“…The passing away of the year eighteen hundred & thirty eight...leaves us eleven years nearer eternity as we were when first becoming acquainted on the stage of this transitory life, which necessarily should dispose our minds for devout meditation and earnest resolutions for the future...how many seem to forget their high destiny for which they are placed here? How much wasted time, lost - and worse than lost; month after month and year after year, is suffered to glide away like a shadow...and, alas, to how little good purpose.

     The melancholy scenes of riot and mobism in the commencement of your present session must necessarily make your duty arduous and very unpleasant if not unhappy, and at no time enviable, to men as far as advanced in life as we are and in the history of this heretofore bosted of Key Stone State, a dark epoch; signs of the times seem evidently to indicate very serious events not very distant in the moral as well as in the political world - I much fear that we as citizens of these United States, have passed the meridian of our political bliss. Should therefore feel much gratified if my old venerable friend would condescend to write me a confidential narrative...of the most important events that passed during this never to be forgotten session…May the Lord omnipotent condescend in his infinite mercy to look down on your and enlighten your future [consertations] and in mercy forgive the past...”

          After the Pennsylvania gubernatorial and legislative elections of 1838, both the Whig and Democratic Parties claimed control over the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Chaotic proceedings in the House on the night of December 4, was followed, next day, by a contentious session in the Senate, which outraged Democrats in the large crowd surrounding the grounds; a mob broke into the chamber and forced frightened Whigs, fearing assassination, to escape through a back window. The Whig Governor pleaded with President Martin Van Buren to send federal troops to quell the continued disturbance, but this being refused on constitutional ground, he instead dispatched state militia men who, being denied ammunition from a federal arsenal, were to be given thirteen rounds each of buckshot cartridges. When opponents of the Governor seized control of the state arsenal, preventing the distribution of ammunition, the so-called “Buckshot War” gradually came to an end with Democratic control of the House being legally confirmed.