The Mississippi Creole. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1841-1851, 1849-12-15
THE say mn MAsHlNGToM.

A correspondent of the New York Mer-
curry gives the following account Of the rather
dishonorable manner in which the celebrated
correspondent Of the New York Courier and
Enqu rer, 'The Spy in Washington usually
Obtained his Information:
"My old and excellent friend, Matthew L.
Davis-who, by the way, sat a long time at the
same desk with me-was regarded, and Justly,
too, while he was known as sThe Spy in WASH
%ington,' as a man Of infinitely more conse-
quence than any member Of Congress. He was
the acknowledged aud we'll known correspon-
dent of the New York Courier and Enquirer.
HIS letters were written in a style Of pure An
glo-Saxon, and were absolutely wonderful for
their accuracy. For four years, at least, Mr..
Davis regularly, and with the %strictest fidelity,
impaired to the world the proceedings Of the
Executive or Secret Sessions of the Senate.
He was, in tact, a Delphic Oracle, and the Sem
ate was bothered and perplexed in its efforts
to find out how he got hold of its secret pro-
ceedings. Every effort and inquiry it made
proved idle and unsuccessful. AS time has
obIiterated the past, and as my old friend is
not far from the esplanade of eternity, | shall
commit no violence if | reveal his mode Of
operation. There was a lady in question, and
that lady was Mrs. George Polndexter Of Mis-
sissippi, formerly Miss Ilewes, or Hewett, of
Boston.
With that lady my venerable friend was a
f%avorite, and he had the good luck to be on
intimate terms with her husband.
Mr., Poindexter was often solicited by Mr..
Davis to afford him all mixing Of what was
going on in the Senate but as that remarkably
conscientious individual was bound ~ his oath
and a Senatorial oath is of corresponding
value with a cUston1hOuse Oath-not to reveal
the secrets Of the Senatorial conclave, he could
not yield compliance. But he could do some
thing else. Every man, according to all the
principles Of ancient knighthOod and of ehiv-
airy, is OF liberty to tell his wife all he knows,'
and Mr.. PoIndexter made his love the sole de-
pository of Senatorial rapsctllionism and per-
idy. And Mrs. Poindexter, { originally Miss
Hewes, OF Boston, had the goodness and liber.
ality to communicate every thing to my old
and adored friend, Davis, THE Spy in Wash
ington.' He kept every thing to himself till il
was published in the columns Of the New York
Courier and Enquirer, and then he would tell
me all about it.
The mode of communication between Mrs
Poindeyter and Mr.. Davis, was rather cabalis.
tic than otherwise. Language was not en-
ployed. Gov. Poindoxter was very Iame-tht
consequence Of early Pioty and soxagenariar
b~aptism-and was obliged to ride from thu
Capitol to his lodgings. HIS wife was Away
at the Capitol to receive him when the senat,
adjourned. When engaged in this act Of gal
%Iantry, he would ask him, for instance:
tHas tie Senate, in Secret Session, had til
confirmation Of Mr.. Livingston under consid
eration?'
If an affirmative answer was intended, tn
lady touched the hand of Mr.. Davis, whic.
was placed on the steps OF the carriage wit
her toe. If a negative response were intende,
the lady kept her toe to herself.
By this, and a corresponding scheme Of ar
engagements. Mr.. Matthew L. Davis BEGAN
possessed Of the secret movements Of the U. S
Senate"
, FREE NEGROES IN CALIFORNIA The motto