The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1853-07-12
Anecdota OF nold Hickory

Therecent proposition to remove, from the
C,llecprship, at Salem, Mass, the brave Gen.
Miller. who performed, at Lundy's Lane.
feit ofllaring that was never surpassed by "the
harvest Of tho brave" of Napoleon's Life
Guard,has called out an anecdote of the kind
hearteI .Old Hickory that is too good TO be
lost. After the war Of 1912, Gen. Miller ae-
tired private life, and was appointed Collect
or of ne port of Salem by President Manroe,
which place he occupied up to the time of
Genenl Jackson's accession.
Onhe accession OF Gen. Jackson, the small
clique of intriguers who clustered around the
"Bospn Statesman" assuming to be the dem
ocrote party Of Massachusetts,, had apportion-
cd tlp federal offices in that State omong them
selye To one Of their nnmbcr was assigned
the Collectorship of Salem. The war-worn
Milkr was prescribed without hesitation or
conpunition. The selections made by the
statesman clique were accepted by Old Hicko-
rv.without examination or inquiry, and Gen.
Miler's successors was nominated to the Sen
ate. When tho nomination came to be acted
upon. Col. Benton Immediately waited upon
Gen. Jackson, and the interview is said to have
been one of high interest. A gentleman who
was intimate at the White House used TO des-
crbe it somewhat in this style:
"Gen. Jackson, do you know, sir, who is
Collector at the port OF Salem. Mass. SIR"
81 cant think of his nome, Colonel, oltbough
I've Just sent it up TO the Senate. But he is a
good man. know. and good democrat, too,
for GREENE and Henshaw both told me So"
"But. sir, 'rejoined Cobb, al beg to inquire,
sir. whether you the present incumbent is, sir
tho officer whom you have intended to re-
move. sir" ro,,on,,o. ,,ou,
ba is Maui uUlapd U,rtf,rJ Cn,yo,,
ton federalist, for Green and Hcnshaw told me
So"
"Sir, the present Collector of the port OF 81
lem is General Miller. sir, who fought with so
much distinction on tho northern frontier, in
he war with Great Britain. sir"
'Not tho brave Colonel Miller, who said
I'll tryp when asked if he could take that -
British entrenchment at Bridgewater:'
Yes, sir" SAID Col. Bcnton- "hc is the Same
man. sir"
"The - he is! Where's Donclson:'
A sharp pull at tho bell, followed by tho
prompt appearance of a servant.
Tell Col. Donelson want him-quick."
Mr. Benelson entered.
"DoNELsoN, / want the name of the fellow
nominated for the Collector at Salem with
drawn instantly. BY the Eternal, these pol
ihcians are the most remorseless secondrels a
i've Wrho Iet'cr 10 General Miller, ana
tell him he shall hold the Office as long as
Andrew Jackson lives. Stay, I'll write it my
self-the assurance will be more gratifying as
coming from a brother soldier"
The warm hearted old man kept his promise
TO tho letter.
When Mr.. Van Buren, succeeded Gen Jack
son, he refused to listen to any proposition
from the Massachusetts Office oormorants, for
removing Gen Miller and so he remained in
office till the accession of tho man wfo was
nick-nomed "Young Hickory" alias Polk, and
who removed him, Notwithstanding strong re-
monslIances were offered. Subsequently,
Gen. Miller was ro-appoin,cd by Gen. Taylor,
and has retained the position up to this time.
We shall soon see whether the President has
a speck of fire of Old Hickory; for il ne has he
will not for moment tolerate the proposition
of the Boston Custom House clique and Caleb
Cushing, to eject from Office the veteran Miller