Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1831-10-13

.
courteous and winning-but displaying
no traits on his visagc, that Indicate in
tcllcctual superiority, or habits of thought
and study. The general expression of
his head is, exclusively animal but the
strong traces Of torrid passions, would
lead you to associate the ideas of their
natural concOmllant-a powerful mind
but undisc iplncd and void Of cultivation,
He almost instantly left me, with an
apology, that he was engaged with an old
lady, friend of his; and handed me oy-
er to Major Lewis, who that moment en-
tered the room!-l commenced a convcr-
sation with that gentleman, by asking if
the rumors touching the new cabinet
were correct? lie replied, not altogeth-
or, but chiefly so. expressed my AS
tonishmcnt that members of congress
should be appointed lie replied, the
general could not entirely avoid it. !
put the question, whether MIR. lngham
had really been appointed! His answer
was affirmative; and he added, the gen
eraI intended to appoint Mr. Baldwin, &
had invited him at Pitsburg, to come to
Washington for that purpose but du-
ring their journey from that city to the
capital, he, Major Lewis, had made par
ticular inquiries on the road, and had as
certaincd that Mr.. lngham was the most
popular man!!!-l expressed a doubt Of
the fact! Major Lewis continued, that
the President would be compelled to con-
suit the popular voicc-and that Is mem
bers of the Pennsylvania delegation had
waited upon him to express their prefer
cnce for Mr.. lngham and he was com
PEELED to appoint him. Again | express
scd my astonishment, that the members
of congress should appoint his cabinet
from their own body To this he answer
ed that the President must consult the
wishes of the people, and he had no 9TH
or criterion, or expression of their desire,
but through their represcntativcs;-but
he added, that Gen. Jack son had not yet
decided upon his cabinet, s would cheer
fully listen to the advice and opinion of
his friends. Surprise almost deprived
me of the power of thought, or the iacul-
ty of uttcranCc; but after declaring to
him the astonishmcnt, and the shock that
would be experienced by his early friends
in Pennsy lvania, asked whether Gen
Jackson intended to be a candidate for
+, election? He answered yes-that his
friends intended to run him a second time
and if his health permitted he thought
he would again be a candidate. The
conversation was here interrupted by the
entrance of Major Donelson-to whom
| was presentcd-and after few com
mon place remarks, took lcave-hav-
\ ing been invited by the General to join
him at tea, at I.
This slight conversation had cticc ua y
impressed me with Il conviction, of what
| had previously s,Ispc pcctcd-his total in
competency for the station to which he
had, in an evil hour been elected. I'm a
few minutes and few words, had learn
ed that General Jackson, divesting him
self of the whole responsibility of his
high office, had flung himself, without a
single reservation upon the discretion, to
say nothing ofthe cupidity of congress
that he had already commenced acting
on the principles of what is popular, in
stead of what is right-that all his lofty
independence had been melted down be-
fore the desire of IA reelection, even be-
fore he had taken the oath of Office,
composed his first cabinet, or ascer'aincd
the extent of his duties, the amount ofhis
deficiencies, and all the consequences of
his dercictions. Already could be seen
through the vista of time, the entire IN
hucnce of his great Office directed to the
single point of choosing his successor,
and sacrificing the present good OF the
country to the pernlcious phantom OF Sc
curing AN heir TO the empire.
The parsonage who had thus revealed
to me III anticipation, the porv rted char
actcr of Gen. Jackson, although recent
ly rendered notorious by name, for his
prostitution and purchase of the ncwspa-
per press, is so little known to the public,
that find portraiture of his character
indispensable to the progress OF these let
tors. Major Lewis is remarkable Tor his
awkward ard ungalnly personal down
look, indicative of the conscious dupIcI-
ty of his mind, and rcpulsIvc countcn-
ance, harsh and physical IN expression,
being more characteristic OF the Indian,
than of intellect, science or lltcraturc.-
Some one has said, never trust that man,
uhose eyes yoU cannot fir 10 hc glance Of
gour own. An application of this max
i'm to Major Lewis, would conslgn him to
the most pcriidious, iaithlcss and trcach-
crous order of the spccies-in which |
believe, most of his friends have already
arrayed him. This gentlemen affects to
he the fdcioium of the Prcsldent-he is
Major domo-privy counscllor--cham-
her counsCllnr--thc nattcrcr-thc echo,