Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-02-16

established practice of every preceding admins atioa 10
hold cabinet councils, was abolished, and the secret
chiney OF political intrigue, putno successful opera
ton, worked by the skin OF the master spirit behind the
curtain No boardof consultation around the green cloth
was held, where each member required 10 unfold his
sentiments freely and frankly, of and measures con-
nected with national policy.
No principles were promulgated as the standard by
winch the people might test the claims OF the administra
uon to their confidence and support Every thing in
volved in doubt and uncertainty, in order catch the
breeze oil popular impulse in whatever direction might
SET and TO conform TO its overwhelming influence The
southern politician who complained OF oppression,
soohed attered, Threatened according the hermo-
meter which regulated the political atmosphere around the
walls oil the palace. The monopolists and Office
received assurances satisfy their wishes and
pccatons, and the doctrines of the "Amcrcan SYSTEM
were adopted and repudiaed according TO calculations
founded ON we'll arranged scale OF political profit loss.
An effort TO restore the ancient usage ofcabnet councils
isde by few OF the most devoted friends OF Gen Jack
son, was repeed with ndguaon and the friendly inter
position alscy ascrbed TO personal hostility to partc,
lar member OF his cabinet These gentlemen have ever
since been looked ON with dsrust and suspicion by the
president.
Thus protected from all interference on the part of his
associates in power, and from public anady ersop Ar
Van Buren, shaped his suit the crisis keepiny
steadily In view his ultimate elevation the FIRST Office
in the gilt of free people Possessed as he was of tho
unlimited confidence of Gen Jackson he very soon found
free access TO his and by appropriate advances led
nm Into excuses and errors, fatal the tranquility of
the country, without aorng the slightest evidence that
ne any MANNER participated in producing the results
which he anxously desired accomplish. The proscrp
1--WE policy pushed as it was, TO extremitics which the
pubhc interest did not REQUIRE. and far beyond
the practice OF any other chief agsrac has been ni
yersally attributed TO the advice and influence of MIR
Van Buren,. The stoni combined with the Who'll. nat
ronage oil government far practicable placed
his discretion, TO smooth the way the Interior object of
ms ambition lie made himself almost the sole adviser
Oh me PRESIDENT, during the first years of his admin
straon and every who stood in his way was made 10
ieei the power OF executive dcnuncation To this cause
may DC attributed this unpovoked rupture between the
hst ana second officers oil the governments the prora,on
oil those noble and minded friends TO whose unwa
yerng exerons and lofty eloquence, Gen Jackson must
ieei himself indebted for his i'm the late contest
Tor tho Presidency, and finally the dissolution of the
CABINET and the consequent nomination of Mr. Van Blu
rem as minister TO the court of London.
have, MIR. President, been put i'm possession of com
inunicauon, tracing, with great minuteness and have
no doubt accurately, the resorted 10 bv Mr. Van
10 produce the rupture between Gen jackson
those honorable men who had accepted his invitation 10
become members of his political family forbcar 10 read
TINS paper to the Senate because of the peculiar matters
oil which 1t treats; but hold myself ready TO deliver it,
with the name of the author, any committee of nves
CATION which may be appointed embodv the evidence
ON inns subject. have also received, from gentleman
now In inns city, statement OF conversation held with
the late Secretary OF State after he had surrendered the
seals OF Office, which beg leave lay on the table as
the facts it details intimately connected with those
transactions which have occupied large share of the
public attention, and which regret TO saw have never
been explained in manner to satisfy the moral eeinqs
OF the country vi the writer OF this communication
nave very little personal knowlcdge but he has the most
respectable testimonials of his good character and conduct
and am informed, has been favoraby known as the eJ
TOR OF journal IN New York. friendly TO the present adj
ministraton of the government For myself | do not
doubt the verify of his statement and submit it. without
comment to those who desire information ON tho rnato
TO which it relates.
Mr. President, in addition to the unbroken rrentof
testimony TO which have already advcred showing most
cicy inc ioui means employed by the late Secretary of
State, TO appropriate the name and wc.earn fame If
Gen. jackson TO the advancement of his own ambitous
projects, and TO overthrow all who olstrced his no r.,
poca power feel 1T TO be my duty to give TO the SEN
ate the substance OF conversation which took place he
tween The resident and member of his late Cabinet
ed gentleman who made the statement of this interview
Is too lar above suspicion 10 need from me the c,ooy
winch his character, public and private justly merits
s eccon roma station which he did seek the duties
oil which he discharged with much credit TO himself and
advantage to his country, is melancholy evidence of the
ry oil political friendships, when assailed by the ruth
! less ntrigues OF ambitious asprant But Sir tho
irowns OF delinquent friend, clothed with panoply of
tim is protected by the mild radiance OF virtue and the
shield OF imperishable honor.
The President invited this gentleman to private audi
ence for the purpose of making known to him the new
arrangements on which he had determined. He com
menccd with air Of diplomatic caution and studied pre
cision. or submit TO you two letters, which | have
received from the Secretary of State and the Secretary of
War; resignng their respective Offices and ask for them
your serious consideration" "Sr,' replied the astonsh
ed Secretary, 81 am plain man. and your friend Our
intercourse has been OF long duraion and YOU know that
diplomacy Is no part of my character or YOURS BE so
good therefore, as TO tell me frankly, what you intend
and what you desire of me-" "Then, Sir will inform
you that mean TO reorganizc my cabinet every we'll
Sir, hope you will profit by the change | have moi
DOVh Sou inc sake OF ONCE and wish OnlV to
be informed whether my conduct while in your cabinet
was satisfactory to YOU. ''Sr said the President az
have no fault TO find with you With this assurance
SAID the Secretary 81 contcnted: but allow me to en-
qulrc who is to be your Secretary of State ssAir Iv
ingsion, the reply "Who is to take the Treasury
Department." "Mr. McLanc, Minister in England D
''"ho will occupy the Navy Department." "Mr Wood
bury ''And pray, Sir, who is 10 replace Mr. McIane
in England" "1fT. Fan Buren," And so the CONVEX
sation ended.
The inference, whick is nseparable from These discl
SureS, must be obvious to every whose mind is in
search of truth and whose Judgment free from the sma
hgn influence" of prejudice.
The finger of disciplined ntrguer is visible in all the
various efforts nude TO dismiss particular members of tbe
cabinet from an early period after the inauguration of
Gen Jackson, until effected i'm 1881 The object
cannot be mistaken; and at this day the ,nnaoers scoce
attempt TO conccath eirXed purpose of designating Mr.
uFeh as tue successor OF the present chief magistrate O-
feS poeHs, as they are pleased TO express it, Sir on
"a' "uta can we reconcile the prompt and unhesatinp
answer gwen ny the President to each inquiry RELATING tn
tie INDIVIDUALS who were TO compose the new cabinet
other than preconcerted and explicit arrangement form
ed on mature deliberations and free and full conIto,;
with those whose political opinions he was accustomed 10
take on all subjects OF great absorbing interest h b
counryi " 'Ho
Is not the fact as distinctly known 10 every one ocnua;nt
ed with the political at the seat the national
government as any record that for more than wear
preceding The rupture of the late cabinet no consultations
were hed and but formal intercourse kept up between
he President and three of his constitutional advsers II
cannot and presume, will not be denied the
OIL state mas SO managed 20 occupy the first place i'm the
confidence and affections of the Chief Magistrate Tho
ohy rational conclusion, therefore, to which can bring
my hd after careful and impartial examination of this
Is. 10 of