...................................

JOHN M. READ, OF PENNSYLVANIA............... ...........Page 397

Revolutionary Ancestry–His Grandfather, George Read-Lieutenant Bedford-His

Father, John Read-Family Connections of bis Mother-Public Offices filled by his

Father-Education at the University of Pennsylvania, Admitted to the Bar-Ap-

pointed Solicitor for the Philadelphia Bank-Increasing Business and Responsibi-

lities–Diligence and Ability-Elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives

-His Colleagues during the Succeeding Term-Declines further Service in the Legis-

lature-Is appointed City Solicitor-Elected a Member of the City Select Council-

His Labors in that Body-Appointed United States District Attorney for the Eastern

District of Pennsylvania, Judge-Advocate in the Court-Martial for the Trial of

Commodore Elliott-Nominated to the Senate as a Judge of the United States

Supreme Court-His Nomination not confirmed by the Senate-Appointed Attorney-

General of PennsylvaniaResigns after holding the Office Six Months—Diligent

Study of the Law during his Retirement from Public LifeSpeech in the Case of

the United States vs. Hanway-Attends, in 1849, the Democratic Convention at

Pittsburg—Advocates the Adoption of a Resolution against extending Slavery into

the Territories—Speech in Favor of the Admission of California as a Free State-Acts

with the Republicans in 1856-Elected Judge of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania

-Character as a Judge-Summary of his Political Position.

WILLIAM H. SEWALD, OF NEW YORK.........

404

Fugitive-Slave Act-Re-elected to the Senate-Manifestations of Joy by his Friends-
Speeches in 1858 at Albany, Auburn, and Buffalo-Oration at Plymouth-Speeches
on the Kansas Difficulty in the Thirty-Fourth Congress--Assault by Preston S. Brooks
on Senator Sumner, in the Senate-Chamber--Mr. Seward moves the Appointing of a
Committee of Inquiry into the Matter-Unfairness in selecting the Committee—The
Presidential Canvass of 1856-Speeches at Auburn and Detroit-Eulogium on John
M. Clayton-Claims of Revolutionary Officers-Atlantic Telegraph--Overland Mail-
Route to San Francisco-Pacific Railroad-Tariff Revision-Importance of the Iron
Interest of the United States—He reviews the Dred Scott Decision-His Speeches
in the Thirty-Fifth Congress-Debate on the Leconipton Constitution-Sketch of
Senator Seward's Speech on the Subject-Appointed on the Senate Committee of
Conference--Dissents from the English Bill-Scene in the Senate-Chamber on the
Occasion of Seward's Speech on the Bill-Favors the Strengthening of the Army in
Utah-Condemns the Aggressions of British Cruisers on American Vessels in the
Gulf-Eulogiums on Senators Rusk, Bell, and Henderson-Canvass of 1858—Ro-
chester Speech-Speeches in the Second Session of the Thirty-Fifth Congress-Seconds
the Recommendation of President Buchanan with Regard to the Tariff-Mr. Seward's
published Speeches and Writings-His Views respecting the Presidency.

HORATIO SEYMOUR, OF NEW YORK.................

.Page 428

Birth and Ancestry-Commences the Practice of the Law in Utica, but soon aban

dons it-Chosen Mayor of Utica—Elected to the State Legislature-His Character

as a Legislator and Debater-Rapidly acquires Influence among the Democrats,

Dissensions in the Party-Michael Hoffman, the Leader of the Opposition in the

Democratic Party-Courtesy and Manliness of Mr. Seymour-His Ability and Tact

-The Report of the Committee of Canals on that Part of the Governor's Message

referred to them-Extract from Judge Hammond's “ Political History of New York"

on the Subject-Silas Wright elected Governor-Mr. Seymour Speaker of the Assem-

bly-Election of Daniel S. Dickinson to the United States Senate-Mr. Seymour's

Appeal to the Minority in the Nominating Caucus-Debate with John Young, the

Whig Leader-Extract from Mr. Seymour's Speech on this Occasion-Judge Ham-

mond's Estimate of him as a Legislator-The Divisions in the Democratic Party in

New York-Action of the National Convention of 1818-Mr. Seymour the Consistent

Advocate of Peace-Nominated for Governor-Union of the Party-Seymour

elected-Character of his Administration-Reasons for the Veto of the Prohibitory

Liquor Law–His Views as to the Proper Mode for the Suppression of Intemperance

-Rejoicings among the Democracy on account of the Governor's Decision-Is re-

nominated, and declines—Is kept in Nomination nevertheless—The Republican

Candidate Successful—Extreme Closeness of the Contest--Expression by the Demo-

cracy of Continued Confidence in Mr. Seymour as their Leader-Evidences of his

Popularity in the Party Conventions— His Labors for the Party outside of New

York State-Mr. Seymour secures the Re-Nomination of Judge Denio in the State

Convention of September, 1857–Testimony of an Admirer.

JOHN SLIDELL, OF LOUISIANA...........

439

Birth-Embraces the Law as a Profession-Goes to New Orleans-Appointed United

States District Attorney at that City-Elected Representative to the Twenty-Eighth.

Congress-Appointed Minister Plenipotentiary to Mexico-Failure of the Attempt

to avert the Impending War-Is tendered, but declines, the Mission to Cuntral

America-Appointed Senator from Louisiana–Prominence in the Senate-Falling-

Off in the Sugar-Crop of Louisiana–Necessity of Introducing New Plants-Bill to

improve the Channel of the Mississippi—The President's Reasons for vetoing it,

Debate on its Reconsideration-Opinions of Various Senators-Substance of Mr.

Slidell's Remarks—Passage of the Bill-Views on the Question of Reopening the

African Slave-Trade-Introduces a Resolution to dispense with the Squadron off the

Coast of Africa—Participation in the Debate on the Lecompton Constitution-Review

of the Neutrality Laws—Slidell's Construction of the Act of 1818—Citation of In-

stances in which European Powers have permitted Armed Intervention by their

Citizens in the Wars of Other Nations—The Policy of England in this Regard-113

condemus Paulding, but is also severe upon Walker-His Views on the Cuban
Question—The Thirty-Million Bill—Withdrawal of the Measure-Slidell's Efficiency
as a Working Member of Congress.

ALEXANDER H. STEPHENS, OF GEORGIA.........

..Page 451

Physical and Intellectual Contrast-Birth and Ancestry-Loses his Mother in Infancy-

An Orphan at the Age of Fourteen-Prepares himself for College-Enters the Uni-

versity of Georgia—Becomes a School Teacher-Relinquishes this Employment-

Commences the Study of the Law—Examined by Chief-Justice Lumpkin, and ad-

mitted to the Bar-The Pocket-Book-Success in Practice–Growing Reputation-

In 1836, elected to the State Legislature-Advocacy of Internal Improvements,

Delegated to the Commercial Convention, at Charleston, in 1839—Impression pro-

duced by his Speech-In 1842, elected to the State Senate-In 1843, nominated and

elected Representative to Congress—His Right to a Seat denied—The House decides

in his Favor-Votes for the Annexation of Texas-History of the Resolution guaran-

teeing that four Future Slave States shall be formed from Texas, Views regarding the

Mexican War-Course on the Compromise Measures of 1850—Advocates the Kansas-

Nebraska Bill-Speech on the Question-Reiteration of his Views in Subsequent

Speeches Combats the Know-Nothing Organization-Letter to Hon. T. W. Thomas

against the Order-True Americanism—Effect of this Letter-Prominence in the

Thirty-Fifth Congress--Tribute to Senator Butler-Position on the Neutrality Laws

-The Lecompton Discussion-Mr. Stephen's Part in it-Speech on the Admission

of Oregon into the Union-Retires from Congressional Service-Complimentary Din-

ner tendered him-Address by Mr. Stephens reviewing his Political Career-The

Sound Condition of the Republic-Cuba-The “ Higher Law”-Mr. Stepben's Kind-

ness of Heart and Deeds of Practical Benevolence-Sketch by John Mitchel.

HENRY A. WISE, OF VIRGINIA..............

473

Birth and Ancestry-An Orphan at the Age of Seven-Placed under the Care of his

Aunts-Progress at School-Sent to Washington College, Pa.-Dr. Andrew Wylie-

“ High Game"--Graduates in 1825—W. H. McGuffey-Studies Law at Winchester-

Marriage Settles in Nashville, Tennessee-Returns to Accomac-Casts his First Presi-

dential Vote in Favor of General Jackson-Opposes the Nullification Principle Elected

to Congress-Duel with Hon. Richard Coke, his Opponent in the Canvass-Secession

from Jackson-Death of Judge Bouldin, the Successor of John Randolph in the House

-Wise is re-elected in 1835 and in 1837—The Graves and Cilley Duel-Origin of the

Affair-Mr. Wise's Connection with it-His Questions on the Subject addressed to

Henry Clay–Nomination of Tyler for the Vice-Presidency-Wise opposes the

Schemes of the Whig Leaders—Death of President Harrison-Re-elected to Congress

in 1813-Appointed Minister to Brazil - Returns to the United States in 1847–Riso

of the “Know-Nothing“ Order in Virginia—Their Committee of Correspondence ad-

dress Wise as a Public Man--Outline of his Reply-Nominated to the Governorship

by the Democrats—Letter from Bishop McGill, of Richmond-Opening of the Cam-

paign-He is charged with Inconsistency–His Reply-Speech at Alexandria-Ex-

tent of his Labors—Elected Governor-Rejects, emphatically, an Invitation to deliver

a Lecture on Slavery, in Boston-His Position on the Slavery and Territorial Questions

Views on the Kansas-Nebraska Bill-On the Missouri Compromise--Letter to Col.

J, W. Forney on the Lecompton Question-Publishes a Treatise on Territorial

Government-Object of this Production—Denial of the Rumor that he desired the

Post of United States Senator—The Harper's Ferry Conspiracy-Promptitude and

Energy of Governor Wise on the Occasion-Remarks of a Political Admirer.

JOHN E. WOOL, OF NEW YORK.....

............................ ............... Page 493
Birth-Patriotic Services of his Ancestors—A Self-Mado Man-Takes Charge of a

Stationery-Store, but deprived of Employment by a Fire-Enters a Law-Office-
Obtains an Appaintment in the Army as a Captain-His Regiment ordered to the
Niagara Frontier-Operations of General Van Rensselaer-Queenstown—Attack by
the British-They are repulsed-Wool volunteers to storm the Heights-His Offer
being accepted, he succeeds in carrying them-Complete Bout of the British under
General Brock-Universal Admiration of Wool's Gallantry-Promoted to the Rank
of Major-Further Services in the War of 1812—Appointed Inspector-General of
the Army-John C. Calhoun's Opinion of the Value of his Services—Reports on
Military Matters–Sent to Europe by Government to inspect the Military Systems
on the Continent-Visits France and Belgium-Cordial Reception on the Part of
those Governments-Reports on the Defences of the Coast and the Western Frontier
-Appointed to superintend the Removal of the Indians from the Cherokee Country
to Arkansas-Reconnoissance in Maine for Defensive Purposes—His Services in the
Mexican War-General Taylor's Appreciation of them-Letter from General Cushing
-Opinion of Colonel Curtis and of General Lane-Promoted to the Rank of Brevet
Major-General-Close of the War-Returns to New York—Public Honors—Presen-
tation of a Sword by the Citizens of Troy-Marks of National Gratitude-Appointed
to the Command of the Department of the Pacific-Special Duties assigned to him
in this Capacity-Operations in his New Sphere Restoration to the Command of
the East-Returns to New York.