Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-05-27
Mr. Polk and His Cabinet.

The following letter, from the Washington cor
respondent of the ~ Y. Commercial Advertiser,
will be relshed, both for its raciness and ie in
formation it contains:
"As the present Administration is soon 10 pass
away, and be as though it were not, il may not be
amiss 10 take some notice Of It's members before
they sink into utter oblivion.
First comes James X. Polk, elected to the Presi-
dency by one Of those strong and sudden eddies in
the stream OF events, which neither be foreseen
nor accounted for. He was a respectable member
OF the House of Representatives, and by reason of
strong party DEVOTION or for want Of better timber,
was placed in the Speakers chair, in the occupa-
ton of which he exhibited strong paralites for his
own friends. His injustice 10 the Wings rendered
him unpopular Unlike the generous minded Da-
vis-who received lately an unanimous vote of
thanks, moved too by the Wings, for his dignity
aud impartiay in the performance of the duties OF
his offce-Mr Polk was thanked by his partzans
alone, and if not scorned and delested, was thor
oughly disliked by the Wings He needed expan
sion OF mind. He was inadequate to the conception
of the noble. He could not be man of catholic
feeling. He misook deggedness for hrnness. His
counlenance still maintains that hard and unamia-
BILE expression, which is the true index of his mind
He seems self possessed but shows anger if touched
in the right spot.
One OF the most obvious deficiencies of Mr.
Polk is want of sagacity. No hr-reachng views
were ever entertained by him. Witness this war,
which will result in the overthrow OF him and his
party Because it is waged for exalted purpose
lit is sancthed by no righteous aim. These VIC
tories may hurt the Mexicans, but they will ruin
Polk He cannot follow in the footsteps Of Andrew
the First, any more than Mr. Van Barren could, al.
though his pariizans call him Young Hickory
For his Cabinet, MIR Polk has, first, Mr. Buchan.
an, Secretary of state-a genieel bachelor bland
in manners and as much devoted TO democracy now
as he formerly was to federalism He probably fills
his last office. By this time he must surrender all
hopes Of the Presidency. He had, believe ac-
quired character for integrity, as well as talent
but the fraud committed by him aud his friends at
the time Of the election in Pennsylvania, touching
the tariff views Of the Presidential candidates, has
wrought him great injury-perhaps marred his pros
poets for life. In vain did he aspire to the bench
Of the Supreme Court. 1t was too late His star
eliminated some time since. Its real as well as
apparent progress is towards The horizon.
In the Treasury Department, we have that little
fragile, spulterng, high-keyed Secretary, Mr. Walk
err lie is eneeayoring 10 make the most Of his
short reign over the dollars and cents, and, if pos
sble, imprint some mark of distinction on his foot
path lie has a lean and sickly body, encasng I
mind of much activity and unquesonable ambi
ton. lie looks as anxiously as any step higher
His hair, once dark is becoming gray aud thin
trade" and framing tariffs TO be imposed an another
nation, he will retire to private life.
Mr. Marcy, who fills the War Department is wei
known in your State He is Of course extremely
full of business. hardly getting chance enough to 81
down ever to wear another hole in his brceches
He has a tedious and troublesome time Of it, ant
is greatly indebted to the Wing Generals, Scott am
Taylor, for relieving his mind by their successes
The JOY a, hearing Of the capture of Vera Cruz wa
so great that the Administration had flags 6ynI
from the dome Of the Capitol.
Next comes the well-fed Souiherner, John Y
Mason. who so comfortably skipped out Of the Ty
Ter into the Polk dynasty. He is good.nature
man, who attends TO his own business. He is lam
and gouiy-whether herediiarily or from 'generou
living, OF both, do not undertake to say, but hi
countenance, which is Of course public, incines t
the rubicund.
Lastly, we have the tall and unganly Cave Johr
son. lie has good, strong, dark eye, howeye
He was the Watchdog Of the Treasury; on III
floor of Congress perpeluay barking a, poor CLAIM