No. 1.
"4 o'clock, P. M.
"Dear Sir:—The southern mail, just in, brings Buenos Ayres papers six days later, by the Medora, at Baltimore.
"In haste,
J. C."
(Mr. C. was the gentleman who opened the newspapers, and arranged the deaths and marriages; he always kindly sent for me when I was out of the way.)
No. 2.
"5 o'clock, P. M.
"Dear Sir:— The U. S. ship Preble is in at Portsmouth; latest from Valparaiso. The mail is not sorted.
"Yours,
J. D."
(Mr. D. arranged the ship news for the Argus.)
No. 3.
"6 o'clock, P. M.
"Dear Sir:—I boarded, this morning, off Cape Cod, the Blunderhead, from Carthagena, and have a week's later papers.
"Truly yours,
J. E."
(Mr. E. was the enterprising commodore of our news-boats.)
No. 4.
"6¼ o'clock, P. M.
"Dear Sir:—I have just opened accidentally the enclosed letter, from our correspondent at Panama. You will see that it bears a New Orleans post-mark. I hope it may prove exclusive.
"Yours,
J. F."
(Mr. F. was general editor of the Argus.)
No. 5.
"6½ o'clock, P. M.
"Dear Sir:—A seaman, who appears to be an intelligent man, has arrived this morning at New Bedford, and says he has later news of the rebellion in Ecuador than any published. The Rosina (his vessel) brought no papers. I bade him call at your room at eight o'clock, which he promised to do.
"Truly yours,"
J. G."