d a Whig, and in the last years of his life a Republican.

Mr. Hoar succeeded Edward Everett as Representative in Congress
from the Middlesex District in 1835. He served there but
a single term. He made one speech, a Constitutional argument
in support of the power of Congress to abolish slavery in
the District of Columbia. He also took rather a prominent
part in a discussion in which the Whig members complained
of one of the rulings of the Democratic speaker.

His service was not long enough to gain for him any considerable
national distinction. But that he made a good impression
on the House appears from an extract of a letter I lately
received from my classmate, Rev. Walter Mitchell, the author
of the spirited and famous poem, "Tacking Ship off Fire Island."
He says: "I heard your uncle, Mr. Eliot, say that when your
father went to Congress the Southern members said, 'Where
has this man been all his life, and why have we never heard
of him? With us a man of his ability would be known all over
the South.'"

My father retired from active practice at the Bar shortly
after his return from Congress in 1837. In 1844 an event
occurred which contributed largely to the bitter feeling
between the two sections of the country, which brought on the
Civil War.

As is well known, under the laws of South Carolina, colored
seamen on ships that went into the port of Charleston were
imprisoned during the stay of the ship, and sold to pay their
jail fees if the ship went off and left them, or if the fees
were not paid.

The Legislature of Massachusetts directed the Governor to
employ counsel to test the constitutionality of these laws.
No Southern lawyer of sufficient ability and distinction could
be found who would undertake the duty. The Governor found
it difficult to procure counsel who were in active practice.
Mr. Hoar was led by a strong sense of duty to leave his retirement
in his old age and undertake the delicate and dangerous mission.
When he arrived in South Carolina and made known his errand,
the people of the State, especially of the city of Charleston,
were deeply excited. The Legislature passed angry resolutions,
directing the Governor to expel from the State, "the Northern
emissary" whose presence was deemed an insult. The mob of
Charleston threatened to destroy the hotel where Mr. Hoar
was staying. He was urged to leave the city, which he firmly
and steadfastly refused to do. The mob were quieted by