The Illinois free trader and LaSalle County commercial advertiser. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1841-1843, 1842-12-02

muscular old man, from the west; sun
burnt and swarthy with a brown-whlte
hat on his knees, and giant umbrella
resting between his legs; who sat bold
upright in his chair, frowning steadily at
! the carpet, and twi,ching the hard lines
about his mouth, as if he had made up
his mind "to FIX the Presiden, on what
he had to say, and wouldn't bate HIM
grain. Another, Kentucky farmer, six
feet-six in height, with his hat on, and his
hands under his coat-lails, who leaned
against the wall and kicked the foo, with
his heel, as though he had Times head
under his shoe, and were literally "kill-
ing" him.
A third, an oval-faced, blious-looking
man, with sleek black hair cropped close,
and whiskers and beard shaved down TO
blue dots, who sucked the head Of 4 thicl
stick, and from time to time took it out Of
his mouth TO see how it was getting on.
A fourth did nothing but whistle. A fifth
did nothing but spit. And indeed all these
gentlemen mere so persevering and ener-
gctic in this latter particular, and bestowed
their favors so abundantly upon the car
pet, that take it for granted the Presden-
tal housemaids have high wages, or, to
speak more genteclly, an ample amount
Of s. compensation - which is the Anne.
rlcan word for salary, in the case Of all
public servants.
We had not waited in this room many
minutes, before the black messenger re-
turned, and conducted us into another Of
smaller dimensions, where, at a business
like table covered with papers, sat the
President himself. He looked somewhat
worn and anxious, and well he might
being a. war with everybody; but the ex-
. preston of his face was mild and pleas
ant, anb lis manner was remarkably un-
affected, gentemanly and agreeable. |
thought that in his whole carriage and de-
meanor, he became his station s!ngularly
well.
Being advised that the sensible etiquette
J. of the republican court, admitted Of tra-
weller. like myself, declining, without any
impropriety. an invitation 10 dinner. which
did not reach me until had concluded
my arrangements for leaving Washington
IS some days before that to which it referred
: only returned to the house once. II
was OH the occasion Of one of those gene.
raj assemblies which are held on certain
G nights, between the hours Of nine and
d twelve o'clock, and are called rather
i oddly, Leyees.
c went, with my wife, at about ten
d There was pretty dense crowd of car
d rages and people in the courtyard, and
e SO far as / could make out, there were no
n very clear regulations for the taking up or
J. setting down of company.
There were certainly no policemen TO
n soothe startled horses, either by saving
IS at their brides or fourishing truncheons
l, in their eyes; and | am ready to make
If oath that no molIenslve persons were
knocked violently on the head, or poked
g acutcly in their backs or stomachs; OF
y brought to . stand-sliil by any such gentle
= means, and then taken into custody fol
d not mo9ing on. But there was no confu'
Y sion or disorder. Our carriage reached
ir the porch in its turn, without any bus
Re terng, swearing, shouting, backing, Of
n other disturbance; and we disnounte'
rs with as much ease and comfort as though
5; we had been escorted by the whole Me
m tropoliian force from 4 to Z inclusive.
The suite Of rooms on the ground-hoor
b. were lighted up; and military band was
~ playing in the hall. In the smaller draw
10 ing room, the csnre of circle Of com
ly pany, were the President and his daugh
ne ter-n-law, who acted as the lady Of th
lat mansion; and avery interesting, graceful
m and accomplished lady too One gentle
IL man who stood among this group, appea
tic red to take upon himself the functions o
master OF the ceremonies. saw n,
s; other officers or attendants. and none wer
e. needed.
m The great draving-room, which hav
'er already mentioned, and the other cham
re bers on the ground-noor, were crowde
I'M to excess. The company was not, in GU
we sense of the term, select, for it compre
ere hended persons Of very many grades an
IN classes; nor was there any great displa
OK of costly attire: indeed some of the cos
no tunes may have been, for aught know
is groiesque enough. But the decorum an
're propriety 6 'ur which prevailed
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