He could hold his own in debate with Webster and Calhoun.

He died a very poor man, though his opportunity for enrichment by perfectly legitimate means were many.

It is enough to say that he lacked the business instinct and set no value upon money; scrupulously upright in his official dealing; holding his senatorial duties above all price and beyond the suspicion of dirt.
Touching a matter which involved a certain outlay in the winter of 1861, he laughingly said to me: "I haven't the wherewithal to pay for a bottle of whisky and shall have to borrow of Arnold Harris the wherewithal to take me home." His wife was a glorious creature.

Early one morning calling at their home to see Judge Douglas I was ushered into the library, where she was engaged setting things to rights.

My entrance took her by surprise.