Virginia statesman. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1828-1829, 1828-08-06

tanned 10 DOCK or Paper uCPOSi1Ou "
in hank or found among Joseph Coleman's
naDers or obtained by him from some O.
Their source Perhaps it may turn out
that YOU have made more than one memo
rand1m on the subject, and that the one
published by Col. Erwin was never dePos-
tied in the bank at all.
Atall events, Sir, repeat my unequiv-
ocal declaration that never did aid, sane
ton or connive at, the publication of any
memorandum of yours, whether deposited
in bank. or obtained from any other source,
and any assertion charging me with such
bvnocritical, and dishonorable conduct, l
nronounce q base and unfounded Islander.
Is il not strange, however, that so much
should be said about the exposure OF any
ofyour books and papers? | had thought,
Sir that it was the arrogant boast OF all
your partizans and supporters, that you
we're ADORE c0accaLment, that you were al
WAYS ready to expose to the view OF your
co1ntrymen and the world every act OF
your life, and every thought ofyour pure x
spotless mind. Is it possible, after you
and your friends have been PryIng into ey-
cry corner for the private confidential let
tiers of MIR. Clay, that you can be found
finching when brought to q similar test!
Has it not been the exulhng cry OF your
partizans, that Mr.. Clay loas bound, so
soon as a suspicion was Intlmated OF his
having made some important confessions.
in a private familiar correspondence with
F. P. Blair, Esq. promptly to exhibit the
whole of that correspondence, private as Il
was, couGdentally written and entrusted
to the keeping of a friend, that it was I'm
cquiyocal proof Of guilt for hum to with
hold it from the inspection Of his bitter &
relentless enemiesl Has it not been the
uniform, noisy and triumphant declaration
of your friends, that you had no conceal
ment, and that, under similar circumstan-
ces, you would instantly remove all the
of secrecy 81 submit the whole
of your private writings and dolngs to the
gaze of the world2 Now, Sir, the test
has come. An opportunity has been at
torded to demonstrate your fearless scorn
for concealmcnt, and, at the bare sugges-
ion of some improper memorandum a
nong your bank books or papers, prompt
and magnanimously to remove the veil
jv which they are concealed and exhibit
hem, without apprehension and without
reserve, to the inspection of your country.
The moment has arrived, when you might
put to the blush the cautious reserve of
Mr.. Clay, who has only consented to the
exhibition of his letters III private circles OF
either party, without permitting them to be
issued from the press. Is it not strange,
hen, passing strange, that on the slightest
intimation, that an old bank book, relating
only to accounts long since settled, which
had been tossing about for fifteen years a.
mong accommodating rubbish of bank,
containing something uritfen By gowscB
calculated to iniure you if exposed, you
should instantly repair to the bank, and m
stead ofproducing the book in question
with all It's memoranda for the inspection
Of friends and foes, should carefully pat it
into your pocket, and then turn round aud
accuse the officers of the Bank, Of comm
vance at its exposure with a view to iniure
the warworn soldier in the estimation oil
ms countYymen!
have already denied an7 agency, direct or in-
direct. Oh my part IN the publication or exposure
Of any memorandum or paper Of yours, nor do
believe that the Cashier Of the bank, with whose
predecessor yOur book was left, has ever lent has
aid 20 a similar object. But, sir as youhayc your
self alluded TO the existence OF sucn memo1l-
dunn &sauctioned the idea that It's exposure would
tend 20 Your injury, l shall take the liberty to eN-
anime, q little the doctrine OF bank secreSy by
which You cndcavor TO Withdraw attention from
the fact, ia relation 70 yourself. and 20 excite in-
dgnation at The manner o. their discovery. It's
indeed the ddtv of q bank officer To conceal the
private transactions of individuals with the bank,
and II would be a breach of fidelity and honor on
hs part, TO expose any paper conhdenuaiy edrus-
ted TO him for safe keeping IN lis vaults. But
when. as was doubtless the case IN The present
instance. the particular dealings in question have
lNl- N.l.t ltlILuldlcNs tillbIlitN t-r oNt'l'-1 '
closed. and the books and papers are carclcsSy
thrown into the vault among old rubbish, as never
likely to be ofany further value, when twelve on
fifteen years have elapsed and Their existence is
probably forgotten, when new officers have re-
peatedy been elected to supply the place Of those
long since deceased orresigned Is II to be c0nten-
ded that an the papers which they may find, IN
searching their old piles of rubbish, are sacred
bank sccretsl And can it be seriously argued
then that it is a breach Of honor to look at
their contents, or, in case they throw ligh
upon a disputed fact to speak Of and eN
hihit thcm} Neither myself nor the Presen
cashier had ever been entrusted with your oil,
books or papers and when they Were accidental
~ found among the articles left there by the for
mcr cashier, were we we bound 10 regard then
os secrets wmchit would be dishonorable 10 di
yuIgel put these questions, not because thei
solution Is material TO the decision of the pom
now really at issue, but because YOU and YOU
friends b,-o made such bh-tpr about the viola