Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1842-12-06
From Dieteas's Netc Book on he UaHei S'o'es
The President OF I.ic RcpUbiiC.

The President OF I.ic Republic.
The Presidents mansion IS more Ike an Eng
lish clubhouse, both within and without than any
other kind of establishment with which | can COM
pare it. The ornamental ground about 1t has been
laid out IN garden walks they are pretty and
agreeable to the eye though they have that un-
comfortable ar Of having been made yesterday,
which is far from favorable TO the display OF such
beauties.
NV first visit to this house was on the morning
after my arrival, when was carried thlther by
official gentleman, who 50 kind as 70 charge
himself with my presentation 10 the President.
." We entered larg, hall, and having twice or
thrice rung bell which nobody answered, walked
without further ceremony through the rooms on the
ground-loor. as divers other gentlemen .mostly
with their hats on and their hands % their pockets
were doing very leisurely. some OF these lad ladies'
with them, TO whom they were showing the pre-
misses others were loungng on The chairs and sofas
Others in perfect state OF exhaustion from siless-
ness, were yawning dreari.y.
- The greater portion OF this assem5lage were
rather asserting their supremacy than DONG any
thing else, they had particular business there,
that any body knew Of few were closely eyng
the moveabes 10 make quite sure that the Pre-
s;dent lwho was far from popuiar had not made
away with any Of the furniture, sold thc fixtures
for his private benefit.
After glancing at these louugers, who were
scattered over pretty draw .ng room, opening upon
a terrace which commanded a beautiful prospect %
saunterug too, about large state-room called the
Eastern Drawing room we went upstairs into
another chamber where were certain visitors, wait
ing for audiences. 1T the SIGHT Of ny conductor,
a black in plain clothes and yellow slippers. who
was gliding noiselessly about, and whispering mes
sages in the Of the impatient, made sign
of recognition, and glided off TO announce h,m.
" We had previously looked into another chamber
fitted all round with a great bare wooden desk o.
counter, whcrcon lay files Of newspapers, to which
sundry gentlemen were referring. Bat there We're
+ no such means Of beguing the time IA tins apart
ment, winch was as unpr0m.sing and tiresoma Us
{ any waiting IN one Of our public establish
e ments, or any physicians dining ro0m during h's
f hours OF consultation at nome.
] There were some fifteen or twenty persons u
the room. One tall, wiry, muscular OLD man from
I the west, sunburnt and sNarthy; with brown
. white hat on his knees, and giant um5rc il rest
- ing between his legs who sat bolt upright ia h.s
O chair frowuug steadily az the carpet, ami t~l'cn
II ing the hard lines about his mouth, rs u hc ha,
made no his mind Jo FIX the President on what j.,
] had TO say, and wouldn't bate him grain Another
"A a Kentucky farmer, six feet 10 bel gAt, with hs ha
b, on and his hands under his coat-tais, who leaucs
= against the wall and kicked the Il or th MS heels
as though he had Tines head under his shoe, AN
IS was literally killing h.m. third, ma ovaI-ilced
- bilious looking man, win sleek bllcN ht.r cT'fp-
close, and WHISPERS and beard shaved doWH - O.G
e dots who sucked the head OF thick stick, AMI rJn
'' time to time took it ont of Bis mouth 90 see how
IN was getting on. \ fourth do nothing bat whistle
fourth did nothing but SPIT. nd indeed a.. tls-
lie gentlemen were SO very perscNcrng aud energctl
r. IN this latter particular, and bestowed their favor
= so ;.bundautly upon the carpet, that takc u g.
granted the Presidential houscmails haze Z
y. wages or to speak more geHteey, an am .e amour
Id of compensation, which is the American word 3
salary IN the case of all public servants.
~ We had not waited IN this room many m.natc
ne before the black messenger returned and cOajuctc
US into another q smaller dimensions, where at
III business like table, covered with papers, sat "a
re President himself. lie looked somewhat worn an
IN anxious and well he ght, being ut war with ever
body tut the expression Of Lis trce vas mid at
nd pleasant, and his manner was remarkably unaffected
ch renllemauiy and agreeable. h.u5.t that ia ia
whole carriage and dcmcauor h. became lz stat. q
X 2nguiarly well.
Benz, ADVISED tina: g sensible :.;..-ttc q q
republican court admitted Of traveller use mys-
lis declining without any improperly, an invitation
as dinner which did NOT reach ule ul.t had concur
he ed my arrangements 0r leaving " ashngton sou
DAYS before that TO which II REFEREED only r
zee turned to tins house ii was on tilc occasi
y of one OF those general assemblies winch are Ae.d
&C. certain nights between the hours 81 nine anl tacl
cr, O'Clock, and called, rather oddly, leyees.
=" went, with my wife, at about ten. Tie
| was a pretty dense crowd ct carriages and pco.
lth in the courtyard. and, far a. could make 10
there very clear regulations for taking
he or setting down OF company. There were cer,al
nj no policemen 10 so5tAe startled horses, either
ne saving ut their bridles furnishing trJn-t iis
their eyes +; and an ready % make oatl tatt
.rt lnofensye persons were knocked violently on 2
he head, or poked acu'ey m their backs or stp nac'
or brought u stand-stll by any such gentle neai
-" and then taken into custody for not ng on u
Nv there was no confusion disorder. OGs carr.a
reached the porch ia is turn, without aEy b.ust'
he lpg swearing, shouting, backing, or other dstu'
OF ance D.; and No Glsmountcd with as much ease a
, comfort as though had been escorted toy
whole metropolitan force from 10 4 inclusive.
The suite OF rooms on tie ground floor $50
$ Lighted up, and military band was p.ayihS 10
in hall. In the smaller arawlngroOm, tac centre %
- circle Of company, were tho President nnd
dughtcr-in law, VINO acted as the lady o. tA' "'a
u sion; and a very Interesting, graceful, and 4cc3
pllshed lady, too. Oue gentlemen WAC stood aul'
ere THIS group p2eared u take u99a himself the .l
us tons Of master Of tie ceremonies. saw u' o..
az officers or attendants, AMI none were needed.
ect The Great Gr-t" ."g-ro9.n, w..ca b2rc a.sea
bill mentioned, and The other chambers on tAe gro1i
Der floor, were crowded to excess. The company 8
red not in our sense OF tie term select FIX u com?
OF hended persons of very many grades and C.. ass
OF nor there any great dis.ay u costly attic
for deed some ct the costumes may have b.en 9r az.
,ud know, grotesqlc enough. But the dccoram d
UGH propriety OF behaviour which prevailed ~crc
his broken by any rude or tisagre-ao.e incident
OF every man. even among the insect a1eo1s croN
op- the haa VINO were admitted without any orders
md tickets - look on appeared . feel thar he 50
,ay part OF the institution, and Vas res .os o.
ren, preserving becoming character -ad appearing
ress the hest advantage.
ora That these visitors, to-. Whatever Their sat.
the were no. y ,Ao4t some refinement u il-.e and
hat probation Of aelcctut. IT'S aAd grntt14e - q
each men Who by the peaceful eX:Ec.sc u great a1.
de. She'd new c.aras and associations upon t.- 10.
Of their country men, and elevate t'.s.e 60 % ie