Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-02-01

the subject OF opening the West India Trade
The views presented OF the nature and character
of these instructions, by other gentlemen, 'ea'e
me nothing to add butthe expression OF my ueeP
regret that, under any circumstances. the Secre-
tary of State. acting either under the influence
of his own passions prejudces orby the 'nstrne'
tons of the President, should deem 1t compatible
with the dignity of his station, or the elevated
character OF his country, to approach the throne
Of foreign monarch in the style OF supphcatlon,
asking fivOrs Oh the humilitating assurance that
the party to which he belonged, exercising the
powers of government were better entitled to
bis tender mercies than their predecessors IN o.
flee. who, it seems. had been guilty OF the crime
Of demanding. under culur of right from his Ma
iesty, concessions in favor Of American commerce
which more enlightened administration recent
| lY brought into power by an overwhelming maJO-
rity of the people were ready to abandon as nn-
founded {" p. eicns,ons Such an appeal was
unnecessary. and unworthy of statesman repre-
senting the interests and honor OF great and
powerful nation in its intercourse with f0relgu
| Powers, and merits the reproof of this honorable
BODY as an integral part of the Executive. But,
Mr.. President, what is the history OF the conduct
of Mr. Van Buren, in reference To his intercourse
with the Chief Magistrate, and those associated
with him in the Illustration at the seat OF the
Nationa. Government? He entered the councils
of President Jackson with sullen reserve on his
brow, under which he concealed all his opinions
on the great questions which agltated the nation.
He seized ON circumstances which Pre-exsted
hls Undue ton into Office novel in their character
in this country. but familiar at the Court of Lou
is the Fifteenth, in France, and OF Charles the
Second of England, BY means of which, he con-
trived to "rde upon the whirlwind, and direct
the Storm" and to render the credulous and con-
fiding chief. whose weakness he hattered. and
whose prejudices he nuurished, subservient 10 all
his purposes, personal and political. His plans
of operation were shr0uded in darkness and mys-
terry, and executed by the arm ut power, nerved
by the recent developement Of public opinion, for
the accomplishment Of his Interior views-which
knew no limit short of controlling and directing
the destnies of the nation. The established prac-
tce of every preceding administration to hold ca
binet councils was abolished, and the secret ma
chinery of political intrigue was put into success
tul operation, worked BY the skill OF the master
spirit bekind the curtain. No Board OF Consul
,aton around the Green cloth was held, where
each member was required to unfold his senti-
ments 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
to their confidence and support. Every thing was
involved in doubt and uncertainty, III order to
catch the breze of popular impulse in whatever
direction It might set, and to conform To its over
whelmins influence. The southern politician
who complained Of oppression, was soothed, Hat
tered, or threatened according to the thermome-
ter, which regulated the poltica! atmosphere
around the walls of the palace. The m0nopollsts
and office hunters received assuran ces to satisfy
their utmost wisheS. and expectations, and the
doctrines of the "American System" were adopt
ed and repudiated according to calculations foun-
ded on we'll arranged scale OF political profit
aud loss.
An effort to restore the ancient usage of cabi-
net councils, made by few of the most devoted
friends of General Jackson, was repealed with
indignation, and the friendly interposition false.
ly ascrlbed to personal hostility, to particular
member of his cabinet. these gentlemen have
ever siuce been looked on with distrust and sus-
picion by the President.
Thus protected from all interference on the
part of his associates in power, anG from public
animadyerslon, Mr. Van Buren, shaped his course
to suit the crisis, keeping steadily in view his ul-
innate elevation to the first Office in the gilt OF
. free people. Possessed. as he was, OF the unli-
mited confidence of Gen. Jackson, he very soon
found free access to his ear, and by appropriate
= advances, led him into excuses. and errors Ia
tai to the tranquility of the country, with"ut az
fordng the ghtest evidence that he, in any man
ner, participated in producing the results which
he anxously desired to accomplish. The pro.
scriptive policy, pushed, as it was. to extremtles
which the public interest did not seem to require.
and far beyond the practice Of any other chief
magistrate, has been universally attributed to the
advice, and influence of Mr.. Van Buren,. This
system, combined with the whole patronage OF
the government, was, as far as practicable. plac-
ed at his discretion, to smooth the way to the u-
terror object of his ambitun. He made himself
almost the sole adviser of the President during
the first two years of his administration, and eve
nv one who stood in his way was made to feel the
power of executive denunciation. IN this cause
maybe attributed the unprovoked rupture between
the first and second officers Of this government;
the prostration of those noble and high-minded
friends to whose ,nwavering eyertlOns, and lofty
eIoquence, General Jackson must feel himself
indebted for his success in the late contest for the
Presidency; and finally, the dissolution of the