Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-08-03
From The u S. Telegraph Of yesterdqy.
Mr.. INGHAM'S LETTER TO THE PRE-.
SlDENT.
NV HOPE. July GO. Is,

NEW Hope. July GO. 1851.
SrR: I received on the 18th instant. a letter
from Mr.. Trist, of the 9TH, postmarked the 9th,
purporting to be written by your direction, in an
swer to mine of the 50ti ult. The same mail also
brought me the Globe of the 11th, containing, in
addition to the letter of Mr.. Trist, an accompa-
nying erpose of the relations heretofore existing
between you and myself. connecting the matter
of this correspondence with circumstances aIleg
ed to have occurred long antecedent to the date
fixed by me for the origin OF the feelings which
have led to it. This expose bears the i'm press of
your authority, not only in the disclosure Of to-
pics, which could only be known to yourself, but
in a letter from your own desk, used to give strong
er color of probability to the points insisted upon
tlrr ughout the article. [ cannot possibly do you
injustice under these circumstances in referring
to it as a contemp0raneOus exposition of your sen.
timents and feelings and using the light it fur
nishes to aid me in penetrating the mysterious
course Of proceeding which has been directed
against me, and still seeks to destroy my reputa-
tion-the only inheritance | expect To b~equeath
to my children. Thus impressed, | may feel it
to be necessary to address you with more free
dom than fastidious minds, differently circum.
stanced, might deem compatible with a proper re-
spect for the Chief Magistrate; but when such
shall have imagined themselves in my situation,
they will then only be able to appreciate my feel
ings, and Judge correctly OF this resort to the
right of seIf-dsfence. am perfectly aware Of
the disadvantages Of my position in such a con-
~troversy; ] have not numerous body of persons
inpelled, or prompted BY interest or fear, to ap-
p!aud whatever | may say or do. My reliance
is wholly Of a different character; l have no agent
or instrument at command, except pen, ink,
and paper; no power but that which is derived
from truth, addressed to intelligence and virtue;
and no claim to confidence, but in my own hum
BILE character, and the success of the demonst,a-
lion / shall be able to give Of all that | may at
opinion of mankind than to attribute to the mass
of those who may be considered, as dependent
on you, a disposition to advance their interest By
means discreditable to their integrity-many of
them are known to me to be incapable of such a
purpose. Be this as it may, the history of these
events will outlive your official power. and at tine
period which | deem most desirable for the i'm
press of a good name, there will be no motive to
do injustice to mine. | have never seen an hon
est appeal, in a good cause, made in vain TO the
disinterested judgment of the American commu-
nifty; and forced, against my will, into a conflict
where / have no choice but to sink under an Op-
pressive hostility, or use the means in my power
for my own defence, I must meet the duty at
whatever hazard.
1t distinctly appears, by the expose to which I
have alluded, that you have declared an u%nrelent.
ing war against me. by a~ssaiIing my honor and
integrity from the beginning OF my official COLI
nection with your administration down to The date
Of your last public notice of my name. 1t is the
purpose Of this communication, which to nv re-
greet, has been delayed by indlsposition. to review
the several imputations and charges thus promuI.
gated, and conclude with a distinct reply to your
letter Of the 9TH instant, by Mr.. Trist.
These imputations and charges will be found
embodied in the following syllabus Of YOUR "a.