The Litchfield County post. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1826-1829, 1826-10-03


" TO that unfortunate condition of slavery,
Of the evils of which none are more SEN
sibIe than j am.
At another period, when believed that
the industry of this country required some
protection against the selfish and cOntrac-
ted legislation Of foreign powers, and to
constitute it a certain and safe source of
supply, in all exigencies, the charge against
me was transposed, and i was converted
into foe of southern, and an infatuated
friend of northern and western interests.
There were not wanting persons, in eve-
ry section of the Union, in another stage
Of our history, to accuse me with rashly
contributing to the support of a war, the
only alternative left to our honor by the
persevering injustice of foreign nation.
These contradictory charges and pervert-
ed views gave me no concern, because /
was confident that time and truth. would
prevail over all misconceptions, and because
they did not impeach my public integrity.
But.l confess | was not prepared to expect
the aspersions which / have experienced
on account of a more recent discharge Of
public duty. My situation on the occasion
to which refer, was most peculiar and ex-
traordinary, unlike that of any other A meri-
can citizen. One of the three candidates
for the presidency. presented to the choice
OF the house Of representatives, was out of
the question, for notorious reasons now adj
mitted by all. Limited as the competition
was to the other two, had to choose be-
tween 2 Statesman, long experienced at
home and abroad in numerous civil stations,
and Soldier, brave, gallant and success
full; but mere Soldier, who, although he
had also filled several civil Offices, had
quickly resigned them all, frankly acknow-
lodging, in some instances, his incompe-
tency to discharge their duties.
1t has been said that had some differ
ence with the present chief magistrate at
Client. 1t is rue.that we did not agree
on one Of tie many important questions
which sarose during the negotiations in that
city, but. the difference equally applied to
our present minister at London and to the
lameated Bayard, between whom and my
self, although we belonged to opposite POI
litical parties, there existed a warm friend
ship 70 the hour of his death. 1t was not
OF q; nature to prevent our cooperation to-
gether in the public service, as is demon
strated by the convention at London, sub
sequently negotiated by Messrs. Adams,
Gallatin, and myself. 1t was difference
of opinion on a point of expediency, and
did not relate to any constitutional or fun
damental principle. Bat with respect to |
the conduct of the distinguished citizen OF
Tennessee, had solemnly expressed, un-
der the highest obligations, opinions, which,
whether right or wrong, were sincerely and |
honestly entertained, and are still held.
These opinions related to military eyer-
else of power believed to be arbitrary and
unconstitutional. should have justly sub
jected myself to the grossest inconsistency,
if had given him my suffrage. ! thought
if he were elected, the sword and the con-
stitution, bad companions, would be brought
too near together. could not have fore
seen that, fully justified as have been by
those very constituents, in virtue of whose
authority exerted the right Of free suf-
ffage, I should nevertheless be charged
with breach Of duty and corruption by
strangers to them, standing in no relation
TO them but that Of being citizens of other
states, members of the confederacy. 1t is
in vain that these revilers have been called
upon for their proofs have been deied,
and are again invited to enter upon any
mode of ADMINISTRATION and trial. Shrink
ing from every impartial examination, they
persevere, with increased zeal, in the prop
agation of calumny, under the hope of sup-
plying, by the frequency and boldness of
asseration, the want of truth and the def |
cheney Of evidence, until we have seen the
spectacle exhibited of converting the hall
of the first Legislative assembly upon earth,
on the occasion of discussions which, above
all others, should have been characterised
BY dignity, calmness and, temperance, into
theatre for spreading suspicious and
gronndless imputations against an absent
and innocent individual.
& Driven from every other hold, they have
seized on the only plank left within their
grasp--that. of my acceptance of the Office
Of secretary of state, which has been as
serted to be the consnmmation of previous
corrupt arrangement. What can Ioppose
10 such an assertion, but positive, pcremp-
tory, and unqualified denial, and repeti-
ton Of the demand for proof and trial ?
The Office to which have been appoint
] I'd Is that Of the country, created by il, and
administered for its benefit. In deciding
I whether ! should accept it or not, ! did
not take counsel from those who, foresee-