John A. arrived early at a social event connected with
the [Washington] Treaty negotiations.
As he waited, alone, for the impending boat trip on the Potomac, he was engaged in conversation by the wife
of an American senator.
"I guess you are from Canada."
"Yes, ma'am."
"You've got a very smart man over there, the Honourable John A. Macdonald."
"Yes, ma'am, he is."
"But they say he's a reg'lar rascal."
"Yes, ma'am, he's a perfect rascal."
"But why do they keep such a man in power?"
"Well, you see, they cannot get along without him."
Just then her husband, the Senator, stepped up and said: "My dear, let me introduce the Honourable John A. Macdonald." The lady's feelings can be imagined. But Sir John put her at ease, saying,"Now, don't apologize. All you've said is perfectly true, and is well known at home."
E.B. Biggar, Anecdotal Life of Sir John Macdonald (1891),
