Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1840-06-26

'thrce ines three" with an unanmity and hCarncss
which soke eloqucntly the unaninty OF their sent.
mcnts to the force, truth and beauty of the Speech
and thc,yorth, merit and virtue OF the speaker
--------
Tho following letter from Gen. Harrison
to James Lyon, Of Virginia, in reply to some
inquiries in relation to his come ction with
John Adams Administration, triumphantly
vindicatcs the old hcro's position in that re-
spcct, and places the matter in its true light.
NoR1H Bend, lst JrSE, 1870
My Dear Slr:-When received your letter of the |
18th of April, was very unwcll with violent cold i'll
the head, which terminated in intermittent neuralgia,
or sun pain, as il is commonly called which was in
creased SO much by writing, that was obliged for
some time, to do very little in that way. When re-
covered, my unanswered letters had increased to SO
fearful mass that have not yet been able to get
through it. even with the assistance of my conscience
keeping committee. And although l have adopted
the method of getting rid of a large portion of them
by committing them to the flames instead of the COM
mitoc, such are the constant Interruptions to which
am subjected hya constant stream of visitors, that
am able to make very little progress in lesscning my
file. You have in the above my apology for treating
you with apparent neglect which it was impossible
that should do as well from your high standing in
society," as from the regard feel for you in conse
qucncc of the long and intimate friendship and con-
ncXlon between our families But for these reasons
CulluOT INDUCES 10 say, tnat could never nave
brought myself to answer the political part of yor
letter at all | am convinced that upon reilectio you
will yourself think it totally unnecessary, for
cannot suppose that my personal friends am
ions in my native State could think that was less of
gentleman an honest man than tho sc ardent pol
lticians farther South Stanly, Afford, Lcgare Daw
son, King &c. &c. &c. They take it for granted that
could not suffer my Niccnnes speech and others to
be quoted by my friends To show my opinions on the
subject of abotonism if did not hold those opinions
at this time | have had indeed a great number of
applications from individuals nine ,enths at least my
opponents requiring me to reiterac what have said
written upon the subject of the United States Bank
.Aht!ltonlsm, &c. | have declined 10 answer them Of
late at all amongst other reasons, because it was
physically impossible tlat should do it, and they
all require my opinions in manuscript particularly adj
dressed to the writers, they would not be satisfied
with my writing one letter and sending printed copy
70 each. ! was determined however, to avail myself
>pf the first favorable opportunity and referring to the
ettcrs and speeches lhad made on the subjects have
mentioned, to endorse them all. This have recent
" done in letter to committee appointed by the
y hg members of the Legislature of New York
on will probably see it published by the time this
aches ySn In relation t? the me- IN between
atcment is annexed 10 the Address, what better evil
lnce could be gycn, that there is no possibility of
ltSfying my Political enemies by any thing that
lld write than he garbed account which they have
zen of that discussion If the charge made upon
c by MIR Randolph is authentic, taken from a news
per report, sureR my answer to him should be con-
crtu so aso Is worthy OF rcmlrk too that Mr.
andolph made nc reply to my answer to his attack,
ld that he was MT man TO leave matter in that
naon if he coud avoid 1.-THE truth is, that be-
We he really regrted his attack upon me. He re-
|aedly told me 81, and frequently solicited me TO bu
the hatchct at airlendly dinner with him, which
reed to do. At he dinner We're Mr. Calhoun, Mr.
Jayne, and General Hamilton and many others, all
1Jut mysclio the tlen Jackson party. Our friendly
intercourse was never afterwards interrupted, In re-
ply to your enquiry, as to my connection with the
old Federal pa'ty, will state to you the circumstan-
ce' under wlnth received two appointments from
Mr. Adams. In the wear 1886 Gen WAYNE left the
army visit to Philadelphia / had been recently
married and i'mored TO him my resignation as his and
de camp but ne declined receiving it, saying he could
not wei dispense with my services on his journey.
1t was during this trip that he obtained the promise
| of Gen. Washington 10 give me civil appointment
as had expressed my determination to leave the Ar
NY, Tins promise the President repeated to Garter
H. Harrison, then in Congress, with some very kind
remarks upon my conduct in the Army. When Gen.
Washington left the Presidency, have reason TO be-
| licvc tina. he obtained promise from Mr. Adams to
fulfil his Intentions. When the Office of the Secrca-
| Mr. Adams appointed me, although was opposed by
Col. Pickering, the Secretary of State. In 1899,
was se'cdcd by the Repabiican party of the Terrific
rial Legislature TO he their candidate for the appoint
| ment of delegate to Congress. Between Mr. Arthur
st. Clair Jr., Uhc of Gov. St Cair,) the federal
candidate and myself the votes divided pre-
clsey as the two parties stood in the Legislature, with
the exception of one Republican who was induced by
|
vote was ii to TO- not of the nine cderalists vo-
ing for me. Before left Cincinnati the Republican
members made me promise not TO suffer my known
opposition to the measures of the Administration to
interfere With the attainment of the great object for
which was sent. Upon my arrival III Philadelphia,
| was received by Mr. Adams in the most flatering
manner. AT his dinner parties where | was often n
guest, he seemed TO take great pleasure in speaking of
my fathers services in the Revolutionary Congress,
relating many anecdotes to show his devotion to the
cause and the effect which his pcasantrlcs produced
in cheering them in the gloom, which the occasionally
unpromising state Of their affairs often produced.
had no conversation with Mr. Adams on politics, far
! Their than to sXplan to him my views in relation to
the chanoein the system of selling the Public Lands,
which Twas glad to find he approved. As soon as
the law was passed for the division of the North Wes-
tern Territory was informed that it was the nten-
ton of Mr. Adams to nominate me to the Govern
mcnt of Indiana. ] hesitated for a moment to de-
clare 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 mo-
tves of these gentlemen There had been some
meetings of the people of the Territory in which res
olutions had been adopted recommending Inc to the
President for the Government of the Territory North
WESTERN instead of Gov. st. Clair.
| Those resolutions with correspondent addresses,
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 was most urgent for me to 90 to Indiana
had large possessions in the North Western Territory
which was probably one for his wishing 20
there bui the main object was to secure the Terrific
ry to the Federal party when it should become a
State, which II was known would soon he the CASE
To carry out this plan, il necessary to get me out
Of the way. The appointment was pressed upon me
Notwithstanding my refusal to take t. At length my
relations and friends, the Messrs. Nicholas, Wilson
Clary of the Senate and John of the House prevail
ed on me to accept it, They pointed out the adyan-
iage to myself and assured me that there was ma
doubt of Mr. Jcferson's election in the ensuing No
vember, and that would be continued Governor OF
Indiana, and some republican succeed Gov ST. Clair