Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1841-11-29
THE EMPEROR OF RUSSIA-ADVEN-
TURES OF YANKEE BOY.
Extract Of letter published in the National
Anti-Slavery Standard

AT the Navy Yard, Brooklyn, saw the shin Of
war Independence, which carried out Mr. Dallas
aud his family when he went Ambassador to Rus
STA. On their arrival at Cronstadt they observed
barge, containing sixteen Of the empercr's State
officers, put off from steamboat near by, and
rowed toward them. They came on board leav-
ing behind them the oars inen and tall fine look
ing man ut helm.-wlile the officers were in the
cabin pnrtakng refreshments and exchanging
courtesies, the helmsnluu leaped on board and
made himself shall fellow wei met with the
sailors, accepting guilds OF tobacco aud asking va
rlous questions When the officers returned on
deck, and he had resumed his place, one of the
sailors said TO his comrade, with knowing look,
i tell you what Tom, that ERE chaps more than
we take hun Tor He's tdnd-lubber, can tell
you. Old Nep never had the dipping of iinl'.
An officer Of the Independence overheard these
remarks, and whispered to Commodore Nichol-
son that he slrewdly suspected the tall, plainly
dressed helmsnan, was the emperor Nicholas in
disguise (; for he was said to be fond OF playing
such pranks. A royal salute, AZ guns, was imne-
dlatey ordered. The hemsman was observed to
count the gus; aud after 81 THE common salute)
had been fired, he took off his cap and bowed.
he Russian sIeanef Instantly run up the imperial
1ag all the forts and every ship in the hnlbur,
commenced Il tremendous cannonadng; rendlng
The air as when from "ciag to crag leaps the live
thunder"
In courteous acknowledgment OF his discovered
Disguise, the officers Of the Independence were
invited to make the palace their hume, during
'heir stay al 81. Petersburgh, and the emperor's
carriages, horses aids, all their service;
compliment never before paid to II vessel Of any
nation.
Yet was similar honor conferred on an uncouth
country boy from New England The following
Is Tie substance OF the story, as told by Mr.. Dali
las, at public dinner given him at Philadelphia,
on ms return from Russia, in 1888.
One day lad, apparently about 10, presented
himself before the Ambassador ut 81. Petersburg.
lie was pure specimen of the genus Yankee
with sleeves too short for his hony arms trow-
sers half way up his knees, and hands playing
with copperS and ten-penny nails III his pocket
He introduced himself by saying, I've Jest come
out here 20 trade with a few Yankee notions, and
| want to get sight at the emperor
'Why do you wish to him
'Pve brought him a present. all the way from
Ameriky. l respect him considerable and want
to get at him, to give it to him, with my own
hands,
Mr.. Dollas smiled, as he answered, It's such a
common thing my lad, to make crowned heads a
present, expecting something handsome in return.
that am afraid the emperor will consider this as
only Yankee trick What have you brought
An acorn
'An acorn! what under the sun induced you 10
bring the emperor of Russia an acorn p
'Why, jest before sailed, mother and went
on TO Washington to see about pension; and
w
step over 10 Mount Vernon | picked up this a
corn there; aud thought to myself | would
bring it TO The emperor. Thinks says l. he must
have heard considerable deal about our General
Washington, and expect he must admire our in
stItulIons. SO now YOU see have brought IT, and
want to get at him.
My lad, it's not an easy matter for stranger to
approach the emperor and | am afraid he will
take no notice oil your present. You had better
keep IT,
i tell you want to have talk with him. ex-
pect can tell him thing two about Amerky.
guess he d like mighty we'll to hear about our
rail roads, and our free schools, and what a big
swell our steamers cut. Aud when he hears how
wen our people are getting on, may be it will put
llIm up TO dong somethihE-The long and short
ont Is, shant he easy ill get talk with the
emperor; and should lika TO see his wife and
children. ! want'to see how such folks bring up
their iamy.'
wv ell sir, since you are so determined upon it
VIII do what can for you but you must ex-
pect TO be disappointed. Though it will he rather
an unusual proceeding, would advise You to call
on The vce-clnncellor, aud state your wishes; he
may possibly assist you
Well, that's all want of YOU | will call a.
gain, aud let you know how get ON
In TWO or three days, he again appeared and
sad, Nv ELL I've seen the emperor, and had talk
with him. He's real gentleman, | can tell you.
When give him the acorn, he SAID he should set
great store ny II that there was no character in
ancient or modern history he admired so mech rs
lie dli our Washington. He said he ii plant il in
his palace garden with his own hand and lie did
do Tor ! see him With my own eyes. He
wanted to ask me so much about our schools ard
rail roads, and one thing or other, thai he invited
me TO come again and see his daughters; for he
SAID his wife could speak better English lhnn he
could. So went again yesterday aud she's fine
knowing woman, tell you; aud his daughters
nice gals
What did the empress say TO you p
Oh, she asked me sight OF Questions Don't
you Think she thought We had no servants in A.
meriky? ! told her poor folks did their own
work, but rich folks have plenty o servants 'Bnt
len you don't call em servants, said she 'you call
en- help guess ma'an, you've been reading
Mrs Trolop says !. We had that ere book IT.
board our ship. The emperor clapprd his hands
and laughed as il he'd kill himself You're
right, SIR said he you're right. We sent for an
English copy, and she S been reading il this very
morning! Then told him all knew about our
country, and he was nightly pleased. He want
20 10 know how long expected 10 stay in these
parts. told him I'd sold all the notions bro't
over and guessed should go back in the same
ship. bid 'em good bye, all around, and went
about my business. Ain't had glorious time?
expect you didn't calculate TO see me run such
a rig!
No, indeed did not, my lad. You may well
consider yourself lucky; for its very nncom-
mon thing for crowned heads to treat a stranger
with SO much distiction.
few days after, he called again, aud said, Il
guess shall stay here spell longer Pm taeated
so we'll T'other day grand officer came to my
room, and told me the emperor had sent him to
show me all the curiosities and dressed myself
and he took me with him, in mighty fine CARR
age, with four horses; and I've been 10 the thea
tire and the museums and expect I've seen about
all there IS to he seen in ST. Petersburg. What
do you think Of that Mr., Dalas?'
IL seemed so incredible that u poor, ungainly
Yankee lad should be thus loaded with allen-
tons, lhat'he ambassador scarcely knew what to
think or say
in short time, his strange visitor reappeared.
Weli said he, Il made up my mind to go
home; so went TO thank the emperor, and bid him
good bye. thought couldn't do less, he'd been so
civil. SaXa he tIs Ihara nnu thinn else Xnn'd Ike