Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1834-04-16
WILLIAM j. DUANE.
TO THE PEOPLE or THE UNITED
STATES.
l. + Il Il L Il VI.

FELLow-t lrizE>s:--ln In my last letter,
l reached The period in my narrative,
when the Presidents 'gent returned
from his mission to The State banks and
when his report was plac, d in the Pre-
sidents hands. ] might, it at all need
tul To my defence, here notice vari"Is
incidents, that occurred between the 93d
OF July, and the 9th Of September.-
There was but one, however, which /
feel myself at Liberty to notice at present.
and that liberty take, iu conse quence
OF the publication Oi an ins,dious article,
III the official paper Of the 9TH of Febru-
ary last, founded upon passage in my
letter to Governor TaZewell.
In that letter, mentioned my previous
Willingness to give full exposition of
the incidents ol my brief official career; /;
but added that would so far depart from
the rule "f silence, as to state the true
nature Of the service which ! had been
re equired to perform, especially as the
official reasons given for its execution
did not afford such an explanation. That
substitute one fiscal agent for another,
but to pcrvert IA power, reserved by law
for the public protection, into weapon
to punish the legitimate fiscal agent, il,
such time aud in such manner as to
evade legislative and judicial action.
The official paper OF the 7th ult., per-
ceving the position in which tho Presi-
dent was thus placed relative 10 the 9TH
er two co ordinate branches of the Gov
n,If fort 10, .,l ax
the public mind, and to excuse the Pre-
sident for not having awaited the action
Of Congress. l propose in the present
letter to examine this publication.
My explanation to Governor Taze-
well is described in the official pubica.
ton referred to, as "Mr. Duane's Sc
cond thoughts" by which it is meant,
presume, that had not before thought
of what | had then stated. But it is
barely necessary to read my letter to the
President Of the roth July, in order tt
perceive, that then gave to him the We,
ry "thoughts," which in January follow.
ing very briefly expressed to Governor
Tazewel.
1t is in the next place said, that my
explanation to Governor Tazewell is 4
"revcIation;" and this is correct, if the
assertion means that it is the FIST publ,
exposition OF what had not been belor,
stated. In December last, | declined t.
reveal some incidents, which | have nov
mentioned; and l now forbear to stat,
particulars which | may hereafter rele
to; but my correspondence with the Pre-
sident shows that might have long sine,
disclosed what is now related. | decln
ed, however, until compelled to do SO il
self defence.
1t is further said, that have added
new reason, for refusing to remove tn,
deposites, to those given in my letter t,
the President, of the 9 st Of Septembe
last; but it will appear, an an cxamina
ton of that letter, that this Is "a iallacy
1t is true, ] did noi ~ ~ ~, irtt. tn th
Presidrnl, :" \ nH O., .Ir.. '.' to re
move the Deposits in ni"rr 60 turesla|
the acton nf Congress, a" the occasion iii
not call for that mode OF expression, am
courtesy forbade It. But ! stated tn
fact in different way; | refused to re
move the deposites, because Congress
and the Judiciary ought to be first re
sorted to, and both were Stunned.
The official paper then insinuates, thu
my explanation to Governor Tazewe
was intended to operate on the pride
power in Congress. That it ought so I
operate is true, but that it was designe
for that end, is unlounded. My obje,
in showing what was the true nature {
The service required of me was, to prov
that | could not execute il without detr
ment to the public, and rcproach to my
self, and that my course was not unwoI
thy of the appreciation of the citizens {
Norfolk.
ave have understood" says the o
fetal paper, "that Mr.. Duane was wi
ling to fix day after the meeting {
Congress on which he would remove tn
deposites, in case Congress did not AZ
upon the subject. And We know thu
some OF those in favor Of the remova
and among others the ngen, employc
in making preparation for the transIe
were persuaded that MIR. Duane wa
sincere and honest in making this prop'
sition, and entered into his views; b,