Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-08-01

ham aaa the ra3l;c, tl.,. am not actua-
ted by any private aniInosiiy or personal
, disIike-I shall " no.hng extenua!e, nor
SET down aught in malice"
am aware OF some of the difficulties
which must he encountered by arraigning
the conduct of Mr.. Breckenridge before
the public--but conceiv,ng il the duty of
every Editor OF ali independent Gazette,
to arrest the career of ambition, by draw
ing aside the veil of duphci,y and hypocri-
sy, and thereby tn exhibit the political de-
pravity of those concerned.
Early in the month of June, a piece was
put into my hands Tor publication, expires.
sing the sentiments contained in the
" True Republican" l endeavored to
impress the author with the impolicy OF
publishing such sentiments; and observed,
that it might injure the eleGtlon of Mr..
Jefferson. In order 10 ohyate my oLjec-
tons, he informed me, that he zuaa aufho.
rissd TO say, that unirss the constitution should
b. amended, Afr. Breckiaridge w0uld syiiA
drag at hrefensions to fhe Tice. Freaaeacy
or words TO that effect. He, however, q,
length withdrew the manuscripts, appa.
rcnlly satisfied that its publication would
be improper.
About the twentieth Of the same month,
whilst was absent on business, The au
thor again presented the piece, end nv
brother, who had the management of the
Office, again declined publishing it, until
should return. itwls Withdrawn asecond
time, and appeared in the independent
Gazetteer of the 29ih.
In Mr.. Breck;nrldge's note TO me, he
has declared explicitly, that he di,ctaims
Query hrelcnaian 70 ihe Vice Presidency !;
and has atferLy refused 10 be placed on the
list OF those to be voted Cor tha; Office. If
he was sincere in this declaration, Why did
he bot make it earlier? The publication
ofthe" True Republican," was ON the
Goth June, and yet Mr.. Breckenridge re
NAMED silent until he 9Th July !, Is there
not sufficient ground for piesuming that
he waited 10 hear the expression of the
public opinion, with The in,en ion Of sct
ing as that expression might dictate And
that opinion had been different, is there
not strong probability, that tho declarati-
on never would have been m2dc9
MIR. breckenridge may be innocent-I
sincerely wish he may--but the whole bu.
siness "has an awful squinting." His
conduct bears in every part such analogy
10 that OF Aaron Buri's, that there are the
strongest grounds to suspect him.-A'
the very tine that Burr was said to be in
trigujng for the presidency, he wrote to
Gen. Smith, dscla ming all pretensions Of
being candidate in opposition to Mr. JEFF
ierson-Mr. Breckenridge has also dis
claimed every pretenson to the Vice Pre-.
.idency. Col. Burr's obieel was evident
IL to deceive the representatives of the
people-Mr. Disadvantages declaration is
thought to be equally candid.
But fthe publication of the 4" True Re.
publican" did rot meet the appreciation
of MIR Breckenridge, why was the writer
authorised to say, tn At he would Withdraw
all pretcnsions if the constitution should
not be amended Who could have autho
riscd him except Mr.. Brcckinridge him.
self! And for what purpose was he autho
rised 10 make the declaration ? II Mr..
Breckenridge knew that the piece was de
signed for publication, and took no steps to
prevent II, it uill be considered az tacitly
approving Of its contents.
The reputation of man should be han
died with the greatest cau;ion-it should
not be touched but en- important occasions,
and great presumption of guilt. should
not have in;erfsred but upon the fullest
conviction of Mr.. BreckiDrdge's sposla-
cy-butunder tha conviction silence would
be criminal. again repeat, that | wish
he may prove innocent. For the honor
ofrepublicanism wish it-For be honor
Of our country ! wish i'll wish it for the
honor Of human nature. But should no
satisfactory reasons be given for his con
duct before the xt publication, he shall
again hear from
DAN. BRADFORD.