Literary cadet, and Saturday evening bulletin. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1826-1827, 1827-03-31

His apostacy at the time of the Presidential election
his equivocal course in relation TO the tariff, aud
the part he assumed when the celebrated Panama
question was under debate. have each and all, met
with our unequlvocal and unqualified denuncia.
tions nor we IN the instance under considera-
tiop, about to come out as his advocate. We hays
thought that the subject matter Of his letter to The
Mexican Minister, was made circumstance OF too
much importance, ard considering 1t al affair rather
too idle TO claim the attention OF the public, as
such we have treated il whilst we have been dis
posed to laugh at those who nave seriously accused
him, Of attempting to arrosate to himself functions,
which belong to the Secretary Of state. THE has
been done by those whose zeal outstrp their political
prudence and il by such individuals as these that
the Administration is liable 10 be :" sinned against
aud to sustain injury, which it, wors, enemies
cannot inhct.
In southern paper, writer has appeared, who
very seriously charges Mr.. Benton, with having
committed offence against the peace and dignity
of the United States, and in support of his position
cites act OF Congress, passed January 80, lIs9'
which declares, that if any person. being citizen Of
the United States shall, without the permission or
authority Of the government, directly or Indirectly
commence, or carry any verbal or written CORES
pondence or intercourse with any foreign govern
ment or ary officer or agent thereof with an intent
to influence the measures or conduct OF any foreign
government, any officer agent thereof an re!a-
ton 10 any disputes controversies with the United
States, he or they shall be deemed guilty oia high
misdemeanor, and on conviction, haH De puasshed'
by fine not exceeding five thousand dollars, aud by
imprisonment during term not less than six
months, nor exceeding three yelrs. But by the
same act, it provided that stai not be construed
to abridgs the right Of any INDIVIDUAL citizens of
the United States, to apply by ThEMsELvEs' Or
their LAwFuL AGENTS, to any foreign government,
the agents thereof for the redress OF any injuries,
IN relation to person or property which such andi
vid,,als may have sustained from such government,
or any of its agents, citiseu, suIjects Now from
this act, taken in its arbitrary construction, 1t
must appear, to the dulles mind, that MIR. Benton,
instead ofcommittng any outrage, has done nothing
but which is strictly III conformity with the letter
of the la ~ OF the land.
To make the case as clearus possible, whilst we
are about it, will ask the Indulgence of the read
for moment, whilst we stop to make plain un-
vanished statement OF the case.
On the Sd of January last, Mr.. Benton, in his IN
diutdual capacity vide the statute of January 90,
1891 addressed letter to Don Public Ohreson,
the Mexican Minister to this government, demand
ing in his unofficial capacity, Indemnity for spolia
tions mited the merchants Of Missouri, who,
whilst pI osecuting their commercial relations with
Mexico, had been robbed by Indians and bravadoes,
ro.ding in the Mexican provinces. To This note or
demand, Don Public Obreson replied, in a letter
dated the 9Th Of January 1927 that although, n his
opinion, no government i. bound in justice, TO make
such indemnifcations, though the robbery be COM
mitted by its own citizens he nevertheless, would
report the cnse to the Mexican government for its
consideration; and thus the negotiation ended.
Now, il in this negotiation Mr.. Benton has COM
mi!ted any offence against the government of the U
States and has not acted with the statute of Janua
ry 50, 1899 before his eyes, we most sadly in er
ror-we most egregiously misconstrue that statute
We contend, that the Senator ha. done nothing
wrong; but at the same time We insist, that he has
shewn gross, and unproyokel dsrespect for the head
Of our diplomatic department, and assumed po.it-
ion, which, whilst it exposes his vanity, and adroit
at electioneerins intrigue places him before the
public as a man of objectionable vanity and ego.
tism, and subjects him to the ridcule Of the world.
We have said more upon this subject, than we at
first intended, and have been provoked to it, by
those, who would make the public believe that we
are about to desert the cause in which have been
engaged, and that we are iavourably inclined TO-
wards the interests of General Jackson. The first
remarks we made, in relation to the letter Of Mr..
Senator Benton, were elected by plain republi
can principles and education, which has taught US
that the PEOPLE RULE, that the officers Of this gov
eminent are the servants. not the masters of the
people, and that we are not bound 10 worship any
public officer, because he the robes Of office
and that every individual in this nation, has right
to regulate his private affairs, be :hey connected
with foreign powers, or with private persons, with
ou, asking permission TO DO so, of the President
his Cabinet.
As to the present administration, we profess TO be
its humble supporters and so far as General An
drew Jackson is concerned in the approaching polt
cal contest we shall make every effort to defeat his
.l.c,o, .nd sbal with all our ability advocate the