Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-07-21
From the Globe.
Mr.. Berrien to Mr.. Blair.
,

l.
SIR:-ln an article under the Editorial head, in
your paper OF this morning which has relation to
a controversy between the Editor of the Telegraph
and yourself, observe the following remark
"At this point, should have dropped the con
roversy, but we have understood, that it is report
ed 10 give countenance to the contradicted state.
ment OF the Telegraph, that Mr.. Ber1ien has re-
ceived letter from Col johnson, which shews
that we had no warrant for the denial we made as
to him. We take the liberty therefore OF quoting
from the letter of Col johnson, which we have
ms express declaration, that the President did not
make the exaction of the members of his Cabinet
charged by the Telegraph. The Col. says-'He
General Jackson) never authorized me to reouire
social intercourse, &c. sc. He always discaimed
II: told the parties So" These are the words of
the Col to the word, point, and letter. If this
does not satisfy we must refer the parties making
the charge, to the witness called by them"
The reference thus made to me, renders il neces
sary, that should submit the following observa-
lions to the public, and have accordingly to ask
that you will give them place in your paper.
l have not authorized the report of which you
speak, and would have told you so without hest
tation, if you had intmated it's existence to me-
That such course would have been more conform
able to the views of Col. Johnson, infer from the
following considerations:
have letter from that gentleman, in which
after stating bis object, and motives, in seek np,
the interview. " bich with the approbcti ~ Of tn,
President, he held with Meesrs Brancb, Iuph m
ana my sell, he proceeds To remark that he has
no. himself seen the necessity, or prol ri ty, OF
a1y allusien IN newspapers, to this intervIeg ~.
and adds, that # any should consld, il ncc ssaty
non the great object should be 10 state the cor
VI rsation correctly, for " hich purpose, his views
were made known in that letter, in order tina
any mlsun erstanding might he c. TrectPd Ac-
qulescDg IN the propricty of til. suggestion,
mmedlaiey communicated to Col Johnson
sta emem of tn cpnversa ion referred to- as I
was very distinctly Impressed upon my msinor,
n Ism H..
a au h"r'ze me To expect an answer IN the req
uar course tfthe mail. However this m be
have not rec, wed any. Independently there
Tore OF my r luctance to appear before the pub
lie, IN ie!atIon To- any ma tcrs connected with the
disS' luton OF the late cabinet, reuc aDce
Winch uid only be yielded to my own strong
Conviction OF tn Iropiiety of such a n,sayu-s
have thought that the understanding imp led
IN the correspondence, 10 VIII CHI nav IF rred.
would Dr. yioiaie ed, by publi-rirg q statement OF
whn' pass M the IN rview III quest on unit
IT could be accompanied b. HE rena ks &c Col
Johnson, on lat winch had transmIit,ed to HIM.
y departure from ihs understanding. by thlt
ceullemun himself, would OF course relieve me
from IT. Obligation. d f ON tho i..nor OF your
editorial art a.. il fr hat tie net NJ puGLish-
tag. tie eIf'a,t from bis letter is not authorised
by Inn
adhere therefore at present, to the determine
ton, which had formed; and assuming that your
OOcCt DIS PuOc Journalists, rs TO present nothing to
your readers which is not true and not to withhold
them, that which SO, take tic liberty Of sug-
gesting as well TO the editor Of the Telegraph, as
to yourself, the propricty of abstaining from any
partial and imperfect statements of the conYers a.
tion which ACQUIRED at the interview in question.
The declusion produced by such statements, must
be speedily corrected; but until that correction is
made. their effect is to mislad the public mind on
a subject Of awakening interest to the American
people.
am, very respectfully,
Sir, your ob't ssrv't,
JNo. MACPHERSON BERRIEN.
To FsANcIs p. BLAIR, ESQ. !
Editor Of the Globe
Mr.. Blair to Mr.. Berrien.
WAsmNeTos, July 10, 1881.
DEAR Sra:
l have this moment received your letter. 70 which
| viii give immediate publicity.