AN OLD-TIME CHAPTER.
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��delight in exhibiting themselves in pro- cessions, having no official place in the escort, and finding one of the Con- cord committee without a partner, begged the privilege of riding at his side — the committee being upon horses — which was politely granted. Upon reaching Millville, the windy, puffy associate member of the Concord committee (the latter gentleman still lives, at a vigorous old age), desiring a more conspicuous position in the cav- alcade, and finding an opportunity to attach himself to the legislative com- mittee, at the head of the procession, took French leave of the Concord committee, and was not again seen by his first associate until the company was assembled in the house of Dr. Morril. Aware, perhaps, that some apology was necessary, he approached the member of the Concord commit- tee, and said : " I returned in compa- ny with the committee of the legisla- ture, which I trust you will excuse." The Concord committee-man, always apt in reply, as was his father before him, said : " Oh. perfectly excusable, sir ; he that is robbed, not wanting what is stolen, let him not know it and he is not robbed at all." "Thank you, sir, thank you," said the puffy gentleman, and retired perfectly satis- fied, not feeling the Damascus blade with which he had been thrust through, so obtuse and dull was his comprehen- sion.
The two instances in which the least display was made were in the case of Hon. John Bell and Hon. Matthew Harvey. Gov. Bell did not appear in Concord on election week, being ill at his home in Chester. A few days later he quietly proceeded to the state house on foot, and took the usual oath of office, June, 1828. His brother, Samuel, also of Chester, was governor four years — the vote on his fourth election being, Bell 22,934; scatter- ing, 1,046. John Bell held the office the last year his party held the state.
Hon. Matthew Harvey, chosen gov- ernor in March, 1830, was inducted with no demonstration whatever. He en-
��gaged lodgings with his former Hop- kinton townsman, John Whipple, Esq. The legislative committee waited upon him at his lodgings [the house owned by Mr. ]. P. Tucker, opposite the city hall, and now occupied by Rt. Rev. Bishop W. VV. Miles], and the governor and the committee pro- ceeded to the state house on foot. This was in accordance with the tastes of the late Gov. Harvey, one of the most agreeable and unassuming public men of the state.
His successor, Gen. Benjamin Pierce, a soldier of the Revolution, on his en- trance into town appeared in the ap- parel of an officer of the American army. Like the men of the Revolu- tion, his military ardor was as endur- ing as his life. But, with all his mili- tary tastes and associations, he had no martial escort — the procession consist- ing of a few carriages and a large cav- alcade. The number increased as the governor approached his lodgings, with his old friend, John George, Esq., at the north end of Main street. The Inn of Mr. George was not large, and was crowded by the more than usual numbers gathered on such occasions, to enjoy the good cheer and partake of the congratulations thereof. Mr. George had provided the usual liberal supply of good punch. But the peo- ple were many, and very thirsty. The governor elect, apprehensive that the supply was about being exhausted, said in his brusque manner, in quick but kind words, " Stir 'em a tubfull, friend George ; stir 'em up a tubfull."
Gov. Dinsmoor, senior, probably came into town by what was known as the Hopkinton road, as did Governors Morril and Pierce. The circumstances attending his arrival in town were of no unusual character. He was chief magistrate three years, 1831, 1832, and 1833, and his son Samuel was govern- or three years.
We may be mistaken, but our im- pression is that the only governor es- corted into tovvn by the way of East Concord was Hon. William Badger. The legislative committee waited upon
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