Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-12-14
COL CROC KETr'S SPEECH.

The Baltimore Visitor contains full report Of
the speech made by Col. Crockett, at the Typo
graphical supper, a few evenings since, which
appears to he strongly characteristic Of the man.
Some injustice has perhaps been done Crockett,
IN the work lately published. purporlng to be
sketches of his life and adventures, the faithful
ness of which the Colonel positively denies. -
According to the Visitor, he is quiet man. Civ
ing his opinion when asked, re-, kless Of the con.
sequences-enjoys good laugh, though it be at
his own expense-prldes himself on his humble
origin, loves the hunt-smiles al danger-cares
nothing for he opinions Of the world, as long as
his conscience tells him he's ION the righttrack :"
In person, he is rather above the medium height,
about fifty years OF age-his features are expres.
sive. and we may even say handsome, partIcu
larly when he smiles: he is VASCULAR. and wears
all the indications Of excellent health-a bright
and laughing eye, a ruddy check, and row of
teeth that would shame the ~hiteness OF ivory
he saws he can out grin panther. but he never
yet grinned the bark of "a tree. He is not witty,
yet there is a dryness IN his anecdotes, aud a
blunt good humOur which make them amusing
and even instructive. In speech on political
subjects nc is far from being eloquent. yet he dis.
plays no small portion Of good common sense, an
ingredient found wanting in the oratory OF many
speaks he is cure to come to the point-it is no
matter how often he leaves the track.
The Colonel spoke as folluws:-" Gentlemen
YOU aant me TO tell YOU some anecdotes about
my self-but, gentlemen. YOU are the men wnat
sets up types and gives inflammation to the world
OF what's going on;-l know a good many things
has been said about mf-but one half on 'rm is
not true. You see me here,-l'm bu. a plain
hax -
THIRTY. flour ca ago. eentl men,-iow mind me,
you what ST. np the types anu publish papers,
what I'm gong to sa, is IS true as the gospel
thirty four years ago visited this ere same city
II was then only thirteen years Of age. and had
just got edu, alton enough to spell baker that
was the biggest wod ever speil'd in them times
l run away from nv iather Who used to keep
sort otayern by the road side, for this reason -
A pretty considerable sized boy--some what
longer than mr. didn't like me no how, and fre
Qufnt'v rim me agin The ience. So. | said Id
tcalk into him-and. tell you, | did so--lor
when | met him b,t"lyt school hours ScrdiCh'd
him do,cn mt slow. After I'D come over the
Teller rad to cut stick, but didn't make tracks
Tor home, but went t. relations, and staid there
hll thought the schnO master had cuOl'd down
'eetiie After a while he sent me word if I'D
come back 10 sch"ol he'd gin me clear on fog
eing-but wasn't TO be had-so nv father
bound me out To a cattle dealer-and knocked
about for awhile with HIN, and then ] run away
asin. cause I'D couldn't git nothing to eat. AT.
ter while my father, who was mighty poor
man, binds me out agln to q wagoner-and this
was the time visited this very same city, and
knock'd about in some of these streets.
Gentlemen,-~ha, tell you is as true as Cos.
pei-and you set up the types, you know and let
the people know all about :hese things. | want.
ed to 60 sea when arrip IN Baltlmore-but the
wagner to whom l was apprenticed wouldn't
GIN me ny money,-and so, though it vent agn
the grit had to make tracks towards home
agin. But I'D no notion Of going back-so cut
stlck-left the wagner, and bound myself to the
hatters business in Virgnny The man failed
after had got pretty we'll in business-a,d so,
bad to knock about agin. I, thought I'd 90
homeland so scratched gravel for Tenness
When arrIv home, nobody knowd me at first
but alter while sister recognized ne--and so
remained as snug as coon at home for some
time, tending horses and doing stable work
Gentlemen | am speaking as true as gospel
never had no education OF any accountable biz