The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-04-07
MR. J. H. PEASANTS, THE DESPATCH
BEARER

We thought Yesterday that we could not
ants adventure with the dispatches. A pleas
ant thing it was, and a pleasant thing it would
be, certainly, if, on pretence Of bearing des-
patches to some out-of-the-way place, one could
always visit the capitals of England and
France, see the country, look at the lions, stroll
through the Parks and the Champs Elisees,
take beefsteaks at some London club house, and
wash down pates at Veray's, or oysters at the
Rocher de Cancal, with capital champagne, all
paid for by parental Government, and allowed
by fond Secretary, while ones dispatches,
not liable to be affected by the society or smell
of mechanics,n and so on, were left to their
fate in the hands of some honest sea-captain,
along with bills of health, crew lists and clearan-
ces, to be delivered safely, If the vessel should
safely arrive. So tn ought MIR. Peasants, ii
appears, and thus thinking, acted.
Not only is all this very nice and snug and
comfortable, but, thinking nobody knows any
thing about it, and that it is all forgotten,
it is positively delightful to come out and
give good scolding to other people Tor an
imputed, though by no means proved mistake OF
similar sort, and while chuckling inwardly at
the good fun one has had with Uncle Sans
money, to assume the language OF stern econo-
mist and patriot, and show vast deal OF viz
tuous Indignation at even bare approach to a
suspicion of such mlsapplicaton of public
money.
A rebuke from Mr.. Peasants about a
despatch bearer is certainly well in place, be-
cause Mr. Peasants knows exactly how tricks
can be played on this service, and though him
self hardly model, may do, as the schoolmas-
ter said, to make an example of.
Lest Mr.. Peasants should have forgotten his
" pleasant vices" we subjoin his letter to Mr.
Clay, in which he explains; and it is charming
to see how he ''snuffs the tainted gale" when
mechanics come "between the wind and his
nobility -
Mr. Pleasa,,ts to Mr.. Clay.
LIVERPOOL, 7h July, 1925.
MY DEAR SIR If you surprised at the date OF
my letter. am scarcely less surprised at the circum
stance myself To be in England at all IS what l
never expected. To be here when expected to have
chantment, than of ordinary causation. 1t remains,
sir for me to account for this apparent dereicon OF
duty and cannot but hope that plain statement
of the circumstances which changed my destination,
will exculpate me from any blame in your eyes, So
lictous as am to preserve that good opinion which
procured for me the charge conferred by the Depart
ment of State.
After many Intellectual attempts to secure earlier
passage in which was baffled by the diminished In
tercourse between the United States and the prov
| ich lie hpV ~
ish Main, succeeded in procuring passage in the
brig William TELL which sailed from New York on
the 28th Nav for the River Plate. This vessel was
not such one as should have selected, had had
| my choice. Being simply merchant SHIP 1t was
destitute of comfortable accommodation; neverthe-
less. becoming impatient for action, and foreseeing
that, if | neglected that opportunity might meet
with no other awaited myself OF it, and sailed, as
stated on the 28th May. speedily had cause to re-
| gret my precipitation in choosing such ship. The
cabin not Is feet square, was destined to accommo-
date, in voyage which would occupy from 60 to 80
days. 25 passengers The quantity OF these ndlvldu-
| ais was, in no respect, py thelr res
pectve qualities they were, for the most part me-
chanics, emgratng to that country, and the Nth OF
their persons, and obstreperous o
their department was by no means corresponding tc
the republican responsibility of their profession
When the horrors of sea-sickness were superaddec
to the other painful circumstances attending my situa
| ton my sufferings became greater than can des
cribe Deprived of every comfort, with not ten fee
SQUARE for exercise pestilental air, and most often
sye smell pervading every part of the ship and ever
| without the most common medicines, assure you
sir that death would have been no unwelcome visi
ter was seized with high fever, and in ten days re
duced in my own opinion, and in that of those around
me- to the brink of the grave At this time, we
spoke an American ship from New York, bound tc
Antwerp; the captain, who was likewise i'll, was
bearing for Fayal in the Azores, and, by great per
suasion was induced to take me on BOARD, IN mise
rable condition. Two days after this removal, my
new captain recovered his ndisposition and resumed
his course for Antwerp. Having no inclination t
visit Holland determined to avail myself OF the mex
ship that might speak, and return to the United
States or 20 to England From the time that board
ed the vessel in which then was had begun slow
to recover, from the superior comforts of its accom-