The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-07-25
TO THE CITIZENS OF THE DISTRICT OF
COLUMBIA


The close of the session Of Congress- and of
unavaillng efforts TO serve your interests, admo-
nsh me, as duty alike TO you and TO myself, 10
address 10 you what follows. Although the
course is novel, my justification is found in
sense OF duty To those who have no Representa-
tive IN Congress, whose interests were in part
submitted TO my charge, and whose numerous
inquiries and letters take this summary mode
To answer.
Contrary 10 my knowledge or desire, the
Speaker OF the House of Representatives placed
my name at the head of the District Committee
Of the House, associated with those on the COM
mittee who manifested every desire 10 give a
calm, and impartial, and just examination 10 all
the business referred To their investigation But
House Of Representatives composed of ma
iority of members politically friendly TO the Ma
tional Executive, and rejecting faithfully all the
bitter feeling of that head Of the Government 10
all who are not slavishy subservient 10 his will
and his personal and political interest, were alike
deaf to the voice of the District Committee and
to the interests and wishes Of the people Of these
ten miles square.
Ii was known that the roice of the District, if
not their votes, was against the continuance OF
the present Executive head, and that fact was
at once the reason and the cause why the House
Of Representatives would not, in an eight
months session, grant single request of the
sure emanating from that committee a decent
or respectful consideration.
nth every desire, therefore, on my part and
after many efforts, to serve you, found them all
unavailing
Congress protesting 10 be Democratic, and
the Constitution which they had sworn to support
making it the Legislature for the District, and
with the fullest knowledge Of the sentiments of
the People of this District in relation TO the va
rious measures-this Congress, thus constituted
and thus advised, whilst they were vociferous
and dcclamatory about their Republican princi-
pies, set all the obligations of the Constitution
in this respect, at defiance. Not only did they
disregard every principle of republicanism in re-
fusing to obey the will of the people of this Dis
trict in relation to their own measures and bust
ness, but 70 punish the people who have the te-
merity TO refuse allegiance TO MARTIN VAN BU-
rem, they went counter in their vindiclive feel
ings TO their own pretended principles, refused
10 recharter the banks of the District which had
not suspended specie payments, and again
refused TO recharter the banks generally with
condition that they should immediately
resume specie payments. With malignant
pleasure they seemed to revel in their work of
ruin and destruction, in serving the President
and maintaining their principles principles as
disreputable TO the head as they are pelverting
to the heart.
But, not satisfied with destroying the Banking
Institutions of the District, in punishment of the
People, Cor, as Mr.. Vanderpoe, who represents
the district Of Mr.. Van Burens residence in
New York said, to set an example 10 the
States the Administration Senate really pass
ed to third reading bill to abolish the present
charter of the city Of Washington, and to cause
a new election for Mayor of the city TO be held
In October neaf, because the People had elected
only few weeks ago Wing Mayor TO serve
for fro gears from the day Of that election and
| containing, besides, features virtually depriving
every master from control over his servant
which no one but an abotionist could have
urged, or Southern Iacobn have supported
OF the Van Buren party in the House of Re
representatives. there Were some honorable excep-
tons 10 the destructive course of their party
Others OF them too Were driven on in fear and
trembling by the lowest dcmagogues of their
party, not daring 10 make an effort to stay the
influence which controlled them
Under whatever disguise Of reasons Congress
have acted, know have assigned those which
were really controlling on their action.
To the people of Georgetown will say, that
prepared favorable report on their memorial
for retrocession TO Maryland, which | would
have made TO the House il could have sue
ceeded in having day set apart for considering
District business and had an opportunity been
afforded, | should have been in favor also of the
people of Alexandria for reunion TO Virginia.
will not lengthen this communication by offer
ing reasons for such conclusions.
shall endeavor to be relieved, at the next
Congress, from again serving on the District
Committee. This desire on my part springs
from no want of soctude about your welfare
and interests, but from full conviction that
shall be able to render quite as much service to
the District without being in the committee at
all. Very respectfully,
WIN. COST JOHNSON.
WASHINGTON July % 1910.
TEEToTAIJsN-A sight such as was never