Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-07-25
To THE PUBLIC.

TO THE PUBLIC.
Circumstances beyond my control have placed
me under The necessity Of presenting myself TO
your notice. assert noclaim to yoar attention,
which does not belong equally to every free Gill
zen of the Republic. But | ask, and, feel that |
have a right to expect, your candid cOnsldera-
lion Of this address. ITS subject Is one OF awak-
cniny interest to us all. The position IN which ]
find myself has nothing inviting in II. 1t IS one
which | have not sought. but winch las been
forced upon me-, and one in which | am called
upon TO yiEdlcate not myself merely, but the
cause of truth and the best and dearest Interests
of the community, at a hazard to which faulty
alone could be iusensib!e.
The misre presentations Of a public journal.
protesting to speak the language Of the Presl-
dent Of the United States, aud published under
his eve. have presented TO me tie alternative,
of submitting to an imputatlon, alike dlsionora-
bic and unfoundrd in fact, or of meeting the is
sue which has been tendercd 10 me IN der the al
legged authority of that high officer. IL | do not
shrink from this unequal strife. ii IS because |
have a confidence which has never %wavered, IN
the intelligence VI my countrymen, a firm and
unshaken reliance in the justice of that tribunal,
whose high prerogative It's at all times, and M
der all circumstances, TO yindicate the cause OF
truth.
have studiously abstoined from any effort to
excite public feeling in relation to the dissolution
of the iate Cabinet. | have felt that the question
of lis p~ropriety was one, the decision OF which
belonged alone 10 the American People. Per
~sonally | have not been disposed to deny the
RIGHT of the President to exercise his own free
will, as well in the change, as in the original
selection of his Cabinet; and with a perfect
sense of the delicacy Of my own situation,
would have been at all times a reluctant witness
in the investigation of the causes which led TO
the recent events. 1t was not however enough
that | should submit myself to his will. although
the principle b. which it was avowedly reguIat-
ed. could have no application to me-; for this |
have unhesitatinsly done. But ! have been re-
ouired silently to witness the entire misrepre-
s%entat,on of occurrences which the public were
well aware must have comc under my observa-
ton; nay, to be publicly vouchcd as authority
for that which was directly in conflict with my
convictions IF truth-& finally to be called to vim
dictate nv own claim to ~yeracity, assailed as ltls
under the alleged authority Of the President of the
United States. or submit tn an rmpntatton which
no honorable man may bear. l mistake the
character of the American people, 1t they would
require this. | am totally ignorant OF my
own:if, under any circumstances, | could yield
to it. If, in the face of this great community.
the cause of truth can be Frustrated by the arm
of power, at least the privilege OF indicating IT,
shall not be tanely surrendered in my person.
| viii, bow to the decision of nv c~Ountrymen-
but whatever that decision may be, the high con-
ISOLATION of having faithfully discharged my duty
to them, and to myself, shall not be taken from
me.
The disiugcnuous and unmanly suggestion
of my desire TO remain in the Cabinet Of General
Jackson, Notwithstanding the occurrences which
produced nv retirement. will be my apology for
adyerting briefly To the origin Of my conpeXipn
with il. and 70 the circumstances winch induced
ITS continuance.
twas without any solicitation on my part, o.
so far AS | know or believe. on the part OF any of
nv friends. that | was invited to accept the office
Of Attorney General of the United States. There
were circumstances. temporary In their nature.
but still strongly operative. which rendered it
no, desirable to me. | felt, however. that | was
called 70 decide upon the question Of my accept
anca not merely as an individual, but as a citi-
zen. and especially as a citizen of Georgia
On certain principles of general policy, some Of
which were particularly interesting to the peo-
pie of that State. the views communicated to
me by the President, were in accordance with
nv own: and I felt it to he my duty, not to
withhold any assistance which | could give to
carry them into effect. The annunciation Of the
names of the intended Cabinet seemed to me,
however. to present an insuperable bar to the ac-
~ceptance OF the Office which was rendered to ne.
l thought l forsaw clearly the evils which have
too obviously resulted from this SELECTION
A stranger to Gen. Jackson, / eoald not with