Here are a couple of references of James S. Johnston, Sr. that I found on Making of America at U of Michigan. Sue Life and Correspondence of John A. Quitman ... Governor of the state of Mississippi. Pub. in 1860 Author: Claiborne, John Francis Hamtramck 1809-1884. Located Making of America Books at U of Mich. (Page 17) On the 2d of December the citizens of Natchez and the adjacent country assembled to witness the presentation of the sword voted to Quitman by Congress for his conduct at Monterey.* It was presented by James S. Johnston, Esq., of Jefferson County, in behalf of the President of the United States. After a brilliant summary of his military career, the eloquent speaker concluded as follows: "To a magnanimous mind like yours, general, the consciousness of having done your duty, and your whole (Page 18) duty, to your country, in the hour of her trial and danger, is alone and of itself an all-sufficient reward. The patriot claims no equivalent, demands no satisfaction, to compensate him for the sacrifices and sufferings he endures in his country's defense. But, sir, while a grateful and approving government proffers to you no reward for your patriotic devotion, the public authorities have rightly respected the popular will, and fitly reflected the national sense and appreciation of your eminent services, by voting to you, as a compliment, this superb and elegant sword. "In their name, therefore, and on their behalf, as deputed thereto, I now present you this beautiful and apposite token of the nation's gratitude. In receiving from me, as their humble organ, this delicate and sacred trust, you have already given the best and surest pledge, by your deeds, that you will never suffer the slightest stain of dishonor to tarnish the unsullied surface of its pure and polished blade, and that you will ever be ready to wear it, and, if need be, to flesh it, in defense of the nation's rights, whenever foreign aggression is to be repelled or an insolent enemy chastised. " Accept it, then, general, as the gift of the American people; and, like the giant's sword, which the ancients kept suspended in the sacred temple, only to be drawn down and used in times of public danger, so, sir, may this fine commemorative weapon never be unsheathed by you for use, except to punish your country's foes, or to avenge your country's wrongs." * General Quitman's Swords. (page 17) 1. Sword presented by Congress.-Heavily embossed gold scabbard, the hilt set with two large jewels, one in the head and one on the guard, and ornamented with reliefs representing the storming of Monterey, and a group of American arms wound round with a scroll, on which are these words: " Storming of Monterey, 21st, 22d, and 23d Sept., 1846." On the scabbard: " Presented by the President of the United States, agreeable to a resolution of Congress, to Brig. Gen. John A. Quitman, in testimony of the high sense entertained by Congress of his gallantry and good conduct in the storming of Monterey. Resolution approved March 2d, 1847." (Page 214) I (Quitman) supported Claiborne and Gholson's vote for the Independent Treasury. I had been one of its earliest advocates.* *It is not improbable that the idea originated with him. The earliest articles I can recall in print, hinting at a total separation of bank and state, are from the pens of John A. Quitman and his friend James S. Johnston, Esq., of Jefferson County, a gentleman of rare talent and extensive learning. Bred in the strictest school of Virginia strict constructionists, of a family distinguished for ability, he early formed a close intimacy with Quitman, and they wrote and acted together.