Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-06-15
DIR. WATKINS

This miserable man, fine genius, an elegant
scholar, the father of numerous and most pro.
missing family still lies in Jail at Washington That
he was justly punished. none deny-that man so
accomplished should have deserved to be disg,aco
fully punished, is of those commentaries ON
human fraly which strike the good with NOLAN
choy. Ho was sentenced by the Court. to two
years imprisonment--he has lain in Jail for threo.
By some provision 1--WE know not whaD of the law
under Which he suffered the President was vested
with discretion to discharge him at the expra-
ton OF his sentence, to continue his ncarcera.
ton until perhaps he refunded the public treasure
ne mad appropriated. We need not say hotp that
discretion has been used. To those who know tho
character OF the man, and who rccollect the mag
mart assiduity with which he pursued Watkins it is
unnecessary. The President is alleged Ivy his cour
TIERS to have acted under holy horror of default
ers In elongating Watkins imprisonment Was
not Livingston defaultcr for 81 100 600 and is ho
not the Presidents prime minister Was not Lewis
once defaulter, aud has he succeeded Eaton as
his guIde philosopher and frend7" Watkins had
oeeh an active political foe, and here is the truo
cause which keeps his prison door locked He is
now under duress, not for default, but the higher
crime of opposing Jackson's election
This will be called by his creatures ssympathiz
has undergone his sentenced That he has been
vigorously punished for an offence which seems to
have boon to others passport to Office and dis.
tnction1
Tho following will be read with interest:
From PouISon's american Daily Adrerfiser
THE CASE OF WATKINS
We have lately well executed caricaturc.
representing the President of the United States
playing the j0i!or to This unfortunate man. He il
NVtth No In dc
over the door the words, Il. WATKINs-Cs,MI
SAL's APARrMENT-The painter has very appropri-
atcly placed at the bottom of the drawing these
words from Shakspcar:
-H0n uGin man
Dressed in HHle Jref 0uthoIitu like nm ASopv APE
Rays such fantastic tricks before hiph heayep
as make the angels tCcep.
And is it possible there is any foundation in
run Tor thls bitter satire on human natme2 Can
1T be possible That the representation can have any
resemblance TO any thing that has ever transpired
under our humane and mild government?
No citizen of Washington pass by that me.
ianchoIy prison without thinking of the fate oftho
once elegant scholar and gentleman, the ornament
of society, the unfortunate DR.. Watkins; nor can
ne, at the same time, refrain from rchcoipg on
the burbarous and cruel vengeance of Andrew
Jackson. For three years this unhappy man has
been shut up III small apartments; one year longer
than the time appointed by the sentence of The law:
hut Jackson, IN his elegant language, has declared
chat he shall remoin there untH he rofs Is this
Ior the purpose OF satisfying the cmds Of iustco7
IN our happy country, justice is tempered with
mercy: punishment is propoTtioncd to the degree
oil the offence, and there is limit to the punish.
mont oil the robbcr, tho inccndiary, or the periured
villain. Oh no! the demands Of Justice have been
long since fully satisfied, in respect to the unfor.
tunatc Watkns--but the craUings Of ueHgcdncs
arc 1nSdtidJtc! Tie unfortunate has been
Wasting away in consequence of confinement and
grief, and few months may suffice to unbar his
prison, and TO give him refuge i'll the grave
Nui the impartial HISTORIAN give Jackson credit for
being such enamy TO dctaulters2 To him that
has always been surrounded by dcfaulters- even
they constitute some Of his most confidential
adviscrsi No. if Watkins had been warm sun
porter Of Jackson's protonsions, thousand exon
scs would have been made for him, a thousand nal.
liating circumstances would have been brought
forward, and the gentle hand Of mercy would lone
since, have been eXl-Hdcd to him.
All the circumstances Of this extraordinary casa
ought to be carefully preserved for tho use of the
future historian, who may undertake TO draw the
character of Jackson.
No person will contend that it was not the duty
OF thc President OF the United States in ihc case
OF Watkins, TO nave ordered prosecution; but af-
Ter having done this, the duty of the executive,
with the exception Of the prcropative of mercy or
pardon, endcd; that Of The judiciary commenced
IL was the duty Of the court to take care that
trial OF the offender took place and that its officers
,,arsI@s, or consablcs executed IFS sentence. The
fresUcut had thing more 10 do u.r.a the trial OF
INC execution ri the sentence than tho Senate Of