Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-11-28

J
Sheiby's own hand writing. told him he was at
liberty to see, not only the secret Journal but a.
50 the statements Of those gentlemen who werc
present ut the Treaty. hut as II appeared Gfr
Shelby, or his friends had been secretly writing
to Maj. b. Smith for information on this subject
without communication or notice to me; and that
as Shelby and Todd had published to the womb
the declarations Of their deceased father, which
the secret journal over his signature showed TO be
positively untrue--that they must now get out az
the difficulty III which they had voluntarily placed
themselves, the best way they could, and without
assistance from me-that the journal, and every
thing III relation to the Treaty, having been for
wardetl by the Commissioners Gov Shelby and
myselD to the government at Washington Cifv
Gen Shelby certainly had il in bis power, provided
II had been wanted, or deemed material, to haze
obtained it-that il the government chose to take,
the responsibility Of publishing il, had no objeci
ton TO its being so done.--lt was only 10 sa;afy
Col Combs OF the incorrectness of what Messrs.
Shelby and Todd had published, and TO prove to
him. that the secret journal had been signed in the
proper hand writing Of Gov. Shelby, that consent
was given to see it. He must have so understood
for at the time Of reading il, he was given direct
~ TO understand the reason why bad not permit
ted 1t to be published But Notwithstanding all
this, he proceeded home, and lost 10 time in pub
fishing garbled extracts from it, justifying himself
for doing and for this practised breach of conf
dence, by no better reason than that he has been
unable TO perceive any substantial or sufficient teaf
son for preserving its confidence.
Col. Combs then inquired Of me, if would
write 10 MIR. James Jackson, Mr.. Currin and Col.
Butler, who, he said Gen. Shelby had learned
were at the treaty asked il those gentlemcu
had been applied 70 by Mr.. $. and if not why seek
my consent! fle answered they had not been sp-
Piled to- and that he presumed they would not
speak without my permission This nsinuation
appeared sovery impairment, that at any other
place, and under other circumstances, / might
have admonished the Colonel Of The inproprictv Of
being the bearer of such insulting AMI ungenle-
manly expression l replied, this insnu aiiop.
proceeding from Cen. Shelby, was highly indec-
orolis; and that thought possessing ,Iik
proper feelings oil gentleman, could 70 express
himself. rcr. ,rked that over these gentlemen u
had no control, that neither Mr.. James Jackson
nor Mr.. turrin were Of the treaty--tha, should
not write to either; but he was at perfect liberty u
apply 10 them, and that they had my full permits
sion 10 detail all and every thing they, or either
oil them, knew on the subject Of the treaty, or
any other matter respecting me; for that had no
secret kcepers-that had received letter that
morning from Col. Butler, nfot ming me he had
lnst seen the publication OF Thomas Shelby and
todd ,andwas preparing statement in reply which.
would be forwarded 10 the u. s. telegram for
publication ihat James jackson and myself haa,
not spoken Tor some years, and from his marked
hostility, had doubt he would relate any and
every thing he knew. which by any possibility
might operate prru!iciaiy 10 rae; am. he was all
tl,o'zcd TO say 10 Mr.. jackson Chen in Nas,yilJel
! that lac was absoived from any thing OF, secrecy
and confidence i'll respect 10 me---rcpoaiing that
had no secret keepers; but that 1 would not be
cchiI'cHeu iil'o correspondence with him any
body else. The Colonel enquired. if he should he
at Liberty TO communicate this to Mr. jackson,
ohm, he was perfectly 1t liberty, and 1 wish
e' i'in 10 10 So His reply was, this will answer
The same purpose as though you had written.
Col Combs then rroce eded 10 remark that 70
was politically opposed TO me; but in his canvas,
| and III all MS public speeches before the people
had siutGusly avoided Introducing my name i'm
. properly or indocorousIy into them; and that f.
| should he elected, he would, with great Measure
4 led
, have rsked much that every man might passess
freedom OF speech, of thought, and opinion and
where they conducted themselves, in the cxe5-
else of those rights, as gentlemen ALWAYS shouId
do, it never had been, and never would be- csusa
of the least heaSt-burniDg but when SANDER was
resoTicd 10, The country ransacked for secret tales
and these promulgated 10 injure the feelings and
character OF any one, those capable of such CON
duct, ought TO be cnnterined by all high minded
honest, and honorable men. With the close II
this sentiment we walked into the passage when,
observed, was well advised, how all this matter
was managed; that had not such a man az Hen
~ Clay existed, Thomas Shelby and Todd
would never have put forth such falsehoods
In making this remark had reference 70 particii-
lar information contained in a confidential Ie:te,
received from Kentucky. Col. Combs quotes m
remarks in this way, that il ere never had be A.,
such man az Henry Clay, these matters woi.l,f
have slept in the grave with Gov Shelby" Tho
latter memher OF this sentence, these mattel
would lave slept in tue grave with Gov Shelby ,,
Is untrue. l used no such expression, and leavs.
with Col. T. TO explain, whether his statement va
made from want oil memory, or tbro' design Tn,
better 10 fill up his diplomatic report Al tile tim
alluded TO, Gov. Sfcbys name was not used 6v
me. AS 10 the correctness of his recollection x
bout the secret Journal refer you 10 the nst,,,1
ment itself, which can be seen by applying +,
{, Maj Lewis. II will DO there perceived, that Ell
ther !, It or the statement made Ivy Messrs. Shelly
, and Todd, is false. Every thing done in refer
encc to the Treaty was laid infinitely before TIE
Government Nothing took place known 10 Inc :
that was in the slightest degree Objectionable Nv
inpropes and If there did, il is equally matter ~
objection against Governor Shelby as myself ina :
much az nothing was done or concluded uyon
that DID not receive the appreciation and esnet;or,
! Of both Of Betyeen Gov Shelby and ,nvssIs
there existed, 60 far as bave. knowledge, friend
| shIp ann good feeling In his frfnness AMI since.
| uty always had confidence, nor Ia lis life ting
du he, by any course OF conduct, afford any reas6n
to infer, that his feelings and friendship were q,
| all different from my own. ScIate ~ Dec. 1919
AFTER the treaty, made with the Chick aasws c,e
Language iie employs III slctlcr addresa.J to ,,,.
iorbid9 The idea, that he cnicrisned any opDi6f
such as has been ascfibcd TO him by his relations
send You tho oiiEinsl letter, that you may per.
Ceive what was his opinion and ffienIIy feeling
directly alter The conclusion of this treaty, coIi-
ccuing which his own family have spoken 90 diff
icreDt trom himself Another ESQ. Of more fe-
ceat date il sent, by which II will be perceived.
that EXPIRE ion % contained, to warrant the idea
Of any thange, eiihgg ia his friendship or conf
dencc.
Col. Combs has both suppressed snd perver,c,
facts II for this hc can obtain his own forgive.
nos hc is quite welcome to mine. I would va
commend 10 bin, however, for the future, never
so FAR 10 forget, degrade character as To obir,d
himself mo GentlcfDans house for the purpose
OF becoming spy, and thereafter 90 retail iVbar