Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-08-08
HUMOR AND DBLUNTNESSO OF THE LATE
GOVERNOR MARCY,
fErom the Cincinnati Ennnirnr

n certain bluntness and directness of manner
and speech, which were very annoying to for
nal and osteDtatiOus people. His stern logic
and intense hatred Of all humbug, parade and
circumlocutiOn, and not malieiousness, ill-na-
ture or sourness prompted this peculiar mode of
bringing "hifalutin" people down to the stand
ard of common sense and a matter of fact style
OF speech and conduct. Indeed he was an ex
ceedingly amiable, good man. with a
great penchant for good joke, and q sly hu-
NOR underlying all his social and even much of
his political conversation.
The old story, which has been so much harped
ON by the newspapers and by political declaim-
ers, IN regard to the charge Mr. Marcy made
against the State of New York, of fifty cents for
patching his pants, was not, as some have pre-
tended. 80 much an illustration of the Cover
nOrs strict and literal observance of law and
stern honesty as it was of his humorous turn of
mind, which could not foregO 50 happy an op-
pOrtunlty Of caricaturing a foolish law We
have heard of other Incidents illustrative of the
same trait which are quite amusing. though
much Of the humor of the Governors remarks
Is lost In the relation, as his quaint solemn ex-
preston, the inyariable pinch of snuff with
which he preceded all his observations. and the
sly expression Of his sleepy-loOkiny eyes, gave
great effect to his humorous hits Thus the
story told of his interview with the pompous
and excitable Count Sartiges. the French Min
lster. can never be appreciated except by those
VINO were familiar with the Governor manner
IL was when Mr.. Champions expected dismis
sal, on account Of his cOnnivance in the viola
ton OF our neutrality laws began to be dis
cussed. The representatives of the great Euro
pean powers at Washington were astounded AT
the cool audacity of such proposition. and a
meeting of the principal of them was immedi
ately held, the result of which was the designa-
ton OF Count Sartiges to proceed to Governor
Marcy and demonstrate against so rash and
violent procedure; as calculated to endanper
the peace OF the world and give serious offence
10 the great commercial power and her allies
Accordingly, the magnificent Frenchman pro-
ceeded IN state to his excellency the Secretary
OF State, who received him in his usual plain
and gOOd-natured way, asking him TO take q
chair and pinch of snuff in the same sentence,
The Frenchman took a seat. and proceeded in
magnificent exOrdium, prepared for the Occa-
sion, to unfold the object of his visit lie began
by showing the importance of preserving the
pence of the world in the present condition of
affairs; the great commercial interest the United
states had in the maintenance of the most
. friendly relations with the great Powers of Eu-
rope, and then proceeded to show that the priu-
clpai OF those Powers were Hll now united i'm
close alliance: that any nation which wronced
OF offended one OF them incurred the hostility
OF ali; that If Great Britain conceived herself
unJusuy dealt by France, Austria, Sardinia
and Spain would be bound to give their aid in
resenting or Furnishing such injustice to their
great ally. Having thus, he imagined ex-
cited the apprehension Of our Secretary of Stale
the eloquent Frenchman next touched upon the
reported intention Of our Government TO dismiss
the British Minister. lie could net credit 80
alarming n proposition. He did not beEeve
that 80 experienced and conservative a states
man as Mr. Marcy could be brought to acuui-
esce In 30 rash a tritling with the peace of the
world, and 1t was to be assured Of tho Justice of
these convictions that he now called on the hon.
orabie Secretary in this frank and sincere way
10 communicate the views which were enter
tanned oy his imperial master on this topic, and
which had the approval of the representatives
OF other European Powers. During this mag
nlhcent grafton, Gov. Marcy sat in his usual
POSITION with his head down his face maintain
ing Its heavy, unchanging expression, and his
sleepy, gray eyes now and then stealing a
steaIthy view of the eloquent and excited
and excited Frenchman, as If measuring his full
proportions, intellectual and physical and then
relapslng into their favOrite range &c oi,serya-
non-the dlngy old carpet Of this most ancient
OF our public offices. OF course the most eIo-
quent and telling Of the Minister'S sentences
were honored and recognized by the inevitable
pinch Of snuff.
haraDgue, and with REDEEMED face, perspiring
brow, frightened eyes and quivering frame,
paused Tor reply. What was the astonisb-
ment and disgust Of this representative of i'm
perial greatness, tO observe the American Sec
retary OF State handing him that funny old
Dutch horn snuff box, with an invitation to try
the merits Of the contents followed by the in
quiry: Well, Mr.. .S0rtvgas. (this was the
nearest the Governor could ever approach to
the rather difficult French pronunciation of this
nane,C bow Is Mrs. Sartygis and all the Httke
Sartygisl''
Ii the bare idea Of dismissing British Min
Ister could 30 astound the Frenchman. we NAV
DVna g L
ment at this very Irrelevant and extraordinary
response To so serious q communication He
was, however, relieved on the next day by the
very prompt, decisive and pointed answer To
ms Impertinent protest, contained in official
notlncatlon, that Mr.. Champion had received
his dismissal
The contempt for parade, ostentation. pre-
tense and humbug, which was so strong char
acteristic Of Governor Marcy, was happily dis
played on certain occasion during the Mexi-
can war, TO the very great disgust of certain
parties. After the battles of Palo Alto and
Hesace dc la Palma, the Governor of Louisiana
gave permission 10 certain of his aids-ambi-
hous young lawyers and politicians-to pro-
eeed 10 General Taylor camp for the purpose
OF congratulating him and surveying the field
OF those glorious victories
On their return these gentlemen brought
memorials of the battles, in the shape of va
rious trophies; and one of them, Col l..
States District Attorney, hurried 10 Washing
ton city, where in his undress uniform, he be-
came quite llon on account of his familiarity
with the scenes, events and character of thost,
then recent victories. Having brought with
nun Mexican lance. stained with the blood of
us once owner, I. was suggested that he might
make favorable impression by presenting il
70 the Secretary of War Accordingly, quite
nttiS procession of gentlemen was arranged.
; headed oy Col l. bearing the lance in his
hand, and proceeded to the War office. They
were ushered into the Sccretary's room. whore
the sturdy Old official was engaged in debating
dispatch. Taxing quiet pinch of snufT, the
Governor welcomed the intruders with ouite as
much courtesy as was natural TO him. bnt with
strong internal disgust Col l. stepoed
forward, with the lance in his hand proceeded
IN grand Orstion, to announce that he was
fresh from the fields of Resaca lie la Palma and
Palo AltO-whIch had been made immortal by
American yalor-gaye graphic and vivid mar
ration OF those achievements, and concluded by
alluding TO the trophy snatched from the grasp
Of some Mexican cavalier by American prowess.