Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-08-12
Extraets frO". Stephen simpsons Third Letter
TO the Public.


TO the Putic.
Under the circumstances detailed IN ny hrst
letter, responding, dispirIted, and with no defn'
ed or dls'lact object. save an unava'Ihg remon-
STRANGE against the p epused corruption of his par
ty, took my departure for Washington; having
previously vented some expostuatlous through
the columns Of the Mercury, which then edited,
against the rising abuses Of the new admlnistra-
tim.
Being we'll acquainted, by this time, with the
rintrigues and Vaccinations Of Major Eaton, l de-
termined to announce myself to the President d.
rectly. without the formality of his introduction;
and accordingly, in one hour after my arrival, l
found myself in his presence. His appearance
was haggard and grief worn-he was evidently
broken down by age, disease, and sorrow tor the
loss Of his wife. II IS not necessary to describe
General Jackson, in his manners so courteous and
winning; but displaying no traits on his vlsage,
that indicate intellectual superiority, 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 asso.
ciate the ideas Of their natural concOmitant-a
powerful mnd-but undisciplined, and void of
cultivation. He almost instantly lett me, with
an apology. that he was engaged with an old Ia
DIV, friend Of his; aud handed me over to Major
Lewis, who that moment entered the roOm!-l
commenced conversation with that gentleman,
by asking if the rumors touching the new cabinet
were correct? He replied, not altogether, but
chiefly so. expressed my establishment that
members of congress should be appointed. He
replied, the general could not entirely avoid it.
put the question, whether MIR. lngham had real
ly been appointed His answer was affirmative;
and he added, the general intended to appoint
Mr.. Baldwin, and bad invited him at Pittsburg,
to come to Washington for that purpose; but dur
ing their journey from that city to the capital he,
Major Lewis, had made particular inquiries on
the road, and had ascertained that MIR, Ingham
was the more popular man Ill expressed doubt
of the fact! Maj. l.. continued, that the President
will be compelled to consult the popular voice
and that l6 members of the PennsY lvana De-
legation had waited upon !him to express their
preference for Mr. Ingham,-and he was COM
PEELED to appoint him. Again expressed aston
ishment. that toe members Of congress should ap-
point his cabinet from their own body TO this
he answered that the President must consult The
wishes Of the people. and he had no other critic
rion, expression Of their desires, but hro' their
representatives. but he added, that General Jack
son had not yet decided upon his cabinet, and
would cheerfuliy listen to the advice and OPT
Mon Of his friends. Surprise almost depriv-
ed me of the power of thought, or the faculty of
uterance; but after declaring to him the aston.
shment, and the shock that would be experience
sd BY his early friends in Pennsylvania, / asked
whether Gen. Jackson intended to be candidate
for re-eections-He answered yes-tbat his friends
intended to run hin second time-and if his
health permitted, he thought he would again be
candidate. The conversation was here inter-
rupted by the entrance of Major Donelson-to
whom was presented--and after few common
place remarks. took !esre--having been inyit.
ed by the General to join him at tea. at 7.
This slight conversation had effectually i'm
pressed me with conviction, Of what | had pre-
viously suspected-his total incompetency for the
station to which he had, in an evil hour been elect
ed In few minutes aud a few words, ] had
learned, that General Jackson, divesting himself
of the whole responsibility of his high Office, had
flung himself, without single preservation upon
the discretion, to say nothing Of the cupidty of
congressional he had already commenced acting
on the principles Of what is popular, instead OF
what is right-that all his lofty independence had
been melted down before the desire for a re-elcc-
ton, even before he had taken the oath Of office,
composed his first cabinet or ascertained the ex-
tent of his duties the amount of his deficiencies,
and the consequences Of his dereliction. Area
d5 could be seen through the vista Of time, the
entire influence Of his great Office directed to the
single point of choosing his successor, and sacri.
fcing the present good of the country to the per.
nicious phantom of securing an heir to the en-
pire.
The parsonage who had thus revealed to me in
the perverted character of Gen. Jack
sou, although recently 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 letters. Majm Lewis is
remarkable for his awkward and ungainly person
"a down look, indicative Of the conscious du-
plicity of.his mind, and a repusive countenance,
,arsh and physical in expression, being more cha
'acterstic OF the Indian, than of intellect, Sci
,nce or literature. Some one has said, never trust
hat man, ,ohose eyes you cannot fr 10 the glance
# your oaon. An application of this maxim to t
Major Lewis, would consign him to the most per. T
idious, athless and treacherous order of the spe-
es--in which, believe, most of his friends have
lready arrayed him. This gentleman affects to
Ne the facfot,,m Of the president-he is major d
omo-privy Observation-Disclosures COUNSELLOR c