Witness to the Young Republic: A Yankee's Journal, 1828-1870

xvi, 675 pp. Front endpapers illustrated with the Richardson and French Family Geneaologies. Rear endpapers illustrated with map of Washington, D.C. "Benjamin Brown French was a Washington insider who lived in the shadow of the Capitol from 1833 to 1870. Personally acquainted with 12 presidents, he was on the scene observing great men and great events of his day, while also taking note of gossip, drunkenness, and duels. These selections (culled from his 4,000 page journal), provide historical details at their most entertaining."