Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1845-02-27
Progress OF dine Pre,ident EIect.

Accompanied the President elect his journey cast
ward, and furnished to that paper many interesting
incidents which he witnessed From the various
letters we make extracts which will be read with
qualification We have already published an account
of Mr. Folks reception at Cincinnati, and detailed
his movements up to the time of his embarkation in
steamboat, ON the evening Of the day OF his arrival
The Journals correspondent says
The most interesting scene took place board OF
the boat after dark The President arrived on board
about o'clock. The boat did not leave till lO
o'clock 50 there interval of two hours which
was embraced by the working classes to be presented
to him. many of whom could not leave their occupa-
ton during the day, unable TO gain admitance
on account of the great crowd of more fashionable
people who pressed upon him at the hotel. The
President stood the head of the cabin saoon,-
the people approaching on one side of the cabin ana
retiring on the ether. Each gave him cordial shake
Of the hand frequently accompanied by some remark,
such as God bless you,' &c. Among this crowd Of
people, noticed the sturdy farmer, the hard-fsted
mechanic, and laboring men OF every pursuit. They
in their working garments just as they had left
off work, not having time tc look to their toilets.
1t was grand and imposing sight to our labo.
fious fellow citizens that class who neither seek.
ing expecting offices, spontaneously surrounding
the Chief Magistrate of this great nation, and offering
him their hands In friendly congratulatlon, as the
representative of their own free suffrages.
Where on this earth shall we seek for parallel :
saw Louis Philippe go to open the Chambers, but
the of people separated from him by 80 900
bayonets. have seen other monarchs go forth, only
to be viewed through the imposing trappings and
other gilded Insignia of royalty at a distance.
II is the remark of every body, that they have
never seen a man who received and mingled among
the people with more uaffected and affability,
than does Col. Polk. His department in his inter-
with the people, from the humbleSt citizen to
those Of the most distinguished rank, is uniformly
this proceeds from his natural goodness and simplicity
of temper and manners. Plain and unaffected in
dress, though neat; plain and simple in his every
movement, as well as In languagej who knows
him wonders how man who exhibits these bland and
winning traits of character, still, when in the
discharge of his official duties, display so much
frnness and decision of character. They are traits
of character rarely united In individual and
have seen few men, if any, who have exhibited them
in such striking contrast as Col. Polk.
Although he had been ON his feet for hours during
the day, being exposed to fatigue sufficient break
down an ordinary man, yet when the poor laboring
men pressed forward the boat shake hands with
him, his cOunenance assumed new life and animation
and every that he received the calls Of this
class of people with evident satisfaction Whatever
might be said of others, they at least he knew APP
preached him with feelings of sincere good will
They at least, did approach him for office or pat
ronage, bat solely American citizens solictous for
the prosperity and happiness of their country.
During brief interval, stout looking farmer
entered with large oyercoat, leggings and hat on
He looked, with some companions behind him. as
though he and they had Just left their teams and
market wagons. The President had seated himself
with his back towards rho
the ire. When the old farmer and his men had
arrived near him, he said, " Can we have the honor
of seeing the President 2! " Certainly" said Col.
Polk raising from his seat turning towards the old
man, taking his hat off, and extending his hand to
him. :" glad to you" said the old man,
Il
because we love country, and the principles upon
which you were elected And if you carry those
principles out, you may at all times depend upon
GU. strong and stout hearts to stand by
you and the country. We will always be ready
to support you, in maintaining union and liberty at
home, and In defending rights against foreign
foes" The President replied, she was deeply
sensible of the honor they paid him in calling to
see him, and that as far he capable of doing
his duty, he hoped to conduct himself in such a
manner to retain their continued support and
fdence." All were then presented, and passed en-
highly pleased with their interview with the President
On their passage up the river, towards Wheeling
the following incidents occurred
At a wood yard this morning, while leaving to fol-
WOOD several farmers with their wives and daughters
came on board, and presented to the President
Among others was an old man who had been soldier
in tho late and had been in the battle of the
Thames. A brother of Colonel Butler was in the
same campaign. Inc Olu man nOpgnt al nrSt tldt
Colonel Butler of our party also there; but on
asking the Colonel if such the fact, No." SAYS
the Colonel was then prisoner of war in the hands
of the British. You were not under Hull rs said
the old man, for believe if you had been that old
coward would not have surrendered" "No," saws
Col. Butler and went on to remark that he sncver
met with but one man, who publicly defended Hull's
conduct, and that his aid-de-camp, who was him.
self good man." Hereupon the old man stamped
his foot while sitting close to the President and said
he could not believe any good man who took
HuFs paT; which caused considerable merriment
He said he came to Kentucky when quite boy from
Virginia. He in his shirt sleeves and declared
he could undergo more fatigue than any of his five
sons.
Col. Polk is a very early riser, and exceedingly
punctual in all his movements. The Captain this
morning, to suit the Presidents convenience, was
intending to put off breakfast an hour later than
uU blt to the establishment of the officers Of the
boat, they found him up and dressed among the first
and ready for breakfast, Notwithstanding his fatigue
In Cincinnati yesterday.
One O'Clock, p. M-We have reached Portsmouth
where we seemed to take the people by surprise, as
the President was not expected here till Monday the
10TH But as as they knew from our flags, guns
and military company, that the President was on
board, large crowd locked to the boat and for the
space OF near hour were successfully presented tc
him. Flags Immediately shot up to the top of every
hickory pole and democratic flagstaff in the city.
The Mayor of the town, | believe, came on board
and introduced the citizens of the place
The President is very temperate in all things.
have not him taste drop of any thing since he
has been on his journey, but cold water His exam.
pie has had great effect on this boat for not a
drop of liquor of any kind has appeared on our table
since leaving Cincinnati.
On the 9Th they had arrived at Guyandot, situated
at the mouth of the Kanawha: