Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1853-08-06
Old Hickory

Old Hickory
1t is stated in some of the Boston papers
that g Mr.. Miller will not be disturbed as
Collector of Saem." We presume this 8 Mr..
Miller" the Collector of Salem, is the sol
der that replied, "Fll try sir" when his
commanding officer inquired whether a
strong battery near the falls could be carried,
in the war of 1912. He fought all through
the war, and was always found where the
hardest blows were going. There was no
mores gallant or meritorious man IN the
army, and the value of his services was
repeatedly acknowledged, both by his
commanders and by different legislative
bodies. His chiyalrous courage and cool
ness, in circumstances of great peril, were
proverbiaI throughout the whole north
western frontier. On the reduction of the
army at the close Of theawar,s he retired to
private life; and soon aiter PRESIDENT Mon
roe gave him the Collecforship of Salem
not on account Of any partizan or political
services, but because of his high personal
character, and the distinguished services he
had rendered his country. In those days,
merit was necessary iRsorder to procure
federal Offices The executive
was accustomed to seek out good men,
whose claims rested on more substantial
foundation than successful party intrigue,
and when appointed they were continued,
unless change was demanded by some
public consideration. Then the theory was,
that the advantages resulting from execu-
live favor belonged TO the people, and not
to select portion Of them; but the notion
is obsolete now, and man would be re-
garded as thesoliest kind of an old fogy who
should undertake to maintain such a doc
trine. s
On the accession of Gen. Jackson. the
small clique of in,riguers who *clustered
around the Boston Statesman" assuming
to be the democratic party OF Massachusetts,
had apportioned the federal offices in that
state among. themselves. To one of their
number was assigned the Collectorship Of
Salem. The warworn Miller was pros
crioed without hesitation or conjunction.
The selection made by the Statesman clique
were accepted by Old Hickory, without
examination or inquiry, and Gen. Miller's
successor was nominated to the Senate.
When the nomination came TO be acted
upon, Col. Benton interposed and asked that
it might lie over. He was sure the Pres
ident would not Intentionally remove the
incumbent-there must be some mistake
about it, and he desired time to bring the
facts of the case to his consideration. The
request was complied with, as matter of
course. 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 describe it somewhat in this
style:-
General Jackson, do you know, sir, who
is Collector at the port of Salem, Massachu-
sets. sir"
~ can't think of his name, Colonel, al
though I've just sent il up TO the Senate.
But he is good man, know, and good
democrat, too, for Greene and Henshaw
both told me So"
+" But, sir" rejoined Col. B., ri beg to in
quire, sir; whether you know who the
present incumbent is. sir-the officer whom
you intended to remove, sit2'
"No. | cant remember his name-but |
know he is New England, Hartford
Convention federa1ist, for Greene and
Henshaw told me So"
s'Sir. the present Collector of the port of
Salem is General Miller, sir, who fought
with so much distinction on the northern
frontier, in the war with Great Britain, sir"
"Not the brave Colonel Miller, who said
:TIl tryn when asked if he could take that
British entrenchment at Bridgewater "
ayes, SIR" said colonel Benton-"he is
the same man, sir"
"The--he is! Where's Donelson Z"
A sharp pull at the bell, followed by the
prompt appearance of a servant.
"Tell Colonel Donelson I want him
quick" 49,. .-
Mr.. Donelson entered.
sDonelson, want the name of the fellow
nominated for collector at Salem Withdrawn
instantly. By the Eternal, these politicians
are The most remorseless scoundrels alive.
Write letter to General Miller, and tell
him he shall hold the office as long as
Andrew Jackson lives. Stay, Til write it
myself-the assurance will be more crafty
ing from brother SOLDIER
The warm-hearted old man kept his
promise to the letter.
FRIGHTFUL CATAsTRoPHE.-Three men
swept ouer the Falls Of Niagara.-The New
York papers bring US some additional intel
Iigence, received by telegraph, Of the fright
full accident which occurred on Tuesday,
the 10th inst, at the Falls of Niagara The
first dispatch, dated at the Falls at clock
in the morning, says:
Three men, belonging to scow, which
came down the river last night, got into a
skiff alongside the scow, and it is supposed
fell asleep, when the boat got separated
from the scow, and was hurried on by the
current with fearful rapidity towards the
Falls. This happened about 81 o'clock
last evening. Two Of the men, one named
Andrew Hanaman, the other stranger,
were hurled at once over the foaming sheet !;
the third, Joseph Able, caught hold of a
stump in his fearful passage, and has clung
to it ever since. y
The excitment here is intense. We have
no life-boat, and common boats are swamped
as soon as they touch the rapids. A life
boat has been sent for from Buffalo. Parties
on shore have succeeded in floating box
of refreshments to the poor fellow, who can
be plainly seen from the shore.
Citizens and visitors throng the banks of
the river to witness the Efforts making for
the rescue.
A second dispatch, dated - o'clock, NJ,
says: 49, Va
The man is still in the rapids, apparently
dropping. The life-boat was sent on from
Buffalo; bnt, sad to say, proved too light,
swamped Immediately it was launched, and
was lost over the rapids. Unfortunately,
but one boat was sent The situation of the