Benjamnin F. Butler, Butler's Book: Autobiography and Personal Reminiscences of Major-General Benjamin Butler

Perhaps I should explain this last observation on the conduct of Massachusetts in the war of 1812, as it has passed from memory but not from history. When troops were wanted by the United States, and Massachusetts was called upon by the President to furnish her quota, our governor, Caleb Strong, decided that they could not be marched beyond the limits of the State, except the President came himself and marched them. And the Supreme Court of Massachusetts sustained the governor,--a decision which would now be scouted by every lawyer. And so, as the President could not come to march the Massachusetts troops, they were never marched.

Again, when the news of a naval victory over a British frigate by the good ship Constitution was reported, a Massachusetts senator, unrebuked, introduced a resolution that it was unbecoming in a moral and religious people to rejoice over a victory against England, the bulwark of the Protestant religion. I do not give words here, but phrases, because I am speaking from memory; but any critic who chooses to look it up will find that I am right in substance. Is it a wonder that British troops in that war took and held for a long time the-soil and towns of our State, the only State whose soil was so held?

Davis listened to me and undertook the advocacy of our claim. It had been laughed at and repudiated by Congress for more than forty years; but, by his industry in getting together the facts to show its justice, and by his clearness in putting them before the Senate, he carried the measure. The interest was paid; but only a portion of it, however, after the check was drawn, went to the benefit of the treasury of the State.

As Secretary of War, Davis had shown great reach of thought and great belief in the future of the country. It is to the surveys and explorations ordered by him as Secretary of War that much of the prosperity and growth of the Northwest is due. We owe to those surveys and explorations the Union Pacific Railroad, which was built to bind the East and West together as with a chain of steel, after Davis had seceded.

While he was Secretary of War he made a tour through a portion of the New England States. In a part of this trip I accompanied him, and I then had occasion to learn his character and his ability. He was not an original disunionist, but felt bound to follow his State. He himself told me this in December, 1860.