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

On my way to the North, in 1885, in com
pany with several gentlemen Of New Orleans,
1t happened that the stage in which we were
passengers stopped for supper at small vii
lage, situated between the towns of Columbus
! and Zlnesvlle, on the Cumberland road, in the
State Of Ohio.
There was great gathering Of militia Cap
tans, Lieutepants, Ensgns, Sergeants and Cor
porals, with considerable sprinkling of pri-
Yates, all of whom had been exhibiting their
patriotism during the day, by marching up and
down the road ,shoudering arms, carrying arms,
presenting arms, and charging bayonets, pre-
Paratory to intended hostile operations against
the neighborng State of Michigan, the autho-
rites of which and those of the State of Ohio
were at open war-aImost-about bolmdly
For the purpose Of amusement, it had been
agreed that the stare driver should be inform
cd, confGenliallv 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 reinsa al
most fell from his hands, ''Wnat, MIR Kindle!
.9nos kindle!" exclaimed the astonished driver
cit can't be possible!" at is possible" an
swered the gentleman who was impartinr the
information, and who was enjoying an outside
seat; 'and it is his wish to be entirely private,
in order to avoid the attentions that would
otherwise be lavshed upon him." The driver
promised the most invlolable 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 perceptbe that something was going on;
curious glauccs were thrown into the bar
room where we were sittIng-mlitia 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 tho use Of a private parlor. This
being at once agreed to, the landlord ventured
to suggest that, II not disagreeabie to me, my
fellow-citzons Of the village would like to pay
their respects to me and take me By the hand,
"No objections IN the world" said |; "let
the worthy citizens come IN"
Then followed a scene of the richest kind OF
fnn-but Dickens ha; described L similar adj
venture, and pass OH.
Supper was announced. | was placed at
the head of the table-the richest viands and
preserved fruits were set in profusion before
us. We feasted!-and during the operation
numerous female heads--or, rather. heads OF
temales-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!-and his cabinet''
Supper over, we retired to the bar, and de-
,manded our bill Of expenses. The landlord
smilngly anwered, that he was too happy to
entertain US without compensaton-he felt
honored by my sitting at his board, and my
friends were equally welcome. After much
urging, consented to receive his hospitality
gratuItousy, since he insisted on it, but my
friends, | would not consent that then should
feast at his expense-oh, no! They must be
allowed to pay for their splendid supper. Well,
if insisted, he ,oO,ttd take pay from Men,-and
he did
"Could | say two or three words to YOU in
private?" asked the landlord, in low voice,
as he walked by my sido towards the coach
which was waiting.
"By all MEANS" replied; and he led me a
little one side into a 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 mo-"
Eyes, sir, let the opposition say what they
please, believe you to be a conscientious in.
dividual-T do"
'Well, sir, considering this is the first time
, Ve;have ever met, I must say your liberality il
extraordinary; but | thank you for your goot
opinion"
"Ah, sir, though we have never met, know
you well-we all know you for most eiiicien
officer, and deserving man."
SIT is true am tolerably well known in thu
Western and Southern country, and, as 70