I will state an instance in point. About the time that the speculators in Texan land scrip, began their operations, to effect an annexation of Texas to this Union, some letter writer pretended to tell exactly how all the Senators would vote on that question. A number of the members of that body told me, “that they had neither made up nor expressed any opinion on that subject.” I afterwards ascertained from the highest source of information, that not a few Senators would not vote as the speculators had predicted they would, but exactly the reverse. Such miscalculations are daily made by interested or malicious persons, who hover around the capitol. Seeing the papers from a distance, and conversing with the members on the subjects treated of by the letter writers, induced me finally to distrust all I saw, coming from such a polluted source. These falsehoods do their authors no good, but often an injury. Placed as members of Congress are on a pinnacle, in view of a whole nation, unless they possess well ballanced minds, they are not to be envied. They have rivals at home, sometimes ready to misrepresent their motives, their services and their talents. There is always requisite, the constant exercise of one virtue, at least, which is patience, and they must labor incessantly to gratify friends at home, who expect at their hands more than they can do for them. To be a member of Congress, requires talents of all sorts--great industry, great attention to business, constant care, strength of body and strength of mind. Members of Congress, who make a figure as orators, can do little indeed for individuals among their friends. Moving in a higher sphere, they aim at some high station--to be a minister abroad, a Secretary, or to obtain some lucrative office. Apparently laboring for the public good, their real object is frequently very selfish. Such men have rivals among their own party, and all their political opponents are opposed to them. If they succeed to their hearts’ content, how long does their prosperity last? In a few short years their race is run and they are seldom mentioned, but oblivion covers them from our view and even from our thoughts. Those who figured on the stage at some great era in our national affairs, and stood high then, are remembered with affection and gratitude, but the little party politician is forgotten as soon as he walks off the stage. In this changing world, how soon is the mere demagogue forgotten? In his day, he impresses his retainers with the idea, that, unless some favorite theory is adopted, all is lost. It is exploded, he disappears from our sight, and the world moves on in safety. There is an elasticity in the American character, not existing to the same extent in any other nation. Under any great national disappointment, there may be, and there is, sometimes a season of national gloom, but recovering from such a state of mind, our people rouse up all their wonted courage, and confiding in their