Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1831-08-11
! MR.. lNGHAM'S LETTER
TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNI
TED STATES.
NEw-HorE, July 2G, 1881.

\ 4'H'iioIt1 Shl ~, iocI.
Sir: | received on the 18th INST. n
letter from Mr.. Trist, of the 7th, post
marked the 9th, purporting TO be written
by your direction, in answer to mine OF
the 30th ult. The same mail also brought
me the Globe of the lth, containing, in
addition to the letter of Mr.. Trist, an ac-
companying expose of the relation here
toforc existing between you and myself,
connecting the matter of this correspon-
dcncc with circumstances alleged to have
occurred long antecedent to the date fix
ed by me for the origin of the feelings
which have ledtoit. This expose bears
the impress of your authority, not only
in the disclosure of topics, which could
only be known to yourself, but in let
ter from your own desk, used to give
stronger color Of probability to the points
insisted upon throug hout the article. |
cannot possibly do you injustice under
these circumstances, in referring to it as
contemporaneous exposition Of your
sentiments and feelings, and using the
light it furnishes 10 aid me in pcnctrat-
ing the mysterious course of proceeding
which has been directed against me, and
still seeks to destroy nv reputation-the
only Inheritance | expect to bcqueath to
my children. Thus impressed, may
feel it to be necessary to address you
with more freedom than fastidious minds,
differently circumstanced, might deem
compatible with proper respect for the
Chief Magistrate; but when such shall
have imagined themselves in my situa-
ton, they will then only be able to APP
preciate my feelings, and judge correct
ly ofthis resort to the right OF self defence.
am perfectly aware Of the disadvan
tages ofmy position in such controver-
sy; | have not numerous body of per-
sons impclled or prompted by interest or
tear, to applaud whatever / may say or
do. My reliance is wholly of differ
ent character; | have 10 agent or inter-
est 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 humble character, and the
success Of the demonstration ] shall be
able to give of all that ] may attempt to
maintain. ! have, however, better o.
pinion of mankind than to attl ibute to the
mass of those who may be considered as
dependent on you, disposition to ad-
vance their interest by means discredl-
table to their integriy-many of them
are known to me to be incapable of such
a purpose. BE this as it may, the histo-
ry of these events will outlive your Off
cial power, and at the period which |
deem most desirable for the impress Of a
good name, there will be no motive to
do Injustice to mine. | have never seen
an honest appeal, in good cause, made
in vain to the disintercsted judgment of
the American community; and forced,
against my will, into conflict where l
have no choice but to sink under an OPP
pressive hostility, or use the means in
my power for my own defence, l must
meet the duty at whatever hazard.
1t distinctly appears, by the expose to
which have alluded, that you have de-
clared an unrelenting war against me,
by assailing my honor and integrity from
the beginning of my official connexion
with your administration down to the
date Of your last public notice ofmy name.
1t is the purpose of this communication,
which, to my regret, has been delayed
by indisposition, to review the several
imputations and charges thus promulga
ted, and conclude with distinct reply
to your letter of the 7th instant, by MIR.
Trist.
| These imputations and charges will be
found embodied in the following syllabus
of your expose: it is therein alleged that
accepted the appointment of Secretary
of the Treasury with full knowledge
that Major Eaton was to be my col
league, and no sooner was my commis.
sion safely in my pocket, than joined
Mr.. Calhoun's friends to drive Major
Eaton out Of the cabinet. That ], ir
effect, told you, that you had associated
! in your counsels an individual who wa:
a blot upon your administration. 1ha
you thought fit to overlook the implied
insult offered to yourself, and sought on
ly to reconcile the difficulty in your cab
met. 1t was made ostensibly, by thos'
originating it, altogether an affair of thu
females Of their families. 1t was sai'
that, with regard to Major Eaton, the,
entertained the best feeling, and coul'
unite. This was all you required. A
the succeeding session Of Congress
meetings of the friends of Mr.. Calhoun
took place, with view Of addrcssin:
you to remove Major Eaton, and Val
Buren, was denounced arrangement
were made in Congress to cmbarrass TIT
measures of the administration IN tha
body. The Calhoun Telegraph and Ing
ham Sentinel evinccd their disailection
The appointment of Baldwin was dcnoun
Il 80, aJ,.,,. Dn,,o,e cditora as ha