[138] Thomas Law, sixth son of the Right Reverend Edmund Law, D.D., lord bishop of Carlisle, was born at Cambridge, England, October 23, 1756. In 1794, after acquiring some wealth in India, he came to America. Within a year he met Elizabeth Parke Custis, granddaughter of Martha Washington, whom he married (March 21, 1796). In 1802 Law went abroad, and returned in April, 1804. In the following August a legal separation was secured. Law denied Faux's hint of impropriety of conduct on the part of his wife in a signed article, "A Reply to Certain Insinuations," published in the Quarterly Review, No. 58. He attributed the unfortunate occurrence to "a disagreement in disposition." For outline of Law's life, and of his unhappy marriage, see Allen Cullings Clark, Greenleaf and Law in the Federal City (Washington, 1901), pp. 236-244; 285-290.—Ed.
[139] Francis Scott Key (1779-1843), author of our national hymn, was for many years attorney of the District of Columbia.—Ed.
[140] Commodore Decatur was killed in a duel with Commodore James Barron, March 23, 1820, near Bladensburg, Maryland.—Ed.
[141] James Kirke Paulding, born in Dutchess County, New York, drifted to New York City at the age of nineteen (1798), and became acquainted with Washington Irving, publishing with him, during the year of 1807, the satirical periodical Salmagundi. A few years later he published The Diverting History of John Bull and Brother Jonathan. In 1814 he entered the lists for the defense of America in the "War of the Reviewers," by writing a pamphlet, The United States and England, in reply to a review in the Quarterly Review of Charles Ingersoll's Inchiquin's Letters. The sinecure referred to by Faux was secretary of the board of navy commissioners, Madison having appointed him to that position in 1816. He continued his literary work throughout life, also his interest in naval affairs, entering Van Buren's cabinet as secretary of the navy.—Ed.
[142] For a brief account of Peale's museum, see Flint's Letters, volume ix of our series, note 21.—Ed.
[143] The Otaheiteans are Hawaiians.—Ed.
[144] Probably The Cow Chase (London, 1781), a satirical poem in three cantos, on an unfortunate sally made by Brigadier-general Anthony Wayne on Bergen Neck, on North River, July 20, 1780. It was written before André's apprehension, the last canto being published (at New York) on the very day of the author's capture. See "Introduction" to The Cow Chase (Albany edition, 1866), p. 11—Ed.
[145] Eleuthère Irénée Du Pont (born in Paris, 1771), was early interested in scientific subjects. At the instance of Lavoisier, superintendent of the government powder mills, he studied at the royal mills at Essonne in order to prepare himself for that position. But the French Revolution interfered with his plans. After being thrice imprisoned, his father came with the family to America (1799). Eleuthère turned his training to account by establishing (1802) a powder factory on the Brandywine, near Wilmington, which, at the time of his death (1834), was the largest in the country.—Ed.
[146] Captain Joseph Huddy, of the New Jersey line, had been captured by the British, falsely accused of being concerned in the death of Philip White, a desperate Tory, and hanged. In retaliation Washington was authorized by Congress to select by lot from his prisoners an officer of equal rank, to be executed. The lot fell to Sir Charles, but his execution was delayed, and Congress ultimately directed him to be freed.—Ed.
[147] See ante, note 131.—Ed.