Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1840-10-31


I'd proper in ne to give statement Of the whole
and dispassionnte manner.
On Tuesday or Wednesday previous to the rais-
ing, was told by II. s. Thomas, Esq, that the
young men had held a meeting, and were about e.
recting pole and that as my share they had allot-
ted the painting of nag and Transparency replied
that would be very happy to do them any service
in my power. He said no more at that time, hu,
sent The musln AID went to work and flushed
"Van Buren" in large block letters the same even
ing when called Me. SIS Youhsman and Thomas
to ii, they expressed their satisfaction, and after
some short conversation, retired.
The mottos on the transparency were fixed by
Messrs Youngman, Thomas and myself, aflcr q
good deal of debate and were painted on four yards
OF muslin.
When the transparency finished sent for
some more muslin to paint in strips for sewing on
the opposite side Of the flag, the place where
the letters showed through, and painted the names
"Vau Buren," johnson" and Porter and Demo.
crscy,' on separate strips.
Here it may be proper 10 state, tina: while was
painting the transparency, the flag hanging
close at hand to dry, and visits of curiosity were not
unfrcquen'. Nearly all inquired wha, would I've
the other side and this question my universal
reply "Vsn Bmen and johnson, Porter and
d, mocracy. and Charles w. Higgins"
They all say laughed when | told them. Well
that may he, for cannot say that | was in an i'll
humoT at the time, and think any young in
my situation would have found i, rather difficult to
maintain serious air; for had then in prospect
the ridiculous scene Of Jesse G. Horton lending
hand to raise flag with his opponents II.
They say laughed, and they may have spoken
Alright.
| On Friday evening had some company, (thrce
young men, all particular friends of mine) and af-
ter amusing Ourselves f,r an hour or so began tn
inquire into the politics of one, "a democr ~ aud
found that he rather for Horton. I was ex-
trem,ly sorry for this, for wished to enlist him in
the trick, bu, did not tell him. The others knew
to be for Higgins, and afer our Horton friend had
gone, opened my plan TO them, and We went to
work. aud in about fifteen minutes produced pref
ty fair piece of workmanship, in the shape of the
name of &C. w, Higgins" The letters were ten
inches tall, and look quite well. This done, we
pocseded to dry the piece, and succeeded very well
for in ihree-fourths If All hour it peri ely dry
and ready for sewing, and in short time we had
it firmly attached to the main flag, opposite The
name of Porter and Democracy; after This. a strip
prepared with Porter and Democracy on it, was
sewed on the top, so as TO &. w. Higgins
nam, and the other parts of the banner were AZ
ranged in the usual st,le and well sewed.
In the morning procured phial Of Sulphuric
Acid, and tried experiments on several threads, 50
to ascertain the ght quantity Of water to lie used
in allowing the thread to last three hours. This
was found to be about one-third.
A few minutes before the pole was raised, put
drop Of the diluted acid each sli,h of the piece
which covered the name OF &c. w. Hegins," and
pole, and afier a great deal Of delay tied it TO its
Ilace by the cords Another hour being spent in
futcss attempts at g, ting The people to work by
some system, and the noble pole hegan to raise its
giant head towards the heavens, with n beautiful
American flag, made by The ladies', and the banner
hauc ny Hie, hoi'ihB Suyy u" Nhe eNo""s "iSeLe'
]. Youngman, Esq. very kindly volunteered his ser.
vices to keep the a ig folded, and watch the boys
of.
In the evening the company parook ofa splendid
supper prepared by MIR. HiIbourn, aud Messrs
Cake and Youngman very politely invited me to
attend, but being engaged particularly that evening
excused myself and thanked them. After supper
the company formed procession and accompanied
hy music passed through the principal streets, and
when they came to our house gave three cheers fol
me. For thi honor thank them in all sincerity
and hope to be able some night to repay them fo
their generosity.
On Sunday morning early, the uick was disco
vered, and all day oaths and damnai ms were thun
, deed out against me thick and heavy and the Hor
tonians determined 10 have it down. They tried /,
climb the pole on Monday morning, but failed, and
in the afternoon shot it of. The same evening they
held meeting at Mr. Hilihourn's, at which at
tended and heard great deal Of abusive Language
used. not necessary To repeat at present, and of to-
low emanaton to name a decent sheet of paper
{ At this meeting was passed sundry resolutions
which have been published in Mr.. Youngmar,'s prIn
= for eltconecnng purposes. If there can be an
d blame attached to my one, claim as my exclusiv
right that il shall be to me, as designed the whole
n and by my own means put i, in execution, merel
for piece of fun. Being minor, have interes
S whatever in the election.
DnpEpT n,rAV