Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1831-09-29
SIM SONS LETTERS.
From the Philadelphia U. S. Gazette.
TO THE PUBLIC-LETTE /.


son, from the slgnels To the protocol o
the original Jacksonmen, as one whose
motives might be lmpeached with sue
cess; and upon whom abuse aud vituper-
alton might be lavishcd with most prof
TO the government, it becomes an act o.
justice to myself and friends, to give to
the public true exposition Of the rela-
tons ia which have stood towards Gen.
Jackson, since his election to the Presi-
dental chair; with such circumstances
having connection witl the history OF the
times, as may promise to benefit the coun-
try or elucidate principles.
AT the urgent solicitation Of many per-
sonal and political friends, was induc-
cd in the early part OF February, 1929,
to proceed to Washington, there to meet
and congratulate the new President
This step ! adopted with great rcluc-
tance, and demonstrated strong y with all
my friends against It's wisdom and expe-
diency. My torebodmgs Of eril had long
preceded any suggestion of theirs, as to
the policy of such an interview with the
new President. These iorcbodings of "a
dereliction of principle on his part, had
been grounded on the general dcclara-
ton Of his adherents, that he must be re-
elected for a second term, under the a.
vowed object that four years Of Office
would be too short period to recon-
pense his friends for their labors and
sacrifices. then perceived, and sta
ted to those around me, the iotat change
Of system and Of principles, which such ii
course on the part of General Jackson
must produce. | anticipated that he
must abandon his principles against the
appointment OF members Of Congress, and
open the portal of expectation of office
to all the leaders of the ddrerse tactonS
that had combined and coalesced to Sc
cure his election. anticipated, that
under such ii change Of system, COR
RUPTIoN WAS TO BECOME THE oRDER OF
THE DAY :"--that his integrity was pros
trated by this single intention; aud tina,
every movement must correspond, IN Or
der to produce concentrated action to-
wards the success OF his reelection; that
the primary objects of his election, would
be sacrificed to this ultimate consumma-
tion-and that men, measures, and prln-
ciples would equally be made to bend to
this darling object OF a powerful, ambl-
tlous, and mercenary combination.
1t had already been limited, who were
to compose the new Cabinet; and erery
member named was a member Of Congress,
and the leader of one of the factions, that
at the elerenih hour, had come into his
support, after having exhausted the stores
of abuse, ribaldry, and detractlon, to keep
him from interfering with tue claims o!
their several candidates. lie seemed
to have made it a point, to heap the
highest honors on his most active and
malignant foes; as ifto make sure oftheir
adhesion for the great ulterior move
mcnt of reelection; and to cement the
green ties of mercenary friendship by the
golden fettcrs of a mutual interest, deep
and protractcd.
Runner assigned NJ. Van Buren as
Secretary of State. To me, the contrast
of such a man to De Witt Clinton, was
at once so mortiiying-so hCmblng-so
outrag eou., that cherished not the faint
est hope of one CLEAN of honor resulting
from the administration of General Jack
son. Upon MIR. Van Buren, l had ever
looked as a mere demagoguc-an empty
prete nder to the character Of IA states
man-an expert personal polltIcian-a
manager of fmen-adrot at deception, anc
restrained by no principle from the mos
atrocious act. of reckless and ambition:
aspirant, without talent to palliate profit
gacy, or knowledge and accomplish
ments to mitig ate or excuse the evil means
by which he sought to accomplish hls
ends. ] had seen him track the illustrl-
Gus Clinton through long life, like a
willy Indian, with poisoned arrow
had seen him shed ieigned tears over hls
premature grave-and then snatch the
reward Of his labors, and wear laurels,
won by hunting his great victim to the
tomb, which he mig Int well have wished
to cover himself, out of sheer envy OF It's
glory. As governor of New y ork, MIR.
F.. Van Buren, had exposed his ignorance
OF the principles of its commercial pros"
periiy, and his total want OF knowledge
of the science of the political economist
and the fnancier. His insincerity OF
friendship towards General Jackson, had
been made manifest, by the long ntcrrdl
during phich he kept open The cremte q
approoch, between himself and MIR. Ad-
ans; had that great and permit me to
add as an act of justice and atonement,
injured statesman, deemed him of sulil.
cicnt Importance, to court, concIllate, ol
win him over. But MIR. Adams disdain
ed to surround himself by purchased enc
mics, to promote his ro-ele ctlon, by I'M