Democratic enquirer. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1867-1873, 1867-04-11
miscellaneous.
General Jackson and the
Turtle.

against him, to prove that ne was not NJ
for the Presidency, was that he was ILL.,
crate, and this was the honest belief of
great many everywhere.
Daring his administration vessel ar
rived at Norfolk from the West Indies,
and on its deck were several sea turtles.
Among them was giant Of reptile
which attracted the attention of every
body who went aboard. The captain had
them all taken on the wharf exposed for
sale Among those who admired the
hugo fellow above mentioned were several
leaders of the 'unterri6ed, four or five
of whom made up purse, bought the
monster, and By the next Washington
boat sent it up as present to Old Hick
ory.
He was much gratifed at such pres
eut, and the inmates and visitors Of the
White House enjoyed rare treat in the
way of turtle soup of the most magni6-
cent description.
The general wrote q very polite note
acknowledging the receipt Of the pres
ent, which was duly received by Dr., A.,
who had sent it in the name Of himself
aud his other Democratic friends.
| Shortly after the receipt Of the Gen
erals answer, DR., A. was hobbling along
Main street, and just when nearly in
front Of Mr.. BPS book store, he was
hailed by five anta-Jacksonians as fol-
lows:
We'll, Doctor, have you heard from the
General about your turtle 2
'Yes,' answered DR.. A., and have his
reply in my pocket
'Let's see itI' let's see itl they eli
cried in a breath.
Here it is, DR.. A. replied.
He produced the note and they read {:
'Gentlemen: l thank you for the very
fne tortoise you so kindly sent me, &c
'There, said one of the gentlemen, we
had always heard that your great man
COULD not write English, and now we
know it. Who ever heard of turtle
being called a tortoise p
will you take bet on it ? said A:
That we will, answered they, 'and We
will decide the point by going into friend
BIS a4.,r
So in they went, and both parties
agreed to abide by the definition of a
certain dictionary then the standard OF
the language. One Of them turned over
Iits leaves till he reached the word turtle.
The definition was, bird Of the dove
kind and in the next line, 'this word is
sometimes used to designate the tortoise
found on the shores Of the West Indies.
1t is corruption used by sailors and IL.
literate people,
'Are you satisfied, gentlemen p ex.
claimed DR., A.; Il know you are not
saiIO,s, so, by your own authority, you
are aIiterate. Be pleased to pay your
bets, and never after this say that Gen
eraI Jackson can't write English.
They did as requested, giving each an
order for six bottles of Medeira; aud, as
they went out of BE-, bystander OBJ.
served that there was in the ear of each q
very large flea.
ANE oDoTE OF GENERAL JACKSON.
The following is related by +. w.
Thomas, in his Sketches Of Character: ;
A vacancy occurred during his admin
istration in the bureau Of one of the au-
dItors, and General Jackson wrote a very
strong letter of recommendation to the
auditor in behalf of young man from
Tennessee, with whose fitness and char
acter the General was we'll acquainted, -
with the letter in his hand the applicant
called upon the auditor, who replied that
ho held the highest respect for the Presi-
dents recommendation, but that Mr..
Burns came so variously and strongly
recommended he should be compelled to
fill the vacancy with his name. The APP
plicsnt quietly took up his letter and
withdrew; ard with Western frankness,
and somewhat chagrined, repaired to the
White House and returned the General
bis letter.
WnatB the mater HsAeu the oiu
chief. -.'a Pr
'Ae says he cannot givs it to me, Gen
eral.'
'Wby notP' was the gentle inquiry.
He says he has the highest repect for
your Recommendation. But Mr.. Burns
is SO strongly and variouSly recommen-
ded that he felt compelled to give it to
him. '
Mr.. Burns is his relative, sir. Com"
PEELED to give it to himp And so say
Ing, he pulled the bell sharply. 'To have
The highest respect for my recommends
ton, is to follow it, D
TELL said he to the messenger, tell
the auditor ! wish to see him. Keep
your seat, sir to the Tennesssean.