LETTER LXX.
In which Major Downing concludes it is best to put some
of his poetry into his book.
Washington, Oct. 20, 1833.
To the Editor of the Portland Courier, away down east in the
State of Maine.
MY DEAR OLD FRIEND,—
I am glad you have got
Mr. Lilly, Wait, and Company, in Boston to print my
book, for they say they print about the prettiest books
there is agoing now days, and as many of 'em too as
most any body. I shall go on to Boston in a few days,
so as to see to it, and have it well done. I've been a
thinking it might help the matter along some towards
my getting in to be President, if you would look up that
are piece of poetry that I writ for you three or four years
ago about Sam Patch, and put it into the book. I don't
know as many of the Presidents have wrote much poetry;
but they say Quincy Adams has considerable, and
it's helped him along a good deal. And as I don't want
to leave any stone unturned that would be likely to help
me in, I think it's best to put that in the book.
I remain your loving friend,
MAJOR JACK DOWNING.