Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1845-05-21

o~FFICE-SEEKING ANECDUTE.-A few DAYS after
President Polk had taken his seat at the White House, the
navy officers, ia conformity to usage, waited upon him in
iul uniform. Jest before their entrance into the room. a
man from Illinois, having a genuine Western appearance.
was introduced To the President by some Acquaintance.
He came into the crowd, in the general rush from the
West, TO get an ofice. Ills documents, setting forth his
Claims and qualifications. were IN his haud-foiming no
Uncomfortable bundle in point OF SIZE They Were tied
with a course tow string, running over them in every posi-.
BILE direction, instead OF being arranged with that neaiaess
which 4 merchant and sometimes 4 lawyer displays, in en-.
circling a packet OF papers. AT the instant when he was
Introduced. seeing how great a crowd was pressing on Mr..
Polk, for the pleasare OF ~ aking his acquaintance, the anI.
iouS applicant thrust his bundle VI papers into the Presi.
dents hand.
Now, MI. Polk" said he, an thank you to read that
bundle Of recommendations and keep them carefully".
Certainly" said the President, they shall have due con
sidetauon"
Atihis Interesting moment new parties pressed forward
TO be introduced, aud the owner Of the papers was obliged
10 dssist from making farther requests Tor a moment.
Keeping his eyes earnestly on them, however, as the
President held them IN his left hand, he eInbraced another
moment, when he could slip a little nearer-"You won't
forget to read them, Mr.. Polk ~
by no means" said the President.
The Office seeker stepped back a few feet TO make way
for new corners, with = view Of repeating his request about
the pspers-glaneng occasionally at Inc Preside nrs eve.
ami then again at the treasures in his hand.
Suddenly Mrs. Polk entered The room at one door and
the navy officers 1.-THE other. They were introduced in due
form TO the President and his lady. The man Of the pa.
pers fell back TO the wall, changing his position. but moi The
-. W Nt q ItrIAtU III ~
eye and his hand. that hsli the paeket-earnesty waiting
another opportunity 10 remind the President Of tue inyalu.
able possession.
The officers IN the mnlD time pressed forward for pro
sentahon. Mr.. Polk Ind no opportunity 10 lay The bundle
down, so with his right hand he shook those of the officers,
while IN his left he held the big bundle Of papers, tow
string and all. They seemed half inclined TO apologize for
tear that, as the packet indicated, they had interrupted the
President III the examination OF some (~perhaps) diplomatic
correspondence with Texas, Great Britain or France, on
which depended the question Of war or peace. But thea
they had come At the appointed time, aud the sppesrance
Of Mn. Polk in The room. indicated that they were expect
ed. They came forward ~ due order therefore 10 pay their
deyoirs. puzzled 10 doubt to divine for whaG reason the
Aforesaid bundle had been Introduced on the occasion,
which APPEARED To inoOmmode the President % much. But
the owner VI stood with his back against The wall. gazing
impoiienGy as Que after another OF the laced gentry was re-.
ceiycd aud Ietired-spparonlly fearful. As his anxious eoun.
tensnce told, lest the President should forget the repeated
charge and his promise 10 remember snd examine tbem.
After Il long time the naval ITain finished their ceremoni.
nal yisit aud retired. Suddenly the man Of the paper. Jar.
ted forward and said: "Mr Polk, | want you TO look OF
those papers; don't forget"
'CeTiainly, certainly said the president; but BY this
time the amused SPECTATOR. some ol whom were ncauain-
ted ~ith the gncersmo1ioua Democrat. thought IL best 10
retire and hke hin with them, having been well satisfied
with the fun and Democrat exhibition w.ihOgt going lar
Their in illustrating the forms VI court etiquette peculiar a.
the White House. AZ tho anxious applicant reached the
door, however, he could not resist giyin. smother iniunc-
uon to Mr.. Pok; you wont forget those papers Mr.
Polk"