Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1831-03-01
TO THE PEOPLE OF THE U. STATES.

TO THE PEOPLE OF THE u. STATES.
leone before you, my constituents to give an ac-
count of conduct in important political uansac-
ton, which has beencaed in question, and so errone-
ousy represented that neither justice to myself nor res
pect for YOU, will permme any longer to remain silent:
aude my course, in the deliberations OF the cabi-
net of Mr.. Monroe, on the Seminole question; know
not how can place fully before you all the facts
and circumstances OF the case, than by putting you in
the correspondence between general Jack
and myself which viii show the difference between
the views that have respectively taken, and by what
means, and through whose agency, this ong-gone-by
affair has been revived.
haye not taken this STEP strictly defensive il is,
without mature delIberaton, and calm and careful es-
tInate of all the obligations under winch act. That
there strong reasons against IT, feel and acknowl-
edge but also feel the most thorough CONVECTION that
he sacred obligation to vindcate my character, I'M
peached as il has been, OF the most important
incidents of my fe, and to prove myself not unworthy
of the high station to which you have elevated me- far
outweigh all other considerations. Should my yndica-
ton have any political personal bearing, can only
say that it will not be because have either wlled
desired It. II is my intention SIMPLY TO place my own
conductn Its proper light and not to assault others. Nor
ought to be held responsible should any such
quenee follow am free from all agency IN resusci
Eating this old subject or bringing i TO the knowledge OF
the public Previous my arrival here, had confined
the knowledge Of the existence OF the correspondence
to few confidential friends who were politically at
taehed both TO general Jackson and myself; not that
had any thing 10 apprehend from its disclosure but be-
was unwilling TO increase the existing excite
in the present highly critical state OF oi public af
lars. But when arrived mere, idle III DecefnDer L
found my caution had been of avail and thatthe
Iespondenee subject OF conversation IN every cir
Gle, and became topic OF tree comment IN most
of the public journals. The accounts OF the affair,
usually the such occasions, were, for the most
part, grossly distorted, and were, IN many instances,
highly injurious 10 my character. Still deemed il my
duty take hasty step, being determined to afford
time for justice to he done Inc without appeal to you;
and, il should be, to remain SILENT as my only object
the vndlcation of my conduct and character. be-
eving that further delay would be useless can
mr. "a In
Of all the Facts OF the case TO your deliberate and final
decision
ignorant of the trying position in which am
Understanding unslsained, except by the force OF
truth and justice; yet cannot but look with confidence
toyour decision The question presented for your
elderaton that of controversy Of two ndiyidu
ais between whom you are TO decide; viewed IN that
light, would bear the aspect OF mere personal diff
terence, involving no principle and unworthy OF your
notice; but regarded in a different light, involving
the character OF an officer occupying by your suffrage
distinguished official station whose conduct in
terestng public transaction had been impeached, II
sumes far more important bearing, and presents
question OF deep import for your consideration. The
most sacred of all political relations that between the
representative and the constituent, When your suf-
irage places individual in a high official station,
most solemn obligation is imposed on you and him,
the faithful discharge of which, the existence of
lree and happy institutions mainly depends; on him.
10 act as to merit your Confdenceand you, not to
withdraw that confidence without Just It'll
der profound regard for this mutual and sacred obi
cation that submit the whole affair to your determine
tic transaction of my life have been actuated by
emn OF duty to you unnfueuced by fear, favor
or affection cannot but look forward to your entire
appreciation.
ii to myself to state that come before you un-
der circumstances very painful TO me- and reluctance
which nothing but of duty TO you and myself
could overcome. Among these circumstances is the ne
cesslty OF beng instrumental IN disclosing, any de-
gree, what deem highly confidential as the proceed
ngs of the cabinet and for which feel myself justified
only by absolute necessity. Acting under this impress
slon have not fat self at liberty CO. self
defence beyond strict necessity, and have, according
iy carefully avoided speaking of the of my
sociates in the administration, and even of my own, be-
You'd what appeared to be indispensable. | have not
put even Mr.. Crawords statement of his in the
cabinet at issue, except only incidentally, bearing on
his statement of mine. Iii concern of mine ex-
cept in this incidental way what representation he may
choose give OF his course, to this subject,
formerly or whether his representation be correct
erroneous.
Before conclude these predatory observations, l
deem il proper to make few additional remarks,
the commencement and motive OF this movement a.
gainst me.
The origin goes far back beyond the date of the pre-
correspondence and had for its object, not the adj
vantage of general Jackson, but my political destruc
ton, with motives which leave you interpret The
enmty of Mr. Crawford to me, growing out OF political
controversies long since passed, afforded ready and
powerful instrument by which to operate-and Ii was
early directed against me, with the view OF placing
general jackson and myself IN our present relations.
With that motive, the midst OF the severe political
struggle which ended elevatng him TO the presiden-
tal chair, and in which took part early and deci
uea IN MS favor, correspondence opened at Nash
Viile, unknown to, and unsupported by me- in Decem-
Der 1917, which commenced that chain of artfu opera
tons that has terminated by involving general jackson
and myself IN the present correspondence. copy of
the letter which opened this operation has been placed
in my possession. Ii written by Mr. Crawford 10
Alfred Bacb, Esq of Nashville, and is dated the 18th
December 1877. That the nature and objects of the
operations against me may be iuyaundersood by YOU
Thereto annex the copy OF Mr. Crawiords letter to Mr.
Batch, and copy OF letter from the honorable Will