MEMOIR

OF

WILLIAM MADISON PEYTON,

OF ROANOKE,

TOGETHER WITH SOME OF HIS SPEECHES IN THE HOUSE

OF DELEGATES OF VIRGINIA, AND HIS LETTERS IN REFERENCE
TO SECESSION AND THE THREATENED CIVIL WAR IN

THE UNITED STATES, ETC., ETC.

BY

JOHN LEWIS PEYTON,

Author of "The American Crisis, or pages from the Note-book of a State-
agent during the Civil War;" "Over the Alleghanies, and across the
Prairies," "The Adventures of my Grandfather," etc., etc., etc.

Virginiana
F
2130

.P51

52320

GUERNSEY:

Printed by FREDERICK CLARKE,

States Arcade.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

His birth and early education-Staunton in 1805-The

Chancery Court-Legal men of that day-Memorable ana-War

of 1812-15-He wishes to join the army and follows volunteers-

His mother's death and character-Jefferson's rules of health,

etc.-The Staunton academy-His course there

I

CHAPTER II.

Princeton University-His rapid progress in this place-

Combat with Thomas Van Bibber-Celsus on the preservation of

health-Whig society-He wooes the muses-His manly

conduct

16

CHAPTER III.

Life at Montgomery Hall-His love affair discovered-

Colonel Stuart's memoir-Staunton founded by John Lewis-

Superstition of the early inhabitants-Judge Allan Taylor-The

Old Stone house-Life in Virginia before the introduction of

railways-Changes wrought by time.

27

CHAPTER IV.

He enters Yale College-His career there-Influence on his

opinions by reason of a residence in the north-Dr. Sims' opinion

of his character-He studies law-His travels and adventures-

Singular incident of life in Florida-His want of ambition—

Singular scene at Huntersville, where he burns his clients

bonds-His love of nature

43

CHAPTER V.

His life on returning from Yale-Amusing occurrence at

General Jackson's dinner table-Jackson's dogma "to the victors

belong the spoils" and its corrupting effects-John H. Peyton's

speech against a horse-thief, and William Peyton's singular

defence of the accused-Sketch of Chapman Johnson junior-

His advice to a young man whose marriage is opposed

61

CHAPTER VI.

Leaves the Hot Springs and settles in Roanoke-Society

there-His home and life in that place-He is elected to the

Legislature; nominates W. C. Rives for the U. S. Senate-

He writes an address on the subject to the people of Virginia-

Text of the address.
85

CHAPTER VII.

He is re-elected to the Legislature-General aspect of the State

of Virginia-Physical divisions and the political divisions created

thereby-Opposition of Eastern Virginia to internal improve-

ments, a system advocated by the western counties-His speech

in favour of a general system.

129

CHAPTER VIII.

The author's first visit to his brother in Roanoke-Primitive

style of travelling in Virginia-His valet Ned Phipps-Scenery

on the route-William Peyton's domestic life-Kind treatment

of his slaves, etc.-Colonel William L. Lewis and his discussions

on religion and politics with John H. Peyton-A catholic church

established in Monroe, etc.
166

CHAPTER IX.

History of the public lands of the United States-How

augmented by the purchase of Louisiana and Florida, and the

English defeat of the French Canadians-Colonel Peyton's speech

in reply to General Bayly, and advocating a distribution among

the States of the money arising from their sale

186

CHAPTER X.

Popular education and free schools in Virginia strongly urged

by Colonel Peyton-His views on the subject of education and

the bad effects of ignorance in ancient and modern times-Mr.

Jefferson's plan for educating the masses-A man up to the

times

200

CHAPTER XI.

He is defeated in the next election and retires from public

life-Course of Thomas Ritchie and Bowyer Miller-It is not the

most deserving who are elected by the people-Trickery and

demagoguism often controlling the polls-His eloquent resolu-

tions in favour of Henry Clay's election to the Presidency-His

life on his estate-He discovers channel coal and some of its

properties-Foundation of the town of "Peytona "

209