Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-10-29
MIR. CRAWFORD.

we have received the following letters forpub-
Ication-and the ,,ncsty and Independence of
our press have been appealed TO, to procure
their insertion. We do publish them with re-
luctance-with a consciousness that our doing
SO, VIII expose us to the censure and vitupera-
iion OF the whole pack of kennel prcsses.-Our
reluctance arises from no apprehension of the ire
of Colsin and his associates, but from an unwii
iIngncss to be considered prosecutors of MIR
Crawford, and lest good men NAV think that we
are fulfilling more than our duty. We disclaim
once more, any wish to injure Mr. Crawford
We place the most implicit reliance on the yeri-
ty OF the statements-they are true and so au-
thentIcated, that none but those who will not be-
lIeve, can doubt them. If we did not k,,o,, them
to be true in every Particular we would not
publish them. Believing them to be so, we do
not hesitate In the tract which ought TO be pur-
sued. those who dislike them are welcome TO
bark as much as they please.
TO the Editors Of The Constitutional JD,bie.
AS there no doubt exists in Virginia a gene
raj desire to ascertain the real state of Mr..
Crawford's health, the result of my observations
and enquiries respecting it, may he acceptable
to you. From Information obtained of Medical
and other gentlemen, who have seen and con-
yersed with MIR. Crawford frequently, since his
return from the Virginia Springs, as well as from
my own personal view of him, | do not hesitate
10 aiilrm that his disease has entirely disqualified
INN from adequate attention to any busipess
That requires ordinary mental or bodily exertion.
ne comparative want of motion in one haIfI
his race ana tongue, the tendency ofthe latter TO
appear at the distorted corner of his mouth the
impeachment in his speech, his tottcrine gait. the
scmi-circular motion of his leg arising from the
difficulty OF elevating his foot from the surface he
walks on, his imPerect vision and the tremor of his
right hand, together with an expression of coun
'ehancc characteristical of patients afflicted with
paralysis, prove even TO a superficial observer
the ravages of that formidable disease. His
m1ihd appears to be equally affected by it,
lie discovers want of Renaissance and \ DIFF
hculty of recollection, both as to persons and
events which IN his better days must have been
familiar to him. There appears too hestatinp
ana indecisIye manner In his conversations and
actions, Indicative of want of confident and
customary power both of mind and body. and
ne mas haolt OF repeating the same stories
forgotten IT would seem as soon as they are FIN
ished, which if it does not evince fatnitv. nm
questonably betrays an extreme state of mentaI
debility. His attack in the spring was consi
oered oy ms physicians apoplectic rather than
distinction that of course I am
hhapie 10 appreciate, and Which as paralysis is
usually preceded by roma, would appear To be II
lnrnaterlal. 1t is sufficient for the
people to know, that whatever NAV be IFS name
WIN tne faculty, his complaint continues TO dis
:, -" 'o OOuy anu his mind 10 decree
.'at uis4naihes him for any important Office in
this government
rms statement, which know to be accurate
Is confirmed by the following facts. some of
winch are admitted, and none of which can be
Iairly denied. III IS admitted tl.at his ar,icnla
uon Is imperfect that he is lame that he uses n
ctslne Tor his signature. or in other words that
owing to the feeblcness and tremor of III, hand
ne cannot write with case or as he formerly did
II cannot be denied fairly, that when he attend.
edat the Presidents on occasion Off n Favette,s
reception, nc did not recognize gentlemen orI
distinguished character, who had been lone and
personally known to him, until they approach
eu very near and spoke to him and that he ma
INFESTED a total inability to identity his acuuain
'dlces IN Tie same room with him by their no
cuhaI1ties OF figure, contour, Carriage, &c. ri
cannot be fairly denied, that on his first on
trance INTO the Presidents apartment. ON the oc-
CASTOR alluded To, he dcviatcd in approacbinr
MN several PAGES, 10 the right,-spoI<e To nno2
mr. gentleman, then immedateIy sat down and
pun MS nat on; mode Ofdeportmcnt which in a
room of ceremony, where all others ,yere deC,c.
roIs ann uncovered, had of course very odd
appearance. II cannot be fairly denied that
when on the arrival of La Faycfte at tbo prcs;-
tents and after walking with other gentlemen
'n the terrace, he entered the same apartment
second tune he again SAT down aud pnt his Ina,
On, winch denoted such a strange want of re
collection, that Judge Anderson his friend and
'oD'PtToiic'' thought it necessary to exposlulatc
WIN INN AMI induce him TO pnt il off MIR Cra,v
accompanying his compliance with the ynconfb