The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-03-19
NUTS FOR THE VAN BUREN, PARTY IN
THE SOUTH

The recent attempt Of Senator from Ohio
endorsed by the Globe, to curry favor in the
South for MIR. Van Buren, at the expense Of
General Harrison, recoils with overwhelming
force upon its author. "A SOUTHERN MAN.
in our paper to-day, places the spokesman
and the organ of the administration in SO clear
a point Of view, that the South cannot fail to
appreciate the character of these their pre-
tended friends, in all their naked and hideous
beauty. II the South or the North will per-
NIT the patriot farmer Of North Bend to be
made, in any degree, the victim Of coalition
and conspiracy SO strange and foul as this, the
mental vision of the people is more easily
obiuscated than we have taken il to be. J.
Since the communication to which we al
lude was written, we have been favored with
several letters, in the original manuscript,
written by gentlemen Of high standing to b.
Wells, Esq, Of Steubenville, Ohio, which, as
they throw additional light on this dark sub
ject, we take the liberty to subjoin and COM
mend for perusal. The characters of these
gentlemen can be proved to BIO highly re-
spectacle by numbers Of the administration
party. We submit the letters to the public,
and especially call the attention of those
Southern gentlemen to them, who have been
franking quantities of Mr.. Tappan's speeches
to their constituents!
SrEUBENvLLE, March s, lSiO
B. WELLS, Esq.,
Dear Sir: Ihave the honor to acknowledge the
receipt OF your note Of yesterday l am aware that
the political partisan friends of Judge Tappan ever
since his election 10 the Senate of the United States
have been endeavoring by bold assertion to parry
oil the charge OF abolilionism." l can hardly be-
leve that Judge Tappan approves Of The course Ia
ken by his friends in relation to that subject. His
open and frank declarations and his well known
sentiments, never disguised home and directly at
variance with the opinions and sentiments now
claimed for him by those friends II would howe
yer, be doing great injustice to the abolitioniss as
society, to charge them with the wicked and sangu-
nary sentiments, which he has heretofore entertained
upon the subject OF slavery. So far as am ac-
quaned with their views and designs they depre-
cate resort 10 force Tor the purpose of accomplish
lag their object. Judge Tappan has condemned
this course, and advocated different and far less
harmless means. In support Of this assertion |
take leave to detail conversation once had with
him, which will convince you that noral potoer, was
not the weapon he recommended. In the conversa
ton alluded TO- Judge Tappan observed, that as he
was returning from Columbus, he was waited upon
at GAINESVILLE, by committee from the State Adolf
ton Society, then in session at Putnam, with
quest that he would accept some appointment, or
some office, (what particular Office do not re-
collect) from the society. The Judge stated thai he
defined and assigned as reason, that he disap-
prored of the course they pere taking but, said he,
told them if they wanted five hundred dollars to pur
chase and ammunition, 10 put into the hands of
the blacks that they might free themselves, would
give them the money" then asked him, II he had re-
hected upon the consequences OF such a Siep-that
instruction would be the inevitable result and that
he might thereby put in peril the lives Of his con-
nexions and neighbors. He inquired howl To
which replied, that the President was bound by
do that was authorized TO call out the whole armed
force Of the country. He remarked, that the Pres-
dent would do no such Thing Tothis replied that
the President had ordered the troops TO Souhdmp-
ton, and would do it again II necessary lthen said
Judge, think can put You case wherey you would
go yourself. Let me hear your case, Colonel, said
he. Suppose, sir, l observed, that the county OF
| Brooke, opposite to US, in Virginia. contained
against their masters and that you should be stand
ing with your neighbors on one side OF the river,
and see them marching down on the other side,
burning and destroying every thing within their
and numbering without distinction, men women, and
| children, and that our friends and acquaintance
should call upon for assistance, would you not go
"Nc by God" said he IL would not and would dis
inherit any child have, that would go"
| Such sir, IS the substance, ana 50 iaI as my Z
collection serves me, the precise language used by
| Judge Tappan. The conversation was Of cha
racler not 10 be forgotten. 1t made an impression
upon my mind that time can hardly erase, The
tilne place, and circumstances are fresh in my re-
collection. What have stated, occurred during a
ride from Wheeling 10 Sleubenville, the Judge hav-
ing been attending court for several days at the Tor
mer place. Twas myself returning from court in
Belmont county. | think Jacobs, Esq, OF Wheel
ing will inform you that The Judge used expressions
while there, almost as iDickcd.
You are al liberty, sir, to make what use you
please of this letter.
Very, respectfully, yours
JAMES COLLIER.
LOGAN HILL March 4, ls40
Dear Sir: In answer to your note requesting
statement Of what may know with respect to Judge
Tappan's heretofore avowed sentiments on the sub.
slaueru abolition will state that