Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1828-12-02
From the National Journal.

From the National Journal.
As we have published the statements on the other
side respecting the visit of Colonel Combs to General
jackson, we consider it fair that the General himself
should be heard. We have therefore placed in our
columns to-day his own statement of the nature and
manner of the intercourse between Col. Combs and
filnsoif, during the visit of the former to the Hermit
age, as communicated to the editors of the Nashville
republican, at their request. 1t will be seen, from
this statement, that General jackson asserts that he
gave IN unqualified consent for MIR. James jackson to
make public uny thing he knew, and, to USE the words
OF the General, 1" that nc was absolycd from any tlinp
of secrecy and confidence in respect to me- The
General continues" The Colonel inquired if he
should be az liberty to communicate this to Mr.. Jack
ssh: L told him, he Wis ut perfect liberty. and
wished him to do so. His reply was this will an
swer the same purpose as If you had written"
Colonel Combs is ci,urgcd by General Jackson with
having given a garbled account of what passed at this
intervlew-'pa parts OF oar conversation are suppressed.
ana others, ii not egrcgriously misreprcsen,ed, have
certainly been misconceivei;' und the Generals
Statement lis intended to correct these misrepresentn-
tions and misconceptions. It is for the public to de-
eide between them. IF the statement OF the General
be the correct one, the declaration attributed to Mr..
James JACKSON, that under no circumstances whatever
would General jackson call upon him to di.close
what he knew on the subject ofthe Chickasaw treaty,
Is either a flchon or an exaggeration. Mr.. jackson.
Colonel Combs, and Jesse Benton, coincide in their
assertions that there was an unwiliingncss on the part
or General Jackson tiiut .ir. James Jackson should
make public the facts in his possession. General
Jackson, on the other hand, declares his perfect will
ingncss that MIR. James Jackson should disclose all he
Knew. These representations are so directly i'm conflict
with each other, that unless we can bring ourselves
TO the conclusion that a conspiracy existed between
the three individuals named to dcfa.ne and DIES, row
General Jackson, Ii is difficult to avoid the alternative
tnat the statements OF three Witnesses ought to be re-
ceived in preference to the single declaration of the
party implicated and accused. All that we desire is,
that the public may be put in possession of the whole
truth, to enable them to come to a Just decision. If
General jackson, i'll the negotiation of the Chickasuw
treaty, suffercda personal consideration to get the bet
ter OF his regard for the public interests, let him not
be allowed to shield himself from odium in the blind
confidence ofthe people. If on the other hand, he has
been uniustly charged, and q wicked combination has
selected him for its unncrited attacks, let the consul
Facy be detected, and exposed to the common indignia-
ton. General Jackson declares that he has no
secret keepers" After this explicit declaration it is
the duty of Mr. James Jackson to speak out. He is
discharged by the General himself from all obliga-
tions to secrecy; and DO should no longer keep
silence.