Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-06-25


the Wing members of the Legislature of N.
York. You will probably see it published
by the time this reaches you. In relation to
the discussion between Mr.. Randolph and
myself In the Senate, of which a statement
is annexed to the address, what better evil
dence could be given, that there is. no possi-
bility of satisfying my political enemies BY
any thing that could write than the garbied
account which they have given of that discus
sion! If the charge made upon me by Mr..
Randolph is authentic, taken from newspa-
per report, surely, my answer to him should
be considered so also. 1t is worthy of remark
too, that MIR. Randolph made no reply to my
answer to his attack, and that he was not a
man to leave matter in that situation if he
could avoid 1.-THE truth is, that believe
he really regretted his attack upon me. He
repeatedly told me SO, and frequently solicit
ed me to bury the Ratchet at friendly dinner
with him, which l agreed 10 do. AT the dim
ner were MIR. Calhoun, Mr.. Hayne, and
Gen. Hamilton and many others, all but my
self of the then Jackson party. Our friendly
intercourse was never afterwards interrupted.
In reply to your inquiry, as to my connection
with the old Federal party, will state to you
the circumstances under which received two
appointments from Mr.. John Adams. In the
year 1896, Gen. Wayne left the Army on a
visit to Philadelphia. / had been recently
married and rendered to him my resignation
as his aid-dc-camp, but he declined receiving
it; saying he could very well dispense with
my services in his journey. 1t was during
this trip that he obtained the promise of Gen.
Washington to give me civil appointment,
as had expressed my determination to leave
the Army. This promise, the President re-
peated to my brother, Carter b. Harrison,
then in Congress, with some very kind re-
marks upon my conduct in the Army. When
Gen. Washington left the Presidency, have
reason to believe, that he obtained promise
from Mr.. Adams to fulfil his Intentions
When the office of the Secretary of the N orth
Western Territory became vacant, MIR. Adams
appointed me, although | was opposed by
Col. Pickering, the Secretary of State. In
1893, was selected by the Republican party
Of the Territorial Legislature to be their CAM
didate for the appointment of delegates to
Congress. Between Mr.. Arthur St. C9lir, jr.
(the son of Gov. St. Clair,) the Federal cam
didate and myself, the votes were divided pre-
cise!y as the two parties stood In the Legis-
lature, with the exception Of one Republican
who was induced by his regard for the Gov
ernor to vote for his son. The vote was III
to 10, not one Of the nine Federalists voting
for me. Before left Cincinnati, the Repub-
lican members made me promise not to suffer
my known opposition to the measures Of the
Administration to interfere with the attain
mcnt of the great object for which l was sent.
Upon my arrival in Philadelphia, i was re-
ceived by Mr.. Adams In the most flattering
manner. At his dinner parties, where l was
often guest, he seemed to take great pleas
ure in. speaking Of my fathers services in
the Revolutionary Congress, relating many
anecdotes to shew his devotion to the cause,
and the effect which his pleasantries produced
in cheering them in the gloom, which the oc-
caslonally unpTomlsing state Of their affairs
often produced. had no conversation with
Mr.. Adams onpoltics, farther than to explain
| to him my views in relation to the change in
the system ofselling the Public Lands, which
| was glad to find he approved. AS soon as
the law was passed for the division of the n.
Western Territory, | was informed that it
was the Intention Of Mr.. Adams to nominate
me to the Government of Indiana. l hesitat-
ed not moment to declare that would not
accept it, although very much pressed to do
so by several leading Federal members of
Congress. | was not long in discovering the
motives ofthose gentlemen. There had been
some meeting Of the people Of the Territory,
in which resolutions had been adopted recon-
mending me to the President for the Govern
ment of the Territory, North Westerly in
stead of Gov. St Clair.
dresses, had been forwarded to the President
and Senate. Now it so happened that two
distinguished Senators had fixed their eyes
upon the same Office. One Of them, who had
been most urgent for me to 90 to Indiana had
large possessions in the North Western Ter
ritory, which was probably enc reason for his
wishing to GO there. But the main object
was to secure the Territory to the Federal par
ty, when it should become State, which it
was known would soon be the case. To CAR
ry out this plan, 1t was necessary to get me
out Of the way. The appointment was pres
sed upon me, notwithstanding my refusal to
take it. AT length, my relations and friends,
the Messrs. Nicholas, Wilson Cary of the
Senate, and John of the House, prevailed on
me to acceptit. They pointed out the advan-
| tages to myself, and assured me that there
was no doubt of Mr.. Jefferson's election in
the ensuing November, and that ] would be
continued Governor of Indiana, and some Re-
publican succeed Governor St. Clair in the
! North Western Territory.
| therefore accepted the appointment, with
determination, as Indiana had no voice in
the choice Of the President, that would take
| no part In the contest.
have thus given you full account Of my
connexion with the Presidency of Mr.. Adams.
will conclude by saying, that Mr.. Jefferson
| lost no time, after his Inauguration, to assure
me OF his favor and his confidence, and think
there is sufficient evidence thatI retained both
to the end of his administration.
In answer to the enquiry why used the
word "Abolition'' In designating society oil
which was a member in Richmond, in the
year 1871, instead Of the word "Humanc,' ~
which is known to be the one by which the