The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-06-18


MY DEAR SIR:-When / received your letter
of the 18th April, | was very unweH with vio-
lent cold in the head, which terminated in inter
mittent neuralgia, or sun pain, as 1t Is commonly
called, which was so muck increased oy writing,
that was obliged for some tune, to do very little
in that way When recovered, my snanswer-
ed letters had increased to fearful mass, that
have not yet been able to get through It, even
with the assistance Of my conscience keeping
committee. And, although / have :.uopted the
method OF getting rid of large portion Of thera
by committing Sem to the flames, instead OF tho
committee, such are the constant Interruptions to
which am subjected by constant stream of
visitors, that | am able to make very little pro-
gress in lessening my file. You have in the above,
my apology for treating you with apparent ne
elect, which it was impossible that should do,
well from your high standing in society, as
from the regard feel for you in consequence of
the long and intimate friendship and connection
between our families. But for those reasons,
candor induces me to say, that could never
have brought myself to answer the political part
of your letter at all
l am convinced, that, upon reflection, you will
yourself think that it was totally unnecessary,
for cannot suppose that my personal friends and
connexions in my native State, could think that
| was less of a gentleman or an honest man than
those ardent politicians, farther south, Stanly,
Afford, Legare, Dawson, King, SC, &c. They
ia Ike it for granted, that could not suffer my
Yincennes speech and others, to be quoted by my
friends to show my opinions on the subject OF
abolitionisn,, if / did not hold those opinions at
this time; they have therefore treated with scon
and contempt, the charge of my being aboli-
ZIONIST, and truly assert that | have done and
suffered more to support southern rights than
any other person north OF Mason's and Dickson's
line / have had, indeed, great number OF
applications from individuals (line-tenths, at
least, my opponents) requiring me to reiterate
what have said or written upon the subject of ,
the U. S. Bank, aboltionisn, Sc. | have de-
clined to answer them of late at all amongst all
other reasons, because it was physically ifnpos-
sble that | should do it, and as they all require
my opinions in manuscript, particularly address,
ed to the writer's, they would not be satisfied
with my writing one letter and sending print
ed copy to each | was determined, however
to avail myself of the first favorable opportunity
and referring to the letters and speeches had
made on the subjects | have mentioned, TO en-
dorse them all. This have recently done in a
letter to committee appointed by the wing
members Of the Legislature of New York
You will probably see it published by the time
this reaches you.
In relation to the discussion between MIR. Ran
dolph and myself in the Senate, of which state
ment is annexed to the address, what better evis
dence could be given, that there is no possibility
of satisfying my political enemies by any thing
that | could write than the garb1ed account
which they have given of that discussion If
the charge made upon me BY Mr.. Randolph Is
authentic, taken from newspaper report, sure
", my answer to him should be considered so
also. It is worthy of remark, too, that Mr.
Randolph made no reply to my answer 70 his
attack, and that he was not man to leave q
matter in that situation If he could avoid it.
The truth is, that believe he really regretted
his attack upon me. He repeatedly told me 50.
and frequently solicited me to bury the Ratchet
at friendly dinner with him, which I agreed
to do. At the dinner was MIR. Calhoun.
Nr. Hayne, and General Hamilton, and many
others, ali but myself Of the jackson na5-
y. Our friendly intercourse was never after-
wards interrupted. In reply to your inquiry. a.
TO my connection with the old Federal parfy.
vii state to you the circumstances under which
received two appointments from Mr.. Joha
Adams. In the year 1876, Cen Wayne left the