Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-07-09
TESTIMONY AND DOCUMENTS
on THE
MEMORIAL OF .N7.Ni.4.N EDJY.4RDS

on THE
MEMORIAL OF .N7NYa.N EDIY.qRDS,
[CoSTINUEp.l
Question by Mr.. Cook. When Gov. Ed.
wards mentioned 10 you that he received infor-
nation of what the Senate was doing, did he
not at the same time observe that he was a
member OF tue Senate, and had n right TO know
what they were DONG much as any other
member?
-. a. lfhc made that observation, do not re-
cc.4ct it. He might have done so.
O. When you had the conversation with
linn, had not the Richmond Enquirer ontl,at,
or some day not long before, Been received in
this city, containing an allegation that Mr.. Ed
wards, 'sthe author nf the 4. b.. plot - had been
nominated as Minister to Mcxico9 and can Won
say positively that the denial of the authorship
on the part Of Mr.. Edwards did not relate to the
plot instead OF the writings themselves under
that signature?- and did not the conversation
grow outof that publication.
n. saw an article in the Richmond Enoui
rer, stating that Ninian Edwards, the ssauthor
OF a. b." or cd A. b. plot memory" q do not
recoliect which,) had been so nominated. The
- The paper l saw at the boarding house of
Mrs. Queen, and think, in the hands of Mr..
EilSins; whether it was before the conversation
witt, Governor Edwards, or afterwards, do not
distinctly recollect. am inclined to think it
was after the conversation; but am very well
satisfied, that, in the conversation with Gov E.
when he declared himself not to be the author
of A. Is. AMI pledged his honor to the declara-
ton, understood him to have an explicit re-
ference to the numbers signed A. B. which ap-
peared in the Washington Republicans and so
understood him, because he had reference to
the reports of the two committees who exam.
ined into that subject at the previous session of
Congress. No aiiusion whatever was made in
this conversation to the article in the Richmond
Enquirer.
g. In the course Of the conversation, was
reference made to any paI.::~ular numbers OF
the publications signed n. Is.
A. There was not.
G. WAS the name of Gen. Cooke at all in
troduced?
a. 1t was not. $50
@. When did ysa first mention the copvos-
sation you have now repeated as having passed
between yourself and Gov. Edwards and to
whoE,.
4. According to the best Of my recollec-
ton, never repeated ii to anyrperson until the
evening of the day that [ was informed that
Gov. Edwards address was presented to the
House of Represeatatiycs-on that evening,
in conversation with several of the members of
that House, amongstwhoin were Mr.. Reed and
Mr.. NciSon-some of whom said that Gov Ed
wards had avowcd himself TO be the author of
A. Ii. and others said that he had not done so
] remarked that they must have misunderstood
the address, for Gov. Edwards had pledged his
honor 10 me that was not the author of A. b.
lii the same evening made the same remark
to Mr.. Elkins.
q. Did you mention The subject to any
member ofthc Senate?
"A. Not willie his nomination was pending,
nor before his address appcarcI-afterwards l
spoke oft, without reserve.
Q. perceive from the Richmond Enquirer
that letter, purporting to have been written
lii the Senate Chamber, and dated April &c,
1924, states, that 'sAIr. n. Edwards declared
to Mr. Noble, Senator from Indiana, that he
was not the author # the a. b. publication
he did this pending his nomination as Minister
to Mexico; in consequence of this declaration
MIR. Mobiles states that he voted for ln'-did
you make any such communication to any mem
Der Of the Senator
lMr. Forsyth objected to this qucstion-and
the Committee decided the question was inn
proper.]
Q. Did you ever have any conversation
with Col. Benton of the Senate on the subject OF
your conversation with Mr.. Edwards.
A, Yes.
q. In the conversation you had with Mr..
Edwards, did he speak of the original plan n
dopted by the Secretary of tue Treasury for the
relief ofthe people Of the West, or di lie speak
ofthe manner in which that plan was executed?
A. lie spoke Of the conduct Of the Sccreta-
ry OF the Treasury generally.
Q. Did You understand the conversation
you have mentioned as intended to affect your
vote on the then pending nomination,
*. l did not suppose that that was its de-
sign, nor had it any such effect upon myself. ]
considered him as speaking as an honest man
Ifbe hal told me he was the author of A. b. il
would not in my opinion have had the lcas
weight with me whatever in relation 10 nv vote
for considered that matter as done with. art
had already taken an active part for him If
the Senate.
Question by Mr.. Forsyth. What do yo,
DOW understand as having been the effect in
tended to have been produced by that CONVEX
sation2
A. Gov. Edwards having pledged his wore
and honor to me, uusought for, that he was no
the author Of A. b.; and having expressed hi
opinion of the integrity and vigilance of the Sc
cretsry ofthe Treasury, and mentioned that h
expected an attack in the Senate, as now sup
pose from the friends of Mr.. Crawford, cons
der him as having expected thatI would tax
this information that he gave me into that bod,
and it would be the means of securing the col
flr!I'sioa Of this nomination.