Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-04-28
THE BILLIARD TABLE.


THE BILLIARD TABLE.
II will he remembered by our readers, that
some time since, the papers enlisted in the OPP
position ranks, made most woeful noise about
a Billiard Table, which stands in the Presidents
house at Washington, and which is used by
him and his guests, for their recreation and
amusement The Opposition party avowed
that it was purchased With the peoples money,
to pamper the pleasure. of the President; and
then they " cried aloud and spared not" about
the snfulness of the thing and, assisted by one
or two i'll advised clergymen, who occasionally
dish up small matter Of politics, with their
pous repasts, and who mix more mint julps
than holy aspirations, an attempt was made to
impress upon the public mind, an opinion, that
the President is confirmed /" Black Leg or
gambler; and that when he should be engaged
in business, he ls found at the Billiard Table,
cannoning on the red and white, and holding
the balls in the side pocket. Such nonsense,
did not take, however; and the people are left
to believe that the President plays billiards just
when he pleases
The Billiard Table affair Is small one, hardly
worth ones notice, and the only reference We
shall proceed to make towards it, is TO satisf;
the public, that whatever the table might have
Uo1t, II cost The country or The people, e1aetis
nothing. An incident has recently occurred,
which has called up the subject, and the docu-
ments which we shall copy in a moment, will
convince the reader, that the Billiard Table
was purchased with the private funds of Mr..
Adams, and not with the peoples money.
Before we proceed to the documents, we
will ask leave to remark, that We cannot con-
ccive that there any particular crime attached
TO Billiard playing, if those who pract ce it do
not indulge in gambling and we conceive that
the President of the United States has as good
right as any other man, to amusc himself by
playing occasional rub. The game, is
quently recommended by eminent physicians,
as conducive TO the health of the man of Sc
dentary habits and pursuits and il is most like
ly that Mr.. Adams INDUCES himself under such
men of the church refuse to play an OCCASION
al game of Chess, Backgammon or Draughts,
and we have known them TO amuse themselves
now and then at Whist Games of all kinds
are alike in their tendencies ;-f innocently fol-
lowed for recreation, they are beneficial TO
body and mind, and it is only the abuse of them
that constitutes their rcputed crimnalhy A
man may as well recreate himself with play
ing game of billiards or cards, as with read
ing tale of fiction.
We have already wandered too far, and as
we are not capable of writing treatise on
games, we shall dismiss the subject and
those who wish any more information on tho
subject, are referred TO Sir Ashley Cooper. and
to the performances of Mr.. Hoyle.
Lexington Ky. .4prH 4, 1927.
DEAR SIR have learned from YOU some
short time since in conversation, that you had
been informed from a respectable source that
none of lhe public money had ever been actu-
ally used in the purchase Of billiard table for
the Presidents house. AS much has been
said with view TO prejudice the public mind
against the President in regard TO this subject,
| wish, if convenient to you, particular state
ment explaining this transaction, as far as in
your power to give. II the President has not
so used the public money it is right that the
people should know it.
Yours Respectfully,
Hon. JAS. CLARK.
Mr. Currey, the gentleman whose signature
is alta ched TO this letter, is a brave and meri-
torious soldier. AT the battle Of New Orleans.
he was distinguished for his heroi'm, and held
the commission of Major With the Ken
lucky troops he fought. and cvinced as much
bravery as a julius Caesar, or a Leohidns, and
contributed TO the Accomplishment Of the VIC
tory which at that time hovercd ovor our
arms. In return for his valou, with others of
thc Kentucky troops. he was vilii6ed by Cone
raj Jackson, but as he was made Of too stern
stuff to be abused by an arrogant "Milnory
CI,;cn,;n ~ lac induued the " Hero" 10 make