Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-02-19

fled, by letter, serious charges at the Depart
mcnt agains, Mr. Calhoun, they being OF OPT
Mon that ought either TO have burnt II, or
sent copy to Mr.. Calhoun; upon which gave
him the above narrative, with which ne SAID
he was relieved on my acc cunt, and satisfied.
He suggested the proprieiy Of my stating, on
paper, the facts This, I told him, thought
unnecessary; but asked him to communicate
them to Mr.. Calhoun, or to any other person
he might think proper. ! stated TO MN, iur-
thermore, that / would see him at my own
house that evening, and that was wiling 10
adopt any proper course, that misrepresehla-
ton of the facts, as far as was concerned,
might make necessary. The General wrote
me in the evening that, on his getting to the
House, he found the Phoenix Gazette, contain
ing Mix's letter, in the hands oil some oil The
members and, in consequence, he had MADE
no commune lion to Mr.. Calhoun. Most anx-
ious to have my conduct fairly represented, aud
fearful that the ear Of Mr.. Calhoun had been
abused, sent, early on Friday morning, Tor
Colonel Richard NJ. Johnson, friend 10 us
both, and requested him, as soon as hrs con'e.
nience would permit, to see Ar. Calhoun, and
give him the history Of the transaction as de-
tailed above. He readily consented, and pro-
ceeded, as he informed me, Immediately to his
lodgings, where he complied with my request;
when Mr.. Calhoun replied, that he was entire
ly satisfied with my conduct in the whole al
fair.
After this, saw with surprise, that Mr..
Calhoun had stated, in his communication 10
the House, thai charges of serious character,
agains, him, had become in some degree otfi-
cial, by being placed among the public records,
and had bet ONE the basis Of an official acl al
the War Departments when, in truth, the let
ter of Mix TO Clark never was amoug the re
cords, nor was ever intended by me 10 be plac-
ed among the records; when no charge was
made by Clark, in consequence OF Mix's letter,
but, on the contrary, as avowed BY hiinselt, 10
fix the crime Of catumny on Mix, which was
predicated exclusively on the innocence oil Mr..
Calhoun: for his innocence made Mlx's crime.
Nor was any official act of the War Depart
ment based on the charge: but the jafsehood OF
the charge, united with other imputed crimes,
induced me to reject Mix, as unworthy OF any
connection with the Government. And So
lemnly aver, that, in receiving this letter, and,
in short, that every act Of mine, in this whole
affair, was guided BY an exclusive eye to the
public interest, and in rejecting Mix's propo-
sails, as thought, by due regard to the m"
raj sense Of my country; that, from the first
moment Of hearing the charge, thought II d
calumny, and, coming from the quarter i, did,
UNIV orthY Of any mans notice. The declara-
ton Of Mr.. Calhoun, made 10 COL Johnson, Of
his entire satisfaction with my course, and in.
deed. self respect, forbid me from applying 10
myself any Of the inuendos in Mr.. Calhoun's
communication 10 the House; yet, as the world
may infer from the communication, that they
have bearing against me, | think it proper TO
add, that any such impu,ation will constitute
calumny.
Questions, and ans,cers By Coz. Barbour
Question By Mr.. Wright.-Have YOU knowledge
OF any contract, entered into in behalf OF the u
ni,ed States, by the War Department, while
Mr.. Calhoun was Secretary Of that Department,
in which NJ was in any way interested, or in
the prof, of which he participated?
.9nSrer know nothing Of such contract.
Question BIZ Mr. Campbell Did you speak of
Mix's letter to any other persons than those
whose names you have already mentioned, while !
the letter was in your possession! 1t your an
swer ne affirmative, to whom?
.Ans,cer.--I have no recollection of having |
spoke o. shown it to any other persons than
those referred to in my deposition. recollect
consulting the President on the propriety of re-
iecting Mlx's proposals; whether before or al
ter the receiving Mix letter, do not distinct
y rec ollect. II after receiving it, presume /
smoke Of It to him The conversation with the
President took place in walk with him from
church on Chrislmay day.
JAMES BARBOUR.