William D. Valentine Diary

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Oak Lawn Wed. 2[2nd], 1837

Saturday 18th inst, went to [Coleramel?] it is June quarterly meeting. Staid all night at Mr. Ellyson's. Next day, after hearing two sermons, at church and getting my dinner at Mr E's, I rode near twenty miles. I took quarters with a friend with whom I staid until yesterday Tuesday 21st. My time here was of course highly agreeably spent, as all the family are well educated and constantly improving. It is a place where books and men are known - where fashion and refinement abound. The head of this family is truly a worthy head - he is unquestionably one of the first men in the State of his age, as a scholar, politican, lawyer and speaker. He is remarkable for his open manners, easy and winning, and has perhaps more personal friends than any else. He is well calculated to be very servi ceable to his country. An ornament to society, and spokeman in every thing in his neighbourhood requiring much knowledge he is destined to to be an ornament in his country's counsels and a chief spring there. He is better gifted in colloquial powers displaying hard common sense, than any one I ever was acquainted with. His lady too seems made for him and he for her. They seem blended to one another's dispositions. This is a happy pair. -

My business here was my own and thefore no one need enquire. I want however to retrieve my fortunes. What sudden reverses may happen in a person's feelings as his expectations are raised or lowered - his hopes brightened or clouded. - To be happy a person should consult common sense. Whoever despises dependence and loves independence, ought work for himself -

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Oak Lawn 22nd June (Th) 1837 -

I have just read an address delivered before the Philanthropic and Dialectic Societies of the North Carolina University, by the honourable H.L.P Pin ckney of S. Carolina. This address evinces much ability and is remarkable for its good style which may be considered a model for such addresses.

The orator's exordium begins by noticing the unity of interests in all the relations of life between the two Carolinas. He however does N Carolina injustice by giving the victory of King's mountain to S. Carolina, for it was by N. Carolina soldiers commanded by North Carolina Generals that this victory was achieved although the battle ground is on the line a little in S.C. Mr. Pinckney is however the first public man who has acknowledged (so far as I know) that the first declara tion of Independence was made by N. Carolina. Since this fact has been established however, no man in the nation has dared to doubt it. -

The orator first adverts to the friendship formed at college - that when the graduates leave their alma mater, they go into the world their own pilots to usefulness, happiness and fame - that their studies are not finished at College but they must pursue them with unremitting industry through life in order to reap the pleasure and the reward promised by their academical education. He then notices briefly and masterly the improvements and spirit of the age - descants beautifully on eloquence - on history and lastly on the Christian religion. This is address is distinguished for its beauty, learning and style and excellent senments. In a word it is one of the best of addresses of its kind. The author seems quite conversant with Grecian and Roman antiquities - with their governments, their improvements and their manners. Mr. P. is yet a young statesman. May he yet see and correct his late error in Congress by favoring the abolitionists - at all events acting contrary to the Southern delegation.

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Oak Lawn, June (Th.) 29th, 1837. -

Tom Jones is a captal novel - I have just read it through, which I have been doing a month by way of amusing myself. It purports to be history of events in private life: and that simplicity and elegance of style which should ever characterise history abound throu ghout the work. It is totally destitute of that bombast and tedious playing with words so disgusting in modern novels. The method is good and the events many. Every thing too is drawn and painted to nature: which this of itself gives it pre-eminence. It is also interspersed through out with sagacious remarks on human nature and excellent philosophic reflection. It is one of those rare specimes of genius which may be read again and again with delight and never to be thrown aside as stale. On the whole, no doubt it is one of the best books of the kind in the English language.

O.C. 12. M. 30th June Friday. have this far spent the day in writing friendly letters to distant friends. I esteem it one of the felicities of human existence to [hold?] communion with distant friends by letter. Letter writing is both a pleasing and improving exercise. It often brings to play long lain affection and the chara cter of man in miniature. In letters often appear genuine traits of human character which the world knows but little or nothing about. And let such letter writer have a fair trial in the world, and his character will be developed to the truth of his letters to the letter. A series of correspondences is often a truer test of real character than open worldly actions - Privately correspondences therefore of the great, when published, as is often done after their death, should be sought and perused for correct opinions of their characters.

Wed 6th July. Dry and windy the weather - I feel not very well. Corn is beautiful looking very green and now needs rain.

Yesterday (T. 5th, I spent in quiescent state being quite week. In afternoon though, chatted with lady visitants and read only a little.

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Oak Lawn. Sat. 1st of July, 1837. -

Rode out to the village of Coleraine - this is a pretty, because pleasant, place in teh summer. Here was a malitia muster - The congression al candidate Long, encircled by the reimment, as is the mode, addressed the people in quite a high toned and flowery style. He touched closely on the present money pressure throughout the nation, but a think in a style too learned for the people's understanding. Mr L. I have often heard - he is, to give him his due, a very pretty speaker and quite a flighty orator Like most speakers however, he has his faults. He is too theatrical for a plain people's orator - often enunciates like a play actor on the theatrical stage, by a kind of forced flutter of the tongue: this, so far from rendering pronunciati on full, clear, and musical, indicates either a foreign brogue, which can only be by one who is, or has been, a foreigner, or shows palpably dusgusting affectation. Mr. L. is withall a highly captivating speaker - but how much more captivating would he be to good sense, were he to indulge more in simplicity than in glare. -

He was answered by a political opponent that is not a candidate - Dr. Mcbane who represented Mr L.s absent opposing candidate. the hon. J. A Bynum. The doctor to conced him his merits speaks very well, played the demagogue and indlged in slang in the true modern democratic style. It was really surprising to hear him make assertions which he knew could be plainly shown by Mr. L. to have no foundation in truth. His object was to make an impression on the people by insidious cunning. His tricks were wll exposed by L. Between them there was some inuendo of personality and responsibility - but explanation brought all right. Had that uproarious little Mr. Bynum been then something warm might have ensued. -

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A lawyer who hoped to live by his profession should not give even trival advice to to Tom, Dick & Harry without pay. If he does, why whenever he is in public assemblies of the people, he will be constantly filched of [illegible] law knowledge which cost him much to learn. I have been often imposed on. But this day, I nerved myself to a determination, to give no law opinion without pay. The consequence was, a client offering to pay for advice which I of course give him. - - -

Was accompanied home by my worthy and intelligent friend Mr. R. of L-tle town. It is gratifying to have a talented companion to pass off the time at home or else-where. -

Sunday 2nd Mr. R. and myself rode to Union M. House of the Methodists and as miles from OakLawn. Here were many poeple; a pleasant times fine preaching, - by in the fore noon Dr Leach the Elder and by a Mr. Rowsy (I never saw his name spelt) in the after noon. Dined at the M.H. -

Went to Mr Jas Riddicks for the night. This evening I spent in argument with the preacher. -

Mon. 3.rd Staid here at Mr R's with for the purpose of preparing myself to make a fourth of July speech

Tues. 4th July. This morning I was very unwell with a [illegible] disease which weakened and prostrated me all the morning: thought I should not be able to attend the celebration according to appointment. At length I rode out. This place was at Mr. J. D. Askew's mill in a woods 2 1/2 miles from any public road. Provision was made for excellent accommodation of many people - more by half than was there. The grove for the reading, speaking and so forth, overshaddowed many comforta ble seats, and the speaker's stand too was tasefully arranged. Not having made a note, not having been able this morning to commune with my mind, and so quite unprepared, I was induced according to promise to ascend the stage. Feeble as I was I made a short address in the midst of which, I read the Delaration of Independence. I had not physical

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ability to sustain me in expatiating on the several topics I introduced; and in the last I conceived I failed for want of physical strength. On this speech, I would not risque my reputation as a speaker; - The cannon thundered - we sat down to a splendid dinner (I being unable to eat a mouthful.) The cloth) removed, the wine was introduced: and first regular toasts, then volunteer, toasts were drank. The collation was fine. I am a fraid that our host Mr. K. Jordan was not compensated for his trouble and expense which he seems to have spared not in furnishing well. The wine had considerable influence over the spirits of this company. I reached home about supper or just af ter - very weak and very sick. This was a very pleasand day for a national jubilee. - -

7th Sunday - The past week is passed without any improvement of mine - the warm weather and feebleness of my health [borbed?] study. I have a notion this day to ride as far as Windsor, thence on to morrow to Williamston, for profit and gratification. The end of my jurney home will prove whether or not such journey is practicable

13th (Th) I did go to Windsor last Sunday - but not to Williamston the next day in consequence of the rainy weather. - Signed articles with gentlemen in Windsor Mon. 9th relative to a school - Came far as my friend [W?]. Lewis and staid the night, - leaving Windsor at 1/2 p. 11 A.M. and travelling through a hard hard rain to Major Watford's where I dined. The rain being over travelled again, stoping for water at Mr. A Askews Sun.

T. 10th Went Bethel - thence Jno Harrell till after dinner - thence White Plains - thence to Mrs Perrys in Mill neck in Company Mr Pr. Preston Perry - 12th, Came to Bethel bought goods & carried White Plains - returned to Bethel, where I dined, put my horse and staid till night. In all this, I had but little in payment. At is a cowing reflection that after a young man has [been?] at the bar a year or two, he is compelled to resort to another profession; "pedagogues birch."

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Oaklawn 13th th. 1837 - - [July]

I am now oscillating in opinion - I hate to go to Windsor to teach school because such occupation must hinder. and put me back in my profession. A certain business at Win ton, if it could be equally profitable with the Windsor business, would be preferable to me. If I knew I could succeed in this latter business, I would even now refuse a residence in Windsor which is very unhealthy, Winton being not so unhealthy: beside too the Winton business would be more in the line of my profession and I would be free to visit Courts which the Windsor business forbids - (Yet if I go to Windsor, I will visit this county, Hertford, Courts when I deem it profitable; frowns to the contrary notwithstanding. Though I expect to go to Windsor (to reside) I hope not to go. To one of liberal attainments and a lawyer, independ ent souled and high minded, acquainted with new and measures of the day, with great men and little men - who has an indomitable spirit against little, petty, supervisory service and little trudgery; - a teaching school is mortif ying and unmanning. With me necessity and feeling are in conflict. I am however under no propensity of indolence. I value industry high as any one, and really feel industrious. Could I be liberally encouraged in the profession I have chosen, the law, all working hours I would arduously devote to it. Something however [illegible] may yet be in store.

18th S. A man's want of means to pay his [pest?] debts is building languishing to his independ ence. His independence ebbed, his hopes suffer - - his feelings flagg, and a canker to his peace lurks within his breast corroding his very talents (- in other words, to render, them dormant. I have been in public places three or four days. -

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Oak lawn, (F) 21st July. 1837 - -

Weather not so warm to day as yesterday when was issued sweat from animal creatures - This day Th. 20th I was against [illegible] and disportion forced into argument from which, if I gained the palms which is for others to accord, I gained no good will from at least my antagonist. From this my polemical combat in self defence, I [fought?] no self reputation from applause of [hearens?]. The object of all argument is truth. When I see no chance of eliciting this I never argue. I am naturally indisposed to argument unless conviction of error may follow, either from myself or opponent; either of whom magnanimously giving up his point when convinced of tenor and acknowledging the true one: for the basis of all argument is truth.

This 20th Th. Mr. Sawyer attended Bethel according to appointment and addressed the people relative to his being a Congressional candidate. This gentleman understands well the duties of a congressman. He is talented, firm and respectful even to his rancorous opponents. It is hoped and believed he will be elected, Van Burenism to the contrary notwithstanding. -

19th Wed. Rode up the country to a fish fry party composed of gentlemen and ladies of the neighbourhood. This was at Jenkins's mill surrounded by a thick woods some distance from any public road. The feast, of fried fish caught the same morning, barbacue of pig, fowl, vegetables, wine, lemonade &c was furnished by the neighbours. Here was interchange of friendly sentiment. Mr Sawyer made short speech to the ladies. - -

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Mr Editor,

It is a notion of life that pleas ure is a contagion which spreads its balm in dispels gloom from whatever region its balm entereth. But pleasure is a vague term which every one is at liberty to define to suit their respective peculiar propensities. When founded however on [conscience?], refinement and frien dship congenial in a common unity it is then allowed the spreading expansion, not the influence of wild fire, and instead of blighting enlivens, instead of leaving a sting, leaves a grateful glow to the degree of its ethreal influence. Should it concur with the taste of the good critic, that the public between which and obscure privacy, he is sole arbi ter, will honor a draught on its respect in the form of a transfer of one's feeling to his fellows. doleful gloom may be exiled from its despondent empire hunted from its throne of thorns and willows and exiled from the hitherto empire of [despo - illegible] - and where "I and sorrow sity" that buxom personage called humor alone will be visible to greet the new power of harmonious glow. The duty of kindness grasps the [illegible] and allows reason is escorted to the wool sack. In whatever part of the land the breath of such happiness is wafted, the fellow feeling is reciprocated in cheerfulness accents. One individual may impart this feeling - one spot must be the scene from which he imbibes pleasureable thought. One of the delightsome pastimes of an intelli

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refined and unassuming community, is an assemblage of neighbours at a place, retired from their homes and the public road, for social enjoyment and comminglement of an alloyed friendship. Behold this beautiful assemblage of both sexes, on the 19th a fine summer day, seated in a pleasant valley in a dense forest the lofty trees of which send ing up their thick and green foliage defending from the ray of a maridian dem & casting a shade below in a still [illegible] still sublimity. - Here are the kind and lovely representatives of a refined neighbourhood and enlightened community. Farmers, merchants, politicians, statesmen, lawyers, & ladies youthful and lovely & old and young, interchan geing variety of friendly and simple thoughts, all feeling the influence of this seclued spot from the great bustling and gay world become eloquent with nature's erudition! Yielding to the rural influence are inspired with sentiment and pathos.

By a neighbouring stream several are seen ang ling for a fry with which to [maure?] the party - these at the feast sporting and intellec tual fail not to introduce their favorite old Isaac Walton. On a rising hill may be seen others com ing to join this festive board in the the vally. The mill in sight is silent - Silent is yonder mill in whose artificial race the limpid water reveals many fish of golden hue gambo lling. Fine water from a spring hard by lemanade, wine and a barbacue, satiated the thirst and appetite of this happy group, In the Amid "the feast of reason and flow of soul" the candidate for congress receives a message from the ladies requesting him to favor them with a speech. So Seldom ladies have an opportunity to hear a speech of the description this request might indicate,