CHAPTER X.

SCHUYLER COLFAX.

General William Colfax, Washington's Friend-Mr. Colfax his Grandson-Mr. Colfax's Birth and Boyhood-Removes to Indiana-Becomes Deputy County Auditor-Begins to Deal with Politics-Becomes an Editor-The Period of Maximum Debt-Mr. Colfax's First Year-He is Burnt Out-His Subsequent Success as an Editor-His Political Career as a Whig-Joins the Republican Party-Popularity in his own District-The Nebraska Bill-Mr. Colfax goes into Congress-The Famous Contest for Speakership-Mr. Colfax Saves his Party from Defeat-Banks Chosen Speaker-Mr. Colfax's Great Speech on the Bogus Laws of Kansas-The Ball and Chain for Free Speech-Mr Colfax Shows the Ball, and A. H. Stephens Holds it for him-Mr. Colfax Renominated Unanimously—His Remarkable Success in his own District-Useful Labors in Post Office Committee-Early for Lincoln for President-Mr. Colfax urged for Post Master General-His Usefulness as Speaker-The Qualifications for that Post-Mr. Colfax's Public Virtues.

GENERAL WILLIAM COLFAX, the grandfather of Hon. Schuyler Colfax, was a citizen of New Jersey, and was the commanding officer of Gen. Washington's life guards throughout the Revolutionary War. His holding that very confidential and responsible post is sufficient evidence of his steadiness, sense, courage and discretion. It is a further testimonial to the same effect, that Gen. Colfax latterly became one of the most intimate personal friends of the great revolutionary chieftain. Gen. Colfax's wife was Hester Schuyler, a cousin of Gen. Philip Schuyler.

General Colfax's son, Schuyler Colfax, the father of the Speaker, was an officer of one of the New York city banks, and died four months before his son was born.