Download or read book Witness to the Young Republic written by Benjamin Brown French and published by . This book was released on 1989 with total page 716 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Benjamin Brown French was a Washington insider who lived in the shadow of the Capitol from 1833 to 1870. Personally acquainted with 12 presidents, he was on the scene observing great men and great events of his day, while also taking note of gossip, drunkenness, and duels. These selections (culled from his 4,000 page journal), provide historical details at their most entertaining.