The Arkansas advocate., 1833-12-11
TO THE PERIIC.


 sas, have, for more than enc aalf of the time since May, 1928, been jeff, by Gov. foPE, to execute the Government of this Territory. ln the discharge of inc duties thus thrown uponsnie, have done several official acts which called forth, at the time, the animadyersans oi tie. press. 1 Lave hitherto Permitted ny public acts to speak to themselves, confident ifi the correctness of my intentions, aud knowing that the journals !of the country had the right to pre- sent to the consideration of the people every objection to tine acts of public officers. 1 would not now be driven to adopt a differ ent course, but for the unprecedented attack lately made upon me by majority of the House of Representative, and the Gov ernor of this Territery. In justice to my self, am compelled, on this occasion, to make an appeal to the public.
 ] shall not noticethe ilnputations cast upon fife by majority oi' the House of Repre- sentatiYes. 1T shall suffer in endeavoring to sustain the principles of the Government, ard the rights of the people, will feel proud of suffering such q cause. In the justice of the people, place my whole reliance, and by them 1 wish and expect to be sustained. Against the accusation of tie Governor, that have attempted to convict him of q laWless exercise of power, confidently appeal to my letter to the pre- siding officers Of the two Houses, to free me from that charge. lie charges me, also, with having threatened to issue ProeIa- nation, the moment his back Is turned, to tarrest the progress of the building confded to hls charge. In answer to this, refer to f1ny letter to hiT e' iliiamson, to prove that Emy only object in bringing the subject be- lo1e the Legislature, was to prevent the ex- istence oi such state ot things as might render such Q proclamation necessary, and t6 prevent any interruption from taking place in the progress of the bniding. | lmoSt positively diselairh all intention to in- Lure the undertakers of the building, and as to hls lnslnuaton that my letter to his agent was intended to have a bearing upon the election of members to the Legislature, and Delegate 10 Congress, asirnple narrative of my proceedings will, l trust, put this suspi- fefen entirely to rest. In the month of May last, think, Governor Pope left the 1erri- tory. lie told me, on leaving, that he Lad left the ten section fund in the hands of an l Agent. lie Jeff no paper with me, in rela- ton 10 the selection oY sale of the land, or in relation to the building, which 1t now ap- pears was then under contract. had been absent myseli, from the Territory upon pub- llc business, during the winter and, on my return, he gave me no information ot his proceedings Ill this business. All the know ledge 1 obtained was such as was common to every citizen. was out of health at the tune ot the Goyernor's departure, and con- tlnued indlsposed for some weeks alter wards. So soon as was able to attend to business, examined the acts of Coneress granting the ten sections of land to this Ter tritoEy, and uPon examination, found that the title to the land was vested in the Ter ntory, for d specified object that the Le- gisialure had been appointed an accnt 10 select, sell and convey the land; and this power, only, was subsequently transferred to the GoYernor-the act of transfer ex- iPfessly recognizing the grant of the land as having been previously made to the Terri tory. 1 therefore considered that the fund arising from the sale of the land belonged as completely ly to the Territory Us if 1t had been raised by tax upon the people. and could not be applied to the purpose for winch It was granted, without a law of the
 territory, authorizing its application, and making the necessary appropriation. Un- der these circumstances, 1t became neces- safy for me to determine what my situation required me to do in relation to this matter
 believed 1 had no right to know. officially
 that the building which hal been com meneed was to be paid for out of this fund.
 noticed that every act of Gov. Pope's. to winch the least exception could be taken. was, by the ingenuity of Col seyier3s on. Ponents, brought to bear upon the canvass then pending for the election of Deleoate to Congress. knew that ii I should forb;d ny proclamation, the application of the fnnd to the building thenin progress, that, whether | was right or wrong, il would produce a vio- tent excitement i'll the Territory, and he brought 10 bear upon friend, whom was unwilling to see suffer for the acts of anotb. CT over whom he had no control. I knew that Col, Sevier deserved the thanks of .be people tor obtaining the grant, and there fore determined, if l could do so witbont . , violation of my duty, to withhold from tbe pubic all knowledge of my proceedinqs m believing that the Legislature, which wo1ld soon be convened, could correct wbateyer was found be wrong. No whisper of my ooJecnons to the proceedings of the Gov. ., eiliof ever came from any quarter; and a,- .aoosh every other ground of exception was taken' this remained unnoticed.
 it lenoth tho Tao:sl..,...