The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-12-30

versaiion, which occurred between public men ON
subec; OF great public interct and which they were
then going TO consider am wholly unconscious OF
violating any rule OF pfophety designed TO regulate
our social intercourse, especially as il has never
been my purpose or intention 90 question the purity
OF Mr. Calhoun's motives of action this subject !;
bit rather 70 express my regret and surprise al the
course which he has felt himself bound 10 pursue,
and which was not prepared 10 anticipate. Under
the impulse Of this feeling, was induced at the
moment of Mr.. Calhoun's remarks in favor OF post
poning the fourth instament, 10 mention 10 member
OF the House OF Repre- Seniafives the substance OF
this conversation. doubi not that he rccollects H.
Dec %, 1897 nm. !.
In an article from the Hon J. @. Calhoun, in the
Intelligencer OF this morning, MIR. Calhoun sys:
| But il seems that Gen. Thompson, Of South Caro-
lima, and Mr.. A. H. Shepherd, OF North Carolina,
relied On To make Jul The chaIgc. L Is not Tor
me 10 say how far they have authorized their names
1 TO be used on the occasion. They can speak Tor
themselves ii they should think proper, and they are
hereby released from every obligation, so far as am
concerned thai might impose silence, and are al
liberty to stale what said on this or any other oc-
! cason."
The donb. which this passage may b, construed to
intimate, as To my lending my name TO the pubiica-
ton OF Mr., Calhonn'S conversation have reason
believe does not exist in the mind Of Mr. Calhoun,
as he had been informed how the matter found lis
way into the North Carolina newspaper In which II
first appeared. II he had entertained any such
doubs they would have been removed by direct
! application to me-
The statement Of Mr. Sheppcrd shows that had
no; the slighes. agency, direct or indirect, In the
mlltcr. But my name having been used both by
Mr.. Calhoun and Mr.. Shepherd, and being directly
called on BY the LATER ! Is proper thai should say
that my recollection of the conversation entirely CO.
800 w, THoMPsoN,Jr.
Dec %, 1887.
| Y ,s.,,xera,y s)s2d Dar Ia9Tt
Sir--I have read the statement which you submit
ted 70 me OF conversation in which MIR. Calhoun
participated, and which occurred on our way from
Green borough, n c. To this place, to attend the ex-
ira session OF Congress, And in conformity with
your rcques; thar should stale whether the remarks
therein attrbrcd 10 Mr.. Calhoun in relation TO the
repeal OF the fourth instaiment, correspond with my
recollection OF them, have to say that they do in
every essential particular
10 this lhlve The more confidence because We
conrersed OF il shortly afterwards: and because,
when learned, after the meeting Of Congress, that
Mr.. Calhoun had expressed himseifin favor OF a
repeal OF thai inSalmen l was surprised and
expressed myself oyou and oilers .
IAN, respectfully, &c:
w. B. CARTER.
Hon. Mr. SHEPHERD. a
To tie Editors efhc National Iat3Higrae-r:
WASHINGTON, Dec. 26, 1887.
Mcssrs GATES SEsroN:-The statement OF Mr..
Shepherd, Gen. Thompson, and Gen. Carter, rem
der a few remarks necessary on my part.
10 referring TO II. two former, in my former
com nuncation did not suppose that either OF them
had au,hoized the article which called forth my for
mcr remliks; nor had | any intention to wound
their feelings My object was TO bring out all the
facts with the view TO put down ef.ctually the SIAN
derois charge OF Inconsistency in reference To my
course the fourth in aalment the extra session
with the vile insinultions asst my motive
We have now full statement of the conversation,
according to the recollection OF those present and
IL
to poapon. the fourth nstanent, ratherihan borrow
money NEE, IL" did not act inconsistency with
any Thing had said. The alternative on which +
acted was contingency no, contemplated in the
con gersation and on which, of course, il did not
turn. As 10 the fourth ns.ament, was then, am
now, and ever have ben, in favor Of executing the
act, according TO its trt,e intent and purpose
We all know Its object was TO gel clear Of an IN
droidajts surplus, b. deposiing II with the States
with the double view of Withdrawing il from The i'm.
mediate control OF the Executive, and the deposite
banks where it was believed TO BE- dangerous
source Of patronage and corruption, and pncing It
in deposi,e safer than those blnks and stand pre-
pared 10 execute the nrf as to the full as far as my
vote nay 20, whenever there is an available surplus
beyond the probable expenditure Of The Government,
which the States will receive whether il be in cash
or paper. Several of my friends in Congress know
that such were my views at the extra session, and
that there none more soiicilous than myself 10
carry ont the act, according my conception or its
true intent and object. But further could not go
TO make surplus to b. deposited with the States
and this was the ground took in debate on The
pos'ponement of the fourth inslameni. Such
course would, indeed, have been inconsistent in me-
abhorrent to every thing have ever done said in
reference TO the subject and rather than raise
b. taxing or Borrowing, to be deposited would not
have hcsitaied ,meat 10 oblitera the act from
the statute book. To do either, would b. a gross
ard dangerous perversion of the act and resist It's
erscHtiOn
In my former remarks, neither affirmed nor de-
MED the truth Of the statement as 10 the alleged
yersa.ion, and confined myself simply to repeing
the charge Of inconsistency between what ] may
have said and did; because, / had very inds,inct
recollection OF the conversation. had an impression
of having conversed on the subject on my way here
but VIII ,her it was in the stage, or on the Steamboat
or IN some public house, or with whom, or what
said had no recollection but of one thing was
pcrac " confident, that | could no, have said any,
thing, fIirly understood, Inconsistent with what
did, that rested fixed principles long blish-
ed in my mind and On which stand openly COM
mued in report and dcbltc. | complain not, Bit il
is deeply TO b, srrlted that casual conversations
which are so easy 10 b, misunderstood should find
their way into public journals. II places those in
pubic life in an awkward situation If they are re-
served, they expose themselves 10 the imputation Of
improper motives and IL they converse freely, they
are iableto b. misrepreSenfed.
ask, as act of justice, that those who may pub
lish the statement to which this refers should pub
fish this also. j. G. CALHOUN.
DEATH