James Farmer and the Election of 1824

With the end of this week’s mid-term elections, it seemed like a good time to discuss James Farmer’s first year as a representative in Kentucky’s House of Representatives.

[Note:  Excerpted from the upcoming sequel to the book Edward Farmar and the Sons of Whitemarsh.]

In 1824, at the age of twenty-five, James Farmer, the son of Stephen Farmer, followed in his great, great grandfather Edward Farmar’s political steps and was elected to Kentucky’s House of Representatives. After taking several oaths required by the Constitution of the United States and of the Kentucky constitution, the Honorable James Farmer took his seat in the chamber to represent Harlan and Bell Counties.

The first order of business was to elect the Speaker of the House. Samuel Brents of Green County nominated George Robertson of Garrard County, and Robert Mosely of Ohio County nominated Robert J. Ward of Scott County. After two votes in which James voted for Robertson, Ward was elected as Speaker.

Governor Joseph Desha laid out in his letter a vision and mission for the legislature which included internal improvements, a review of the recent United States Supreme Court decision regarding claimant laws, a reorganization of the Judiciary, the sale of lands west of the Tennessee River, and a concern about the currency of the country.

It was during this session that the United States Secretary of State John Quincy Adams, under a Congressional resolution approved on 26 May 1824, sent copies of the Declaration of Independence to each state’s executive branch, to which Governor Desha presented a copy to the House on November 3. The next morning on 04 November 1824, a fire destroyed the State House.

The State House was the fifth location for legislative operations. The first location was a log house between Mill Street and Broadway before moving into a frame house on Wapping Street a year later in 1793, and then into a $3,500 stone building constructed in 1794. When the third State House burned down on 25 November 1813, a temporary building was rented for ten years until the new two-story, brick State House was finished in 1824 at a cost of $40,000. The legislature occupied the two rooms on the first floor while the courts occupied the second floor. Two detached wings were used as offices for state officials. Today, only the east wing which had survived the 1824 fire remains.[1]

The legislature met at a Methodist Church on the public square. Of the many orders and resolutions passed that day was a committee to determine where to continue holding the next meetings over the next several months.

Frankfort, Nov: 4TH, 1824;

Sir,

The undersigned take the liberty to inform you and the honorable House of Representatives, that they have been appointed a committee on the part of the citizens of the town of Frankfort, to provide such rooms, and make such arrangements for the accommodation of the General Assembly, as have been rendered necessary by the late calamitous conflagration of the Capitol. The committee, influenced by their own and by the unanimous feelings of their towns-men, have no other wish than to provide for the Legislature every accommodation that can render their situation agreeable, and suitable for the despatch [sic] of their public business. And in this sentiment we will take pleasure in co-operating with any committee that the General Assembly will appoint, and in giving every possible aid in our power, in procuring and preparing for the reception of the two houses, such rooms as your committee may select. We can venture to assure you that there is not a house in our town, that is not entirely at your service.

We have the honor, to be,

With great respect,

Yours, &c.

J. BROWN,

DANL. WEISIGER,

J.J. CRITTENDEN,

J.HARVIE,

J.J. MARSHALL.

HON: ROBT. J. WARD,

Speaker of the House of Representatives.[2]

On November 5, J. Dubley and Dabney C. Cosby reported that,

“…Your committee have examined Captain Daniel Weisiger’s ball room, the house occupied by Mr. Benjamine Luckett, the Share holders room in the bank of Kentucky, and the meeting house and seminary on the public square, and are of opinion that the two latter buildings are better calculated to serve the purposes of the present General Assembly, than any of the others; and therefore recommend, that a committee be appointed to have said houses prepared forthwith.”[3]

James was appointed to the committee to investigate and prepare the best location to conduct the legislative business along with Thomas Kennedy of Garrard County, William Hunter of Franklin County, Martin Hardin of Hardin and Meade Counties, Presley Morehead of Logan County, and Thomas Middleton of Warren County. It was decided that the Senate was to meet at the seminary, and the House was to meet at the meeting house on the public square.

To make room for all members of the House, the pews were removed and two fireplaces were erected. Stoves were also placed at each end of the lobby. Additionally, due to times where the member of the House conducted business at the Senate, the committee determined that the seminary was too small to accommodate any considerable number of House members, but did identify a few rooms that could hold twelve to fifteen members. For those rooms, they installed cheap carpeting and furnished them with settees and chairs. They also laid gravel along the walkway between the meeting house and seminary to “render the communication easy and convenient.”

In the meantime, calls were made to determine if the Capitol could be rebuilt within its present walls, or if an entirely new building would have to be constructed. Other calls were made to relocate the seat of government from Frankfort to a more central and eligible site.

As the six-year term of the current representative in the United States Senate, Isham Talbot, was soon to expire on 04 March 1825, the House was directed by Governor Desha to elect a replacement. Joseph H. Holt of Bourbon County nominated John Rowan who was representing Jefferson and Oldham Counties, and with a vote of 78-16, Rowan’s nomination then went before the Kentucky Senate. With a total vote of 105, Rowan was declared Kentucky’s new Senator over incumbent Talbot who received four votes. Rowan would hold the office until 04 March 1831 when he was replaced by Henry Clay.

On November 13, James was assigned to the committee to examine the Treasurer’s office along with Thomas Joyes of Jefferson and Oldham Counties, Richard Forrest of Washington County, Joseph G. Hardin of Monroe County, Bourne Goggin of Pulaski County, and David Gibson of Gallatin County. Three days later, a letter arrived from Samuel South.

“It is with the deepest regret that I have to inform you, that in the confusion of the moment, on the day in which the Capitol was burnt, there wa lost out of the public Treasury, between the sum of $2000 and $3000. On the first cry of fire, I rushed out of my office and run [sic] into the upper stories of the Capitol for the purpose of aiding in the attempt to preserve the building; upon my return in a few moments, I found that a multitude had carried every thing out of the office. I endeavored immediately to regain possession of and to take care of all the effects which had been removed from my office, and which lay in confused and scattered heaps in the public square. My first object and enquiry [sic] was to find and secure the money which had been in the Treasury, being about $2650, as nearly as I can recollect or ascertain without a more extensive and laborious calculation than I have yet been able to make…”[4]

Samuel goes on in his letter describing how he searched all of the papers and furniture to no avail, and that he was apprehensive to announce it was missing, lest any dishonest person steal it, or make it public so that in case it had been stolen, would hinder the ability to catch the thief.

1824 was also the year of a presidential election involving six candidates, all from the Democratic-Republican Party, the only political party in the United States.

Secretary of State John Quincy Adams of Massachusetts, the son of the second President of the United States John Adams, was an accomplished politician who helped craft the Monroe Doctrine, negotiated the end of the War of 1812, and negotiated the Adams-Onis Treaty that acquired Florida.

General Andrew Jackson of Tennessee, was portrayed as a quick-tempered duelist and brawler, but his involvement in the Creek War of 1813-1814, the War of 1812, the 1815 Battle of New Orleans, and the First Seminole War kept newspapers busy writing about his successes.[5]

Secretary of War John C. Calhoun from South Carolina, who was also the former Secretary of War under President James Madison, emerged as the political favorite early in the year, and despite two strokes in the summer of 1823 and in May 1824 that left him nearly blind and immobile, recovered to stay in the race.

As defined by today’s politics, “The Great Compromiser” Speaker of the House Henry Clay from Kentucky emerged as the only candidate “running” for office with impassioned speeches and a platform that defined his “American System” which included tariffs to protect and promote American industry, a national bank to foster commerce, and federal subsidies for infrastructure improvements.

Secretary of the Treasury William H. Crawford of Georgia was a war hawk who had strongly supported the War of 1812 and strongly defended slavery; he would later withdraw as a candidate for the presidency, and would later win the vice presidency with backing from both Adams and Jackson, although he backed Jackson and vehemently opposed almost all of Adam’s policies.

Secretary of the Navy Smith Thompson would drop out of the race early in the process.

With only four candidates remaining, twenty-four states participated in the election, and although Jackson had the most popular and electoral college votes, the election results announced on 01 December 1824 declared that no candidate had the majority of the electoral college vote of 131 needed to win the presidency as required by Constitution. As a result, the decision went to a vote in the United States House of Representatives per the Twelfth Amendment.

The Kentucky House met on December 24 to discuss their desired candidate and submit their choice to their Congressmen. Clay, a native son of Kentucky, was their first choice, but with the lowest votes, was removed from consideration per the Constitution in which only the top three candidates were eligible. Henry Crittendon of Shelby County proposed votes go to Jackson as a “very large majority of the people” of Kentucky preferred Jackson over Adams or Crawford. After a vote on December 31 in which James Farmer voted yes, the resolution was sent to the Senate where they concurred on January 8, and was approved by Governor Desha on January 11.

Clay fully supported Adams, and with his backing and a campaign of encouraging “friends,” Adams won the contingent election on 09 February 1825, with eight Congressmen from Kentucky voting for Adams, and four voting for Jackson. Adams then appointed Clay as Secretary of State in what has been referred as the “corrupt bargain.” Jackson, with the majority of the popular and electoral votes, had fully expected to become the next President, and when faced with his loss, ultimately began his next bid for the office, which he won four years later in 1828 against Adams. The 1824 election would effectively split the Democratic-Republican Party and by 1828, the Jacksonian Democrats led the Democratic Party, and Adams and Clay led the National Republican Party that later became the Whig Party and the forerunner of today’s Republican Party.

Of the many bills introduced during the 1824 session, James was directly involved with the following in order of involvement:

11 November 1824:  Farmer proposed a bill to amend the Act concerning the Turnpike and Wilderness road, and for other purposes that had been approved six years prior on 29 December 1828. James, along with Burton Litton of Whitley County, Uriah Grisham of Rockcastle County, and Charles M. Cunningham of Pulaski County were assigned to the committee. The bill was introduced again on December 5. On 07 January 1825, Farmer sent the bill over to the Senate, and on January 12, Governor Desha signed and approved An act amending the law concerning the Turnpike and Wilderness road.

22 November 1824:  Farmer presented the petition of the citizens of Rockcastle, Clay, Whitley, and Knox Counties that a new county be formed from parts of the four counties. On December 6, Robert Mosely of Ohio County, and assigned to the committee of propositions and grievances, reported that the petition be rejected, which it was after two readings.

16 December 1824:  Farmer was appointed to a select committee with Wiley C. Williams of Lawrence and Morgan Counties and Jeremiah Cox of Grayson County regarding a bill introduced by Cox to “further regulate the pay of the sheriffs for comparing polls for Governor.” On 12 January 1825, Governor Desha signed and approved An act to further regulate the pay of sheriffs for comparing polls for the Governor and Lieutenant Governor.

16 December 1824:  Farmer was appointed to prepare a bill with Benjamin Hardin of Nelson County and William Wade of Mercer County for the benefit of the heirs of John H. Holt. The bill was reintroduced on December 20 and read twice. On December 23, the committee for courts of justice led by Benjamin Hardin, and to which the bill was sent, was read again and ordered to be read a third time on December 24, although the minutes do not reflect that it had. On 12 January 1825, Governor Desha signed and approved An act to benefit John H. Holt.

08 January 1825:  Farmer presented the petition of Goodman Oldham who sought compensation for apprehending several persons who were convicted of a felony. The petition was read and referred to the committee of claims.

James would also later serve in the House of Representatives in the 1825, 1826, 1834, and 1875 sessions.

Looking for a unique Christmas present this year?  Philip Farmer is the author and publisher of “Edward Farmar and the Sons of Whitemarsh,” a 500-page, 155-year biographical history of the Farmer family’s immigration from Ireland into Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, and Harlan County, Kentucky. Complete with bibliography and footnotes that supports the research. Check out LuLu’s current discounts which may save you money than purchasing through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, or other retailers.

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Footnotes:

[1] Quinn, “Kentucky’s Capitol Buildings.”

[2] Journal of the House of Representatives (1824), p.43.

[3] Journal of the House of Representatives (1824), p.47.

[4] Journal of the House of Representatives (1824), p.95.

[5] Of interest is that all of Adam’s opponents were involved in publicized duels. Crawford shot and killed Peter Lawrence Van Alen in 1802, and was in a duel on 16 December 1806 in which Crawford’s left wrist was shattered by a shot from John Clark. Jackson dueled Waightsill Avery in 1788 where both men shot into the air, having made a secret arrangement to do so before the duel. In May 1806, after Charles Dickinson shot Jackson near the heart, Jackson shot and killed him. On 19 January 1809, Clay, while Speaker of the House in Kentucky, and Humphrey Marshall, another member of the Kentucky Assembly, dueled in Indiana near Shippingport, Kentucky. Clay, with a shot in the thigh, and Marshall, with a chest graze, both survived.