Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-04-20

L
othc Territory of Florida; in other words, that
| a. cannot be pure.
| These are topics of deep interest to every en-
! liphtcncd freeman in the nation-ho cannot be in
indifferent to that freedom which cxalts him above
the base and abcct slaves of dcspotsm. l therefore
consign them to my country, and leave them to
! other persons and to other occasions. NY object
at present is OF a different kind-f resort to this as
my only mode of redress for what conceive to be
| Il personal injury received from General Jackson
| and which cannot suffer TO pass without express
! ing Il ust ndi"naton-tor a man without indigna-
! ton is without virtue. accuse him ofhaving act
cd towards an fUithicSs and diShonoraL!e man
ncr | accuse him Of having nflictcda wound Il
thousand times more painful than the mere dcprivnC
of Office. We can bear the loss of fortune or of
pulical prtcrmcnt, but we cannot bear the insult
| offered by the Shameless violation of Il pledge
which honorable men consider sacred, especially
where tho person who has thus violated il has been
"a friend
| | had rendered. important services to Gen. Jack
son, of which he had expressed his grateful sense
! No opportunity presented itself until he was raised
by the gratitude of the American People for his
| military services, to his present station TO give
sor,c solid proofs of his feelings towards me, than
those expressed in the suhoincd letters, and in
others in my possession.
When the opportunity did at last arrivs so far
from manittsting any disposition to serve me- he
could not, it seems even permit mo TO remain where
| had been placed by Mr. Monroe, who was my
friend and his. My feelings towards Gen. Jack
son were those ot'ihe most perfect good WILL and
had no reason to suppose he entertained any other
| towards me-. Influenced by this impression, paid
my respects to him, at Washington last spring.
| lie received me III the most cordial, frank and
friendly manner; invited me TO family dinner,
and, alter 1t was over, retired with me, smoked
! his pipe, and exhibited to his nomination, by
| the Legislature of New York, as child exhibits
| l's baublc. Finding him III such excellent humor,
took occasion to mention that my commission
would have to be renewed at the next session of
al,
ter of course the term had been always, hithcr-
| to, practically regarded being during good be-
haviour. 1t had been renewed this principle
! by Mr.. Adams although had Just before made
publication under my own signature, which opera
ted in favor of General Jak sons elccton,) but was
willing to pay the compliment of receiving from the
General Il favor, that which, from any other
President, should have claimed matter of
right. He appeared surprised, that should enter
tain moments doubt on tho subject. "Whcn did
you say your commission expires? Upon my word
never thought of it. Appoint you, certainly, Sir
when l6nosc a man, Sir, my opinion is not to be
changed by any one" lie then gave me tho MOST
POSITIVE ASSURANCE THAT HE WOULD
RE-APPOINT ME. And yet, in the face of this
solemn pledge thus given, he has thought proper to
nominate another, without dcigning the slightest
notice or explanation to me l will ask, what man
possessed of the common feelings of our nature,
can tamcly submit to gross violation of those
principles respected by all honest and Just men?
Will ask, what would be the feelings and conduct of
III -
Would he not outroar the most terrific lion of Nu-
india ? After such pledge, if any charge had
been preferred against my public private conduct,
rendering compliance with his personal promise,
Incompatible with his official duty was he not bound
to have communicated it to me, in order that |
might have an opportunity for explanation Hav-
ing condemned me, unhcard if he has condemned
me at all, and for aught know, unaccuscd will he
be permitted by Just people to bring forward
charges gnow is tho individual, whom our mis-
taken gratitude has elevated to the high, but
hope, not irresponsible Office, of President of the
United States, above or below the rules of honor
truth and justice, which govern the conduct of
common men If it be So then it is time we ac.
knowledge ourselves the submissive slaves of Tibe
rus. Or can it be true, it is asserted that the
dcStinlcs OF this great nation, in the Executive
branch OF the government arc ruled by persons un-
known to the Constitution or to the confidence of
the people, under mere name IT'S under name;
but alas! not name like that of Pompev, under
whose shade, Rome, for while, rested in security
from the usurpation and cruelty of the Caesars but
ike the wooden image of an East India God, ex-
allied for the purpose of making cxactions upon
the crcdulity of an idolatrous people.
The occurrence L have just related, was commu
nlcated on the same day to Col White, the delegate
OF Florida, but with additional circumstance
which appeared to me strange and inc plcabc. BE.
fore left General Jackson, informed him that /
had contemplated rcsigning before the expiration of
my next term OF office, and was anxious to be sue
cccded by some one who would give satisfaction to
the people of Florida. "Ah, Sir" SAID he 81 vii!
take care ofthat. have already fixed upon gen
tlcman, Mr.-!" Was this a slip of memory: an
awkward betrayal of his prcdetcrmination to super
ccde me! Ut was the first intimation, my part,
OF my intention to resign; then how he to have
previously fixed upon my successor
This apparent insincerity fell with a chilly sensa
lion upon my heart. must do him the Justice to
say, that had not observed any thing like this
while had acted as his !Sccretary but some traits
OF character dcvelopc themselves late in lite
laborcd most sincerely to Danish from my mind
the suspicion ofsuch gross duplicty, combined with
much pitiabc imbecty; but, in spite ofme it con
tlnuaIly returned The circumstance may admit of
explanation. | state the fact, and the impression
which 1t made, now al most confirmed by events
1t would be doing injustice to myself, if MOTTO
take tins occasion to declare my firm belief that the
measure was resolved upon without the knowledge
or APPROPRIATION of .Messrs. Livingston, McLane and
fancy, for whom, well as for the other ConStiiu-
foGt advise of the President entertain the high
est respect. have known these gentlemen for more
than twenty years, and consider myself honored by
beng ranked among their personal friends They
co"td not approve act which must be condemn
ed by every man of sense and correct feelings in
tho nation. But, with whomsoever it may have
originated, the responsibility must be borne by &c.
neral Jackson.
am not duplicating a barren sympathy on
account of the loss of Office know well the base
and ungcncrous advantage that will be taken of the
circumstances under which my appeal is made
The cry will be: 'hced him not; he is only a dis
contcntcd man, who has been turned out of Office
you must beLiere in General Jackson, and if you do
so, you cannot think him in the wrong on any oc-
casoD." j am well aware that too many of INV
frlow-ctizcns have bent their nccks to this dcgra-
ding scrvitude, and unwilling to admit that
freeman in public office, in the service of his
country il freeman still, and not the humble
instrument, and slave of the highest servant of the
republic. No, ! trust that credit will be given
me for hyhcr motive than the indifference of
on Of H.