The Northern star, and farmers' and mechanics' advocate. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1830-1834, 1833-07-06
w A r r E N

From the Portland Courier.
To uncle Joshua Downing, Post Master,
uo in Downingvlle, State of Maine, to
b. sent in the Portland Courier, with
care and speed.
NEw YoRx Cry, Ffiday'evening,1
June IA, 1888.
Dear uncle Joshua,
Here we are amongst ain ocean ofiolks,
and cutting up capers as high as cats
back. spose you will see by the papers
how we all like to got drowndcd yester-
day going across a little bridge between
the castle and the garden. .
1t was pesky narrow sqdeak for me
and the President. He was riding over
ON a great fine boss, and was making a.
long by the side Of him and trying to clear
the way a little, for they crowded upon
us SO, there was no getting along, and
hardly chance to breathe. When we got
under the arch we stopped little bit for
the crowd to clear away, when oil at once
j thought I heard something crack
Says /, General, you better 60 ahead, Pm
afraid there's mischief burning here. AT
that he give his hoss lick and pushed
through the crowd, but we had ii't got
more than a rod, before crash went the
bridge behind us all down in heap, and
two toll-houses on top oft and as many as
a hundred folks splashed into the water,
all mixed to gether one top oftother. The
President looked over his shoulder, and
seeing was safe behind him, called out
for Mr.. Van Buren, and asked me to run
and see if he was hurt. told him he
had forgot himself, for Mr.. Van Buren
was Mt ia the company; but Mr.. Wood
bury and Mr.. Cass were in for 1t, for
could see them foundering about In the
water now. Run, Major, said the Presi-
dent, run and give them lt., Take
Mr.. Woodbury. first, you know ! can't
spare him.
So there was parcel Of US took hold
and went to hauling of 'em out Of the wa
ter like SO many drownded rats. But we got
'em all out alive, except two young things
they called dandies they looked so after
they got wet all over that we couldn't
make out whether they were alive or dead.
So we laid 'em up to dry and left 'em
and went on to help the President re-
view the troops on the battery, as they call
i and grand place it is tu. i've seen
more fine shows here, it seems 10 me, than
ever see before in my life. Such a
sight of folks, and fine ladies', and fine
houses, and vessels, and steamboats,, and
flags a flying, and cannons firing, and fire
works whisking about, | never see the
beat oft. Ididnt know there was so much
fun in this world before, and I've been
about so much at Madawaska and among
the hulifiers and all round.
But cant tell you much about it till
we get there, for cant find any time to
write, I've only catched few minutes
this evening while the President is gone
10 Mr.. Mobiles garden. One sfthe mas
tor sights that Pve seen yet wns that bal
loon that went up this afternoon, carrying
n man with il. Poor fellow, don't much
think he'll ever get back again, for he
looked 10 me the last l see Of him as
though he would land in England, or the 4
moon, or somc other country.
All these sights keep us back little
longer than we expected. i don't think |
now we shall be in Portland before the
cath or 2e,h Of this month. So ! thought
I'd Jest write you line that you might be
down there about that time. Ia haste,
your loving usfu.
IN 81 towns In Maine. Containing eI