The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-08-14
INTELLIGENCE BY THE NAILS,
Oar Washington Correspondence

| fee Beggars-Glimpses of the Presidents Char
actsr. adf
| EDITOR OF THE HERALD; You have got several
very intelligent and attentive correspondents in
| this city, who keep you pretty well informed in
relation to political movements But there is al
| ways great deal going on behind the curtain,
which is altogether hidden from the most vgiIant
pair OF eyes that ever graced the orbits of an ord-
| nary newspaper correspondent. Sometimes, by
accident, as 1t were, aquet, unobtrusive parsonage
like myself, becomes acquainted with very Gu
rious incidents and movements, that shed food
light upon the characters of men, and the morale
Of administrations.
am satisfied that justice has not been done to
the character of the President himself What
with the malignant, coarse, and scurrilous abuse
Of the Union, which has not been without Its ef-
feet and the folly and treachery of his pretended
friends, the sterling qualities of General Taylor
have suffered serious eclipse. PROFESSIONALLY,
he committed great error when he entrusted his
own fame and reputation, and the success Of his
administration, TO the hands of his cabnet-a band
OF selfish, Inscriptions, tricky politicians. But it
was the errcr OF generous and oble nature
and 1t is not too late TO repair the evil which has
resulted from it think that ere long the people
of the United States will have good rea TO con-
graduate themselves that the confidence reposed
by them in the old hero at the head 81 the admi-
ns'ratlon has not been abused, however much he
may himself have suffered from treacherous adj
vsers and false friends. Your mere politicians
don't yet begin to understand the President. He
has given not few significant indications of his
| extraordinary shrewdness, sound judgment, and
| promptltude OF action but they have not been
made known to the public. Mark me, MIR Editer,
| Zachary Tay or will prove himself, one of these
days, to be what ne ia nan of iron will and the
| loftiest patriotism. Let me tell you an anecdote
| two. which reveal the of hIs Ar
| and his ability to direct affairs.
The quarrels and chickering's of the friends of
Young and Brady, the rival applicants for the Col
| lectorship OF New York, were very dstasteful to
the President. With lntuitve sagacity, he recog-
missed in this disgraceful nvalshp striking Illus
tratlon of the corruption and dishonesty Of mere
political Adventures. With such feelings, he was
quite prepared to receive the deputation of which
Mr.. Maxwell, the new Collector, was one of the
most prominent members, and which went on to
Washington to press the claims OF one Of the can;
Charles king-aAtedlluvian king-who edited
paper in your city some centuries ago, and is now
apensioner on the Courier and Enquirer, was de-
sirous of serving his country in the capacity of
| Collector of the port of New York. but Webb
wanted the mission to Madrid. So one morning
the Colonel met his associate IN the Courier Office,
| and talked him out of his ambitious desires, by
showing the indecacy of two applications from
| the same establishment. A sort of bargain was
struck, and King consented to sink his pretensions
But as the squabble between Brady and 4 Young in
and Mr.; Maxwell went on to head quarters to aid
| the u6lment.
GOOD morning, Mr.. Maxwell" said the Presi-
| dent, frankly extending his hand as your ancient
| friend presented himself at the White House.
81 come" said Mr.. Maxwell, "to urge upon
your Excellency the claims of an old and tried
wing, for the appointment as Collector at the port
"Heaven help me ~ exclaimed the General, in
tenupting him, "you New York politicians give
me mere trouble than all the other office beggars
,.h< tbA rhA1~ ...Ix 81, al.
quarrels of your oiques about this appointment. 1t
is nothing but one Cabinet Council after another,
all about this Col!ectorshp of New York. mean
10 put an end TO this troublesome business"
" But, my dear General" began Mr. Maxwell,
"you must know"
"Ah! sir" returned the old hero, again inter-
ng hs w m sss !hs %ssr
that you would not take Office under this admins
| swell, your Excellency," SAID the "cannie
Scot" y" believe | said that never would be an
| applicant for any Office"
| "Good ~ said the President, "you're my man
for Collector of New York!
| "Really, really" says Maxwell, with well af-
| ected astonlshment; % did not"
ado you refuse to take the responsibility, then 20
| asks the General.
"Why, your ExceIency il my country cas me,
] suppose must, like yourself, assume the
sponsbliy !" and the modest man meekly wiped
his face with his hand kerchief.
"Geod, good ~ exclaims General Taylor; ''call
to-InbfIoW, MT. NidAWtii, anu receive your COfn-
mission :"
Terrible was the wrath of the Kings. licensed
beyond measure were the whole breed and gene
ration OF the Kings. All swore great injustice had
| boozltd the Kings. IL was shameful in General
| Taylor, thus to cast off the Kings. The whole
wing party would go to the devil account of this
neglect Of the Kings. Bnt in day or two peace
returned TO the Kings Mr.. Maxwell promised TO
| give some pap To the Kings. fat place in the
Custom House was set apart for a scion Of the
great house Of the Kings; and he has got the
place, so that, for the present, only an occasional
| growl ia heard from the Kings.
Can't you educe nice little moral from this lit
Bot did you ever hear about webbs last dsspe-
rate effortl No. Well let me tell you all about
| II. Webb came on here with Tallmadge, Prescott
Hall, funny chap called Draper, an auctioneer,
| from your city. lie was quite sure Of his prize.
The cabinet had all told him that they would vote
| for his appointment. Cunning dogsl They knew
that the President had refused point blank to give
Webb a mission. The old man had declared that
he never could go before the Senate with such a
nomination, He had informed them that he was
familiar with the past career of Week.-Mrs. affair
with the United States Bank-his connexio with
| The Cilley dHel-his awkward affair with Duff
| Green-his duel with Marshall-hs pardon out of
the State prison. So the cabinet were very safe in
assuring Mr.. Webb Of their tcndsrest regard
| They wished 10 throw all the onus Of rejection on
the frank and open-heared old hero himself OF
| course, Webb, innocent Webb-great ovsrgrown
boy, that he is-was as blind as a bat, and could
not see through the imposture. Webb was quite
certain of his appointment There could be no
doubt about it. So, ordering grand dinner at
Gadsby's for himself and his friends, he started of
10 the White House with the trio Of politicians
whom have named.
The General heard the powerful appeals Of them
all with the greatest attention. Not muscle OF
his manly face, bronzed by long exposure to the
sun and the wirds Of heaven in the service Of his
country. moved, as he listened to the eloquent and
persuasive tones of Mr.. Recorder Tallmadge, the
impassioned and spirited accents Of Mr.. Prescott
Hall. and the deep bass Of Mr. Simeon Draper.
When they had ceased, he said t.
"Gentlemen, | cannot make this nomination.
In all cases where know the merits or dement's
Of applicants for Office, act my own individual
responsibility. In those cases. where the applicants
are unknown to me, must trust 10 my cabinet In
this case, know the applicant. repeat, cannot
appoint him."
.But, General. reccllect that Colonel Webb is