PIERCE's private, professional and political career. These we have endeavored faithfully to present. We feel confident that all our statements may be implicitly relied upon, yet we wish to say here, distinctly, that General PIERCE is not responsible for a line in this volume. Certain leading facts we obtained from him or distinguished Democrats in NewHampshire, and we have received valuable advice from prominent Democrats in other parts of the Union; but for this volume, we stand alone responsible. It is but just to remark that circumstances have compelled us to prepare the volume with great haste, so that the reader who is expecting a volume of elegant writing, stands in a fair way to be disappointed; but he who desires a candid, unpretending, yet reliable record of the public career of FRANKLIN PIERCE, may-we trust we may say it without egotism-consult our pages with safety. D. W. B. CONTENTS. Benjamin Pierce, Father of Gen. Pierce-His Early History- Birth of Franklin Pierce-Preparation for College-Anecdote -His religious friend, Zenas Caldwell-Solving a Problem- CHAPTER IIL PAG Election to the U. S. Senate-Correspondence-Speech on the 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 Gen. Pierce as an Orator-His success in Examining Witnesses- His power as a Pleader-His Plea in the Wentworth Case,.... 210 General Pierce at Home-His Family-His Popularity-Anecdote -His Generosity-Personal Appearance-The Compromise Reception of the News of the Nomination of General Pierce in New-Hampshire-Meeting of the State Legislature--Mr. Sargent's Speech--Mr. Wells' Speech--Mass Meeting of the People at Concord--Meeting at Boston, at Washington, at New-York, Hartford, etc. etc.--Letters of Mr. Buchanan, |