Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1866-09-26
Presidential Anecdotes.


er better displayed than on one occaeion when
levee was honored by the presence of the
aged widow of Alexander Hamilton Then
beyond ninety, yet retaining activity ard
brightness OF intellect In q marvellous degree
that venerable and most lovely old lady was
one OF the greatest objects OF interest that
shen adorned our city. Full of vivacity and
social feeling, her house was a favorite resort
of citizens and distinguished visitors As
she seldom lett home after night, her pres
ence at the levee referred to created quite a
sensation. Her slight figure, somewhat bent,
was clad In rich black silk of simple, old
fashioned make, with snowy muslin folded
over her breast, and close cap, whose deli
cate crImped borders eoclrcled q face lined
with thousand wrinkles, but the eyes had
not lost their brightness, nor the voice its full
tcne. The President received her with e1-
ceeding deference-lcaving his place he gave
| her his arm, and so made the tour of the
rooms, bending to catch every word, and IL
every look and gesture showing ready tact
and graceful attention. With great interest
L had followed the movements OF THE distin-
guished couple as they passed through the
crowds that gave say on every side to max
room for them. She seemed In animated talk ),
and | approached | heard the concluding
words of what must have been stern rebu ke
OF public measure that many severely con
demned. She spoke the last words with all
the simple dignly, if not conscious superb
! orIty, OF veneroble age and observation :
- Al, sir, such things were not IN the days Of
! " eshIngroD."
! President JACksON.-W hen the Treasury
building was IN progress OF erection It was
the practices of General Jackson to come out
of an evening and watch the work. He
would often be seen sitting on the blocks of
stone III the awkward attitude produced, es-
pecIalIy in d person OF long legs, by drawing
the heels near - the seat, bringing the knees
towards the chm. His hat would lie by his
side. a large red bandann. han 1kerchie pro-
trudIng from 1t, while III bis mouth the inev-
table clay pipe would te TRANQUILITY pulled.
Inc iabOreTs frequently exchanged with the
the President the smokers courtesy of u hgh {,
aad once accidentally breaking his pipe, be
did not scTupls to borrow one OF the nearest
Iri-hmaD.
One while thus engaged, he overheard an
lIrsh ab0rcr a short distance of cursing with
great energy, alter every few syllables inter-
ectng with loud vehemence the fearful" By
the Eternal An imprec alton which had
come 10 be associated with himself. Suspect
ing some inpudent droilery IN the man, be
sent 20 inquire into tie trouble. The Irish
man promptly laid down his shovel, and bold
/ iy advanced 10 the grim old General.
" hat are you swearing about sir,
- Phase yer honor, yer inimies put the bad
words in your o"n mouth, bad luck TO thial,
sAys Martin O'Rourke-thats meself, yer
houor's humble sarvent
" Wen,' I'D the President, "lf swear by
the Eternal, that Is bad enough 1t Ia no
reason Why you should
SuIe-may God forgive us both-the
Eternal Is no bigger TO the least of Pat Room
ey's great gIandchildTed than to Gineral
Jacks hisselt.'
The company present laughed, but it is
said that jackson looked very grave. He
kindly gave the man 4 dollar aud sent him off
forth with TO his Work.
President rYLsR.-" John, said old Col
Jack Dade, VINO mad just entered The White
Hou-e, having hastened 70 Washington upon
tne accession Of his old friend the Presi-
dency. " want one of your cthces.
- Well, Jack, - replied Mr.. Il Ter, - which
Office DO you want? You recoilect your edu-
cation was neglected and that you never
work"
=. Work? Never, sir," said the doughty
Colonel. " But there's sort OF Office that
| could I'LL ably-ably, sIr-tut | can't tn u K
what you cali 1t. l think, John, you call 1t
snte qua rson-yes, that's 1t, John? | want
you TO appolu1 me to Il SINE qua non"
The tresden, lau. he'd heartily, bat in
within his gift But Mr.. Tyie:, knowing
where to fat the solid parts OF the ecoe nitric
Colo mel, made HIM warden OF the peniten-
tIGry, a . )sItion IN which he is credited with
having been i really good ofh .er. Inc excel
lent stories Of Colone Dade'e administration
OF the pen.tsntiary business have been,
believe all published alre dy.
PRESIDENT JEFFERSON little brio K
builing which stood until few months ago
on the southeast corner OF and Fourteenth
streets IN this city, and which for many years
back has been used as a schooi-h1 Use, was the
stable III which Mr.. Jefferson while Pres dent,
kept MS horses. An aged negro intoims Inc
that his daily habit OF riding several miles
about the city was INDUCED throughout hi,
eight years OF office upon one particular steed
VINO was remarkable ouly Tor his extremely
rapid walk The horse was dull, dun col
or, very large and lean, and though always
groomed with care, and the object OF Mr.
Jefers )n's personal and daily attention AS well
as fond affection, he was a very Ineieganl
steed for so elegant horseman, and as my
informant (who assured me he was - well
brung up') thought, particularly unpecom
ing the choice OF President Once In nd
Ing cut, attended by his body servant, who
must have had an ample share Of the proven
bIaL PRIDE OF the servants OF the old families
OF VIrsI InIa in everything attaching to the
name and character OF their masters, MT
Jefferson met the French minister, aisc
mounted, but upon q magnificent charger
with characteTietIc snowy elegance IN dress
&c, presenting great contrast to the Tepuo-
lican President ID his plain brown sult upon
his raw wboned old horse. The old negro SUI
veyed the two with notifying sense OF the
contrast. Alter a brief and stately colloquy
tne dIgnita1ies were III the act OF separating
when MIR. Jefferson's servant, unable Longer
to restrain himself cried out to the astonish.
ID diplomat: - You mus mt tink yourself
buy us on dat fine hoes o yourn. Mas Ion
got finer ones n'r dat at home -
TAYLoR-The reader will remember ths
famous Galphin claim, which, through som,
inprov idence and fraud, was passed through
the public office. Tne democrats assaled witt
lntense and unsparing fury the whig Admin
isIration, corrupt, etc, and for months th'
county press and stump were teeming with
exa ggera ed and violent denunciaticns. Gen
eraI Taylor, satisfied OF the integrity of bn
Cabinet, and especially of his friend, MIR
Meredith, the Secretary of the Treasury, wa
less concerned than the party leaders abou
the matter, and was disposed rather TO mak'
light of their alsrm. Meantime Mr.. Meredith
had frequent occasion to represent to thu
President the extremitIes of the Treasury, ant
the expedency of providing for a loan to NEE
the current expenses. Ga one occasion seve
raj distinguished adherents of the Admins
tration, together with of the Cabine
and the President, were confe-ring informail,
but earnestly ON the subject OF the GalphiI
claims. That there WAS fraud in the matte
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