by David Lawson
21. “Collection of Harry Nelson Pillsbury Items,” David Lawson Collection, CPL Collection Development B802N, Cleveland Public Library, Cleveland, Ohio (hereinafter cited as Pillsbury Papers).
22. For more on Marshall, see Frank Marshall, My Fifty Years of Chess (Kilkerran, Scotland: Hardinge Simpole, 2002, originally published 1942). Pillsbury Papers; and “Papers of Mary Bain,” David Lawson Collection, CPL Collection Development B802N, Cleveland Public Library, Cleveland, Ohio (hereinafter cited as Bain Papers).
23. Frances Parkinson Keyes, “Letter: New Orleans, La., to David Lawson, Brooklyn, N.Y., 1959 Mar. 4,” David Lawson Collection, CPL Collection Development B802N, Cleveland Public Library, Cleveland, Ohio.
24. Bain Papers.
25. Lawson’s marriage to Rosalind was his third. He was married and divorced in between his relationship with Lola and his final marriage. For this and other clarification on Lawson’s life, the author would like to thank Elaine Sproat, who interviewed Lawson on several occassioins and willingly shared her comments and analysis. Email correspondence in possession of the author.
26. Kurt Landsberger, “About the Letters,” in The Steinitz Papers: Letters and Documents of the First World Chess Champion, ed. Kurt Landsberger (Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Co., 2002), 19; David Lawson, The Pride and Sorrow of Chess (New York: David McKay, 1976); and Edward Winter, “Chess Records,” http://www.chesshistory.com/winter/extra/records.html.
27. Caverlee, “The Unenthusiastic Chess Champion of the World,” 71.
28. Edward Winter, “5672. Errata list by David Lawson,” Chess Notes, http://www.chesshistory.com/winter/index.html.
AUTHOR’S INTRODUCTION
In the present resurgence of interest in chess in this country, the name of Paul Morphy has come to be associated with a most brilliant period in the game’s history. It is true that Morphy’s time at the chessboard was short; however, before the conclusion of that short time his “secret,” as many have spoken of it, was revealed. But until that secret was revealed, all fell before him. His secret—rapid and consistent development—is now recognized as a basic law of chess, a law that revolutionized the game. As Al Horowitz put it, in his recent book, The World Chess Championship, “It is scarcely an exaggeration to say that without him [Morphy] chess as we know it would be unthinkable.” Morphy’s games were a major contribution to the world of chess, and a small selection of them is included in this volume to illustrate his varied virtuosity.*
Placide Canonge, who wrote the libretto for Thelcide Morphy’s unfinished opera, Louise de Lorraine, cried out for a Creole to write Morphy’s biography, and Frances Parkinson Keyes expressed the same wish in The Chess Players, “that a full-sized biography should be written and that its author should be a Creole.”
Although this author is not a Creole, he has lived in New Orleans and knows well the Vieux Carré. At different times over the years he has visited the rooms of the old Morphy House at 417 Royal Street (number 89 when Morphy lived there), the house that already had a history when Louisiana became a state.
Practically all the books on Morphy and his games have been written by foreigners. Only two have been written in the English language. The other books were published in France, Germany, Holland, Russia, Sweden, Spain, Italy, Cuba, Mexico, Argentina, the Ukraine, and Yugoslavia, the last in 1971. Some of these have contained extensive collections of his games, Maróczy’s over four hundred. In 1859, two little books of his games were published in New York, but now they have been unknown for a century and are not obtainable.*
It is not surprising that when Philip W. Sergeant of London published Morphy’s Games of Chess in 1916, the first new work on Morphy in English since 1860, J. H. Blake, an English reviewer, should comment in the British Chess Magazine, “Is it not a little singular that no prominent American player has thought it worth while to provide for his countryman in his native tongue a literary monument worthy of his fame.”
With this biography, the author is hopeful that he has thrown some light and understanding upon Morphy’s great, grievous, and solitary years. They were years of triumph and trial, years when under great stress from conditions beyond his control he acted strangely at times, yet always the gentleman, finding some solace for diversion in his latter days in his walks along palm-lined Canal Street or in the Vieux Carré.
FootNote
* EDITOR’S NOTE: The collection of sixty games included in Lawson’s original publication as Part II of Paul Morphy: The Pride and Sorrow of Chess are not included in this new edition. The largesse of Morphy and the inf luence of Lawson’s original text have created widespread availability for the games the author included. They can be found in numerous studies, as well as in many online venues.
* EDITOR’S NOTE: This situation has changed. Lawson’s inf luence led to a Morphy renaissance. His oeuvre is published in its known totality in virtually every available format. There is also a body of Morphy biography that has appeared in the years since Lawson’s volume. The author included in his original a comprehensive bibliography that is included in this updated volume. In addition, an updated annotated bibliography follows, noting the English-language biographical treatments that have appeared since 1976.
PAUL MORPHY! The name rings like
a bell in the Halls of Chess. At first high,
clear, impetuous with eagerness, his
pawns were in the way, it becomes
strong, vibrant, dominant with courtesy
but to change soon to a muffled tolling.
CHAPTER 1
The New World Welcomes
Paul Morphy and his games are America’s most dramatic contribution to the world of chess, and in international competition he has represented his country at its best. At one time or another over the years, he has been referred to as the Alexander, the Byron, and the Napoleon of chess. He combined some of the qualities of each and, like Napoleon, he too lived his last years a captive of circumstances.
At the age of twenty-two, Morphy was the first to be universally hailed “The World Chess Champion.” In Paris, on April 4, 1859, at a farewell banquet for him, it was St. Amant who placed a laurel wreath upon the marble bust of Morphy by the sculptor Eugene Lequesne. In London, at a gathering ten days later, his health was toasted as “The Champion of the World.” When Morphy arrived in New York, on May 29, 1859, John Van Buren, son of President Van Buren, concluded a testimonial presentation at the University of the City of New York (now New York University) by proclaiming: “Paul Morphy, The Chess Champion of the World.” And in Boston soon thereafter, at an extraordinary banquet attended by Louis Agassiz, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, the mayor of Boston, the president of Harvard, and other educators, poets, and scientists, it was Oliver Wendell Holmes who proposed “the health of Paul Morphy, The World Chess Champion.” Yet unlike another at a later time, Morphy himself laid no claim to the title.
Morphy (baptized Paul Charles Morphy) was born June 22, 1837, in New Orleans, and it is now well-established that his paternal ancestors were of Irish origin, although not until recent years was documentary evidence discovered to prove the fact. Even Sergeant, in his first book on Morphy, was unaware that such was the case. Mention of it in the obituary of Ernest Morphy (Paul’s uncle) in the Dubuque Chess Journal of 1874 had escaped his notice.
The Last Will and Testament of Paul Morphy’s grandfather, Diego Morphy, filed in New Orleans in 1813, links Paul’s father, Alonzo Morphy, with Paul’s great-grandfather, Michael Morphy. This great-grandfather had changed his name from Murphy to Morphy when he arrived in Madrid from Ireland in 1753, in accommodation to the Castilian pronunciation.
The history of Paul Morphy’s progenitors, going back to his great-grandfather, is marked by much activity in diplomacy and law, and great political involvement, at times dramatically so. And Paul, like his forebears, became a public figure known throughout his own country and abroad before his twenty-second year.
As early as 1793, Morphy’s ancestors made their app
earance in the annals of United States history, before any of them had touched the nation’s shores. The first to be so distinguished was Michael Morphy, who was an officer in an Irish regiment prior to his immigration to Spain. His reasons for leaving Ireland, whether political or religious, can only be a matter for conjecture. In any case, in Spain he became a captain of the Royal Guard, serving his early years in Madrid. Later he moved to Malaga, where he engaged in the merchant trade and married Maria Porro. To them was born Paul’s grandfather, Diego.
Records in the Washington National Archives show that although Michael was a Spanish citizen, he applied for and received an appointment as American consul to Malaga, as the following exchange of letters bears witness. They are (apart from their interest as they relate to this biography) of historical significance, since they pertain to the early, difficult years of the United States. It may be noted in passing that Michael signed his letters as Michael Morphy, but that Thomas Jefferson, in replying, addressed him as Michael Murphy.
Malaga, 11th November 1791
To the Honorable Members of Congress of the United States of North America. The address of Michael Morphy Resident at Malaga in the Kingdom of Spain.
Sirs:
I have the honor of presenting you with this address encouraged thereto by my well known Services to the trading Subjects of America to this Port as their Agent since the Independency of that Country and during this period I have procured that every protection should be shown to the Colors so as to make their Traffick here as free in every respect as that of other Nations. There has been from ten to fifteen American Vessels yearly that have brought Cargos and Loaded others at Malaga since the Peace and I have hitherto only acted as Agent for them in this Bussiness from an authority of their Consignees which merited a tacit acquiescence of the Spanish Government wherein I have not experienced any novelty, but having lately had knowledge that Interest is now making with the American Minister at the Court of Madrid, William Carmichael Esqr. for his forwarding memorials to Congress from people here who without any merrit that I can learn want to superceed me in Soliciting for an appointment of Agent or Consul for this Port, I think it my duty to avail of the present moment to have the honor of making my case known to the Honorable Members and of being the person who without any other recompense or view of interest than a small Emolument voluntarily allowed me by the Masters of American Vessels has always served them with the greatest attention and procured them every condescension and favor that could be expected from the beginning of their Infancy as a new State in their Trade to this part of Spain. Which if considered by the Honorable Members to merrit a prior prefference for my having the honor to hold now, or at any other time such an appointment as they may deem most necessary to give for a representative at the Port of Malaga. They may be assured that I will be happy to continue in their Service and to do everything becoming a faithful Servant of that Country etc. & etc.
I have the honor to be with the greatest Respect
Your Most Obedient
Humble Servant
Michael Morphy
In due course (sixteen months later), Michael Morphy received the following letter from Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of State under President George Washington (Philadelphia was the capital of the United States at that time):
To Michael Murphy Esq. Philadelphia, March 2nd, 1793
Sir.
The President of the United States desiring to avail the public of your services as Counsul for the Port of Malaga in the Kingdom of Spain, I have now the honor of inclosing you the Commission and a copy of the Laws of the United States, together with the copy of a circular letter written to our Consuls and Vice Consuls the 26th August 1790 to serve as their standing instructions.
I am with sentiments of proper esteem, Sir
Th. Jefferson
United States Secretary of State
Obviously, Thomas Jefferson had heard about Michael Morphy from others before he (Morphy) was commissioned to act as United States consul for Malaga. Additional correspondence pertaining to this appointment, together with other correspondence from and to Michael Morphy, is to be found in the National Archives and Records in Washington, D.C. As will be seen in Michael Morphy’s letters to Jefferson and others (Jefferson did not continue long as secretary), Algerian pirates were causing much damage to American shipping and even taking American seamen into slavery.
Upon receipt of his commission as United States Consul for the Port of Malaga, Morphy replied as follows:
Malaga 30th, June 1793
Sir,
I have received the 20th instant by the Schooner Fredericksburg Packet of Philadelphia, Atkinson Anderson, Master, the honor of your letter dated the 2nd March, and also that of the Commission granted by the President and Senate as Consul of the United States of America at Malaga, and a copy of the Laws thereto appertaining which with that of a circular letter written to the Consuls and Vice Consuls the 26th August 1790, shall serve as my Standing Instructions. . . .
In the communications which you are pleased to direct shall be given by my office to your department every six months, which is also to comprehend the cargoes outward and inward—do you mean Sir, the quality of the goods only, or is it to be the contents—If it is to be the latter, I beg leave to offer, that it would be better for the Masters of Vessels to sign a report of these homeward cargoes before me to present to the custom house, for I cannot see what use it will be to furnish such intelligence at so late a period as six months.
I have the honor to be with great truth and regard:
Sir
Your Most Obedient
Humble Servant
Michael Morphy
Thomas Jefferson, Esq., etc.
Morphy dispatched another letter to Thomas Jefferson on July 30, 1793. This letter and the above June 30 letter will be found complete in the Appendix.
In this same year, 1793, Nathanial Cutting was appointed secretary to Col. David Humphreys, American minister to Portugal, and Cutting headed a committee to collect information on how best to protect American shipping and secure the release of American seamen held as slaves by the Algerians.
Cutting visited Morphy in Malaga in October 1793 for several days, as the former related in his journal:
Thursday 17th Oct. 1793 . . . The guide took us to a cursed, blackguard Psado, alias Tavern, where we expected to be obliged to pass the night in the midst of noise, filth, stench, and fleas,—but fortunately we repaired immediately to the house of Mr. Morphy, the American Consul, who called at a lodging-house on the north side of the Public walk, where we found accommodations much better than where we left our baggage and servants. Without loss of time we had our baggage removed and took possession. Mr. Morphy drank tea and spent an hour or two with us.
Friday 18th Oct. 1793 . . . At 2 p.m. Repaired to the house of Mr. M. Morphy to dine agreeably to appointment. We were introduced to Mrs. M. Morphy and three of her daughters—the other two and two sons, being absent!
Saturday 19th Oct. 1793 . . . Our master of mules came about 11 o’clock and sent off our Baggage; we took an early dinner and mounted our mules about half past one p.m. Mr. Morphy has been very attentive to us, visited us twice this forenoon, and renewed his charge to the muleteers and Master Carrier to be very attentive to us and our baggage.
Two years later, Consul Morphy (he was now being addressed as “Morphy”) was the first to forward dispatches notifying the United States through then Secretary of State Timothy Pickering that peace had been secured with the Dey of Algiers and that 102 American seamen held as slaves had been freed upon the payment of $600,000 in ransom money. When a few years later the Tripoli pirates ravaged American shipping, the growing United States Navy resolved the matter in a different fashion.
Evidently Michael Morphy met the requirements of his office well, for Colonel Humphreys, in a letter to President Washington dated February 3, 1794, commented that “without touching on Consular appointments in general, I will just say in pas
sing, I think Mr. Morphy at Malaga a very good one.” Thomas Jefferson had earlier written to one American consul that some consuls were “of no more account than the fifth wheel of a coach.”
Michael Morphy continued on as American consul at Malaga until the end of the century; another was appointed in January 1800. It would appear that he died some months before this date, for nothing further is known of him after his exchange of letters with Timothy Pickering in 1799. His wife, Maria Porro, died some time after 1813, having borne Morphy two sons and five daughters. However, records exist of only one child, Diego, born in 1765 at Malaga. Little is known of him until we find him in the New World at Saint-Domingue—and at a troubled time. The year was 1793, a time simultaneous with Michael Morphy’s becoming consul at Malaga. It was a time of insurrection, revolution having come to Saint-Domingue with its population of four hundred thousand slaves, under the leadership of Toussaint L’Ouverture.
Here in Saint-Domingue, Paul’s grandfather Diego had married Mollie (Maria) Creagh in 1789. She was of a good Irish family and bore Diego a son, Diego, Jr., in 1790. At about this time, the presence of whites on the island was being threatened, and Diego devised a plan of escape for his family. He placed his infant son in a market basket and covered him with vegetables. Diego then sent him, along with his mother, who was disguised as a produce vendor, to board an English vessel at anchor in the harbor. Successfully passing the guards, Diego’s wife stayed on the vessel bound for Philadelphia. Not long after, Don Diego escaped to Charleston, South Carolina, and soon rejoined his wife and son in Philadelphia. Certainly the Morphy family’s entrance into the United States was as dramatic as Paul’s later visit to Europe.
