The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1832-11-21
JACK DOWNING'S LAST LETTER.
From The Portland Courier.
......---..--.. ~. :
Nv dear old Friend.


WAsHINGroS, Nov. 5.
My dear old Friend,
Here am back again TO Washington, /
though I've been as far as Baltimore on my /
way down east TO see you and the rest OF
my uncles and aUnis and couzins. And !
what do you think posted back to Wash !
ington for? can tell you. When ! got
to Baltimore met an cypress coming on full
chisel from Pennsylvania TO carry the news
TO Washing ton that Pennsylvania had gone
All hollow for oil Hickory. The poor fell
low that was carrying II had got so out OF
breath, that he declared he couldn't go no
/ further if The President never heard oft.
/ We'll, thinks |, ii will he worth journey
back 10 Washington, jest TO see the old
gcnteman'S eyes strike fire wien he hears
of it. So says |, I'll take it and carry it on
/ for you, if You are mind to. lie kind Of
hesi,atcd NJ first, and was afraid | might
/ play Il trick upon hiG; but when he found
out my name Was Jack Downing, he jumped
off his horse quick enosgh; III trust it with
you, says he, as quick as | would with the
/ President himself So | jumped On and
whipped up. Aud sure enough as true as
you are alive, did get TO Washington he
fore dark, thongh had hut three hours to
20 it in, and it is nearly forty miles. 1t
was Ihe smartest horse that ever backed,
except enc that belongs to the President.
BIT, poor fellow, he's so done tn gness he
will never run another express. Just he
fore got to Washington, say about half
II mile from the city, the poor fellow kceled
Up and couldn't go another step. had lost
my hat on the way and was in too much of
u hurry TO stop TO pick it up. and lie had
1
" bad so that | didn't look very ;rig TO 90
through the city OF to the Presidents fine
house. But notwithstanding, | knew that
the President would overlook it, consider
ing the business was coming upon; SO
catched the express and pulled foot, right
Through Pennsylvania Avenue, without any
/ hat, and torn coat sleeves and coat tail fly
I ing.
= Almost the first person | met was Mr..
/ Duff Green Says ne, Captain Downing,
what's the matter? [they all call me captain
yeti held up the express and shook it at
him, but never answered him word, ard
pulled on. He turned and walked rs fast
as he could without running, and followed
me. Pretty soon met Mr. Gales Of the In
telligencer, no believe it was Mr.. Seaton
MIR. Gales is sick, and says he for mercy
Have you been chased Ivy wolf, or Gov
ernor Houston, or have you got news from
Pennsylvania? | didn't turn to the night
nor the left, bu, shook the express at him,
and run like wid-6re.
When came up 10 the Presidents house,
The old gentleman was standing in the door
He stepped quicker than | ever saw him he
fore, and met me at the gate. SAYS he, my
J Has the United States Bank been trying TO
hrhe you, and you are trying TO run away
from 'em? They may buy over Webster
and Clay and such trash, but knew If they
touched you they would get the wrong pig
10y the ear. AS he said this, Duff Green
hove in sight, putting and blowing, full
speed.
Oh, said the President, Duff Green wants
va have d lick at you, does he? Wen don't
retreat ano1her step, Mr.. Downing. fA
stand between you and him. Upon That he
called his boy and told him to bring lns pis-
tolls in moment BY this time made out
TO get breath enough just to say Penns Viva
MIA, and TO silake the express at him. The
Old maA's color changed in II minute. Says
he, come IN Mr. Downing, come in, don't
say word to Duff. So in we went, and
shut the door. Now, says the President,
looking as though he would route regi-
ment IN five minutes, now speak and let the
Know whether am Il dead man or alive.
! General, says l. It's all over with -. |
wont hear word of it, says he, stamping
his foot. His eyes flashed FIRE so that
ifembled and almos: fell backwards. But |
see he didn't understand me- Deal Gener-
al says |, its all over with Clay and the
Bank-at that he clapt his hands and lunsPt
up like boy. | never saw the President
jump before, as murh as I've been acquaiat-
el with hun. In less than a minute he lO@k-
&c entirely like another man. His eyes
were as calm and as bright as the moon pJst
coming out from behind black thunEar
cloud.
He clenched my hand and gave it such
shake, admit know hut he wouIi pull it
off SAYS he, Jack, knew Pennsylvania
never would desert me, and If she has zone
for me I'm safe. And now if don't make
them are Banks chaps hug it, my name isn't
Andrew jackson. And after all, Jack. | |
nint so glad on my own account, that Pm /,
reelected, as am for the country and Mr.. !
Van Buren,. This election has all been on |
Mr.. Van Burens account; and we shall /
have him in now to lie President after me. |
Aud you know, Jack, that he's the only man
after me, that's fit 10 govern this county.
The President has made the PROMISE to /
stop and spend the night with him. and help |
him rejoice over the victory. But have MT |
time 10 write any more before the mail goes. |
foni loving friend,
JACK DOWNING.
longevity OF THE RATTLEsNAKE. Al