_. He subsequently, however,
parted company with his presidential idol, and in 1839 published a
volume entitled, "Political Sketches of Eight Years in Washington,"
which is almost exclusively devoted to an arraignment of General
Jackson's administration. In an original letter now before me, written
by Martin Van Buren to Governor William C. Bouck, of New York, which has
never before appeared in print, he speaks in an amusing manner of Dr.
Mayo. I insert the whole letter, as his allusions to General Jackson are
of exceptional interest. No one can well deny that the parting
admonition of Polonius to his son Laertes is a masterpiece of human
wisdom, but this letter of the "Sage of Lindenwald" to Governor Bouck
reveals ability by no means inferior to that of this wise councilor of
Denmark.

[EX-PRESIDENT VAN BUREN TO GOV. WILLIAM C. BOUCK OF N.Y.]

Confidential.

Lindenwald,
Jan^y. 17th 1843.

My dear Sir,

I embrace the occasion of a short visit of my son Major Van
Buren to Albany before he goes South to drop you a few
lines. Although I have not admitted it in my conversations
with those who are given to croaking, and thus alarm our
friends, I have nevertheless witnessed with the keenest
regret the distractions among our friends at Albany; & more
particularly in relation to the state printing. It is
certainly a lamentable winding up of a great contest
admirably conducted &, as we supposed, gloriously
terminated. Without undertaking to decide who is right or
who is wrong, and much less to take any part in the
unfortunate controversy, I cannot but experience great pain
from the eying of so bitter a controversy in the face of the
enemy among those who once acted together so honorably & so
usefully, and for all of whom I have so much reason to
cherish feelings of respect & regard. Permit me to make one
suggestion, & that relates to the importance of a speedy
decision, one way or the other. Nothing is so injurious in
such cases as delay. It is almost better to decide wrong
than to protract the contest. Every day makes new enemies &
increases the animosities of those who have already become
so, & extends them to other subjects; and yet nothing is so
natural as to desire to put off the decision of
controversies among friends. Most happy would I be to find
that you had been