Page:The Poets and Poetry of the West.djvu/84

 CHAELES HAMMOND. "When Charles Hammond was bom, September, 1779, his father resided in Balti- more county, Maryland. He emigrated to Ohio county, Virginia, in 1785. As soon as Charles was large enough to work in the wilderness, he was required to assist in the severe labors incident to pioneer life. He delighted rather in the duties of the night, than in those of the day ; for, when supper was over, under Tiis father's instruc- tion, he either read or studied, or listened to discussions of grave political questions, literary recitations, or historical descriptions. His father could recite whole plays of Shakspeare, and had committed to memory Young's Night Thoughts, and other poems. Early in hfe, Charles manifested an aptitude for writing. He exhibited a vein of poetic satire, in rude verses about his father's neighbors, which secured him several se- vere whippings. Flogging taught him caution, but did not dull his satire — caution as to the manner in which he published his verses ; but, in reference to personalities, ex- asperating because felicitously descriptive, neither flogging in early, nor threats and bitter abuse in after-life, could teach him discretion. Because he loved his pen and his book, and though a steady, was a reluctant laborer on the farm, his father deter- mined that he should be a lawyer. Then did he, for the first time, attend an institu- tion of learning. He was taught English and Latin grammar for a few months, when he entered the office of Phillip Doddridge, of Wellsburg, Virginia, as a law student. He studied not only law, but political economy and the pliilosophy of history. He was a thorough and judicious reader, and rapidly gained influence among those with whom he became acquainted. In 1801, Mr. Hammond was admitted to the bar. He opened an office in Wells- burg, Virginia. Practice came slowly. He had leisure for political reading, and he did not fail to improve it advantageously ; nor was he ashamed, when he had no briefs to prepare, to resort to other labor for his daily bread. He posted books, and settled accounts for merchants, that his own personal accounts might be hquidated and his wardrobe renewed. He wrote frequently for the newspapers, between 1801 and 1812, on political questions ; but on account of the audacity of his spirit, and the keenness of his satire, did not always readily find a publisher for his articles. In 1813, being then a resident of Belmont county, Ohio, he determined to start a paper of his ovm. In August, 1813, the first number of the Ohio Federalist appeared, at St. Clairsville. It was a super-royal sheet, published by John Barry, for C. Hammond. Its motto was characteristic — a quotation from Co^vper, in these words : " 111 freedom's field advancing firm his foot, He plants it on the line that Justice draws, And will prevail, or perish in her cause." In 1817 the Federalist was discontinued. In 1816 Mr. Hammond was elected (68)