Reminiscences of Peace and War

by Sara Agnes Rice Pryor

Excerpt from book: CHAPTER III ADMINISTRATION OF PRESIDENT BUCHANAN TWO days after Mr. Buchanan's inauguration, the nominations for the Cabinet were sent to the Senate. The venerable Lewis Cass, with many years of honorable service behind him, was Secretary of State, ? selected, the Old-Line Whigs said, because the President meant really to be Secretary of State himself, and he wished an amiable first assistant. Moreover, he liked to say old Lewis Cass, as though he were himself so much younger. Hon. Howell Cobb of Georgia had the Treasury Department. He was a man of political ability, frank and genial, sagacious and conservative, qualities fitting him well to dominate his associates. Mr. Floyd, who belonged to the first families of Virginia, was the Secretary of War. Mr. Toucey of Connecticut was Secretary of the Navy, Mr. Jacob Thompson of Mississippi, Secretary of the Interior, Mr. Brown of Tennessee, Postmaster- General, and Judge Jeremiah Black, Attorney- General, ? three from the North, four from the South. The new Cabinet, people said, was far inferior in capacity to the retiring one. The new President was a bachelor. Despite his years and his cold, reserved manner, his fidelity toA New President and a Gay Capital 39 the memory of beautiful Miss Coleman, to whom he had been affianced in his youth, invested him with the interest which attaches to romance. This was enhanced by his devotion to his niece, Miss Harriet Lane. In her affection he found the only solace of his lonely life. For her sake he condescended to unbend in public; and to brighten the atmosphere around her, he sometimes became quite a jaunty old bachelor. She was his confidante in all matters political and personal. A stately etiquette ruled between the two. She was always addressed as Miss Harriet, ...

418 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1904

About the author

Sara Agnes Rice Pryor, born Sara Agnes Rice (February 19, 1830 – February 15, 1912), was an American writer and community activist in New York City. Born in Virginia, she moved north after the American Civil War with her husband and family to rebuild their life. He was a former politician and Confederate general; together they became influential in New York society, among numerous "Confederate carpetbaggers" after the war. She and her husband both later renounced the confederacy after settling in New York.

Reviews

[Miles Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting and worthwhile memoir. The beginning of the book is excellent, and less sensational. The end tends towards a moderate but still noticeable Lost Cause tone. Virginians will appreciate it especially.