The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-10-29
FeIlotv Citisens and Constituents:-

FeLiotU Citizens and CoastituentS:-
Induced by peculiar circumstances, affecting
your interests and my character, to consent
again to be proposed to your sutrages, deem
it duty and happiness to address you on the
subject. AS it is well known to my friends,
and TO most of you, the honor of being your
representative in Congress was not sought by
me. TWAS ccepted against every considera-
ZION private advantage and personal comfort;
il was accepted only that whatever my inhu-
| ence, character and services might avail in the
| support of cause believed by me worthy of
my support, Should not, from personal consid-
Grafton, be withheld. The only reward in the
service | undertook, was the honor YOU con.
| terTed, and the satisfaction of faithful dis
charge OF my duty.
This term of service ended, thought myself
| warranted in retiring, and have resisted all APP
| plications to change this purpose. But an at
tempt has been made to deliaud the whole peo-
pie of the United States, by plot, of which l
am personally one ofthe intended victims-in-
peaching my good name, and my title 10 the
honorable Office of being your representative,
as having been procured by fraud.
This attempt has originated in a conspiracy
contTived by men in lucrative offices; it has
been carried on by. degrading abuse of the
forms of law; it has been made to bear at once
upon all the now pending elections of the
Union. Although | am singled out as one of
the victims, yet the success of this attempt is
a question of far more consequence to you than
TO me; question of far more importance to
the future than the present. Because, if I'M
principled and designing men, having at com.
mand a venal press, that press and themselves
gorged with the public money, having the con-
troll of the post office and the ascendancy in the
courts of justice, can be successful in eiecting
the election of chief magistrate by frauds.
then will such elections be no longer the re-
ward ofillustTious virtue or conspicuous pub
lie service. If this attempt by plot, to effect
such an election, shall now be successful, the
highest of offices will only be the premium for
the boldest frauds and the greatest perversion
of official station
The attempt to which | allude, is that made
before Mr.. Recorder Morris, to charge the cleo
ton in 1888 10 have been carried by frauds on
the part of those who have honored me with
their votes, and the manner in which the con-
triVers of the plot have endeavored 10 affect
me, brings ME prominently to your view, as
one bound to present it to your condemna-
ton.
In relation to these charges, permit me, as
one known to yon from early life, as man of
integrity and truth, to say that ii is wholly I'M
true that on that or any other occasion, ever
aided, encouraged, assented TO, or approved of
any fraudulent procuring of votes from Phia-
delphia or elsewhere.
| never had anyIknowledge of any such votes
being either procured, sought OF given. new
er have contributed money or any other thing
for any such purpose. never was present at
any meeting, at any place, with Jas. B. Client
worth. II is wholly untrue that, at my instance,
or with my knowledge, he was sent to Phla-
delphia, nor had any agency, direct or indi-
rect, in his mission. In giving this denial, in
tentionally make it, in the broadcast form, to
deny every illegal, dishonorabls or unfair means
pretended to be charged in the papers taken
before Mr.. Recorder Morris.
In entire innocence of these charges, permit
me to call your attention to the manner in
which they have been got up and put forth.
The Recorder of New York, Robert H. Nor
ris, OF the head of the criminal court of this CT
ty, departs from the usual practice Of his place,
md, condescends TO aid the taking of deposi-
tons intended to operate upon the public mind.
These dispositions relate TO matters appearing
in party papers two years ago, then pretended
TO be known, and slept upon till the eye of the
present election. AS Judge of the Court of
Sessions, he we'll knew that those who were
proceeded against were TO be tried before him;
he well knows how important to a fair trial it
is that the judgments of the body of the people
should not be prejudiced; that the circulation
of er pGrte depos ions, having the imposing
from which he sought to confer on those then
before him, would render the procuring of an
impartial jury impossible; and he could scarce
ly be insensible to the serious effect of such
imputations upon all who were the subjects of
them.
5Yet while the proceedings were pending be-
fore him, he allows copies Of the dispositions TO
be taken by the conductors of the press OF
party, and, as am told, himself at midnight
suPerintends the press, going from the bench
to the printing office, with the purpose of their
being spread TO the widest extent and with the
greatest effect; for the purpose of being made
effective upon elections in other states loo near
at hand to admit of any contradiction under
fern equally imposing.
My fellow citizens, was this acting as min
lister of justice? Did it show the honor of
gentleman the fairness of an honest mani
Are political opponents to be thus hunted down
by beagles from the hencha Are you safe if
such proceedings are sanctioned? To YOU is
now put the question, whether this deflement
OF the ermine chow costly sacrifice by an
upright judged shall be permitted to achieve the
success of trick?
But this example in high place had its full
effect upon the subordinates. The ISLANDERS
once set on foot with the garb of official solem-
nifty, were circulated with less of scruple. Hand
bills were struck of at Boston even anterior to
their publication here, and circulated through
out all Now England, and especially were flood
ed into New Bedford, the place of my birth and
the abode OF my father and brothers So that in
addition to publication simultaneously in New
York, Pennsylvania, Washington, MARYLAND,
and doubtless in the other States, in the party
newspapers, every additinal publicity was Civ
en- that slandereus ingenuity could contrive; ;
it has received all that petty publicity which the
wender-telling handbill could excite, with the
addition, in Boston, that | had absconded to
avoid arrest.
You, my fellow-citizens, know what it is to
bear good name; hove the enjoyment from this
source Is increased in knowing it to be respected
and cherished by the friends OF your early life
You cannot fail to know how the defaming OF
that good name cuts those friends to the heart.
You know my standing merchant; you know
how mercantile credit and reputation for in
tegrty ought to be appreciated; how slowly it