From the Portland Courier of July 21, 1830.
THE LONG AGONY OVER,
And the Nomination out.
We delay this paper something beyond the usual hour
of publication in order to lay before our readers the important
intelligence received yesterday from Downingville.
— This we have been able to accomplish, tho' not
without extraordinary exertions and extra help. But the
crisis is important, we had almost said appalling, and
demands of every patriotic citizen of Maine the highest
sacrifices in his power to make. The important proceedings
of the grand convention at Downingville reached
here, by express, yesterday about a quarter before 3 o'
clock P. M. having travelled the whole distance, notwithstanding
the extreme high temperature of the weather, at
the rate of thirteen and a half miles an hour. And but for
an unfortunate occurrence, it would undoubtedly have
reached here at least three hours earlier. Capt. Jehu
Downing, who with his characteristic magnanimity and
patriotism volunteered to bring the express the whole
way, having taken a very high spirited steed for the first
ten miles, was unfortunately thrown to the ground in attempting
to leap a barrier which lay across the road.
Two of his ribs were broken by the fall, and his right
arm so badly fractured that it is feared amputation must
be resorted to, besides several other severe contusions on
various parts of the body. We are happy to hear however
that Doctor Zachariah Downing, who on hearing
the melancholy intelligence very promptly repaired to
the spot to offer his professional services, pronounces the
Captain out of danger, and also that the Captain bears
his misfortune with his accustomed fortitude, expressly
declaring that the only regret he feels on the occasion is
the delay of the express. Here is patriotism, a devotedness
to the welfare of the country, and to genuine democratic
national republican principles, worthy of the days
of the revolution.
Lieut. Timothy Downing forwarded the express the
remainder of the way with the utmost despatch, having
run down three horses, one of which died on the road. —
But we keep our readers too long from the gratifying
intelligence received.
