Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-06-10

The following letter Of Gov. BRaNcH, to Com
,nittee Of the Citizens OF Berthe. Is pao'sned IN
the Halifax IN. c. paper. 1t may be OF inter-
est now, and Of use hereafter:
ENFIELD, May Slst. 1851.
Geatlsn.sa--Yoarso of the l4th inst. post mark
ed, Windsor, the 2Ist, came to hand lew days
past. The confidence which you have been so
kind as to express in my talents and political ex-
perence, and the desire yOa have manifested that
/ should become a candidate to represent tins
DISTRICTS the next COngsess OF the United States,
together with the frank manner III which you have
given your opinion OF certain men and measures
with view TO elicit mine, merit my respectful
consideration, and shall receive my prompt at
,enlion [ most decidedly concur with you in
believing that discord has been introduced into
the ranks Of the administration by the intrigues
If selfish politicians. y short time, trust, will
be sufficient to euabe the intelligent enquirer to
obtain the whole truth.
Until then. perhaps, it would be the part Of
prudence to leave the question open, AMI rely on
Inc righteous Judgment of the people. However,
recognizing your undoubted right ~ know all my
opinions both as to the prominent men and lead
ins measures Of the country, l "ili, with that
fYankuess which has ever characterize my con-
Juet, give Won unreserve,liy my impressions, un-
der confident hope that as you called for them,
at period when must necessarily incura heavy
responsibility in giving them, that you viii extend
to me YOUR generous charities for any error into
which NAV be thus incautiously led; for there is
nothing about which men are so apt to differ, nay
20 err. as their opinions of men.
In the first place, then, as to the motives which
influenced Mr.. I. in his course III the Senate OF
the United States on the Turkish mission. pro-
Tess to know nothing. With Mr.. Van Buren,,
have had frequent. personal and official inter
course, and the time tcaS when he possessed my
confidence. Mr.. Calhoun's private virtues and
public services, particularly during the late war,
toeether with his high order Of talents, always
commended my respect; bat his latitudinous po-
irticas locufGss during Ne. Aansos's atminstra-
ton, net ms disapproba tion. Hence It IS that
no ohe, correctly Uniformed, has ever considered
me his political partisan. As to myself, can
truly say that have no person in view tor the
succession. am at loss to say who among the
prominent politicians ought to support. For
iunately for me and the country, this question
may vet be advantageously postponed,
The present controversy between Gen. Jack
son and Mr.. Clay, can never divide Southern po-
6ncians 10 any extent. The "American SYSTEM"
the hobby Of the latter, has but few advocates a.
uSns Southern planters, and its author still fewer
adherents. On Gen. Jackson then, who is him
self planter, we must depend, with confident
reliance on the justice OF congress tor reef against
the oppression of a system Of exactions which If
r,ersersred in. must ultimately lead to the most
ealamitous results. The great aud fundamental
principles which divided our country into parties,
! arc Of momentous concern, and are every way
worthy of the untiring vigilance Of the American
neople. The journals Of the Senate ot the Unit
Cd States for the six years that was member
&c that BODY, will best shew my opinions on the
Tariff, of 1894. aud '2S which now threaten the
repose of the Union. and the prosperity Of the
Southern country. These afford an earnest of the
course which shall feel it TO be INV duty to Pur-
sue in reference to any measure which may be
cat.u!at rsGlv9'i' ~ m''igate ,a7 ''hil of abom-
ioations," rs it has been emphatical,Y ,1''ed by
one Of us present most active and efficient sup
porters.
The next point TO which you invite my atten-
ton. is the Bank of the United States. am un-
able 10 perceive how can vote for the renewal
OF the charter in any form. My opinion in rea-
ton to Banks is of long standing, and has, in n.
Carolina at least, become somewhat 4 matter OF
public notoriety. have believed that it was the
intention Of the Federal Constitution, that
the currency Of the U. States should have been
metallic, and | inferred this from the technical
language employed, and the exclusive power given
10 Congress to coin money and regulate its value,
with the positive Inhibition on the states to do
the same thing, or to emit bills Of credit, or to
make any thing bu, gold and silver coin tender
in payment of debts. But the ingenuity Of man
has sought out many inventions, and the person
would be;thought mad. who, at this day. would
seriously urge the above opinion. finding that eve
~ State in the union, has chartered Banks and
thereby indirectly regulated the value of money
as efectualIy as though they had the power to
coin it.
A national bank has been recommendedb BY the
President with certain well defined powers.
am persuaded that the Presidents views have
never been fairly presented or understood. He,
I am sure, never contemplated the establishment
Of such hideous monster as his political oppo-
uents have conjured up. Such an institution in
the hands Of the executive. for any other purpose.
or with anv other powers than the transmits on of
government funds, from one part OF the union to
another, should deprecate as the greatest calam-
ty that could befall the country.
Thus gentlemen have responded to YOU fully