The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-04-16

On Saturday, a hardy, weather beaten but very
respectable looking seaman presented himself TO ths
Collector, at the Custom House, and inquinng io'
Mr., Curtis, said, General Harrison told me TO give
this letter into your hand He told me 70 give his
Kind respects 10 Mr.. Curtis, and said Mr. Curtis was
his friend, and would be my friend. Mr. Gurus
opened the letter, and found il to be, from It's date
one of the last If not the rery last letter written py
General Harrison Il bears date Of the day when Ms
illness commenced The reader will see, from q pc
rusa Of IT, that amidst all the and troubles OF ma
high position he true 10 the humblest oil DIS ola
friends. Tucker says the General made him come %
the dinner table with the great folks, and when ne
hesitated and nmaled that he had better 60 beop for
his dinner the General said Tucker, you and have
been shipmates, and long time together. You are
an honest man come and eat your dinner with me,
and 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 York, Tuck
preferred TO return. He says General H. followed
him into the grounds the East side of the White
House, and then walked with him arm.in- arm--that
the General had no hat on and when Tucker advert
ed to his liability to take cold he waived the remark by
saying he was already unwell Having received the
letter from the General, Tucker says he followed him
to the door and shook him ly the hand saying go to
my friend Mr. Curtis and after you have been to him
don't forget TO write that your wife and children
are happy again
Tucker says he had money TO come home by
land but he did let the General know that for he
knew he would give il to him in a minute, and he did
not wish to take money from the good old man who
lad been so kind TO him. And so Tucker went on
board the schooner L. L. Sturgis 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 benefactor he passed up the
Old Slip dock the abundant tears that fell down his
hardy cheek testified that his is ungratefu heart
We are glad to hear that Mr. Curtis Immediately
appointed Mr.. Tucker an inspector Of the customs.
sWAsnInoToN, March DC, l64l.
Dear SiI-Thc bearor hereof, Mr.. Thomas Tuck
or, a veteran seaman, came with me from Carthage
ma as the mate of the brig Mondia in the year 1929
In an association of several weeks imbbed high
opinion Of his character-so much that Expressing
a desire to leave the sea) invited him to come to
North Bend and spend the remainder Of his days with
me. Subsequent misforunes prevented his doing SO,
he DESTROYS to bring some money with him to
commence farming operations. His bad fortune
still continues having been several times shPwrccked
within few years. He says that himself and family
are now in such situation that the humblest employ
ment would be acceptable to him, and write this TO
recommend him to your favorable notice. ! am per-
suaded that possesses in a higher degree the
virtues Of fidelity honesty and indeatigable ndusry
and might add of indomitable bravery, if that
quality necessary for the kind Of employment he seeks
wv. ii. HARRISON.
Edward Curtis Esq,
Collector &c, New York
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