Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1834-02-06


Most cordially, Sir, do I unite with my fellow
citizens in offering you our best wishes for your
welfare and happiness, while you may remain in
the retirement TO which you have been driven
because of the independent assertion of your le
gal rights. | am, Sir, very respectfully,
Your most obd't servant,
LITTLEToN w. TAZEwELL.
To WILLIAM J. DUANE, Esq.
PHILApELPHIA, January %, 1894.
SIR:--I have the honor to acknow ledge the re-
CGlpt OF your letter OF the 9Th inst commun eatIng
10 me, by the desire of the citizens of Norfolk,
,ber thanks for my conduct, in endeavoring ''to
preserve the public Treasure from the invasion
Of the Federal Executive"
II in the political school, in which Virgil
MIA had so many eminent men, that was taught,
that the highest human obligation of public a
gent, Is duty to his country; that TO receive
the appreciation of any portion of the people of
your patriotic state, especially through offs
most distinguished sons, is peculiarly grateful to
my heart, for ii satisfies me, that ! have not
strayed from the path, which has been abandon
ed by so many others.
In a free State, il is the duty Of every citizen
TO watch the conduct of those who are invested
With power; and it consistent with your
character to do so, with keen anxiety, in my
case, under the circumstances which follow ed my
entry into office. Out of my own state, had
occupied no station, in which might have had
an opportunity to make known my principles; and
enough, II seems, was known of the characters
ties Of Others to arouse the fears of those who
have a knowledge of human nature, and of the
causes OF the decline of republics. Far from re-
GREETING, that eyes, so competent yours were
TO scrutlnlze, were fixed upon me, rejoice at
your supervision, since am indebted TO il for the
lofty praise that you have bestowed upon me-
praise, which whilst it greatly exceeds my me-
rit consoles me under defamation, as merciIcss
as II is unmerited.
OF the extent ofmy information or the sound
ness of my Judgment, upon the questions in re-
iation to which | differed in opinion from the
President, II does not become me to speak, but
an the pride of truth, may say, that YOU have
not oyerrated the purity of my motives, or the
sincerity OF my conviction; and ! cannot err in
adding, that further explanation must make this
more evident If that is possible. To give a fur
Their explanation many public and private APP
peals have been made to me, circumst ance at
which ought not to be surprised. If ! had felt
such resentment, as the course pursued towards
me well calculated TO excite | would have
long since arraigned the conduct of others, and
challenged an inquiry into my own: but, be-
Hcvcd, that personal indignation alone, however
Just, did not warrant a display of ministerial
transactions; and, that the disclosures of ex Sc
cTctarles, usually made under excitement, were
not calculated TO create respect for our nstitu-
tons, abroad, or TO confirm attachment to them
AT nome. Many grave questions were connected
with my case, and was unwilling by any re-
ference to them, 10 afford pretext for saving
that had an inclination 10 effect the action Of
Congress: besides the Discrimination 10 separate
in feelings of discomfort, from friends still attach
ed to the President. / had a repugnance. even
10 repel the blows Of one, whom | had so long
supported, especially | considered him the
victim of unworthy influence and unhappy pas
sions. SO confident, indeed, was !, Of the propri
ETY. Of my course, whilst in office, that If | had
not been officially falsely, and magnantly asail-
ed, would have preserved the silence which
had imposed upon myself on nv retirement IN
private life. The right Of private correspond
encc exercised; but in the extracts, from two
letters, which were published without my con
sent, there is no trace Of resentment much less of
malignity; nor is there sentiment in them in
relation 10 the Chief Magistrate, which am not
ready TO maintain by fact and argument.
Ii may not, even on this occasion, advert to
the incidents OF my brief official career it seems
20 be due 10 you, that should not leave the snb
ject wholly unnoticed. The service which was
asked to perform, seems net TO be distinctly nm
derstood. The official reasons for n, rformino
what refused TO execute, do not embrace on :, y
plantation which consider due 10 nvself # M,
TO the people or their representative. The tue
y ature Of the service required, Consisted not in
the act of removing the deposites, but in remov.
ing them, from an unwiIlingness to await the ac-
tion Of Congress, or TO resort TO the appropriate
agency OF the judiciary, upon questions con meet
ed with the Bank Of the United Statesmen in
the mere substitution of one Fiscal agent for ano-
thef, but in exercising, for penal ends, a power
given solely for conservative purposes Hostile
as was 30 the Bank and willing as | was TO in
Festjgate the transactions of its officers in the
'trictest manner, IN the legitimate way, ] per-
,ciVed that cooperation in the scheme promo
ed, would be Inconsistent it'll my duty az
lublc agent, my principles a citizen, and NV
vmpathies a man. And, although owing 10
~ Friendship for the President. and nv anxiety