Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-05-18
LETTER From MRS. BAEgEY TO GE;y.
JACKSON

BALTIMORE, June 18th 1929.
SIR: u our note of the 2gd April, addressed to me
through your private Secretary, accompanying the
return OF my papers. Which expresses your 'si8cere
regret Maf the rules which gOu bad fen bound to
adopt for the government Of Sach cases. did mol permit
he qualification IF uy missiles" affords pallation
of the injury you have inflicted meritorious Off
Ger and bis helpless family 1t is DARK and ambigu-
Gus Knowing that the possession was DOT alone
sufficient justification for the exercise of power; I'M
willing that your character for rness should suffer
by the imputaton of caprice, or that your reputa-
ton for humanity should be tarnshed by on act of
wanton cruelty, you nsinuate cause; you hint at
binding rule, and tameot that my husband is within
its operation II it were net unworthy the chafac-
ter of Gen, Jackson, ask you, was it not beneath
the dignity of the PRESIDENT of these United States
TO oS'nuze, II bold assertion had been in his power?
When you had adopted for your government this
fne1orGbte raie, was it not cruel you to conceal it
from piose on whom it operate the most terri
bic calaulties! Why should the President of free
country be sovurned By secret pHte8? Why should
he wrap himself up 10 the black robes of mystery
and, iiSe volcano, be and felt in It's effects
while the secret causes which work the ruin that
surrounds, hid within his bosom? Is this rule of
which you speak law of the land; ia 1t a construc-
ton drawn from any articles of the Constitutions or
is 1t section of the articles Of var? Is it a rule Of
practice, Which, having been acted upon by any of
your illustrlous predecessors, comes down with the
force OF authority upon your Did it govern the
duct of TINT great in whose mould (accordinr to
your hatterers) you were formed? If so, why should
you conceal &c? The Constitution and the laws
civil and military, will justify you, and all who obey
them; and the robes Of power which you wear can
not be stained by an act which finds a precedent in
the conduct Of any of your predecessors. is it any
old principle of new application in the art of 60
VernDent which, having escaped the searching mind
of Washington, md the keen vision of succeeding
Presidents, has been grasped by your gigantic mnd'
Or is it new, wholesome principle patented to YOU
and for which you alone to receive all the rewards
lof glory at east which succeeding ages never fail
TO 6estow on the first inventor of public blessing?
The Office Harpies who haunted your public walks
and your retired moments, from the very dawn Of
Jour administration, and whose avidiy for office and
power made them utterly reckless Of the honorable
feelings and just rights Of others, cried aloud for
Rotation in Office. Is that magical phrase, so fami-
liar to the demagogues of all nations and of all times
your great and much vauHted principle Of Reform7
If it be, by what kind Of rotary motion is it, that
men who have been but few years. or a few months
IN Office, are swept from the boards while others
your frlends) remain vino date their official Caends
perhaps, from the time of Washington, What sort
o. sdaptaton of skill 10 machinery is that which
brushes away those only who were opposed to your
election, and leaves your friends in full possession,
Your official Organ would impose upon the public
that you had adopted the Jefersonan rule of honesty
and capacity, and that incumbents as well as app
cans, were tested by that ufallible touchstone? The
alleged deinquencies of two public officers
lsPs for this besn made cpSr and ne dyc Of SheS.