Nowhere was this destruction so complete as in Mississippi.  The people of the State had been collected from all the States of the West and South.  There was no common bond but interest; a healthy public sentiment, which must result from a homogeneous population, was unknown; there was no restraining influence upon the conduct of men, save only the law, and, for the want of efficient administration, this was almost powerless.  Every one was making haste to be rich; speculation was wild, and everyday was witnessing transactions of doubtful morality.  Society was a chaos, and sauve qui peut, or, take care of yourself, the rule.  Every one who owed money, however inconsiderable the sum, was ruined.  Under such circumstances, Prentiss determined on removing from Mississippi, and selected New Orleans for his future home.  The civil law, or Roman Code, was the law in Louisiana, and materially differed from the common or English law, which was the law of authority in Mississippi.  Very few lawyers coming from the common-law States, have ever been able to succeed in Louisiana, especially after having practised in other States for any length of time.  They have not only to learn the civil law, but to unlearn the common.  Some, who did not know the extraordinary powers of Prentiss’s mind, feared he, like many others who had made the attempt, would fail; but, almost from the moment of his advent at the New Orleans bar, his success was complete.  To realize the expectations of the public, required abilities and attainments of the highest order.  Fame had heralded his name and powers to every one:  all had and did expect from him more than from any other man, and none were disappointed.  From this time forward he eschewed politics, and devoted himself to his profession.

Some years before leaving Mississippi, Prentiss had married Miss Williams, of Adams County.  This lady was the daughter of James C. Williams, a large planter; her mother was a Percy, descended from the proud Percys of Northumberland, and was a most accomplished and intellectual woman.  Her position was the first among the first, and her birth, blood, and attainments entitled her to the distinction.  Her daughter, grown up under her eye and training, was the mother’s equal, and fit companion for the man of her choice.

Prentiss had lost everything in the general crash, and was commencing anew, with a growing family to provide for.  His business rapidly increased, and his displays at the Bar were frequent and wonderful.  Some of these, recited here, might, if such a necessity existed, serve to illustrate his wonderful powers; but there are parties living whose feelings might suffer, and hence I forbear.  It is my earnest wish, in recording these recollections, to offend no one; nor will I “set down aught in malice.”