My thirty years out of the Senate

Front matter

MP

CORNELL

UNIVERSITY

Preface

In January, 1830, the first Downing Letter ever written appeared in the Daily Courier, published in Portland, Maine. This paper had just been started by the author, and was the first daily paper published in the country north or east of Boston. The Courier was started as an independent paper, devoted to no political party — a position for a paper in those days likely to command but small support. The Maine Legislature met in Portland on the first of January, and the two political parties were so evenly balanced, and partizan feeling ran so high, that it was six weeks before they got fairly organized and proceeded with the business oWegislation. The political papers were hot and furious, and there was no small excitement throughout the State, which even spread in a considerable degree to other portions of the country.

At this juncture of affairs, the author of these papers, wishing to show the ridiculous position of the legislature in its true light, and also, by something out of the common track of newspaper writing, to give increased interest and popularity to his little daily paper, bethought himself of the plan to bring a green, unsophisticated lad from the country into town with a load of axehandles, hoop poles, and other notions, for sale, and while waiting the movements of a dull market, let him blunder into the halls of the legislature, and after witnessing for some days their strange doings, sit down and write an account of them to his friends at home in his own plain language. The plan was successful almost beyond parallel. The first letter made so strong » mark that others had to follow as a matter of course. The whole town read them and laughed ; the politicians themselves read them, and their wrathful, fire-eating visages relaxed to a broad grin. The Boston papers copied them, and all Boston tittered over them. The series was inaugurated and must go on. The letters continued from time to time, and spread over the whole country, and were universally read.

The name of Downing was entirely original with the author, who had never heard or seen the name before, and did not then even know that there was a Downing street in London, or an oyster dealer by that name in New York, la a year or two the letters became national in their character, and young Mr. Downing repaired to Washington, where he became the right hand man and confidential adviser of President Jackson. The author continued the letters in the Portland Courier for seven years, when he sold that paper and - removed to New York. After an interval of a few years he resumed the series again, publishing the letters in the National Intelligencer at Washington, and continuing them till near the close of the administration of President Pierce.

Thus these papers, begun and continued partly for emolument, partly for amusement, and partly from a desire to exert a salutary influence upon public aifairs and the politics of the cijuntry, have grown up to their present condition. In presenting them in this collected form, with original illustrations, to render them more attractive, the author could not let them go out into the world to make new acquaintances, and possibly down to posterity to help furnish political lessons to " Young America " for generations yet to come, without a careful retrospection to consider their whole moral and political character and influence. For should they contain

" One line which, dying, he could wish to blot," he would certainly wish to blot it now. But, believing the work will be harmless, and, he hopes, salutary, he leaves it to his countrymen, praying for Heaven's blessing on our whole common country.

SEBA SMITH.

New York, February, 1859.

Contents

Publisher's Preface,

Major DowniNg's Sketch of his Early Life,

Page

LETTER I.* Portland, Monday, Jan. 18, 1830. To Cousin Ephraim Downing, up in Downingville

Dear Cousin Ephraim : — I now take my pen in hand to let you know that I am well, hoping these few lines will find you enjoying the same blessing. When I come down to Portland I didn't think o' staying more than three or four days, if I could sell my load of ax handles, and mother's cheese, and cousin Nabby's bundle of footings ; but when I got here I found Uncle Nat was gone a freighting down to Quoddy, and aunt Sally said as how I shouldn't stir a step home till he come back agin, which won't be this month. So here I am, loitering about this great town, as lazy as an ox. Ax handles don't fetch nothing ; I couldn't hardly give 'em away. Tell Cousin Nabby I sold her footings for nine-pence a pair, and took it all in cotton cloth. Mother's cheese come to seven-and-sixpence ; I got her half a pound of shushon,

* Editorial Note. — The political straggle in the Legislature of Maine in the winter of 1830 will long be remembered. The preceding electioneering campaign had been carried on witbja bitterness and personality unprecedented in the State, and so nearly were the parties divided, that before the meeting of the Legislature to count the votes for Governor, both sides confidently claimed the victory. Hence the members came together with feelings highly excited, prepared to dispute every inch of ground, and ready to take fire at the first spark which collision might produce. A fierce war commenced

ODT OP THE SENATE. 37

and two ounces of snuff, and the rest in sugar. When Uncle Nat comes home I shall put my ax handles aboard of him, and let him take 'em to Boston next time he goes ; I saw a feller tother day, that told me they'd fetch a good price there. I've been here now a whole fortnight, and if I could tell ye one half I've seen, I guess you'd state worse than if you'd seen a catamount. I've been to meeting, and to the museum, and to both Legislaters, the one they call the House, and the one they call the Sinnet. I spose Uncle Joshua is in a great hurry to hear something about these Legislaters ; for you know he's always reading newspapers, and talking politics, when he can get anybody to talk with him. I've seen him when he had five tons of hay in the field well made, and a heavy shower coming up, stand two hours disputing with Squire W. about Adams and Jackson — one calling Adams a tory and a fed, and the other saying Jackson was a murderer and a fool ; so they kept it up, till the rain began to pour down, and about spoilt all his hay.

Uncle Joshua may set his heart at rest about the bushel of corn that he bet 'long with the postmaster, that Mr. Euggles would be Speaker of that Legislater they call the House ; for he's lost it, slick as a whistle. As I hadn't much to do, I've at the first moment of the meeting, and continued for about six weeks without intermission, before they succeeded in organizing the government. It was during this state of things that Mr. Downing fortunately happened to drop into the Legislature. In explanation of the first letter, it may be remarked, that as soon as the Representatives had assembled, Albert Smith, Esq.. of Nobleborough, the then Marshal of Maine, called them to order, and nominated Mr. White, of Monmouth, Chairman, who was declared elected without ceremony, and took the chair. After he had occupied it two days Mr. Goodenow was elected Speaker.

38 MY THIRTY YEAEB

been there every day since they've been a setting. A Mr .White, of Monmouth, was the Speaker the first two days ; and I can't see why they didn't keep him in all the time ; for he seemed to be a very clever, good-natured sort of man, and he had such a smooth, pleasant way with him, that I couldn't help feeling sorry when they turned him out and put in another. But some said he wasn't put in hardly fair ; and I don't know as he was, for the first day, when they were all coming in and crowding round, there was a large, fat man, with a round, full, jolly sort of a face, I suppose he was the captain, for he got u;* and commanded them to come to order, and then he told this Mr. White to whip into the chair quicker than you could say Jack Robinson. Some of 'em scolded about it, and I heard some, in a little room they called the lobby, say 'twas a mean trick ; but I couldn't see why, for I thought Mr. White made a capital Speaker, and when our company turns out, the cap'n always has a right to do as he's a mind to.

They kept disputing most all the time the first two days about a poor Mr. Roberts, from Waterborough. Some said he should n't have a seat because he adjourned the town meeting and wasn't fairly elected. Others said it was no such thing, and that he was elected as fairly as any of 'em. And Mr. Roberts himself said he was, and said he could bring men that would swear to it, and good men too. But, notwithstanding all this, when they came to vote, they got three or four majority that he should'nt have a seat. And I thought it a needless piece of cruelty, for they wan't crowded, and there was a number of seats empty. But they would have it so and the poor man had to go and stand up in the lobby.

Then they disputed awhile about a Mr. Fowler's having a seat. Some said he shouldn't have a seat, because when he was elected some of his votes were given for his father. But they were more kind to him than they were to Mr Roberts, for they voted that he should have a seat ; and I suppose it was because they thought he had a lawful right to inherit whatever was his father's. They all declared there was no party politics about it, and I don't think there was ; for I noticed that all who voted that Mr. Roberts should have a seat, voted that Mr. Fowler should not ; and all who voted that Mr. Roberts should not have a seat, voted that Mr. Fowler should. So, as they all voted loth ways, they must have been consciencious, and I don't see how there could be any party about it. It's a pity they couldn't be allowed to have two Speakers, for they seemed to be very anxious to choose Mr. Ruggles and Mr. Goodenow. They two had every vote except one, and if they had had that, I believe they would both have been chosen ; as it was, however, they both came within a humbird's eye of it. Whether it was Mr. Ruggles voted for Mr. Goodenow, or Mr. Goodenow for Mr. Ruggles, I can't exactly tell ; but I rather guess it was Mr. Ruggles voted for Mr. Goodenow, for he appeared to be very glad to see Mr. Goodenow in the chair, and shook hands with him as good-natured as could be. I would have given half my load of ax handles, if they could both have been elected and set up there together, they would have been so happy. But as they can't have but one Speaker at a time, and as Mr. Goodenow appears to understand the business very well, it is not likely Mr. Ruggles will be -Speaker aDy this winter. So Uncle Joshua will have to shell out his bushel of corn, and I hope it will learn him better than to bet about politics again. Before

40 MY THIKTY TEABS

I came from home, some of the papers said how there was a majority of ten or fifteen National Republicans in the Legislate^ and the other party said there was a pretty clever little majority of Democratic Republicans. Well, now everybody says it has turned out jest as that queer little paper, called the Daily Courier, said 'twould. That paper said it was such a close rub it couldn't hardly tell which side would beat. And it's jest so, for they've been here now most a fortnight acting jest like two boys playin see-saw on a rail. First one goes up, and then 'tother ; but I reckon one of the boys is rather heaviest, for once in a while he comes down chuck, and throws the other up into the air as though he would pitch him head over heels. Your loving cousin till death.

JACK DOWNING.

OUT OP THK SENATE

DOWNINGVILLE TAVERN.

LETTER II*

ABOUT POOK MR- ROBERTS HAVING TO STAND UP.

Portland, Jan. 22, 1830.

To Uncle Joshua Downing, up in DowmngviHe :

Dear Uncle Joshua : — I spose you learnt .by my letter t'other day to cousin Ephraim, that you had lost the bushel

♦Editorial Note.— It was the rule at the meeting of the Legislature to

admit all to a seat who could produce a certificate of their election, which cer-

3* of corn you bet about the Speaker in the Legislater — I mean that Legislater they call the House— for Mr. White got it first, and then Mr. Goodenow got it, and he's kept it ever since. And they say he'll be Speaker all winter, although be don't speak near so much as some of the rest of 'em. There's lawyer Ruggles, of Thomaston, that used to be Speaker, and folks say he made a very smart one. And there's lawyer Boutelle, of Waterville, who's got eyes sharp enough to look through anybody, and who makes 'em all as still as mice when he-speaks. And there's lawyer Smith, of Nobleborough ; he looks very much like a man I saw in the museum, that they called Daniel Lambert, only he isn't quite so large. But my patience! he's a real peeler for speaking, and sometimes he pours out his voice so as to make me jump right up on my feet. If I was going to bet who would be Speaker next year, I should bet upon him before anybody else. And there's lawyer Bourne, of Kennebunk, and lawyer Kent, of Bangor, and lawyer Norton, of Milburn, and Dr. Burnham, of Orland, and Dr. Shaw, of Wiscasset, and Dr. Wells, of Freeport, and Parson Knowlton, of Montville, and Parson Swett, of Prospect, and some others, if I could only think of 'em. Now, most any of these speak more than Mr. Goodenow does;

tificate was considered prima facia evidence that they were duly returned as members. The Portland Argus and Advertiser, were the leading papers of the two parties ; and as matters began to grow worse and worse in the Legislature, the Argus constantly affirmed that the Democratic Republicans' used every endeavor in their power to organize the government and proceed in the public business, but that the Huntonites would not let them. And the Advertiser as constantly affirmed that the National Republicans used their utmost endeavors to proceed in the public business, but the Jacksonites would not let them.

and still Mr. Goodenow is called the Speaker, because they voted that he should be.

They've disputed two days more about that poor Mr. Roberts having a seat. I can't see why they need to make such a fuss about it. As they've got seats enough, why don't they let him have one, and not keep him standing up for three weeks in the lobby and round the fire. It's a plaguey sight worse "than being on a standing committee, for they say the standing committees have a chance to - set most every day. But in the dispute about Mr. Roberts last Wednesday and Thursday, the difficulty seemed to be something or other about a primy facy case. I don't know what sort of a case 'twas, but that's what they called it. Some said he hadn't got any primy facy case, and he mustn't have a seat till he had one. The others stood to it that he had got one, and a very good one. Mr. Ruggles said it was full as good a one as the gentleman from Portland had. And they read about twenty papers that they called depositions, about the town-meeting of Waterborough ; but they didn't seem to say anything about the primy facy case. About one-hall of 'em said the town-meeting was adjourned, and t'other half said 'twasn't. And one of the depositions said there was some of 'em at the meeting agreed that Mr. Roberts shouldn't be elected at any rate ; and if they couldn't prevent it any other way they agreed to keep up a row till midnight: And when they brought in candles in the evening they knocked 'em all over and put 'em out. So they all had to clear out ; and some said there was a vote to adjourn the meeting, and some said Mr. Roberts adjourned it alone, and some said 'twasn't adjourned at all. And one of the depositioners said Mr. Roberts offered to give him as much rum as he would drink if he would only say the meeting was fairly adjourned. But all the depositions didn't convince but sixtynine members of the House that Mr. Roberts had a primy facy case, and there were seventy-five convinced t'other way. So, after they had disputed two days, they voted again that Mr. Roberts shouldn't have a seat yet.

Oh dear, Uncle Joshua, these Legislaters have got the State into a dreadful pickle. I've been reading the Portland Argus and the Portland Advertiser, and it's enough to scare a Bunker Hill soger out of his seven senses to see what we are all coming to. According to these papers there are two very clever parties in the State that are trying with all their might to save us from ruin. They are called Democratic RepvMikins and National RepvMikins — and you'd be perfectly astonished to see how hard they've worked, as these papers say, in both Legislaters, to set things right, and get business a-going on well, so that we can have a Governor, and live in peace and harmony, and not break out into civil war, and all be ruined in a bunch. But it's doubtful if they'll make out to save us after all ; for there is such a set of Jacksonites and Huntonites, that are all the time a-plotting to bring us to destruction, that I tell you what 'tis, if something isn't done pretty soon, it'll be gone goose with us.

These Jacksonites and Huntonites seem to have a majority in the Legislaters ; and they've been making a proper bother for a'most three weeks, so that the Democratic Republikins and the National Republikins couldn't do nothing at all. And sometimes I'm really afraid they'll have' to break up and go home without doing anything ; and if they do, they say we shall all be afloat, and there's no knowing where we shall land. Tne Bepublikins appointed a committee to count the votes for Governor, and the committee told 'em t'other day there was thirty-nine majority for Mr. Hunton, and he was elected. But then these Jacksonites and Huntonites went to disputing about the matter, and some say they will dispute it this fortnight yet. What a blessing it would be if the Legislators were all Democratic and National Bepublikins. The people are growing pretty mad at all this botheration, and I can't tell what'll be the end on't. But I shall write again to you or Cousin Ephraim pretty soon. So I remain your loving neffu till death.

JACK DOWNING.

Letter III

UNCLE JOSHUA TELLS HOW HE WENT TO BOSTON AND TOOK DINNER WITH THE GINERAL COURT.

Boston, January 25, 1830.

Dear Nephew : — I left home just after your letter to your cousin Ephrairn got there, and I didu't get a sight of your letter to me that you put into the Courier at Portland until I saw it in the Daily Advertiser in Bjston, and I guess Mr Hale is the only person in Boston who takes that are little Courier, so you was pretty safe about the letter not being seen, as the printer promised you. How I happened to see it here you will find out before I have got through with this letter. I guess you won't be a little struck up when you find out that I'm in Boston. But I had best begin at the beginning, and then I shall get through quicker.

After seeing your letter to Ephraim, as I said before, I concluded it wouldn't be a bad scheme to tackle up and take a load of turkeys, some apple-sass, and other notions that the neighbors wanted to get to market, and as your Uncle Nat would be in Boston with the ax-handles, we all thought best to try our luck there. Nothing happened worth mentioning on the road, nor till next morning after I got here and put up in Elm street. I then got off my watch pretty curiously, as you shall be informed. I was down in the bar-room and thought it well enough to look pretty considerable smart and

UNCLE JOSHUA AND THE FOURTH STALLER.

now and then compared my watch with the clock in the bar, and found it as near right as ever it was, when a feller stept up to me and ask'd how I'd trade ? and says I, for what ? and says he, for your watch, and says I, any way that will be a fair shake ; upon that says he, I'll give you my watch and five dollars ; says I, it's done I He gave me the five dollars, and I gave him my watch. Now, says I, give me your watch ; and, says he, with a loud laugh, I han't got none, and that kind a turned the laugh on me. Thinks I, let them laugh that lose. Soon as the laugh was well over the feller thought he'd try the watch to his ear ; why, says he, it don't go ; no, says I, not without it's, carried ; then I began to laugh. He tried to open it and couldn't start it a hair, and broke his thumb nail into the bargain. Won't she open, says he ? Not's I know on, says I, and then the laugh seemed to take another turn.

Don't you think I got off the old Brittania pretty well, considerin ? And then I thought I'd go and see about my load of turkeys and other notions. I expected to have gone all over town to sell my load, but Mr. Doolittle told me if I'd go down to the new market I should find folks enough to buy all I had at once. So down I goes, and a likely kind of a feller, with an eye like a hawk and quick as a steel trap for a trade, (they called him a fourth staller,*) came up to the waggon, and before you could say Jack Eobinson we struck a bargain for the whole cargo; and come to weigh and reckon up I found I should get as much as 10s. 6d. more than any of us calculated before I left home, and had the apple-sass left be-

* Fore-staller.

sides. So I thought I'd jest see how this fourth staller worked his card to be able to give us so good a price for the turkeys, and I went inside the market house, and a grander sight I never expect to see ! But it was the third staller, instead of the fourth, had my turkeys all sorted and hung up, and looking so much better that I hardly should known 'em. Pretty soon a gentleman asked the third staller what he asked for turkeys ? Why, says he, if you want something better than you ever saw before, there's some 'twas killed last night purpose for you. You may take 'em at 9d., [12J cents Massachusetts currency,] being it's you. I'll give you 12 cents, said the gentleman, as I've got some of the General Court to dine with me, and must treat well. I shan't stand for half a cent with an old customer, says be. And so they traded ; and in about the space of half an hour or more all my turkeys went into baskets at that rate. The fourth staller gave me 6d. a pound, and I began to think I'd been a little too much in a hurry for trade — but's no use to cry for spilt milk. Then I went up to the State House to see what was going on there ; but I thought I'd get off my apple-sass on my way — and seeing a sign of old clothes bartered, I stepped in and made a trade, and got a whole suit of superfine black broadcloth from top to toe for a firkin of apple-sass (which didn't cost much I guess, at home.)

Accordingly I rigged myself up in the new suit, and you'd hardly known me. I didn't like the set of the shoulders, they were so dreadful puckery ; but the man said that was all right. I guess he'll find the apple-sass full as puckery when he get's down into it— but that's between ourselves. Well when I got up to the State House I found them at work on the railroad, busy enough I can tell you ; they got a part of it made already. I found most all the folks kept their hats on except the man who was talking out loud and the man he was talking to ; all the rest seemed to be busy about their own consarns. As I did't see anybody to talk to, I kept my hat on and took a seat, and look'd round to see what was going on. I hadn't been setting long before I saw a slick-headed, sharpeyed little man, who seemed to have the principal management of the folks, looking at me pretty sharp, as much as to say, who are you ? but I said nothing and looked tother way. At last he touched me on the shoulder ; I thought he was feeling of the puckers. Are you a member ? says he ; sartin, says I ; how long have you taken your seat ? says he; about ten minutes, says I ; are you qualified ? says he ; I guess not, says I. And then he left me. I didn't know exactly what this old gentleman was after, but soon he returned and said it was proper for me to be qualified before I took a seat, and I must go before the Governor 1 By Jing I I never felt so before in all my bom days. As good luck would have it he was beckoned to come to a man at the desk, and as soon as his back was turned I give him the slip. Just as I was going off the gentleman who bought my turkeys of the fourth staller took hold of my arm, and I was afraid at first that he was going to carry me to the Governor ; but he began to talk as sociable as if we had been old acquaintances. How long have you been in the house, Mr. Smith ? says he. My name is Downing, said I. I beg your pardon, says he, I mean Downing. It's no offence, says I, I hav'nt been here long. Then, says he, in a very pleasant way, a few of your brother members are to take pot-lock with me to-day, and I should be happy to have you join them. What's pot-luck ? said I. .0, a family dinner, says he — no ceremony. I thought by this time I was well qualified for that without going to the Governor. So says I, yes, and thank ye too. How long before you'll want me, says I. At 3 o'clock, says he, and gave me a piece of pasteboard with his name on it, and the name of the street and the number of his house, and said that would show the way. Well, says I, I don't know of nothing that will keep me away. And then we parted. I took considerable liking to him.

After strolling round and seeing a great many things about the State House, and the marble image of Gineral Washington, standing on a stump in the porch, I went out into the street they call Bacon street, and my stars ! what swarms of women folks I saw, all drest up &a if they were going to meeting. You can tell- cousin Polly Sandburn, who you know is no slimster, that she needn't take on so about being genteel in her shapes, for the genteelest ladies here beat her as to size all hollow. I don't believe one of 'em could get into our fore dore, and as for their arms, I shouldn't want better measure for a bushel of meal than one of their sleeves could hold. I shan't shell out the bushel of corn you say I've lost on Speaker Ruggles at that rate. But this puts me in mind

of the dinner which Mr. wanted I should help the

Gineral Court eat. So I took out' the piece of pasteboard and began to inquire my way and got along completely, and found the number the first time ; but the door was locked and there was no knocker, and I thumpt with my whip handle but nobody come. And says I to a man going by dont nobody live here ? and says he, yes. Well, how do you