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MARCH, 1831.

Eighth day. When at the Capitol I received a letter from A. L. Botts, a member of the Privy Council, resigning his seat in that body.

On my return to my house I was informed that the Honorable Lewis Williams, a member of Congress from North Carolina, had called on me. I regret very much I did not see him. I am informed by Colonel J. P. Preston, who is with me, and the rest of my present household that he gives the same account of the reckless course of General Jackson in the Presidency which Mr. Alexander and Mr. Trezvant of this State gave me on Monday last.

My resentment toward General Jackson, the President, I find has changed to pity and a total abstraction of feeling of interest in his future course.

It is possible that what I now write for amusement to gratify a momentary desire may some day become history and I will therefore take more care in writing the ideas and facts more distinctly. I have not nor do I intend to record anything but simple facts either known to me or my friends.

This President has disappointed friends and foes; all his enemies said of him before his election, has been realized. The future historian will regret to record the error these States committed in raising a victorious general of their army to the first office in the State of a civil kind, merely because he had become popular for winning a great battle and

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closing a war with a splendid victory over the English armies at New Orleans. I thought Jackson had mind, which by practice in the affairs of government, would soon be qualified to manage the machine and in a short space of time he would become a statesman. That all the talents of the Union were at his command, I know, and did believe in common with all others of his friends, that he would call around him the talented and distinguished men throughout the confederacy and make as strong and splendid an administration as Jefferson's. How sorrowfully all have been disappointed. We believed that Langdon Cheves, Littleton Wailer Tazewell, John McLean of Ohio, Thomas H. Benton, James Hamilton, Jr., of South Carolina, Hayne, a senator of that State, Hugh L. White of Tennessee, and so forth and so forth would have been called; and that Mr. Calhoun, the Vice-President, would have been consulted and allowed his due weight, he being considered a man of the first talents in the Union, the one on which we placed the highest value. Instead of giving us such men, he has surrounded himself with men of narrow minds, some of them hardly gentlemen and none of them have much character and no principles, moral or political, except Ingham and Branch. Jackson has given himself up to the management of these wretches and has even had the folly to engage in the petty little quarrels of the women! The ladies who have been esteemed virtuous refused to associate with Mrs. Eaton, who had been the wife of Timberlake, a purser, but who had been the kept mistress of Eaton for years before Timberlake's death and whilst Timberlake

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was at sea, where Eaton, then a senator from Tennessee, contrived by influencing the Secretary of the Department of the Navy to keep him. Jackson has degraded himself into a defender of that woman who did not confine her favors to Eaton. He even descended to the humble station of a procurer of certificates to prove her innocence. General Francis Preston, my brother-in-law, informed me that Jackson had given him a manuscript of ninety pages to read containing certificate evidence to prove the innocence of Mrs. Eaton! Mrs. Eaton was, whilst I was in Congress, considered as a lady who would be willing to dispense her favors wherever she took a fancy.

Such the President and such his Cabinet. All the talent and morality of the country is against him as strongly as it was in his favor two years ago. Our constitutional doctrine has been so cut up, changed and disregarded by Jackson that it is probable he will be put out of the Chair in two years more. It shall be done unless it is ascertained that the Clay construction of the Constitution should prevail by so doing; in that case, Jackson may be reelected.

Ninth day. Received a letter from Mr. Tazewell, our senator. He, I think, will not resign. Tyler, our other senator, writes to me that the Vice- President, Calhoun will be here in Richmond on Friday next.

Tenth day. Had a meeting of the James River Company. The Vice-President arrived today, He spent the evening with me and a few friends called in also. He confirms all we have heard from Washington City as to the course of the Federal Government.

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I anticipate many evils from the course of the present administration of that government.

Eleventh day. The Vice-President, J. C. Calhoun, dines with me today, also Governor Preston [of South Carolina], Wm. B. Preston, and Mr. Thomas W. Gilmer. Much conversation passed amongst us and all the prominent measures of President Jackson were discussed amongst us. We all seemed to agree in our political opinions very cordially. I will write these things as I progress in these notes or records.

This evening I invited about sixty gentlemen to spend the evening to meet the Vice-President. Most of these gentlemen were of the Assembly, senators and delegates. All went away highly gratified, pleased and delighted with Mr. Calhoun. He has won upon all and I think nineteen-twentieths will support him for the Presidency. All Van Buren's hopes are blasted forever in this State. All are disgusted with his base attempt to ruin the character of Mr. Calhoun by the plot to embroil him through Mr. Crawford with General Jackson.

Twelfth day. Mr. Calhoun went on his way to South Carolina to his own residence. Met the Council of State and transacted much business.

I received a confidential letter yesterday from Duff Green which, according to his desire, I showed to Mr. Calhoun. This letter exhibits such unexpected traits of character, and opinions so reckless and an intolerance so reprehensible, in the highest officers of the Federal Government, that I cannot forbear inserting it below as follows:

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Washington, March 10th, 1831.

(Confidential)

Dear Sir: I have Just had an interesting conversation with Judge Barry, in which, he expressly told me that the administration considered me as in opposition because I had inserted an article approbatory of Mr. Tazewell and had also assailed Mr. Van Buren. I asked if I was to understand that support or opposition to Mr. Van Buren was to be considered the test of friendship to the administration? To this he replied that he did not see how anyone could sustain the administration and assail one of the members of the Cabinet. I then asked him how he could reconcile hitter attacks on the Vice-President with a support of the administration. To this he replied that he was a Jackson man. But said I "Your organ, the Globe, assails Mr. Calhoun and I learn that friendship or enmity to Mr. Calhoun is to be made the test of friendship or enmity to General Jackson! He said that Mr. Calhoun has assailed Mr. Jackson by the publication of the correspondence and that if I identified myself with Mr. Calhoun, I must abide the consequences. To this I replied that I had counted the cost and was prepared, for the contest. That I denied the right of the President or anyone to propose any such terms, but that when proposed, I was at no loss to choose.

I give you these facts that you may judge of the state of things here and that you may communicate them in confidence to Mr. Calhoun. Mr. Barry further added that he had been the friend of Mr. Calhoun and that he was desirous to do him justice and to befriend him when he went West next summer but that if he was a nullifier that he could never support him. "Sir," said I, "You know that Mr. Calhoun is no more of a nullifier than you and Jefferson always were and that the construction given to the doctrines of the South was given to cover the attacks contemplated against Mr. Calhoun and I have now in my possession the proof under the signed manual of both Kendal and Blair to show that the Globe was established with the preconcerted purpose of hunting Mr. Calhoun down on that charge." I told him that the scheme would fail. We parted, he professing

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feeling of personal kindness but you may rest assured that they are resolved on an uncompromising war on Mr. Calhoun's friends.

Major Eaton, the Secretary of War, is extremely ill with the croup and I am apprehensive that he will not recover. What may be the result, I do not pretend to foresee. I shall be glad to hear from you from time to time. Please show this to Mr. Calhoun. I send it to you because I do not believe a letter from me to him could pass safely. Your friend,

Duff Green.

Thirteenth day. Showed the above letter to Wm. B. Preston, a member of the House of Delegates. I have projected a public dinner to our senators, Tazewell and Tyler. The members of the General Assembly will do that thing in approval of their bold, honorable and independent stand made by them in the Senate of the United States in defence of States Rights. This day Mr. Calhoun is on his way to South Carolina.

Fourteenth day. Had a Council of State.

Fifteenth day. Saw Senator Tyler to-day. I advised him to be absent as the members of the Assembly were getting up a public dinner for him and Mr. Tazewell, in appreciation of their conduct in the Senate of the United States. Consequently Mr. Tyler went to the country to return in a day or two.

Sixteenth day. Had a meeting of the James River Company.

Seventeenth day. Mr. Tyler has returned and is mixing with the members. A dinner will be given to Senators Tyler and Tazewell. This day I saw Mr. Ewing, a senator elect from the State of Ohio, who brought me a letter of introduction from Mr. Creighton,

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a representative from that State, with whom I served in Congress. Whilst at the Council Chamber, Governor Poindexter, late of Mississippi, called on me. He is now a senator from that State in the Congress of the United States.

Eighteenth day. I have invited Senator Poindexter and his two nephews to dine with me to-morrow, also Mr. Ewing, Judges Carr, Cabell, Coulter, Brook, May, and Brockenbrough, Doctors Watson and Page, Major Gibbon, Mr. Thomas Giles, W. B. Preston, J. P. Willson, of Cumberland, Lynn Banks, Mr. Robert Stanard, Colonel Andrew Beirne, G. W. Mumford, J. Robinson and others.

Nineteenth day. In the evening my guests arrived and we enjoyed quite a pleasant time. Among other things some of the company played whist until eleven o'clock. After dinner whilst Senator Poindexter staid he talked on politics, of the Federal Government and said that nothing could be more surprising than the course General Jackson had taken in the Presidency, he was surrounded by a few favorites who controlled and directed all things; these men too were ignorant and presumptuous. He had turned his thoughts to making Van Buren his successor and had done violence to the constitution to forward his popularity, that the Turkish treaty was a direct violation of the constitution, that he now went for internal improvements by the United States, for a division of the surplus revenue. That the Senate had rejected the nomination of Stambough as an Indian agent, yet General Jackson had reappointed him after the adjournment of the Senate. Mr. Poindexter said that he would have voted

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against the nomination of the printers if he had been in the Senate where he would have been but for ill health. He is and will go heartily and firmly for the South and support the Virginia principles.

Twentieth day, Sunday. There is nothing stirring to-day, no news. Thomas Miller, a Delegate, says that Mr. Tazewell will be here this week. Of course we may expect him the next return of the steamboat.

Twenty-first day. This day Sir William Campbell of Upper Canada called to see me and paid his respects. He is in bad health and is a fine gentleman.

Washington, March 6th, 1831.

(Private)

Dear Sir: I am very desirous of learning the state of public feeling in Richmond relative to matters and things in general but more particularly with regard to the Correspondence.

Now I ask this as a friend. I am desirous of knowing whether the censure falls on the right person, I mean Van Buren.

I am in the hurry of departure and have not time to write more. Address me at "Pleasant Gardens," Burke, N. Car. Your Friend,

Samuel P. Carson.

To Governor Floyd.

(Answer)

Richmond, March 17th, 1831.

Dear Sir: I received your letter dated at the city of Washington desiring me to give you the real state of the facts in relation to the effects upon the public mind caused by the publication of the correspondence between the President and the Vice-President and to know where the blame attaches if "in the right place" you say, "I mean Van Buren."

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I do not know whether I can give you such information as you desire. The facts so far as I have learned them I will cheerfully communicate to you with the same frankness and confidence you have observed in the request.

When that correspondence was known to be in the city, it was sought and read with singular avidity. Previous to this period, Van Buren had some advocates among the friends of [T. M.] Randolph here, as also Ritchie, the printer of the Richmond Enquirer. When the public mind had time to reflect upon the correspondence and gentlemen began to talk upon the subject there seemed to be hardly a division of opinion among them.

At this juncture, Ritchie began to lament the appearance of the "correspondence" and as the only possible means of sustaining Van Buren, he seemed to desire the public to consider it a private quarrel and refrain any expression of opinion until after General Jackson's reelection. This advice none seemed disposed to heed. Van Buren is utterly annihilated in Virginia and Jackson himself so hurt that he may now be said literally to live politically but by the sufferance of those he has most neglected or had permitted his printers to abuse.

For my part I have seen with pain all the brilliant hopes of his real friends blasted and ruined forever, hopes not for themselves but for their country which by his energy and decision would see her Constitution renewed and protected in its Just power, the conflicting interest of the Confederacy adjusted, the talents of the country brought into council, the virtue, morality and integrity of the whole brought around him, to aid in establishing an administration the fame and character of which would have gone down to posterity as bright as though its history had been written in letters of sunshine upon the blue vault of Heaven, but all, all I fear, is lost forever. Nothing can save Jackson's posthumous fame but such decision and change of measures as none who know his present condition believe will take place.

From recent events I think it may be said that in this State he is tolerated and his future hopes here will be owing to the forbearance of those I have alluded to, which will be directed by his future conduct.

Though this state of things has been brought about by the councils of these depraved individuals, he himself is to be pitied as being ignorant of what everyone else knows full well. Such

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conduct cost Charles of England hie head and lately Charles of France his throne. The ballot-box will do in this country what the axe and the bayonet did unless Jackson should prove as wise as the English monarch lately has proven himself to be in such a dilemma.

I have heard from the country and believe this state of things to exist everywhere. Richmond is the only point where there is an advocate and he has been bought and sold for the purpose of securing the succession to that Van Buren. Yours with friendly regard, John Floyd.

To the Hon. Sam'l P. Carson,
Pleasant Gardens, Burke County, North Carolina.

Though these letters have been recorded in this book to-day at my request by my son, William Preston Floyd, nevertheless I received that of Mr. Carson's in due course of mail. My answer was written as it purports to have been, but I retained it until this time to see whether the agitation of this proposed dinner to our Senators would make any change in public opinion, or if the opinion of gentlemen being more freely expressed, would make it necessary for me to change my opinion as to the true state of public sentiment. I will forward the letter by to-morrow's mail under a full and thorough belief that all which has transpired from the conversations of gentlemen since the writing of it has been justified and that Jackson is even more strongly objected to than even I imagined at the time it was written.

Twenty-second day. Had a council of state and received an answer from the President relative to our claims against them. It was unsatisfactory.

Twenty-fourth day. Had a meeting of the James

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River Company. In the evening I dined with Mr. James Lyons. At dinner he informed me, in the hearing of Mr. Goode of Brunswick, a Member of the Assembly, that Mr. Powell, a delegate from that side of the James River, called him a "south-sider," said to Peter V. Daniel that if Jackson did not turn out Van Buren that they (the south-siders) would turn out Jackson. After dinner I spent the evening at Mr. Call's.

Twenty-fifth day. No council as the members did not attend.

Twenty-sixth day. Had a council of state to-day and transacted much business. In the evening at eight of the clock, General Walter Jones of the District of Columbia, came in and sat some time and conversed much about Washington City and the administration of Jackson. Jones is a lawyer in that city, his reputation for talents is among the best at the Supreme Court of the United States. He is a Virginian, but of the Adams and Clay party, yet his character is such that none will dispute his statements in anything he would say in matters of fact. He says that it is generally believed in Washington that there is a good understanding among the members of the cabinet that the wretch of a printer, Amos Kendal, fourth Auditor of the Navy has more influence with the President than any other man, he puts up and puts down. These miserable reptiles, William B. Lewis, John Eaton, Van Buren and Barry manage the whole affairs of the United States. Jackson has overturned the settled constitutional construction of all the laws which have governed the President from the foundation of the

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United States until the present time. He has outraged all regulations and has violated the Constitution whenever it stood in the way of his will. He has appointed ministers without the knowledge or consent of the Senate, has signed and approved bills for roads, canals and rivers and when Stambough was nominated to the Senate as an Indian agent, who being rejected by an almost unanimous vote, he then in defiance of all this, appointed him subagent without consulting the Senate. General Jones says the alleged reason for his appointment as reported in Washington was "that the poor, helpless Indians said they would not go home without Stambough, that they would hunt their way home and die on the highway sooner than take anyone else!" Can it be possible that Jackson and this depraved set about him can believe that the people of these States will suffer their constitution to be violated, and that too, for such puerile and insulting reasons as those.

Twenty-seventh day. A few friends called in during the day. I received many public dispatches.

Twenty-eighth day. Had a Council of State, in the afternoon I was informed that Mr. Gilmer was going to Charlottesville to consult his family as to, the propriety of coming here to Richmond to edit a paper to support our and Calhoun's interests.

Twenty-ninth day. Had a meeting of the Northwestern Turnpike Board of Directors, consisting of the Governor (ex-officio), the Treasurer, Attorney-General, and Second Auditor. We organized the business, made a recommendation to the General Assembly and adjourned.

Thirty-first day. This day I took the oath of office

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prescribed by law to be administered to the Governor of Virginia, and am now the Governor of Virginia under the New Constitution, having had the honor to be the last Governor under the old Constitution by a vote of three to one over the opposing candidate, P. V. Daniel, and under the New Constitution I was unanimously elected governor for three years, to take office this day.

APRIL 1ST, 1831.

Second day. Mr. Thomas W. Gilmer, a Delegate from Albemarle, called this evening and agreed to edit a newspaper in this city to support the doctrine of Virginia as declared in the resolutions of 1798, also internal improvements by the state and finally Mr. Calhoun's election to the Presidency.

Third day. I went to the old Baptist Church to hear Mr. Broadus preach as it is reported his eloquence excels all the preachers. I was disappointed in his eloquence not being equal to my expectations as created from the reports I heard of him.

I received this evening a letter from Duff Green on general politics. I will write to him shortly and put him right as he seems to think Mr. Calhoun should be put up for the Vice-Presidency again. No, he must be President and that at the next term in lieu of Jackson. If he is not, Jackson and his profligate and ignorant Cabinet will ruin the Confederacy and dissolve this Union in six years from this day.

Fourth day. Had a Council of State.

Fifth day. General Carrington called to-day, who

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gives us the pleasing intelligence of the health of his lady, our niece. My Council of State evidently feels less potent than under the old Constitution.

Sixth day. Met the James River Company and in the evening I went to Mr. Ritchie's party. He is alarmed at the prospect of a rival in T. W. Gilmer's paper and is now trying to conciliate all parties.

Seventh day. Had a Council.

Eighth day. This day I have sent off many of Mr. Gilmer's proposals for printing a paper devoted to the interests of Virginia in her improvements and to the Constitution of the United States as expounded by our Resolutions of 1798. We dined with P. N. Nicholas to-day, Mr. Tazewell called on me today.

Ninth day. Mr. Tazewell came up in the steamboat night before last and looks well. He informed me that he stopped at the Union Hotel. I will see him to-day. I called to see him but he was not in at the hour. Went to Council.

Eleventh day. Mr. Tazewell called.. We were alone from eleven to two o'clock. I heard all his views fully on the subject of the course of the Federal Government and Jackson's prospects for reelection and his present mode of administering the Government. He thinks Jackson wholly incompetent to administer the government and that his cabinet is more incompetent than he. This seems to be the general opinion now amongst the intelligent of Virginia and especially amongst the members of the Legislature.

Twelfth day. Had a council and transacted business and returned home. I was at the play last

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night. Forest played in the character of Damon in the play of Damon and Pythias. Forest is an actor of the highest attainments. This is the first time I have been at the theater in Richmond. It will, I think, be the last, as the house is dirty, noisy and ill arranged.

Thirteenth day. Nothing of importance to-day. The President, it is said, is dangerously ill, but not believed as the report cannot be traced.

Fourteenth day. Night before last the frost was exceedingly severe. It is thought most of the fruit has been killed. The Lucerne in the public square around the capitol is much injured. My daughter returned at nine past meridian in fine health and spirits from her visit to Mrs. Harrison.

Fifteenth day. I heard last night that the President is better of his attack, which is good news to his dependents as they calculate to a man being deprived of office if he should die, as none believe them worthy of office, friend or foe, yet they must submit to them.

Sixteenth day. Had a Council of State. Went into the House of Delegates in the afternoon, and saw them elect two judges, Robert B. Taylor, the one, the other was the reelection of Judge May of the old court.

Seventeenth day. I was visited by P. N. Nicholas and Dr. Brockenbrough. These gentlemen sat an hour and a half at least. They talked much of politics, but said nothing of domestic polities or men.

Eighteenth day. Nothing of much importance is stirring or reported, except that the news of two days ago is confirmed. The Poles have beaten the

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Russians, there is revolt throughout Italy, Spain and Portugal. Germany has armed to interfere and France will be obliged to take part in the War.

Nineteenth day. Had a Council of State. No news of importance. The General Assembly has had the longest session that has ever been known since the foundation of the government.

Twentieth day. The Russians, Poles, French, Italians, Spain, Portugal and Germany are preparing for war. England is disturbed, the people clamor for a reform in the government. Lord Russell brought in a bill at the instance of the King's ministers to produce a "Reform in their Parliament." This is to reorganize their counties and boroughs so as to cut off about sixty- four members. This is stated in the last advices from England. This is like offering insult to injury. The people clamor against the national debt, say they are crushed under a load of taxes, are in want of something to eat, one fifth of the whole population of England is on the parish and some die daily throughout that kingdom of hunger. Yet strange to tell, the rich clergy and aristocracy refuse any change! Poor unfortunate avarice, which will utterly destroy them as it did the King of France, Louis XVI, in our own day. This proposition now made by Lord Russell is as inefficient as an attempt to stop the current of the Kanawha with straw. If they do not at once give up as much of their wealth as will pay these debts of the Nation, relieve the people from their deep depression and suffering under their system of taxation, and above all, give the people something to eat, there will be revolution which will cost the King

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his throne and the Nobles their estates and the clergy their revenues.

Twenty-first day. My health is not good. I have a bad taste in my mouth and my eyes are not clear, seem hot and sore. Had a Council of State.

About the hour that I dismissed the Council I received Papers and letters from the city of Washington giving information of the resignation of all of the Secretaries of the President. That the Ministers of England have often resigned in a body is well known, because having been outvoted they resign as having felt that the people or rather the Parliament required them to resign. This in the United States is different, appointed as they are. Each gentleman entertains his own views and only gives his opinion, or counsel and advice as it may be termed, when desired by the President and as the President is the only man known to our laws or Constitution the opinion or advice of a Secretary is of no consequence to the country.

This general resignation then must be a concerted political movement, intended by Jackson and Van Buren to effectuate some great political object. I think to make Mr. Van Buren Vice-President and inflict a punishment upon Mr. Calhoun and to overthrow his friends. It will not answer their expectations. So far Virginia holds the destiny of all these men in her hands. I will take care that her power is judiciously used.

Twenty-second day. Had a Council.

Twenty-third day. Had a Council. Called to see Colonel Andrew Beirne who has been very ill. He is better. Warren R. Davis has left the city.

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Twenty-fifth day.

Richmond, April 24th, 1831.

Dear Sir: I received your last letter giving me the information relating to the resignation of the Secretary of State and the Secretary of War, followed by that of the other two Secretaries and the Attorney General.

So wide a sweep has never before taken place in the United States, for my own part I feel at no loss to account for this singular occurrence.

If Van Buren and Eaton had remained in, the administration in all its parts, would have been prostrated in another year.

To have dismissed Ingham or Branch would have been to do at a blow what time will soon do, accomplish their overthrow.

This step is another of those manifestations of weak sagacity with which Mr. Van Buren has often of late astonished us. To save himself, to save Jackson, to suspend public Judgment, he has taken this course, to have an entire Van Buren Cabinet and Administration by thus getting clear of Ingham and Branch without disturbing the repose of the friends of those men, he has been silly enough to believe.

I am inclined to think that Jackson's requesting those Secretaries to remain in office until suitable successors can be found is a part of their scheme. Because when it is known that Van Buren and Eaton have resigned and only remain as a kind of locum tenens, none, they fancy, will assail them, as they are no longer Secretaries. At the same time they are concocting and conglomerating all their nauseous materials in the Presidential catalogue. Besides, if Ingham and Branch remain thus good naturally until a successor be found, it will seem to show that they have resigned by invitation, in quite a good-humored way, or remain in office until their friends learn to hide their blushes, to smother their indignation or learn to be silent. In either of those events they lose character and injure their friends and party.

I have today for the first time seen Mr. Ingham's correspondence with the President. He has managed the affair as an able diplomatist and wary statesman. I think he ought not to have remained one hour in the Department after he resigned. The dignified station he was in, the manner of his resignation, and

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the manly attitude he assumed in the correspondence required it.

This course would have compelled the President to have made his appointment on an early day that we might have, as soon as possible, some index to their future course. I think yet they ought to go as soon as possible. Jackson says he must resign, that he may reorganize his administration and reproduce harmony.

Might that not have been done by appointing men who would have agreed with Ingham and Branch?

Add to all this, if the letters are true in their dates, Eaton told the President on the fourth that he would resign, on the seventh he did resign. It is now twenty days and no whisper of a successor.

They will attempt to sound the public mind, we cannot doubt, as to successors. Would it not be well to comment upon the names thrown out as little as possible? So as to make them take all the responsibility of their course. They have stirred up the dregs, let them swallow their potations at pleasure.

You have said, now is the time to strike. We are not quite ready. Our newspaper must be in operation, besides would it not be better to see the new Cabinet first?

Mr. Gilmer's paper will succeed. We get information from the country which says six or seven hundred names have already been obtained. The people are with us, anxiously waiting the moment of its appearance. It will appear even sooner than July if the neighboring States to the South will do anything for us.

Ritchie's friends here are at fault (I have not seen R.) They are standing still and know not what to be at. Be assured that the ablest and most experienced of our citizens will contribute to Gilmer's paper and Jackson will meet with an entire overthrow here, if necessary, and Van Buren will never be able to recover himself in this State, as I do believe he had not twenty advocates in the entire General Assembly, and four-fifths of the Judiciary against him.

Would it not be well to urge the immediate appointment of successors? How do affairs look in Pennsylvania, New York and New England? We think the dissolution of the Cabinet has hurt J. much. Yours with regard,

John Floyd.

To Duff Green.

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Twenty-sixth day. The above letter is in the handwriting of my nephew, correctly transcribed. Jackson's correspondence with Branch, the Secretary of the Navy, I have this day seen for the first time. It is well done and as usual the President has intermingled in his letter to the Secretary some vulgar and violent expressions. We of the States Rights Party will be obliged to oppose his reelection. I will shortly propose to the Confederacy the name of Mr. John C. Calhoun, of South Carolina, as a fit and proper person to fill the Presidential Chair. Mr. Calhoun is a singularly strong minded man, the finest intellect, except Tazewell, I have ever met with, well educated, fine manners, forbearing and generous, he is bold, brave and truthful.

Twenty-eighth day. I received letters and papers all tending to show the utter confusion which reigns in the Federal Government and the entire inability of Jackson to manage the affairs of the Confederacy.

Twenty-ninth day. This day the Supreme Court of Appeals under the New Constitution met in the Capitol. Henry St. George Tucker, the President thereof, is present. This gentleman though formerly a friend and correspondent, is cold and reserved. I infer his political hostility to me and my party who are in favor of J. C. Calhoun as President of the United States. This gentleman and myself have not met for several years. He has been teaching a law school in Winchester, I have been engaged in politics. I have this day received letters on politics and governmental matters of much interest. I will, when I feel better, which I hope will be in a day or two, record the information. Gilmer Writes

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me that his scheme is approved, by the farmers in publishing a paper, all is therefore well.

Thirtieth day. I wrote a long political letter today to Governor Hamilton of South Carolina. Also one I wrote to the Vice-President Calhoun a day or two ago was dispatched by this day's mail. Went to M. F. Smith's, three miles off.

MAY, 1831.

First day. This day I received letters from every direction and from Mr. J. C. Calhoun. All are dissatisfied with Jackson but do not know what to do as Clay still stands on as a candidate for the Presidency with just strength enough to defeat Calhoun without being able ever to be elected himself.

Third day. Council was not in attendance. What a miserable, wretched form of government is this of Virginia. The Constitution ought to be abolished and a new one substituted to give the State either energy, dispatch or permanency.

Fifth day. There is news from the Federal Government to-day, but my health is so bad that I can not write it. The history of all the operations of Jackson and Van Buren for some little time past must be postponed until my health improves. My head to-day is aching, my lungs oppressed, much weakened and thoroughly disordered.

Sixth day. Had a meeting of the Board of Public Works, of the James River Company, and the Literary Fund, a busy ex officio day I have had.

Tenth day. Transacted much public business.

Eleventh day. Transacted business in the Executive,

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The James River Company and the Board of Public Works.

Thirteenth day. I this day go up the canal with the James River Company.

Fourteenth day. I left Powell's and went with the other members of the James River Company to view the canal. I dined at Cox-tavern and afterwards we called upon Governor Pleasants, where we were agreeably entertained and passed onward to the canal. There we viewed the canal down to a point opposite to Powell's, when we went to Powell's and staid all night.

Fifteenth day. We left Powell's after breakfast and proceeded to the Tuckeyhoe canal, of which Mr. Joseph Watkins talks so much.

Sixteenth day. I went to the Catholic Chapel today to hear the eloquent Mr. Shriber, a Jesuit Priest. He was ill and could not preach.

Seventeenth day. Had a Council and transacted business on the Board of Public Works.

Eighteenth day. Engaged in public business. Received a letter from the Vice-President which gives a gloomy account of South Carolina under the tariff.

Twenty-first day. Attended to my public duties.

Twenty-second day. Judge P. P. Barbour called in to-day. Attended as usual to my public business. Wrote a very confidential letter to General Green upon the subject of our federal politics.

Twenty-third day. Wrote to Wm. B. Preston, a political letter.

Twenty-fourth day. Had a Council. Received an answer from Judge Wright, the engineer, declining the appointment as engineer to this State as an associate with Crozet.

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Twenty-fifth day. Transacted much executive business to-day.

Twenty-sixth day. I went to the Board of Public Works, the James River Board and the Literary Fund.

Twenty-seventh day. After I transacted some executive business, I went with Col. J. P. Preston into the country where we stayed with his uncle Francis Smith until the next day. This gentleman is eighty-nine years old, is cheerful and happy, rides and walks with ease and pleasure. He was a captain in the Revolutionary War.

Thirtieth day. Had a Council of State to-day. I received from Loudoun to- day the record of the trial and condemnation of Dick, a slave, to be hanged for the crime of rape. Dick must be treated as the law requires. It is a bold and aggravated offence. I will not, because so disagreeable, record any more of these convictions.

JUNE, 1831.

Third day. I received a letter from Mr. Calhoun, treating of public affairs. Its suggestion shall be attended to. Also one from Colonel John Williams, of Tennessee, who is now in Surry County in North Carolina on a visit to his aged mother. Colonel Williams is bitterly opposed to General Jackson, says from many years of acquaintance with him that he is a bad man and will not be content with one term in the Presidency, nor two, nor three nor four, and then will try to appoint his successor.

Fifth day. Much preaching through the city today and has been for some time. It is fortunate

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that the Constitution permits everybody to preach and pray as they please else this fanaticism which has seized upon the minds of the people, or new zeal, or as they call it a "revival of religion" would seek to satisfy itself by shedding the blood of their fellow citizens "for love of the Lord they adore" as was done so often in England and most of the governments on the continent of Europe.

Eighth day. The trial of Marshall for shooting Mr. Galt took place to-day. Jury not decided.

Tenth day. The jury on the trial of Mr. Marshall for the shooting of Mr. Galt is still in their room, not yet being able to agree upon a verdict. It is reported about the city that seven of the Jurors are for his conviction and the sentence would be confinement in the penitentiary. I have just learned at five o'clock in the evening that the jury had acquitted Marshall!

Eleventh day. I appointed Dabney Carl one of the Judges of the Court of Appeals, to be a visitor to the University to-day. In this we had a practical view of the operation of the New Constitution upon the Council. Disappointment is a disagreeable and distressing occurrence to those who have used power to be deprived of it. In the evening I went to the Quoit Club.

Sixteenth day. Senator Tyler is in the city. I have not seen him, being from home when he called.

Twenty-second day. Attended to public affairs. I have seen Colonel Swift of North Carolina, who gives a deplorable account of the condition of things in the city of Washington. Jackson seems every day to exhibit greater and greater incapacity for government.

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I now fear before his term of service expires he will have degraded the authority of the Republic in such a manner as to create the impression that it is a weak government and dissatisfy the people with it and debase them so much as to accept a King.

Twenty-fifth day. Public officers have left the city. I can do but little business on that account.

Twenty-seventh day. Took tea with Mr. Nicholas. His daughter is now opposed to Jackson. Mr. N. himself is very cautious in speaking on the subject of Jackson's reelection or that of his successor. He was of Van Buren's friends. Their cause is hopeless. Twenty-eighth day. Had a Council. I have received a letter from Mr. Calhoun giving me some information as to his intentions, which I approve. I have not had time to record those disgraceful scenes at Washington City yet, but it shall be done before long.

Twenty-ninth day. I intend leaving Richmond today for my county where I shall remain a few days before I return.

The occurrences of the day fill me with disgust. The news from the Federal Government is of the most unpleasant kind. President Jackson has disappointed his party and friends as he daily exhibits more strongly his incapacity to govern the country. To add to all this, he has appointed so many men to office, nay, all whom he has appointed except three or four, are blackguards, not gentlemen, men without knowledge, learning or morals, as violent and vindictive as Jackson himself. The President has

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permitted all his former scenes on the race field at Nashville to be acted over again at Washington City.

He has dismissed three of his Cabinet Officers because they would not permit their wives to associate with Mrs. Eaton, the wife of the Secretary of War. This Eaton and his wife daily become more and more his favorites. Jackson has had the folly to say "That no man should receive office or favor from him that would not receive Mrs. Eaton." This Mrs. Eaton is, and has been, notoriously a woman destitute of virtue and of morals. She was pretty, the daughter of a tavern-keeper in the city where navy officers, army officers and sometimes members of Congress lodged. Her father, William O'Neal, was a roguish, impudent Irishman, without any principles, but a good tavern-keeper, wherefore the officers lodged with him.

His daughter, Peggie, was pretty and found out means to make Timberlake, a purser in the Navy, believe she was virtuous when he married her. He, Timberlake, was often at sea and at such times his wife indulged herself in many amours. Finally she got into an amour with John H. Eaton, a Senator from Tennessee, a man of as little morals as herself, but the favorite and pet of Jackson, the President. Finally all this came to the ears of Timberlake who cut his own throat. In eight months after this his widow married Eaton who was, in a few weeks after that, appointed Secretary of War by Jackson, and because she was not received into company, Jackson has dismissed and is dismissing all who will not receive her, the wife of his friend, as pure and spotless. This amour is spoken of merely

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because she is the wife of Eaton and urges him and the President to these measures, for she has many, very many other paramours.

The President has had the meanness to ask and has obtained certificates to prove her pure, innocent and virtuous. Good God! What an office for the President! How debased. I know, myself, that all is true which has been said of her.

Twenty-ninth day. I arrived last evening at this place, the residence of Governor Pleasants, late Governor of Virginia. I find him disgusted with the Federal Administration and the efforts he has made to sustain Eaton's wife. He will use his efforts to turn him out of office.

Thirtieth day. Nothing of importance has occurred. I pursued my journey, however, and delayed all night at Cole's tavern on the road to Charlottesville.

JULY, 1831.

First day. Arrived at Charlottesville, was invited to a public dinner, which was refused or declined, the invitation for to-morrow.

Second day. I took the road to Staunton, arrived at Waynesborough, where I remained for the night.

Third day. I arrived here at John H. Peyton's who married my niece. My wife is taken sick. The rest of the family are well. We remained this day on account of my wife's illness.

Fourth day. We arrived at Colonel McDowell's. My wife still sick.

Fifth day. We remained this day with our brother-in-law,

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Colonel McDowell. His wife is Mrs. Floyd's sister.

Sixth day. We arrived here at Mr. Taylor's in Lexington, where we took dinner with our niece Mrs. Taylor, and stayed all night with our nephew, James McDowell, Jr.

Seventh day. We took the road homeward and will stay all night at the old Rockbridge Tavern, kept by Robert Douthat.

Eighth day. My daughter, Laetitia, and my niece, Sarah Lewis, and my nephew, John G. Floyd, visited the Natural Bridge before breakfast, after which we set out for Fincastle.

Ninth day. Went from Fincastle to Mr. Bowyer's, who married Sarah Preston, where we dined and went to Mr. Wm. R. Preston's. We remained there for the day.

Tenth day. We left Wm. R. Preston's, dined, at Dr. Johnston's (being Sunday) and arrived at Mrs. Madison's.

Eleventh day. We went to Smithfield through the Devil's Den, being the first carriage that ever passed that road. Smithfield is the residence of Colonel James P. Preston.

Twelfth day. We remained this day at Smithfield.

Thirteenth day. We leave Smithfield at five o'clock. We reached home to find our son John and his wife. All our children are well.

Fourteenth day. I am desired to visit Miss Nancy Smyth who is ill. She is the daughter of the late General Alexander Smyth.

Fifteenth day. I visited Miss Smyth this day.

Sixteenth day. I remained with Miss Smyth today

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at Captain John Matthews'. She, I think, will die. General Smyth was my friend and I will not desert his children.

Seventeenth day. I saw Doctors Watson and Jacob Hailer before I returned home this day.

Eighteenth day. At home all day.

Nineteenth day. I remained at home all day seeing to my plantation.

Twentieth day. John Wygal, Jr., and wife called on us this day.

Twenty-first day. Mrs. Wygal remained with us all this day.

Twenty-second day. I spent this day in visiting my mills and in looking at my estate.

Twenty-third day. This day was spent as yesterday.

Twenty-fourth day. I remained at home all day with my children, with the exception of Benjamin and La Fayette, who are at school, around me. The former is at Georgetown, D. C., the latter at Richmond.

Twenty-fifth day. I visited my son John and his wife to-day. I am exceedingly unwell with a pain in the head of rheumatic kind.

Twenty-seventh day. My son's wife is ill. I visited her.

Twenty-eighth day. I remained with my son's wife who is no better.

Twenty-ninth day. I remained with my daughterin-law, who is better to-day.

Thirtieth day. I remained at my son's whose wife is nearly recovered.

Thirty-first day. I returned to Thorn Spring to-day.

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Mr. Herron, the engineer, called on me today desiring funds to enable him to prosecute the survey of the road or turnpike from the upper Kanawha in this county to the Tennessee line.

AUGUST, 1831.

First day. My sons have gone to the election this day for a member to Congress from this district and a Delegate to the General Assembly.

I have read this morning the correspondence between Eaton, late Secretary of War, and Mr. Berrien, between Mr. Berrien and Colonel Johnson, Mr. Ingham, etc., relative to the dissolution of the President's Cabinet and the cause of that dissolution. I know these facts to be entitled to the highest possible credit, but the facts are so extraordinary and the President's course so strange, indeed, so outrageous, that I will desire my nephew, John G. Floyd, to transcribe them in this book that they may not be lost. I will never again vote for or support General Andrew Jackson for any office or anything.

Second day. The Lieutenant-Governor has, according to the wretched Constitution as amended, been exercising the duties of Governor and has made an attack of a personal character which has covered him with disgrace and contumely. I can therefore safely leave him to the degradation he has brought upon himself as sufficient punishment. His folly and imbecility has prompted him to this hostility to make himself agreeable to the President or Federal Executive that he may attain from him an office which he much wants.

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Ninth day. Went to my mill. They will raise the framed house over it to- day. I saw them put it up. The whole is a fine work. The sawmill is said to be the best in the country or State.

Tenth day. I have this day to go on my way to Richmond City. Tonight I will be at Governor Preston's family at their farm called Smithfield. His son, William B. Preston, is with me having called last night on his way from Wythe Court. He is again elected from this (Montgomery County) to the General Assembly of Virginia. Rain and bad weather stops me this day from setting off as expected.

Eleventh day. I remained at home until the thirteenth day, which day I arrived at Governor Preston's.

Fourteenth day. I remained this day with the family, who are all well. I never saw this beautiful and extensive farm look better.

Fifteenth day. I went to Christiansburg to take the public coach. I found many of my old friends in that old town who all gave me great manifestations of their attachment and the pleasure they had on seeing me. This town and the neighborhood is suffering severely with a malady called dysenteria. Some have died and many are ill.

Sixteenth day. I left Salem in Botetourt County this morning. I arrived at this place yesterday, accompanied by Dr. Chas. Barnett, whom I met with on the road. The Doctor is desirous of making his home in the village near my residence, the Thorn Spring. He is amiable and clever. This morning I arrived at Lynchburg.

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Seventeenth day. I left Lynchburg at six minutes past six of the clock, having first breakfasted and arrived at Langhorn's Tavern at twelve minutes after six. I had not been long at this place before Colonel, the late Governor Preston (J. P.) drove up accompanied by my daughter Lavalette, whom we left at school in Richmond, both in fine health. They say my son, Benjamin Rush Floyd, is at the Governor's House by himself, and that my popularity as Governor has increased since the imbecile attack of Peter V. Daniel, one of the Council of State.

Eighteenth day. At half after five, I took leave of my daughter Lavalette and her uncle, Colonel Preston. They proceeded to the mountains, I to Richmond, where I arrived at a few minutes after three of the clock. As I approached the City I was attacked with a gouty or rheumatic headache, so very bad that I was obliged to go to bed. I was better at night, at which time I ordered and received a visit from Mr. Gilmer, who informed me that he was going home to Charlottesville in the morning, that the public mind had condemned Peter V. Daniel in the severest terms and that it was not necessary for me to notice him.

Twentieth day. I went to the Capitol to-day and had a Council. Willson, the second councillor was alone there. After public business was closed, before he set off for Cumberland, his residence, he talked to me of the difference between Daniel, the first councillor, and myself. I said there was no difference on my part but that we must cease to be friends.

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Twenty-second day. I had no Council to-day. Had conversation with the Board of Public Works on the Northwest Turnpike Road Company. The business of this Board was dispatched and we adjourned.

Twenty-third day. This will be a very noted day in Virginia. At daylight this morning the Mayor of the City put into my hands a notice to the public, written by James Trezvant of Southampton County, stating that an insurrection, of the slaves in that county had taken place, that several families had been massacred and that it would take a considerable military force to put them down.

Upon the receipt of this information, I began to consider how to prepare for the crisis. To call out the militia and equip a military force for that service. But according to the forms of this wretched and abominable Constitution, I must first require advice of Council, and then disregard it, if I please. On this occasion there was not one councillor in the city. I went on, made all the arrangements for suppressing the insurrection, having all my orders ready for men, arms, ammunition, etc., when by this time, one of the council came to town, and that vain and foolish ceremony was gone through. In a few hours the troops marched, Captain Randolph with a fine troop of cavalry and Captain John B. Richardson with light artillery, both from this city and two companies of Infantry from Norfolk and Portsmouth. The light Artillery had under their care one thousand stand of arms for Southampton and Sussex, with a good supply of ammunition. All these things were dispatched in a few hours.

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Twenty-fourth day. This day was spent in distributing arms below this where it was supposed it would be wanted.

Twenty--fifth day. I received dispatches from Brigadier Richard Eppes, stating with local militia those I sent him were more than enough to suppress the insurrection.

Twenty-sixth day. Constant application for arms are made. I received letters from W. O. Goode of Mecklenburg and James H. Gholson for arms. They were sent. General Eppes disbanded the Artillery and Infantry who returned home.

Twenty-seventh day. I received from Brigadier General Broadnax a letter giving an account of his having assumed command of Brunswick and of the insurrection at Hick's Ford in Greenville.

Twenty-eighth day. General Broadnax disbanded those troops and returned home. He reports several families killed the same day dispatches were received from General Eppes stating the names of many who were killed. From the two accounts, I find that there have been murdered by the negro insurgents sixty-one persons! The accounts received from the seat of war informs me that the operation of the troops is now confined to the capturing of the insurgents as they can make no further resistance and are endeavoring to escape.

Twenty-ninth day. The news heretofore from below, Surry and Nansemond, is in expectation of an iusurrection. The Commandants of those regiments ask for arms. They are sent them.

A few days ago the mayor of Fredericksburg and the Colonel of that regiment informed me that the

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negroes there have been detected in a conspiracy, and desired arms. They have been sent them.

Thirtieth day. The news as heretofore. General Thomas captured most of the insurgents. The principal leaders yet untaken. Nat, alias Nat Turner, by the negroes called General, heretofore a preacher and a slave, Artis and some others are yet sought.

Thirty-first day. I learn that many negroes have been taken up in the county of Nansemond, about forty, some of whom inform us of its being intended as a general rising of the negroes.

SEPTEMBER, 1831.

First day. General Eppes informed me that they had captured about forty of the insurgents, that they have been confined in the Southampton jail and have been turned over to the courts of that County to be dealt with according to law.

Second day. The same information as yesterday.

Third day. General Eppes informs me by the return of Captain Harrison of the Cavalry, whose troops returned to-day, that a Court of Oyer and Terminer for Southampton County was convened on the thirty-first of August and continued the first of September and had convicted some of the prisoners of conspiracy and murder.

A few hours after this he sent an express with the record of the court, containing the trial and condemnation of four of the prisoners, Moses and Daniel, Andrew and Jack. The last two the court recommended their punishment to be commuted for transportation, to which I will agree. Moses and David will be hanged on Monday, the fifth. Throughout

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this affair the most appalling accounts have been given of the conduct of the negroes, the most inhuman butcheries the mind can conceive of, men, women, and infants, their heads chopped off, their bowels ripped out, ears, noses, hands, and legs cut off, no instance of mercy shown. The white people shot them in self defense whenever they appeared.

But amidst these scenes there were slaves found to defend their masters and to give information of the approach of the hostile party. These insurgents progressed twenty miles before they were checked, yet all this horrid work was accomplished in two days.

Fourth day. I have written General Eppes to retain at Southampton a sufficient guard and to disband the rest of his forces.

Fifth day. I have received to-day by express a record of the trial of the other slaves, eight of them, concerned in the massacre of Southampton. They are all condemned to be executed on Friday and next Monday. I will not in these eases interfere with the operations of the law.

Sixth day. This day I have attended to the Executive business, James River Company, Board of Public Works and Northwestern Turnpike Company, all of which are ex officio duties. It has been a laborious day. I am not well to- day. I am feverish and thirsty with a bad taste in my mouth.

Seventh day. I am this day informed by a letter from Colonel Wm. A. Christian, Commandant of the twenty-seventh Regiment in Northampton, that the negroes in that county are in a state of insubordination and intend to create an insurrection in that

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county. Guns have been found among them and some they were compelled to take from them by force. That county and Accomack are well armed, I have sent them a good supply of ammunition by this day's boat. I fear much this insurrection in Southampton is to lead to much more disastrous consequences than is at this time apprehended by anybody.

Eighth day. Had a meeting of the ex officio Boards.

Ninth day. No news from Southampton though even Prince William County has its emissaries in it from among the free negroes of the District of Columbia. He is a Preacher. The whole of that massacre in Southampton is the work of these Preachers as daily intelligence informs me. I am still unwell.

Tenth day. I received by express to-day the record of the trial of nine others of the slaves concerned in the insurrection of Southampton. Five of these slaves the court recommended to transportation which the law calls commuting this punishment. I am so unwell this afternoon that I have to go to bed.

Eleventh day. I hear nothing this morning from below. I do not feel so badly as yesterday. I had more appetite to-day and not so bad a taste in my mouth.

Twelfth day. I have transacted some official business, but have heard nothing from below. Major Gibbons has received a letter from citizens of New York inviting donations for the Poles. There may be a town meeting.

Fourteenth day. Attended various Boards ex officio.