Liberty advocate., 1840-07-09

ans TO lulhl MS intentions, when the Office
of the Secretary Of the North Western Terri
tory became vacant, Mr.. Adams appointed me,
although was opposed by Col. Pickering, the
Secretary Of State. In 1899, was selected
by the Rep ublicdn party of the Territorial LIE.
gislature to be their candidate for the appoint
ment of delegate 10 Congress. Between Mr.
Arthur St. Clair, jr (the son of Gov, st. CIair,)
the Federal candidate, and myself, the votes
were divided precisely as the two parties stood
in the Legislature, with the exception O one re-.
publican, who was induced by his regard for
the Governor to vote for his son. The vote
was to 10, not one of the 8 fcderaiss voting
for me. Before left CINCINNATI, the repubi-
can members made me promise not to suffer
my known opposition 10 the measures ofthe ad-
ministration TO interfere with the attainment
of the great object for which was sent. Up.
on my arrival in Philadelphia, was received
by Mr.. Adams in the most hattering manner. .
At his dinner parties, where was often guest,
he seemed to take great pleasure IN speaking Of
my fathers services in the revolutionary con
gress, relating many anecdotes to show his de-
voon to cause, and the effect which his
pleasantries produced in cheering them in the
gloom, which the occasionally unpromising
state Of their affairs ofen produced. had no
conversation with Mr.. Adams on politics, far
lher than to explain IN, views III relation to
the change IN the system of selling the public
lands, which was glad 70 find he approved
As soon as the law was passed for the division
of the Northwestern Territory, was inform
ed that it was the intention of Mr.. Adams TO
nominate me to the government OF Indiana. |
hesitated not momen: to declare that | would
not accept it, although very much pressed to
do so by several leading Federa. members Of
Congress. was not long in discovering the
motives Of those gentlemen. There had been
some meetings oflhe people oflhe Territory, in
which resolutions had been adopted recommen.
ding me TO the president for the Government
of the Territory, (North-W esern) instead of
| Gov. st. Clair.
| Those resolutions, with correspondent ad.
dresses, had been forwarded TO the President
and Senate. Now it so happened that two dis.
tinguished Senators had fixed their eyes upon
the same office. One of them, who had been
most urgent Tor me TO 60 to Indiana, had large
! possessions in the North-W Western Territory,
which was probably one reason for his wishing
| to 60 there. Butihe main object was to secure
the Territory to the Federal party, when ii
should become a State, which it was known
would soon be the case. To carry out this
plan, 1t was necessary to get me out OF the way
The appointment was pressed upon me, not
IwihStandlng my refusal to take ii. At length
my relations and friends, the Messrs. Nicholas
Wilson Cary, of the Senate, and John, of the
House, prevailed on me TO accept it. They
pointed out the advantages to myself, and as
sured me that there was no doubt of Mr.. Jeiler-
sons election in the ensuing November, and
that would be continued Governor of Indiana
and some Republican succeed Governor ST.
Clair in the North-W Western Territory.
therefore accepted the appointment, with a
determination, as Indiana had no voice in the
choice Of the President, that would take no
part in the contest.
have thus given youa full account Of my
connexion with the presidency of Mr.. Adnms.
| 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 that retained both
TO the END of his administration.
In answer to the enquiry why used The
word abolition" in designating society Of
which | was a member in Richmond, in the
year 1871, instead of the word "Humane,"
which is known TO be the one by which the
so cety was really distinguished ALI that |
can say upon the subject, is, that if did really
term it an Abolition Society, fact which can
still hardly believe, (for have not been able
to see the paper containing my address TO the
people OF the district in 1929 it must have
been from torgetlulness, which might easily
happen after a lapse of3l years. At any rate,
the word Abolition was not understood to mean
IN 1929, what it now means. There can be
odoubt that the Society of which Mr.. Tarlton
Peasants was member, and which in his pub
IIcation in the Richmond Whig, he calls the
"Humane Society of Richmond" land by this
title Judge Catch, who gave me the certificate
in 1922, also designated it,) was the same Of
which | was member. Mr. Peasants was
member in 1897, in 179l-Mr. Robert Pleas
ants was the President at the former period as
he was when | was admitted
! | do not wish what have said above, to be
published, but have no objection that the
facts should be stated, and reference made to
me as having furnished them.
| have written to friend in Congress, Mr..
Joseph Williams, Of Tennessee, showing the
connexlon which existed between the Hamilton
county Corresponding Committee and myself,
and authorized him 10 make it public.
was about to make some further observa.
tions, when was interrupted by party Of
gentlemen from Louisville, and must conclude
by assuring you that am,
Very truly, yours,
w, H. HARRISON.