Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-05-23


/. week or two since, we furnished our readers a
sketch Of the history Of this famous opposition
papers and in doing so, omitted to relate one
or two small circumstances, which, as il is i'm
pn 'ant 20 have all things complete, we shall
pro. eed- 20 de,ineate. -.
= sfae pan 10 PM on foot an opposition paper
at tke'sea, of government, that would stop at
no,!asg, NOR experience any restraint from Prin-
e.riel in frthcring the holy purpose of pulling
down .lie most valuable institutions and best
mon Of our country, was conceived early in the
year 1926. Ayoung gentleman named Muury,
from Tennessee, Editor Of the Nashville Re-
pablican, was despatched to Washington by
General Jackson, or his agents, to treat with
Mr.. jonathan Elliott, then proprietor of the
Wellington City Gazette; and On his arrival a
negotiation was opened between the parties:
but as Mr.. Maury. had not the cash, and as he
could not at the moment give such security as
Elliott demanded, the negotiation was broken
o., without meeting the success anticipated by
.Mamy and his patrons.
That Maury was prepared to make the pur-
chase, and that he could satisfy Elliott, is be-
l.cved, but as there was degree Of delicacy
attached to the affair, and AS bc was lot au-
irons, the negotiation necessarily proved un-
successful. Soon after, General Dull Greene
made hrs appearance at Washington, under the
auspices Of Jackson, Benton, and their asso-
crates; but for the same reasons, which do
TERED Elliott from negotiating with Maurv,
Greenc's oycrturos were rejected, and again the
prospect Of establishing an Opposition Press II.
Washington was abandoned. The prospects
-of obtaining n purchase seemed rather dull, and
Elliott, finding his paper TO he an object OF some
consequence and consideration, assumed an air
" independence, manifested IL disposition to
I" "hod on" and az he was determined 10 make
the most of his press and property, he gave out,
that il the ovcrtures which had been made 10
rim were not made of more consequence than
he then conceived thenrio be, he would bIoU
ihe whole affair. As he was known to be
'ieaky ressel," and man that would occa-
sionally, in an affected fit Of independence, tell
the truth. and expose :" secrets worth know
nr," it was deemed important to secure him,
and stop his mouth with douceur. Thus SIT
rated, those who had offered him proposals for
q transfer, invited him to call at williamson
ifotel, to meet "a number OF the friends OF Cen
cral Jack son, who, To use their own words,
,rcrc anxious 10 improre the condition Of the
Prcss." In compliance with this request, Mr..
Elliott attended at the place proposed, and met
there General Duff Greene, Samuel ID. lDgham,
of PENNSYLVANIA; John III. Eaton, of Tennessee; ;
Cen. Van Ness, of Washington, Mr.. Vice Presi-
dent Calhoun; Churchill c. Cambrcleng, OF Now
York; and Robert Y. Haync, of South-Caroli-
na, all 4" caparsoncd" for the negotiation, and
u anxious to make vigorous effort TO improve
,he condition OF the Press" The conversa-
ton was opened as o the modus operand, to
make most speedily tn" Washington City Cd
.c.:e respectable, and to give it that influence
which was considered essential to It's existence,
and to promote the views of the Opposition fac
ton. Editors and contributors were abundant,
but still some obstac Gle was in the way, and 1t
was found difficult to come at the point pro-
posoj, without exposing secrets worth know
ing" Al length, the main subject was broach-
cd by one Of the conspirators, who collected
sufficient courage to tell Elliott that the Ga
Ae.te had bad name, and that he, as con-
nee.ed with it, was looked upon as disrep''-
table personogc; and as It was the particular
object of the cabal to improve the condition OF
the Press, they should, il they made purchase
change the name of the paper, and remove HIM
from the Office. BY this, they sad, they did
not mean to have Elliott understand, that thoy
tAemselpes, esteemed him bad man; but as
te and his paper had advocated Mr.. Crawford
and abused General Jackson, during the last
Presidential Election, it would be necessary to
change the name Of the paper, and TO remove
from its management, every person who had
had the least TO do with the manufacture Of
the abuse which had formerly been heaPed upon
the hero:-For unless this be done, said they,
the people will not have any confidence IN the
paper, and will not hereafter swallow the false
hoods it may utter.
Although this plain statement Of facts was
made with all the delicacy imaginable, aud
was highly seasoned with an occasional fiatter-
ing remark, touching the talents and private
worth of the individual to whom II was address
cd, poor Elliott was thunder er-struck-and filed
with amusement After a severe struggle,
H. - x;.4 or,ca of which "a a. az diff cult 10