Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-12-28

some consequence, as il is now said that Mr.
Livingston avows tho authorship Of the Pro.
clamatloR, that he claims familiar knowledge
of MIR. Jelfcrsous opuisns, and asserts that there
is nothing in the Proclamation not in conform.
ity thereto! The Editors OF the Courier and
Enquirer declare their belief, that Mr.. Van Blu
an opinion which TO say tho least of it, re.
quires confirmation, and seems to be dispToved
by the high approval of the Albany Argus, his
chief organ. MIR. Van Buren, is ALEC n, this
time, wo believe, in Albany.
But il matters not what are his opinions or
those Of any other Individual.
Correspondence Of the " Y. Courier & Enquirer.
WASH, Notion, ID. e. Dec. 2lst, 1882.
Strive have had a variety Of opinions
pressed i'm this city, as TO the ritr Of the recent
proclamation. Ii seems now tn be conceded,
by all parties. that on Constitutional points, it's
doctrines are ultra .jtderui and being so con-
CO led II Is contended, that il must have been
written by Mr.. Idney, the AUTO, uey General,
or MIR. M'Lane. the Secretary OF the Treasury.
But there are those who nscribe il To tho pen
Of MIR. LtUingston. Secretary of State: They
are met, however, with the assertion, TINT it's
argumentativo part is So much at variance with
the democratic opinions Of MIR. Livingston,
that il is Impossible he can bc the author
Withou, pretending 10 any particular know
ledge of the facts, j will state my views. ltis
generally believed hore, especially among gen
tienen from the South, that Mr. Fan Buren's
Opinions, on the present crisis, are known to
the Executive, aud that he is favorable to the
policy OF enforcing The tariff laws, This belief
Is streng 'lened, il not confirmed by tho course
"i the ALBANY .4rgus," supposed to DO the
direct organ for the expression Of his wishts
iakins this for granted, as do, llcn think
that tho President has, himself dictated the
great outlincs which should stamp the character
oil tl'is document. Aud perhaps may add, with
truth, that it contains mere Of the sentiments
and feelings of Gen. Jackson, thau any official
paper which has emahated from the EAecu-
live department., during his administration.
l have no doubt Mir Livingston is the wri-
ter, from tho peculiar style Of eluqucnce, and
construction OF sentences, and even tournure
oil phrnses. II ~ evident TO any person CONVEX
SAINT 18th French literature or oratory, tina, i,
must have been written by one not only fami-
liar with the French, but by Que who frequent.
iy speaks and thinks in that language.
Why. then, should it not have been written
by MIR. LIVINGSTON? Becacse, shy his demo.
cratic friend,-the Proclamation contains in
their pristine purity, all tho doctrines of the
high-toued Hamilton party--the ducnines a d
arguments which MIR .JcGtrson repudiatod in
I|0S as leading To underlined power, and con-
so!idation in the General Government-and
which ho pronounced British, tory dochiaes;-
and, Mr. Livingston, they add, was of the JEFF
fers0Dian School.
Let us test this objection, by the unerring
voice Of history. 1t is true, MIR. Livingston in
lI9S, 30 and 1900, acted with MIR. Jefferson
But did Edward Livingston entertain tho same
opinions OF Constitutional law ia 1888, and
81, that be subsequently, profcsscd to entertain?
Aud IL he did not, hat was the supposed causs
oil this change? While the federal constitution
| .tar IL
several state conventions, Mr.. Jefferson was in
France, as Minister Plenipotentary. lie could
not, therefore. minglo in The party squabbles of
The day, aud could hardly be said to belong TO
other party. Ills capacious mind WINS much
occupied in watching the conyulsive ,hroes of
agonzcd France, whose people were prepar-
Ing to burst asundcr tho inanaclcs with which
they were loaded. 1t way, however, known,
thar he did not approve Of the Constitution as
adopted. Hr was alarmed for the soyereic pty
OF the States, aud expressed his fears that these
sosereigntes would ultimately become en-
gulphcd and swnllowcd up by The HamiL
ion,an scheme ]of consolidating all power
| in tho Federal or United States Govern
ment. So freely had he expressed his au-
| PrehensiOns on this point, while yet in France,
that his venerable friend, j. Uopkinson, of
fcnnsyIvanis, addressed TO him letter q hive
| not The date before me, and write from memo
ry,) IN which he says-you are understood 10 be
an anh Jederalist, SC. 10 this, MIR. JsrFER-
sos replIci-I am neither q EederaG,t nor ~,
anti Jederatisi, and then proceeds to state bis
objections to tho CONSTITUTIONS, and how far he
was anti federal.
PREVIOUS to the dissolution of the old Govern
ment, MIR. Jefferson applied, through his friend Mr.
dladison, (under the confederation Congress made
tho appoIntments) for permission w hich WINS grant
Cd to return to the United States on hr privae bu
slnoss. When he arrived, he found the new Gov
eminent organized; General Washington, chosen
President, and that he was, himself designated as
Secretary of State. In the cabinet of Cen Wash
ington he soon became entirely satisfed that tn
eounsciH OF Generals Hamilton and X nor would pre
vail. The former Secretary of the Treasury
ana the latter Secretary Of War. His approheu
sons having been confirmed by the practico md
tendency OF tile administration, he retired, at an
early day, from the Cabinet under solemn con
Ylellon that The Government rapidly vcrpipg
towards consolidation, and that the friends ofsato
len,s must raiiy and organize, or state sovOrcgny
would be annihatcd. 1t thus, that what w as
originally termod tho anti federal were led to as
sumo tho title of the democratic party
NOW, whl'e the constitution under discussion
iel Ine ask, whore was MIR. Livingston, and his
family, and his friends2~-The debates in vour
State Convention, published and other docu.
ments, moro opbemoral, will answer tho interro
gstory. The high toned federal, oristocrat;c
PARTY IN the state Of New York, was headed by
Gen. Alexander Hamilton, aud his fatherin lac,
Cen. SchaytT. Their friends and adhurents
were John Jay; the Lirngston family, aud other
eminent men.
The anti federal, subsequently tho democratic
party was led on by Governor George Clinton, the
J,aHsings, the Yates, Meianefea Smith, and ascot
ate wings of the revolution. In your Convenlion
Robert X. the brother 81 Edrard Livingston. was
second to none, in tho high tone which he assumed
Ills great effort was made the Judiciara as the
AID OF Gen. Hamilton, who had been specially de-
gnaied by the federal party to sustain that part of
the constitution. Mr.. Robert r. Livinpston ,v,.
considered profound iurist, and one of the
most eloquent men Of tho ago in which he lived
In tho ConYonLIon no was chilled nrn,, i. .-..-1-