The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1847-07-27
Letter from Jack Downing.
DoaoainguiHe, a,cay doacn East,
an the STATE of Maine. July 6, Al

an the STATE Of Maine. July 6, AT.
Mr.. GALES & SEAToN: My Dear Old
Friends: My letter to you on board the
steamboat on Long Island Sound was cut
of so short by the bells ringing for US TO
get ready to go ashore, that didn't get
half through telling you the talk | had
with the President that day; and we've
had so much talk since, and seen so much
on the journey, that shant be able to tell
you one-half nor quarter ont in letter.
II would take a whole book to give you a
good notion of the whole story. But the
President will be back to Washington be-
fore you can get this letter, for he started
to go back last Saturday; so you can get
the whole account Of the journey from
him. He'll be delighted to set down and
tell you all about it; for he's been amaz-
ingly pleased with the whole journey,
from top to bottom, He's been on his
high-heeI'd boots all the way. Instead
of CROWN more stoopin' by bowing so
much; it seems as if he stood straighter
than ever. He told the Governor, in his
speech at Augusta, Saturday, at seldom
happens that the course of mans life is
mark by so distinguished a reception as
has been accorded to me to-day" Well,
so it has been all the way along; hurrah-
ing, and complimenting, and firing, and
speeches, and dinners, and suppers, and
shaking hands. On board the steamboat
from Portland 10 Augusta we got little
breathing time, and had good long talk.
Says TIE President TO me: Now, Ma
ior, says he, | want YOU to be candid
No one is true friend to one in high
station unless he will be candid and speak
the truth. And now, Major, | don't want
you to ffatter me; want you TO be can
did, and tell me jest what you think.-
Youwas along with Pres't Jackson when
he made his tower down East, and had a
chance to see the whole operation: and
now | want you TO tell me candidly, if
you think the people was any more fond
of him than they are Of me.
Well, now Colonel. says /. not wish
ing to hurt your feelins at all, but, seein
you've asked my candid opinion. | wont
deny bat what the people are very fond
of you, amazingly fond, perhaps as fond
as they can be. But, after all, these times
amt exactly equal to old Hickory's times.
Bu. what do you mean? says he.
Well. says |, the people all seem to be
amazjn fond, bat some how il seems 10
have a sort of MoTHER-IN-LAw SHOW a.
bout it; it don't seem to be so real hearty
as they showed to old Hickory.
Well now, Major, says he. aud he red
dened littie when he said this; says he,
shat only shows how strong your preiudi-
ces set IN favor Of the old Gineral. But
thought you were man Of a stronger
mind and sounder judgment. ] cant a
gree with You against the eyilcn of NV
own senses. Did You notice all the way
along how thick the crowds fiocl'd round
me 10 shake hands with me Z
Yes, says |; bnt they didn't go itwith
such rushas they did when my old
friend the Gineral come this way. Thev
jammed around HIN so they had 10 climb
over each others heads to get at him.
Aad had TO take hold sometimes by the
houriogether and help him shake hands
with 'em, or he never would have got
through with one-half Of 'em.
Well then, says he. did you mind how
loud they cheered and hurrahed wherever
we come along!
Yes. Colouel, SAYS I, I heard al that;
but, my gracious wherever old Hickory