The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-08-12

Will hope allow me to notice briefly one or two
collateral considerations.
Mr.. Poinsetfs uncontroverted account OF the
origin and progress of his plan is before YOU
He shows, that it grew out OF request maze OF
him by the Committee on the militia OF the
House of Representatives, at the close OF the
session before the last in contemplation OF pos
sible collision between this country and treat
Britain, and that it was matured and drawn
forth under call made upon him by Ethe House
at the last session. Some surprise has been ex-
pressed and doubts appear even to be entertained
of the correctness OF his declaraon that the plan
was not seen by me, or submitted to my consi-
deration, before it was communicated to Con-
gress. Those who take this view OF the subject,
entirely overlook the fact, that such is almost
invariably the case on all similar occasions; and
that in replying to calls made upon them by
either branch OF the Legislature, the heads OF
Departmentssact for Congress, and not for the
President; except only on occasions where his
acts arc brought in question. The impractical
bility of pursuing different course, il even it
were otherwise desirable; viii be appreciated,
when,it is considered how very numerous these
calls have recently been; amounting as they have
done to 220 at single session, independently Of
those made on the President himself, and of let
tiers from committees, requiring great research,
and the preparation of voluminous documents
Unfair as these animadversions arc thus shown
which they have bsen presented. Wehave been
compelled to see, not should think, without
shame and modification on the part OF every in
genuous mind, whatever may be his political
preferences, the names of respectable citizens
subscribed to statements, that had in my annual
message expressed my appreciation OF a plan,
which, not only never had been submitted to me,
but was not even matured until more than three
months after the message was sent to Congress,
and an attempt to prove the unfounded assunp-
ton by the publication OF garbled extract from
that document, with its true meaning falsifcd by
the suppression of material part. Nor was the
avowed object of these extraordinary proceedings
less remarkable than the acts themselves, being
nothing less than an attempt to fix "ron me the
design Of establishing Standing .H'4iiy of'ttCo
h1,ridr Cd thousand men, for political and person.
al purposes. II had been charged with the de-
sign Of establishing among you, at the public eX-
pense, menagerie of two hundred thusand wild
beasts, it would not have surprised me more,
nor would it, in my judgment, have been one jot
more Prepssterous.
am, fortunately, gentlemen, not over-sensi-
tive to attacks of this character, and have, with
al, an abiding confidence in the intelligence OF
the people, which renders them proof against all
such attempts to deceive them. II understand
my own feelings, my chief regret in witnessing
such degrading exhibitions, arises from censid
Grafton of the opinion, which foreigners, who
have not the same reason to respect our political
institutions that we have, are likely to forrnEof
the character of our people, when they see that
conspicuous men among us can promise them
selves any advantages, from attempts to delude
their fellow-citizens, by means OF such mon
strous absurdities. This regret Is, however, l
confess materially diminished, by the conviction
that the people will, in the sequel, as they have
heretofore done, convince those who attempt IN
this manner to operate upon their credality, OF
the folly of seeking to accomplish, in this coun-
try, political objects by such discreditabe means
have the honor to be, gentlemen,
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
NJ. VAN buren,.
To Mcssrs. John B. Cary, A. G. Hudginss,
Thomas Jones, and G. A. Cary, of Elizabeth
City County, Va.