He was successful in his canvass for the Senate, and in that body he
soon became prominent as an orator of great powers, and as a most
active business man. It was here the long-existing acquaintance with
Mr. Clay ripened into deep friendship. Porter had always been the
supporter of the views of Mr. Clay, and during his six years' service
in the Senate, he gave a hearty and efficient support to the measures
representing the policy of that great statesman.
After the expiration of his senatorial term he retired with an
exhausted constitution to his elegant home in the parish of St. Mary,
where he devoted himself to his planting interest, now very large.
After the death of his daughter, his health declined rapidly; yet,
notwithstanding his debilitated condition, he was chosen by a
Democratic Legislature, a second time, as senator to the United States
Congress; but he never took his seat. Just before the meeting of
Congress, he visited Philadelphia for the purpose of obtaining medical
advice. Dr. Chapman made a thorough examination of his case, which he
pronounced ossification of the arteries of the heart, and which was
rapidly progressing.
Pages:
837
838
839
840
841
842
843
844
845
846
847
848
849
850
851
852
853
854
855
856
857
858
859
860
861