Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1841-04-21
General HarrisOn's Last Letter
AN INTERESTING CASE.

The following letter, which we copy from the
New York Commercial, is touching and character
istic, and will be read with interest. We annex
also. the preliminary remarks ofthe New York ed
itor. The case throughout is one which illustrates
the character of the late President in the clearest
and most commendable light. He was indeed a
good old man, with a heart overflowing with the
milk of human kindness. Now that he is gone,
thousand little incidents will be remembered and
related, and all calculated to endear him sti Il more
10 the hearts of the American People. He could
not have died at more opportune moment for his
fame.
"On Saturday, hardy, weather beaten, but very
respectable looking seaman presented himself to
the Collector, at the Custom House, and inquiring
for Mr.. Curtis, said, General Harrison told me to
give this letter into your own hand. He told me
TO give his kind respects to Mr.. Curtis, and said
Mr.. Curtis was his friend, and would be my friend
Mr.. Curtis opened the letter, and found 1t to be,
from its date, of the last, if the Uery last
letter, written by General Harrison. 1t bears date
OF the day when his illness commenced. The
reader will see from perusal of 1t, that amidst all
the cares and troubles of his high position he was
true to the humbest of his old friends. Tucker
says the General made him come to the dinner ia
BILE with the great folks. and when he hesitated,
and intimaed that he had better GO beloO for mis-
dinner, the General said, Tucker, you and have
been shipmates, and long time together. You
arc an honest man; come and eat your dinner with
me, and come here again tomorrow morning and
get your breakfast with me-
Tucker says the General invited him to stay In
Washington, and told him he would take care of
him, but his wife and children being in New " ork,
Tucker preferred to return He says General H.
followed him into the grounds on the east side of
the White House, and then walked with him arm
}n-arm-that the General had no hat on, and when
Tucker adverted TO his liability to take cold, he
waived the remark by saying he was already un-
well. Having received the letter from the Gene
raj, Tucker says he followed him to the door and
~look him by the hand, saying, ''go to my friend
fir. Curtis, and after 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 not let the General know that, for
he knew he would give it to him in a minute, and
he did not wish TO take money from the good old
man who had been so kind to him. And so Tuck
er went on board the schooner L. L. Sturgs, 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 bene-
factor as passed up the Old Slip dock, the abun-
dant tears that fell down his hardy cheek testified
that his is no ungrateful heart.
We are glad to hear that Mr.. Curtis immediate
ly appointed Mr. Tucker an inspector of the Gus
toms.
WAsHINGToN, 26th March, I841
Dear Sir-The bearer hereof, Mr. Thomas
Tucker, veteran seaman, came with me from
Carthagena, as the mate of the brig Montidia, in
the year 1929. In an association Of several weeks
im5bed high opinion ofhis character-so much
50 that expressing desire to leave the seal in
vited him to come to North Bend and spend the
remainder Of his days with me. Subsequent mis-
fortunes prevented his doing so, as he was desrous
to bring some money with him TO commence farm
ing operations His bad fortune still continues,
having been several times shpwrecked within a
few years. He says that himself and family are
now in such situation that the humbest employ
mont would be acceptable to him, and | write this
20 recommend him TO your favorable notice. ! am
pers adedthatno one possesses. IN higher degree,
%he virtues OF fidelity honesty and interchangeable IN
dustry; and might add of indomitabe bravery,
fthat was quality necessary for the kind of en-
pl0yment he seeks "Yours very truly,
'W. H. HARRISON.
" EDWARD CURTIS, ESQ.
Collector, &c, New York"