The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-03-13
Correspondence of the Tribune
Gen. Scott and Gov. Marcy-A good hing wel
Done


Good dinners were ofcourse as thick as black
berries last evening, and there were not few
private parties where parting scenes and "gath.
erng tears" might have been witnessed among
those who were reluctantly bidding farewell to
the incidents of the winters gaieties.
AT one of these grand dinners a very distin-
guished party of about 100 were accidentally
thrown together. Among those present were
most of the foreign ministers, leading members
of the government distinguished members of
Congress, and last, not least and so place them
that they may be brought in connection, Gen.
Scott and Gov Marcy
In the early part of the evening Gen Scott,
in the enjoyment of the advantage which his tall
form affords him of overlooking an assembly of
guests, espied Mr.. Marcy in another part of the
room. Itmay not be known that these two dis
tlDguished men have not exchanged friendly
word since Mr.. Folks Secretary of War opened
that sire in the rear" which the American Gen
eral so much dreaded, before he set out for
Mexico
Upon seeing Mr. Marcy, Gen. Scott immed-
ately observed, "Therc's Marcy, | must 90 and
speak with him for the first time since our pen
and ink contest" movement which the Gene
rails friends standing near him, warmly approved.
Crossing over to where Mr. Marcy was standing,
General Scott rendered his hand with graceful
offer of renewal of frindship and forgetfulness
of the past Mr.. Marcy, grasping it. replied in
touching and appropriate terms. But the crown
ing act of this beautiful and rare occurrence
among public men was yet to come
The cloth having been removed and toasts
embelished with speeches being the order, "Gou.
Marcy was given with an appropriate compli-
ment to his fame as statesman. He rose to
reply with some apparent embarrassment, which
was, however, momentary. He proceeded to
say with much modesty, that as his public
career had been alluded to, he could only saw
that his too partial friends in his own State had
bestowed office upon him at different times and
they had even ventured to make him governor
Of New York. What little reputation might be
acquired in office of that quiet character, was
very much confined, not only to the limits of his
own State, but he feared to limits much smaller
than the area Of that State He felt assured
that there were thousands of people in New
York who had very small opinion of his poor
abilities. II was true that in consequence of mn
erroneous opinion Mr.. Polk had formed of him.
he was once appointed Secretary of War. And
in that (said Mr.. Marcy was still more unfor-
tunate. All the honor Igained was but By re-
fection, --rsfect'on from The brilliant deeds of
those Glowing very gracefully to Gen. Scott
with ,ohom, as The Head of that Department ,oas
in some manner connected"
This is not shorthand report Of the precise
language Of any Of the parties, but it may be re-
lied upon as the substance Of what occurred. II
would be difficult to describe the degree of graft
fcatlon which 1t afforded to those present, and
it would not be difficult to tell whether the com
pany most admired the frank offer of concilin-
ton made by Gen. Scott or the exceeding beauty
and good taste of the well-turned compliment
with which Mr.. Marcy met ii.
MAIL FALUREs.--We have never heard Of the
same number of complaints about mail failures,
40 at the present. For our own part, our patience
Is worn out, and we despair Of seeing these
sad neglects recthed, until an entire change takes
place in the Post Office Department. Every day
brings complaints nom our subscribers in the
country, which leave no kind of doubt, that post
office agents are sadly negscting their duties We
are now nccumuating some important fhcts in re-