The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1877-08-01
BUCHANAN'S ADMINISTRATION,
THE WAY THE OLD DEMOCRAT SETTLED
QUESTIONS.

he was the Attorney General at the
time to which the narrative ralates.
The event was an application, which
will be quickly perceived by readers
Of intelligence.
The spacious and elegant revenue
cutter, the Harriet Lane, named in
honor of the Presidents stately niece
who did the honors of the White
House, and who is now an honored
matron Of Baltimore, had just been
finished. Being a revenue steamer,
the vessel was of course under the
control of the Secretary of the Treas
ury, the Hon. Howell Cobb, of Geor-
gia. Very quietly among themselves
the officers Of the Cabinet arranged
for an excursion down the Potomac
in the vessel, and to make the occa-
sion the more pleasant they invited
the diplomatic corps to be their
guests. 1t was of course designed
to take the President along, but as
his old fashioned notions against
"using public property for private
use" were known ali too we'll by the
Cabinet, the members resolved to
keep the trip a secret from "the
squire" as they called Mr.. Buchan-
an among themselves, for as long a
time as possible, and then insist up.
on his countenance and attendance,
when it was too late to prevent the
"frolic" on which the Cabinet was
bent, as mischievously as boys who
are on Keeping the "old man in the
dark"
The President, however, who OBJ
served matters very closely though
very quietly, became aware of the
design, but said nothing to sthe
boys" for some time about 1T. At
length, however, he sent for Judge
Black, and said quite abruptly to
him: "Black, what is this | hear
about Cobb's getting up an excursion
on the Harriet Lane?"
The Judge started little, and
when he saw the look on the Presi-
dents face he perceived he was in
no trifling mood. He answered eva
siyely, however, II haven't heard
anything particular about it. Guess
there's nothing in it,"
Mr.. Buchanan was not to be de-
ceived by any such statement. TAX
ing for granted that Judge Black was
indisposed to tell as much as he
might, the President added, Il have
sent for you to tell you that I won't
have this thing. Cobb must stop it.
The government vessels are not to
be used in that or any other way for
private purposes. I want the ar
rangement countermanded at once"
Judge Black directly perceived
there was "a case" The diplomatic
corps had been invited, and here ''the
squire" had forbidden the whole
thing. So had added remonstrative
~, Il hope you won't insist on what
you say. The diplomatic corps has
been asked, and expect to 90. 1t
will be very awkward to stop it
now"
Realizing the situation, Mr.. Buch-
anan rejoined, but very reluctantly,
Il am utterly opposed to taking gov
eminent property for private use
It's a very bad thing to take this
vessel out of the yard for Cobb's
party; hut if it is done, l want you
to tell him expressly that he's got
to pay all the bills himself, for the
use of the vessel and all the expen-
ses. The government shall not be
made to lose cent by this thing"
This time there was no doubt at all
that the sold public functionary's"
determination was fixed.
Mr.. Black departed, sought Cobb
and said to him, with o face decided
ly long, "Cobb, the squire's got wind
ofyour trip, and he sent for me. l
had id hard time to get him to
let you take the Lane out at all. He
was for stopping the whole thing,
and told me to tell you it couldn't be
done. However, when showed how
far things had gone, he agreed to let
the affair come of, provided you paid
for the whole shot out of your peck
ct, and on no other conditions.
There's no doing it on any other
terms"
For response, Cobb's only act was
a long, low, peculiar whistle, a habit
of his when he was very much sur
prised. Nevertheless, the arrange
ments had gone too far to recede.
The excursion came of, and after