Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-08-04

sid he did not rccollecct what he said on that occasion,
but Mr.. Wise was Il credible witness-that he be.
lreved the act constitutional-but was opposed to the
black lines, as undignitied, and finally concluded,
strange rs 1t may seem, by denouncing Mr.. Van Buren,
as a Federalist, (and, to prove it, said he voted for Gin
ton for President,) and, also, denouncing General
Jackson as n second rate calumniator! !. This is SO ey-
traordinary, that it will appear incredible, but | dare
MIR. Rives to deny it. In the name of heaven, what
sort of man have the Wings made of MIR. r. He sun
ported Mr.. Van Buren, for the Presidency, over Gen.
HARRISON and Judge White-Qhe latter had been an uni
form, consistent Republican and supporter of Jack
sons administration,) proclailning him as the Republi-
can candidate, hut since his connection with the
Wings, they make him denounce the President as a
Federalisi, not for any recent act, but because he
voted for Clinton twenty-eight years ago.! And
General Jackson cant escape INN. lie, against whom
Mr.. Rives never uttered one word of complaint while
i'll power and in the possession OF patronage to be-
stow, but on the contrary, supported zealously every
measure of his administration, Proclamation, Force Bill
and all; and now, since he has retired to private life, in
peace with God and his country, full OF years and full
OF honor, is denounced as a calumniator. Franty, thy
name is VIM. G.. Rives.-Mr. 5. then came on with the
last tug, and showed that he had not attacked MIR. Rs
private character, but had merely illustrated the fallacy
of the notion, that because a thing was printed i'll the
papers and uucoEtradictcd, it was therefore true; and
in doing so, had not alluded to Mr.. RS private trans.
actions or character, but to his official conduct on a par
ticnlar occasion, as related by Mr.. Wise. He vindl-
Gated himself triurnphanlly against MIR. Is. S charge, on
mere rumor, that he had improperly received money
from the Federal Government; and Indignantly denied
that the President had ever attempted 10 purchase Mr..
Is support with office, or that he had rendered TO him
the highest office within his g~ltl-commented with
much severity on Mr.. r S assertion, that the President
had offered him a place in the Cabinet, not for his sup
posed fitness to discharge the duties OF the station, but
for the base purpose of purchasing hls support. (Mr.
r. explained, and stated that Mr.. Van Buren, had Of
fcrcd him the Office of Secretary of War, the only one
then vacant, with the promise of the oihcc OF Secretary
of State, which, he said, he, the President, supposed
would soon be vacant, or any other office within his
gift that Mr.. K. might desire, as soon a. a vacancy oc-
curred) 1t this was really an offer to purchase Mr..
X. = support, which he distinctly stated 1t to be, why
did he hold his peace on the subject for three lCou years
Why did he not, like an honorable, high.mindeL Viz
ginian, denounce from the house-tops the base ATTEMPT
on his virgin purity, and forthwith hurl his thunder
against an Administration that was thus wickedly pur-
chasing support with its patronage Has he actually
rafting 10 sre il the office Of Secretary Of State, the step
pinr-sfone 10 hc Presidency, rOuid become racdnt 7r
not Did he really wait to see if he could drive a bar.
Gain, and put himself ain the line Of safe precedents,
"Tis melancholy, "'tis piteous, 'ts wondcrous pitcous,
thai one who stood SO high, as did Mr.. r., should con-
s,rue a mere offer of office from the President into an
attempt 10 purchase his support. He seems really to
be reckless and desperate.
Alr. :. concluded about shutdown, having realized the
expectations al his friends, and fully sustained his nigh
reputation as a skilful and efficient speaker. Neither
.lhe Little ExpunGer' nor 'tlIc Earl ofempty barrels
can change our people. They think for themselves,
and will 20 for Van by a minority of about three hun
Jred a. b.