The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1822-09-03
70 Ne E9itors ortht EnQN;rer.
New Benle, Virginia, August II, 1879.

GTNTLEMES: am induced to write 10
you, impcled by the numerous editorial re-
marks which have issued from the difTeren.
parts of the Union, relating 10 the controver-
| sy between Messrs. Russell & Adams, inyol-
wing me in a greater or less degree but
more particularly from the understandable
assertions of Mr.. Adams throughout his re-
leinder.
On entering into public life, / formed a
| plan from which determined never tn de-
part, unless for the strongest reasons and
! assure you, II IS with pam and regret, !
now deylate from that plan When any
thing occurs in my public conduct, lift con
Germs myself alone, have been content to
rest my claims to justice upnn the decision
of those with whom act, entirely regard
less whether thc newspapers, or reporters
TO newspapers either misunderstood me,
msreprcsent me, or do not hear mr.
In the commencement Of this AFFAIR. !
was not liltle surprised 10 SEE the editori-
nj remarks of the Weekly Register in con
Guiding the publication of the Presidents
message with the letters of Mr.. Russell
and Mr., Adams, subiecting me to imputa.
/ tlons f"electionecring view" and the "gct-
ting up" this business: My surprise was
net lessencd 10 find any thing in my course
liable to such inputatoRs, as have always
fc!t the most perfect confidence in the cor
rccthess Of my course: though | have too
| high an opinion oftD,c correctness and intcg-
rity Of the Weekly Register to believe these
remarks were intended for any otkcr ptlr-
pose than 10 give All honest opinion of tn
transaction as 1t appeared 10 HIM.
With these feelings, rs soon as recover.
ed from a severe illness, under which / was
iaboring when the Register was received, |
wrote a statement of the whole matter, 10
the editor fthat paper, whose independent
republican course has impressed rue with
the most favorable sentiments of his reef
tude and ability but thinking there wond
be an end TO the affair very soon, and that
opportunities might offer elsewhere, of do
ing myselfiustice,I yielded TO the suggestion
of a friend in withholding it nor, do |
think the necessity would noS exist, had
the whole of the debate been published,
which took place in the house of represcn-
tatives upon the adoption of Mr. Fuler's
resolution, making the final call upon the
president ior the papers which now APP
pears to have been done at the instance of
| Mr., Adams himself
There is certainly something very s;ngu-
lar in this affair, that Mr.. Adams, who has
| labored with SO much Zcal and persey GRANGE
to impress the nation with the belief that
| Mr.. Russell is not correct in his statements,
should nevertheless, as zealously adhere to
declarations equally injurious, and unfonn-
dcd as IT regards myself; te the end, it il
presumed, to justify his own conduct in
procuring Mr.. Fuller 10 make the call
which had desisted from, and which il
seems was so desirable to him, AS a mean
of getting into the newspapers-this, too,
after MIR, Russell had said he knew nothing
of my intention of making the request did
make.
| MI Adams, had believed, was too well
acQpainted with etiquette, to leave his law
lul game, to send shaft at me, however
| he might feet towards me but, since he has
thought proper to do so, | must defend
myself.
| Whatever a secretary shall say of me,
think it but right, to hold him responsible
Ror will consent that he shall ransack his
department to find clerk to prop his de-
sres by certificate. SO far az it regards
ibS st1i, hiust PIolest against tilc Ctlull-
Gates of clerks, who depend for their daily
bread, upon the capricous smiles OF a &C.
cretary Of department. do not wish to
be understood as making any remark upon
Mr.. Adams's certifying clerks. tits posi-
BILE they may be respectable, know no
thing OF them !; nor, can !, consistent with
my own self-approbatio know any body
but Mr.. Adams, who presume, having
reliance, and regardless of feelings or opin.
ions. boldly and confidently, reiterates il