Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1838-04-05
TO HIS EXCELLENCY, JOHN
RROwN FRANCIS.

for many years has gone heart and hand WIN
YOU as an Administration or Jackson man IN
all the great political party struggles, both III
State and country--and as ono who has uni
formly supported you,-always considering
you gentleman Oft high and elevated mind,
above al! that mere party feeling which actu'
a,cs those whose sole dependence for them
selves and families rests upon the success OF
party alone,--and moreover as actuated by
that love of country which characterzes oil
great and patriotic men Having, | say,
this high and exalted opinion of your hereto
fore public course, was much surprised and
crieycd to SEQ your nnme at the head of the
Loco Foco Prox lately published at Provl-
dcnce.
When first saw it in that Prox, thought
il was ono Of those Loco Foco tricks to de-
ccive the good people and freemon OF this
State, well knowing that you were against
all those Loco Foco projects, and Govern
ment Humbug measures. But not seeing
your disavowal Of this proceeding, am led
to believe that you have consented that your
name should be made use OF, and am almost
tempted to say" How arc the mighty
fallen !" Sir, my course has always been for
my country, my whole country, and not for
any man, or men, or party, which my senses
tell me are pursuing course rninous and de-
structive to the best interests of my country.
And do believe, and / believe that every
man, who will divest himself Of party prcju-
diccs, will think as | do, that the present
measures of the present Administration OF
the General Government, if carried into full
effect, will be ruinous and destructive to the
best interests of the country.
Now, sir, I will beg leave to ask you your
candid opinion whether you think, or be-
licve, that the measures Of the present Ad-
ministration are for the interest and benefit
of tho country or of the State of Rhode Is
land Do you not believe they are ruinous
and destructive to the best interests Of both
! can almost answer that you do. Sir, we
will look back only eighteen months ago, and
sec what was the state Of the country ut that
time, and contrast it with the present condi-
ton of the country-and then ask yourself
what has caused this wonderful change
Two years ago we had sound national cur
rency, and every branch ofindustry was pros
porous. Our manufacturers, our farmers, our
merchants, our mechanics e. laborers--ovcry
branch of industry-was in the highest state
of prosperity, and every face you saw wore
smile upon it. The Farmers Of Rhode Island
and of the country generally, found ready
market for their produce and rooi, ut high
price. How is it now /? Compare the price
of wool now, and two years back, and mark
the difference. ] mention ,oool because it is
the great staple of tho State of Rhode Island
Two years ago the wool manufacturer could
sell his cloth at a fair price in our Southern
and Western States, and get his pay and re-
mttanccs at fair or trihing exchange thro
the branches of the Bank Of the United
States. Now were he to sell his cloth al
those places, he would get no rcmttances al
all, or if le did, it would be OF loss OF from
IS to 25 per cont-and this is the cause why
our wool manufacturers cannot purchase the
Farmers wool. Now, sir, this valuable class
of mon is called upon TO support the Loco
Foco Prox, with their wool lying msold ; and
those very Loco Foco men have the impu-
dcncc to head their ticket--Ihe Farmers
Pror! Can they suppose that this valuable
class of men can DO gulled thus to support
that hand, or Prox, which is raised, If not to
shed their blood, to destroy their best inter
ests /? No, sir, the prctenee is too flimsy-
the veil is too thin.
Now, sir, look and see what was the state
Of the country only eighteen months ago.
Was the country ever more prosperous and
happy than at that tmc--at peace with all
the world, out Of debt, the treasury full and
overlowing with forty millions of surplus
revenue more than the Government expenses
required ? And more than half the session
of Congress was consumed in long speeches
TO know what should be done with these for
ty millions, when at length it was decided to
divide il among the States. Sir, what is our
present situation Instead Of having forty
millions of surplus revenue over and above
the wants of the Governme Mt, the Treasury
has not a cent in it, and the Government is
bankrupt Instead Of that valuable com.
merce and the immense revenue derived from
it, the Government has to resort to the issue
of Treasury notes to pay the officers Of Gov
ernmont! Is this the gold and silver cur
rency we were promised by Genernl Jackson
aud the Hon. Thomas IL. Benton 81 Co..
when they raised their hue and cry against
the Bank of the United States and oil the
local banks
Sir, permit me to give you my opinion OF
the cause Of all those dreadful calan!;icp Oh
our once happy country. The FIRST and great
leading cause was the destroying of,bc Uni.
ted Staics Bank by General Jackson's veto,
after il had been e.chartered by Congress
the war on oil the local banks Of the country;