Diary of Edward Bates, May 20, 1859

Note — Subscribed for the National Intelligencer For Julian, and pd. the bill for one year — $6.00 see receipt of Mr. James, the agent.

My letter to the New York Whig Com[mitt]ee., which has had such a run in the papers, and has been so variously criticised, gives occasion, every now and then, for tickling my vanity. A small instance occur[r]ed today, in the person of one Mr. Harding of Massts., — father in law to Dr. Oliphant — The old gentleman is stone deaf, but seeing me cross the street from my office to the French restaurant, expressed a strong desire to be introduced to me — He wanted to tell his friends when he went home, that he had shakened [sic] the hand that wrote that letter —

Dr. O[liphant] (who has never spoken to me since the Montesquou trial⁵⁵) followed me into the restaurant, and with much politeness and many apologies, requested me to go to his house (next door) and be introduced to Mr. H.[arding] saying that it would be a great gratification to the old gentleman — I went.

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⁵⁵ Gonsalve and Raymond de Montesquieu were two wealthy French youths tried for murders committed in cold blood in 1849 at Barnum's City Hotel. After two juries disagreed, the Governor pardoned Gonsalve, the gunman, on the ground of insanity, and Raymond because he had not participated in the shooting. The trial caused international excitement.

⁵⁶ Planting of Chinese sugar cane, water melons, lima beans, Yankee pumpkins.

SOURCE: Howard K. Beale, Editor, Annual Report of The American Historical Association For The Year 1930, Vol. 4, The Diary Of Edward Bates, p. 16