Remarks of Mr. Porter, of Louisiana, on the Removal of the Deposites: Delivered in the Senate of the United States, February 25, 1834
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Alexander Porter was an American jurist, senator, and sugar planter.
Background
He was born on June 24, 1785 in County Donegal, Ireland. His paternal grandparent, after whom he was named, owned a farm and operated a flax-scutching mill near Ballindrait. James Porter, his father, received a classical education at Glasgow, entered the Presbyterian ministry, and supplemented his professional income by farming. His satire, Billy Bluff and Squire Firebrand (Belfast, 1796), popularized his name in Ulster, but his lectures upon chemistry and natural philosophy in that province excited suspicion in England that he had also a political mission. Though not affiliated with the United Irishmen it was believed that he was an emissary of that organization during the rebellion of 1798, and in spite of his advocacy of only constitutional means of redress, he was court-martialed and executed. His widow, Anna Knox, and seven children survived.
In 1801 the two sons, Alexander and James, accompanied their uncle, Alexander Porter, to Nashville.
Education
For a time he studied law.
Career
Alexander worked in his store, was admitted to the bar in 1807, and practised his profession three years. Desiring more rapid progress he emigrated in 1809 to the Attakapas region of the Territory of Orleans where he immediately gained the confidence of the French inhabitants. In the constitutional convention of 1811-12 his Irish ancestry and wit enabled him to reconcile conflicting American and French elements. He served in the lower branch of the state legislature, 1816-18, and as associate justice of the Louisiana supreme court, 1821-33.
He had purchased land in St. Mary Parish which he organized as "Oak Lawn" plantation. It extended nearly a mile on both sides of the Teche, in the fertile Louisiana prairies. By the end of the thirties he had 2, 000 acres under cultivation, worked by 160 slaves. He raised sugar cane, imported shorthorn, Devon, and Ayreshire cattle, kept a large flock of Southdowns, maintained a race-course and a stable of fine horses including "Harkforward, " an English importation. His manor house became a Mecca for visitors from many parts of the world.
On December 13, 1833, Porter was elected to fill an unexpired term in the United States Senate. He championed the United States Bank and ascribed all economic and financial woes to the veto of the recharter bill and the removal of the deposits. His ablest speech in the Senate was a reply to Benton on the Expunging Resolution. Although his term would not expire until March 4, 1837, ill health caused him to resign his senatorship in the previous January.
In 1840 he toured England. He did not lose interest in politics but continued a lively correspondence with Whig leaders. In 1843 without solicitation on his part he was returned to the Senate by a Democratic legislature, a tribute to his liberal attitude and personal popularity. He did not take his seat, however, for he was not in good health and died the following January in Louisiana.
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Politics
Though an active Whig he was not a rigid partisan and often worked harmoniously with Western Democrats.
Personality
He was a cultivated and refined gentleman, a linguist and a lover of good books, an entertaining conversationalist and an extensive traveler, he was the typical planter in politics.
Quotes from others about the person
John Quincy Adams wrote soon after Porter's death: "He was a man of fine talents, amiable disposition, pleasant temper, benevolent heart, elegant taste, and classical acquirements".