Year: 1872

After Jackson first election in 1928
a strong effort was made to remove Gen.


an old revolutionary soldier, at
that time postmaster in one of the prin-
cipal New York towns He had been so
fierce an Adams man that the jackson
men determined to displace him. Silas
Wright had just left his seat as a repre-
sentative in Congress from New York,
and was precisely the man to head
movement against the old postmaster
His influence with jackson was bound.
less. His force in debate made him a
match for the giants themselves and as
Van Buren was then Jackson's Secreta-
ry of State, the combination was power
full. The old postmaster, knowing that
these two political masters were against
him, went to Washington, called upon
the President Immediately upon his ar
rival, and was most courteously received
and requested to call again, which he
did several times, but nothing was said
about the postoffice. The old postmas
ter heard from his friends at home that
the important document was on its way,
so he resolved on coup de main. The
next day there was Presidential recep-
ton, and among the early visitors was
Gen. After cordial greeting by
Jackson, he quietly took his seat and
waited until the long train of visitors
had duly saluted the nations chief and
passed through the grand east room on
their way home. The president turned
to his venerable guest with some sur
prise as he noticed him still seated on
one of the sofas, and entered into famil-
lar conversation with him, when, to his
amazement. the old soldier said: ..Gen
eral Jackson, have come here to talk to
you about my Office. The politicians
want to take it from me, and they know
| have nothing else to live upon The
president made no reply, till the aged
postmaster began to take off his coat in
the most excited manner when Old
Hickory broke out with the inquiry:
"What in Heavens name are you going
to do? Why do you take off your coat
in this public place % "Well, sir, [
am going to show you my wounds, which
| received in fighting for my country
against the English !" PUT it on at
once, sir'' was the reply; Il ain sur
prised that man of your age should
make such an exhibition of himself" and
the eyes of the iron president were suf-
fused with tears, and without another
word he bade his ancient foe good even
ing. The very next night the crafty
and able New York politician called at
the White House and sent in his card.
He was Immediately ushered into his
presence, and found Jackson in loose
gown and slippers sitting before blaz-
ing wood fire quietly smoking his long
tv..s-45-s--
his budget. He represented the district
from which the venerable postmaster
hailed; said the latter had been known
as very active advocate of John Quincy
Adams that he had literally forfeited
his place by his earnest opposition to
the Jackson men, and that if he were not
removed the new administration would
be seriously injured. He had hardly
finished the last sentence. when Jackson
sprung to his feet, flung his pipe into
the fire, and exclaimed with great We
hemence. II take the consequences, sir,
| take the consequences BY the Etern-
al | will not remove the old mani
cannot remove him. Why, Mr.. Wright
do you know that he carries more than
pound of British lead in his body p
Col Formey.