Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1828-09-02

his being or not being mason. FroIn1hese It APP
pears, that, with a view TO take advantage OF lne
hish and honest feeling existing in the west against
masonry as an institution, most systematic attempt
was made by the opponents of Mr.. Adams, 10 prone
him a ,,ason--an attempt founded upon talsehood
and forgery, but not the less welcome nor congenla
therefore, it would seem, to the jackson cause anu
nartizans. The friends of the President were not
unmndful of this attempt, and he was applied to
personally, by several individuals and among others,
BY Mr. Garnsey, Of the House Of Representatives,
to know the fact His unvarying answer, in sub
stance was 81 am not and never have been mason:
but do not see acat ut has TO do 10Th any mans
qualification for Office. He avoided studiously ev-
cry occasion Of mnging, and so far as he could con-
troll, of permitting others to minge the question OF
the Presidency with this of masonry and thus by
his very fastdiousness and delcacy, gave new zeal
and some countenance, to the asseveratons that ne
was a mason. His verbal declaration to Mr.. Garn-
sey, of which the substance was published under
that gentemans sanction, in the western papers,
was discredited or explained away, as being only
the second hand report of conversation, and the
reconsideration so evidently, it was deemed, or IT
would not have been urged with such vehemence-
was renewed with ten-fold audacty Thus circum-
stanced, respectable citizen, in his own maine ami
that of many neighbours. writes to the President,
to ascertain from his own hand the fact in question
TO this letter from constituent, and in the name OF
|
spirit of our institutions, returns frank and manly
answer, requiring only in justice to himself, that
such answer should not be made an eectioneering to-
pic.
This answer was shewp, and one or two copies
gven to those in whose BEHALF well as in his avn,
Mr. Heartwell had written. From these, trans
cripts rapidly tiplied---garbied EXTRACTS Of the
correspondence 7pere carcatafed-and published-and
in that work Mr.. Adams opponents were the chief
| 10 mi finally
of the Central jackson Junto OF the United States
now convened it this sate--boldly come forth, I'M
der the caption of .1nother bargain" with forged
eriracts intended to fasten upon Mr.. Adams the I'M
putatiun of having caused the letter of inquiry obe
written to him. in order that by his reply he might
conciliate political support. Then it was that Mr..
Heartwel! upon the application of friend in Utl.
ca, furnished him with copies OF the correspondence
which that friend has---almost justifiaby we think
though in the teeth of Mr.. Adams prohibition, pub
ished. To that we reier--and then, with the ex
PLANTATION OF the circumstances of the we have
here given, confidently appeal to every honest bo
som. to pass upon the proprety OF the President
conduct, and upon the utter baseness Of that OF MI
opponents.
acknowledged. .4ug. IL, 1928.
" Yours of the 9th inst. postmarked the 18th
came to hand this day"
"And in answer to yours, most cheerfully Civ
you the copy deslred.''
OLIVER HEARTWELL.
Canandaigua, 3lst March, 1929
TO has Ercsltency JOHN O. ADAMS, President Q
The United States.
SIR-In behalf of great many Of my fellow cit
;. zens and neighbours, who feel equally intereste
n with me to know what we consider Il very impor
ant fact, take the liberty to inquire Of you whe
err you are Free-mason ? The prostration of tina
: dangerous Institution is considered in this section 0
| IN 9th i1araf finn an
i it would give great pleasure and satisfaction to hea
directly from YOU and to learn that you did not be
= long to that brotherhood.
!" | have reflected upon the propriety of writin
= you directly for time past. and have finally COZ
Il cuded that it is undoubtedly nv duty to make th
" inquiry. conclude you will most cheeruly Civ
81 me an answer. am satisfied with your Admins
. traton, and shall feel very cordially disposed to SUI
y port your re election, should learn that you hay
never been contaminated with thatuseless trumpery
a. Masonry.
ie Your Excelency's very humble serv't.
10 OLIVER HEART
:, Above is a copy of my letter to Mr. Adams, an
- below follows his answer to me.
: Washington. 9th April, 1928.
"A 0. HEARTWELI., Esq. Canandoigua, ~ K.
~ SIR-ln answer to your enquiry in your letter
o. the 3 s ut. state that am not never was, ar
:" never shall be Free-mason. | give you this a
~ swer in the spirit of friendly return to the kndne
- with which you have made the inquiry. But unw
w ling to contribute in any manner to that exceme
i, produced by the mysterious abduction and too pr
:, ln bable murder of William Morgan, request you
ne to give publicity to this letter. The deep and 81
- emn feeling which pervades the community on til
iu occasion is founded in the purest principles Of hunt
lel virtue and Of human rights In the just and la
ian full pursuit of signal vindicaton of the laws of
'ou ture and of the land violated in his person viii
40 has been undertaken and yet in progress with
i, authority and cooperation of your legislature Tho
ach and trust that the fellow citizens of the sufferer
urs temper with the spirit of justice, the reparatlon
e, her wrongs, and in the infection of every penalt
Let arof,l, ohsta;n from visiting nnon the innocent