Note 31 — Chapter XXIV · The Beginning Reaction—Northern Emigrants and New Orleans Natives.

And who subsequently thought it in good taste for him, of all men, to refer, in a public speech, to the Chief Justice of the United States, as “the political adventurer who has recently been among us!” A very intelligent correspondent (“V. H.”) of the Cincinnati Commercial, writing from the Governor’s home, gives the following account of him: “Governor Wells does not seem to have much honor in his own parish. He was sheriff here once, and defaulter to a large amount. His brother, Montford Wells, has since been sued as one of the securities upon the forfeited bond. Montford and Jeff., both brothers of J. Madison (the Governor), married sisters—heiresses. The joint weddings—runaway matches—were a ‘spree,’ the gay young couples chartering a steamboat, and with a large party of merry guests, setting off from Alexandria, firing a salute, as a note of defiance to the grim, gray old guardian, who had presumed to threaten the course of true love (despite the adage, about to run so smooth down Red River), with vain opposition. Jeff.’s wife has been for some time in the Insane Asylum, and, since the death of Jeff. himself, Montford has been trying to get possession of the estate, in his wife’s name, and for the interest of his insane sister-in-law. J. Madison (the Governor), however, had interfered, as the representative of his brother Jeff. Why, I can’t understand, for Montford is older than the Governor.”