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MAJ. JACK DOWNING AND THE "SUSPENSION." We commend the following letter of our respected friend Major Downing, to "the croakers and poakers," and can only say, if any one feels chilled by the present cold and dark aspect of things, he may seek and find cause in the 'etanal poking' system which seems to have-suited the policy of certain circles, and who have found a ready and pliant press to aid them in their patriotic efforts. We commend this letter especially to 'old Pennsylvany, and if she is willing to have her fires 'poked out,' be it so-she will not say that she was not timely cautioned. But let us not be disheartened, the coal is unconsumed-a little kindling wood and a blower will restore the steady warmth, and then keeping the poker aloof, or in skilful hands alone, we may still enjoy the comforts of a wide circle around a genial fire.-[N. Y. Express. Philadelfy, 9th Feb., A. 1811 To the Editors of my old friend Mr. Dwight's paper, that he used to take the lead on a spell ago. Gentlemen-I suppose you will be considerable wonderated to know what on airth led me from the track to Washington with the old héro of the North Bend Cab. in, and brung me here,-well I'll tell you. I and the Gineral was a drifting along down from the wes', and bowing and shaking off the everlasting crowd of folks all the way from the Ohio,till we struck along the edge of old Pennsylvany. when we heard the folks begin to talk about hard money, and paper money, and resumption, and suspension, and things of that natur, when says I, 'Gineral, you may depend there is trouble brewing somewheres along here, and if you say 80, says 1. 'I'll just quit you for a spell and take a turn down to Philadelfy, and look into the matter a little, and jine you at Washington.' 'Well,' says he 'Major, seeing as how folks begin to thicken amazingly around us. my calklation is you won't be much mist, but see that you git to Washington as soon as possible, and in the mean time let me know all you meet with worth Hearing,- so I quit, and as the Gineral never wants to know nothing more than the people know themselves, I send you this letter to print, and you will please send a copy on't to the Gineral, SO that he will know as much as other folks do about it I got here last evening, jist arter lamp lighting, and took a run round to most all the banks to see if I could find any on 'em open; but I found 'em all locked up and bright lamps burning afore the doors, and good strong broad shouldered watchmen standing at their posts with clubs aud rattles, jist for all the world as tho the banks was as full of specie payments as ever, and not a mite of difference I stopt and had a leetle talk with one of these watch. men, and says I. 'stranger. is there nogitting in here to see folks" Not to night," say The 'all the banks are shet up. 'How you talk," says 1. and so I streak'd it round to Squire Biddle's premises, for I had a notion if I could only get a fair talk with the Squire, I would larn pritty much all about the matter. I found the Squire to hum. and he was amazin glad to see me; and he and I went right upinto a room alone, where I found a good warm Lehigh coal fire burning, and a table civered with papers; and he took one chair and I another, and we went at it straight off. "So," says 'Yes' 1, 'Squire, you are all suspended agin I larn." says he, Major, the folks who wanted hard money have got the banks had to give them and as the banks can't coin hard money. and can only git it from the folks who owe them, it turns out hat as the banks have not got the same power by the law to make folks pay them as fast as other folks want it the pond must run dry for a spell." But, saya I. "Squire, how on airth is it that things work so that one set of folks keep drawing out of the spiggot faster than other folks can pour into the bunghole! Things warn't so in Mr Adams time, says I Now how is it?' This set the Squire scratching his head and thinking,-and to give him time to answer. took the poker and began poking up his Lehigh coal fire, to see if there was any blaze in it: and to rights sayshe, Major. what are you poking that fire for Do you expect to make it burn brighter? If you will take "advice," says he. 'you will let it alone. Ain't the room warm enuf!! 'Yes,' says I. 'it's warm enuf, but a little poking won't do any harm. will 117 Well," says he, 'you go on poking and your will see," -and sure enuf, the more I poked. the darker the fire and coal got; and bime-by it all went out. Well,' says I,'Squire,this is a plagy odd kind of fire of your'n, says 1. Yes, says he, it's Pennsylvany coal; it won't
