Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-09-18
$4,000
From " Men and Manners in .7naerica, by the
.author of Cyril Thornton"

MIR CALHouN.-My visit to Washington
brought with it the advantage Of forming acquaiu-
tances with many distinguished individuals, OF
some OF whom would willingly be permitted to
record my impressions. First in the ranks MIR.
Calhoun, the Vice President Of the United States.
This gentleman was formerly candidate for the
Presidency. but resigned his pretenslons IN favor
Of General Jackson. Subsequent differences,
however, with that eminent person, have produ-
ced separation of their interests. and II is not
generally supposed that he has much chance Of
succeeding at the next election. Mr. Calhoun
is about the middle height, spare, and somewhat
slouching in person. His couDtenance, though
not handsome, is expressive, and enlivened BY
vivacity Of eye which might redeem palmer fea-
lures His head is large, and somewhat dist
cured by quantity Of stiff bristly hair, which
rises very high above his forehead 10 CONVEX
sation, he is pleasant, and remarkably free from
that dognatsm which constitutes not the least OF
the social sins of the Americans. Mr.Calhoun EVIL
IDENTIFY disregards all graces of expression, and
whatever be the subject Of discussion, comes d.
rcctly to the point. His manner and mode OF
speaking indicate rapidity OF thought. and it
struck me, that, with full confidence in his own
high talents, Mr.. Calhoun would probably find it
more agreeable to carry truth by coup de main,
lIldu W await tbC olO"Ct PioSSso VI Po'S"h ""eN
ton. Ii is evident. indeed, that, the Vice Pres
dent is no ordinary person. His mind is bold
and acute: his talent for business confessedly Of
the first order; and, enjoying the esteem Of his
countrymen, there can be little doubt that he is
vet destined to play conspicuous part in the po-
itics of the Union.
Mr.. VAN BuREN.-Mr Van Buren,, their Sc
cretary Of State, and now Vice.Presdent, pos
sesses, perhaps, more Of the manner which in Eng
land would be called that of the world, that any
other Of the distinguished individuals whom
met in Washington He is, evidently, clever
man, with perfect knowledge Of character, and
the springs of human action. Neither his con-
yersation nor his manner are marked by anything
of official reserve. Indeed, where the whole bu.
siness of the government is conducted 0y commit.
tees of the Senate and Representatives, an Anne
rican Secretary of State can have few secrets,
and those not IF much value. The opponents OF
the ministry, however, accuse Mr.. Van Buren, OF
being maneuverer in politics-a charge, pre-
sumo, to which he is obnoxious only in common
with bis brother statesmen, Of whatever party:
for. where independence is impossible, bnessels
necessary. But, on the details Of party politics
say nothing, only know that the Secretary OF
State is gentleman of talent aud information, OF
agreeable manners, and, in conversation, full OF
anecdote and vvacity.
Mr.. GaLLATIN.-Mr. Gailatin l regarded
with peculiar interest. His name was one with
which had been long familiar. Born in Swift
erland, he became a citizen Of the United States,
soon after thelRevolution, and found there field
in which it was not probable that talents like his
would remain long without high and profitable
emnloyment. believe il was in the cabinet OF
Mr. Jefferson that Mr.. Galatln commenced his
career as a statesman. Since then, much Of his
life has been passed either in high Offices at
home. or as minister to some Of the European
courts; and the circumstance Of his foreign birth
rendering him Ineligible to the Office Of presi-
dent this veteran statesman and diplomatist,
wisely Judging that there should be "some space
between the cabinet and the grave, has retired
from poiitical lite, and finds exercise for his yet
unbroken energies in the calner pursuits Of lit
erature.
In his youth, Mr.. Gallatin must have been
handsome. His counteuance 10 expressive Of
great sasacity. Heis evidently an acute think.
er and his conversation soon discovered him to be
a ruthless exposer of those Evolutionary OF geo.
grophical sophisms, to politics and religion, by
which the mind Of whole nations has been fire.
qaendy obscured, and from the influence Of