The Senator tried in vain to argue that the people had a right to call upon their chief magistrate, and that he was bound to receive them; this being so, there was no less objectionable way of proceeding than the one which had been chosen.

"Who gave the people any such right ?" asked Mrs.Lee.

"Where does it come from?
What do they want it for?
You know better, Mr.Ratcliffe! Our chief magistrate is a citizen like any one else.

What puts it into his foolish head to cease being a citizen and to ape royalty?
Our governors never make themselves ridiculous.

Why cannot the wretched being content himself with living like the rest of us, and minding his own business?
Does he know what a figure of fun he is ?" And Mrs.Lee went so far as to declare that she would like to be the President's wife only to put an end to this folly; nothing should ever induce her to go through such a performance; and if the public did not approve of this, Congress might impeach her, and remove her from office; all she demanded was the right to be heard before the Senate in her own defence.
Nevertheless, there was a very general impression in Washington that Mrs.
Lee would like nothing better than to be in the White House.