Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-05-27
THE PL OCE-ACA1N,

THE PL DGE-AGAINi
We now lay before our readers the tchole arti-
| Gle OF Mr.. Walsh, OH the subject Of the Webster
letter.-He will excuse for submitting at the
same time few notes attached to il:
We observe the following sentence in series
OF resolutions printed for some public meeting O)
" Its ascertained that Mr.. Adams made
ovegures TO the leaders Of the federal party before
his election, offering in substance to bring them in
to power provided they would support him."
This may serve specimen of the election
eerng ialsehoods put in circulation under the au
thoriiy of party assembiages. No evidence OF the
fact thus sated-not the shadow of evidences
extant could be adduccd. The utmost that has
been alleged, with any sembiance of truth, (2) is,
that one or two members OF Congress, Federalists,
who decidedly preferred MIR. Adams to Gen. jack
son, on the broadcast grounds, wished to know, be-
fore they deiintivey resolved to vote for him. whe
Their. if made President, he would pursue the poll
cy OF excluding federalists from office; and they
accordingly asked Information on the subject from
MIR. Webster, other friend of Mr.. Adams,
supposed to be acquainted with his sentiments
Their object was (3)-not any stipulation for them
selves, but simply the satisfaction OF being assured
that acknowledgements as detrimental to the na-
tional veal, unjust and absurd in ITSELF was not
likely TO be continued. TO this application, the
gentleman addressed (4) gave written answer,
which had the appreciation or revision OF Mr.. Ad-
| ans; and which contained profession of doctrine
(5) on the point, similar TO the after made
W tic WOTIu more cifipnatiCalIy ana mas
| inaugural address. Here is all that has been al
legged with any degree of pausibility. And yet
we are told now OF 0ve,tureS, corrupt bargains be-
tween Mr.. Adams and individuals, SC.
Ii Is manifest that whoever wrote the answer (6)
may have performed this agency, with reference
only 10 the general principle, and the federalists
as body; and without the idea of any stipu ation
or special advantage for himself. We are abso-
iuteiy sure, and so must be every man who knows
him, that Mr.. Webster made no bargain, had no
selfish understanding, with any candidate. AS to
the point how far Mr.. Adams has acted conforma-
bly, to this declaration of sentiments intentions
that has no essential connection with the question
OF bargain:-the democratic friends of Gen Jack
son, who have raised outcry about the letter are
not, certainly, those who entitled complain of
him. if he has abstained from appointing ederaliss
to office; they should rather allow him credit for
virtually reracting what they represent as fault
or error OF original opinion and design
IL any OF the Federal members OF Congress had
addressed themselves, on the same head, with The
same purpose to one OF the leading federal friends
OF General Jackson, Colonel Drayton or Senator
nj Lane, the answer, no doubt, would have been
similar; the General, to be consistent honest and
candid, must have authorised the statement that he
! meant, il he could to &c destroy the monster par
| ty,, and as he argued with Mr.. Monroe in favor
OF The appointment of Colonel Drayton; so would
he argue with himself, and periodically act in the
event OF his becoming President. Had such re-
ply been given, % would not his party have been
exceedingly indignant to hear from the other side
&c, against him. and the gentleman selected as
the organ oil his assurances? 1t strikes us that he
might now, with Just AS much reason, be ACCUSED
oil tanpering and colludng with the Senate of In
diaha' because he has answered avorabiy their
queries concerning his sentiments about the Ia
riii and Internal Improvement. We are entitled IN
presume that the Indiana interrOgators meant to
vote for him, IN his confession of faith should CO.
lncide with their theory and wishes: otherwise,
their proceeding might be deemed impairment and
offensive. (Sl
The name OF the editor Of this gazette has been
couPieu WIN Tue stories to which have refer
red, and his testimony repeatedly invoked IL is a
rule OF honor with him to reveal for the pub-
tic What has been impaired to him with express
or implied confidence; or what he has CASUALLY
heard IN social intercourse. And ifhe could yio-
late principle which he deems essential for the
security ana comfort OF private friendship or ac-
quaintance, 1t wOuldnot, assureGly, be on an occa
SION wherein those who cite him before the tribu.
hai oil the county possess warrant for so doing
anu seek, not the truth, but materials for inyectv e
ana SANDER against men OF the highest dstinc-
tion and merit. He, therefore, indyiduaf,v nei-
Their confirms denies any of the particiIIar al
legations and conectures in the present case: 10,
and he will not undertake to reason with nersonS
'hat consider silence as assent, when sinister an.
renee is due This much, however, he will assert
In general; that he has know ledge direc mr. inJ
rect OF any transaction between Mr. Adams & Mr.
webster, or any federalist which he could view in
' "Si. vi ohrSdih, supulation, intrigue, or cor.
rupt understanding or az in any degree. discredi
table to either. He had some opportunity. before
the election, ofjudging with regard to the resolves
ana acts oil MIR. Adams candidate; and his n
Pillon was, that they indicated extreme scrupuIos
NY ana abste;nlousness. Some signal instances of
this Purport fell under his immediate obse ,vaIio
UO.) "''o"
NoTrs
% This is a mistake--Tho sentence which he
quotes IS not extracted from series of resolutions
printed tor some public meeting; but from an ed
nortdf article III the 90 Eastern (Maipe) Arons,,
winch was re -published under his beard bv the
fhiaueiPhia Sentinel but two days before IL is
81 courSs NOT put IN circulation '' under the au-
thority OF party assembages." The truth seems
10 oe' mat the Signs from N. Jersey, indicating
some disposition on the part of the friends Of MI
5'ocK'on 10 come out apon the subject Mr. Walsh
was Wiling TO save his own credit by preceding
tiem-and that he seized upon this sentence as
presenting the charge against Mr.. Adams in a
stronger shape than his opponents had generally
made it. This sentence charges Mr.. G. Will ana.
h"tS OUeFfures, and offering them the bride direct
"a proposition, which Mr.. w. conceived mich,
be directly contradicied.
~ ibis, then, according to Mr.. w. NAV he al.
legged |" NTH any semblance To truth. y
td) It's language becomes stronger and strop-
ger re undertakes TO say what /" their object
was there must OF course, be an act where tho
agent has All object--this is consequently adj
ni.ting, that they did ask the information thrgh
Mr.. Webster '''ous"
"a Why, here, Mr.. Walsh drops entirely the IL
poinatic style; "he semblance ofiruth'- -,yhat"bas
been, or may be "alleg ed'-but tells us uneou;
yocaiIy that the "GppiicdfiOn was made 81 Cor or,
Mr.. Webster was =" sddressed'-and moreover ,ha,
ne did give " written answer''--which answer
" nan the appreciation or revision Of MIR. Adams
ana Mr.. walsh then goes OH TO say cateporicaIIv
what That said answer did " contain"