Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1848-03-22
Correspondence of the Portage Sentinel.
WASHINGTON, D. c., March IL, 1s4s.
An Evening at Onr House.

rived at the Capitol on Friday evening, ct
8 o'clock, and took lodgings at Coleman's
(the National Hall.) Soon after my arri-
val learned that it was the evening for
the reception Of strangers at the White
House. Therefore, after ten, friend and
myself concluded to go and see what we
would see. Both ofus being very much
fa.igued. rods all the day and night
previous to Coming over the mountains from
Brownsville to Cumberland, we did not
feel like walking two miles. We there
fore laid seige to hack driver, but were
very soon s'bluffed off, as we found that
his charge for taking US there and back
would do considerable towards "sizing our
pile;'' so we trudged along and arrived in
due time to see all Of the 'Lions' that were
there. Wew were ushered into what is call.
ed the Blue Room, were introduced to the
President and his highly accomplished lady.
MIR. Polk is a much better looking per.
sonage than had expected to see. from
L
Of medium size, has good sized head, fair
proportion of intellect; possesses an active
mind, is easy in his address, plain in his at
tire. His hair is considerable grey, and be-
ing very modestly combed back, gave him
a very sedate and dgni6ed appearance.
He has considerable self-possession, suffi-
cent for the important duties of his station.
On the whole, he may be ranked among
the first mon of the nation, at least, in ma.
ny respects.
Mrs. Polk is all that she has been repre-
scented to be, and 50 little more so." Her
appearance indicates highly intellectual
and accomplished lady. She adorns and
digni6es the station she occupies. The A.
merican people may feel proud Of her.
European Queens, and all of the s'royal
blood" belonging to the despo:s OF the Old
world would be lost in the great vortex Of
nonentity, when compared with her who is
the wife of him who occupies the high Sta
ton, not by inheritance, but by the volun.
tary will Of the sovereign people.
There were mapy distinguished persons
present. Among them noticed Senator
Sewer, of Arkansas, Chairman Of the Com
mit,ee on Foreign. Affairs. He is a very
intelligent, good Boxing, good natured ap-
pearing man. Ex-Governor Bogby, from
Alabama. He is certainly very digni-
fed, Intellectual, and grave looking person
age. Should think him capable Of meas
urlng intellectual broad-swords with any of
his compeers. Next came Col. jefferson
Davis, Senator from Mississippi. He is
a man rather under the medium size, has
no very striking appearance to attract the
attention Of strangers, and no one would,
from his looks suppose him cut out for a
great man. But appearances not unfre-
quentIy deceive US; would think he had
great energy of mind, which undoubtedly
has been the medium through which he has
arrived to his present high station. Among
the military characters whom noticed par
ticulnrly, was General Shields, quite
young looking, medium sized man, dressed
in military-or rather he had on blue
coat trimmed with lace and brass buttons.
He is very fippant IN conversation, polite.
rather good looking, has very elegant
mustache on his lip, particularly fond of
the ladies, and, should Judge, as great at
making conquests among the fair sex as in
the chapparel of Mexico. There were
many more distinguished characters pres
ent, and goodly number of both articles
which were SO bravely protected ut New
Orleans, l. e., girls and cotton bags Du.
ring our stay, the Private Secretary, Joseph
Knox Walker, arrived, informing the Pres
ident of the ratification OF the treaty. The
ementproduced good feeling among
all present, as well MS an anxiety to know
its contents; but that must remain secret
for the present. Rumor says that the vote
stood 36 to Is. and that it was opposed by
Daniel Webster and other distinguished
Senators on both.sides.,
have given you but very imperfect
and hasty sketch of what saw at "Our
House, may at some future time write
| more. Yours, ADDISON.
correspondence of the Portage Sentinel.