Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1841-04-29
GEN. HARRIsoNs LAST LETTER,

GEN. HARRISON'S LAST LETTER,
On Saturday, hardy, weather. beaten,
but very respectable looking seaman pre-.
scented himself TO the Collector, a. the
Custom House, and inquiring for Mr.. Cur
It's, said, /" General Harrison told me to
give this letter into your hand. He told
me to give his kind respects TO Mr.. Curtis.
and said Mr.. Curtis was bis friend, and he
would be my friend" Mr.. Curtis opened
tho letter, and found il to Be, from its
date, one Of hie last, if not the rery dst
letter, written by General Harrison. Il
bears date Of the day when his illness
commenced. The reader will see, from n
perusal Of II, that amidst all the cares and
troubles o. his high position, he was true
10 the humblesi Of his old friends. Tuck.
or says, the General made him come to
the dinner table with the great folks, and
when he hesitated and minated that he
had better 60 belo1 for bis dinner, the
General said, "Tucker, you and have
been shipmates, and a long time together.
You are an honest man como and eat
your dinner with me, aud como here again
Tomorrow morning and get your break
fast with me-"
Tucker says the General invited him to
stay in Washington, and told him that he
would take care Of him; but his wife and
children being in New York, Tucker pre-
ierred to return. He says General Fl.
followed him into the grounds on the East
side Of the White House, and then walked
with him arm-in.arm--that the General
had no ha. on, and when Tucker adyerted
to his liability TO take cold, he waived the
remark, by saying that he was already
unwell. Having received the letter from
the General, Tucker says he followed him
to the door and shook him by the hand,
saying, go to my friend Mr.. Curtis, and
alter you have been to him don't forget to
write to me that you and your wife and
children are happy again"
Tucker says he had no money to come
home by land, but he did net let the Gen
eral know that, for he knew he would
give II to him in minute, and he did not
wish tatake money from the good old
man who had been so kind TO him. And
so Tucker went on board the schooner L.
l.. Stargis, at Alexandra, and worked
his passage home TO New York. When
he came TO the Custom House he had not
been ashore thirty minutes, and having
first heard the sad news of the death of
his kind benefacior, as he passed up the
Old Slip dock, the abundant tears that
FILL down his hardy cheek testified that
his is no ungrateiu heart.
We are glad to hear that Mr.. Curtis
Immediately appointed Mr.. Tucker au in.
spector Of the customs.-N. Y. Com.
WAsHlSoTos, Goth March, 1911
DEAR SIR The bearer hereof, 'lr.
Thomas Tucker, a veteran seaman, came
with me from Carlhagena, as the mate of
the brig Montdia, in the year 1929. In
an association Of several weeks, imbibed
a high opinion Of his characterize much
SO that Expressing desire to leave the
seal invited him to come to North Bend
and spend the remainder of his days with
me. Subsequent mlslortunes prevented
his doing so, as he was DESTROYS to bring
some money with him to commence farm.
ing operations. His bad fortune still con-
tinues, having been several times ship
wrecked within few years. He says
that himself and family are now in such a
situation that the humblest employment
would be acceptable to him, and | write
this to recommend him to your favorable
notice. am persuaded that no one pos.
scssess, in a higher degree, the virtues of
fidelity, honesty, ofindeiatigable industry,
and, might add, of indomi,able bravery,
If that was quality necessary for the
kind Unemployment he seeks.
Yours, very truly,
w. II. HARRISON.
EDWARD CuRTis, Esq,
Collector, &c, New York"