Ohio History Journal

THOMAS WORTHINGTON.

 

BY FRANK THEODORE COLE,

 

Secretary of "The Old Northwest" Genealogical Society.

About the middle of the seventeenth century two brothers

of the ancient Lancashire family of Worthington1 arrived in

Philadelphia, bringing with them some fair amount of property.

After some time one of them went to New England and the

other, Robert, with his son Robert, a mere lad, went to Mary-

land, where he bought land in the neighborhood of Baltimore,

and established iron works, which in due time brought him

fortune. He then removed to Baltimore.

Robert Jr. grew to manhood, married and had children. In

his old age, he lost his wife and, all his children being married,

he proposed to take as a second wife, a very young woman.

When his children objected, he divided his property into eight

or nine shares, kept one for himself, gave the others to his

children, married his young wife and moved to Berkeley Co.,

Virginia, at the mouth of the Opequam Valley, where he bought

land, cleared and stocked it, and where in 1731-2 a son was born

to him, he being then about seventy years of age. While this

boy was still an infant, the father died while returning from a

visit to Baltimore. His young widow married again and died

at a great age in 1798.

The estate of this child, named Robert, increased greatly in

value during his long minority and was still further augmented

by his own prudent management.

At an early age he married Margaret Edwards of Prince Ed-

ward county. He is represented as sedate and gentle in his

manners, yet decided and prompt in action, and a devout Epis-

1 For the family and personal matters of this article, I have followed,

in the main, the Worthington Private Memoir, by Mrs. Sarah Peter, Governor

Worthington's daughter. For this rare book - only thirty copies were pub-

lished- I am indebted to the courtesy of William N. King, Esq., of Colum--

bus, Ohio.

1 Vol. XII-4.             (339)

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340      Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

 

copalian. His time was employed in agriculture and in land

speculations. He was a captain of colonial troops in one Indian

expedition and, in 1775, raised and equipped largely at his own

expense a troop of horse, for service under Washington in

Massachusetts. When all was ready he appointed a farewell

barbecue at Bath Springs, intending to march the following

morning.

That night he died of bilious colic. His wife survived him

but a few years. Of his six children, Thomas, born July 16,

1773, the subject of this sketch was the youngest.

The oldest son, Ephraim, was at Princeton College, but leav-

ing on the death of his father, lived at the Manor, married, and

died a young man. The eldest daughter, Mary, who married

Edward Tiffin, afterwards first Governor of Ohio, died in 1808.

The second son, Robert, also settled in Ohio.

Left an orphan in early childhood, Thomas Worthington's

early years were spent at the Manor. After his brother's early

death, he must have been greatly under the influence of his

sister Mary, "a woman of commanding talents and rare piety,

to whom he was devotedly attached." From her he probably

imbibed the dislike for slavery which induced him at a later date

to free the slaves that came to him by inheritance.

At the age of fourteen he chose as guardian Gen. William

Darke, a Revolutionary veteran, under whose wise management

his property multiplied, and who secured for him such educa-

tional advantages as the times allowed.

When nineteen years old he desired to travel and his guardian

refusing his consent, he secretly left home with some money,

and took passage on a British ship bound to the West Indies,

from thence to Northern Europe, and home, a voyage of two

years. He was swindled out of his money, and at Glasgow

shipped as a sailor, on the same ship and made the voyage up

the Baltic and back to Alexandria, having at one time barely

escaped the Press Gang, by the determination of his captain.

This voyage must have had great influence on his character.

The experience of such misfortunes and the determined over-

coming of them developed and trained the energy and perse-

verance for which he was afterwards so noted.

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Thomas Worthington.                 341

He took possession of his property and busied himself in its

care for a year, till in 1796, he joined a party of young men,

who started for the Virginia Military District between the

Miami and Scioto Rivers in Ohio, to locate the land warrants

of their fathers and friends. The party rode to Pittsburg,

floated down the Ohio to the Mouth of the Scioto, and made

their way thence by a blazed trail to Chillicothe, where they

found some twenty houses of the rudest structure. Col. Massie

had laid out the town that summer, and Mr. Worthington evi-

dently bought three lots from him at this time.

Soon after his return from this trip he married, December

13, 1796, being then twenty-three years of age, Eleanor Van

Swearingen, only daughter of Josiah Van Swearingen, deceased,

at the residence of her aunt, Mrs. Shepard, in Berkeley (now

Jefferson) county, Virginia. Her mother was Phebe, daughter

of James Strode of near Martinsburg, Berkeley county. General

Forman, a British officer, who had married a daughter of the

Duke of Hamilton, had been sent to the colony on affairs of

some moment. His wife and daughter, Annie, accompanied him.

The latter became the wife of James Strode and died in 1784,

leaving four daughters, the third of whom, Mrs. Van Swear-

ingen, died a few days after her mother. She was followed seven

years later by her husband. They left one daughter, Eleanor,

and three younger sons. The grandfather Strode cherished

great affection for this granddaughter, and on his death, be-

queathed to her the mother's share of his estate (excluding her

brothers). To this was added the fourth part of her father's

estate.

These young people were thus possessed in their united

fortunes of large wealth, and were at the same time independent

of control. The inbred nobleness of their character permitted

them to use their wealth and independence for justice and the

good of their fellow men, and their calm Christian faith tem-

pered their acts with mercy, benevolence and self renunciation.

They determined to free the slaves that they had inherited,

and as the law of Virginia then required that the manumitted

slave be provided with a home they decided to settle them in

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Ohio, whose fertile soil Mr. Worthington had seen the previous

year.

The land of Gen. Darke, near Chillicothe, was purchased, and

with his brother-in-law, Dr. Edward Tiffin, Mr. Worthington set

out on May 1, 1797, arriving at Chillicothe on the 17th.

In a letter to his wife he says they found the greatest change

from the year before, some hundred houses in the town and

probably one hundred and fifty families within a circle of twelve

miles, four shops fairly well stocked, and a good class of people

as settlers. He determined to move there himself, and during

the summer built a house on the block bounded by the present

Paint and Walnut streets. This was the first house in the place

to have glass in the windows. Dr. Tiffin also built a house that

summer and early in the fall they returned to Berkeley, where,

November 20, 1797, his first child, Mary, was born.

The winter was spent in preparation and in the latter part of

the following March the party started for their new home, Mr.

and Mrs. Worthington and child, his brother Robert and his

family, Dr. Edward Tiffin and his wife and two younger broth-

ers of Mrs. Worthington.

They took with them plate, china, damask, and other evi-

dences of their wealth; bulbs, roots, flower seeds, shrubs, and

domestic animals, and were accompanied by a large company

of freedmen whom Mr. Worthington settled on parts of his

land, allowing them to purchase a freehold, by gradual payments,

if they desired.

They followed the usual route, to Pittsburg by carriage, to

the Scioto by flat boats, and through the woods by trail to the

new home, where they arrived April 17, 1798. By the help of

their followers they were soon comfortably settled, and the gar-

dens bloomed with the familiar flowers. Mr. Worthington was

then twenty-five years old.

At the time of his first visit, Chillicothe was in Hamilton

county, but on the establishment of Adams county, July 10, 1797

was included therein. At the first session of Court of Quarter

Sessions, held at Manchester September 12, he was one of the

justices of peace present.

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Thomas Worthington.                 343

 

At the sessions of December and March at Adamsville, the

Ross county members did not attend, but in June 1798 they again

appeared.

Ross county was established the twentieth of the following

August.*

In 1796 Mr. Worthington had evidently solicited appoint-

ment as Deputy Surveyor General, for in December of that year

Rufus Putnam wrote him promising appointment1 and in Feb-

ruary, 1798, he was given a contract to survey the district be-

tween the Ohio Company's purchase and the Scioto River.

Therefore most of that first summer and fall must have been

spent in the woods. He seems to have been appointed a Major

of Militia, and in the following year to have been much offended

at the appointment by Gov. St. Clair of Samuel Finlay, as Colo-

nel, feeling that he should have received the honor.² In the

summer of his arrival he was elected, as was also Dr. Tiffin, to

the first Territorial Legislature which met at Cincinnati Febru-

ary 4, 1799, nominated ten candidates for the Legislative Council

and adjourned to September 16 following, and finally convened

on the 2₅th. Dr. Tiffin was chosen speaker, Mr. Worthington's

name appears on one of the three standing committees and on

six of the nineteen special ones.

In the spring of 1800 he was in Philadelphia, at his own ex-

pense, urging on Congress, through Mr. Harrison, the Delegate,

the subdivision of the surveyed sections of land into half and

quarter sections, that the poorer emigrants might be able to

purchase. During that summer he erected on Paint Creek the

first mills of any consequence in the region, and there May 10,

1800, he second daughter, Sarah was born.

In 1800 a proposition was made to divide the territory, and

Mr. Harrison was made chairman of a committee to report a plan.

On February 17, 1800, Governor St. Clair addressed3 him

recommending a division into three parts. The first bounded on

the west by the Scioto river, with the capital at Marietta. The

second bounded on the west by a north and south line from op-

 

*Evans History of Adams county, pp. 81, 82, 87, 88.

1St. Clair Papers, II, 413.

2 Do., II, 252.

3 Do., II, 489.

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Thomas Worthington.                 345

 

posite the Kentucky river and with Cincinnati as the capital, and

the third to the Mississippi river with Vincennes as the capital.

As this would delay the formation of the eastern part into a state,

Mr. Harrison, in the interests of the state party, reported in favor

of the line from the mouth of the Great Miami. The new western

division was called Indiana Territory, and Harrison was ap-

pointed its governor. William McMillan, of Cincinnati, was

elected for Harrison's unexpired term as Delegate, and Paul Fear-

ing, of Marietta, for the new term, December, 1800.

Mr. Worthington was appointed Register of the U. S. Land

Office, and in 1801 Commissioner of Internal Revenue for the

District northwest of the Ohio River.5

The act dividing the Northwest Territory was passed May

7, 1800,1 and by its terms- thanks to the activity of Mr. Worth-

ington and others- Chillicothe was made the capital of the Ter-

ritory of Ohio. There the second session of the first Territorial

Legislature met on November 3, and Mr. Harrison's successor

was elected.

The damage to Col. Massie's speculations at Manchester, in

Adams County, had begun the war of the "Virginia party," so

called against the Governor; the question of forming a State

began to be discussed,¹ and papers were circulated protest-

ing against the Governor's reappointment at the expiration

of his term in December. Mr. Worthington was one of the com-

mittee of three selected to set forth the position of the Legislature

on the controversy with the Governor concerning the establish-

ment of Counties and County seats. The Secretary of the Terri-

tory favored the Chillicothe or Virginia party, and to forestall

any advantage to them the Governor dissolved the Legislature,

December 9.

Governor St. Clair was renominated December 22, 1800,2 but

not confirmed until February 3, 1801,3 on account of the opposition

of the Chillicothe party. Senator S. T. Mason, of Virginia, writes

Mr. Worthington, giving him the news of the confirmation, say-

ing that the charges, though various and some of a serious nature,

 

4 Do., II, 488.

1 St. Clair Papers, II. 524-27.

2 Do., p. 526.

3 Do., p. 529.

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346       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

 

were not supported by the memorialists. He also says, "Should

your next House of Representatives be of the character you ex-

pect, I should suppose they might petition the new President for

the removal of the Governor, with effect, and could send proof

and documents to support the charges against him."4

The second Territorial Legislature met November 26, 1801.

Mr. Worthington was on the Committee of Privileges and Elec-

tions, and that on Levying a Territorial Land Tax. On Decem-

ber 21 was introduced the act declaring the assent of the Territory

to an alteration in the ordinance. The object of this was to make

three Territories, with the Scioto as the western boundary of the

eastern division. In a letter to Dudley Woolbridge, December 24,

1801, Gov. St. Clair says: "The bill *  * * is passed and

goes to Mr. Fearing to be laid before Congress. You cannot

imagine the agitation it has created among the people here; and a

petition to Congress against the measure, formed by a committee

of this town, praying that Congress may not consent to it, is in

circulation. Mr. Worthington and Mr. Baldwin are appointed to

go to Washington to advocate the petition in person." Commit-

tees were also sent in favor of the Governor's position.

The introduction of a bill changing the capital from Chilli-

cothe to Cincinnati, and the fact that it would be passed by the

union of the Miami Valley Delegates with those from Wayne

County (Detroit), and Trumbull County (Cleveland, Warren),

caused a riot, in which an attempt to burn the Governor in effigy

was suppressed by "the splendid exertion of Mr. Worthington."

The next evening the mob invaded the house where the Gov-

ernor boarded, and "after they were once dispersed one of the

most violent returned, and had not Mr. Worthington come in

about the same time mischief would have ensued."¹

In the same letter the Governor says: "Can you not convey

to him (President Jefferson) that I have but five enemies in the

Territory except some they have misled, and who probably never

saw me. These are Worthington, Tiffin, Massie, Darlington and

Baldwin."

 

4 Do., p. 531.

1 St. Clair's letter to Senator Ross. Do., p. 556.

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Thomas Worthington.                 347

 

Worthington and Baldwin proceeded to Washington, and on

January 30, 1802, Worthington laid before the President Col. Mas-

sie's ten charges against the Governor, "attacking his official and

administrative integrity,"² together with an argument of his own

in support of them. President Jefferson finally dismissed the

charges.

It soon appeared that Congress would not only take no action

in support of the Act of the Legislature in reference to the boun-

daries, but that a little management would bring about an Act

enabling the formation of a State. The desire for three Republi-

can votes in the Electoral College after the close election of 1801

made the task comparatively easy, and in spite of the efforts of

Mr. Fearing, the Delegate, and of the Federalists, the Act was

passed April 30, 1802.

"Congress, at the suggestion of Col. Worthington, had taken

care to direct the time of holding an election for Delegates; had

arranged the Districts, and proportioned the number of Delegates

to each; and had provided that the Constitution so formed should

not be submitted to the people for approval. They had also cut

off the Detroit District, which was strongly Federal, and joined

it to Indiana Territory."³

Worthington returned home in May. In acknowledgment of

his services illuminations were made through the Scioto Valley

and salutes were fired about his house by his neighbors.

The convention met November 1, 1802, at Chillicothe. All

but two of the original opponents of the alteration of the bounda-

ries were members, while of those who had advocated the measure

but two or three were successful at the polls.4

On November 4 the Governor addressed the convention, and

for his criticisms on Congress was removed by the President, with

unnecessary insult, November 22, 1802.

They performed this work in twenty-five days. Mr. Worth-

ington was a member of this convention and was "second to none

in influence."⁵ On the first day he was appointed chairman of the

committee of five on Privileges and Elections, and one of the com-

 

2 Ryan's History of Ohio, p. 57.

3 Wm. Henry Smith, St. Clair Papers, II, 580, Note.

4 Chase, p, 31.

5 Taylor, Ohio in Congress, p. 24.

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348       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

 

mittee of three on Rules. On the second the Committee on Priv-

ileges and Elections reported, and Edward Tiffin was elected Pres-

ident. On the third day leave was granted the Governor to ad-

dress the convention. Mr. Worthington was one of the fifteen

who voted "No." He was appointed one of the committee to pre-

pare the preamble and first article of the Constitution; also of that

to prepare the second article, on Executive authority; of the third

article, on Judiciary; of the sixth, on Duties of Sheriffs, Coroners,

etc., and chairman of the Committee on the Fifth Article - Or-

ganization of Militia; later, on Committee to Prepare Article

Comprehending General Regulations and Provisions of the Con-

stitution, and on one to consider the propositions made by Con-

gress for the acceptance or rejection of the work of the conven-

tion.1

The proceedings and Constitution were approved by Con-

gress February 19, 1803, and Ohio became the seventeenth State.

In 1802 Col. Worthington moved from the town of Chilli-

cothe to his estate of Adena, where a house of hewed logs, filled

between the timbers with stones and plaster, had been erected,

one and a half stories high. This house stood immediately in

front of the present mansion.² Here the three eldest sons were

born. The gardens, groves and orchards on this estate excited the

admiration of the distinguished visitors who were here enter-

tained. This house was superseded by the mansion now standing,

which was first occupied in 1807.

On March 1, 1803, the first Legislature met in Chillicothe,

and Worthington was elected one of the two Senators, he being

then four months less than thirty years of age. He drew the

short term, which ended March 4, 1807.

 

The first session of the Eighth Congress convened on Monday, Oc-

tober 17, 1803, on the proclamation of President Jefferson. Mr. Worthing-

ton was present on the opening of the session, as he was at all of the

successive sessions, and on October 213 presented his first measure, a

petition of Harrison and others of Detroit to be set off from Indiana Ter-

ritory. As chairman of the committee to whom this petition was referred

he brought in a bill which in due time (December 6) passed the Senate.

1Journal of the Convention, reprinted in House Journal, 1827.

2 Private Memoirs, pp. 34-50.

3 History of Congress, 1803-04, p. 16.

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Thomas Worthington.                       349

 

When the Senate bill came down it was referred but was lost, yeas 58,

nays 59,4 in the House.

In December he brought in a bill for the determination of the North-

western boundary of the Virginia Military Lands, and to limit the period

for locating them. This became a law March 22, 1804.5 He voted for the

bill for the appropriation to carry out the Louisiana Treaty; for the

amendment concerning the election of President and Vice-President: for

the repeal of the Bankruptcy Law; for the bill to remove the seat of

government from Washington; and for the impeachment of Judge John

Pickering1 and Judge Samuel Chase.

On February 13, 1802, Albert Gallatin, Secretary of the Treasury, in

writing to William B. Giles, Chairman of the Committee on admitting

the Northwest Territory to the Union, suggested that in return for the

waiver by the new State for ten years of the right of taxation of public

land sold by Congress, the United States agree to expend one-tenth of

the net receipts from such, in building a road from the navigable waters

emptying into the Atlantic, to the Ohio and through the new state.

This suggestion with a change to five years exemption from taxation and

one-twentieth expenditure was adopted.2

At the second session, December 4, 1805, the first thing on the

day after the reading of the President's Message, Mr. Worthington in-

troduced a resolution that a committee be appointed to examine the Act

which allowed the people of the Eastern Division of the Northwest Ter-

ritory to form a State Government, and to report by bill or otherwise.

On December 5, Messrs Tracy (Ct.), Anderson (Tenn.), Worthington

(O.), Adams (Mass.), and Wright (Md.) were appointed a committee,

and on December 28 reported that two per cent. of the proceeds of sale

of land, etc., amounting to $12,652, were available for use, and that by

the time the money was needed there would be about $20,000. They

advised a route from Cumberland, Md., to Wheeling, crossing the Monon-

gahela at Brownsville (Redstone).

They also presented a bill to regulate the laying out and making of

the road. The bill was passed by the Senate, December 27.

In the House of Representatives, after much debate, the bill at third

reading, on May 24, passed by vote of 60 to 50.3

On March 26 the Senate agreed to the amendments and the bill be-

came a law.

On February 2, 1807, President Jefferson reported to the Senate

that he had appointed Joseph Kerr of Ohio, Eli Williams of Maryland and

Thomas Moore of Maryland, and giving progress of work, etc., etc.1

4 Do., p. 1043.

5 Do., pp. 214, 1209.

1 History of Congress, p. 631.

2 Adams's Writings of Albert Gallatin, p. 76.

3History of Congress, 1806-09, pp. 16, 22, 42-43, 321, 517, 835.

1 History of Congress, p. 51; Searight Hist. of National Road, p. 28

et seq.

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This message, with the reports, was referred to Messrs. Worthington,

Tracey and Giles (Va.). Mr. Worthington brought in a bill appropriating

$253,000 for the road, which was passed by the Senate February 26, but

after being read twice in the House of Representatives, was indefinitely

postponed, March 30, 1807,2 and as Mr. Worthington went out of office

that day his connection with the Cumberland road appropriations ceased.

In this Ninth Congress Mr. Worthington voted for the Adminis-

tration measures, to suspend trade with St. Domingo, to prohibit im-

portation of certain goods, and in the debate on British Aggression on

American Ships made a speech, the only one that I find reported during

this term in the Senate.

He brought in a bill for the relief of the Gallipolis Settlers, was

chairman of the committee to whom was referred the bill for the division

of Indiana Territory; also of a committee to examine and report what

alterations or amendments were necessary to the laws for the sale of

public lands; also of one to inquire into the expediency of altering the

Act of March 3, 1803, relating to the lands allowed for the support of

schools in the Virginia Military District of Ohio.³

On November 25, 1806, in writing to President Jefferson, Gallatin

said: "Whatever relates to land cannot be too closely watched. Worth-

ington is the only one in the Senate, since Breckenridge left, who under-

stands the subject. He has been perfectly faithful in that respect, trying

to relieve as much as possible the purchasers generally from being hard

pressed for payment."4

The great question of Canal Navigation was now to the front and

the elaborate schemes of a system along the eastern coast to avoid the

dangers of the coasting trade was under discussion. The Chesapeake

and Delaware Canal was planned and aid asked from Congress.

Mr. Worthington, on February 25, submitted a resolution calling

upon the Secretary of the Treasury for a report on the cost, plans ,etc.,

on the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal and on the 26th one for a report

to the Senate at their next session as to the practicability and probable

expense of a turnpike-road throughout the Atlantic States, from Wash-

ington northeast and southwest, together with his opinion of route, plans

for application of such aid as Government might give, etc.

On the next day, February 28, Mr. Worthington withdrew his reso-

lutions of the 25th and 26th and offered the following, which was adopted

by a vote of 22 to 3 on March 3, the last day of his term:

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury be directed to pre-

pare and report to the Senate at their next session a plan for the applica-

tion of such means as are within the power of Congress, to the purpose of

opening roads and making canals; together with a statement of the under-

takings of that nature which, as objects of public improvement, may

 

2 Do., p. 90, 624, 682.

3 Session of 1806-07, pp. 18, 35, 221.

4 Writings of A. Gallatin, I, 323.

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Thomas Worthington.                    351

 

require and demand the aid of Government; also a statement of the works

of the nature mentioned which have been commenced, the progress which

has been made in them, and the means and prospect of their being com-

pleted, and all such information, as in the opinion of the Secretary, shall

be material, in relation to the objects of this resolution.⁵

 

He was succeeded in the Senate by his brother-in-law, Gov.

Tiffin.

At this time John Quincy Adams in his diary wrote of

Worthington: "He is a man of plausible, insinuating address,

and of indefatigable activity in the pursuit of his purposes. He

has seen something of the world and without much education of

any other sort, has acquired a sort of polish in his manners and a

kind of worldly wisdom which may perhaps more properly be

called cunning."⁶

Mr. Worthington was a man devoted to his family. His cor-

respondence with his wife shows clearly how much the enforced

absence caused by public service grieved him and at the same

time shows how thoroughly he considered that public service a

matter of duty. "Although deeply sensible of the privations en-

tailed upon himself and those most dear to his heart by these un-

ceasing sacrifices for the public good, and often resolved to with-

draw himself within the domestic circle, he was unable, to the last,

to overcome his instinctive aspirations for the State he loved so

well, and was seldom long absent from her service."¹ His service

cost him much in a money point of view and it was only by the

careful and efficient management of Mrs. Worthington that his

neglected business was kept in hand.

The burdens of the management of the large property, and

the exercise of a most generous hospitality, to foreign gentlemen

on their travels, Congressmen from the South and West, army

officers passing through Ohio, State politicians, Indian chieftains,

and personal friends, together with constant demands on his and

her benevolence, made her position, in her husband's absence, a

very arduous one. Her success as hostess and manager prove her

 

5 History of Congress, 1806-'07, pp. 89, 92, 96. See also Adams's Me-

moirs of John Quincy Adams, I, 452, 529.

6 Adams's Memoirs, I, p. 377.

1 Private Memoirs, p. 46.

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Thomas Worthington.                    353

 

ability, and to her is due no small part of the results of her

husband's career.

The four years from 1807 to 1811 were spent in the building

of and settling in his mansion of Adena and in the care of his

affairs. He was Adjutant General of the State 1807-9.

On December 3, 181O, Return J. Meigs, Jr., resigned as Sen-

ator to become Governor, and on the 10th Mr. Worthington was

elected, on the sixth ballot, by a vote of 35 to 31 for ex-Governor

Samuel Huntington, to fill out the term expiring March 4, 1815.

Mr. Worthington's second term covered the third session

of the Eleventh, the two sessions of the Twelfth, two, and a part

of the third session of the Thirteenth Congress. He appeared

and took the oath January 8, 1811, and his resignation was read

December 14, 1814.2

During these four years he was unquestionably the authority

in the Senate on all questions concerning the Public Domain, be-

ing always on the Committee on Public Lands, and most of the

time its chairman.³

He introduced the bill for the establishment of the General

Land Office, which passed the Senate February 27, and became

a law April 24, 1812,4 under which law Edward Tiffin was ap-

pointed Commissioner.

He was always watchful of the interests of the Cumberland

Road, obtaining in the Eleventh Congress, an appropriation of

$30,000, to finish the first section.

He was also on the Committee on Manufactures, and chair-

man of that on Indian Affairs.1

Having always supported the measures of the Democratic

party until the question of the declaration of war came before

Congress in 1812, he opposed this policy, on the ground of the

unprepared condition of the country, and voted against the

bill, and against his party.

The following, from a letter to his wife under date of June

7, 1812, shows his mind:

 

2 History of Congress, 1810--11, p. 87, 1814-15, p. 133.

3 Do., 1810-11, pp. 95, 104, 115, 127, 173, 292; 1811-12, pp. 19, 21; 1812-13,

pp. 25, 27; 1813-14, p. 21.

4Do., 1811-12, pp. 107, 130, 211.

1 History of Congress, 1811-12, pp. 15, 17.

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354        Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

 

"The measure alluded to in my last (the declaration of war) has

been decided. I have done my duty and satisfied my conscience. Thous-

ands of the innocent will suffer, but I have borne my testimony against it,

and I thank God, my mind is tranquil. What comfort there is in having

done ones duty conscientiously! I care not for popularity and I only

desire to know that I have acted for the best. Now that the step is

taken I am bound to submit to the will of the majority and use my best

exertions to save my country from ruin."²

This latter determination he carried out and as long as he

was in the Senate, he voted with the war party for all of their

revenue, military, and economic measures.3

He paid the penalty for his independence. When the Sec-

ond Session met, November 2, 1812, while he was not ignored

altogether, he was the last of seven chosen on the Committee on

Foreign Relations and Military Affairs; the third of five on the

Militia, and the chairmanship of the Public Land Committee

was given to Mr. Magruder, from the new state of Louisiana.4

In the Thirteenth Congress, which met May 24, 1813, his

unpopularity was more plainly shown. Jeremiah Morrow, the

new Senator from Ohio, was placed at the head of the Public

Lands Committee with Mr. Worthington as the second mem-

ber and Mr. Tait, a new Senator from Tennessee, as the other

member.⁵ Although he was one of the few old leaders left, he

was placed on no other committee.

His daughter, in the Private Memoir, says that in the early

part of this year, in April, during the siege of Fort Meigs,

when all Ohio trembled for fear that its fall would bring the

savages upon them, he, with his friend Maj. William Oliver

disguised as Indians, and guided by a friendly Indian, took a

message to the fort, promising supplies of provisions, and that

they lurked about till these assurances were thrown into the fort,

in a letter wrapped around an arrow.⁶

His letters to his wife all express his mortification at the

misconduct of the war.⁷ The disasters and misfortunes of this

2 Private Memoirs, pp. 60-61.

3History of Congress, 1811-12, pp. 34, 235, 267, 237, 304, 305, 309, 311;

1812-13, pp. 32, 46, 60, 74, 84, 91, 96, 123-33; 1813-14, pp. 47, 54, 58, 65, 71.

4 Do., 1812-13, pp. 18, 25, 57.

5 History of Congress, 1813-14, p. 21.

6 Private Memoirs, p. 62; see also Atwater's Ohio, 1st ed., p. 217.

7 Private Memoirs, p. 63.

• 16
 

Thomas Worthington.                     355

summer, so clearly the result of the unreadiness for war, so

proved the wisdom of his objections and of his position that

he regained the popularity he had lost, and when Congress met

again, December 6, 1813, in its Second Session, he stept to his

place in the front rank as a leader, being chosen chairman of

the most important committee, that on Military Affairs.¹ The

Bills from that committee show his activity in legislation.²

At the Third Session, which met September 19, 1814, he

was chosen chairman of the Militia Committee, and on Novem-

ber 8 introduced a bill for a Uniform System of Militia. Noth-

ing was done with it, as he soon after left the Senate.3

During these sessions he was invariably present at the open-

ing of the session, and his name appears as answering most of

the calls for ayes and nays. He made but one short speech in

favor of a recess of six weeks, in 1812, before the war was de-

clared.⁴ He was emphatically a working member.

It is of interest to notice that he voted for the extension of

Robert Fulton's patents;5 for the annuity to Gen. St. Clair;6

for the Bill to choose Presidential Electors by Districts,⁷ and

he supported President Madison in the nomination of Albert Gal-

latin for Peace Commissioner.

He voted against the publication of the Henry Letters,⁸ and

against the licensing of two lotteries in Georgetown.⁹ He re-

ported favorably the bill for a canal around Mason's Island in

the Potomac River, just as in his first term, he had favored

the early canal projects.10

On December 20, 1813, he introduced a bill for the estab-

lishment of an additional Military Academy, at or near Pitts-

burg, but this bill was defeated for final passage by a vote of

16 to 17 April 14, 1814.11

1History of Congress, 1813-14, p. 545.

2 Do., pp. 633, 637, 660, 663, 673, 682, 692, 724, 737, 765.

3 Do., 1814-15, pp. 16, 40.

4 Do., 1811-12, p. 214.

5Do., 1811-12, p. 92.

6 Do., pp. 223-4, 1420, 1442.

7 Do., 1812-13, pp. 90, 91.

8 Do., 1813-14, p. 685.

9 Do., 1813-14, p. 685.

10 Do., 1811-12, p. 226, 258.

11 Do., 1813-14, pp. 546, 646, 690.

2 Vol. XII -4.

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356       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

In the Thirteenth Congress appeared Rufus King, as a Fed-

eralist Senator from New York. Mr. Worthington soon formed

with him a deep and lasting friendship. How deep is shown

by his daughter's quotation of Mr. King's words during his last

illness, in 1826: "My child, I wish to send a message through

you to your father; tell him that I esteem and love him none

the less; that I can never forget the noble sacrifices of his pa-

triotism. No other man could have done what he has done for

Ohio; no other ten men would have made the personal sacrifices

that he has made for the state.^'12

The Thirteenth General Assembly of Ohio met in Chilli-

cothe on Monday, December 5, 1814, and on the following day,

in joint session, they opened and counted the vote for Gover-

nor. There were then thirty-eight counties in Ohio, and it

appears that Thomas Worthington had carried twenty-nine, with

a total vote of 15,879, while Othniel Looker, of Hamilton, had

carried nine with a vote of 6,171. There were some remarkable

figures. Worthington carried Jefferson county, 1532 to 6; Lick-

ing county, 553 to 5; Athens county, 319 to 7; Coshocton county,

248 to 1, and in Washington, Knox and Tuscarawas counties

there were no votes against him.

A joint committee was appointed later in the day to wait

upon him and announce his election and ascertain when it would

be convenient for him to take the oath of office.

On the next day he sent in his resignation as Senator. The

committee appointed for the purpose reported that they had

waited upon Mr. Worthington, informed him of his election

and that he would take the oath of office the following day at

eleven o'clock.3

On December 8, the two houses met in the Representatives'

chamber, Mr. Worthington was duly installed into the office of

Governor and delivered an address, in which he set forth his

own motives; called attention to the failure of the peace nego-

tiations at Ghent, and the need for united support of the Gov-

ernment; deprecated the evils of party spirit in its extreme form,

saying: "If party division had not greatly affected the energies

 

12 Private Memoir, p. 77.

8 Journal of Senate, 1815, pp. 11, 12, 3131.

• 18
 

Thomas Worthington.                   357

 

of the nation can any one believe  *  *  *  that with a proper

management of its affairs, three campaigns would have passed

by with so little effect on the enemy." He called attention to

the responsibility that lay upon officials and exhorted all to be

of good courage.4

On December 21 and on December 23, he sent to the Leg-

islature two long messages setting forth in the first, defects in

the militia laws and lack or waste of equipment; and in the

second, the defenceless condition of the northern frontier, especi-

ally against the savages, enclosing a copy of a plan of defense that

he had submitted to the Secretary of War when he was last in

Washington.

He wished to have organized and equipped five regiments of

militia, to be drilled and provided with camp equipage, but to

receive no pay or rations unless actually called out, and to be

credited with their tours of duty of six months, as soon as

equipped.  (The militia was then classified and expected to

serve in classes for periods of six months each.)  The Gover-

nor believed that this plan would afford individuals time to

prepare for the performance of their duties and would also

provide arms, camp equipage, and discipline, and all at small

expense.2

Bills were introduced to carry out these plans, but were

defeated, as were other modified bills of the same nature.3

Again, February 13, 1815, the Governor, in a message, called

the legislative attention to the matter. It was referred to a

committee, but little came of it and the Legislature adjourned

on February 16.

In his message to the Fourteenth General Assembly, which

convened at Chillicothe on December 4, 1815, Governor Worth-

ington congratulated them on the Peace; offered the acknowl-

edgments of the State to "The brave men who defended the

country in its difficulties and dangers;" advised the members

"to set an example of piety, and gratitude to God, and industry

and moral rectitude' in the discharge of their duties; to develop

and call into action the resources of the state; and 'to provide

4 Do., pp. 44, 49.

1Journal of the Senate, pp. 96, 111.

2 Do., pp. 172, 187, 202, 204, 250-1, 304, 309, 359.

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358      Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

• 20
 

Thomas Worthington.                 359

 

for future exigencies by the establishment of funds, which may

be resorted to in times of difficulty and necessity, and for the

education and morals of the present and rising generations;'

to consider what can be done to improve the judiciary system

and to increase the salaries of the Supreme and Circuit Judges.

He makes a long argument for the better use of the so-

called "Three percent Fund" (so called from the three percent

of the sales of public lands set aside by the government for

road-building in Ohio) in the improvement of roads and for

better systems and larger tax for highways. He urges a better

system for the militia, and especially the purchase of arms and

equipment, referring to his message of December 20, 1814. He

calls to mind the system of caring for the few paupers among

them, reprobates the harsh laws of deportation, and the cus-

tom of auctioneering of the care of the poor, and recommends

that each county establish "Poor Farms."1

The Senate appointed committees to take into consideration

the portions of the message on Roads and Highways; on Edu-

cation and Morals, and on the Poor. The House appointed on

Militia, and a joint committee took up the matter of the Ju-

diciary.2

The Committee on Education and Morals reported that the

state was then too poor to legislate on the subject of education,

and that the laws then in force were "sufficient to afford all

aid to morality, that can be reasonably expected of penal laws."1

The Poor Laws were revised and an act passed covering

the management by overseers, and another allowing county

commissioners to erect and establish county poor houses "when-

ever in their opinion such a measure will be proper and ad-

vantageous."² The judicial system was reorganized, a fourth

Supreme Judge and two additional circuits provided.3   The

Road laws were revised and unified, but the Governor's sugges-

tions as to the Three Per Cent Fund were ignored.⁴ All that

could be secured in the matter of the Militia was a resolution

 

1Journal of Senate, pp. 316, 327, 345, 369, 383, 401, 439.

2 Do., p. 10 et seq.

3 Do., pp. 84-5.

4 Laws of 1816, pp. 147, 147.

• 21
 

360       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

instructing the Delegation in Congress to favor a uniform militia

law.5

On the 20th of December, a long message was sent favoring

the Bank Taxing policy and enclosing a report of Ralph Os-

born, State Auditor, on the subject, and also suggesting some

changes in the matter of the sale of a non-resident's land for

delinquent taxes. The Governor suggested that a portion of

the land should be forfeited and after two years' allowance for

redemption, sold at public sale instead of the sale of the whole

tract. The legislature did not change the tax law, but did de-

bate over the Bank Tax question during the whole session, finally

passing a law on the matter.⁶

At this session the Legislature voted to move the books,

papers and money of the State to Columbus, the new buildings

being ready.7

On December 2, 1816, the Fifteenth General Assembly met

in Columbus. The Governor's message, read the next day, con-

gratulated the members on the general peace throughout the

world, with the exception of South America, and asserted that

those peoples struggling for their liberty were entitled to the

best wishes of the people of Ohio. He further said, "Among

the objects which claim your particular attention are the Pub-

lic Schools and the means of improving the minds of the rising

generation; the navigable rivers and the public roads of the

State." He calls attention to the way in which the navigable

rivers are obstructed by dams, and recommends a tax on the

lands of the counties through which the rivers run sufficient to

render navigation in them more safe and certain. He argues

for an increased tax and labor on the roads and a better use of

the Three Percent Fund, suggesting the incorporation of turn-

pike companies, and the subscription to the stock of these by

the State to the amount of that fund.  (For the year 1817 it

was $60,000.)

 

5 Do., pp. 310, 411.

6 Do., p. 223.

7 Do., p. 475.

8 Do., pp. 73, 147, 153 et seq.

9 Do., pp. 187, 202, 217, 220, 313, 319.

• 22
 

Thomas Worthington.                  361

He refers to the advantages of the site of the new Capital

and requests the patience of the members with the present in-

conveniences.1

On December 6, 1817, in joint session, the Speaker of the

Senate opened and published the returns of votes for Gover-

nor.² It appeared that Thomas Worthington had 22,931, James

Dunlap 6,295, and Ethen Allen Brown 1,607. He carried all

but ten of the forty-three counties. The inaugural took place

on the ₉th, and Governor Worthington addressed the Legisla-

ture, congratulating them on the general comfort and happiness

in the state, and the freedom from political asperity. He directs

their attention to the Penitentiary Report and to some defects

in the criminal law in the matter, especially of the penitentiary

sentences for minor offences. He argues for humane treatment

of the prisoner and for efforts toward his reform, and recom-

mends that the prisoner receive at the expiration of his sentence

the net proceeds of his labor, as such a course would encourage

industry and reformation; providing, however, that this privilege

should be forfeited on a second conviction.

He also called their attention to the new capitol and grounds.

Some revision was made in the criminal law.³ The matter

of the Penitentiary was referred to a committee, and after a

recommendation of removal to Zanesville1 was finally located

where it now stands, ten acres being given by the proprietors

of Columbus for that purpose. The next session the matter

was again before the Legislature and the Governor submitted

plans procured at his own expense from Philadelphia for the

structure.2

On the last day of the session the senate voted down a reso-

lution to authorize the Governor to improve the public lot (Cap-

itol Square) and report the expense to the next Assembly.3

On December 11, a short message was sent in enclosing a let-

ter from DeWitt Clinton, President of the Canal Commissioners

of New York, soliciting the attention of the Ohio Legislature to

1Senate Journal 1817, pp. 8-12.

2 Do., p. 46.

3 Laws of Ohio, Session of 1817, p. 179.

1 Senate Journal, 1817, p. 160 et seq.

2 Do., 1818, p. 60.

3 Do., 1817, p. 324.

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362        Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

the plans of New York for a canal from Lake Erie to the Hud-

son, and asking, that, as Ohio would participate in the benefits,

she share in the expense. The Governor said:

"I recommend to your consideration the propriety of using such

means as you deem proper to ascertain the practicability and expense of

the proposed canal. Should the information obtained on these points be

satisfactory, it will become the duty of the people of Ohio to give all

the aid in their power towards effecting an object in which they are so

deeply interested."4

A committee, consisting of Messrs. Lucas, Ruggles and

Wheeler, was appointed to act with a committee from the House

and on January 27, 1817, a joint resolution was passed:

"Resolved, That this State will aid as far as its resources will justify

in making the contemplated canal * * * in such manner as may be

deemed most advisable, when the plan or system which may be adopted

by the State of New York may be known; and that his Excellency the

Governor be requested to open correspondence * * * in order to as-

certain the practicability and probable expense * * * and communi-

cate the same to the General Assembly at their next session."5

 

This session was chiefly devoted to bills for erecting new

counties; incorporating banks, turnpikes companies, and towns,

and leasing school lands.

The Fifteenth Assembly met December 1, 1817. The next

day the Governor in his message said:

(P. 11.) "First, as I consider it most important, I recommend to

your particular attention the education of the rising generation. * * *

We have received from the United States means to a very considerable

extent, which if rightly used would go a great way towards the general

diffusion of knowledge. To bring these means, with others, into action,

to devise, organize and put in practice a system of education * * *

would be the most pleasing duty you could perform. The propriety of

the measures proposed and the means of effecting it are the subjects

which should be examined. * * * That we possess the means, if

earnestly disposed of to effect the object, I have no doubt. It is true it

must be a work of time, hence the necessity of commencing it. The

great difficulty of procuring teachers whose moral character and other

qualifications fit them to enlighten the minds and shape the morals of

the rising generation, even when suitable compensation can be made, is

4Senate Journal, 1817, p. 67.

5 Do., p. 212.

• 24
 

Thomas Worthington.                      363

 

evident. * * * With a view to effecting this object (providing suit-

able teachers) I recommend to the Assembly the propriety of establish-

ing at the seat of government a free school, at which shall be taught the

different branches of an English education at the expense of the State to

such number of boys, children of parents unable to educate them, and no

others, as the legislature may deem proper. That whenever young men

thus educated, shall become qualified for that purpose, they shall, when

proper salaries are furnished them, have the preference of employment

in the public schools of the State, and shall be obliged to serve as

teachers of the schools until they are twenty-one years of age, and after-

wards so long as they conduct themselves well, have the preference of

employment."

 

He again calls their attention to the public roads, laments

the waste and lack of responsibility, again recommends his plan

for the investment of the Three percent Fund1 in the stock of

turnpike roads.

He argues for the encouragement of domestic manufactures

and urges the propriety of their setting the example to their

constituents by the use of the manufactured articles of the state.

He notes that in the fifteen years of life under the consti-

tution the population has increased from 80,000 to over 500,000,

and the counties from nine to forty-eight, and that some pro-

visions of the constitution well calculated for a small population

have become burdensome for a large one, making necessary a

useless taxation.

He believes that shortly many provisions will be impos-

sible of execution and that by a change of provisions, fully one-

half the expense can be saved and government better admin-

istered, therefore he advises the necessary steps for such altera-

tions as may be necessary.

He states that from the contingent fund voted January 28,

1817, he has secured the articles there directed and has also

purchased a small but valuable collection of books which are

intended as the commencement of a library for the state. "In

the performance of this act," he says, "I was guided by what I

conceived the best interests of the state by placing within reach

of the representatives of the people such information as will aid

them in the discharge of the important duties they are to per-

 

1 Senate Journal, 1818, p. 1.

• 25
 

364       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

form." On the 6th, the Governor sent to the Senate a list of

the books and a copy of the rules and regulations adopted by

him till the Legislature should see fit to change them. In his

report of the contingent fund² it appears that the books cost

$945.67. On January 17, 1818, Gustavus Swan, the member for

Franklin county, offered a resolution3 that the General Assembly

accept the library purchased by the Governor and that a joint

committee be appointed to adopt rules and regulations. His res-

olution was passed by the House and on the same day by the

Senate.¹ The report of this committee was adopted on the 29th.2

A message of December 103 placed before the Assembly

what information had been obtained relative to the Erie Canal

and terms of settlement with the proprietors of Columbus; urged

the reform of laws regarding commitments for slight offences

to the Penitentiary; recommended purchase of books of field

exercises for the Infantry and the alteration of the Militia law

in such way as to improve the efficiency of officers, specifying

six changes; referred to the fact that the N. W. boundary had

been surveyed, and enclosed report of the Auditor with sugges-

tions as to alterations in the revenue laws.

On January 10,5 in giving notice of appointments made dur-

ing recess, and of resignations he directs attention to the N. W.

corner of the state, to which the Indian title has been extin-

guished, and urges the Assembly to divide it into sixteen counties

twenty-four miles square and petition Congress to donate one

section near the center of each for a county seat, one-half the

land to be sold for county buildings and one-half for schools.

On this a committee was appointed, who on the 17th reported4

in favor of the plan, but as that the ratification of the treaty

was not yet reported, it would be indelicate to memorialize

Congress, and they recommended that the next Assembly take

up the matter. This passed the Senate January 22.⁶

 

2 Senate Journal, 1818, p. 132.

3 House Journal, 1818, p. 288.

1 Senate Journal, 1818, p. 203.

2 Laws of Ohio, 1818, p. 199.

3 Do., p. 53.

4 Do., p. 168.

5 Laws of Ohio, 1817, p. 199.

6 Do., p. 246.

• 26
 

Thomas Worthington.                    365

 

In transmitting to the Assembly a list of Jeremy Ben-

tham's works presented to the State through J. Q. Adams, late

Minister to England, he takes the opportunity (Jan. 20),7 to

inform his fellow-citizens that he does not desire to be a can-

didate for Governor at the next election, and says,

"I have deemed this early notice proper, in order to give the good

people of Ohio full time to select a successor,-on the present occasion I

should do injustice to you, to them, my successor, or to my own sense

of propriety, if I did not frankly express the opinions which I have

formed from holding the office for the last three years.

"The extraordinary increase of population in the state has in-

creased in the same proportion the duties of the office of Governor and

makes it necessary he should spend much of his time at the seat of Gov-

ernment, indeed I have no hesitation in saying, the interests of the state

would be promoted by his residence there. If the example of the oldest

and most experienced states of the Union, who have found it necessary to

make provision for the residence of the executive at the seat of Govern-

ment is to have any weight, the propriety of such a masure will be ad-

mitted.

"Considering the increased duties of the Governor of Ohio and that

the situation in which he is placed necessarily involves him in expenses

which if avoided would subject him to general censure and if incurred

will not be justified by the compensation now allowed, I feel it my duty

to recommend earnestly, to your consideration the propriety of making

such suitable provision for the next governor of the state as you may

deem right and proper.

On the 28th, the House and Senate passed a vote of thanks

to the Governor.1

The session was almost entirely occupied with legislation

concerning the erection of new      counties and little heed was

paid to the Governor's suggestions. A bill for the management

of the schools was introduced in the Senate, discussed and

recommitted.2 A Committee on Roads was appointed which

brought in a bill that passed the Senate3 on January 15, but it

did not become a law. On the matter of manufactures, the

appointed committee reported a resolution advising the succeed-

ing legislators to appear in clothing of domestic manufacturer

but nothing of importance was done.

7Do., p. 233.

1 Laws of Ohio, p. 296.

2 Do., pp. 65, 69, 80, 83, 87.

3 Do., pp. 32, 52, 167, 190-1.

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366        Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

The Seventeenth Assembly met December 7, 1818, and on

that afternoon the annual message was received and read, be-

ginning as follows :4

"Among the measures which I have heretofore recommended to the

Legislature for their consideration, and on which they have not acted, a

good plan for the education of the rising generation has been considered

first in importance. Time, and further reflection have confirmed me in

the opinions I have communicated; and from a sense of duty to the state,

I must again recommend the subject to your attention."

 

He argues the matter for a page or so very forcibly, saying:

"I am fully convinced, it is the duty of the Legislature to adopt,

with as little delay as possible, a system for the establishment of elementary

schools throughout the state."

 

He further says:

"Next to a well regulated system of education the internal improve-

ments of the state require the attention of the Legislature, especially the

navigable streams and public highways."

 

He refers then to his former communications with the added

reference to the increasing population, and lays before them a

copy of a letter and map sent by him to the Secretary of the

Treasury, concerning public roads in Ohio.

He says also:

"The disordered state of the paper currency of the country will

claim your attention. The people of the state look to you for such remedy

as may be within your power. The obstacles * * * cannot be dis-

guised, indeed I fear it may be found impracticable to answer public ex-

pectation."  He also says: "The Agriculture and Manufactures of the

state are objects at all times worthy of the attention of the General As-

sembly, under the present circumstances they are especially so. A proper

attention to the roads and navigable streams are the best means of pro-

moting the former. * * * I feel fully satisfied by setting an example

yourselves in using domestic apparel * * * much can be done.

"The act to authorize the establishment of Poor Houses, leaves it

discretionary with the Commissioners to purchase land on which to erect

a poor house: The advantage to every county from purchasing lands

before the price becomes advanced, and by maintaining the poor in houses

erected for that purpose are so evident as in my opinion to make it the

 

4 House Journal, 1818, p. 35; Senate Journal, p. 107.

• 28
 

Thomas Worthington.                      367

 

duty of the commissioners to purchase lands with the least delay. The

present mode of maintaining the poor, besides the extraordinary expense

it incurs, is not calculated to ensure them even humane treatment. Put

off to the highest bidder, their food, raiment and treatment must be pro-

portionately wretched. I recommend that the act be so amended as to

effect the objects just stated."

 

The Governor states that the United States Government had

charged against Ohio nearly 1,200 stands of arms. Knowing

that this was a wrong accounting, he says that he gathered all

receipts and vouchers possible and went to Washington for the

purpose of closing this account.

He shows that this has been effected on just and liberal

principles and that the state is entitled to $100,000 worth of

arms, which will be sent on as soon as a proper place is prepared

for them, and recommends a State Arsenal at Columbus.

He states that since the last session he has attended as many

of the musters of the officers of the militia as possible, and feels

great satisfaction with the disposition of the officers of the four-

teen brigades reviewed.

He refers to his message of January 10 in regard to the part

of the state lately secured by treaty from the Indians, and en-

closes maps of the survey of the Michigan line. The following

is worthy of notice:

"I can not close this communication without calling your attention

to one other subject, which I sincerely hope you will take into serious

consideration and make such provisions as the case requires. The im-

moderate use of ardent spirits is productive of much evil in society. I

remind you, etc., etc. * * * Nothing aids more in the practice of this

vice, than what are usually called tippling houses, or dram shops. I

have no doubt the putting down of such houses would have the best

effects as they are really nuisances in society."

He closes with an exhortation to maintain the principles of

republicanism established by the founders, and an expression of

his feelings on parting with many with whom he had long been

associated in public life.

In his letter to the Secretary of the Treasury, referred to

above, he urges1 the extension of the National Road west from

1House Journal, 1819, p. 20.

1 House Journal, 1819, p. 35.

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368       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

 

Wheeling, through Columbus to St. Louis, stating that it then

took the mail forty days from Washington to St. Louis, but on

a well constructed road it could be done in eighteen days at

most. He asks aid for a road from Washington, Pa., through

Steubenville to the mouth of the Cuyahoga river; from Zanes-

ville to Maysville or Limestone, Ky. (the old Zane Trail); from

Portsmouth via Columbus to Sandusky, and from Cincinnati to

the Miami of Lake Erie (the Maumee).

He describes the navigable rivers and shows that the Big

Miami and St. Marys branch of the Miami of the lakes might

be connected by canal, and that other connections at head waters

might be made, with only a short portage.

On the 8th, the Assembly canvassed the returns for Governor

and found that Ethan Allen Brown had 30,194 votes and James

Dunlap 8,0752 and a resolution was passed that the Speaker of

the Senate write Mr. Brown informing him of his election and

requesting his attendance to enter upon his duties.

Committees were appointed on those parts of the message

relating to intemperance3 and salaries, a joint committee on

paper currency, a committee on a State Arsenal, and one on the

Revenue System;4 on Education;5 on Manufactures.⁶

On December 11, a short message was sent⁷ stating that dur-

ing the summer of 1817 he had gone to Washington, Philadelphia

and New York to settle the accounts for arms with the United

States; obtained information relative to the State Prison; pur-

chased books for the library, in which journeys the state incurred

no expense; that on a second journey to Washington, in Febru-

ary, when the final settlement for arms was accomplished, he had

charged his expenses to the contingent fund, of which he en-

closed an account; that he had allowed the Adjutant General

traveling expenses for reviewing the militia, but nothing for his

services.

He also reported in a separate message that Ethan Allen

Brown had resigned as one of the Judges of the Supreme Court,

 

2 Do., pp. 38, 70.

3 Do., pp. 63-66, 74.

4 Do., pp. 67, 72.

5 Do., p. 72.

⁶Do., p. 67.

• 30
 

Thomas Worthington.                   369

 

and on that afternoon the Governor elect appeared, took the

oath and delivered his inaugural.⁷

The Legislature soon passed an act to regulate taverns,⁸ pro-

viding that taverns should be established only on petition;

should pay a license fee; should not give credit for liquor above

the amount of fifty cents, and should never recover more than

fifty cents for liquor in a suit at law; that no Justice's Court

should be held at a tavern; that allowing drunkenness, or revel-

ling, should be punished by a fine of $50 and a four months

suspension of license, and providing a fine of $20 for selling

without a license. This was the only special recommendation

of Governor Worthington's enacted into law at this session, but

the Senate⁹ passed a resolution recommending electors to vote

for or against a constitutional convention, which the House

agreed to; and the Senate Committee on Poor reported a plan

for caring for the poor of the state, somewhat similar to the

present plan for the care of the insane, but the bill finally passed

made no changes in the system.¹

The Joint Committee on Education reported and the House

agreed to the report January 29, but the Senate postponed the

whole matter till the following December.²

Within a month after his leaving the Governor's chair, an

election was held of a successor to Jeremiah Morrow as U. S.

Senator. Gov. Worthington was the logical candidate of the

Republicans, being by far their ablest and most influential man,

but the factions of the party were at work against him, and

united on Col. William A. Trimble of Hillsboro, who repre-

sented that section in the State Senate, and whose only qualifi-

cation for the office was that he had been frightfully wounded

in the battle of Fort Erie a few years before.

Col. Trimble died in office in December, 1821, and in the

struggle for the vacancy the opponents of Mr. Worthington

united on Governor Ethan Allen Brown and won by one vote.

The following are the records of the contest.3

 

7 Do., p. 75.

8 Session Laws, 1819, p. 11.

9 House Journal, 1819, pp. 138, 142; Senate Journal, 1819, p. 139.

1 Do., p. 230.

2 Senate Journal, 1819, p. 372.

3 Taylor, Ohio in Congress, p. 100.

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370       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

 

JANUARY 30, 1819.

1st Ballot.              2d.       3d.           4th.

William A. Trimble (Rep)........                      25              29     34              48

Thomas Worthington (Rep.) .......                  31              36     38              25

Robert  Lucas  (Rep.) ..............                       16              3       1                0

John Hamm (Fed).................                          19              22     18              18

 

JANUARY 3, 1822.

1st. 2d. 3d. 4th. 5th. 6th. 7th. 8th. 9th.

Ethan A. Brown (Rep.)... 26                                        30        32       35          38        39             48                  49                        51

Thomas Worthington (Rep.) 32            33     35    36      38     46        47           49               50

John McLean (Fed.)...... 22                    24     25    26      25     16        0             0 0

Scattering  .................  20                                                13        9          4             0           0               6                     3   0

Although in December, 1824, at the expiration of Mr.

Brown's term some twenty of Mr. Worthington's friends cast a

complimentary vote for him in the contest that ended in the elec-

tion of William Henry Harrison, this may be considered the

end of his efforts for office. The reason for his defeat is to be

found in the sentiment that we now call Populist.

From 1817 to 1823 Ohio was suffering from the curse of a

depreciated currency. Farm produce brought very little money,

and that little was paper. The sufferers laid all blame at the

door of the banks. Mr. Worthington was a bank director and a

man of wealth, and was probably called a "Gold Bug" and an

aristocrat.

Then, too, sectional jealousy probably played a part, and

other sections of the state thought Chillicothe had "had enough."

The result was that the only Republican who could have

wielded any influence for Ohio in the National Senate was left

at home, and first an invalid "old soldier" and secondly a respec-

table jurist of strictly local reputation was sent to cast the party

vote on party questions.

In 1818-1₉ the farmers of the Scioto Valley discussed the

formation of an agricultural society, and on February 13, 1819,

at an adjourned meeting at Watson's tavern in Chillicothe, George

Renick chairman, and Edward King secretary, Mr. Worthington

from the committee appointed to prepare a constitution, made a

report of one, which was adopted with some amendments and

officers were elected:  President, Thomas Worthington; Vice

• 32
 

Thomas Worthington.                   371

 

President, George Renick; Secretary, Edward King, and nine Di-

rectors, among them David B. McComb, the Governor's son-in-

law, who was then carrying on the woolen mills on Paint Creek,

and a wool and woolen store in Chillicothe.

The society advertised a list of premiums and held a fair on

November 3 with much success. Most of the cattle prizes were

taken by the various Renicks, but one first prize went to the Gov-

ernor's herd.¹

Governor Worthington's recommendations to the Legislature

in the matters of a constitutional convention, of education and of

the canals, were of great interest to him. The convention question

was submitted to the people in 1819,2 and defeated, evidently from

a fear that a convention might change the right of suffrage and

might alter the provisions in regard to slavery. The Committee

on Education reported to the House January 29, 1819, but the

Senate indefinitely postponed the matter.³ The canal bills met the

same fate.⁴ In view of these failures, he offered himself as a can-

didate to the House from Ross County, was elected and served

in the Twentieth and Twenty-first General Assemblies, 1821-23.

In both sessions he was on the Committee of Privileges and

Elections, and in both on the Finance Committee, introducing

and having charge of the appropriation bills. He tried in each

assembly to put through a bill for a constitutional convention,

but failed each time.5

On December 6, 1821, he was appointed on the committee to

consider that part of the Governor's Message relating to canals,

which committee by Micajah T. Williams, Chairman, reported

January 3 with a detailed report and a bill authorizing an exam-

ination. This bill became a law January 31, 1822, and appointed

Thomas Worthington, Benjamin Tappan, Ethan A. Brown, Al-

fred Kelley, Jeremiah Morrow, Isaac Minor and E. Buckingham,

Jr., commissioners to investigate four routes for a canal and re-

port to the next assembly.⁶ To the next assembly two reports

 

1The Chillicothe Supporter, 1819, Feb. 17, 24; Apr. 24; Nov. 16.

2 Senate Journal, 1819, p. 189, House Journal, p. 142.

3 Do., 1819, p. 372; do., p. 332.

4 House Journal, 1819, pp. 139, 280, 332, 509, 517, 552.

5 Do., 1821, pp. 73, 125, 274; do., 1822, pp. 51, 81, 87.

6 O. L. 1822, p. 31.

3 Vol. XII- 4.

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372       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

 

were made by Mr. Worthington,⁷ and a long report by James

Geddes, the Engineer.¹ A supplemental bill was passed with great

difficulty just at the close of the session, appointing M. T. Wil-

liams in place of Morrow; directing the employment of sufficient

engineers; directing the commissioners to accept donations of

land or money; to ascertain if loans could be made; to appoint

two of their number on a per diem of $2.00 to attend to the sur-

veys and report.² The final laws were passed in 1825.3 During

this session Mr. Worthington procured the passage of a law for

improving the navigation of the Scioto River, south of the north

line of Pickaway county.4

His daughter says,⁵ That at the formal opening of work on

the canal system, near Newark, July 4, 1825, when DeWitt Clin-

ton of New York, broke the first ground and threw the first

shovelful of earth, that the second was removed by Gov. Wor-

thington, who was properly the leading Ohio citizen present.

Jeremiah Morrow was then Governor. Mr. Clinton, a few days

after the celebration, made a visit to Adena, remaining several

days. President Monroe, on his visit in 1819, with Generals

Brown, McComb, Cass and others, were guests there.

Mr. Worthington, early in life joined the Masonic Fraternity.

Martin's History of Franklin County states that when New Eng-

land Lodge No. 4 was organized at Worthington, Ohio, June 28,

1808, the officers were installed on that day by him, according to

letters for that purpose from the Grand Lodge of the State of

Connecticut.

About 1820, financial disaster overtook Mr. Worthington,

through the dishonesty of one whom he had too much trusted.

Gen. Samuel Finley was appointed Receiver of Public Moneys

in the early days, and Mr. Worthington became one of his bonds-

men. It was discovered that General Finley was not only a de-

faulter, but that he had conveyed away his property so as to com-

pletely cover it up. Mrs. Peter blames the U. S. District Attor-

 

7 House Journal, 1823, pp. 135, 175, 268.

1House Journal, 1823, p. 179.

22 0. L. 24 (1823).

3 Rates, Life of Alfred Kelley, chap. VI; see also, Life of M. T. Williams,

Vol. I of THE QUARTERLY.

4House Journal, 1823, pp. 152, 266; 2 0. L. 61 (1823).

5 Private Memoir, 72.

• 34
 

Thomas Worthington.                  373

 

ney for delay in the loss of this property,⁶ but whoseosever the

fault the Worthington estate bore the burden.

To recover from this Mr. Worthington now undertook ex-

tensive contracts to supply the Government post at New Orleans,

Natchez, St. Louis and Newport, Kentucky. These contracts

demanded long trips, when he was not in good health, and taxed

his energies to the utmost.

In 1823, the Scioto Valley was visited with a most malignant

fever. All the household at Adena were sick, and though none

died, Mr. Worthington never recovered from its effects.

In 1825, one one of his visits to New Orleans, Mrs. King

accompanied him. General La Fayette made his visit to the

Southwest then and Gov. Worthington, as a guest of the city,

participated in the ovation prepared for the distinguished French-

man.

In 1826, he was advised to try the waters of Saratoga, and

did so, but with little relief, and his sufferings were aggravated

by the water. He determined to make a voyage by river to New

Orleans, taking only his young son William with him. He sent

the boy back by a friend on April 26, 1827, wrote his last letter

to his wife, from New Orleans. He says that he "received no

benefit from the climate, the sudden changes of which proved most

unfavorable. With such weather I have been extremely unwell,

having had chills and fever and a severe bilious attack. These

afflictions are far short of the mercies bestowed on me; they are

far less than I deserve. I most sincerely desire that the Lord's

will may be done. I leave here for New York on the 29th and fear

I have staid here too long." A stormy voyage of thirty-five days

proved disastrous for him. Mr. King's sons received him in New

York, wrote to his wife, and sent to West Point for his son

Thomas.

He died June 20, 1827, some hours before his wife reached

New York. His remains were brought to Ohio, and interred

with most marked respect. Delegations were present from all

quarters of the state and thousands gathered around the bier and

joined the funeral cortege. He was first buried at Adena, but on

 

 

6 Private Memoirs, p. 74.

7 Do., pp. 75-76.

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374       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

 

Mrs. Worthington's death, December 24, 1848, it seemed a suita-

ble occasion to remove the remains to the public cemetery at Chil-

licothe.¹

Mr. Worthington was a member of the Methodist Episcopal

Church, having probably joined that communion under the influ-

ence of the celebrated Francis Asbury, with whom he corres-

ponded, and for whom he named his youngest son. His wife and

daughters were members of the Protestant Episcopal Church.

If one considers that this man was the first Ohio Governor to

urge free schools for the poor; restriction of the liquor traffic in

favor of temperance; the building of a governor's mansion; the

granting to the prisoner a portion of the net income of his labor

and making the effort to reform instead of punish him; the estab-

lishment of a state school for training teachers; the establishment

of county infirmaries, and the more humane treatment of the poor;

as well as the advocacy of all plans for internal improvement, by

roads, water courses and finally by canals, one clearly sees the

statesman instead of the politician.

He inherited wealth and he spent it freely with his time and

strength, dying at the early age of fifty-four, worn out in the ser-

vice of the state he helped to found and build to greatness. He

was clearly the greatest man of the first generation of Ohio states-

men.

• 36