True Democrat

Jackson, Feb. 20, 1846.

My Dear Friend--This is a great place and every thing here is done upon a wonderful scale. Do you wish to see all the wise men of the State--only but go to the State House and view our legislative body. I here sir, may you feast your eyes, and have your ears delighted with the superlative ignorance of a few little big men, who are eternally brawling out, "Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, I goes 'gainst this bill kase it is evidently 'gainst the constitution--do you suppose our fathers who fought, bled and died, in the revolution, ever dreamed that the sacred bill of rights which they sealed with their own blood, would thus be trampled under foot No! No!" Here the Speaker interposes. "The gentleman from S. is out of order." "Mr. Speaker!" The Speaker whacks down his hammer--the Orator sits down fit to burst with the balance of his nonsensical bombast. Just step into the Senate Chamber--there you are at once awed into exquisite reverence by the grave seniors of that most potent and august body. The first object that attracts your attention, is the President, who no doubt is a lineal descendant of Lincolnfilus--he has no que. (unless the mace which he holds in his hand with such graceful dignity be substituted)--but he wears a bran new wig, with no less, I'll warrant you, than a pound of spermaceti upon it. Next comes, but hold, a Senator from your section, who offered a resolution requiring the judiciary committee to amend the bastardy law. He accompanied his resolution, with an able and argumentative speech, and so cogent and forceful was his reasoning, that some trifling wag in the lobby dubbed him the Bastard Senator!

I am digressing, but pardon me. Every thing here is done on a wonderful scale. It is taken under advisement, a written opinion is to be made out, or a brief in the case. Does the farmer, who has toiled through mud up to his neck, want to sell his cotton, the merchant takes it under advisement. Do you wish to consult a lawyer? Why just call at his office at 3 o'clock, and he will give you a written opinion. Are you in want of a physician--he calls. "Ah, my dear sir, I find your case very serious. I will take it under advisement." But the finishing touch is a Brief--don't startle at the word Brief--because every thing here resolves itself into a brief. Legislation is brief, and, without reflection, the lawyer makes out a brief, and argues your case briefly. The Judge looks at it briefly and takes it under advisement. The Doctor's visit is brief, and he briefly makes you fork over. But the briefest of all the briefs is, that of mine host--he sizes your pile, carries his brief in his pocket, and the little ready you have about you, makes but a brief stay in your pocket. Thus it is, you will perceive, that every thing here is on a great scale.

I shall leave here in a few days for Oregon. I am told that it is a delightful region, and since the British were whipped out of it by your State Legislature, and the citizens of this wonderful city, one need fear no danger. Oh! friend Dease, if you see that jolly old Cub that was with us at the theatre, when we three composed the audience, give him my kind salutation.

Yours, forever,

GRADY.