Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-02-06
From, the Portland Courier.

To the Editor Of the portland Courier. IN the
Mariners Church Building second story, cas-
tern end, Fore street, away down east IN the
State Of Maine. .,..e
NV kind and dear old friend: The Presidents
Message to Congress makes cracking work here.
Mr.. Calhoun shows his teeth like lion. Mr..
MCDufiie IS cool as oowcumber, though they
say he's got terrible tempest inside .! him. that
hell let ou, before long. For my part think
the Presidents Message about right. | was set
ting with the President in The east room last
night. chatting about one thing and another, and
the President says he, Maj. Downing, have you
read my message that sent TO Congress to-day.
told him hadn't. Well says he. | should
like to have you read it, and give me your OPP.
nion upon il. So NJ handed 1t to me and l sot
down aud read it through.
And when gol through, now says Gineral
IN tell vop Jest wha, think of this business.
When was voungs,er snnle of US Downing
vile BOYS used to 90 dawn to Sebaso Pond every
! spring and hire out month or two rafting lnys
across the Pond And one time and Ephraim,
and Joel. and BIZ Johnson, and two or three
more of Us had each Wrapping great loy to car
~ across the Pond II was rather windy
dav and the waves kept the logs bubDins up and
down pretty considerable bad, So we agreed to
bring em along side and side and lash 'em to-
cether and drive some thule pins in the outer
most log aud row'em over together. We went
along two ar three miles pretty well. But by
and BY Bill johnson begun to complain. lie
vas always an uneasy harum scarum sort Of a
chap. Always thought every body else had al
easier time than he had, and when he was boy
always used to be complaining that the other bows
had more butter OH their bread than he had
Well. Bill was rowing On the lseward side, and
he begun to fret and said his side went the har-
dest, and I've would Mt give US any peace I'LL one
of us changed sides with him.
Well Bill hadn't rowed but little ways on
the windward side before he began 10 fret again,
and declared that side went harder than 'tother,
and would nj touch to row on that side any long.
or We told him he had his choice, and he
should Mt keep changing 81. Bu; he only tetted
the more and began to get mad. AT last he de.
clared If we did ut change with him in five NJ,
nu,es, he'd cut the lashings and take his LOG and
padtie oil alone. Aud before we had hardly
time to turn round. he declared that five minutes
were out, and up Ratchet and cut the Iashings.
and away went Bill on his own log, bobbing aud
ruling about, and dancing like monkey to try
to keep on the upper side. The rest Of US scrab.
bed TO as well as we could, and fastened our
logs together again though We had tough match
but little ways before his log begun to roll
more and more. and BY and BY in ne went splash,
head and ears He cam. up putting and blow
ing, aud got hold Of the log and tried to climb up
on to it. but the more he tried the more the Iog
rolled; and finding it would be gone goose with
him pretty soon il he staid there, he began to
sing DOT like loom for US to come and take him.
We asked him which side he would row il We
would take his log into the raft again O.says
Bill. III row on either side or both sides if YOU
want me to, if you'll only come and help me be-
fore sink. Isl
But, said the PRESIDENT, hope you did nthelp
the foolish rascal out till he got pretty good
soaking. H. got soaked enough before we got
to him. says !. for he was just ready to sink Tor
the last time, and our logs came pesty near get.
ting scattered, and if they had we should all
zone to the bottom together. And now Gneral
this is Jest VIVA, think; if YOU let South Carroll
| ma cut the Iashinss. you'ii see such log rolling
| in this country as you never see yet. The old
| Ginrral started up and marched ACROSS the hoor
ike a boy. Saws he, Major Downing. she shant
cut the flashing while nv name is Andrew Jack
son. Tell Sargent joel to have his 'oniany
sleep on their arms every night told him they
should be ready at moments warning.
wish you would jest give cousin Epbraim up
10 Augusta jog to know why he don't write to