In the previous blog post, I told you about finding the Edward Livingston Papers in the Special Collections of the Princeton University Library. Several letters have caught my attention, including these two: https://findingaids.princeton.edu/catalog/C0280_c2330 from Charles Morhouse.
The first letter is dated in 1829 asking that his brother-in-law Robert Sterling be appointed to a local government position:
New Orleans January 18th 1829
Dear Sir
As the appointment to the offices of Register and Receiver of the Land office for the district east of Red river will be made in March next, I am induced to solicit the favor of You, to execute the influence You are known to possess with the president elect to procure the appointment of Register for R.H. Sterling. Although I feel the most lively interest on the appointment of R. Sterling, from the circumstance of his being my brotherinlaw and particular friend, I could not have been induced to recommend him for the appointment without being entirely convinced of his full capacity to discharge the duties of the office. Divesting myself, I think, of all partiality that it may be naturally supposed I feel for Mr. Sterling, I can say with confidence that his qualifications to discharge the duties of the office
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are inferior to few in the district and probably to none who will be applicants for the appointment.
It is generally supposed, by those acquainted with the present incumbents of the offices of Registrar and Receiver for the District, that they will not be appointed. This supposition arises from a belief that the first law of nature influences in a greater or less degree the actions of all men, and from the opinion that the example of one of the most illustrious of Genrl. Jacksons predecessors will have some influence on his administration with respect to appointments, as well as the charges that have been made to the present administration against those officers and which will probably be expiated [?].
Messrs. Hughes & Bry the present Register and Receiver were violent opponents to the election of Gen. Jackson, the former of whom, in the course of the canvass, to frequent and the most gross personal abuse.
Any service that you can tender Mr. Sterling in procuring the appointment, will lay him under many obligations and be considered as a personal favor to
Your Most respectful and obt. Servant
C.F. Morhouse
Boy, he didn’t like General John Hughes and Henry Bry much! This second letter is what made me sit up and take notice. It was written about ten days after Charles and General Ferdinand Morgan had it out on the streets of Monroe. He basically states that he is running to tell his side of the story before the others can!
Monroe La September 18th 1830
Dear Sir,
I have just understood that Mr. Bry (the receiver of public money here) and some other individuals, have probably endeavored to represent my conduct in an unfortunate encounter which lately occurred in the streets of this village, and resulted in the death of Genrl. Morgan, in an unfavorable light to the government. Their object is, if possible, to procure my removal from the office of Register of the land office at this place, by representing my conduct as criminal, and attempting to create the impression that the consequent operation of the law may incapacitate me to discharge the duties of the office of Register during the land sales here, which occur at the same time of the sitting of our district court. The hasty explanation however which I am now only enabled to give you of this lamentable occurrence, and that no legal consequences can ensure to prevent my regular attendance on the duties of my office. On the 7th Inst. I presented a note to Genrl. Morgan from a gentleman of this place which he Morgan, supposing I imagine that it was of an unfriendly character, refused to receive and after stating
over
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some harsh language, abruptly turned from me after he had proceeded eight or ten paces, I made a remark which induced him to wheel around, draw a spear from a sword cane and advance on me. I cautioned him not to approach, but he run furiously at me, and I drew a small pistol which I habitually wore, to defend myself. My pistol missed fire and I threw it at him. I then had no arms in my hands, for defense; he had made one thrust with his spear, which fortunately missed me and was in the act of expecting it, when my brotherinlaw, Mr. Sterling, seeing that I had no arms for defense and my life in imminent danger fired a small pistol at Morgan, he fell and expired in a few minutes. Mr. Sterling immediately submitted to a civil officer and will be tried for the offence at our ensuing term of court. I appeared before a magistrate and was discharged without me [?] being held in a recognizance bond for my appearance at Court. No one deplores the unfortunate catastrophe more than myself, but I am conscious that no court will or can consider my conduct in the affair an offence against the laws.
I may have done the individuals injustice who I suspect to have made unfavorable representations of the affair, but I had my information from a source that I supposed to be authentic.
I have my dear Sir, to beg of you to add to the obligation which I feel that I already owe you by saying something on the subject to the Executive or the proper department. I should
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not so much regret the loss of office, as to be removed at the instance of my enemies, who are a clan of kinsmen, [illegible] are not only inimical to me, and the implacable opponents of the present administrations and its friends generally.
I will write you more fully on this subject by the next mail.
Please present my most respectfully to Mr. Carleton and family if they are in your vicinity and
Believe, Sir, your most respectful
and obt. Servt.
C.F. Morhouse
P.S. Dr. Weatherbee a firm and inflexible supporter of the present administration will I have no doubt be returned to the State Senate in opposition to the candidate of the Clay party from the District.
Most respectfully yr. Obt. Svt.
C.F. Morhouse
Here is a thing I didn’t think about till now…Ferdinand Morgan was Henry Bry and General Hughs’s brother-in-law! All three men were married to Tennille daughters! And the cherry on top? Henry Bry had to communicate and work with a man involved in the killing (Morhouse)! He too wrote to Livingston at the time, which you can read here starting on image 17 or so: https://findingaids.princeton.edu/catalog/C0280_c1073?onlineToggle=false . The thing is, Morhouse was wrong in thinking Bry would try to paint him as a horrible person. Bry just simply states he is keeping his mouth shut until the trial is concluded, but he cannot work with Morhouse, cannot set foot in the building his brother-in-law was killed in (it was where he worked) and is stepping down.
Ouachita Parish History Tidbits 