Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1850-02-20

ipperd's paper. the Quaker City" COM
municates the following curious account
of q recent remarkable dream OF Mr..
Calhoun's. We have not much faith IN
supcrnsiural appearances. or in wash
;peton correspondents, but if anything
could lead the ghost Of the "Father Of his
Country" to revisit the realms beneath
the moon, il would be the thought that his
beloved country was in danger Of Drsu-
xvou. which is but another name for civil
War. We give the story for what it is
worth:
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Jan. II, 80.
Mr.. Ediioy:--The other morning. at
ahe breakfast table. our friend, tho Hon.
John T.. Calhoun, seemed very much
troubled and out of spirits. You know
re il altogether a venerable man, with a
hard, stern, Scotch Irish face, softened in
its expression around the mouth by a sort
Of sad smile, which wins the hearts of all
who converse with him. Ills hair is snow
white. lie is tall, thin, and angular
lie rcminds you very much Of Old lick
ory. That he is honest. no ono doubts;
he has sacrificed to his Fatalism the
brightest hopes to political advancement
has offered up on the shrine OF that iron
Necessity which ne worships, all that can
excite ambition-even the Presidency OF
the United States.
Bot to my story. The other morning.
ut the breakfast table, where |. an unob-
served spectator, happened to be present.
Calhoun was observed to gaze frequently
., his right hand, and brush it with his
left, in . nervous and hurried manner
lie did this 50 often that it excited at
teniion. At length one Of the persons
composing the breakfast party-nis name
think is Toombs, and he is a member o
Congress from Gcorgia-took upon him
selfto ask the occasion Of Mr.. Calhoun 5
disquietude.
Does your hand pain your he asked.
TO this Calhoun replied in rather a
Hmrried manner-.Pshaw! II is nothing!
ONLY a dream which had last night. and
which makes me see perPetually large
black spot-like an ink blotch-upon the
back OF my right hand. An optical delu-
sion. ] suppose"
O course, these words excited the Gu
riosi,y Of the company. but no one ven
tured to beg the details Of this singular
dream. until Toombs asked. quietly
..Whai was your dream like! I'm moi
very superstiious about dreams; but
sometimes they have a good deal Of truth
in them
..,m this was sucl, a peculiarly absurd
dream" said Mr.. Calhoun. again brush
ing the back Of his right hand-.'howeveI
ifit does net too much intrudc upon the
time of our friends. will relate it,
Ofcourse, the company were proius'
in their expressions Of anxiety TO kno"
all about the dream. In his singularly
sweet voice. Mr.. Calhoun related it
..Ma LATE hour last night. as | was sit
ting in my room. engaged in writing.
was asionished by the entrance Of a vlsi
ter who entered, and without a word. took
seat opposite me. at my table. i'hl,
surprised me. as had given particular
orders 10 the servant. that should on no
account be disturbed The manner in
which the intruder entered. so perfectly
self.possesscd. taking his seat opposite
me. without word. as though my room
and all within il. belonged to him. excl
ted in me. as much surprise as indigna
ton. As | raised my head to look into
his features. over the top of my shaded
lamp. discovered that he was wrapped
in thin cloak, which effectually con
cealed his face and features from my
view. And as l raised my head h.
spoke
"'What are you writing. Senator from
South Carclina!' he said.
IL did not think Of his impertinence a
first, but answered him involuntarlv-
II am writing plan for the Dissolu
ton Of the American Union. (you know
gentle men. that am expected to pro
duce plan Of Dissolution in the even
Of certain contingenciesD'
ITO this the intruder replied, liz tn
coolest manner possible
Senator from South Carolina. Wi
you allow me to look at your right hand.
''Ile rose. the cloak tell. and behel
his face. Gentlemen the sight of tha
face struck me like a thunder clap.
was the face Of a dead man. whom extra
ordinary events have called back TO life
The features were those Of George W ash
ington. yes. gentlemen. the intruder wa
none other than GEORGE WAsHINGroN.-
He was dressed in the Revolutonar
costume, such as you see preserved j
the Patent Office
Here Mr.. Calhoun paused, apparent
much sgitated. His agitation. l need nj
tell you, was shared by the company
Toombs at length broke the embarrassin
pause. "Well, WE'LL, what was the j.
sue Of this sccnel' Mr.. Calhoun r,