Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1836-10-06
(From the n. Y. Com. Advertiser.
LANDS LIFE OF Van BunEV.

Travelling recently IN Vermont, l
found the state literally fooded with the
above publication. An intelligent gen
tl"man told me that probably fire thousand
/ had been distributed in tha. state alone,
and perhaps thirty thousand in the differ
cnt states. As ] remembered that on
tie first appearance of the book, it was
said in the Commerc ial, that the author
"enj ed IN cnvhble reputation for learn
ing and talents" until he devmcd them
to such purpose, { was led to examine
the work with some attention, and was
fully convinced that the talents Of the
author had not been oyerrnted. ! con-
ie,s ! do not know of IA more ingenious
piece Of biography in the language.-
The style is polished and chaste, yet
clear; and, generally, unpretending -
But it is in the choice and use of his ma
terials, that the art and tact of the author
most appear II, as he asserts in the
preface, he was not, directly or indIrct-
Iy, aided by MIR. Van Buren himself, he
has certainly shown degree Of industry
not often surpassed, in hunting up every
fdporabie incident and bringing to light
every discreet remark. On the Contrary,
the authors ingenuity is not less remarka-
bic, in Keeping ota Of sight every thing
which was not likely to be acceptable to
the present tone of popular feeling. In
this way the book has had very dan.
gcrous influence in Vermont at least,
and, probably, in other portions of the
Union. Its omissions and perveisions
deserve to be exposed. | have neither
leisure nor inclination to do this thor
oughly, but will attend to II few particu-
lars.
I In the first place, Mr.. Holland throws
around Mr.. Van Burcn's early life, a de-
gree orrespectabiliiy and dec"rum which
never belonged TO it. 1t is amusing to
see The skill aud ingenuity, with which
! a wranglinS pctt'lugger IN bar-r""ms, is
turned into IA Young Roscius, defending
, the rights of the oppressed in courts Of
Justice. MIR. Van Euren himself must
have laughed at the improving mctamor-
phosis he has undergone in the hands Of
his biograpber.
!. The representation Of his whole legal
standing and character is equally color
ed and transformed Mr.. Holland, who
! isl believe, himself lawyer, has brought
! to light the only two legal opinions oi
! any consequence Mr.. Van Buren, ever
! delivered in the Court Of Errors; though
he manages to introduce them rs mere
specimens; and he so couples his name
/ with Burr, Emmet, and other truly great
men, as TO create an impressions, on the
mind of reader rot acquainted with the
facts, that Mr.. Van Buren, really belong
ed to that class OF eminent lawyers! He
turns TO similar account, the fact Of his
having, by party favor, been made a'tor-
! ney gcncral-a miserable substitute for
! Mr.. Van Nechten who was removed 10
make way for him.
Il Passing to his political life, MIR. Van
Buren's suppor, of Morgan Lewis in 49,
Oh, and desertlon of him in 1907, are
smoothly CLOSED over This political a
postacy from MIR. Van Ness and his 9TH
er early friends, was rewarded by the
oIlice Of surrogate.
- Next comes his opposition TO the re-
election of Madison, in 1872. Here
Mr.. Holland brings to his aid the inge-
nious apology of Mr.. Butler. The whole
is so managed as to create an impression
that Mr.. Van Buren, did not at that time
oppose the national administration and
the war. The short turn he made, about
those DAYS, in his political course, is
carefully kept out Of sight; as is also his
inconsistency in supporting Clinton for
president, against Madison, in 1919, and
/ for governor, on his first election, and
then turning short round and opposing
him on his second election.
With equal uniairness, the tardy and
feeble support he gave the Erie canal IL
so exhibited as To make him appear one
of its firmest aud earliest advocates
There can be nothing farther from the
truth. The malignity and bitterness with
which he endeavored to undermine Mr.
Clinton's popularity are all covered by
the formal vote Of coincidence, passed
after his death, by the New York dele
gates. in congress, which MIR. Van Bu-
,en. ms senator was entitled to bring for
ward. ,
i MIR. Hollands greatest difficulty,
however, arises, in regard to Mr.. Van
Buren's support of that distinguished Fed
eralist, Rufus King, against Mr.. Spen-
Ger. an old school democrat, and finally
TO the extent of prelerring him to Samuel
Young. On this occasion, the glarng
descrtlon of principles, party and friends,
by Mr. Van Buren, is too palpable and
notorious for the ingenuity of his biog-
rapher. After struggling with the diff
Guilty some time, Mr.. Holland, finally
1 oiyes n IN and lpts Mr. Van turcn