Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1847-08-27

twas as great mistake as twas when sent |
Taylor into Mexico Il didn't know my man.
No matter what forces was gathering to over
throw my administration. Mr.. Richie somehow
didn't seem to see em no matter how hard they
fired ut me, he didn't seem to hear it and when
called to him to fire back, he would rouse up
and touch off few squbs with about as good
aim as the boys take when they fire crackers on
the 4th of July, and did about as much execn.
ton At last found oul way that could
make the old veteran fight like Turk and hold
on like bulldog. II was by giving him no.
ton at any time that he was fighting with fede-
ralisls. Since made that discovery he's been
more help to me. Whenever see the enemy
entrenchng himself around me, and bringing mp
his batteries to fire into my administrations all
have to do is TO whisper in Mr. R,tchie's ear and
say, :" Mr.. Richie, the air smells of federalism
you may depend upon it there is tederalists
abroad somewhere" In minute, you've no
idea with what fury the old gentleman flies
round, and mounts his heaviest guns, and sets
his paper battery in roar His shots fly right
and left, and sometimes knock down friends as
well as foes. To be sure they don't make a
very great impression upon the enemy ; but
then there's this advantage in it if he don't kill
or beat off the enemy, he keeps the administra-
ton SO perfectly covered up with smoke that the
enemy can't see half the time where to fire at u.s.
II
nv administration, notwithstanding all his mis-
takes and blunders.
Just then the door opened. and who should
come in but Mr.. Richie himself AS he opened
the door he ketched the sound of the two last
words the President was saying.
Mistakes and blunders I" says Mr.. Richie,
says he what have you got something more of
Scott and Taylor's laundering in Mexico !
Nothing more today, says the President. !
was only telling Major Downing how their
plumbers there have come pretty near running
the country, and how is it absolutely necessary
to get the staff out of their hands some how or
other before they quite finish the job. I'm GO
ing now to try one more plan, Mr.. Richie but
be careful that you don't say anything about it
in the Union, and blow it all up. Tried once
to send Colonel Benton on for the same purpose,
and Congress bowed that up. Then | sent
| Trst on for the same purpose. and Scott bowed
| him up. Now I'm going to send Major Down
! ing. not as a regular Chaplain, but as sort OF
watch upon them, you know, to work round and
do the business up before any body knows it.
He isn't TO 20 to Scott nor Taylor, nor have any
thing to do with 'em. but to work his way into
Mexico, and 90 right to Santa Ana and knock
up bargain with him don't care what he
gives. The fact is, Mr.. Richie, the country
needs peace, and I'll have peace, cost what it
will.
An excellent idea, says Mr.. Richie an ex-
cellent plan. SIR I'm for peace at all hazards,
| if it is to be found anywhere in MeXico-hat is,
if we can get hold of it before Scott or Taylor
does. And think Major Downing is just the
man for it--a true, stanch democratic republi-
can and whatever he does will 90 for the be-
neft of the Administration Now the country
slns are aching pretty bad with the war, and if
we can fix up a good smooth peace right off,
1 -,
II who knows Nr. President. bat it might make
our administration so popular that You and !
might both be clootcd u serve another four
years But when is the Major to start!
Right off tonight, says the President, or ra-
Their in the morning before Observation-Disclosures anv
body in Washington find out that he has got
back from Downingville. have forbid his cal.
ling at the lntelligencer Office, and don't want
they should find out or misrust that he has been
here. If they should get wind of the movement
they would be sure TO throw some constitution
al difficulty in the way, and try to make bad
botch of the business
The President shot me into his room, and
charged me not to leave the house, while he
sent for Mr.. Buchanan and Mr. Marcy to fix up
my private instructions. While he was gone,
Mr.. Richie fixed me up nice little bundle
of private instructions too, on his own hook.
nodded, he said, on the Virginia Resolutions of
%. Presently the President came back with my
budget all ready, and give me my instructions,
and filled my pockets with rations, and told me
how to draw whenever wanted money and be-
fore daylight was off a good piece on the road
to the war
\ To-day met a man going on to carry letters
to the Government from General SCOTS side Of
the war, and made him stop little while to
take this letter to you for ] was afraid you
might begin to think | was dead. He saws
, Scott quite wrahy about the Trist business,
and wants to push right on and take the city of
Mexico, but Mr.. Trist is disposed To wait and
| see if he cant make bargain with Santa Ana's
| men. shall push along as fast as can, and
get into the city of Mexico if possible before
, Scott does, and if only once get hold Of Santa
, Ana, have no doubt shall make a trade.
! don't know yet whether shall take Scots
road or Taylor's road to go to the city of Mex
leo it will depend little upon the news &c,
or the way. Two or three times when have
been stopping to rest, have been looking over
my private instructions. They are lust rate, es.
pecially Mr.. Ritchie's.
remain your old friend, and the Presidents
I private ambassador
MAJOR JACK DOWNING.