He was described as an “unabashed racist” who once said, “No population that could be brought within the limits of our Territory could be more repugnant to the feelings of the people, or injurious to the prosperity of the community, than free negroes.” His son-in-law and biographer, Thomas Prosch, wrote, “He was prejudiced also against the negro … and thought that, as far as possible, it was better for the races to live apart.” He described Black people as “idle in their habits, difficult to...
