Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1838-02-16
POLITICAL.
From the Frank lin Messenger.
To MARTIN VAN BuaEN.

SIR The PROMISE ] made vou in my
last to write you again soon. ! now take
the liberty 10 fn6'. | was faithful to you
in prosperity and in adversely wi not desert
you. and you sba II realize The truth of the
saying that there is friend hat sticke,h
closer than brn'hcr. will however. no
further upbrald you, until [ have pointed
ont "a clearly and as coolly as | am able
IN what y"u have So grlevously offended
IN order to do this we must take q Short
retrospect Of the past.
When South America revo!ted we were
1T pcac. with Spain. Her colonies tired
OF tore'gn rule ros" in arms against their
opp'cssors, md onr citizens lrb, their aid
~ the colonies. Munitions of war IN larcc
quantities were purchased in our country
aud shipped TO Siolh America, while many
Of our citizens actually engaged IN the con
test. SPAN complained. but they were
told the act Of the citizen was not the &c,
of the government.
When Greece rcvol'ed, we were n,
peace with Turkey The con'"sr was long
and b'ondy. AMI the whole symoalhes OF
the people were enlisted for The land Of the
philosopher and the poet. DhnatIuns were
collected for Greece in every part of the
nation. Ships, clothes, provision and mu
ni'ionS OF war, were sont them in largo
quantities. Even in Congress sir. they
mustered courage enough 10 express an
opinion on the affairs OF Greece. and vel
we were NJ peace with the Grand Turk.
When Texas revoltpd we were at peace
with Mexico. Our citizens engaged with
- o.,
were supplied 'hrm-men were enlisted IN
every part of The South for the Trxlan ser
vice. and every effort was made 10 aid their
cause The con,est was principally car
ried on, and the revolution effected by
American citizens. You. sir. was then
high in authority, and had your share in
The national councils. Mexico complained,
hut what was done by the government !?
Did the adm 1slralion ask for more severe
enactmpnts, IN order to enable them to
stop our citizens who were going to Trxasi
Were he militia called out, or dd any OF
our Governors trot like Marcy and Mason
about their respective states to prevent our
citizens from interfering IN the rebellion Of
Trxas' No, the President issued his proc
lamalion and sent his circular to The officers
of the government, and this ended the mat.
ter.
These revolutions have been going on
for nearly twenty five years, and has our
government during the whole of that Pc
cd been treachernus in its policy--h has it
been violating the laws of nations. and the
obligations OF treaties, and giving just
cause Of war to Turkey. to Spain. and TO
Mexico? lfthis Is true, then we have
had for more than twenty-five years the
most falhess Government upon earth
Where was you sir, during The Texan
contest? You was high IN office, high ~
| the confidence of the administration and
the people, and If The course of the gov
ernmrn was wrong. why did not you come
ont upon the subject. Why did you no,
express your views with regard to the in .
reference of our cil,Znns and the duties
of the administration | can answer for
you. you were too buslly engaged in those
pu'in political ln'rgues by which you ob
tanned your present elevation to at
tend TO The concerns ST the country
The people Of the south had set thcir
hearts on the Independence of Texas and
had you taken any measures to prevent II
You might have lost vote for the Presi'
dency. and this with You was sufficient TO
outweigh any other consideration. -Thro'
NAMED the same, and our government has
frequently declared that they had done all
they were bound 10 do to preserve our
neutrality. Tnls at last, so fer as it relates
10 Texas you have sanctioned bv yonr,
silence. If these declarations were true
It our government had done its duty by
other nations, WHY do more to favor
England? II The old law did c,me Up to
the mark. why 60 beyond II on her accoual'
Do we owe more to England han to other
ConntrleS' l. the law Of nations to re.
celve one construction where Eugl land is
Interested, and another where it concerns
Mex go. or have we any treaty with Eng
land that binds us 20 assist her in main
tanning her sway over her colonies, WHY
have you been calling for stronger laws.
ard putting the country to such Immense
expense, to aid her gracious ma "sty The
Qnrcn IN her coDies; with her subjects,
We may make the best answers we can TO
these inquiries, but the whole civilized
world will entertain but one opinion upon
the subject. They viii believe Your con
dnc' proceeded from cowardlce. They will
say M"xco was weak and You could beard
her courageously, England was strong and
you lruckled TO her. You may moi feet
this as degrading IN the least. Not 80
with The people themselves, they will no,
ike Eastern slaves p,nsrra,e ih"mselvc.
before the twaddng Queen of England,
or mcanly stoop TO kiss the foo,slool Of her
throne.
But you must be well aware that citizen
can never violate our neutrality or break
our treaties. That must be The net of the
nation 10 the national capacity. 1t is
however the duty of the government TO
hav" such legislative enaclments as will
enable Them 10 peLnrm The nblca.inns