American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-01-22
From the st. Lauis Rcveilie.
THE DISCOVERY.
\ POSTMASTER GENERAL IN DISGUISE
By Sol. Smith.

On my way to the North, in 1885, in COM
pany with several gentlemen Of New Orleans,
It happened that the stage in which we were
passengers stopped for supper at small viii
lage, situated between the towns OF Columbus
! and Zlnesvle on the Cumberland road, in the
State of Ohio.
There was a great gathering Of militia Cap
tains, Lieutepants, Ensigns, Sergeants and Cor
poras, with considerable sprinkling of pri-
Yates, all of whom had been exhibiting their
patriotism during the day, by marching up and
down the road ,shoulderng arms, carrying arms,
presenting arms, and charging bayonets, pre-
paratory to intended hostile operations against
the neighboring State of Michigan, the autho-
rites Of which and those of the State of Ohio
were at open war--almost-about boundary
For the purpose Of amusement, 1t had been
agreed that the stare driver should be inform
cd confdenia!iy, that | was Amos KENDALL,
Postmaster General Of the United States, travel
ling in disguise, and assuming the very COM
mon name Of smith, in order to discover abuses
in the transporting department. With many
mysterious hints, and under strict charges of
secrecy, Jehu was made acquainted with the
awful fact, that he was actually driving the i'm
portant individual above named. The rGins al
most fell from his hands! ''Wnat, MIR. Klndle!
Amos kindle" exclaimed the astonished driver
cit can't be possible!" ''It is possible" an
swercd the gentleman who was impartng the
information, and who was enjoying an outside
seat; 'and it is his wish to be entirely private,
ID order to avoid the attentions that would
otherwise be lavshed upon HIM" The driver
promised the most inyloIable secrecy, and pro-
.ceeded to curry down his horses.
, We had not been long in the Hotel where
our supper was being prepared, before it was
plainly perceptble that something was going on;
curious glanccs were thrown into the bar
room where we were sittng-militia officers
fitted about or collected into gIoups-the land
lord and his family began to spruce up; in brief,
it was evident our secret had been confidential
ly impaired to half the village
The first demonstration that was made, con-
sisted Of an invitation to my friends and myself
to accept the use Of a private oarlor. This
being at once agreed to, the landlord ventured
to suggest tnat, II not disagraeable to me, my
felow-cit2ons Of the village would like TO pay
their respects to me and take me by the hand,
ono objections in the world" said |; "let
the worthy citizens come in"
Then followed a scene of the richest kind oil
fnn--but Dickens has described u similar adj
venture, and pass on.
Supper was announced. was placed at
The head of the tabe-the richest viands and
preserved fruits were set in protusion before
US. We feasted!-and during the operation
numerous female heads-or, rather. heads OF
females-were continually popping in at the
windows and open doors, while the piazza was
filled with boys of all sizes, who amused them
selves by firing off Chinese crackers, sending
up young rockets, and shouting "Hurra for
Jackson!-Gnd his cabinet"
Supper over, we retired to the bar, and de-
,manded our bill of expenses. The landlord
smilingly anwered, that he was too happy to
:, entertain US without compensation-he felt
honored by my sitting at his board, and my
friends were equally welcome. After much
urging, Iconsented to receive his hospitality
gratuitously, since he insisted on it, but ml
friends, | would not consent that they should
feast at his expense-oh, no! They must be
allowed to pay for their splendid supper. Well
If insisted, he ,vOotd take pay from Mem-and
be did.
"Could say two or three words to YOU ir
private?" asked the landlord, in low voice
as he walked by my side towards the coach
which was waiting
"By all MEANS" replied; and he led me
little one side, into dark part of the piazza
After two or three hens! to clear his throat
the landlord commenced:
Whatever others may think Of you, sir,
consider you an honest man."
"Sir, feel very much obliged by the favor
able estimate you have formed of ma
"Yes, sir, let the opposition say what the,
please, believe you to be conscientious in
dividual-f do"
"Wel, sir, considering this is the first tim
. We!have ever met, I must say your liberalty i
extraordinary; but thank you for your goo
opinion"
sab, sir, though VIC have never mt, know
you well--we all know you for most efiicer
officer, and deserving man,
SIC is true am tolerably we'll known in tn
Western and Southern country; and, as 70