The Hawk-eye and Iowa patriot. (Burlington, Iowa) 1839-1843, 1841-03-11
From the New York Express.
MAJOR JACK DOWNING.

~ say, it one feels chilled by the presen
cold and dark aspect of things, he may
seek and find leading cause in the sc.
tarnal poker" system which seems to have
suited the policy of certain circles, and
who have found q ready and plant press
to aid them in their patriotic efforts.
We commend this letter especially to
told Pennsylvany," and if she is willing
to have her fires poked out, be it so-she
will not say that she was not timely eau
toned. But, let us not be disheartened,
the coal is unconsumed-a little kindling
wood and blower will restore the
steady warmth, and then keeping the no.
ker aloof, or his skilful hands alone, we
may still enjoy the comforts of wide
circle around genial fire.
PHILADELFY, 9th Feb, A. D. 1910.
10 the Editors of my old friend Mr..
Dwight's paper, that used to take the
lead on spell ago.
GENTLEmEN-I suppose you will be
considerable wonderated to know what on
airth led me..from the track to Washington
with the old hero Of the North Bend Cab
in, and brung me here,--well I'll tell
you.
l and the Gineral was drifting along
down from the west, and bowling and
shaking off the everlasting crowd of folks
all the way from the Ohio, till we struck
along the edge of old Pennsyluany, when
we heard folks beginning to talk about
hard money, and paper money, and re-
sumption, and suspension, and things of
that snatur, when says I, Gineral, you
may depend there is trouble brewing
somewheres along here, and if you say
So says l, I'll jist quit you for spell
and take turn down to Philadelfy, and
look into the matter little, and jine you
at Washington well, says he Major,
seeing as how folks begin to thicken
amazingly around us, my calklation is
you won't be much mist, but see that you
to Washington as soon as possible,
and in the mean time let me know all
you meet with worth hearing, '-and so l
quit, and as the Gineral never wants to
know nothing more than the people know
send you this letter to print,
and you will please send copy ont to the
SO that he will know as much as
other folks do about it.
| got here last evening just arter lamp
lighting, and took run round TO most all
The Banks to see il 1 could find any OMEN
open, but found 'em all locked up and
bright lamps burning afore the doors, and
good strong broad.shouldered watchmen
standing at their posts with clubs and
rattles jist for all the world as tho the
Banks was full of specie payments as
ever, and not mite of difference.
stopt and had leetle talk with one of
hose watchmen, and says I, stranger, is
here no Citing in here to see folks?'
Not tonight says he, all the Banks are
shut up sHow you talk says I, and
so | streak'd it round to Squire Biddle's
premises, for | had notion if could only
git a fair talk with the Squire, I would
arm pritty much all about the matter.
found the Squire to hum, and he was
lmazin glad TO see me; and he and went
light up into room alone, where found |
l good ,oarma Lehigh coal fire burning,
md table kivered with papers; and he
ook one chair and another, and he went
1t it straight off. &c. says 1, Squire,
you are all suspended agin, larn.' sYes,
rays he, major, the folks who wanted
lard money have got all the Banks had
o give them; and as the Banks can't coin
lard money, and can only git it from the
olks who owe them, it turns out that, as
he Banks have not got the same pow er
" the law to make folks pay them as
asst as the other folks want it, the pond
must run dry for SPELL.
But, says I, Squire, how on airth
$ it that things work SO that one set of
olks keep drawing out Of the spiggot
aster than other folks pour into the bung-
lole?' Things warn't so in Mr. Adams
ime,' says l. Now. how is it? This
ct the Squire scratching his head and
hinking,-and to give him time to an
wer, took the poker and began poking
Ip his Lehigh coal fire, to see if there
vas any blaze in it; and to rights says
lie, Major, what are you poking that
ire for? Do you expect to make it burn
Fighter! If you will take my advice /
avs he, you will let it alone. Amt the
DOM warm enuf?' Yes says |, it's I,
warm enuf, but little poking wont do /
any harm, will it
WE'LL says he, you 60 on poking, L
'ou will see,' and sure enuf. the more +
poked, the darker the fire and coal got;
nd bime-by it all went out. well, says
Squire, this is plagy odd kind Of fire I
f your'n,' says !. yes says he, it's e
pennsylvania coal, it wont stand poking, E
1ajor,-if you let it alone, it will burn .
lowly and surely, and give out COM t
ortab!e heat,-but if folks go to poking t
it, it turns and looks black at them, !,
nd gives them cold shiver.' b
WE'LL says I, Squire, ] want you I
} answer and explain to me now about t
his Bank matter. How is it, says |, b
that all your Banks have suspended J
pecie paynents-all broke-all gone to '
and eternal smash Now, I
ow has all this come about 2 says I. Ii
We'll, says he, Major, I'll tell you.
a the first place, when you first entered 1
- III.