Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1829-03-24

nv opinion in favour OF separation was the !
most erroneous that ever formed upon pol |
itical subjects. The only consolation had, |
was that my errour in opinion had not pro-
duced any acts injurious to the integrity of
the Union. When the same project was re-
vived in 1908 and 1909, during the embargo
and non intercourse, and afterwards during
the war of 1912, used every effort in my
power, both privately and publickly, to de-
feat the attempt then made to establish
separate independent government in the
Northern States!
You are at liberty to make such use of
this communication as you shall consider
proper.
Accept the assurance of my high respect
and esteem. (Signed)
WIN. PLUMER.
The editor of the Massachusetts Jour-
nal thus Analyses the above curious, pa
per: -
LIST. It shows that in this section of the
country there was much discomfort and
murmuring on account of the measures of
the General Government, some of which
were good and some bad. The acquisition
Of Louisiana was good ; the Embargo, bad.
And on these subjects we are not aware
that there is now more than one opinion.
But men may be discontinued, and express
their discomfort without committing or med
itaiing treason. If they could not, where
would be our friends Nc Dutie and Hamilton,
and ALL those who have written and ha-
rangued on the subject of coalition and
corrupt bargain" Besides, we al! knew
long ago that the federaists were discon-
tented, and complained on account of these
measures so that in this part of the letter
there is no new evidence, and nothing of
any kind which can possibly be important.
I'd. GOVERNOR Plumer says that he was
| in favour Of dissolution Of the Union, and
prote several confidential letters "recom-
mending the measure !" He also says that
soon after his return from Washington, e..
soon after the winter of 1904, he took
effcctuai means of sounding " ioeH informed
leading federalists IN .Vesc- Hampshire upon
the SUBJECT; but he found great majority
of them Heading federalistsl decidedly oppos-
ed to the project" He made partial and lin
ited inquiries in Massachusetts, and the
result was nearly si;nilar.
Gov. Plumer begins with eliminating him
self-If any body was criminal he admits
/ that he wished for separate Government
in New England, and even went so far as to
write letters recommending separation OF
1.-The Union: What else does he say? He
says that he sounded well informed lead
ing federalists" both in New-Hampshire and
| Massachusetts,, and found them g decidedly
opposed to the project" What follows ?
4 This follows; that great majority even Of
the +" federal leaders" SO far from original
ing, planning and carrying on cospiracy to
dissolve the Union, did in fact discourage
the formation of such a conspiracy, and Gld
put it down by their decided opposition! Is
.-S .isss ? nc tt,a-a he point
Il out. In these topsy turvy times we feel
like the poor fellow, in the play, who asked
& his neighbour to bite his finger for him to
: see whether he had lost sense and conscious
ness or the world gone mad.
Sd. There is but one other fact WORTHY
OF attention in this letter. 1t is that there
were some, who agreed with GOVERNOR
Plumer, and were as criminal as he.
They were of course small minoritu, be-
cause those who retained their integrity.
Notwithstanding the recommendations ofthe
tempter, were, he says, a great majority"
One OF these told the GOVERNOR that there
was to be a meeting of a select number of
federallsts in Boston in 1904, of whom Ham
| llton was TO be one !; some of them were
| members of Congress, and some of them
were the swell informed leading federalists''
whom he sounded.
We have read and analysed with much
pleasure this piece of testimony; because
we apprehend that whatever else it proves
or does not prove, it proves conclusvely
that this section of the country, as such,
was untainted with thought of treason on
the OCCASION when the plot commenced in
1861; that even "the federal leaders,
were so decidedly opposed" that they
could not be induced even by GOVERNOR
Plummer's opinion and recommendation to
embark in the plot, or give it countenance.
MORE LIGHT. The last mail brought us
something further, connected with the disun-
ion project. 1t is the following correspondence
between son of Gen. Hamilton and Mr.. Ad-
ans. touching the imputation which has fall
en- upon Gen. Hamilton,viz: that he was to be
placed at the head of the disunon party. and
that he had consented to attend the meeting
alleged to have been appointed in Boston.
Mr.. Plumer states that he was Informed that
Gen. Hamilton had consented to attend this
meeting, and Mr.. Adams, it will be remem-
bered, speaks of certain individual, mean
ing probably Hamilton, who was to be placed
at the head of certain military movements,
consequent upon the separation of the gov
eminent. 1t will be seen by the letter of Mr..
Adams in reply to'Mr. Hamilton, that he de-
MES any implication his father's( Gen. H. 81
character. The correspondence is particu-
larly interesting in other respects. 1t not
only exculpates Gen. Hamilton, but affords
abundant confirmation of an opinion which
now almost universally prevails, that Mr..
Adams has no procfto substantiate his charg-
es against the tederaIists. Every new appli-
cation TO him for evidence is met by some