"The light reflected from my burning effigies"- John Tyler 1841

 In honor of the recent plenitude of impeachment news I present a piece on the first President of the United States to ever face an impeachment attempt, John Tyler. John Tyler's New Kent connections are strong ones having married a woman from the county and having represented New Kent in Congress, in the Secession Convention of 1861 and in the Confederate Congress(well actually he died before he could take his seat). Several of his children, of which there was a multitude, lived in New Kent. In December of 1841, the period of these letters, he faced a firestorm from his own party after he vetoed numerous bills they favored (he was the first President to have a veto overridden). By the summer of 1842 he would face an impeachment attempt led by a member of his own party, Richmond representative, John Minor Botts.

The President returned to the Seat of Government on Thursday, from his visit to his home in Virginia, and in good health. 

The subjoined interesting correspondence between the President and citizens of New Kent county, we find in the Richmond Whig- a paper that seems very much chagrined because the President was kindly received by his old friends and neighbors:

The above was from November 13, 1841 edition of the The Madisonian, of Washington D.C.. The rest of the article being rather garbled I found a better scan of the letters referenced in the Holly Springs, Mississippi Gazette of December 2, 1841.

                                                                              NEW KENT COUNTY, NOV. 8, 1841.
      To His Excellency JOHN TYLER,
                  President of the United Slates of America:

Sir: Your friends and old constituents in New Kent beg to avail themselves of your visit to their county to tender to you a public dinner, to be given at New Kent Court-house, on any day that it may be your pleasure to name, as a manifestation of their long Cherished love and respect for you, both as a man and a politician- which, they trust to be pardoned for saying, have been greatly enhanced by the firmness of purpose and devotion to principle which you have recently exhibited, under circumstances of a greatly embarrassing nature. 

We hope, sir, that it may suit your convenience, and be entirely compatible with your views of propriety, to accept an invitation; and we flatter ourselves that we can give a reception at a festive board in old New Kent will in some measure, we trust compensate you for the invective you have received at the hands of another portion of your old
constituents. 

With wishes for your long continued health and happiness, we subscribe ourselves truly your personal and political friends,

                ED. G. CRUMP,
GEO. WILLIAMSON,
JOHN G. CRUMP,
W. R. C. DOUGLASS,
CHESLEY JONES,
     Committee.

 CEDAR HILL¹, NEW KENT COUNTY. NOV. 8, 1841.

GENTLEMEN: Few things would afford me more pleasure than to meet my friends and old constituents of this county, at the festive board, in pursuance of your polite invitation, but the necessity which exists for my speedy return to the Seat of Government places it out of my power to do so. I can however, do no less than return to you, and those you represent, my grateful thanks for the kind Sentiments of regard and confidence which you have been pleased to express toward, me. 

Shall I not be justified by the people of this ancient county in the declaration that, when, as long ago as twenty-five years, they did me the honor to confer their almost unanimous sufferages upon me as their Representative in Congress², the political principles which I then avowed have been the same which since my accession to the Presidency, I have dared to vindicate and maintain, at the expense of the bitterest denunciations which have ever heretofore assailed a public functionary. 

The same opinions as to the power of Congress to charter a National Bank, which I then avowed in the presence of your fathers  then and of many who still survive among you, and which as your Representative. I strenuously urged in 1819 are still mainlined with abiding and undiminished conviction. I was then sustained by the people of this district, with almost entire unanimity, and I therefore take leave to say, that if of them are converts to new opinions they at least might have granted to me, as Chief Magistrate, bound by oath to support the Constitution, the benefit of the new lights of reason which have been shed upon them, before they united with others in a spirit of unqualified denunciation. What would they have me do? Would they have me sacrifice the consistency of my past life for party ends? Or, what is of far more importance, both morally and politically, would they require of the Chief Magistrate of this glorious Union to surrender all claim to their respect, by violating his oath of office in order to gratify the moloch of party? If they would have so great a sacrifice, then, I am proud to say, they will not receive it at my hands. I censure no man for his opinion on this or any other subject; but, while I award to him the right to think for himself, should he not exempt me from his denunciations because I cannot think as he does? 

I beg you to be assured, gentlemen, that the invectives to which I have been subjected, have in no degree disturbed my equanimity. Amid the torrents of abuse, no matter by what motives dictated, which have been uttered against me, "my pulse has kept as healthful music³," as if nothing had occurred. The light reflected from my burning effigies has only served to render the path of my duty more plain. In that I shall walk, my confidence being placed in the patriotism, discernment, and intelligence of the American People, whose interests are always best sustained by a firm observance of Constitutional requirements.

 I tender to you, individually, assurances of great personal regard.
                                        JOHN TYLER.

To.Edward G. Crump, Geo. Williamson, John G. Crump,
William R. C. Douglass, and Chesley Jones, committee.

¹- At first I wondered if this was a typo and it should be Cedar Grove, birthplace of his wife Letitia Christian and the site of their marriage (and where she is buried). However Cedar Hill was the home of Tyler's daughter Letitia, wife of  James Simple. The young couple were already becoming bitterly estranged from each other by this time but we probably should not assume that this would preclude Tyler from staying there.

²-  In 1817 John Tyler carried New Kent over Andrew Stevenson by 216 votes to 16. In 1819 he faced no opposition. NB. in the antebellum era Virginia's Congressional elections occurred in odd years not even.

 ³-  Hamlet Act 3, Scene 4-

"My pulse as yours doth temperately keep time

And makes as healthful music. It is not madness

That I have uttered."

Ordinary for Sale- 1835

FOR RENT OR SALE, the old and valuable Tavern stand, at New Kent Court-house. The advantages of this stand are, that it is the site of the Court and Superior Court- is just half way between Williamsburg and Richmond. There is Land sufficient attached to it to work six hands. The crop is about four barrels of corn to the acre. There is a sufficiency of land of fine quality in wood, to make a good Farm, independent of the Tavern part- on this, a sufficiency of tobacco or cotton might be made to pay for the land in a few years. There is on this land fine shell marl, which could be used to great advantage. Any person wishing to rent or purchase, will be pleased to apply to the subscriber in Williamsburg, or to Mr. G.P. Crump of Richmond, who is authorised to sell or rent.                                   BURWELL BASSETT. 

Oct. 9. 

- Richmond Enquirer, 9 October 1835

The Burwell Bassett advertising the tavern (ordinary) at New Kent Courthouse is Burwell Bassett II, nephew of George and Martha Washington (his mother was Martha's sister). Bassett owned Bassett Hall in Williamsburg and Eltham plantation in New Kent. The Bassetts were the second largest landowners in the county after the Custis. Burwell Bassett II was a long time congressman, serving some terms between 1805 and 1829. He never represented New Kent however representing instead Tidewater Virginia and the Eastern Shore from his Williamsburg residence. He died some five years after this advertisement in February 1841. After his death his nephew George Washington Bassett, of Clover Lea in Hanover, inherited his estates including the tavern.

Love and Washington

A combined Valentine's Day- Washington's Birthday post . . .

    COURTSHIP AND MARRIAGE OF WASHINGTON 

It was in 1758 that that officer, attired in a military undress, and attended by a body servant, tall and militaire as his chief, crossed the ferry called Williams's, over the Pomunkey(sic), a branch of the York river. On the boat touching the southern or New Kent side the soldier's progress was arrested by one of those personages who give the beau ideal of the Virginia gentleman of the old regime, the very soul of kindness and hospitality. It was in vain the soldier urged his business at Williamsburg, important communications to the Governor, &c Mr. Chamberlayne*, on whose domain the militaire had just landed, would hear of no excuse. Col. Washington was a name and character so dear to all Virginians that his passing by one of the castles of Virginia without calling and partaking of the hospitalizes of the host, was entirely out of the question. The Colonel however did not surrender at discretion but stoutly maintained his ground till Chamberlayne, bringing up his reserve, in the intimation that he would introduce his fiend to a young and charming widow then beneath his roof the soldier capitulated on condition that he should dine- only dine- and then, by pressing his charger and borrowing of the night he would reach Williamsburg before his Excellency could shake off his morning slumbers were accordingly issued to Bishop, the body servant and faithful follower, who, together the fine English charger, had been bequeathed by dying Braddock to Major Washington on the and fated field of Monongahela. Bishop bred in school of European discipline raised his hand to cap as much as to say, "Your orders shall be obeyed." 

The colonel now proceeded to the mansion and introduced to various guests, (for when was a Virginia domicil of the olden time without guests?) and above all to the charming widow. Tradition relates they were mutually pleased, on this, their first interview, -nor is it remarkable; they were of an age when impressions are strongest. The lady was fair to behold, of fascinating manners, and splendidly endowed with worldly benefits. The hero was fresh from his early fields, redolent of fame, and with a form on which "every god did seem to set his seal to give the assurance of a man." 

The morning passed pleasantly away evening came with Bishop true to his orders and firm at his post holding the favorite charger with one hand while the other was waiting to offer the ready stirrup. The sun sunk in the horizon and yet the colonel appeared not. "Twas strange, 'twas passing strange," surely he was not wont to be a single moment behind his appointments- for he was the most punctual of all men.

Meantime, the host enjoyed the scene of the veteran at the gate, while the colonel was so agreeably employed in the parlor; and proclaiming that no visitor ever left his home at sunset, his military guest was, without much difficulty, persuaded to order Bishop to put up the horses for the night. The sun rode high in the heavens the ensuing day, when the enamored soldier pressed with his spur his charger's side, and speeded on his way to the seat of government, where having dispatched his public business he retraced his steps and at the White House, the engagement took place, with preparations for marriage.  

And much hath the biographer heard of that marriage from the gray haired domestics who waited at the board where love made the feast and Washington the guest And rare and high was the revelry at that palmy period of Virginia's festal age; for many were gathered to that marriage of the good the great, the gifted, and they, with joyous acclamation hailed in Virginia's youthful hero a happy and prosperous bridegroom.

"And so you remember when Colonel Washington came a courting of your young mistress?" said the biographer to old Cully, in his hundredth year. "Aye, master, that I do," replied the ancient family servant, who had lived to see five generations; "great times, sir, great times- shall never see the like again!" "And Washington looked something like a man, a proper man- hey, Cully?" "Never seed the like, sir- never the like of him, though I have seen many in my day so tall so straight! and then he sat on a horse and rode with such an air! Ah, sir, he was like no one else. Many of the grandest gentlemen, in the gold lace, were at the wedding; but none looked like the man himself." Strong, indeed must have been the impression which the person and manner of Washington made upon the "rude untutored mind" of this poor negro, since the lapse of three-quarters of a had not sufficed to efface it. 

The precise date of the marriage the biographer been unable to discover, having in vain searched the records of the vestry of St Peter's church, New Kent, of which the Rev. Mr. Munson(sic), a Cambridge scholar, was the rector and performed the ceremony, it is believed about 1759. A short time after their marriage, Colonel and Mrs. Washington removed to Mount Vernon, on the Potomac, and permanently settled there. - Life of Mrs Martha Washington by G W P Curtis 

-The Rover: A Weekly Magazine of Tales, Poetry and Engravings, also Sketches of Travel, History and Biography- 1844 issue 22



The Rover was a weekly magazine of tales, poetry, etc,, etc, published by Seba Smith(1792-1868) which apparently only existed from 1842 to 1845.


* Col. Chamberlayne was the owner of Poplar Grove Plantation which was the southern side of William's Ferry

Pie at Cumberland- 1862

MY FIRST ARMY PIE.

Yea, cousin, your apple-pie of exquisite flavor and finely baked. I think it must have been made in my mother’s old fashion- the nicely, sliced apples placed between two crusts that, in the oven, become reduced to state of tender and delicate crumpiness? no, there is no such word, well, crustiness- not of that flaky and oleaginous sort that one meet with at the high priced restaurant, which are half confectionery and half cook-shop. When the pie was done to perfection my mother drew it from the oven, insinuated a knife-blade between the edge of the upper and lower crusts all around, and lifted the top carefully off. Then, with her knife or a small spoon she manipulated the apple, now thoroughly cooked, to a fine pulp, adding to it just enough of sweet batter, white sugar, and the blessed spices of the East- of what sort beside nutmeg I hardly know, although I am inclined to the belief she used only nutmeg and cinnamon. In the city where lemons are always handy, I suppose you might add another treat with a little of the juice and some grated peel; but in the country we had to depend upon the apples, of which we had the plumpest, crisp it and juiciest. After the "Interior department" had been skillfully compounded and mixed, all smoking hot, the upper crust was carefully replaced and flattened upon the delicious pulp and a little sugar-dust sifted over it, you had an apple pie that would melt in your month and cause your palate to twist about and wriggle fondly after the last morsel as it descended the esophagus. Ah! I have fond recollections of my early pie-eating.

But an army pie! Did you ever see one, or attempt to masticate one? 

I trust you have not. 

I have eaten an army pie, and felt afterward very much like the old chap did  who had bragged about eating crow, and who, when put to the test, worried down a piece, and said, "Yes, I kin eat crow, but I swear I don't hanker arter it." 

It was in May, 1862, when MCCLELLAN’S grand army moved from Roper's Church to Cumberland Landing, one sunny day. It was a march of twelve or thirteen miles, and I was on foot and all unused to tramping. I will tell you some other time how I happened to be with the army. It was not as a fightist I went along. This was my first march, and when I arrived at the place called Cumberland Landing, on the Pamunkey river, I was very tired and in a famished condition. Along the route I had been animated by the novelty of everything around; the great army trains rolling along; the columns of troops marching and halting for rest, some strolling into the edges of the beautiful forest some stopping by the way at farmers' houses to buy milk or other refreshments- the ferocities of war had not been developed at this early stage of the struggle- and, roving where I listed, talking to the frightened secesh and noting the features of the landscape's view to my eyes I thought not of fatigue. One of the pleasures of the march was the recognition of many an old friend in the New England regiments, most of whom, alas have since been mustered out of this world's service, "Then they felt that the soldier's life is always gay." They had captured Yorktown, had given the enemy a thrashing at West Point, and were marching gaily "on to Richmond." 

Well, we arrived at Cumberland, and the army began to dispose of itself in that shape which, fortuitously, made on the hills and plains one of the most splendid military pictures ever seen. I did not pause to look at picturesque effects, but in obedience to the fierce demands of appetite which arose at soon as we had reached our destination for the day, I sought eagerly for sustenance. 

As the turkey bustard and the raven scenteth afar off the unsavory carcass, so doth the soldier scent an army sutler, and I found a blue-coated living stream setting toward the bank of the river, where some masts of schooners were risible above the high grounds adjacent to the stream. Pressing along with the straggling column I found several vessels lying In the crooked river or creek, and one of them, at least, was a craft belonging to that noble band of men who shared the fortunes of war with our brave soldiers; I mean, of course, the army sutlers. This craft was a small schooner, lying a little way from the shore, and from its deck were transferred, along a long-boat which lay, bows on to the bank, what seemed to be the object of the "sacred rags" of the soldiery, ARMY PIES! 

The steep, high bank was filled with soldiers slipping down to the water's edge, and soldiers scrambling up from the boat with the much-coveted pies. The longboat was filled constantly with hungry customers, and the eagerness, hurry, and confusion Increased the delay In serving them. I struggled along with the rest, with hunger gnawing inside my waistband, and at last became the possessor of a pie, for which I paid a silver quarter dollar- we had silver in those days. Afterwards the cloud of war, Instead of having a "sliver lining," as all clouds are supposed to have, became lined with greenbacks. I got ashore and mounted the bank with difficulty, receiving many offers of half a dollar for my price from the soldiers in the rear, who would be delayed an hour, as I had been, in making the achievement. 

Cousin, an army pie is an awful thing- like two discs of greasy leather with apple pumice baked between. I was faint with hunger, I devoured that pie, and have been an invalid ever since. At first the horrible stuff lay like lead in my stomach, and then it began to aggress, tumbling about and thumping my ribs in the most agonizing manner, my hunger was appeased with a vengeance! I managed to reach the tents of the officers of the 1st Massachusetts artillery, and Lieutenant McCartney applied such restoratives as he had at hand, but was long before I recovered from the immediate effects (I shall never be fully restored) of that ARMY PIE.      Pius 1st

-Daily National Republican.(Washington, D.C.), January 22, 1866