Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1832-04-06
GEN. JACKSON'S LETTER

GEN. JACKSON'S LETTER.
The letter Of Gen. Jackson to his
friends in the New-York Legislature
seems to be claimed as complete ac-
quittal of Mr.. Van Buren,. and trium-
plant vindication of the instructions to
Mr.. MLane, theresponsibility of which
the Gen. has taken upon himself. Let
us examine his positions, and see how
the matter stands.
The General says he dictated those
parts to which exceptions are taken. No
one, however, we presume, will pretend
to say that Mr.. Van Buren, could be re-
quired to sanction them with his name,
unless he approved them. And if he
obeyed the dictation, contrary to his
judgment, certainly his conduct, so far
from being made better, is rendered
more disreputable TO him as a man and
patriot.
End. The General says he feels HIM
self incapable of furnishing the pride or
dignity of that country, whose glory,
both in the field and in the civil admit
nistration, it has been his object to ele-
vate. This is not good argument. He
might as well say he felt himself inca.
pable of violating the solemn convictions
he expressed before his election, in re-
gard to Presidents serving but one
term, and the appointment Of members
of Congress to office. We contend he
has done so already.
Sd. Gen. Jackson attempt, a justifi-
cation ofthe humble posture he assumed,
in the fear that the conduct Of past sd
ministrations might operate to defeat
his negotiations. Even the terms he
asked, he says. were denied to the late
administration, on account Of our con-
duct in former negotiations; g. therefore
it was proper 70 meet the objection =
Truly this is "elevsting" the honor of
the country with vengeance, when an
insult to former minister is assumed
as reason why another minister should
be required to beg and cringe, and de-
preciate his own government, at the foot
of naughty Royalty! 1t isremark able
that the very best plea we had for de-
handing a participation in the direct
trade, is introduced after the begging
part Of the instructions; and then merely
incidentally, as reason why the people
Of this country would be the more disss-
tisfied! We mean the fact that Great
Britain had opened her colonial ports to
Russia & France, notwithstanding they
had omitted, as well as ourselves, to &C
cept the terms Of the act of 9th July,
1926. Here was a clear claim on the
justice of the British government-one
which she could not have disregarded,
but with the rupture of every friendly
tie between the two countries.
The following article from the Ma
tional Gazette, takes another view Of
the letter:
The Albany Argus Of the 1st inst.
contains long and extraordinary letter
with the signature of President Jackson.
1t is reply to letter, to him, Of 1.-The
Republican Members ofthe New York
Legislature" with regard to the rejec-
ton Of Mr.. Van Buren.-The correspon-
denec is concerted appeal from the
Senate and a studied condemnation Of the
constitutional act of that body. This in
reference Of an organized part Of state
Legislature with the functions Of the
Senate is anomalous and OF bad tenden-
cy The President, on his side, aban-
dons his regular relations with the CO.
ordinate branch Of the general govern
ment, and enters into sort Of league
with a state combination. He who, in
his correspondence with President Mon
roe described party as a monster, and ur-
ged its destruction, is now made to ascot
ate himself with a state-party next TO the
worst in the Union) for the purpose Of
Jointly pronouncing sentence and draw
ing popular resentment OF the conduct
Of the Senate Of the United States, be-
cause it exercised its undeniable right Of
rejecting one of his nominations and he
is made, also, to refer to one Of the two
general parties. the Republican as that
whose alleged wish and expectation
ought to have been grSti6sdl