The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-07-24


slash round with his handful ofmen, untutor-
ed volunteers, that thought were us harm
less as flock of sheep, and contrive by that
awful blunder at Buena Vista, to pour all the
fat into tho fire.
well. then, Scott hasn't behaved much
better. He's licked the MeXicans too fast by
a great sight, and is swelling himself up in
the eyes of the people shameiuly. Thought
i'll could n sent Col. Benton on there, he
would "a squeezed the glory out OF both of
'em in little while, and settled rundown so
they wouldn't "a been dangerous. But that
Vagabond Senate wouldn't let me do il. That
was too bad, Major, when them two Generals
were attracting all the glory that belonged TO
me, that the Senate wouldn't let me do any
thing TO offset them. But I'll let 'em know
that Young Hickory isn't TO be beat any more
than old Hickory was. Pve sent Mr. Trist on
to look after matters, and to see that the arm
les don't go too fast for I'm determined Scott
and Taylor shan't whip the Mexcans any
faster than is prudent. All the glory that's to
come out Of this war fairly belongs TO me, and
I'll have it,
But says ], Colonel, you are a going to
send on more men, amt you? Or what are
you going to do? How are you going to wind
the business up?
Says he, Pm too tired to talk over my plans
tonight. But there's no need ofyour going
back to Mexico yet. MIR Trist is there, and
] can trust him TO look after matters, and you
had better jump into the boat with us in the
morning aud take trip down East, and we
can talk the subject over ut our leisure.
About five o'clock in the morning the Pres
ident ratified away at my door, and walked
me out of sound sleep; and when he
found wasn't up, says he, Major, you must
be spry, or you'll be too late, for we're off at
six
| was up and dressed about the quickest,
and went out, and fact, there was quarter
of q mile OF soldiers, all ready 10 escort us TO
the boat. And down we went, through whole
streets full of men and women, and boys and
gals, of all sorts and sizes, some running and
crowding,and some hollering aud hurrahing
and in few minutes we were aboard the
steamboat, and the bell rung and the steam
or pulled, and off we went OH the Sound
towards Connecticut.
The President lad little room all to him
self, and he made me go right into it with
him, and he sot down in an easy chair, and
put his feet upon another, and says he, Ma
jor, Tine glad to get out of the crowd again,
we'll take few hours of rest and comfort on
this voyage. This being President, Major, is
mighty hard work but after all, ! like it,
Every body was running after me, and it
seems as though had seen everything.
feel us though had lived through whole
year in these three days, and l don't believe
any body received more honors in so short u
space Of time in this country
WELL says ], Colonel, it seems to me n
pity you told the folks at Baltimore the 9TH
er day that you should retire when this term
was up. You might go two terms, as old
Iipl
popular.
At that he gave me tuck in the ribs and a
sly wink, and, says he Major, don't you I'M
derstand that? Telling 'of 'em / shouldn't
stand another term is jest the right way to
make 'em the more fierce to have me. Don't
you know Anthony said Caesar refused the
crown three times, jest so as TO be more sure
OF having il placed on his head And jest see
how Santa Anna is working it now i'll MeXi-
co. When he gets pretty near run down, and
shiverng in the wind and nothing to stand
upon, he sends in his resignation, with long
patriotic speech about shedding the last drop
ofhs blood for his country, and all that, and
the people refuse to receive his resignation,
and cry out Hong live Santa Anna and away
he goes again aud drums up another army of
soldiers.
But, to tell the truth, Major says he,
when made that remark at Baltimore, had
some lttle nOtlon OF retiring. our party was
so cut up, things looked rather dark ahead,
and find this Mexican war something of a
bother after all. Taylor and Scott commit so
many blunders, l had really then some no.
lion of retiring when this term is up. But,
since got along to New York, things seem
to look brighter. Pm popular, Major: l
know am. | shouldn't be surprised if the
Wings made demonstration in my favor
YET. They seemed very fond of me i'll New
York; and so did every body, every body
you could mention; even the market-womeu
took Inc by the hand and called me young
Hickory, and gave me lots of fruit. There,
do you see that pine apple on the table there?
says he. 'That was given me at the Fulton
market, as we were going over to Brooklyn
on Saturday. Cut away, Major, and help
yourself to it, it's a nice one. And here's Il
paper of most excellent tobacco says he,
that was presented to me at the same time.
You go into the pineapple and III go into the
tobacco, and then We'll have little more
talk about the war;
Jest us we got cleverly under way they
sung out aboard the boat for the passengers
to get ready for landing, So must cut my
yarn off here for the present; but likely us
not you'll hear from me again,
Your old friend,
MAJOR JACK DOWNING.
THE RIGHT VIEW.