American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1824-09-03

u
| The governor sent it back to him, with a letter oil
rebuke for expecting him TO make such commu-
ncation tot the legislature. Mr. Pickering, sppre-
hensve, he says, that he should not obtain his
object through the governor, sent copy 10 ms
exceent friend, George Cabot, (sISCE President
OF THE HARTFORD CoNvEsTIoND who alter
waiting few days, finding that the original was
not communicated to the legislature, sent copy to
the printer.
| The governor Of Massachusetts, in his answer to
Mr. Pickering, had stated that my opinion had been
and still was in favor of the embargo. Mr.. Pick
lerng replied and in terms supplied by his feelings
at the time, charged me with having in the debate
on the embargo, expressed sentiment which re.
solved the whole business Of legislation into the
will of the executive. To support the charge, he
quoted several words, which he said had used in
the debate, and which detached from this context,
and from the explanation have now given, might
deserve all the severity Of his commentary.
In the same letter Mr.. Pickering explicitly ad-
mitted that | had never given him the slightest
cause OF offence, and tina: in FIVE years OF service to-
Igether as Senators from the same state, " though
loften opposed in opinion, national measures, there
had never existed for moment any personal dlffe.
renee between u.s." / notice now this admission,
merely to mark the period and manner in which
this mutual respect and forbtarance between us
ceased, and to whom it was Justly imputable.
On my part il did not even then. 1t was
impossible to have framed charge more destitute
OF foundation; more easily refuted; or more open
to the chastsement OF severe retaliation. Yet took
mo public notice Of It; nor shall | now go further
beyond the simple declaration that nerer e.rpreS
Sed or felt the sentiment imputed TO me by Mr.
Pickering, than TO observe, that ii had uttered IT,
and had been understood in the sense which he has
given to my words, it his duty, and the duty of
every Senator present, who SO understood me, not
only TO have had my words taken down al the time,
but instantly to have called me to order for using
them. The words as Nlr. Pickering PROCESSES 10
have understood them, we're undoubtedly in the
highest degree dlsorderly- and decisive proof that
they were not generally SO understood Is found in
the circumstance, that no exception was taken to
them at the time Ii is rule of the Senate and Of
all equitable deliberatYe assemblies, that exception
able words snail not only be taken down al the time
when spoken, bat thai ne who speaks them shall
be called to account for, TO eract or
to explain them Had this rule been observed by
Mr. Pickering, when called upon to explain what
meant by reference to the recommendation Of the
executive, upon his responsibility, and to the other
reasons, which he might have, and which had no
doubt were satisfactory, should have lad the OPP
portunty Of giving the explanation herein contain
ed, and OF shelving that my words imported no SEN
ment even Of improper difference for the opinions |
Dr. wishes OF the executive. But it is also breach
IF order, to refer by way of censure, at one time
% words spoken at another; and rule equally lust
hat 10 member shall be called to account in any
'ther place, for words spoken in the Senate. These
ues are founded upon principles which every man
ii fair and honorable mind feels himself bound to
observe; and they apply with peculiar force to
iebate with closed doors, which is in its nature Sc
ret and confidential.
The error Of Mr. chickering's charge consists 10
lis connecting my expression OF confidence in the
recommendation Of the executive, which assigned
IS one Of my reasons for agreeing to the act with
ny argument Tor the necessity of despatch, which
vas founded in the nature Of the act itself, and the
'ortenous crisis OF the times.
The reference TO the recommendation Of the exc.
uve was made in answer TO the objection that the
documents sent with the message did not Justify the
Measure recommended in it. Knowing that there
we're other reasons, and referring to them for the
ushcatlon OF my own vote, both in committee andI
n the Senate, in favor Of the BILL nothing could have
'een farther from my thoughts, as nothing would
rave been more 10 conflict with the whole tenor oil
ny conduct through five years of active service as
member of the Senate than an utterance of sen.
imen Of subserviency to the ,0iH or even to the
rtSheS OF the executive. l.
The confidence in the executive which ayowed | '
vas applicable TO the particular circumstances ofthe
lme and 10 the particular subject in discussion
Nor was that confidence misplaced. In the house
It representatives the embargo message was debated
hree days on the merits-hut after the three days
he house came to the same conclusion at which the
enate had arrived in fosr hours. Il was wise
proydent, and, above all aparely patriotic measure
he share that had in it, and the part that to * in
promoting it, remains among the transactions OF nv
'uo'lc liie to which my memory recurs with the
most gratifying recolections. Many other events ):
ave been less trying to the fortude Of adversely
nd more favored by the vicissitudes of fortune bur
n no occasion has the consciousness of upright in
entions, and spirit independent alike of obse u
ulousness to executive will, and of factions oppos
ion, borne me with more firm and even step through
be temporary furnace of affection and sustained M