Virginia Statesman

FOR THE STATESMAN.

A good Sign.—It is a well known fact that I suppose even lying Duff Green cannot dispute, that at the last Presidential Election, Adams and Clay got but about 50 votes out of the flourishing and interesting city of Pittsburgh: and it is equally a well known fact, that at the last election for city officers, the Adams Ticket prevailed by a handsome majority; and it is also well known, that even the gentleman who presented to Gen. Jackson that elegant pair of LEATHER "MIRRORS" cannot unite with Southern disorganizers to destroy manufactories and the Union—and therefore he is for the Administration.—In this said city of Pittsburgh (a few weeks since) a Jackson party got up a Jackson horse, and called him Jackson; and proposed a bet of $200, against any administration horse. The race to be run on neutral ground, at Beach Bottom, Brooke county Va. The bet was accepted, and the horse named Adams. By the time the parties got to Beach Bottom, (distant about 50 miles) adopting their general rule of calculation, that is swearing through thick and thin that Jackson would beat, some of them actually believed it, and they were rank for betting even two to one on Jackson, but they found as many bets as they could take even handed, and backed him with about $500. The day arrived, the multitude assembled, the horses on the ground, expectation on tiptoe, and as usual an occasional "hurrah for Jackson," who cut many capers, and as some thought shewed good blood and high mettle—while Johnny Q. with a firm and steady step traced the track, champing his bit. All things being ready, at length they started. Adams shot a little ahead the first few leaps, and kept so the first round, bearing heavily on the bit, though Jackson, by an occasional cut, run him pretty hard. The backers of Jackson admitted that Adams had the best heels, but swore that Jackson had the best bottom, and would pass him on the second round. Full of this belief, and under the excitement of the moment, many offered to double their bets. The backers of Adams, though they saw that he run true and steady, and had more confidence in his bottom than speed, were somewhat staggered by the confident swearing and swaggering of their opponents. When they passed the Judges' Stand, the air was rent with "hurrah for Jackson," "hurrah for Old Hickory;" still Jackson ran no faster, still Adams bore heavy on the bit. Fears and hopes were trembling in the balance of expectation on both sides. The track for the first half quarter, from the Judges Stand is a little ascending, and Jackson found it an up hill business. The backers of Jackson kept bawling "make a charge"—"hurrah for Jackson," &c. The rider cut heavily right and left but he still lugged behind; second quarter, distance increased; third, grew worse; fourth and last, out of wind and a "total failure"—Adams still bearing heavy on the bit, run the last quarter quicker than he did the first, and nearly double distanced Jackson. Surprise and consternation appeared on one side, and cheerful countenances on the other.—The parties now repaired to Jones Long Room, and sat down to an excellent dinner, got up in his best style, and some curious wag was determined to count noses, and found but two Jackson men at the first table: one a Doctor from Ohio, the other a Lawyer from Virginia.