Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-02-24
To che People of the United States.
LETTER II.

In nv first letter, dpOloSlSeu Ioi appearing
before you, showed you that nao peen tii9 ear
lv and steadfast friend of General Jackson,
nointed out the motive for the persecution dl-
rected against me which he now sanctions, and
defied him and his adherents to prove any OF
their foul imputatlons.
Even when oppressed in September last II
will be seen, on reference to my letters OF the
2lst of that month, heretofore published, that
did not attribute the conduct OF the president 10
anv NAL gnant motive then considered him the
mere instrument ofmen around him who were
unworthy of his confidence; and believed that
he had become the eXecutoner OF their ven
geance against all who checked their rapaclty.
But confess, that, whilst still believe the Pre-
sident to be ruled by eXtraneous influences ope-
rating on his passions it is difficult charltably
to account for his silence whilst acts are dellb-
eratey executed before his eyes, which are at
variance with truth, justice, and charity
What can be a more serious charge, than 10
saw that, under the mask of friendship, enter
ed the cabinet to thwart the President ana IA
yor an institution, which proeSsed 10 oppose!
Yet serious as this imputation is, it is sanction
ed bv the chief magistrate! It's sanctioned in
opposition to all facts nay, in contradiction to
his declarations made to me in writing as we'll
as personally up to the last moments OF our
separation!
To sustain so grave charge, proof should
have been given; but all that is said to sus-
III.
deposltes and that in a letter, published at
New Orleans, depressed such sentiments as
showed that | had been " indoctrinated with all
the hostility of the bank opposition" My rea-
sons for resisting the removal of the deposites
will be given in future letter, when the public
will be able to Judge, how far that resistance
sustains the vile imputation which l am now
considering At present shall refer only to the
second pretext for this calumny.
To letter from friend at New Orleans L
wrote reply in October last, which regretted
to see published without my consent. From
that reply the official paper of the Both OF De-
cember last made this quotation.
"lt is but too obvious, either that we misun-
derstood the qualities of General Jackson's
head, or else he has been wonderfully altered
On all the cardinal questions agtated, he has
failed to be consistent:. he promised purity IN
selections for office, yet few have been purely
made: he protested to be friend to domestic
industry, vet he has done more than any body
else to PROSTATE it. he advocated national
government bank and yet effects to dread "a
monied aristocracy: he complained of the COR
ruption of one bank, and yet takes forty or fifty
irresponsible paper circulating banks under the
national wing: he has seen for, and against, IN
ternal Improvement: he denounced nulllflcatlon,
vet he has been of late unsaying all that he had
said in his proclamation. In short, do not be-
lieve he ever had fixed principles, or ever ar
rived dtany result Dy tne exercise ol TIE nltilu'
impulses and passions hare rated"
The sketch here presented was drawn after
nv retirement to private life, and consequently
after / had availed myself of an opportunity,
not before enjoyed of closely examining the
original When became one ofthe Presidents
advisers, it was my duty to study his moral and
intellectual qualities, as well as his pohtlcal
principles and views and to this end eXerted
such powers of discrimination as possessed
The result was conviction, that in the por-
traits which had drawn, to gain popular APP
probation, in 1923 and 1923, had either tiatter-
ed General jackson, owing to my having had
before me outlines only taken by his intimate
friends; or else that the features had been OF late
greatly altered under the influence of pride and
power. naturally stated in private letter to
friend the result of my observation especially
as that friend like myself had been originally
great admirer of General Jackson; and | am
sure il grieved him to hear, as it did me to have
occasion to communicate, what contradlcted so
many of our fond anticipations.
The prominent characteristics OF General
Jackson, according to my representations in
1923 and 1928, were purity of purpose, and
steadness in execution. But, In 1888, became
satisfied that his principles, even on cardinal
points, were not fixed; that purposes were Gre
ated for him, the true nature OF which was con-
Cealed by artful management; and that, IN car
rying them into execution impulse and passion
impressed character of obStinacy on his con-
duct which under the exercise of the mind,
would have been steadinesS in execution.
1t is true, that, before my entrance into office,
was aware that the President had been impo-
sed upon in relation to appointments. | also
knew that he had been unsteady in his course as
to domestic industry, internal Improvement and
a national bank. But, what was my duty, when
the President invited me as his friend, to become
one of his advisers? If could reconcile the
acceptance of office with the doubt which | felt
as to my ability, and with private obligations, l
considered it my duty to do so, in the hope that
might render some service, by striving to re-
concile his practice with former profession; by
trying to persuade himto abandon vacillating
course as to manufactures since nothing could
be more pernicious to this interest than uncer-
tainty in legislation; and by urging him to adj
here to strict Interpretation of the constitution,
instead of wandering in the mazes OF construc'
ton, in relation to the United States Bank, or
other disputed subjects.
Such are the remarks which consider my
self called upon to make, in relation to one oil
the pretexts for the aspertion, that l entered
the Presidents cabinet to thwart him. But lest
any doubt should exist on your minds as to my
disinterestedness or to the manner in which the
int n ~r