The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1838-05-15


erument aud members Of Congress.
lnever wholly gave mp my confidence in the
late administration till quite lutely land nolO have
none in the present either it respects the wis
dom or integrity of Mr.. Van Btren. lie has
been in political hot water from his youth up,
but never appeared great OH the right side OF any
question.
The last time called at the pension Office to
receive my semi.anuuul payment, they gave me
n check OH the " = bank. After arriving there
aud standing short time holding out my check
III my hand, sort ofa dandy looking young gem
teman "bearded like the pard," advancing to-
ward me with pen behind each CIR, and IL third
sticking crosswise in his mouth, took the check,
and after gluncng his eye over it, stuck it on II
kind of large fish hook where many others OF
lis kindred hung by the gs, and begun 10 deaf
of bills 10 me. Sir suid 10 the whiskGred
gentleman, can't you give me part oiniy claim
in speciei' He shook his head. 1t would OBJ
ige me- said |, 'were it only single half eagle
1t would comfort me in my advanced aye 10
look upon it now and then as it would call 10 mind
the small service | have rendered my country,
and the battles have fought under the banner
OF Liberty on which the representation OF that
noble bird, was boldly portrayed Anollershake
OF the head was the only reply. then observed
TO him, that i must suffer considerable loss by
the depreciation of The bills, which was lily able
10 bear The third and last shake OF tho wills
kered hond was attended by n sneerlng curl of
The upper lip, and our nonologue closed.
On my way home, having about three miles
TO walk and beng alone, time and opportunity
were afforded me 10 reflect upon the transactions
OF 10y gone days, and particularly the suIterngs
and privations which we in common with others,
our fellow soldiers, endured during The three
years we served in the war of the revolution
4 o say nothing OF the pain occasioned 10y the
wounds wo received in the battle, we Cannot lor-
ynft ,n of hnt fra
qnenlly barefooted in frosty weather, leaving the
blood OF our lacertted feet i'll trail while
marching on frozen ground--destltute OF provis
ions for whole days togelher-without blankets
10 cover us while encamped in the tield--destl-
Intc OF tents or any other shelter 10 protect us
from the incIenencies OF the weather; but need
not recall tho particulars of these hardships 10
your mind, for know they must yet be fresh in
your memory. Among otherrecolleclions " liich
crowded themselves upon my mind on this oc-
casion, those relating TO our pay III continental
money were not iorgouon Our wages, you know,
were eight dolIa!s per montli-you also well re-
member that when we received them, so great
was the depreciation Of the bills, that II whole
months pay would hardly buy Il buslel OF pota-
toes 10 Iced our halt. starved wives anu children
at home.
Two or three days before ! went to the Pen
sion Ohe, heard there were two letters AT the
post Office, directed To me but having no money
i'll The time, deferred calling for them ill SHOULD
receive my pension money. The next morning
after my visit To the bank, l went for letters, and
offered the Postmaster the smallest hill | had,
out Of which TO pay the postage. / can't re-
ce've paper said he . in payment for postage,
you must give me the silver. why, sir said l,
'this seems rather hard-I received my pension
money yesterday ut the - bank, all IN bills, and
ms is one OF them. urged the clerk OF the
D""k to let me have part at least iii specie, but
'o"hi not prevail with him. AS a creditor OF the
So''Ehhen', Was yesterday compelled TO re-
teNe paper; and now debtor, lam told that
me same Wiil not he received in pnyment of my
"eot 10 me sam" government had always I'M
''o'"ou tIiat what was sauce for II goose Was
sauce Tor II SandCr-but now it seems he geese
n"'"s n'cotIe the majority, have ovcrruod and
'"e maxim is eXpunged. All the reply which !
'e'oNe" was my orders aye posItive--l can't
'ccoh'no"ite He condescended so far, how.
'''' "s 10 permit ue TO see the address Oh the
letters, lknew the hand writing on one fthem,
"'"e" al Bennington, 10 he that of john Palmer,
""o married nay Youngest daughter ChrSsa, aud
lne oner liiat OF Richard Baker, who married Ju
'''lr'' my only Other daughter, and Vas mailed
III Detroit.
ieit strong desire 10 hear from my children,
having received no information from Them for
,e'era months, but could not prevail with The
| os'n'aster to relax hair from his positive or
aefs, so returned home with Il heavy heart,
raVihS The letters to be sent To tho General Post
once ut Washington, for the perusal and edit
cation OF the Postmaster General
!, wish TO be informed in your next letter, land
nope you will write soon,) how these things are
managed with you in Connrciicut--and am pre-.
pared 10 say that if the same course is pursued
mere, no one need be surprised at he late choice
d town officers, in so many of your little town
meetings, as learn by the pnpers.
III my lie and health should be continued till
next Summer, am calculating to visit you, and
'i'ni INSIST ohyour going with me TO the side.
:" Brahiord, and call Oh our old friend Rogers
once more In the meantime remain as ever,
Your friend and humble servant,
Es&*#rL H%***sD.
HE LIFE AND ZINES OF GEORGE WHITEFIELD.
L his work by Robert Philip, is re Published