Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-02-18
THE CORRESPONDENCE.

.,,nh was IN type, d S'pJ ~ ~
'sbirb il aludes. was Placed In our hahuS'-
.,a." reI,,ing TO by-gone questions in our pub
i'Vc $50 the Correspondence is invested with
NC u' ,o.e!t from the character and elevation OF
%n rt;ss 10 IT, which will claim for it as early
Ws P a, as practicable. In the mean time.
80 gratfy. in some degree. the public curiosity
I'd 10 Owe our readers some insight INTO the ma
.nra Of the Correspondence, we insert this MORN
ns tbe Introductory address OF the VICE fresi-
lent-ibld
III me peopls ofthe United States.
r,,re before Won, as my constituents, to give
..connr of nv conduct in an important politl-
- ,s,u.,cion. which has been called IN question,
- 80 prrnneously represented, that neither JUS
"" rx.elf nor respect for YOU will permit me
~ Iongcr to remain silent; allude to my course
ha Jsliberatjons of the Cabinet OF Mr.. Mon
10 an the Seminole question. | know not how
c,n rlace before you all the facts and clrcum-
,,rces of the case. than by putting ynu IN pos
ion oG the correspondence between General
T.,t.nn and myself. which will show the differ
49,. hs,wpen The views that we have respectively
.Lsr. and by what means. and through whose a
- this long sonebv affair has been revived.
Laxe not taken this step, strictly defensive
. ito without mature deliberatlOn, and calm
and careful estimate Of all the Obligations under
rhich Iact That there are strong reasons against
q, feel and acknowledge; but | also feel the
nost thorough conviction that the sacred oDlisa-
ION 10 indicate my character, impeached, as 1t
a. hsen. m one of the most important incidents
rmv life, and to prove myself not unworthy oi
Inc biuh station to which YOU have elevated me,
ir outweigh all other considerations. Should
ny yindicalion have any political or personal
,earng, can only say that it will NOT be because
have either willed or desired it. Its my in'en-
non simply to place my own conduct IN It's prop
., ioht. and not to assault others. or ought [
y, he held responsible should any such conse-
| aaence follow; as am tree IRON all agency In
re,ascitatpg this old subject, or bringing 1t TO
DE knowledge of the public. Previous to my ar
fyal here. had cOnfGed the knowledge of the
.ll,tcace of the correspondence to lew comb
isnra! friends. who were politically attached
n,,a to General Jackson aud myself: not that
,y any thing TO appreheuJ from It's disclosure,
at because was unwilling To Increase the exist
To-: excitement in the present highly critical
ylte of our political affairs. But when arrived
aere. late in December, found my caution had
been Of no avail, and that the correspondence
vas a subject of conversation in every circle, and
Won became topic Of free comment IN most oil
he public journals. The account OF the affair, as
usually the case on such occasions, were for the
most part grossly distorted, and were, in many
instances. highly injurious to my character. Still
deemed it INV duty to take no has,y step. being
ie;ermined to afford time for Justice 20 Dc done
ne without appeal to you; and. Il II shUuld be,
% remain silent. as nv only object was the ,indi
,aiCn Of nv conduct and character. Believing
ia, urther delay would be useless, | can see nj
adequate motive to postpone, any longer, the sub
Mission of all the facts Of the case to your deliber
ate snd final decision.
am not ignorant Of the trying position in which
!am p'aced-standing unsustained, except b,
he lorce Of truth and justice; vet l cannot bu
looS With confidence to Your decision. The ques
Ion presented for your consideration is not thai
II controversy of two individuals, between
ahom YOU are TO decide: viewed in that light, i
would bear the aspect Of mere personal differ
eDce, involving no principle, and unworthy o
your notice: but regarded in a different light, al
Isolvns the character OF an officer. occupying b,
,@rsGfiage distinguished official station. " hos,
conduct IN an interesting pubic transaction hat
e'nlmPeached, itassumesa tar more importan
S'nng, and presents question of deep impor
10 Your consideration. The most sacred of al
Fh'lcal relations is that between the represent
"'e AMI the constituent
When your suffrage places an individual in
'sl official station, a most solemn obligation II
wayssed on YOU and him, on the faithful dscharg,
which the existence of our free and happy in
'''uIons mainly depends; on him, so to act as Il
a"'n YOUR confidence, and on YOU, not to with
'''~ 'HNt confidence without Just cause. II i
O'cer profound regard for this mutual and sa
''c obligation that submit the whole affair t
F" ue'ermnatlOn, conscious That in this, =
.' As every other public transaction Of my life
ave been actuated by a solemn sense of dut,
Won, unlnaaenced by fear. favor or Affection
)llan.
Lowe 1t to myself to state, that come befor
under circumstances very painful TO me. an
'e'uctance which nothing but sense 81 duty I
VI aud myself could overcome. Among Ties
circumstances, is the necessity of being lnstru
peH'al IN disclosing. in any degree. what | deer
Ea'ghIy confidential as the proceedings Of the ca
Ine,and tor which feel myself justified only b
I'Oute necessity. Acting under this impression
sfe not felt myself at liberty TO 90, even i
1'uetence, beyond strict necessity, and have
EOrulnsly, carefully avoided speaking Of III
Use OF my'assOciates in the administration, an
" OF my own, beyOnd what appeared 10 be il