Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1832-02-16

tion, invite them, urge them, IN Justice
to their friend, to rescue him from every
shade OF suspicion which may be cast on hin,
| by the appointment OF committee, 10 be
chosen by this honorable body who shall be
charged with the duty Of collecting all the
testimony which can be adduced. either for
or against the nominee, and making faith
full report Of il 60 the Senate: and If the re.
suit should be such as to satisfy my mind that
the nominee IS innocent OF the unworthy con-
duet which has been ascribed 10 him, my
vote will be given in favor Of his nomina
ton, with more real pleasure than can feel
IN obeying the dictates Of duty, IN denying
10 him my support. TO such committee
am authorized to furnish the names of seye
raj gentlemen, high in the conf Hence Of the
country, who are ready TO testify, on oath il
required, to all the facts which they have
authorized me to Communicate to the Senate
on the present occasion. in q much more
enlarged and satisfactory manner, than 1t IS
in nv power to give 10 them But | must
be permitted to remark, that If this invitation
is declined by the friends Of Mr. Van Buren,,
my vote must be recorded against the pom
nation. confidiug, as do, in the honorable
sources from which my information is deriv
ed. | iorbesr TO dwell on the novel and ex
binary character Of the instructions CIV
en- by MIR. Van Buren, TO MIR. McLane. our
late minister 10 London. on the subject OF
opening the West India Trade,
The views presented Of the nature and
character Of these instructions, by other gen
tlemen, leave me nothing TO add but the ex-
preston Of my deep regret that, under any
circumstances, the Secretary oil State, act.
ing, either under the influence Of his own
passions or prejudlces, or by the instructions
of the President, should deem it compatible
with the dignity Of his station. or the eleya-
ted character OF his country, 10 approach
the throne of foreign monarch in the style
OF application, asking iavors on the hami-
iiating assurance that the party to which he
belonged, exercising the powers of govern
ment, were better entitled to his tender ner-
cies than their predecessors in Office. who, il
seems. had been guilty Of the crime Of de
handing, under color Of right from his Ma
jesty. concessions in favor Of American com
merce which more enlightened sdministra
lion recently brought into power 10y an over
whclming majority OF the people were ready
to abandon as uniounded "pretensao'is. Such
an appeal was unnecessary, and unworthy
of statesman representing the interests and
honor of great and powerful nation IN its
Intercourse with Foreign Powers, and mer
its the reproof Of this honorable body as an
integral part of the Executive.
But, Mr. President, what is the history oil
the conduct Of MIR. Van Buren, in reference
to his Intercourse with the Chiri Magistrate,
Il those associated with hun in the administra-
ton at the Seat OF the National Government?
He entered the councils Of President Jack
SON with sullen reserve ON his brow, under
which he concealed all his opinions on the
rtua xuhtrh auI taft All the nathan
He seized on circumstances which pre- existed
his Induction into office, novel IN their cha
racter in this country, but familiar at the
Court OF Louis the Fifteenth. in France, and
of Charles the Second oiEagland, by means
Of which, lie contrived to "rlde upon the
shirlwind and direct the Storm" and to rem
der the credulous and coahding chief, whose
weakness he battered, and whose prejndicss
he nourished, subseryient 10 all his purposes,
personal and political bis plans Of opera
ton were shrouaed IN darkness and mystery,
and executed by the arm OF power, nerved
by the recent Development Of public 0pIn
ion, for the accomplishment OF his ulierior
views--which knew no limit short OF con
trolling and directing the destinies Of the ma
ton. The established practice to every pre-
ced,ng administration, to hold cabinet coun-
ellis, sas abolished, and the secret machine
ry OF political intrigue was put into success
fu operation, worked by the skill OF the
master spirit behlnd the curtain NO board
oil consultation around the green cloth was
nei.i, where each member was required to
unfold his sentiments freely and frankly OF
men and measures connected with national
policy
No principles were promulgated as the
standard by which the people might test the
claims Of the administration 10 their conf
dence aud support. Every thing was invoiv
ed in doubt anu uncertainty, N order to
catch the breeze 81 popular impulse IN what
ever direction It might set, and to conform
TO us overwhelming mtlueace. The southern
politician vino complained OF oppression,
was soothed, tiattered, or threatened accord
ing to the thermometer which regulated the
political atmosphere around the walls OF the
palace. The nionopoiisis and ONCE hunters
received assurances TO SATISFY their almost
wishes and expectations, and the doctrines
OF the american System" are ADOPTED and
repudiated according to calculations founded
on well arranged scale Of political profit
and loss.
An effort to restore the ancient usage OF
cabinet councils, made by few Of the most
devoted friends Oh Gen. Jackson, was re-
PEELED with indignation. and the friendly n
terpositlon falsely ascrited to personal hosti
ltty, 10 particular member Of his cabinet
These gentlemen have ever since been look
ed on with dislrust anu suspicion by the Pre-
sident.
Thus protected from all interference Oh the
part &c his associates IN power, and from
I...tt.o -, n,d,erxtoa Mr. Van Raren shan