Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-08-05
VERMONT wATCHMAN & STATE JOURNAL, AUGUST 5, 1847

tic in his remarks on Mister Washing
ton, and welded a pen of considerable
force, which left its sting behind long
after peace. Rivington published his
paper at the south east corner of Pearl
and Wall streets, and Governor George
Clinton admonished him of the strong
feeling entertained against him by those
whom he had so frequently and so out
rageously assaied during the war. A.
mong those who cherished very hostile
feelings towards Rivington, was that
daredevil, Ethan Allen, of Vermont,
who swore he would click Rivington
the very first opportunity he had. y
Rvington HIMSELF aware of his inten-
tons, gave most humorous description
of his interview with Allen, showing at
the same time his exceeding cleverness
and tact, which may even at this day
be profitable to his editorial brethren.- =
Rivington was fine porty looking man,
dressed in the extreme of fashion--curl-
ed and powdered hair, claret-colored
coat, scarlet waistcoat trimmed with gold
lace, buckskin brooches and top boots
and kept the very best society.
The clerk below stairs saw Allen COM
ing at distance. Il was sitting" said
Rivington, after good dinner, alone,
with my bottle of Madeira before me,
when | heard an unusual noise in the
street, and huzza from the boys. |
was in the second story, and, stepping
to the window, saw tall figure in tar
nished regimentals, with large cooked
hat and an enormous long sword, fol-
lowed by a crowd of boys who OCCASION
ally cheered him with huzzas, of which
he seemed insensible. He came up TO
my door and stopped. could see no
more. My heart told me it was Ethan
Allen. shut down my window, and
retired behind my table and bottle. /
was certain that the hour of reckoning
had come. There was no retreat. Mr..
Staples, my clerk, came in paler than
ever, and clasping his hands, said
Master, he is come Il know it, He
entered the store and asked if James
Rivington lived there 2 answered,
Yes sir Is he at homer will go
and see, sir, said; and now, master,
what is to be done? There he is in the
store, and the boys peeping at him from
the street, made up my mind. |
looked at the bottle of Madeira-possi-
bly, took a glass. Show him up said
|; and if such Madeira cannot molli(y
him, he must be harder than adamant.'
There was fearful moment of suspense
| heard him on the stairs, his long sword
clanking at every step. In he stalked.
6 Is your name James Rvington 1T
is, sir, and no man could be more happy
than am to sec Colonel Ethan Allen.
Sir, | have come mot another
word, my dear Colonel, until you have
taken seat and g lass of old Madei-
RAJ But, sir, don't think it proper
Not another word, Colonel. Taste this
wine; l have had it in glass for ten
years. Old wine, you know, unless it
is originally sound, never improves by
age He took the glass, swallowed the
wine, smacked his lips, and shook his
head approvngly. Sir, / come
6 Not another word until you have taken
another glass, and then, my dear Colonel,
we will talk of old affairs, and l have
some droll events to detail In short,
we finished two bottles of Madeira, and
parted as good friends as if we had new
er had cause TO be otherwise"
NJ. NJ. NOAH.