LETTER XLVIII.
In which Capt. Downing runs an Express from Baltimore
to Washington, and foots it through Pennsylvany Avenue
to the President's house.
Washington City, Nov. 5, 1832.
To the editor of the Portland Courier, in the Mariners' Church
building, 2d story, eastern end, Fore Street, Portland, away down
east, in the State of Maine.
My dear old Friend. — Here I am back again to
Washington, though I've been as far as Baltimore on my
way down east to see you and the rest of my uncles and
aunts and couzins. And what do you think I posted
back to Washington for? I can tell you. When I got
to Baltimore I met an express coming on full chisel from
Philadelphia, to carry the news to Washington that
Pennsylvania had gone all hollow for old Hickory's
second election. The poor fellow that was carrying it
had got so out of breath, that he declared he couldn't go
no further if the President never heard of it.
Well, thinks I, it will be worth a journey back to
Washington, jest to see the old gineral's eyes strike fire
when he hears of it. So says I, I'll take it and carry it
on for you if you are a mind to. He kind of hesitated
at first, and was afraid I might play a trick upon him;
but when he found out my name was Jack Downing, he
jumped off his horse quick enough; I'll trust it with you,
says he, as quick as I would with the President himself.
So I jumped on and whipped up. And sure enough, as
true as you are alive, I did get to Washington before
dark, though I had but three hours to go it in, and its
nearly forty miles. It was the smartest horse that ever
I backed, except one that belongs to the President. But,
poor fellow, he's so done tu I guess he'll never run another
express. Jest before I got to Washington, say
about two miles from the city, the poor fellow keeled
up and could n't go another step. I had lost my hat on
the way and was too much in a hurry to pick it up, and
he had thrown me off twice and torn my coat pretty bad,
so that I did n't look very trig to go through the city or
go to the President's fine house. But notwithstanding,
I knew the President would overlook it, considerin the
business I was coming upon; so I catched the express
and pulled foot, right through Pennsylvany Avenue,
without any hat, and torn coat sleeves and coat tail flying.
The stage offered to carry me, but I thought I
wouldn't stop for it.
Almost the first person I met was Mr Duff Green.
Says he, Capt. Downing, what's the matter? I held up
the express and shook it at him, but never answered him
a word, and pulled on. He turned and walked as fast
as he could without running, and followed me. Pretty
soon I met Mr Gales of the Intelligencer, and says he,
for mercy sake, Captain Downing, what's the matter?
Have you been chased by a wolf, or Governor Houston,
or have you got news from Pennsylvania? I did n't turn
to the right nor left, but shook the express at him and
run like wild-fire.
When I came up to the President's house, the old
gentleman was standing in the door. He stepped quicker
than I ever see him before, and met me at the gate.
Says he, my dear friend Downing, what's the matter?
Has the United States Bank been trying to bribe you,
and you are trying to run away from 'em? They may
buy over Webster and Clay and such trash, but I knew
if they touched you they would get the wrong pig by the
ear. As he said this, Duff Green hove in sight, puffing
and blowing, full speed.
Oh, said the President, Duff Green wants to have a
lick at you, does he? Well dont retreat another step,
Mr Downing, I'll stand between you and harm. Upon
that he called his boy and told him to bring his pistols in
a moment. By this time I made out to get breath
enough jest to say Pennsylvany, and to shake the express
at him. The old man's color changed in a minute.
Says he, come in, Mr Downing, come in, set down, dont
say a word to Duff. So in we went, and shut the door.
Now, says the President, looking as though he would
route a regiment in five minutes, now speak and let me
know whether I am a dead man or alive.
Gineral, says, I, its all over with — I wont hear a
word of it, says he, stomping his foot. His eyes flashed
fire so that I trembled and almost fell backwards. But
I see he did n't understand me. Dear gineral, says I'
its all over with Clay and the Bank — at that he clapt
his hands and jumpt up like a boy. I never see the
President jump before, as much as I've been acquainted
with him. In less than a minute he looked entirely like
another man. His eyes were as calm and as bright as
the moon jest coming out from behind a black thunder
cloud.
He clenched my hand and gave it such a shake, I
did n't know but he would pull it off. Says he, Jack, I
knew Pennsylvany never would desert me, and if she has
gone for me I'm safe. And now if I dont make them are
Bank chaps hug it, my name is n't Andrew Jackson.
And after all, Jack, I aint so glad on my own account,
that I'm re-elected, as I am for the country and Mr Van
Buren. This election has all been on Mr Van Buren's
account; and we shall get him in now to be President
after me. And you know, Jack, that he's the only man
after me, that's fit to govern this country.
The President has made me promise to stop and
spend the night with him, and help him rejoice over the
victory. But I have n't time to write any more before
the mail goes.
Your loving friend,
CAPT. JACK DOWNING.
