Mr. Pierce as a Soldier and General-The breaking out of the Mexican War-Mr. Pierce enlists as a Private-Appointed Brigadier-General-Sails for Vera Cruz-Attacked at National Bridge-Joins Gen. Scott at Puebla-His Course through the War Gen. Pierce at Home-His Family-His Popularity-Anecdote— His Generosity-Personal Appearance-The Compromise Question -Nominated to the Presidency by the N. H. Democracy-Declines Reception of the News of the Nomination of Gen. Pierce in New- Hampshire-Meeting of the State Legislature-Mr. Sargent's Speech-Mr. Wells' Speech-Mass Meeting of the People at Con- cord-Meetings at Boston, at Washington, at New-York, Hartford, &c. &c.-Letters of Mr. Buchanan, Ex-President Van Buren, Messrs. Cass, Houston, Douglass, &c. &c.-Concluding Remarks... 263 LIFE OF FRANKLIN PIERCE. CHAPTER I. Benjamin Pierce, Father of Gen. Pierce-His Early History-Anecdote of him-His Family-Political Career-Personal Appearance -His Generosity-Anecdote. FRANKLIN PIERCE is the fourth son of the late Gov. BENJAMIN PIERCE, of Hillsborough, NewHampshire. His ancestors were all plain, honest and intelligent Democrats, fond of serving their country in time of war on the field of battle-in time of peace as loyal citizens. Benjamin Pierce, the father of the subject of this volume, was a very extraordinary man. He was a native of Chelmsford, Massachusetts. He never received a liberal education; in fact, he was almost entirely a selfeducated man, gaining his knowledge more from men than books. At the early age of seventeen he bade farewell to his plough, and enlisted as a common soldier in the great war of the American Revolution. On the 19th of April, 1775, the revolutionary committee sent couriers out in every direction; one of them drove up before the farmhouse of the father of Benjamin Pierce, and told his brief tale of the news of the battle of Lexington. The simple account of the courier was all that was needed to fire the brave heart of the young farmer, and he shouldered his musket, and with the blessings of his parents, started on foot for the seat of war. He soon arrived in Boston, where he enlisted as a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Brooks. He was in the great battle of Bunker Hill, the 17th of June following, and there distinguished himself by his bravery. In one of the many important actions in which he was subsequently engaged, during the hottest of the battle, when the leaden rain was fiercest, young Pierce saw the flag of his regiment wave to and fro, and as if the bearer were unable longer to uphold it. Although the act was accompanied with the greatest danger, he rushed forward, and grasping it, held it proudly in its proper place, while the old bearer dropped dead at his feet. And until the action was finished and the victory complete, he continued to uphold it. The brave action was noticed, and the next morning the young farmer was rewarded with an ensigncy. His superior bravery, and his military talents, attracted attention, and when the Revolutionary war was brought to a termination, he quitted the army with the rank of captain. Such was the wretched pecuniary condition of the treasury, that the soldiers were paid off for their services in a depreciated currency, and Benjamin Pierce found that he possessed only about two hundred dollars. He was necessitated, therefore, to retire to the |