Alabama state intelligencer., 1831-10-29
From the Nationa! Intelligt neer. TO THE PUBLIC.

Self, and to the Public, will expose me to q
 repetition of the wanton abuse of a press, which
 professes to speak in this matter by the atl- thoiity of the Chief Magistrate. No man
 would voluntarily enter into such contro- versy. If do not shink from it, it is because feel that am called to this act of ntcessa- ry self-defence, by considerations which l may not be permitted to disregard.
 From the pressure of circumstances, which did not contribute to produce, and had not the power to control, 1 was some time since under the necessity of addressing you. Let me for moment call your attention to the state of things at that time, that you may more distinctly understand my present posi- tion. had no agency Tn bringing about the dissolution of the late Cabinet, and was des- rous of avoiding the controversies which it was but too probable would follow in the train of that event. was not weak enough to sup pose that the public would attach any para mount importance to the retirement from of fiCe of my colleagues and myself, but I was equally assured, and the result has confirmed my conviction, that their just indignation would be excited by q knozoiedge ofthe causes which led to that event. Whatever syco- phancy might assert in relation to the right of the President, to exercise his own absolute and uncontrolled will, in the selection and dismissal of his Cabinet, the American Peo- pie would practically recognize the principle, that the power to confer CffiCe, or to reclaim
 II, is but d trust delegated by themselves, to be used for the common benefit, not under the
 impulse of personal, and still less of unwor- thy motives. It was highly improbable, more CT, that the true nature of this transaction C uld De concealed from the scrutiny of an in teljgcnt People. The imme diate community of Washingtol-the members of both Houses of Congress, and private citizens from vari- GUS parts of the Unon, who had mingled in suciety here, from the time of the organZa- tion of that Cabinet, down to the period of it's dissolution, had seen enough to awaken a spirit of inquiry, which would naturally ex- tend to the People at large. While, howe yer, held myself bound to answer any pro per call for explanation, l was most anxious to avoid intrusion upon the public, and equal ly determined to shun, as far as a just self-ie spect would permit, any of the controversies 5 which might grow out of it.
 When shrinking from the justly apprehend- ed indignation of the American People, it was resolved to put the defence of this mea- sure upon the bold and reckless denal offacts which were notorious in this community, and beyond it-when the official paper of the Government, protesting to act by the authori- ty of the President, had avouched my name to give sanction to a statement which l knew to be untrue, felt myself called upon by considerations, which no honorable man could disregard, to bear my humble testimony to the truth. In the performance of this un- welcome duty, limited myself to d narrative of the facts, which had been drawn into con troversy, and to a brief vindcation of my own conduct in those particulars, in which it had hpep I +o xuh I c,,I, jected myself, by this act of necessary self defence. Absolved by the limited range of my official duties, from participation in most of the exciting occurrences ofthe day-stand-
 ing aloof from the intrlgues which were re- presented to exist, and having no motive to misrepresent the truth, it was foreseep, and such has been the result, that this statement would receive the confidence of just and in telligent community. The consequences were obvious even to these who relied most impli- ctly cn the personal popularity of the Presi- dent. What then was to be done? In it's es
 sental facts, the statement was beyond the reach of controversy. It was only the more confirmed by every effort to contradict it. An impotant attempt was made to represent the transactions winch it detailed, as unimportant,
 insignificant, unworthy the attention of the American People. Such an effort to pervert the moral sense of such people, could not suc- Ceed. The sacredness of social intercourse- the sanctity of the domestic freside, had been rudely assaied, and they could not deem light ly ct dcspotsm like this.
 The alternative was to silence he zvitneSs, or to destroy the efect of his testimony, by assailing his rehutation. To accomplish this, series of measures, having the same end Tn view, have been steadily pursued towards me-
 have been the object of system of bullying and vituperation, alike impotant in relation to myself and disgraceful to the immediate actors, and to those who having the power, have not intcrpused to repress 1t.
 Retiring from responsible station in the Government, under the assurance of the con tinued confidence of the President, and with an expression of his regret for the necessity, which demanded our seperation-acqutted by him of all imputaticn of impropriety, either official, or intilvidual-here at the seat of the National Government-after having been dragged before the public to maintain an issue, involving my prlvate honor-one which had been forced upon me, under the avowed authority of the Chief Magistrate. l have been calumniatCd and menaced by those who speak at hls bidding, and are sllenced by his nod. lfexcited by feelings which no man may reprt ss, have al any time been tempt ed to indulge them, little reflection has sui feed to convince me, what it is that my duty to myself and to the public requires at my
 hands. That duty consists simply Tn main rainng the cause of truth before the Ameri- can People; and, uninfuenced by rlba a.dry, and unawed by menace, in exposing to them the real condition cfthis community, in which the reign of terror is emphatically establish- ed. l am not indifferent to consequences; but, whatever they may be, the voice of warn ing shall not be withheld.
 shall be compelled to speak ofMr Eaten, the late Secretary of War, whose multiplied