Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1840-07-28

What strange commentary do the gorgeous
and dazzling garnlshments otthe East Room"
afford in regard 10 the remarks OF the "Couri- |
| er and Enquirer" which have lust been read
by the CLERK. every plain republican"
forsooth, when visiting Washington, viii
now find chair TO 81, down upon IN the East
Room" Ay, sir. every plain republican will
now find set of chairs in tia, splendid and
royal saloon, which took the round sum of
six hundred dollars of the peoples cash to pay
| for. Is not that "sit,ing down" with ven
geancel Mr.. Clay's President (Mr. Adams)
through aristocratic PRIDE" kept the East
Room full Of cobwebs, few old chairs, lum-
I beriog heacha-., and hrakon glass" On the
other hand, Martin Van Buren--plain,. 'repub-
| lican-hard handed democrat Iocofoco Martin
Van Buren-has it now garnished with gold
framed mirrors ''as big as barn DOORS" TO be-
hold his plain republican self in. What need
he care il those mirrors have taken twenty
four hundred dollars OF the peoples cash to
pay for theml Is not such democracy bur-
lesque on common sense and common docen-
cy! But, Mr. Chairman, am not done with
the celebrated East Room Letter, That
letter was not only false, but was, immediate
! ly after its publication, known throughout the
whole country TO have been sheer fabrica-
ton, "irom beginning to end" For the sake
! OF the authors reputation, IL therefore became
necessary that his name should be withheld
from the People. The editor of the Richmond
Enquirer, instead of exposing the base coiner
of ialsehood, maintained the deep silence Of
the grave in regard TO the writer OF the letter
during a period of almost four months; and il
was not until after repeated goadings that he
became rcstff and sore, and began TO mani
fest proper disposition to clear his own skirts
of the forgery.
10 1v coI in tha
Enquirer Of the 9th April, in reply to an arti-
Gle in some other newspaper on the subject of
the letter. that "the account to which the VIII
ter refers respecting "the East Room was for
warded to us, as it purports, ''by one OF the
most intelligent and distinguished members of
Congress" This "most intelligent and dis
tinguished member of Congress-, turned out
to be Thomas Hart Benton, who subsequently
became still more distinguished as the author
of the "Gold Humbug. ] said that this EAST
Room Letter" was false throughout, and that
+ it was made up of the whole piece OF cloth;
for it appears, at the the very time list Janu-
ary, 1927 that letter was written, describing
; the furniture of the East Room as gorgeous
10 degree of "regal magnificence," the room
had mo furniture, excepting few old chairs,
numbering benches, broken glass" and divers
, fraternities of cobwebs. Sir 90 for these
b, old "reminiscences, and hold that when zone
, of the most intelligent and distinguished mem
/ bers of Congress-" will deliberately sit down
in his chair and f:briccate for publication a
f wilful lie, for the purpose of deceiving the
, People, he ought ever TO be kept in fresh re-
, membrance. His title should be branded
deeply on his forehead as ever was the letter
. X on felon's cheek. Sir, Thomas ii Benton
, begot that falsehood-it was proved upon him,
, and though other matters on the account OF
+ youthful indiscretion may be forgiven and for
y gotten, this base coinage he brought 10 his
own door, and is and will be remembered by
. the People Of the United States.
[ Having paid our respects to the EAST
Room" let US, Mr. Chairman, take view OF
! what is, at the present day called the "Bue
, Elliptical Saloon" though in former times II
was known as the Screen Circular Parlor.'
: This apartment Is nearly Oval in form, and is
forty feet long by thirty wide. Ia its beauti-
| full shape, rich French furniture, snowy dra-
I perry, costly glded ornaments, and general
; arrangements, the "Blue Elliptical Saloon
has frequently been pronounced in the judg
/, ment Of the best connoisseurs, the choices
room Of the palace. 1t is believed TO have
/. been prepared and furnished very much aiie
I the style of the most brilliant drawing-room
!, at the Tuleries, Fountainbleau Ncuilly an
O St. Cloud. To give you, sir, proper idea @
n the "regal magnffcence" this saloon at thi
Al day, will first enumerate some OF the article
g with which il had been furnished before Nj
~ Van Buren, became its occupant, and sha
\ then show that he expended in "improvng
,. the furniture Of that room, during the first tel
e months of his presidency, tie snm Of : so
|. SIS ofthe Peoples cash. Sir, not ofhis own
The blue Elhp,ical Saloon" among oihe
a furniture had the following;
n ! superb french gilt mantel time piece, REP
70 resentlng Minerva leaning on her buckler, o
\ the face Of which the clock is placed; III
n whole standing on a square bronze pedesti
adorned on three sides with military tIophie
: in has relief The entire work is bronzed, e
e egantly carved and richly gilded.
IS 2 large gilt framed mirrors.
3 splendid gilt eagle cornices
large glass and gilt chandelier of30 ligh,
IF ornamental with female figures and bust {
Diana. The branches being embeilished VT
ST the head of Minerva.
20 pair elegant bronze and heavy gill m9nt'
% branches, garnished with ivy leaves and ie
r male figures carrying uumpets.
- bronze and gilt candelabfas, supported b
" a figure standing on a round pedestal and beai
ing palm,ree with lights.
,. / pair Of bronze and gill andlrons, with ca
giles ia antique colours.
= set Of splendid porcelain vases decorate
with the rich landscape Of Passey, cnbracln
N the mansion Of DIR. Franklin, when lie reside
d in France.
4. bust Of Washington.
a Gilt consul table with marble top.
n sets Of double silk window curtains.
10 "a elegant gilt and satin chairs.
~ DO DO seitees, for Teoes'
!" do do sofas and pillows.