Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-02-21
TO THE people, OF TIE U. STATES.

come before you my constituents, to give an
account of my conduct Ill Important political tran
sactlon, which has been called in question, and so
enormously represented, that neither Justice to my
self nor respect for you viii permit me any longer to
remain silent; alludc to my course, in the dclibera
tons of the Cabinet of br Monroe, OIL the Semi
mole question. | know not how can place more
fully before you all the facts and circumstances of
the case, than by putting you III possession of
the correspondence between General Jackson an
myself, which will show the difference between the
Sicws that We have respectively taken, and by what
means, and through whose agency this long rome by
Affair has been revived.
have not taken this step strictly defensive as it
:, without mature deiberatoa, and calm and care
iu estimate Of all the Obligations under which act
That there are strong reasons against it, feel and
acknowledge; but also feel the most thorough con
yictlon that the sacred obligation to vlndcae my
character, Impeached, It has Deen fin of the
most important incidents of my life, and to prove
myself not unworthy of the high station to which
you have elevated me- far outweigh all other consi-
dcrations. Should my yindicaton have any political
personal bearing, can only say that il will not
be because have either willed desired it. II is
my intention simplyto place my own conduct in its
proper light and not to ASSAULT others. Nor ought
to be held responsible should any such consequences
! follow, az nm free from all agency III re5uscl,ating
this old subject or bringing it to the knowledge of the
public Previous TO my arrival here, had confined
! The knowledge OF The existence Of the Corrcspon-
dencc TO Il few confidential friends who were poll
/ tically attached both 10 General Jackson and my
self not that had any thing 10 apprchend from lis
disclosure, but because ! unwilling to increase
the existing excitement IN the present highly critical
state of our public affairs. But when arrived here,
late in De cmber found my caution had been oi 10
avail and that the correspondence was subject Of
conversation IN every circle, and soon became to-
pic Of free comment IN most of the public journals.
The accounts Of the affair, as IS usually the case Oh
such occasions. were, for the most part, grossly
distorted and were, in many instances highly iuiu-
rions to NY character. Sill deemed It NY duty TO
take no hasty ep, being determined afford time
foY Justice 20 be done me without appeal To you:
and. f it should DC, 70 remain silent, as my only 90
lcct was Inc vDd;catIoD Of my conduct and CharaC-
ter believing hat further delay would be useless
can see M adequate motive 90 postpone. any lon
rer The submission OF all the facts OF the case 10 your
deliberate and final decision
am not igaoran' ofthg trying p05uonia which
am placed andmg unscstainc@; cxcrp, ~ the
force offrulh and justice ycf cannot but look with
confidence to youf decision. The question pressn-
ted for your consideration not that of a controvcr-
az oftwo individuals between whom you arc to dc
eide viewed il that light. IL would bear the aspect
Of Il mere personal difference, involving no prince
pie, and unworthy s your notice but regarded ~
different hight as involving the character ofan OIL
Ger. occupying b. your suffrage distinguished oil
cial station, whose s5aL02. u &c Interesting public