Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1840-05-22

plate into tho Presidential mansion and
he is lauded as the most democratic of all
our Chief Magistrates. He is the first
President that ever provided British
coach for the Royal use; and he is the
first, it is believed, that ever filled the
White House with French furniture, or
loaded his dinner table with foreign trink-
cts and gcw-gaws at the public expense.
have given you some account of this
English coach and the French furniture,
and the gold spoons, and the magnificent
European table ornaments, in my former
letters; and perceive, by paragraph
in the Boston Morning Post, that the truth
ofmy statements is denied, on the author
ity Gov. Lincoln, of Massachusetts, a
member of the Committee on Public
Buildings, in the present Congress. Now
l will pledge my personal reputation upon
the literal accuracy of every word that l
have ever written upon the subject; and
L will engage to prove, by the positive as
sertions of credible witnesses, by facts and
figures, and the items of expenditure as
given in the official reports ofthc govern
mcnt, the entire truth of the gold spoon
story. wrote an account of this cxtrav-
agant fnery at the White House before
the subjest had been mentioned upon the
floor of Congress. I obtained my facts
from members who dincd with the Presi-
dent, according to the custom, in the early
, part of the session. The language which
| used was as follows:
"Mr Van Buren, is evidently vain
man, and his vanity lies within a narrow
circle. He is fond of pomp and show,
and the trappings of power, as all his ac-
tons declare. He dresses in the height
of fashion, and his equipage is the most
: magnificent that dashes through the ave-
!; nues of this magnificent city. His public
+ dinner parties are also splendid beyond
description. The table is tricked out
+ with all the ornaments that the richest
/ jewellers can prodoce. The centre is
,, garnished with a pyramid of fantastic
fincry, and complete set Of GOLD PLATE
HAS RECENTLY BEEN ADDED to the furni-
turc of the White House, to dazzle the
eyes of visitors. This service comprises
knires, forks, and SPOONS OF
GOLD-dishes Of gold, and arms Of
gold. Mr. Van Buren, is as gay and polite
as a French dancing master; and he re-
ccives every man, with that everlasting
! hypocritical smile. which marks the man
!, for knavc. 1t is said that the Magician
! cannot look an honest man directly in the
face, for a single moment; his eye roves
and dances like the eye of basilisk."
. This language was employed to illus
: trate the character of MIR. Van Bnrcn
The members from whom obtained the
II account Of the dinner table and the gold
II plate, were the Hon. r. C. Chittenden, oil
{, New York, and the Hon. l.. w. Andrews,
!, of kentucky, who examined the spoons,
knives and forks with particular care
. They still believe these articles to be gold
> The dishes, urns, and other parts of the
II dinner service are executed in style tC
: correspond with the spoons, and if moi
J solid gold, arc made to dazzle and deceive
II MIR. Andrews took an inventory of the
: gold plate, and sketch of the foreign or.
i naments on the table, which 1t was sale
q he intended to have printed by lltho-
grapher.. The "pyramid of fantastic
flnery" in the centre of the table is a
y French ornament, and is called Plateau
y 1t was purchasedin France, at an expense
s Of $4,000 Of the peoples money. Nc
II other President ever had such an article
II in the White House. 1t consists of ar
immense gilded tray, or platter, contain
II ing pyramid of golden fillagrcc work
y on the summit Of which there are severa
golden Cupids, sustaining golden candle.
u sticks. The table is also ornamentct
: with other finery of the same description
$ and with vases artificial flowers, one
: bunch of which, as shall show presently
r cost the sum of one hundred dollars
g The ceremonies of these democratic din.
s. ner parties are conducted on the mos
: courtly system. Every thing is forced
G formal, and far removed from that repub.
u lican simplicity which should distinguish
s. the residence of republican President
o NisiterS are first shown into an ante-room
I, where they are prepared to appear in the
august presence of the Chief Magistrate
: They are then ushered into the reception
g room, announced, and introduced to hi.
s. Majesty. Nearly an hour is then spen
: in solemn and oppressive silence. A
: confidential friend or two obtain a sea-
c near the throne, and occupy the ear Of
= the President until the dinner hour arrives
: Similar formality is observed in passing
c from the reception room to the dining hall
e and guests finally find themselves seated
u at the Presidents table. The brilliancy
of the charlottesville glittoring of the
c foreign gew-gaws--the multitude Of
: strange dishes. and colorcd glasses, utterly
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