Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-03-11
TO the People Of the United States
LETTER VI.
FELLOW CITIZENS:

LETTER vi.
FELLOW CITIZENS
In my last letter, reached the period in my
narrative when the Presidents agent returned
from his mission to the state banks, and when
his report was placed in the Presidents hands
might, if at all needfu to my defence, here no.
tice various incidents that occurred between the
23d of July and the 9Th of September. There
is but one, however, which feel myself at liber-
ty to notice at present; and that liberty take, in
consequence of the publication of an insidious
article in the official paper ofthe 9TH of Febru-
ary last, founded upon passage IN my letter to
governor Tazewell.
In that letter mentioned my previous unwil-
ngness to give full exposition of the incidents
of nv brief official career; but added that
would so far depart from the rule Of silence as to
state the true nature Of the service which had
been required to perform, especially as the Off
cial reasons given for its execution did not al
ford such an explanation. That thetrue nature
of the service was not to substitute one fiscal
agent for another, but to pervert power reser-
we'd by law for the public protection into wea-
pom to punish the legitimate fiscal agent, at such
a time and in such q manner, as to eVade leglS-
lative and judicial action.
The official paper of the 9TH ultimo, perceiv-
inc the position in which the President was thus
placed, relative to the other two coordinate
branches of the government, put forth a publ
the President for not having awaited the action
of congress- propose, in the present letter, to
examine this publication.
Nv explanation to governor TaZeWell is de-
scribed, in the official publication referred to, as
I" Mr.. Duane's second thoughts" by which it is
meant, presume, that had not before thought
of what had then stated. But it is barely ne
cessary to read my letter to the President Of the
10th of July, in order to perceive, that then
l.; +la, hon 1tSD urhi 10 in Ia
nuary following, very briefly expressed to 60
vernon Tazewell.
1t is in the next place said, that my explana-
ton to governor Tazewell is "revelation;"
and this is correct, if the assertion means, that
it is the first public exposition of what had not
been before stated. In December last, had de-
clined to reveal some incidents which | have
now mentioned; and now forbear to state par
ticulars which may hereafter refer to; but my
correspondence with the President shows that |
might have long since disclosed what is now re-
lated. declined, however, until compelled to
do so in sef-defence.
1t is further said, that have added new rea-
son for refusing to remove the deposites to those
given in my letter to the President of the 21st Of
September last; but it will appear on an exa-
mination ofthat letter, that this is fallacy. 1t
is true, did not say in my letter to the Presi-
dent" Sir: Y GU required me to remove the de-
posites in order TO torestall the action of Con-
gress;" the occasion did not call for that mode
of expression, and courtesy forbade it. But |
stated the fact in different way; | refused to
remove the deposites, because Congress and the
judiciary ought to be resOrted to and both were
stunned.
The official paper then nsinuates that my ex-
PLANTATION to Governor TazeweII was intended
to operate on the pride Of power in Congress-
That it ought so to operate, is true; but that it
was designed for that end, is unfounded. My
object in showing what was the true nature of
the service required Of me was, to prove that
| could not execute it without detriment to the
public and reproach to myself and that my
course was not unworthy of the appreciation of
the citizens Of Norfolk.
owe have understood" says the official pa
per- " that Mr.. Duane was willing to fix day
after the meeting of congress, on which he
would remove the deposits, in case Congress did
not act upon the subject. And we know that
some Of those in favor Of the removal, and
among others the agent employed in making
preparation for the transfer, were persuaded
that Mr.. Duane was sincere and honest in MAX
ing this proposition, and entered into his views;
but the President saw that it was utterly incon~
sstent with the principles which Mr.. Duane had
previously laid down in writing, as those which
would direct his conduct and he considered the
proposition as mere fnesse for the benefit of
the bank, and treated it accordingly"
shall not here stop TO comment upon the Pre- |
sdents secret sentiments respecting me, which
seem to have been so well known to ''the agent"
and " Others" writer's for his official paper, but
will show what was my proposition.
When it was known early in September that
persisted in my refusal to remove the deposites,
and even hesistated whether my duty to the
did not forbid surrender of the post
in my care; some of the members of the cabi-
net appeared to desire that a middle course
night be pursued Whether | would fix upon
4 day, on which would remove the deposites,
after the meeting of congress, in case that body
should not act on the subject. Whether this in