Litchfield enquirer., 1832-02-16

der the creuniOus and cOnhding chlet, whose weakness he hattered, and whose prejudices he nourished. suhservient to all his purposes. personal and political. Ills plans 0f opera ton were shrouded in darkness and mystery, and executed by the arm of power. nerved by the recent develOpement Ofpublic opinion, for the accomplishment of his ulleriOr views which knew no limit short of controlling and directing the destinies of the nation. The established practice of every preceding ad mnistraiion, to hold cabinet councils, was abolished, and the secret machinery of pOliti cal intrigue was put into successful operation, worked by the skill of the master spirit be- hind the curtain. No board of consultation around the green cloth was held, where each member was required to unfold his sentiments freely and frankly, of men and measures con- neeted with national policy.
 No principles were promulgated as the standard by which the people might test the claims of the administration to their cOnfi- dence and support. Every thing was involv- ed in doubt and uncertainty, in order to catch the breeze ofpopular impulse, in whatever di- rection it might set, and to conform to its overw helming influence. The southern pol
 tician who complained of oppression, was -soothed, flattered, or threatened. according to the lhermomcter which regulated the politi- cal atmosphere around the walls of the pal- ace. The monopolists and office-hunters re- ceived assurances to satisfy their utmost wishes and expectations, and the doctrines of the" American System' were adopted and repudiated according to calculations founded on well arranged scale ofpolitical profit and l0sss
 An effort to restore the ancient usage of cabinet councils, made by few of the most devoted friends of Gen. Jackson, was repel- led with indignation. and the friendly inter- position falsely ascribed to personal hostility, to particular member of his cabinet. These gentlemen have ever since been looked on with distrust and suspicion by the President.
 Thus protected from all interference on the part of his associates in power, and from pub lie animadversion, Mr. Van Buren shaped his course to suit the crisis, keeping steadily in view his ultimate elevation to the first office in the gift of free people. Possessed. as he was, of the unlimited confidence of General Jackson, he very soon found free access to his ear. and by appropriate advances, led him into excesses, and errors, fatal to the tranquil ity ofthe country, without alf"ring the slight est evidence that he, in any manner, partlcl-, pated in producing the results which he anx- iously desired to accomplish. The proscvip l tive policy, pushed, as it was, to exti entities 
 quire, and far beyond the practice of any oth- CT Chief Magistrate, has been universally at
 tribuied to the advice and influence of MT. Van Buren. This system. combined with the whole patronage of Government, was, as far as practicable, placed at his discretion, to smooth the way to the ulterior object of his ambition. He made himself almost the sole adviser of the President during the first two 1 years of his administration, and every one
 who stood in his way was made to feel the a 5sfbSAt s iRs SSn9o7oked n
 ture between the first and second officers of this Government; the prostration of those noble and high minded friends to whose un- wavering exeriions, and lofty eloquence, Gen. Jackson must feel himself indebted for his success in the late contest for the Presidency; and finally, the dissolution of the cabinet, and the consequent nomination of MT. Van Buren as Minister to the Court of London.
 l have, Mir. President, been put in posses sion of communication, tracing, with great minuteness, and, have no doubt. accurately, the means resorted to by Mr. Van Buren to produce the rupture between General Jack son and those honorable men who had accep- ted his invitation to become members of his political family. foibear to read this paper 10 the Senate, because of the peculiar mat. tsrs of which il, treats, but hold myself req. dy to deliver if, with the name of the author, | .o any committee of investigation which may | be appointed to embody the evidence on this subject. have also received, from gentle men now in this city, a statement of conver- sation held with the late Secretary of State, | after he had surrendered the seals of office. which Ibeg leave to lay on the table, as the facts it details are intimately connected with those transactions which have occupied so large share of the public attention, and which, l regret to say, have never been ex- plained in q manner to satisfy the moral feel ing of the country. Of the writer of this communication, have very little personal knowledge ; hut he has the most respectable 1 testimonials of his good character and conduct; and, anl informed, has been favorably know | as the editor ofa journaii in New-York, friend ly to the present administration of the govern nent. For myself, do not doubt the verty of the statement, and I submit it, without comment, to those wko desire information on the matters to which it relates.
 Mr. President, in addition 90 the unbr0ken current of oftestimony to which have already adyerted, showing most clearly the foul means employed by the late Secretary of State to appropriate the name and well earned fame of General Jackson to the advancement Ot his own ambitious projects, and to overthrow all
 who obstrncled his path to political power, I teeiittO to be my duty 10 give to the Senate the substance of conversation which took place hat waar ina Droaidart and n v1o,.h.m L:.