The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1818-01-21
MR.. WILLIAMS STATEMENT.

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After ereskfast this morning., Geo. &c, a
servant, came into the dining room, and told
me that gentleman was in my room, wsi,lng
to see me. Is,epped into my room, and Col.
John Anderson was there. He handed me a
letter, observing at the same time, that he
had prepared that letter for me, and tha, per-
hapsi wou.! require some explanation. |
read over the letter with attention and bay-
ing done so, observed 10 Col. Anderson i.
was a very surprizing communicated. ]
then started to Mr.. Wilson's SOON, imsnedi-
ately adjoining my own When IN the act OF
opening my own door, he begged would
not show the letter. ! made no reply to this,
but stepped into Nj. Wilson's room, and
asked him to do me the favor to walk into
my room. This Mr.. Wilson did, following
on Immediately behind inc. Alter we had
got into my room, is the presence OF Col.
Anderson / handed the letter 10 Mr., Wilson,
and, observing That II was q very cxtraoI din
aty communication, requested him to read IT,
When Mr.. Wilson had read, - was nearly
done reading The letter, told Col. Anderson
tina. repelied with indignation and conlempt
the offer be nado TO me in the letter. Col.
Anderson said, he asked my pardon that It
was designed only as small compensation
tor the extra trouble he expected to give tho
com u,ittec of claims in examining tbs c'aims
from the Michigan territory, aud exposing
the conduct OF the British durTg the war
that il was foreign from his intention to at
tempt aay thing like bribc and requested
me 10 burn the ieuer, or 10 give IL TO h'fn.
told him ! should do neither; that his OF
fence was unpardonable, such as could rot
forgive. aud ordered him 10 leave she roo,n
Instantly
Col. Anderson, then begged pardon, and
asked forgiveness with excessive earnestoess.
told him would listcn TO none of his apol-
ogies that his offence was an attack upon
tho integrity oil Congress generally, and upon
mine personally that no one should ever
have my pardon or expect my forgiyonesB
who should soppose me capable oil such an
influence as be had attempted to practice up
on me.--Again told ca. Anderson to leave
my room. He advanced TO the deor,whss
he stood for some time endeayo'iog to ob,s'"
my pardon, as ne said. l told hin, IT was in
vain TO ask 1t that as member OF Congress
and of the committee of claims it was my
duty 10 examine his claims, and, il just, sup.
port them that his offer was an attempt e,
bribery was an attempt to influence my mind
in opposition to my duty, and as such could
cot be forgiven. lie then desired me eilhe
to burn.the letter or give il 90 him. Tepli-
ed tha, should do neither, and agais order
cd him to leave my room. Whereoprn he
did leave the room. Mr.. Wilson, sfei talk
Ing on the subject Of the leiss foc some time,
suggested to ne the proprieiy OF Getting in
NJ. Wm. p. Maclsy; but, Us Mr.. Wm.aP
Maclay was not IN, / asked Mr.. VIM Maclay,
he room mate Of M. WIN. p. Maeay, 10
come to my room. He complied wnp my
request add shortly after he arrived In my
room, Mr.. Wm. 2. Maelay, also stepped in.
These gentlemen, Mr.. Wilson, Mr.. VIM.
Maclay, and M. Wm. p. Maclay, were IN
my room at the time the servant called 10
Mr.. Wilson, and said gentleman was below
waiting TO see him. Mr. Wilson walked out
Of the room, and was gone a few minutes.
After he returned, he observed that Col. An
derson was Tho person VINO had sent for him;
that Col. AS business was to obtain bis in
Ierposi,ion to put stop to further proceed
lngs on the subject Of his letter TO me. The
precise conversation between Mr.. Wilson
and Col. Anderson can be related by the for.
mer with mhutcness.
LEWIS WILLIAMS.
January 7sh, 1919.