A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents | Page 2

can be found a few papers omitted from this work; but with much
confidence, amounting to a positive conviction, I feel that assurance
may be safely given that only a few, if any at all, have been overlooked.
Congress in June, 1897, by law requested me to prepare an index to the
entire compilation. I am now and have been for over two years engaged
in this work. I hope to be able to give the last volume, which will
include the Appendix and Index, as above stated, to Congress and the
public in about two months. It would have been completed at this time
but for the fact that in addition to making the Index simply an index to
the various messages and other papers I have added to it the
encyclopedic feature. There will therefore be found in the Index, in
alphabetical order, a large number of encyclopedic definitions of words
and phrases used by the Chief Executives, and of other
politico-historical subjects. It is believed that this feature will not

detract in any manner from the Index, but, on the other hand, will add
largely to its value and to the value of the entire compilation.
JAMES D. RICHARDSON.
NOVEMBER 24, 1898.

Benjamin Harrison
March 4, 1889, to March 4, 1893

Benjamin Harrison
Benjamin Harrison, twenty-third President of the United States, was
born at North Bend, Ohio, August 20, 1833. His father, John Scott
Harrison, was the third son of General William Henry Harrison, ninth
President of the United States, who was the third and youngest son of
Benjamin Harrison, one of the signers of the Declaration of
Independence. John Scott Harrison was twice married, his second wife
being Elizabeth, daughter of Archibald Irwin, of Mercersburg, Pa.
Benjamin was the second son of this marriage. His parents were
resolutely determined upon the education of their children, and early in
childhood Benjamin was placed under private instruction at home. In
1847 he and his elder brother were sent to a school on what was known
as College Hill, a few miles from Cincinnati. After remaining there two
years entered the junior class at Miami University, at Oxford, Ohio,
where he was graduated in 1852. Was married October 20, 1853, to
Caroline Scott, daughter of Dr. John W. Scott, who was then president
of Oxford Female Seminary, from which Mrs. Harrison was graduated
in 1852. After studying law under Storer & Gwynne in Cincinnati, Mr.
Harrison was admitted to the bar in 1854, and began the practice of his
profession at Indianapolis, Ind., which has since been his home. Was
appointed crier of the Federal court, at a salary of $2.50 per day. This
was the first money he had ever earned. Jonathan W. Gordon, one of
the leaders of the Indianapolis bar, called young Harrison to his
assistance in the prosecution of a criminal tried for burglary, and
intrusted to him the plea for the State. He had taken ample notes of the
evidence, but the case was closed at night, and the court-house being
dimly lighted by tallow candles, he was unable to read them when he
arose to address the court and jury, paying them aside, he depended

entirely upon his memory and found it perfect. He made an eloquent
plea, produced a marked impression, and won the case. Since then he
has always been an impromptu speaker. Formed a partnership later with
William Wallace, but in 1860 the latter became clerk of Marion County,
and the firm was changed to Harrison & Fishback, which was
terminated by the entry of the senior partner into the Army in 1862.
Was chosen reporter of the supreme court of Indiana in 1860 on the
Republican ticket. This was his first active appearance in the political
field. When the Civil War began assisted in raising the Seventieth
Indiana Regiment of Volunteers, taking a second lieutenant's
commission and raising Company A of that regiment. Governor
Morton tendered him the command of the regiment and he was
commissioned its colonel. Mr. Harrison appointed a deputy reporter for
the supreme court. In the ensuing autumn the Democratic State
committee, considering his position as a civil officer vacated by this
military appointment, nominated and elected a successor, although his
term of office had not expired. Their view was sustained by the State
supreme court; but in 1864, while Colonel Harrison was in the Army,
the people of Indiana gave their judgment by reelecting him to the
position of supreme-court reporter by an overwhelming majority. In
1862 the Seventieth Indiana went into the field with Harrison as its
colonel, their objective point being Bowling Green, Ky. It was brigaded
with the Seventy-ninth Ohio and the One hundred and second, One
hundred and fifth, and One hundred and twenty-ninth Illinois regiments,
under Brigadier-General Ward, of