The people of Mississippi were intensely devoted to General Jackson, and in the mad fury of partisan zeal forgot everything but party, nor permitted themselves for a moment to inquire into the official conduct of any political partisan, especially that of the President.  Poindexter had been unhappy in his domestic relations.  He had separated from his wife.  He charged her with infidelity; forgot his affection for his children, and threw them off, because he doubted their paternity.  In the agony of mind consequent upon this he became desperate, and for years was reckless in his dissipations.  His wife’s friends were respectable and influential.  They, with every personal and political enemy he had, united in ascribing to him all the blame in this matter.

The northern portion of the State had been acquired from the Indians, and a population unacquainted with Poindexter or with his services to the State was crowding into the new Territory in such numbers as threatened politically to rule the State.  These came principally from the West and South, and were eminently Jacksonian in their politics.  Many young aspirants for fame had sprung up in different sections of the State, and these were in no way averse to seeing an old and talented politician shelved; and they joined in the huzza for Jackson and down with his opponents.

Seeing and feeling the tide setting in so strongly as to sweep everything before it except what comported with the views and wishes of General Jackson, and feeling also that he, with the minority in the Senate, could be of no possible use to the country, and beginning to experience the pressure of age, at the conclusion of his senatorial term he made no effort to be re-elected.  He retired, disgusted with politics forever, and temporarily from the State.  Subsequently an accident fractured both his legs below the knee, and for some years he was unable to walk.  Prior to this event he had married a Boston lady—­following the example of his divorced wife, who had married a Boston gentleman.  With this lady he lived affectionately and happily.  He located in Lexington, Kentucky, where he remained only a few years.

It was here I saw him, at his own house, for the last time—­spending an evening in company with Daniel Webster, Henry Clay, John J. Crittenden, and the celebrated actress, Mrs. Drake.  I enjoyed the hospitality, the wit, and a game of whist with him.  He soon became weary of Lexington.  His heart was in Mississippi, and thither he returned, old and worn.  He took up his residence at Jackson, where in a short time he died, and is buried in the beautiful cemetery at that place.  While paying a pilgrimage to the grave of a dear boy who died in defence of Jackson in 1866, I saw and paused at the modest stone which marks the grave of Governor Poindexter.  Memory was busy with the past.  My heart was sad.  I had just looked upon the sod which covered my boy, and, thinking of the hours passed, long years ago, with him who was sleeping at my feet, I could not repress the tear due and dear to memory.