR. NAHUM CAPEN.]

WHEATLAND, May 13, 1865.

MY DEAR SIR:—

I have received your note of the 11th, with the slip from the

Boston paper not named. The astounding answer to it is, that Judge

Black was not a delegate to the Cincinnati Convention, was not

within five hundred miles of Cincinnati during its session, but

was at the time performing his duties on the Bench, as Judge of

the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. Although convinced that he was

not present, in order to make assurance doubly sure, I sent him a

telegram on the subject. His answer is as follows: “I was _not_ at

Cincinnati in 1856, or at any other time in my life. I was not a

member of, or an attendant upon the Democratic Convention.” This

is a clincher.

When I saw the article from the New York _Evening Post_ in the New

York _Tribune_, I addressed a letter to the editor, and fearing he

might be unwilling to publish such a damning condemnation of his

article, _a la mode_ —— of Boston, I sent a duplicate to the

_Tribune_.

I forwarded your note with the enclosure to Judge Black, but, like

Gallio, he cares for none of these matters.

From your friend, very respectfully,

JAMES BUCHANAN.

[TO HORACE GREELEY, ESQ., EDITOR OF THE NEW YORK “TRIBUNE.”]

WHEATLAND, near LANCASTER, May 23, 1865.

SIR:—

In courtesy I ought to thank you, as I do sincerely, for your

offered use of the _Tribune_ for “any explanation, comment or

disclaimer” of the acts of my administration during the last six

months of its existence. This kind offer should be cordially

accepted, but, admonished by advancing years, of which you give me

warning, I some time since compiled a history of it during this

period, chiefly from the proceedings of Congress and other

official and reliable documents, too long for publication in the

_Tribune_. This has not been published hitherto, because of my

reluctance, for several reasons, to obtrude myself upon public

attention during the prosecution of the war, now happily

terminated, in the suppression of the rebellion.

Though we have been “life-long” political opponents, as you truly

observe, I have for many years been a constant reader of the

_Tribune_. This I have done to obtain a knowledge of the

principles and policy of the Republican party, from their ablest

and most influential expounder; and one who, whilst contending

against political opponents, has had the courage and candor to

present to the public the Democratic propositions and principles

he assailed. I would, therefore, put it to yourself, whether it

was quite compatible with this character to assume that my

contradiction of an article in another journal, relating to

matters of fact, dating as far back as the Cincinnati Convention

of June, 1856, had been intended as a defence of the acts of an

administration which did not come into existence until nine months

afterward; and thereupon to pronounce the conclusion “that Mr.

Buchanan’s letter has not vindicated Mr. Buchanan’s career.” Mr.

Buchanan has carefully refrained, for four long years, from any

attempt to vindicate his “career” as President, except so far as

this was forced upon him in his controversy with General Scott,

and this course he shall still continue to pursue, until the

publication of his historical sketch.

Indeed, his recent letter to the editor of the New York _Post_

would never have been written had the editor republished from his

files the old article, as published nearly nine years before

(though never known to Mr. B. until a few days ago), with any

comments he might have thought proper. That of which Mr. Buchanan

now complains is that the new article, though ostensibly based

upon the old, presents a statement of facts essentially different,

in a most important particular, from the original; and this, too,

with the evident object of injuring his character. This change

consists in substituting for the name of Colonel Black, who _was_

a delegate to the Cincinnati Convention, that of Judge Black, who

_was not_; and, at the same time, referring to the fact that “the

Judge was afterward Attorney General under Mr. Buchanan.” Whence

this radical change, if not to bring home to Mr. Buchanan a

complicity in the infamous pledge which the last article falsely,

but in express terms, attributes to Judge Black? Had the facts

stated in this article, on the authority of the editor of the

_Post_, remained without contradiction, they would have been taken

for granted by the public, to the lasting and serious injury to

the reputation both of Judge Black and Mr. Buchanan.

It is but justice to the reputation of a brave and lamented

officer to repeat that, in his ardent and impassioned remarks

before the convention, evidently without previous preparation,

there is not the least color for attributing to Colonel Black a

pledge which would have been a serious imputation upon the fair

fame of a man who was without fear and without reproach.

Yours very respectfully,

JAMES BUCHANAN.

[SECRETARY STANTON TO MR. BUCHANAN.]

WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON CITY, June 16, 1865.

DEAR SIR:—

Your note of the 14th inst., enclosing Mr. Tate’s letter, has just

reached me, and I have ordered the immediate release of Lieutenant

Tate and his three friends, with transportation from Johnson’s

Island to Alabama. I hope that you are in the enjoyment of good

health, and beg you to present my compliments to Miss Lane.

Yours truly,

EDWIN M. STANTON.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO A FRIEND.]

MY DEAR SIR:—

I have received yours of the 10th instant, and annex a receipt. I

had not thought of charging interest.

Should you need one or two thousand dollars in the fall, I shall

be happy to accommodate you. Please to give me notice as long in

advance as may be convenient.

My health is as usual.

I begin to doubt seriously whether President Johnson will do, but

still hope for the best.

Your friend,

JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MR. LEIPER.]

WHEATLAND, June 19, 1865.

MY DEAR SIR:—

I was glad to perceive, from the _Jeffersonian_, that you were

well enough to preside and to speak at your late Democratic county

meeting. From the tenor of your last letter, I was fearful you

would not be able to perform this duty. I am truly thankful that I

was mistaken. Our thread of life is already so long that the Fates

cannot have much of it in reserve. May God grant that we shall

both be ready to welcome our Saviour at His coming, whensoever He

may arrive.

Thank Heaven! we have lived to witness the return of peace. I do

not pretend to speculate on the future course of President

Johnson. Of the past there can be no doubt. Until the close of my

administration, no man had a better Democratic record, unless we

may except his effort to give away the public lands to actual

settlers. With this exception, I received his uniform support.

My health is wonderfully good, considering my age. It has been so

for the last six months, but I make no calculation for the future.

I am happy to perceive that you are living over your life in your

grandchildren. This is a source of enjoyment which I do not

possess, yet I congratulate you upon it with all my heart. May

they all be as prosperous and happy as your heart can desire!

Miss Lane desires me to present her affectionate regards to you.

From your friend, as ever,

JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MR. TOUCEY.]

WHEATLAND, near LANCASTER, August 3, 1865.

MY DEAR SIR:—

I have received your favor of the 29th ultimo, with the

accompanying communication. It is too late to make use of them in

my book, the manuscript of which is now in the hands of the

Appletons, and I am from week to week receiving the proofs, but

not in such quantities as I could desire. They publish it at their

own risk, and are stereotyping it. From present appearances, it

will not be published for a month or six weeks. Still, when I

wrote it, your testimony before the committee was in my

possession, and I think you will say I have made good use of it.

I have heard that the legislature of Connecticut have restored

your portrait, and that of Governor Seymour, to their appropriate

places among the Governors. Is this true? It was a shameful act to

have removed them.

Judge Black was here a few days ago. He informs me that Mr. and

Mrs. [Jacob] Thompson left Halifax for France on the steamer some

weeks ago, and that the money deposited by him in Canada belonged

to himself. It is well for him he has made his escape......

My health is very good, considering my age. I lead a tranquil and

contented life, free from self-reproach for any of the acts of my

administration. How much I wish to see Mrs. Toucey and yourself!

Miss Lane desires to be most kindly remembered to both. Please to

present my warmest regards to her, and remember me kindly to

Governor Seymour.

JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. TOUCEY TO MR. BUCHANAN.]

HARTFORD, September 18, 1865.

MY DEAR SIR:—

I have received your letter inquiring who persuaded General Scott

to take the “Star of the West” instead of the “Brooklyn,” to send

reinforcements and provisions to Fort Sumter in 1861. I am not

able to answer the question, except by saying that I did not. Who

did persuade him to make the change is entirely unknown to me. I

always supposed that he was induced to send the “Star of the West”

by advisers outside of the administration. Of course I cannot

answer for Mr. Holt, but I never suspected that he was the author

of that measure.

If you can do it without any inconvenience, I should be glad to

receive from you a copy of the joint order of Mr. Holt and myself

to the Military and Naval Forces at Pensacola, which we issued

during the session of the Peace Convention. You may remember that

I applied for a copy to Mr. Welles, and he declined to give it. I

may have occasion to make some use of it.

Mrs. Toucey unites with me in most respectful and kindest regards

to yourself and Miss Lane.

Very truly yours, with the highest respect,

ISAAC TOUCEY.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO THE HON. C. J. FAULKNER.]

WHEATLAND, near LANCASTER, October 21, 1865.

MY DEAR SIR:—

I have this moment received your favor of the 19th inst. Whilst

attributing to me patriotic motives for my official acts when

President, you express the opinion that I had erred in some of my

recommendations and measures of policy. To this, as a reasonable

man, I can have no objection, for I may have committed many

errors. But when you add that I would probably myself admit such

to be the fact, I must say that you are mistaken. I pursued a

settled consistent line of policy from the beginning to the end,

and, on reviewing my past conduct, I do not recollect a single

important measure which I should desire to recall, even if this

were in my power. Under this conviction I have enjoyed a tranquil

and cheerful mind, notwithstanding the abuse I have received, in

full confidence that my countrymen would eventually do justice. I

am happy to know that you still continue to be my friend, and I

cordially reciprocate your kindly sentiments, wishing that you may

long live in health and prosperity.

I thank you for the slip from the _National Intelligencer_, which

I have no doubt contains a correct representation of your conduct

whilst Minister in France. I learned from Mr. Magraw the cause of

your arrest soon after you had been discharged. I am happy to say

that through God’s mercy I enjoy unusual health for a man now in

his seventy-fifth year.

Miss Lane is not at home or she would certainly return you her

kind remembrances.

Very respectfully your friend,

JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MANTON MARBLE.]

WHEATLAND, near LANCASTER, November 4, 1865.

DEAR SIR:—

I have received, through your favor of the 29th ultimo, the

invitation of the Managing Committee to become an honorary member

of the Manhattan Club, and I cheerfully and gratefully accept this

token of their regard.

It is proper I should thank the Committee for their kind

recognition of my long services in the cause of Democracy.

Convinced that its principles spring from the very essence of the

Constitution, I know they can never die whilst this shall survive.

All that is required to render them again triumphant, as they were

in the days of Jefferson and Jackson, is that the party, without

concealment or reserve, shall, as then, with unity of spirit,

persistently present and uphold them before the American people in

their native truth, simplicity and grandeur. I am too old to take

part in this glorious task, but, were I twenty years younger, I

should once more devote myself to its accomplishment, firmly

believing that this would be the triumph of law, liberty and

order, and would best secure every interest—material, social and

political—of all classes of my countrymen.

Yours very respectfully,

JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MR. CAPEN.]

WHEATLAND, November 25, 1865.

MY DEAR SIR:—

You will have seen ere this that my little book has been launched

on a stormy ocean. I thank God that I have lived to perform this

duty. It will be severely criticised, but the facts and

authorities cited cannot be demolished.

. . . . . . .

Miss Lane desires to be most kindly remembered to you.

From your friend, very respectfully,

JAMES BUCHANAN.

[REV. DR. NEVIN TO MR. BUCHANAN.]

November 30, 1865.

MY DEAR SIR:—

Please accept my sincere thanks for the copy of your new work just

placed in my hands. I shall hold it in high value for what I

conceive to be its intrinsic historical importance, and also as a

cherished monument of your personal friendship and favor. It gives

me pleasure to find that it is in the way of gaining wide

attention in the country, and I look upon it as a significant

tribute to its power that so little effort has been made thus far

(so far as I know), in quarters where it might have been expected,

to meet it in the way of earnest controversy and contradiction.

For the case is not one in which people of sense can persuade

themselves that the argument is to be disposed of finally, either

by blind general abuse, or by any affectation of silent

indifference and contempt. That your last days may be your best

days, and that they may be followed by a brighter happiness in

heaven, is the prayer of

Your affectionate friend,

J. W. NEVIN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MR. BAKER.]

WHEATLAND, December 25, 1865.

MY DEAR SIR:—

I have received your kind favor of the 21st, and also the grand

Christmas turkey, of which I entertain the warmest anticipations.

Although we Presbyterians make no fuss over Christmas, yet we do

not altogether despise the good things which it brings in its

train as kept by the outside barbarians......

I heartily rejoice with you that you have completed the barn.

With my warmest wishes that you and yours may enjoy many a merry

Christmas and many a happy New Year, I remain as ever your friend,

JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO A FRIEND.]

WHEATLAND, December 30, 1865.

MY DEAR SIR:—

I have received your favor of yesterday, and cannot consent that

you shall be put to any inconvenience, or be obliged to sell your

railroad shares at so low a price for the want of $1,000. I shall,

therefore, send you a check for that amount on the 2d January, and

send a check to our friend for $800, with a positive promise to

send him the remaining $1,000 on the 1st February.

I shall be very happy to see Mr. Phillips and yourself on any day

next week; but on the week following a great event is to take

place, at which, I hope, you may be present, though it will be

almost strictly private. If Mr. Phillips cannot come on the week

commencing on New Year’s day, then we must postpone his visit

until the week commencing on the 15th January.

Your friend,

JAMES BUCHANAN.

P.S.—I send a pair of canvas-backs.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MR. FLINN.]

(Without date.)

MY DEAR SIR:—

I have received the book, and am indebted to you for having

procured it for me.

I am glad to learn that you soon propose to write me a longer

letter.

The rebels, when at Wrightsville, were within eleven miles of us.

No Democrat, within my knowledge was, in the least degree, alarmed

for his personal safety. Not one of my personal or political

friends, male or female, thought of leaving Lancaster. Miss Lane

entertained no fears. I doubt not, however, that they have made

sad havoc among the horses of my tenant in Franklin county. I

trust that General Lee may speedily be driven across the Potomac.

He would never have been here had not —— been such a poor devil.

Your friend, very respectfully,

JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MRS. JOHNSTON.]

WHEATLAND, January 18, 1866.

MY DEAR MRS. JOHNSTON:—

I have received your kind letter, but not until Tuesday, when I

thought it uncertain whether an answer would reach you at Boston.

I am much gratified with its tone, and think you have embarked on

the sea of matrimony with a fair prospect that the voyage may be

happy. This will, in a great measure, as I have often told you,

depend upon yourself. I hope you may perform your domestic duties

with as much dignity and propriety as you have manifested in your

_quasi_ public life. I long to see you an affectionate wife and an

exemplary matron. You are now .... and have experienced enough of

the life of the world to conclude that most of it is vanity and

vexation of spirit. I trust you have heart and sense enough to be

happy in your new condition. You will find it far better, to a

well-balanced mind, than the flash and excitement produced by the

admiration and flattery of the world. I expect great things from

you, and trust I may not be disappointed.

The girls are still here, and render themselves quite agreeable.

I think the wedding went off properly and prosperously. Every

guest was pleased. I almost lost my heart to Emily and Bessy. I

liked them very much, and I think your association with them will

prove highly agreeable. I have but little news to communicate. The

Misses Steenman and Mr. and Mrs. Brinton have been here since you

left, making anxious inquiries concerning you, which I was able to

answer in a manner highly pleasing to myself. Mr. and Mrs. Swarr

are about to attend the funeral of Mr. Mellon, their relative, in

Philadelphia.

I am rejoiced that Mr. Johnston and Mr. Schell get along so well

together. There is not now, and never has been, any reason why

they should not. Mr. Schell is certainly one of the excellent of

the earth, and there is no man living whom I esteem more highly.

I return you Sir Henry Holland’s letter, and I am almost tempted

to send him a copy of my book, on your account, as he desires.

Still, my opinion of his conduct, on his last visit to the United

States, has not changed. Perhaps it was too much to expect from a

London Doctor, that he would forego the honor of reviewing the

army of the Potomac, or the society of Thurlow Weed, Miss Rebecca

Smith and Mr. Everett, for the sake of visiting an old man at

Wheatland, who was proscribed by the grand dignitaries of the

empire.

We have good sleighing here, and have been enjoying it moderately.

With my kindest regards to Mr. Johnston, I remain,

Yours ever affectionately,

JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO DR. BLAKE.]

WHEATLAND, near LANCASTER, January 19, 1866.

MY DEAR SIR:—

I have received your favor of the 16th instant, and am happy to

learn that no “fair one” has come athwart your regard for your old

friends. I know that your heart is so expanded, that love and

friendship will both find suitable quarters in it.

I shall deliver your very kind message to Mrs. Johnston, but do

not expect to see her for a considerable time. She left here with

Mr. Johnston on the day of the wedding, and is now, I believe, in

New York. When they will go to Baltimore I do not know, but

believe that soon after they intend to visit Cuba. I know that

Mrs. Johnston would be delighted to receive your felicitations

under your own hand. Her address will be Mrs. Henry E. Johnston,

No. 79 Monument Street, Baltimore. I thank you for the offer to

send me Mr. De Leon’s review, but I do not wish to have it. If

there is anything disagreeable in it, _as is doubtless the case_,

some person will be sure to send it to me. There is a violent and

brutal attack on the book and on me in Beecher’s _Independent_,

and I know not the number of extracts from the paper containing

it, which I have received anonymously. The book is quietly making

its own way, under the disadvantage of a very high price. Several

thousands have been already sold, and the Appletons inform me the

demand is still increasing.

I am truly happy to learn that my good old friend Dr. Jones is so

well pleased with the book. Please to present him my very kindest

regards.

Thank you for delivering my message to Mrs. Clay. She is charming,

and has behaved beautifully in her trying situation.

When the opportunity offers, please to return my very kindest

regards to Mrs. Dr. Houston. She is, indeed, an excellent woman,

and I owe her many obligations.

I ought to thank you for the reports “of the condition of the

_National_ Metropolitan Bank.” In these I observe you have

blended specie with other lawful money, but the amount of each

you have not designated. These reports have led to a train of

reminiscences. The Democratic party, under the lead of General

Jackson, put down _one_ national bank as both unconstitutional

and inexpedient. There are now more than sixteen hundred such

banks. All over the country, on account of their enormous

profits, these have enlisted great numbers of Democrats as

stockholders, and they will constitute the most formidable

obstacle to the triumph of the Democratic party. But this event

must come sooner or later. I presume our friend Carlisle did not

receive the book I sent him.

——, I perceive, has returned to Washington. Of all the absurd

things I have encountered in my life, the cause of his enmity to

me is the most absurd. I did him the greatest kindness which I

could do to a father or a friend, by causing the lover of his

daughter, to whom I was warmly attached, to be sent away quietly,

instead of making the case a subject of diplomatic correspondence

with the —— government.

I sat down to write you a few lines, and I have now written an

unconscionably long letter.

From your friend, as ever,

JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MISS HENRIETTA BUCHANAN.]

WHEATLAND, March 20, 1866.

MY DEAR HENRIETTA:—

I have recently had a photograph taken of myself, and as in duty

bound I enclose you one of the first copies. They say it is a good

likeness, and it certainly resembles the original, so far as old

age and wrinkles are concerned.

I hope Annie and Harriet do not persecute you since their return

home. I hope you have as kind a friend to take your part against

them as you found at Wheatland.

We are living along here very quietly, but servants are our great

trouble. We have no boy at present, our chambermaid is about to

get married, and the cook is going to housekeeping with her

husband. On the first of April, for any thing I know at present,

we shall be left in the vocative......

I have not heard from Mrs. Johnston since she left New York, but

the papers inform us that she and Mr. Johnston have arrived at the

Havana.....

I received a letter two or three days ago from your brother James,

who is evidently far behind the time. He expresses the hope that

Mr. and Mrs. Johnston are now living comfortably at Baltimore. I

fear that the five Miss Buchanans do not keep their brother well

posted in regard to current events.

Please to give my kind love to all, not excepting Annie and

Harriet, if they have treated you with proper respect, and believe

me to be ever

Yours very affectionately,

JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MRS. JOHNSTON.]

WHEATLAND, July 18th, 1866.

MY DEAR NIECE:—

I have received yours of the 12th, and desire to express my

sympathy for your sufferings from the extreme heat of the weather.

I have received a letter from Annie giving me an agreeable account

of her visit to you, and stating what good a housekeeper you are,

and how happy you are in your domestic relations. God grant this

may ever continue! She says Mr. Johnston and yourself are looking

forward to your paying me a visit in August, and that he is very

anxious you should go to the country for a while. You know that my

house is ever open to you, and you shall always receive a cordial

welcome. The same, I am certain, will be extended to you whether I

am at home or not. I feared, from your former life, that you might

be inclined to leave home too often, and, therefore, I guarded you

against such an inclination, but whenever you come here, you know

how much pleasure your society would afford me, and this would be

increased by that of Mr. Johnston.

I enclose you the last letter of Mrs. ——, and I confess I am

disappointed that your name is not mentioned in it. Please to

return it to me. I had only thought of going to Saratoga to meet

her, and when informed she would not be there, I determined to go

to Bedford, because I really require the use of the water. I

intend to take Thomas with me, who has behaved very well since his

last escapade. I do not anticipate a pleasant visit. The place

will swarm with Republican intriguers. —— and —— have gone there

in advance of the main column. The latter, though professing

Democracy, will take part in all their intrigues on the Senator

and other questions......

Yours affectionately,

JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MRS. JOHNSTON.]

BEDFORD SPRINGS, July 30th, 1866.

MY DEAR NIECE:—

I have received your favor of the 25th, and would answer it at

greater length, but this will be delivered to you by Miss Goughey

Carroll who can tell you all the news. My time passes pleasantly

enough, and everybody is kind. I shall leave here with Mr. North

on Monday, the 6th August, unless some friend should arrive in the

meantime with whom I can travel home at a later period. Thomas is

useless, and worse than useless. I shall send him home to-day or

to-morrow.

You inquire, is there any possibility of Clymer’s election? If I

am to believe the shrewdest calculators in the State—I don’t

pretend to give my own opinion—he will certainly be elected. Such

is Governor Porter’s opinion, though he thinks that on joint

ballot there will be a majority in the legislature against us. If

so, a Republican will be elected Senator, and among the list of

candidates,—_such candidates_, there is very little choice.

Cameron’s chance is, I think, the best. You have doubtless

observed that Thaddeus Stevens has made the _amende honorable_ for

having charged us with spending more than the $20,000

appropriated.[184].....

With my kind regards to Mr. Johnston, I remain

Yours affectionately,

JAMES BUCHANAN.

P.S.—If you so desire, you might come to Wheatland by the 8th

August, whether I am at home or not.

Footnote 184:

For furnishing the White House.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MR. CAPEN.]

WHEATLAND, August 10, 1866.

MY DEAR SIR:—

I returned the day before yesterday from a visit to the Bedford

Springs, from which I derived much benefit. Indeed my health is

now quite as good as I can reasonably expect, considering my age.

You ask my opinion as to the course which the approaching

convention ought to pursue. Whilst I do not feel myself competent

to state in detail what ought to be their proceedings, yet one

thing is certain; they ought, neither directly nor indirectly, to

break up the organization of the old Democratic party by forming

anything like a new party. Leaving this as it is, and must ever

remain, they ought to confine themselves pretty much to the

question of reconstruction, and to the admission of Senators and

Representatives from the Southern States.

Our most prudent and far-seeing politicians, as they inform me,

believe that Mr. Clymer will be elected governor, and this would

be the beginning of the end. But drop the principles and the name

of Democracy, and our case would be hopeless. In regard to what

your history should contain, I have nothing to say. Of this you

are unquestionably the best judge. It possibly might appear to be

an anachronism to introduce the events of the late war. But you

know best.[185]

From your friend very respectfully,

JAMES BUCHANAN.

Footnote 185:

This refers to Mr. Capen’s great work, “The History of Democracy;

or, Political Progress Historically Illustrated,” by Nahum Capen,

LL.D. The first volume was published in 1875.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MISS JANE BUCHANAN.]

WHEATLAND, August 10, 1866.

MY DEAR JANE:—

Your letter of the 19th July was duly received, and would have

been sooner acknowledged, but for my engagements at Bedford. I

returned home on Tuesday afternoon, after a very agreeable visit,

and one, I think, beneficial to my health. As in duty bound, I

called to see the Nevins yesterday, and had the pleasure of

meeting the bishop in embryo, and Cecil, as well as Doctor and

Mrs. Nevin, and Blanche. I find that during my absence, all the

younger branches of the family have been diligently employed in

croquet. They won a match to which they were challenged by the

townspeople, which gives them great satisfaction, and they are

eager to enter the lists with Jennie Roland. Has it never occurred

to a lady of your sedate character, that croquet, like dancing or

any other innocent and healthful amusement, may be carried to

excess?...... Your future uncle, Rev. Dr. Alfred Nevin, has, I

fear, sustained a damaging defeat in his controversy with Judge

Black on the subject of political preaching. Can you not persuade

your father to come to the rescue...... The little house at the

entrance of the park looks rather shabby, but I have promised you

to put it in order, and on this you may rely.

You seem to have suffered much from the heat. Philosophers have

calculated how many thousand years would be required to cool a

ball of iron as large as the earth, but as your body is not very

large, I trust that ere this you have become cool, and been

relieved from the headache. I trust that Lois is also learning to

live like other people.

—— was expected to return from Cape May last evening, where she

had been for some time with her brother ——. I think she manifested

a want of taste in not cultivating the “three rowdies.” Certain it

is, sinner as I am, I found them very agreeable. I think she

should marry, and to this I would have no objection, if her

yoke-fellow should be a proper person.

I expect Mrs. Johnston here from the 15th to the 20th. I shall,

indeed, be very glad to see her. The Baltimoreans whom I met at

Bedford say she never looked better, and that she appears to be

very happy. God grant that her marriage may prove prosperous, and

that she may not neglect the things which belong to her

everlasting peace!

Miss Hetty is as busy as ever, and although we now have a good

waiter and cook and two good girls, yet her employment is

incessant. She could not live without work. I have never known her

to take so much to any of our visitors as she did to the three

croquet players.

I have now nearly filled my sheet with a grave letter, and hope

you will ponder over its contents.

Give my kindest love to your father and mother, as well as the

rest, especially to Lois, for whom this letter is partly intended.

Never again call her Lodi.

Yours affectionately,

JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MR. CAPEN.]

WHEATLAND, October 2, 1866.

MY DEAR SIR:—

I was greatly amused and pleased with the graphic description of

your dream which placed me in the pulpit. We have sore need of

such preachers as you saw in your vision. I fear that infidelity

and indifference to religion are making rapid advances in our

country. Away with political preachers!

I rejoice to learn your advancement in the very important history,

and earnestly desire that the blessing of Heaven may rest upon

your labors.

In answer to your inquiry about the probable result of our

governor’s election, I can say but little of my own knowledge. Our

most discreet friends, however, calculate with considerable

confidence on the election of Clymer. The President’s pilgrimage

to the tomb of Senator Douglas has done the cause no good. It

would have been better had he rested on the issue as it was made

by the Philadelphia Convention.

Mrs. Johnston returned to Baltimore a fortnight since in good

health and spirits. I intend to pay her a visit soon after the

election.

Your friend, very respectfully,

JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO CHARLES GRAFFEN.]

WHEATLAND, near LANCASTER, December 22, 1866.

MY DEAR SIR:—

I regret deeply that I did not see the Philadelphia firemen at

Wheatland on their recent visit to Lancaster. A visit from them

would have been a gratification and an honor which I should have

highly prized. Unfortunately, I did not receive Mr. Howell’s note

of the 18th, appointing the time at half-past nine o’clock of the

next morning for the purpose, until the afternoon of the 19th at

five o’clock. Instead of this being sent to me by messenger, it

was deposited in the post office, and thus it did not come to hand

more than seven hours after the time appointed for the visit. I

would thank you to explain the circumstances to any of the firemen

whom you may happen to meet, should you deem this necessary. I

should be deeply mortified could any of them suppose I had been

wanting in the high respect to them so eminently their due.

From your friend, very respectfully,

JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MESSRS. OSBORN AND BALDWIN.]

(Private.) WHEATLAND, near LANCASTER, December

26, 1866.

GENTLEMEN:—

I received, on last evening, the New Haven _Daily Register_,

containing an extract from Abbott’s Lives of the Presidents. This

is a repetition and concentration of all the slanders which were

in circulation against myself during the first years of the war,

notwithstanding their falsehood has been since established by

clear and conclusive official evidence. For your very able and

searching reply to Mr. Abbott’s statements, please to accept my

most cordial thanks. As the work purports to be history, I may

possibly notice it in the only manner which would make its author

feel how much injustice he has done me. I remain, very

respectfully and gratefully,

Yours,

JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO THE REV. E. Y. BUCHANAN.]

WHEATLAND, December 29, 1866.

MY DEAR EDWARD:— I have received your favor of the 26th, and am

truly happy to learn that you and yours are in the enjoyment of

good health, and that you have received so many substantial tokens

of regard from your parishioners. May it be ever thus! My own

health, thank God! is as good as it was when we parted in

Philadelphia. Your kind wish that the good Lord may spare me to

see many Christmases will scarcely be realized. This, at my

advanced age, I cannot expect. May He enable me to be always

prepared for my latter end!

. . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . .

Mr. and Mrs. Shunk passed the evening at ——’s a few days ago, and

I was sorry to learn that a principal portion of the entertainment

was spirit-rapping and communications from the spirits.

. . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . .

My dinner at Judge Cadwalader’s was more than usually agreeable.

With my best love to your lady and family, I remain, as ever,

Your affectionate brother,

JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MRS. JOHNSTON.]

WHEATLAND, February 12, 1867.

MY DEAR NIECE:—

I was glad to receive your favor of the 6th, after so long an

interval. Poor Mrs. Jenkins was buried yesterday, and Miss Old and

myself were invited as mourners. Her death made a deep impression

upon me. I have been intimately acquainted with her ever since I

first came to Lancaster, and was groomsman at her wedding. Her

life is all before me, and, with some slight failings, it is a

beautiful picture. Her social and domestic character were nearly

all that could have been desired. Whether in prosperous or adverse

fortunes, she was ever the same kind wife, mother and friend. I

was always attached to her.

My own health is now pretty much as usual, though after my dinner

in Philadelphia, which was all I could have desired, I had a

pretty sharp attack of rheumatism, which confined me to Wheatland

for a week, but thank God! it has passed away. Like Achilles, I

was wounded in the heel, and, funny enough, it passed out at the

little toe......

I knew that Henrietta Jane would render herself agreeable wherever

she went, and am not at all surprised that the Carrolls are

unwilling to part from her. This shows they are sensible

people......

I have not seen Mrs. Franklin since the receipt of your letter.

When I do I shall not fail to inform her how much gratified you

were with the present......

I regret to say that the slippers are much too large for me, and,

therefore, I have not worn them; but, as a token of your regard, I

value them as highly as if they were a good fit.

We have no local news of much importance, except that everybody is

to be married. The engagement of young Mr. —— to Miss ——, so soon

after the death of ——, is thought by some to be strange.

On Thursday last, Jane Slaymaker, Harriet Old and Mrs. Lane passed

the day with me on their own invitation, and it was a most

agreeable day. Mrs. Jenkins was not considered at all dangerously

ill on that day, though she died on the next. Mrs. Shunk was not

with us, having gone over to York to look after her house. She is

now here, as agreeable as ever, though Mr. Shunk has gone to

Philadelphia for a few days. I see the Nevins as often as usual.

The Doctor and Mrs. Nevin, Blanche and Wilberforce, were all at

the funeral, though the Bishop in embryo was not present. I

presume he has returned to his studies, as his mother said nothing

about him, and I forgot to ask her for him......

With my kind regards to Mr. Johnston, I remain,

Yours affectionately,

JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MRS. SHUNK.]

WHEATLAND, March 7th, 1867.

MY DEAR MADAM:—

On this auspicious anniversary of your birth, permit me to present

my cordial wishes that you may enjoy many, very many, returns of

it in peace, prosperity and happiness.

Please to accept the enclosed trifle as a birthday token of my

affection and esteem for one whose society, during the last few

months, has imparted a charm to my old age, the memory of which

shall never be effaced from my heart. Deeply regretting that you

must so soon leave me, I am, and ever shall remain,

Your much attached friend,

JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MR. NAHUM CAPEN.]

WHEATLAND, April 29th, 1867.

MY DEAR SIR:—

I have received your favor of the 14th instant, and have perused,

with much interest, your letter to the Rev. Mr. Blagden. The

subject of it, which you treat so ably, has attracted but little

attention in this part of the country; still, some symptoms are

apparent that the Republicans in this State intend to make capital

out of it. In this, I think, they will entirely fail. Lager beer,

especially among the Germans, and old rye will be too strong for

them. Still, intemperance is a great curse to our people, but it

will never be put down by laws prohibiting the sale of all

intoxicating liquors......

Mrs. Shunk left me more than a month ago, and is now at her

father’s, in Washington, with her husband. They will all return to

York on the adjournment of the Supreme Court. She is one of the

most charming persons I have ever known. I ought to add that Mr.

Shunk’s health is far from being good.

I have been endeavoring for the last two days to prepare an index

for my book, but find great difficulty in the task.

The result of the spring election throughout our State has been

favorable to the Democratic party; but we have of late years been

so accustomed to defeat, that I shall not, too sanguinely,

calculate on success in October.

Your friend, very respectfully,

JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MR. NAHUM CAPEN.]

WHEATLAND, June 11, 1867.

MY DEAR SIR:—

Your kind letter of the 30th April would long ere this have been

answered, but for an _intensely painful_ attack of rheumatic gout,

several weeks ago, from the effects of which I am now slowly

recovering. The index was, of course, abandoned, probably forever.

I cannot think for a moment of imposing the task upon you, by

accepting your friendly offer. I am now in my seventy-seventh

year, an age when my mind should be disembarrassed, as much as

possible, from all worldly affairs.

I trust, for your sake, that the “Grand Hotel” may be a great

success, and may fill your pockets with stores of gold.

I am glad that the Radical postmaster of Boston has been directed

by the Department to apply to you for advice respecting the postal

service. “Better late than never” to recognize the value of your

improvements and your wise policy in removing the post office.

I no longer give any minute attention to passing political events;

but I confess I entertain much apprehension from the efforts now

being made to indoctrinate the negroes of the South with the

belief that they are entitled to a portion of their old masters’

real estate. When will Massachusetts stay her hand?

What is to become of the Supreme Court of the United States—the

conservative branch of the Government? When I recall the names of

the pure, able and venerable men who have filled the office of

Chief Justice, from John Jay to Roger B. Taney, and witness the

efforts of the present Chief Justice to drag the judicial ermine

through the dirt to propitiate radicals, I cannot help thinking we

have fallen upon evil times. But I am now an old fogy.

Should Judge Sharswod be nominated for Judge of our Supreme Court

by the Judicial Convention this day, I venture the prediction that

the Democratic party will triumph in his election in October.

Your friend, very respectfully,

JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MR. BAKER.]

WHEATLAND, July 16, 1867.

MY DEAR SIR:—

Shortly after your last letter to me, several weeks ago, I wrote

to Mr. Reed and invited him to Wheatland in the most cordial

manner. I have received no answer from him, and think it probable

he may have never received my letter; and yet, none of my letters

between this and Philadelphia has ever miscarried. When you see

him, I would thank you to ascertain how the matter is. I do not

like to write myself under the circumstances.

Mr. and Mrs. Johnston will leave here on Thursday for Bedford, but

I shall not accompany them. I am literally weak in the knees. Do

you go anywhere this summer? I have some idea of visiting Long

Branch or Cape May, for a few days, for sea bathing, but am

reluctant to leave home.

I suppose you are now in the midst of your harvest, enjoying the

delights of a country life and enacting the character of Farmer

Baker. May your barn overflow with plenty!

With my kindest regards to Mrs. Baker, Miss Emily and all, I

remain,

Very respectfully, your friend,

JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MRS. JOHNSTON.]

CAPE ISLAND, NEW JERSEY, August 14, 1867.

MY DEAR NIECE:—

I have received your favor of the 12th, and am rejoiced to learn

that you are now at Wheatland, where I hope you may remain until

the change of the season. You say nothing of the health of

baby;[186] but from your silence I infer this to be good. I do not

know exactly when I shall leave this place, but I think early next

week. I have been much pleased with my visit here, and have, I

think, been strengthened, but much more by the sea air than the

bathing. I am not quite certain that the latter agrees with me. We

have had a great crowd all the time; but the weather has been

charming and the company agreeable.

Mr. Bullitt of Philadelphia gave me a dinner the other day, which

I only mention from the awkward situation in which I was placed by

not being able to drink a drop of wine.

I am very well, thank God! Mr. Reed is expected this afternoon,

and Judge Black to-morrow.

With my kindest regards to Mr. Johnston and Miss Hetty, I remain

Yours affectionately,

JAMES BUCHANAN.

P.S.—I ought not to omit to mention the obligations I am under to

Mr. Baker for his kindness and attention.

Footnote 186:

This child, James Buchanan Johnston, an object of the fondest

interest to his great-uncle, grew to be a fine and very promising

youth of fifteen, of great loveliness of character and marked

intellectual powers. He died in Baltimore on the 25th of March,

1881. His younger brother, Henry, the only remaining child of Mr.

and Mrs. Johnston, was taken by his parents to Europe in the

autumn of 1881. He died at Nice on the 30th of October, 1882. Dark

clouds have gathered over lives that were once full of happiness

and hope.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MRS. SHUNK.]

WHEATLAND, near LANCASTER, September 2, 1867.

MY DEAR MRS. SHUNK:—

I know you will be glad to learn that I have so far recovered as

to be able to sit up and write to you my first letter since the

commencement of my very dangerous illness. Thank God! the doctor

gives me reason to believe I am now out of danger, and it has been

His holy will to spare me a little longer.

Next to heaven, my thoughts have been fixed upon a preparation of

my biography, as an act of justice to myself and the great men

with whom I have been associated. This work shall be immediately

prosecuted. I was rejoiced to learn from your favor of the 5th

ultimo that Mr. Shunk will give me the notes and the review.

Indeed, without the notes I know not how I could get along in

regard to my earlier life. I hope he will send me all, as all will

be useful. The slightest note will revive my memory......

I shall ever remember with heartfelt gratification the period

during which I enjoyed your charming society at Wheatland. I trust

you may visit me again before Mrs. Johnston leaves for Baltimore,

which will be on the first proximo.

With kind love to your mother, Mary and Jane, and my regards for

Mr. Shunk, I remain faithfully and affectionately your friend,

JAMES BUCHANAN.

P. S.—You will please to deliver the notes and review to the

bearer hereof, your old friend, James B. Henry, who will await

your convenience.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO J. BUCHANAN HENRY.]

WHEATLAND, September 23, 1867.

MY DEAR JAMES:—

I regret to say that I have not received Benton’s “Thirty Years,”

which you sent me by express some ten days ago. It has certainly

not reached the office at Lancaster. Will you look after it, and,

if not found, send me the receipt? I now need it.

The baby has been very sick, but probably not more so than what

often happens to children in their teething. Harriet became

alarmed and sent for Mr. Johnston, who is now here, but will leave

this morning. The child is greatly better, but has yet got no

tooth. He proposes to return and take his wife home the beginning

of next week......

My health and strength are improving daily, but, in opposition to

the doctor, I do not think the obstruction is entirely removed.

Yours affectionately,

JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MR. CAPEN.]

WHEATLAND, November 2, 1867.

MY DEAR SIR:—

Since the receipt of your favor of the 17th ultimo, I have had

another attack of my old enemy, the gout, in a severe form, from

which I am just now recovering. This is the only reason why I have

not sooner answered your letter and thanked you for your delicious

pears. I shall use them as time mellows them. Please to present my

grateful acknowledgments to Mrs. Raney for her contribution to the

delicious fruit which has afforded so much pleasure to her

father’s old friend.

I hear perhaps once a week from Mr. and Mrs. Johnston. Both, as

well as the little baby, are well.

I reciprocate your congratulations on the result of the late

elections, and I do not doubt that New York, New Jersey and

Connecticut will do their duty to the country. Still, it may be

too late to restore material prosperity to the Southern States.

The establishment of negro suffrage throughout their limits, as

well as negro government, will nearly destroy the production of

the articles which rendered both them and New England so

prosperous. I have always been very much of an optimist, but I

confess I have now greater fears for the future than I had during

the war. Should New England teaching in the South produce a war of

races, commenced by the negroes for rights in the soil of their

masters, which they claim under the teachings of Sumner, Stevens,

and other self-styled philanthropists, the result would be too

horrible for contemplation. But enough.

Your friend, very respectfully,

JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MR. CAPEN.]

WHEATLAND, October 19, 1867.

MY DEAR SIR:—

I have received your congratulations on the result of the late

elections with heartfelt pleasure. For this we are mainly indebted

to the attempts on the part of Congress to grant suffrage to the

negroes, although there are many other good causes for the

reaction in the popular mind. Negro emancipation is a fixed fact,

and so let it remain forever; but the high privilege of voting can

only be constitutionally granted by the Legislatures of the

respective States.

I am happy to inform you that, under the blessing of Providence,

my health has been restored to its former condition. Indeed, I

believe I am better than I was before my attack.

I have no news which would interest you except the old declaration

that I am now, and always shall be,

Sincerely your friend,

JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MR. BAKER.]

WHEATLAND, October 31, 1867.

MY DEAR SIR:—

I have just received a letter from Sample, who expresses a strong

desire to remain on the farm, and says that the impression he

intended to leave must have arisen from the fact that he has been

looking out for a farm for his brother. I shall not remove him.

The sting of the poisonous insect, whatever it may have been, is

now converted into a painful attack of gout in my left hand and

wrist. I have not been able to attend to the biography, or prepare

for Mr. Reed. I presume, however, that the trial of Jeff. Davis

will occupy all his thoughts until after it shall be over.

With my kindest regards to Mrs. Baker and my love to Emily,

I remain, always your friend,

JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MR. SCHELL.]

WHEATLAND, November 9, 1867.

MY DEAR SIR:—

I have received a proxy, to be signed by me, from Robert L. Banks

to H. Henry Baxter, to vote my shares in the New York Central Road

Company, at the approaching election for directors. Before filling

it up, I desire to know whether it is in accordance with your

wishes. I desire to vote according to your wishes.

You have done nobly in New York at the recent election, and your

Democracy have earned the gratitude of the whole country. _The

opposition to Negro Suffrage in the South_, as well as in the

North, has been the principal cause of our triumph everywhere.

Abandon this, and we are gone. The Constitution, as expounded by

the Democratic fathers, ought to be our watch-word. It is long

enough and wide enough to cover all our interests, and needs not

to be enlarged to suit our present size, as recommended by the

_World_. Emancipation is now a constitutional fact, but to

prescribe the right and privilege of suffrage belongs exclusively

to the States. This principle the Democracy must uphold in

opposition to the Reconstruction Acts.

I am getting along as usual, and have had much company of late.

The Misses Pleasonton have been with me for some weeks, and I find

their society very agreeable. I am sorry to say they will leave in

a few days.

Your friend, as ever,

JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MR. JOHNSTON.]

WHEATLAND, November 14, 1867.

MY DEAR SIR:—

. . . . . . .

.

. . . . . . .

.

I know how cordially welcome I would be at your house, but I fear

I shall not be able to pay you a visit for months to come. Like

all old men, I feel a very strong reluctance to leave home. The

idea of becoming dangerously ill away from home deters me from

going abroad. Although relieved from acute pain in my left hand

and arm, yet my hand is still so weak and swollen that I cannot

carve, and it is but a few days since I ceased to have the meat on

my own plate cut up for me. And to add to all this, my left eye is

now as black as if I had been fighting with shillelahs at

Donnybrook Fair. On Saturday last, supposing that I was at the

head of the steps on the front porch, I took a step forward as if

on the level, and fell with my whole weight on the floor, striking

my head against one of the posts. Thanks to the thickness and

strength of my skull, it was not broken, and the only bad

consequence from it is a very black eye. How soon this will

disappear I know not. I sincerely and devoutly thank God it is no

worse. During all this time, the Misses Pleasonton have been a

great comfort to me, and I am truly sorry they will leave me on

Tuesday next. I do not fear, however, that I shall be miserable

without them. I have had a good deal of transient company this

fall. But what a long rigmarole I have written.

. . . . . . .

.

. . . . . . .

.

. . . . . . .

.

I rejoice to learn that the baby is thriving so finely. Please to

remember me kindly to Miss Snyder, and with my best love to

Harriet,

I remain, your friend,

JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MRS. JOHNSTON.]

WHEATLAND, December 9, 1867.

MY DEAR NIECE:—

I have received yours of the 3d instant, and am happy to learn

that baby has recovered from the effects of his trip to New York.

You need not be sorry to hear that James left me as soon as I gave

him notice that I would not want him after the 1st January. I have

obtained a much better man, a Frenchman, for the month of

December. Indeed, he is so good, I shall be sorry to part from

him.

I was truly sorry to hear of the death of my kinsman, Mr. Russell.

He was an able and excellent man. It appears that he died a Roman

Catholic, which, doubtless, gratified his wife and family. I wrote

to her the day after I received the paper from you.

I perceive, by a cable despatch, that Mrs. Eustis is dead. I

sincerely sympathize with her father, although he behaved badly to

me, notwithstanding I rendered both her and him the greatest

service in my power. I always liked her very much......

I wrote a few days ago for Henrietta Jane, with a request that

either Harriet or Lois might accompany her. Edward’s answer,

without mentioning the name of Harriet, informed me that Lois

would follow Henrietta in two or three weeks. Thereupon, I wrote

to Henrietta, giving Harriet a kind and pressing invitation to

come in the meantime. It is doubtful whether she will accept it.

Henrietta is to be here on Wednesday, as well as Emily Baker, so

that I may expect a gay house......

I have no local news to give you beyond what you see in the

_Intelligencer_. The Nevins are as kind as usual. Blanche is an

excellent reader. The Doctor passed an evening with me a few days

ago. Robert has undoubtedly received great attentions from the

clergy in England, and has preached there once, if not oftener. I

was sorry to learn he was obliged to go to France on account of

his health.

I hardly know what to say in regard to my own health, though it

has been pretty good for the last two or three days. Even had Mr.

Reed been able to come here, I felt so dull and listless as to be

almost incapable of mental exertion. Writing was a great labor to

me. I have felt bright for a few days.

I fully realize the truth of the Psalmist’s expression, that “The

days of our years are three score and ten, and if, by reason of

strength, they be four score years, yet is their strength labor

and sorrow, for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.”

Nevertheless, I am neither dejected nor sorrowful, but preserve a

calm and tranquil spirit, thank God! My left hand is still feeble,

but is gradually growing stronger.

It is quite impossible that I should pay you a visit during the

holidays, though you must know I would be very happy to see you.

With my kind regards to Mr. Johnston, I remain, as ever, yours

affectionately,

JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO DR. BLAKE.]

WHEATLAND, December 25, 1867.

MY DEAR SIR:—

I owe you many thanks for your biographical sketch of Mr. Jones. I

have perused it with great interest and pleasure. It is a worthy

tribute to an excellent man. At the request of the first Mrs.

Webster and Mrs. George Blake, I accompanied them to the house of

Mrs. Mattingly, a few days after the alleged miracle had been

performed, and heard her own relation of all the circumstances

attending it from her own lips.

I have, also, to thank you for the report of the Secretary of the

Treasury.

Thank God! my own health is now pretty good—quite as good as a man

of my age has any reason to expect.

I have been cheered by the company of the Misses Pleasanton, and

after their departure by that of two of my nieces, the daughters

of my brother, and Miss Baker, who are still with me. They have

made the house gay and agreeable.

I have no local news to communicate which would be of any interest

to you.

I saw a telegram, some weeks ago, announcing the death of Mrs.

Eustis, and sincerely sympathize with her father on account of his

sad bereavement.

I presume the interest due on the Virginia bonds, on the 1st

January next, will not be paid. Should I be mistaken, please to

inform me of it, so that I may send you a draft on John B. Martin,

Cashier, for $220, as I did before.

Wishing you, with all my heart, long life, health and prosperity,

I remain, ever very respectfully,

Your friend,

JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MRS. JOHNSTON.]

WHEATLAND, January 1st, 1868.

MY DEAR NIECE:—

I have received yours of the 27th ultimo, and am rejoiced to know

that your health is good as well as that of baby. I sincerely and

ardently pray for your boy long life, happiness and prosperity,

and that he may become a wise and a useful man, under the blessing

of Providence, in his day and generation. Much will depend on his

early and Christian training. Be not too indulgent, nor make him

too much of an idol.

. . . . . . .

.

. . . . . . .

.

. . . . . . .

.

Miss Emily’s party passed off very well. She is gay, sprightly and

agreeable, and has much more information than I had supposed. Her

father is my best and most useful friend, who is always ready to

serve me, and I wished to treat his daughter kindly.

Harriet and Henrietta are still with me, but the former, I regret

to say, will leave some time next week......

We have no local news of interest. The Nevins and myself get along

kindly, as usual.

With my kindest regards to Mr. Johnston, I remain,

Yours, with great affection,

JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MISS BAKER.]

WHEATLAND, January 1, 1868.

MY DEAR EMILY:—

I have received your kind note of the 29th, and can assure you we

all missed you very much, and I was almost broken-hearted at your

departure. Still, I think I shall survive in the hope that you may

visit us again during the winter. I thank you for the _Church

Journal_. It must be a paper according to your own heart. I think

I can see you standing gracefully on the highest pinnacle of

Ritualism, and taking your flight over to Romanism. You will not

have a difficult passage to the dome of St. Peter’s.

John Strube has, I believe, got a place for the winter, but, I

have no doubt, he will gladly go to your father as a gardener in

the spring.

The two girls and Miss Hetty send their kindest love to you.

With my very best wishes for your health, prosperity and

happiness, I remain, respectfully and affectionately

Your friend,

JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MR. NAHUM CAPEN.]

WHEATLAND, January 11, 1868.

MY DEAR SIR:—

Many thanks for your kind New Year’s greeting! The friendship and

good wishes which you express for me are cordially reciprocated.

May you live many years in health, peace and prosperity, and may

your great work prove to be a triumph for yourself and a lasting

benefit for your country! I think you were right in not turning

away from it to write a volume of four hundred pages, as a

political hand-book for the next Presidential campaign. Such a

volume would be highly useful and important, but it may well be

prepared by Messrs. Burke and Gillet. Should they undertake the

task, I would suggest that you recommend to them a careful perusal

of the debates and proceedings of Congress during the extra

session, after the election of General Harrison (first Session of

27th Congress, 1841). Mr. Burke was then a member of the House.

Thank God! I now enjoy reasonably good health.

Your friend, very respectfully,

JAMES BUCHANAN.