Weekly national intelligencer., 1851-08-02
A PAINTING FROM THE LIFE.

& That all that is sent abroad from Washington by
for the newspapers is not gospel, and
that of it is hardly credible, is certainly true
But one meets occasionally, in distant newspapers,
sketches which, SO far from being mere inventions,
or exaggeratons Of fact, are lie-like pictures
of scenes the truhuness of which will be attested
by all who have been placed in circumstances to
observe and remark their leading traits. A letter
of this character now lies before US. However
tempted by descriptions of one or two individual
cases, the features of which would be Immediately
recognised by many, we select, as both instructive
and interesting, the following general view of
class of cases Of which whoever has lived as long
frequent instances.
The caption to this Letter, published originally
in the Nafchez Courier, is, /" Etchings; series
of Letters from an American Tourist travelling in
the United States, addressed to Southerner at
home !" and bears the date Washington. The fol-
lowing extract is offered to our readers as sam
pie of it:
II you in Washington not long after the COM
of Administration, you will not forget the army
ed the obbes crammed the anerooms Of the Secretaries Of
the Departments and literally beseged the President in his
own castle, the White House.
The scenes in the vesbules and of the Sece
aies in these oce.seekng times very rich and hu-
initiating. For instance, Mr. John Smith, man Of fine
feelings and respectable citizen in his town, comes up
get if he can the appointment of one thousand dollar
post office He is backed by "a his friends !" has letters
from Col. Bull, who shook hands with the President
and from Saul Sykes Esq who rode in the stage with
the Presidents mother from Hon. Peter Parsley, who
once Representative in Congress- and had been presented
with fifty Others bis Exceency in the east room at evee,
and reminds him Of in his letter and perhaps letter from
Mrs Brimble, eI.Senaors lady, to the lady of the
President
Armed thus Mr. John Smith deems himself irresistible
He expects to carry all before him. He aghts from the cars
in Washington and looks round upon the crowd with
tronizing eye. He orders hack with emphasis. He
commands room at Gadsby's. He the next day walks
among the big bugs big bug they He delivers his
letters He finds the Presidents lady is out and gives it to
the porter He has been week in Washington, at three
dollars and half day Gadsbys before be learns the late
lesson that in Washington letters of introduction mat
ters of course and like every thing else which mat
,ers Of are esteemed worthless No body reads
notices them They prove nothing Two words with an
honorable Senator or honest Representative from the app
cans part Of the country President Secretary thinks
of than mailbag Of "letters Of introduction" The man
who goes without one likely succeed than he who
depends on them. would trust man who carried
his character in his face rather than in bis pocket.
Mr. smith having delivered his letters and especially that
to the President goes the reception hour to the White
House 10 see him. The President usually receives
business from During these three hours the office
seekers ihrong the hall and out-chambe to his room, each
waiting his turn for it is first come first served Mr. John
Smith, having made his way to the landing, finds its filled
with people, like adepo platform waiting for tie train Some
Of the pace up and down rapidly at every turn casting
their eager gances shut door, outside of which stands
servant with his hands filled with cards for each ver
he came up handed his card till the attendant holds pile Of
y laid in regular order. MI Smith has come late he has
delayed to be more than usually particular about bis toilet
and his card made the fifty first that is ffy-one men have
got have audience before his turn comes But he yet
innocent Of this fact (but he learns by heart by and
He now bows respectfully the waiter and asks him why he
does not announce him by going in and telling the President
he is waiting The President is engaged" answers the
man, rather shortly. Before Mr. Smith say be is
hustled away by seventeen gentlemen each anxious 10 know
when his swn turn is coming. They hear and 60 pacing
up and down again. What a noise Full one hundred
boots trampng up and down ia ceaseless footballs Men
ton. Mr.. Smith thinks he much walking.
Hardly two gentlemen walked in pairs Every seemed
to pace up and down aone and be shy of his neghbo
Doubtless all strangers to each ohe and felt that the
presence OF the rest intereed with their and
prospects Of audience Mr.. Smith thought they all
scow and had sheepsh look. After waiting an hour he
begins to feel sheepish himself He feels it is beneath his
dignity be dancing attendance this way-he, free Amer
can He has seen full score admitted by It is
fast approaching one o'clock He about 10 60 in
his turn when three members Of Congress appear and the
Is gently put back, and the members admitted "Why
is this !" he fercely demands Members Of Congress al
ways take precedence Of all who by card, answered
the attendant. Mr.. Smith sighs at this obstacle. His
fancy conceives continued procession of NJ Cs calling on
the President Mr. Smith goes away at o'clock, bis card
the thirty fourth on the list. Come again tomorrow,
Gays the patient attendant.
The next day he is bis post with four-score But
it is committee day, and the President is closeted with de-
tailed comtess from the Senate House from ten
Not soul is admitted by card After three weeks Mr..
Smith sees the President TO be told leave his papers and
they will be examined" He waits three weeks more in the
ante-room to get second interview with the President
ask him if he has examined his papers. The President
refers him the proper Department. where his papers have
been sent II takes him thirty days heekcking in the
ecreary before he get audience Of this grea.
man. Five times his bill Gadsbys has been made and
laid upon his dressing table. At length in despair he
lays the Secretary he is stepping into his carriage. "Oh
ah Mr.. John Smith True, sir Yes, your papers have
been examined, and they perfectly satisfactory. But
povfactIv sstsfac,,yv delohted ~ eYrl.,