Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-03-29
PUBLISHED DAILY BY
SAMUEL SNOW EN-,
To the Editors ofthe National hteligencer

WASHINGTON Cry, MARCH 18th, 1851.
GEyr1EMES 1T has never been my wish to
oppose the administration of General Jackson,
nor shall the scurrility of his humble and degra-
ded parasites induce me to do so. L neverne-
less consider the present as moment upon winch
my future personal reputation may essentially
depend as well in private, as IN public NE ana
when review the unparalleled llliberallty which
is practised toward me. should do the most ma
grant injustice to myself. and to others, were 10
remain silent.
So far as relates to the attacks made upon my
self ;ndivid,.ally. if | were to notice them, L
sbould he compelled to descend to level with
those who have made them. | need only say
that they are false. so far as any matter of either
honor or honesty is concerned. Nor do con-
slider that any man who is gentleman would
stoop so low as to interfere with mans private
affairs to accomplish political end.
The true secret is, have publicly announ-
ced myself the friend of HENRY CLAY. This as
a freeman. had right to do But the minlons
Of power, with view to direct the public atten-
ton from the subject, have resorted to every
..fabricati1a'' relative TO myself, my situation,
NV conduct. public and private, and have literal,
ly ransacked the vocabulary OF detracton to md
epithets bitter enough to signify their spleen.--
To boast of character would be egotistical and
unbecoming i'll any man !; but while admit my
self. like other men, to be imperfect, dread no
scrutiny of my conduct through life,
The rude and vulgar attack made upon me by
the editor of the Telegraph, under hypocridcal
declaration of great respectfo my parents, would
be passed over in silence and contempt. II L did
not SUPPOSE that low and abandoned as that print
is now generally admitted to be, it may cause my
motives to be misconceNed, and the step which
| have taken to be misunderstood.
had grown up in the belief that patriotism was
n virtue. and that truth and honesty were always
to be honored and respected. did not suppose,
that when men entered into public life, or were
selected to serve in the Councils of the Nation,
they must thenceforth sacrifice to party all that
constitutes s.private WORTH" and all that they
have been taught to regard us moral proPrlety.
To approach, however, my principal design,
state. that had been induced to believe, from
the representations sent abroad, and industrious
" circulated among the people, that gross abuses
existed under the late Administration, and that
the public good required that its extravaganza
should be checked, and its tasteful expenditures
arrested.
With these impressions, honestly and fear
iessly commenced what | conceived to be my
duty, by introducing into the House of Represen-
tatiyes the long discussed resolutions to retrench
the expenditures of the govt. soon perceived that
| had touched chord, the vibrations of which
were not altogether harmonious even to those
who ranked themselves as my political friends,
and who, though compelled to go with me, Sc
cretly censured the step as being premature and
absurd determined, however, To persevere IN
the discharge of what thought to be sacred
duty which owed to my country, and to push
forward in the course had taken, whatever
might be the consequences to myself 10 this
course was the more strongly impelied by the
consideration. that my motives were pure, and
my convictions honest.
/ had been led to believe that the election of
General Jackson tothe Presidency would be a
public blessing, inasmuch as supposed he would
act up to the solemn pledges he had made, and
comply with the wishes of his friends produc-
ING salutary reform in the administration OF the
Government.
1t has heen with pain and modification that
have witnessed the course pursued In many reno
walls from office; but still hoped to see the ex.
penses of the Government retrenched, and tina,
his Administration would be the most economical
one vet known in this country.
At this session, / felt myself called upon to In
yestigate the various items of expenditure of the
Drecedioe and present Administration; and, tho
ms feelings and prejudices were strongly on the
side of the latter, was constrained to admit thai
the promised reform was not such as had anti
cipated.
As nv consistency and my all are at stake,
exhibit the following brief statement of the expen
ditures of the Government during the four years
of Mr.. Adams's Administration, and compare
son with those of the first year OF the present AID
mnistration, as an ample justification tor my
course. am persuaded that glance at the
statement will satisfy any one, who looks witt
greater concern upon TRUTH and the good OF M
Country. than upon PARTY"
In the year 1925, on the 4th of March, Mr.
Adams was indicted into office. The total ex
penditure for that year was. ...'.'"S2S, $3.50
Paid of the Public ebt...........'l2, O95, 50
Making the expenditure for 1928. 81, AGO. 46(
after deducting the amount paid for the exun
suishment of said debt. -,
The expenditure in 1896 was..'.SS4' loo,ss'
From this deduct amount of debt
,,a;d ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. ,O41 ,Oo;
n.