Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-02-22
To the People of the United States.
LETTER /.

23d of September last / resolved for the reasons
stated in nv late letter to Governor TaZewell,
to rest upon my acts as an officer and my reputa-
tion as man, unless the one should be misrepre-
scented or the other assailed. And in order that
the responsibility, of any disclosure of past oc,
currences,. should rest upon the President, no
tilted him. ere left Washington, on the 9th OF
September last, that should hold him account
able for the malconduct of the publisher OF his
official paper; and that, as the public reputation
usually suffered in conflicts between the chief
magistrate and ex-ministers, would avoid a
controversy and only repel assaults, which he
should sanction.
So little effect had this suggestion, and so ne
cessary did it appear to the President to prevent
sympathy for me, which would be censure upon
himself, that the official paper continued, after
my retirement to private lite, to circulate the
most iagitious imputations upon my character:
and vet, when the President saw, in a pubic
print, an extract from one of my private letters,
published without my consent and containing
nothing but the truth, he affected to be very
much offended; and instead of directing retu-
taton of what had said, he broke the seals,
that closed the cabinet and our correspondence
in order TO sustain false and malignant attack
upen me, on the 10Th ofNovember last.
1t was necessary to notice this; but even on
that occasion, did not repel this aggression;
nor did invite the people to look upon the stage
much less behind the scenes, where their dear
est rights and interests are sported with by IN
cognito performers; on the contrary, merely
published brief defensive address, so little IN
dicative of resentment thatit was pronounced
even by dispassionate men, reprehensibly mild.
Several grave questions, connected with my
case, have long been discussed, not only IN Con-
gress but throughout the country; the instruc-
tons given to the Presidents agent for making
inquiries as to state banks, are before the Sen
ate of the United States; and in my own defence,
- oxry,lo notin or
them; doubts have been expressed on the floor
of that body, whether there had been due fore
sight and warning as to the evils that now exist,
and it is due to myself at least, that should
show, that in this respect, as well as others,
did my duty. In September last the President
appealed to the people, by publishing his reasons
for directing a removal ofthe public deposltes;
and as soon as Congress assembled my success
sor inthe treasury department presented state
ment in relation to his agency in removing
them. 1t seems, there fore, to be duty TO my
SELF if not to the public, to present, in detail my
reasons for resisting the President; and, at least
his friends cannot complain of my appealing to
the people, since barely initiate his own exam
pie.
If had heretofore felt any doubts of the pro-
prietv of addressing you, they would be now re-
moved: my correspondence and conversations
with the President were again msrepresented.
in his official paper of the 9TH instant, and, at
the same time, vile aspersions, palpably sane
toned by him, were again cast upon my fepu-
tation. So that, even fno obligation of pub
lie nature required some explanation now, it is
demanded and justified by this new display OF
vindictiveness.
Under ordinary circumstances some of my
fellow citizens might perhaps with proprlety,
scensure any exhibition of documents, or expo
sition of facts, on my part; but trust that they
will now reflect that it is in self defence resort
to the course pursued by the President himself;
that have preserved silence for nearly five
months amidst invitation and even taunts on
one side, as well as under so slanderous perse-
cution. on the other.
Without saying, therefore, at the outset, how
far may go, / consider myself released from all
impediments, but those, which a sense of duty
to the public and respect for myself may inn
pose.
Although personally unacquanted with Ge-
neral Jackson, until 1929, / ardently supported
him as candidate for the Presidency, as early
as 1923. ! thought that his country owed him a
large debt of gratitude; that it would be useful
to our institutions to have in the executive chair
a person unaccustomed to intrigues, but too pre-
valent at the seat of government; and that
he who had given such sound advice to Mr..
Monroe, whilst President, would never contra
dict in practice himself what he had then de-
clared to be the only patriotic and honorable
course of the chief magistrate of free and en-
hghtened people.
In 1925, renewed my eXertions in his favor,
at no little sacrifice of personal friendship and
pecuniary interest; and, when he was success
full, heartily rejoiced: but, confess, that as
soon as saw some former professions contra
dicted by subsequent practice, felt sincere re-
greet. respected the Presidents intentions and
fattered myself that he would return to the path,
from which he might have incautiously wan
dered | was not, however, PARTISAN; Gene
raj Jackson, now in power, did not need aid from
me. Men, who had stood in the ranks of his op-
moments. when advocated him, passed over to
his side, when he won, the sspoils of victory,
and they got no inconsiderable portion. As to
myself personally, l desired to partake of the
fruits of the triumph only as member of the
great family of the people. 1t was MOTTO be ex-
pected that I should cease to support the gene
raj course of the President because he erred, as
believed, in various instances; much less, thai
should cease to be member of a party, to
which ] had always belonged, because its favor
lite had not redeemed all his pledges; sustain
ed such OF his measures as were consistent with
the fundamental principles of the old republi-
can party, and, without considering who advo-