University of Virginia Library

LETTER XL.

My dear old Friend.—I believe the last time I
wrote to you, was when I come back with the express
from Baltimore, and Duff Green chased me so through
the street to find out what I was bringing, and the President
thought he was running to get a lick at me, and
called for his pistols to stand between me and harm,
you know. Well, I intended to turn right about again
after I had made the old gentleman's heart jump up by
telling him that he had got Pennsylvany and would be
elected as sure as eggs was bacon, and make the best of
my way towards Portland. For you cant think how I
long to see you and uncle Joshua and ant Kesiah and
cousin Ephraim and cousin Nabby and all the rest of

the dear souls up in Downingville. It seems as though
it was six years instead of six months since I left that
part of the country, and when I shall be able to get back
again is more than I can tell now; for I find when a
man once gets into public life he never can say his
time is his own; he must always stand ready to go
where his country calls. The long and the short of it
is, the President has got so many other fish for me to
fry, it's no use for me to think of going home yet.
That evening after I got back with the express, the president
said we must honor this victory in Pennsylvany
with a glass of wine. I am sure, said he, Capt. Downing,
you will have no objection to take a glass with me
on this joyful occasion. I told him, as for that matter,
I supposed I could take a glass of wine upon a pinch,
even if the occasion was not half so joyful. So he had
two or three bottles full brought in, and filled up the
glasses. And now, says the president, I will give you
a toast. The state of Pennsylvania, the most patriotic
state in the Union; for though I go against all her
great public interests, still she votes for me by an overwhelming
majority.

He then called for my toast. And what could I
give but my near native Downingville; the most ginuin
unwavering democratic republican town in New
England.

Good, said the president; and that Downingville has
never been rewarded yet. You shall have a post office
established there, and name to me which of your friends
you would like should be post-master, and he shall be
appointed.

The president then gave his second toast; Martin
Van Buren, the next president of the United States,
and the only man in the country that is fit for it. Capt.
Downing, your toast if you please. So I gave Uncle
Joshua Downing, the most thorough going republican
in Downingville.

Good, said the president, I understand you, Captain
Downing; your uncle Joshua shall have the post office.

His third toast was the editor of the Washington
Globe; and mine was the editor of the Portland Courier.
But I told him he mustn't ask me for any more toasts,
for that was as fur as I could go.

The president toasted several more of his friends,
sich as Major Eaton, and Mr. Kendall, and Mr. Lewis,
and the Hon. Isaac Hill, and so on, till it got to be
pretty late in the evening, and I told the president I
would be glad it he would excuse me, for I wanted to
start early in the morning on my way down East, and
I thought I should feel better if I could get a little nap
first. And besides I had got to go and get the old lady
that used to do my washing and mending, to patch up
my coat that got such a terrible shipwreck by being
thrown off the horse with the express.

Start down East to-morrow morning, Capt. Downing,
said he, you must not think of it. I have an important
and delicate job on hand which I cant get along with
very well without your assistance. There's that miserable
ambitious Calhoun has been trying this dozen
years to be president of the United States; but he can't
make out, so now he is determined to lop off a few of
the southern states and make himself president of them.
But if he don't find himself mistaken my name is n't
Andrew Jackson. As he said this he started up on his
feet, and begun to march across the floor with a very
soldier-like step, and his eyes fairly flashedfire. No,
said he, Capt. Downing, he must wait till somebody
else is president besides me before he can do that. Let
him move an inch by force in this business, if he dares.
I 'll chase him as far as beyond Tennessee as it is from
here there, but what I'll catch him and string him up by
the neck to the first tree I can find.

I must send some troops out there to South Caroli a
to reconnoitre and keep matters strait, and your gallant
defence of Madawaska last winter points you out as the
most suitable man to take the command. I shall give
you a major's commission to-morrow, and wish you to
enlist two or three companies of brave volunteers and

hold yourself in readiness to obey orders. In case we
should have to come to a real brush, said the president,
shall take command myself, and make you lieutenant-general.
But I wish you to bear in mind, let what will
come, never to shoot that Calhoun. Shooting is too
good for him. He must dance upon nothing, with a
rope round his neck.

As for your coat, Capt. Downing, dont trouble the
old lady with it. It looks as though it had seen service
enough already. I'll give you one of mine to wear till
you have time to get a suit of regimentals made. I told
him I felt a little uneasy about taking the command
among strangers, unless I could have my Downingville
company with me. Send for them, said the president,
by all means, send for them. There are no troops
equal to them except it is some of the boys from Tennessee.
So I shall forthwith send orders to Sargeant
Joel to march 'em on here. As I am to have my commission
to-morrow, I shall venture to subscribe myself
your friend,