Together with a few from Cousin Nabby, and Uncle
Joshua, and Cousin Ephraim, and so on; containing a
pretty considerable account of my public life from Jinuary
1830 to November 1833.
[Note by the Editor. The political struggle in the Legislature
of Maine in the winter of 1830 will long be remembered. The
preceding electioneering campaign had been carried on with a bitterness
and personality unprecedented in the State, and so nearly
were the parties divided, that before the meeting of the Legislature
to count the votes for Governor both sides confidently claimed the
victory. Hence the members came together with feelings highly
excited, prepared to dispute every inch of ground, and ready to
take fire at the first spark which collision might produce. A fierce
war commenced at the first moment of the meeting, and continued
for about six weeks without intermission, before they succeeded in
organizing the government. It was during this state of things that
Mr Downing fortunately happened to drop into the Legislature,
when his prolific genius was at once fired to record the scenes that
were passing before him, for the edification not only of the present
generation but of remote posterity. In explanation of the first letter,
it may be remarked, that as soon as the Representatives had
assembled, Albert Smith, Esq. of Nobleborough, the present Marshal
of Maine, called them to order, and nominated Mr White of Monmouth,
Chairman, who was declared elected without ceremony, and
took the chair. After he had occupied it two days Mr Goodenow
was elected Speaker.]
