The primitive Republican. (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-1852, 1851-08-21
Correspondence of the Natchez Courier.
APainting From The Life.


after the commencement Of an Adninistra-
ton, you will not forget the army or armies
OF othce-hunters that thronged the avenues,
crowded the lobbies, crammed the ante-rooms
OF the Secretaries of the Departments, and
literally besieged the President in his own
castle, the White House.
The scenes in the vestibules and ante-rooms
of the Secretaries in these Office seeking
times are very rich and very humiliating.-
For instance, Mr.. John Smith, man of
fine feelings, and respectable citizen in
his own town, comes up to get, ifhe can, the
appointment of one thousand dollar post
Office. He is backed "by all his friends J"
has letters from Col. Bull, who once shook
hands with the President, and from Saul
Sykes, Esq, who once rode In the stage
with the Presidents mother; from Hon
Peter Parsley, who was once a Representa-
tive in Congress, and mad been presented,
with fifty others, to his Excellency, in the
east room at levee, and reminds him of it
in his letter; and perhaps letter from Mrs.
Brimble, an ex-Senator's lady, to the lady
of the President
Armed thus, Mr.. John Smith deems HIM
selfirresistable He expects to carry all be-
fore him. He aights from the cars in Wash
Iington, and looks round upon the crowd with
a patronizing eye. He orders hack with
an emphasis He commands room at
Gadsby's. He the next day walks among
the big bugs as big bug as they. He de-
livers his letters. He finds the Presidents
lady is out, and gives it to the porter. He
has not been a week in Washington, at three
dollars and half day at Gadsby's, before
he learns the late lesson, that in Washing
ton letters of introduction are Ematters of
course" and, like everything else which are
matters of course, are esteemed worthless.
No body reads or notices them. They prove
nothing. Two words with an honorable Sen
ator or honest Representative from the appli-
cant part of the country, President or Sec
rotary thinks more of than ANAL bag of ''let-
tiers Of introduction" The man who goes
without one is more likely to succeed than
he who depends on them. l would sooner
trust a man who carried his character in his
face rather than in his pocket.
MIR. Smith having delivered his letters,
and especially that to the President, goes at
the reception hour to the White House to see
him. The President usually receives men
on business from ten to one During these
three hours the offce-seekers throng the hal
!, and out-chamber to his room, each waiting
his turn for it IS first come first served
MIR. John Smith, having made his way t.
the landing, finds it filled with people, lik,
depot platform waiting for the train
j. Some Of the men pace up and down rapidly
4 at every turn, casting their eager glances q
shut door, outside Of which stands a ser
want with his hands filed with cards fol
each visitor as he came up handed his card
: till the attendant holds pile of fifty, laid il
G regular order Mr.. Smith has come late, h
has delayed to be more than usually partie
ular about bis toilet, and his card made til
fifty -first that, is ffty-one men have got t
{ have audience before has turn comes Blu
he is yetinnocent of this fact; (but he learn
it by heart by and by.) He now bows re
specially to the waiter, and asks him why h
does not announce him by going in and tel
ing the President he is waiting. 9Th
President is engaged, answers the MAJ
L. rather shortly. Before Mir. Smith can sa
7, more he is hustled away by seventeen gel
tlemen, each anxious to know when has ow
of turn is coming. They hear, and go pacin
nr up and down again. What a noise Flu
- one hundred boots tramping up aud down
" ceaseless footballs. Men can t sit still wal
ing in suspense. They mustk keep in motion
ne Mr.. Smith thinks he never saw so muc
r. p walking. Hardly two gentlemen walked
pairs Every man seemed to walk up al
down alone, and to be shy of his neighbo
: Doubtless all were strangers to each othe
> and felt that the presence of the rest int
ferred with their own success and prospec
Of audience. Mr.. Smith thought they 9
10. wore a scoWl and had sheepish look. Aft
waiting an hour, he begins to feel sheepi;
himself He feels it is beneath his digni
Is to be dancing attendance in this way-Ahe,
~, free American He has seen full a SEQ
he admitted one by one. 1t is fast approac
on ing one clock He sees a man about.to
in his turn, when three members of co
gress appear, and the man is gently p
Is back, and the members admitted. "Wl
Is. is this 2" he fercely demands "Membe
X. of Congress always take precedence of /
who 90 in by card, sir, answered the ate
dant. Mr.. Smith signs at this new obst
Gle. His fancy conceiyes a continued pi
CCSotOu VI III ~. . Cdl4A4l O1A IL4O I AOsANCA
- Mr.. Smith goes away at one o'clock, |
card the thirty fourth on the list. "Cor
again tomorrow" says the patient ate
dant.
! The next day he is at his post with for
/. score more. But it isa committee day, a
the President is closeted with detailed CO.
mittee from the Senate or House from ten
one. Not a soul is admitted by card!
ter three weeks, Mr.. Smith sees the Pre-
dent to be told "to leave his papers and til
Il will be examined" He waits three wee
more in the ante-room to get a second int
view with the PRESIDENT to ask him if
lest has "examined his papers" The Preside
q refers him to the proper Department, VII,
ne his papers have been sent it takes b
thirty-three days heel-kicking in the Sec
: N tary s ante-room before hecan get audience
this great man Five times his bill at4a
nost by's has been made out and laid upon
dressing table At length, in despair,
Ioy- waylays Che Secretary as he is stepping j
9'.7 his carriage. "Oh, ali, 4Ir. John Smit
fac True, sir Yes, your papers have been
ansined, and they are perfectly. satisfactc
olio But Perfectly satisfactory. sir
iFds' delighted y exclaimed MIR. Smith, with
heir quisite happiness.
o;rc aBut am sorry to have 70 say that
,ere. Office YOU seek IS not vacant. 1t is
H. determination to retain the present inc
bont Good morning, MIR. Smith