The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-07-24
Miscellaneous.
Editorial Correspondence ofthe National In
telligencer.
.etter from Mai. Jack Downing.


old friend Major Jack Downing, who seems
ohaye written it TO us for the purpose of
communicating to the Public, in his plain
uoy, some views ofPresident Polk-Yomg
Hickory, as he delights TO call him--which
that distinguished functonary had not
Mougt necessary to conldc to his most con-
fdcataI friends before he met with the Ma
Sensational ErtcHigencer.
On board The Steamboat on Long Island
Sound hound 10 Connecticut and DOZEN East
lnc IS, ls47.
Nh GALES g. SEAToM
My dear old frends:-I and Mr. Buchanan
and the rest ofus overlook the President
last night at new York, where we found him
pretty we'll tuckered out, having got through
with all his birds-egging in that everlasting
great City, and ready 10 push on this morn
ing down East Twas going to write line
10 friend Richie, as he's the Government Ed
tor, rs soon as could ketch up with the
President, and let him know how the old
gentleman stood the journey. But l hap
spened to look into your paper, and see broth
or IugersolI, of Philadelphy, sends his letters
10 YOU, This puzzled me little at first, be-
cause knew he was on Ritchie's side. But
looked along and see he called your pa
yer a powerful journals" and then the
thought struck me that ! had read some
where that "there's power behind the
rone greater than the throne itself" Well,
thinks !, that lngersoll is cunning Teller,
but he ain't going to get ahead of me. If
I've writes to the power behind the throne,
viii too. So, if Mr. Richie complains and
says ought to wrote to him, wish you
would Just smooth it over to him, and tell
him the reason Oft, and tell him when the
dship gets on 'tolher tack and his paper gets
lon behind, I'll write to him.
As had come right on from Mexico, the
shortest cut, and had brought letter from
GIncral Scott TO the President, rs soon as we
got to York | run right up to the tavern
where he stopped to give him the letter.
Folks told me he was at the Astor House
that great tavern made out of hewed Stone
So went up and went in, and asked one
.of the waitors if Colonel Poke put up
there?
is Jenny Polk ye name; Young Hick-
Dry, the President" says he.
'Sartain, says |.
Yes says he, 'he's here up stairs in
Ills room.'
Says ] show me his chamber as quick as
YOU eau; must see him.
You can't see him Tonight says he
Young Hickory is tired out, and can't sec
nobody at all at all. Why wasn't We on hand
in the governors room ifye wanted to see
him: All the hoys had chance there
Saysl that's nothing to the point; l was
on the road from Washington then, and Pm
going to see the President tonight ifI have
TO 90 through the stone walls ofthis house for
Then along came Mr. Stutson, and says he
FdlrlcE what's the row here?
Here's Teller getting wrathy,' says Pat
REX because | won't let him go up to the
Presidents ROOM
Atthat Mr. Stutson turned round to me,
aud, as soon as he see me, he ketched hold OF
my hand, and, says he, Major Downing, |
am very happy to see you. I'll show you
right up to the Presidents room myself I'm
sorry you wasn't here before. We've had
some very pleasant tea-parties since the Pres
dents been here
When got into the Presidents chamber,
he was laying down on the bed to rest, and
looking as tired as rat that had been drawn
through forty knot-holes. But as soon as he
see me, he jumped up, looking rather wild,
ana says he, Major Downing, how are We ?
4 didn't think ofsecing you back from MeXi-
geo as soon as this. How does things go on
there now?
Says !, Colonel, they don't go hardly at all.
They are waiting for more help Scott and
Taylor both are growing rather red and an
cry to think you should chuck 'em away into
The middle of Mexico there, and then not
SEND en- help to fight the way out again.
ana it seems to me, Col. you do hold back in
'hls business II little too much. Ifyou don't
sel SEM EN- help pretty soon, them guerrillas
VIII eat our little armies all up. Why, Coll
saySl, IT this war had come on in the time
OIL me old Gineral, my old friend Hickory, he
would had them Mexicans half whipped to
Geath by this time. But here's letter from
eco't to tell we what he thinks about the bus
.ueSS, come on post-haste 10 bring it. He
says lie won: stir from Puebla till you send
u. ,I more men to take the place of all them
mats az, coming home.'
= lhe President took the letter and read a
iew lines and threw it down upon the table
and' says he, 'It's no use: Scott may grum-
w; D,e ana growI as much as he's mind to, but
~ no use This war is a concern ofmy own
se'ng up, my own use, and shall man
w. w. II Just as lplease.' Says he, Major Dow
Ing, Ing, .heres reason in all things. don't
,,ui t,em Mexicans whipped too fast, espec-
'Jny "L.et them upstart Generals get all the
hIo'y OF 1t. When found TAYLOR was swell
jSII ag up too LARGE, meant to a stopped him at
", Monterrey and draw off part of his glory on
y, ,i scott. But that Taylor is headstrong
, w ,n a dangerous man, he OVERSIGHT his du.
"no numbered on to that victory at Buena
,r .@.I, mat Sot every thing in blaze. shant
O on It IN him very soon. If tho selfish
c'IIo'ure had only let Santa Anna give him a
,,a m.hu- some licking there, we might had
rr"Uo IN iItt!e while, for had things all ar
.3hsed with Santa Anna to wind the business
''sht up in such a way that we might each of
- nave made handsome plum ont of it
''"' 'o"' objectionable Taylor must cut and