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December, 1853.]

GOVERNOR WALKER.

391

     Thursday, 24.--Wrote a communication to Col. Manypenny, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, correcting an error in a communication published in the Missouri Democrat by Mr A. Guthrie in relation to a speech delivered by the former to the Wyandott Council.
     Friday, 25.--Mr P. D. Clark sent my Osage Pony by his man "Friday."
     Saturday, 26.--Rode out to Matthew Barnett's to recover my runaway ox, but could not find him. Returned home.
     In the evening the Ladies from C. B. G.'s, accompanied by Mr Edgar Garret, came over and spent the evening with us.
     Monday, 28.--Went the second time in pursuit of my ox. Found him at the Widow Kayroohoo's and had much trouble and difficulty in getting him home.
     Went to attend the session of the Wyandott Council. Met Maj. Robinson there. Learned that the Widow Ronucay died yesterday. Came home in the evening.
     J. Walker purchased the Agency buildings and other improvements at $500.00.
     Wednesday, 30.--Turned out my Osage Pony, and my two horses took turns in chasing her round the pasture. I then expelled one of them, supposing the other would then become more friendly and sociable with her; but no. He continued racing her round the pasture. I was compelled to put her in the stable for protection.
DECEMBER, 1853.

     Thursday, 1.--Went to Church to hear Professor Southwick of Chapel Hill Academy, a Cumberland Presbyterian preacher. That portion of the sermon I heard was very good.
     Saturday, 3.--Just heard that a deputation of Seneca


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[December, 1853.

Chiefs had arrived, on public business with the Wyandott Council.
     Attended the Council. Found seven Senecas, a deputation of Shawnees, and one of Delawares.
     John Hatt, the Wyandott Principal Chief, opened the usual ceremonies, when the Senecas delivered a speech embracing the object of their Embassy.
     The amount was to remind the Wyandotts that they were once appointed the keepers of the Council fire, and it was the wish of the Six Nations that they should re-kindle the fire in the West.
     They were replied to thro' the Shawnees, that the Council fire had been rekindled in the West five years ago last October, and the reason why they (the six nations) were not invited to attend and assist in the ceremonies must be plain and obvious to them, viz: they did not belong to the Ancient Confederacy of N. W. Indians, but to the Iroquoise Confederacy; therefore could claim no rights, nor have any voice in it.
     Sunday, 4.--To-day the members of Congress, instead of going to Church and say[ing] their prayers, are busily engaged in canvassing and intriguing about the Speakership and Clerkship of the House.
     Monday, 5.--Rec'd a proposition to purchase our Piano, from Rev. Scarritt for his Select School in Westport. Lowest figure, $200.00. The matter considered.
     Beautiful day. Indian summer. To-day Congress meets.
     To-day a fearful struggle takes place in the House of Representatives among the Candidates for Speaker and for Clerk. If the House gets organized to-day, the President's message will be delivered.
     Sold our Piano Forte to Rev. N. Scarritt, Principal of the Westport High School, at $200.00, 9 months credit.
     Tuesday, 6.--Mr Dofflemeyer came with his Wagon to

December, 1853.]

GOVERNOR WALKER.

393

take the Piano to Westport. We packed it up and shipped it off. Farewell, dispenser of sweet, concordant sounds!
     The Council sent the Sheriff after me to attend their session. Well, I promptly and very decidedly refused. I thought it was time to have a short cessation of these public gatherings, and time to attend to my long neglected domestic affairs.
     Friday, 9.--Finished reading "The Tenant of Wildfeld Hall." I consider it one of the best written things of the Kind I have ever read. I like its terse and vigorous style of the pure old Anglo-Saxon dialect.
     Wednesday, 14.--This evening a Cotillion party is to come off at the "Modie House" in Westport, but I cannot go, tho' invited, owing to my crippled condition.
     Thursday, 15.--Major Robinson sent for me to attend at the Council House. I went. He had received a communication from the Com. of Indian Affairs upon the subject of the $5,000--explaining the cause of its non-payment.
     P. D. Clark's Protest was read to the Council.
     Tuesday, 20.--Harriet and Baptiste set out for Kansas, but on arriving, at the Ferry found the floating ice so thick and running so rapidly the Ferry Boat could not cross. So they gave it up and come home. Mr Dofflemeyer then proposed to Harriet that if she would go back with him, as he wanted to go over, he would venture with the Ferry Boat, and make the attempt to cross. They went and succeeded in crossing.
     Friday, 23.--F. A. Hicks and Adam Brown called upon me to-day.
     Finished a long letter in answer to one of enquiry about the general character of Nebraska, from some Ohio Yankees.
     Saturday, 24.--To-day, the "Sons of Temperance," have a celebration at the Church. In the evening the Division

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[December, 1853.

was dismissed after its return to the Lodge Room. They made quite an imposing appearance when marching to, and from the Church. The repast, prepared for the Division and all who attended, was rich and bountiful. A social party at Isaac Brown's.
     Monday, 26.--Mrs Hicks, Mrs Williams, and Mrs Charloe, all aged and venerable Widows, called upon us to-day to pay us the compliments of the season. They dined with us and took their leave. Shall we ever eat another Christmas Dinner together?
     Wednesday, 28.--Harriet and our garcon, Baptiste galloping over the country for marketing. I, engaged in issuing cards of invitation. Thus the day passed away.
     Thursday, 29.--I, and my garcon hauled a load of chips from the woods, amounting to nearly a cord of solid wood.
     Russell Garrett, in company with Harriet and some other company, gone to the Fair at Westport.
     Friday, 30.--Mr Dofflemeyer called this morning, and as usual, in a hurry. Our folks who went to attend the Westport Fair, returned at 2 P. M. amidst the storm.
     Our women up to their "Eyebrows" in culinary operations for to-morrow's "Dinner Party."
     Saturday, 31.--The last and surviving day of Anno Domini 1853. At 10 o'clock A. M., snowing. A most uproarish and squally day: rain, snow, hail and dust circling in clouds in the wildest confusion and disorder.
     At 12 M. our guests began to assemble. At 1/2 past 2 P. M., they were seated and the Dinner went off with a fine relish, and enjoyment. At 7 in the evening the young people assembled for a "Social party." The party went off with much hilarity and good feeling. Dispersed at 11 o'clock.

January, 1854.]

GOVERNOR WALKER.

395

JANUARY, 1854.

     Sunday, 1.--A happy New Year! Clear and pleasant morning for the first day of the year.
     The house is silent, our Company dispersed. A good time for serious reflection upon the fleeting and unsubstantial enjoyments of this world. The old year, '53, passed out last night amid the moanings and wild and unearthly shrieks of a furious N. W. wind.
     Pleasant day. Lonesome--no one called upon us to-day.
     Wednesday, 4.--lnvited to a dinner party at F. A. Hicks's to-day.
     Attended and found a goodly company. Had a splendid dinner. At night the young people had a party.
     Thursday, 5.--Went down to attend the session of the Treaty Committee, and in the absence of J. Walker, was appointed Clerk. Proje[c]ts of Treaties were submitted to the consideration of the Committee by Clark and myself. These were discussed till sunset, then adjourned. An awful[ly] cold and windy day. Came home, and glad to reach my own fireside.
     Sunday, 8.--Wrote a long letter to A. Guthrie.
     Monday, 9.--Attended the session of the Committee. Came home in the evening. M. R. & J. Walker came over, and staid till bed-time, discussing treaty making matters.
     Tuesday, 10.--Harriet gone to Kansas on a visit to the Campbells.
     Sun set clear. Writing a long letter to Joseph Howard in Washington.
     Wednesday, 11.--Got up too early. We were deceived by our silly Chanticleers tuning up their pipes at an unseasonable hour.
     Succeeded in extracting a troublesome tooth from my Jaw, with my fingers, instead of Forceps and Turnkeys. Farewell, old grinder! Well, I am getting dismembered. I am


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getting "small by degrees" and unhandsomely "less. I am in the beginning of '54, one tooth less than in '53.
     Thursday, 12.--Attended the session of the Treaty Committee. Came home in the evening.
     Received two letters from A. Guthrie. In trouble again. Wants certificates to prove his charges against Commissioner Manypenny. I can't help him much.
     Friday, 13.--Wrote a long letter to A. Guthrie. Cold all day.
     Saturday, 14.--Harriet returned from her visit to the "Campbells."
     Monday, 16.--Commenced reading "Guy Mannering" by W. Scott.
     Wrote a memorial to the Department of the Interior on the subject of some grants of land by the Treaty of Upper Sandusky, O.
     Wednesday, 18.--Got our mail. Rec'd thro' M. R. W. some letters. One from A. Guthrie, and [one] from J. T. Jones, of Circleville, O.
     Finished reading Guy Mannering.
     Thursday, 19.--Attended the session of the Treaty Committee. Come home in the evening.
     Friday, 20.--The ground is white with snow and sleet.
     This day (it is now 2 P. M.) may well be compared to one of Iceland's brag days. Done nothing but carry wood and keep a burning log heap in my fire-place. Everything out doors bears a dreary and chilling aspect, at once depressing.and cheerless. Whew! but this will be a stinging night!
     Monday, 23.--Attended the session of the Treaty Committee. Came home in the evening.
     Thursday, 26.--Attended the session of the Committee. In the evening, wind from the North.
     Saturday, 28.--Sent Baptiste to Kansas. Rec'd an "Ohio State Journal." This is the amount of my mail. Guthrie

February, 1854.]

GOVERNOR WALKER.

397

out on Col. Manypenny again. The former, I fear, will come off second best. He is imprudent and rash.
     Miss Armstrong and Miss Hunter called to-day.
     Sunday, 29.--Attended the session of the Committee. Warm afternoon.
     Tuesday, 31.--Went to town, expecting Maj. Robinson over. Staid till 12 o'clock. Came home. The Sheriff called upon me and informed me that he had arrived and desired my attendance. He paid over to the Chiefs the amount of the appropriation, $2,285.00. Then gave notice that he [would] pay over to the heads of families the $5,000.00 of which he was minus at the Payment of the Annuity last fall.
FEBRUARY, 1854.

     Wednesday, 1.--To-day the Chiefs are to pay out the public liabilities. Attended to the disbursement of the public liabilities.
     Friday, 3.--Sick.
     Saturday, 4.--Engaged, sick as I am, in making out the Pay Rolls. Heck repaired the Clock.
     Sunday, 5.--Confined to bed part of the time, and a part [of the time] employed on the Pay Rolls.
     J. W. Garrett and Lady spent the evening with us.
     Tuesday, 7.--Finished the Pay Rolls.
     I was visited to-day by a creature made after the manner of men, but whose actions, talk, and every movement went to prove what --I had ever before doubted, that it is possible for all the evils--all that is depraved--all that is devilish--all that is abominable--all that is brutal, and, in short, all that disgraces human nature, can be concentrated in one individual. I have known this creature about 30 years. I place on record that, from and after Tuesday, Feb. 7, '54, I know him no more as a MAN.
     Wednesday, 8.--Bed-fast. Doctor Wright attending on


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[February, 1854.

me. My complaint, inflammation of the lungs. Symtoms alarming.
MARCH, 1854.

     Saturday, 4.--I am now able to set up a few minutes at a time, being, wearied with the recumbent position I have so long been compelled to submit to.
     Rev. E. T. Peery and Lady called over and spent the day.
     Sunday, 5.--Our folks went to Church, and I kept my bed. M. R. W. and J. Walker called upon me.
     Monday, 6.--Mending slowly. The Treaty Committee meet to-day.
     Tuesday, 7.--Regaining my strength slowly.
     Thursday, 9.--Cold and blustering day.
     Ennui--Vaporish--Low spirits--.
     Friday, 10.--Clear and pleasant. Harriet, and Baptiste went to Kansas. Got three newspapers--read everything in them.
     Saturday, 11.--Clear, frosty morning. Sent Baptiste to the Post Office, and got one paper.
     Sunday, 12.--In the evening Mr. Searcy and a Doctor Bacon from Liberty called upon us.
     Monday, 13.--Heard that J. S. Coon was killed in a drunken brawl, by [a] Negro, near Memphis.
     Thursday, 16.--Isaac P. Driver engaged in repairing the yard and Garden fences.
     J. D. Brown called and spent the evening with us.
     Friday, 17.--Cold and blustering all day It is said there are cases of Canine madness among the dogs in the neighborhood. Exterminate them!
     Saturday, 18.--My boy Baptiste, having completed his three months service, the length of time for which I engaged him, went home to-day.


March, 1854.]

GOVERNOR WALKER.

399

     Sunday, 19.--Cold morning. Having but little else to write I will record the vote in the Senate on the passage of the Nebraska and Kansas Territorial Bill.
     Yeas. Adams, Atchison, Badger, Bayard, Benjamin, Broadhead, Brown, Butler, Cass, Clay, Dawson, Dixon, Dodge, Douglas, Evans, Fitzpatrick, Geyer, Given, Hunter, Johnston, Jones, Masterson, Morris, Petit, Pratt, Rusk, Sebastian, Shields, Slidell, Stewart, Thompson of Ky., Thompson of N. J., Toucey, Weller, & Williams 35.
     Nays. Belle, Chase, Dodge of W., Fessenden, Fish, Foot., Hamlin, Jones, Smith, Sumner, Wade, Bright.
     Monday, 20.--Raining. James Bearskin came to work. J. W. Garrett called and staid a while.
     In the evening J. D. Brown called and staid till night. It has been a damp misty day.
     Tuesday, 21.--The heavens hung with a black drapery.
     About 1 o'clock P. M. the sky cleared up and the afternoon was warm and pleasant.
     Thursday, 23.--Clear, frosty morning. I have my old difficulties in hiring bands. I hired James Bearskin for half a month. He went off last evening to get his Boot repaired, but I suspect [he] has gone to Kansas and is on a sprey. This is the last of the vagabond.
     Went to Kansas, waited four or five hours for Major Robinson, who had requested me to meet him there, but [he] did not make his appearance.
     Sunday, 26.--Cold and cloudy morning. Furnished a Passport to Susannah Williams.
     Tuesday, 28.--Whew! snow on the ground. Therm. below Freezing point. Storm, Rain, Snow, Sleet, "in an horrible tempest." March came in like a Lamb and is going out like the Devil.
     Wednesday, 29.--Everything out of doors covered with

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[March, 1854.

ice. Raining, sleet and snow. 12 o'clock A. M., raining. Horrible weather truly.
     Heard that Hon. Thomas Johnston, Delegate elect from this Territory returned from Washington yesterday.
     "Turn a new leaf" for April.
APRIL, 1854.

     Saturday, 1.--"All fools day." Clear and frosty, Therm. 25o. The fruit, I apprehend, is as dead as a mackerel.
     Sent a letter for Mr Green and one for Dr Carter to the P. 0.
     Some "warmint" has taken up his Quarters in either the corn-crib, Stable, or Hen-house and commits continual nocturnal depreditions upon the poultry and Eggs. It is either a mink, Weasel, or Polecat.
     Sunday, 2.--Well this will do very well for the 2nd day of April.
     As soon as I got up I peeped out and lo! a white glittering frost. I next peeped at the Thermometer and guess what? 15o!! yes, within 15o of zero. This temperature we ought to have had in January.
     Farewell Fruit!

"Sic transit gloria mundi.
 Fifteen degrees for this Sunday.
                Machine poetry.

     Wind shifted "right about face," after having done all the harm by its cold Northern blasts and frost on the fruit.
     Monday, 3.--Mr Brainson ploughing our Garden. Ground too wet, but go ahead.
     Went to attend a meeting of the Committee when the project of the Treaty was read and received, amended and adopted.
     Tuesday, 4.--To-day the Council meets and I really do not see how I am to attend, unless it calls a halt. I attended after the rain held up.

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