Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-06-19
Extract of letter from the, Washington Cor
,f tho T., tied States Gazette

resnondent of the Tilted States Gazette
Public conversation has recently tnnnd IN ms
city new topic, and SO engrossng III lis charac,
ter as to have completely merged all po''teai
matters, unless, indeed. this sub ect has poI'l.
cal origin According To pubic report. we have
recently had various ysitaiions OF reptiles. accord
inc TO some, in the form Of vipers; according IN
others, bearing the likeness of toads; and Accord
inc 20 one or two, having the form of ''Osd itor-
new" Seriously, all the medical establishment
of the city 81 Washington. have lately been occupi-
ed in attending an individual WIN asseverates that
he was attacked by toad in the vicinity OF one
of our Presbyterian meeting houses, which toad
repelled sundry attacks Of cane, and persisted
in attacking the complainant and his son. until
he had produced sort of paralysis IN their ne
ther limbs. and then assuming new foim. was
about to make q more mortal assault, when by
the collision of the ferule of The cane with the
flint stone, sparks of fire were elected, al SIGHT
of which the "multiorm'' cut aside all visible
substance. and took French leave. The com
plainant has been confined to his bed from that
day; and during many successive nights, several
of the Young men of our city, alarmed at the
DANCER which beset the church, and fearful lest
the great adversary should take possession OF the
building itself. mounted guard, armed with load
ed muskets, and prepared to give the devil
warm reception. should he shew himself again OIL
such forbidden ground. do not understand
that he was SO rash as to expose himself to such
a reception as awaited him: strong ground Tor
Inference that it was devil of mortal fable,
seeing that he shrank away from conflict with
powder and ball.
Another report is that female has been de-
voured bv snakes, in one OF the cells OF pubic
institution in this city. The rumor IS entitled To
less credit than the first which | have named
In various other situations, 'ipers have been seen
taking the air, looking into dry good stores, greet
ing members of Congress, inspecting the fashions
in milliners shops, and yearnng alter some oil the
fragrant brands at Gadsby's and other taVerns,
where good appetite waits tor soud cooking. II !:
a Eavorite opinion that this is one the consequent
ces Of the introduction Of internal improvement
into our CITY. Our old canal has been reformed,
and new one has been put In its place, but as
the new one is at present infested with an army
of canal dgscrs, the snakes have come into the
avenues and streets, in search of more civilized
or more congenial society. Out Of this circum
stance, perhaps the stories | have given YOU
have been fabricated. 1t is certain, however
that the first report Is founded on the assertion o
the individual himself, and that guard has beer
mounted at the church.
Ma. CLAYTON in his speech on the Tariff, de
liyered in the House of Representatives on Thurs
day last, warmly denounced the entire protect
ing policy: insisted on the great profits of y
manufacturers from his personal experlene' %
he was the owner of the only cotton fS H"odaI ~
Georgia, and had doubled capital Of 4y,,sJ as
lars in t,co gears He said he had srctsd nm
sponge upon his neighbors. and They had
this amount from their hard eay and themse Ives ives
thought the factory great benz, he insisted. was
%rsN dssoa % @ as the Ct
did at the North, and o~,ns us en ,nd ru;nons
opposed to the systegt' ri He went into a long
to The planting .n3Sse nt. to prove that Congress
eons..ualSaa, laws for The protection Of ma.
naa no ilsn. "a then proceeded to present what
nu.a s ~ easst Of perseverance in the sys-