Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-10-10


or Mr. Clay's in New England, the other in I.ouisi
anal Considering this objection as frivolous and as
pTetext, Col. Smith again went to Gen. Houston
with Mr. Erwin's challenge, taking with him Gen.
White as witness 70 its delivery. Houston hereupon
received Tue note but only for the inspection
OF his second OIL McGregor. This was in The streets
OF Nashville. Gen. White observing TO Col Smith:
'Coonci. reckon lac will not deny having received
i"-Gen Houston said he did deny having received
III" whereuPon an alteration ensucd between Gems.
hite and Houston 10 the following purport:
I-'tfHct jF"H .h" 5d'roao'S Certificate addressed u
Gen. Houston.
was standing the door of the Nashville Inn in
company with several others when you stepped towards
us al slow pace. You saulcd us, and then turned 10
walk IN the door. In the act 10 DO which, you met n
gentleman, with whom You were Standing in converse.
tiou, when Cul ohm Smith r. walked up and touched
YOU on walked with him to the distance of fifteen
or twenty PAGES, when yon halted, and appeared TO
converse AT the same time Col Smith handed TO YOU
paper folded IN the shape Of letter. and d ected
You as afterwards discovered. Soon after, General
"h'e came up you took the note in your hands, and
Proceeded with Col. Smith towards the door of the
Nashville Inn, where | standing with several
others. When YOU came us, Gen. White said
Colonel reckon he " i'll not denv having received
IT. You then stopped and facing Gen. White, repli.
cd, "1 es sir, do deny having received it.n Gen w
SAID, lt Is in your hands and e gentlemen can see il
You reJoned, 81 have not received il; do not know
us conients will open it, but il 10 INV friend
White with pleasure" Gen White said, Il will re
ceve one from yon." Your answ er was the subtle is
on The other horse, General and tlat is enough TO be
understood between gentlemen" Gen. White re-
marked, ''You have tried To draw me into this bust.
ness" You replied, You have forced yourself into
H." Cen White remarked further, "l;y tie time You
get through with tic others you will be tired enough
IT," You observed "H on can or ela be accoIn,r.tIa.
ted" Gen. White then said III call on YOU there
WILDE no shutting, suppose" You replied shaking
your finger at him, "try me, SIR"
The highest testimony appears throughout the publ
cations in favor of Col. Smiths character, from Col
AlcGregor, Gen. lis second, and the General him.
sell.
In ;his state OF things, both parties have appealed
10 The public through the newspapers. We regret that
we have not room for these publications. rs they are
calculated 10 the faae Of innocent man from
tire most unmerited aspersions and prosecutions which
perhaps political asperity and personal hostility have
ever devised. The wrongs of Mr.. Erwin are well
calculated TO excite the Indignation Of every generous
mind man who has lived 10 middle age with
spotiess nanie-who n merchant had transac ted the
most extensive business done in Tennessee, wit-
out whisper against his integrty-wlio as a public
officer had controlled large sums of public money!
without the shadow of suspicion by
family of children dependent upon his honest name for
bread-to be accused of puIloning s3e,ospaper not
Congress, clothed with official character necessarily
giving weight 10 bis lghcs staemcHls, and who was
bound defend the reputation of an absent const,u,
emit We say, that the transaction presents an accu.
mutation and aggravaon of injury, without any ex.
ample, and demanding the most emphatic disapproba.
lion of enlightened society. After this deep and
deadly injury, we think Gen. Houston should not have
refused the poor satisfaction demanded of him al the
no ,bI, 10 in,
preston that all just have received, of the injury
Done TO Mr. Erwin. Ills refusing 10 fight him will
be viewed the climax of injury, ana as Jemonsra-
ting that lie is ready inict than repair
Justice
In justice to Mr.. Erwin we repnbsh his statement
OF the transaction relative to l.c newspaper, lie is al
lodged have puroineI. and Tue certificate of Mr.
Crockett, to whom it belonged. Never before, has
reputation been assaied upon such extraordinary
grounds, and say that tic transaction furnishes
but unlavourabc specimen Of tie temper, Justice
aud generosity of Gen. Jacksous personal partisans
1t is plain, Indeed, that and oinnous political
has opened upon the country. The worst passions
OF the human heart lave supplalcd principle, Justice
generosity and argument, and lead the Ia t!le poll
Iical contest which raging. Malignily stalks undis
guscd abroad, and SANDER issuing from her foul rcccs
scs, exhibits her accurscd aud ubiushing visage in
open day. Commencing in the Coug: css of The u s.
which ought have been the last fortress of justice aud
good feeling these internal passions bave penetrated
the whole political body. Could voice be heard,
would imPlore the American public TO arrest the
evil before il is latc-bciore the minds of
cited 10 frenzy, ripe for civil and disuuioD.
Ertruct from Mr.. Eygia's Statement.
TO TIE PUBLIC.
Alter residence of sixteen years in Nashville d.
a.
extensive mercantile business transacted by amy
in the state-and during another portion engaged
in conducting newspaper, at lime Of great political
excitement, myself in minority 10 politics, and M
fuerous circumstances concurrrg TO render an OBJ
iect Of animldyeron, not 10 say persecution
alter having, either principal assistant, acted
10 great variety of Pu5l'c capacities, having frequent
~ under my control very large of money bel3ng
ing 10 others, without any other security than uy own