Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1853-07-28
Anecdote of "Oid Hickory"

/
from the Col!ectorship, a! Salem, Mass.
the brave Gen. Miller. who performed
at Lundy's Lane, feat of daring that
was never surpassed by "the braves, OF
the brave" Of Napoleon's Life Guard,
has called cut an anecdote of the kind
hearted "Old Hickory" that is too good
to be lost. After the war of 1912, Gen.
Miller retired to private life, and was ap-
pointed Collector of the port of Salem
| by President, Monroe, which place he
occupied up to The time of General Jack.
sons accession. ....a
On the accession of General Jackson,
the small CLIQUE of in!riguers who clus-
tered around the "Boston Salesman"
assuming to be the democratic party Of
Massachusetts, had apportioned the fed
eral offices in tha. State among them.
selves. To one of their number was as
signed The Collectorship of Salem. The
war worn Miller was prescribed wi.hou.
hesitation or com2unc.ion. The selec-
,ions made by the Statesman clique were
accepted by Old Hickory, wishOu, ex.
animation Or inquiry, and Gen. Miller's
successor was nominated 10 the Senate.
When the nomination came to be acted
upon, Col. Benton in!erposed and asked
that i. might lie over. lie was sure Ihe
President would not intentionally re-
move the incumbens--there must be
some mistake about is, and he desired
tine TO bring the facts of the case to his
consideration. The request was com.
piled with, as a matter OF course. Col.
Benton Immediately waited upon Gen.
Jackson, and the interview is said to
have been one of high interest. A gen.
ileman, who was Intimate Of the White
House, used to describe it somewhat in
this style:
"Gen. Jackson, DO you know. cir.
who is Collector at the por. of Salem,
Mass, sir!'
al can't think OF his name, Colonel,
although I've just sent il up to the Sen
ate. But he is good man. know. and
a good democrat. too. for Greene anc
and Henshaw both told me so.'
"Bus sir." Iejoined Col. D.. 81 beg to
inquire, sir, whether you know who the
present incumbent is. slr--the officer
whom you have intended TO remove.
sir!"
Mo- can't remember his name
but know he is - New England.
Hartford Convention federaliss. for
Greene and Henshaw told me so."
"Sir, the present Collector Of the por,
of Salem is General Miller, sir, who
fought with SO much distinction on the
northern frontier, in the war with Great
Britain, SIR"
Mot tue brave Colonel Miller, who
said, "l'Il sryr when asked if he could
take that - British entrenchmen. at
BridgewaterH'
"Yes. sir" said Col. Benton "he is
the same man. sir"
"The -- he is, Where's Donel.
son!" ...... ......s..
A sharp pull a, the bell, followed by
the prompt appearance Of servant.
Tell Col. Donelson want him
quick" ....
Mr.. Donelson entered.
"Donelson. want the name Of the
iCiO" houiiAahch lpt SOiiCOtoA ~ 1oiSh
Withdrawn instantly. BY the Eternal,
these politicians are the most remorse-
less scoundrels alive. Write letter TO
Gen. Miller, and tell him he shall hold
the Office as long as Andrew Jackson
lives. Stay. I'll write it myself-ihe
assurance viii be more gratifying as
coming from brother soldier"
The warm hearted old man KEEP. his
promise TO the letter.
When Mr., Van Buren succeeded
General Jackson, he refused to listen TO
any proposition from the Massachusetts
office cormoran.s, for removing Gen.
Miller, and so he remained in office till
the accession Of the man who was nick
named "Young Hickory" alias Polk,
and who removed him. Notwithstanding
strong remonstrances were offered
Subsequently, Gen Miller was re-appoin-
ted by Gen. Taylor. and has retained
his position up to this time. We shall
soon see whether the present President
has spark of the FIRE Of Old Hickory,
for, if he has, he will not for a moment
tolerate the proposition of the Boston
Custom House clique and Caleb Cush.
ing. to ejec. from Office the veteran Col.
4 MilIar