PREFACE. 



CHIS book is a republication of three pamplilets, printed as 

 their respective title pages show. While the name of the 

 writer is not given therein, it is known that they were from the 

 pen of Edward Stabler, of Sandy Springs, Md., Postmaster of 

 that place from Jackson's time until his death, a few years 

 since. They were given by Mr. Stabler to one of his particular 

 friends, Mr. R. D. 0. Smith, then and now a prominent patent 

 lawyer. Mr. Stabler, he informs us, was a man of great skill 

 as a mechanic, and was particularly noted for his ability as a 

 die sinker— long considered to be the best in the United States. 

 He made many government seals. The seal of the Smithsonian 

 Institution is exceptionally fine. He was also a famous rifle 

 shot, but wasted no powder on small game; buffalo and bear 

 hunting being his recreation until the time of his death, which 

 occurred about ten years ago. That he was a man of ability 

 is shown by the review which follows. 



This republication is undertaken in order to preserve the 

 historical facts contained (with which we have long been 

 familiar ) as the single copy of each, now before us, is thought 



to be the only one in existence. 



J. Russell Parsons. 



Lewis Miller. 



John F. Steward. 



Chicago, Illinois, February, 1897. 



