Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1842-09-08

only of whatever charges might have been
formerly preferred against me, but OF all the
calumnies of which I have hitherto been
the unreSisting victim. AS it is, have been
accused without evidence, and condemned
without a hearing. As far as such proseed-
ings can accomplish it, am deprived OF pub
lie confidence in the administration of the
Government, and denied even the boast of
good name-a name transmitted to me BY
patriot father, priced as my proudest inheri-
lance, and carefully preserved for those who
are to come after me, as the most precious OF
all earthly possessions. l am not only sub
jected TO lmPutations affecting my character
as an individual, but am charged with offen-
ces against the country, so grave and so
heinous as to deserve public disgrace and
disfranchisement. lam charged with viola
ting pledges which never gave; and because
| execute what believe to be the law, with
usurping powers not conferred by the law,
and, above all, with using the powers confer
red upon the President by the Constitution,
for corrupt motives and unwarrantable ends.
And these charges are made without any par.
ticle of evidence 10 sustain them, and, as
solemny affirm, without any foundation in
truth.
Why is proceeding of this sort adopted at this
time Is the occasion for it found in the fact that
having been elected to the second Office under the
the people. have assembled to the FIRST according to
the express provisions Of the fundamental law Of the
same people? 1t is true that the succession OF the
occurred BEFORE and all prudent and patriotic minds
have looked on this new trial OF the wisdom and sta
blity Of our Institutions, with somewhat anxious
concern. have been made to feel too eensiby the
difficulties of my unprecedented position. not to know
all that is intended to be conveyed in the reprOach
cast upon Presden, without party. But found
myself placed in the most responsible station, by no
usurDHtOn or cOntriyance of own. II was called
it,, under Providence, by the supreme law OF the.
land and the deliberately declared opinion Of the peo-
pe 1t is by these, the people. that have been co-
tIed with the high powers which they have seen fig
conde to their Chief Executive, and been charged
with the solemn responsibility under which those
powers are to be exercised II is 70 them .oid nv.
self answerable as mors agent, for Tree aud coz.
scientVus discharge IF the duties which they have
imposed upon me. It is not as an individual merely,
Of unconstitutional power, Ireprescn, the Executive
authority ofthe people Of the United States; and is
| in their name (whose mere agent and servant am,
and whose will, declared in their fundamental law,
dare not even inclined, to disobey.) that pro.
test against every attempt to break down the
doubted constitutional power Of this department,
without solemn amendment OF that fundamental
! law.
am determined to uphold the Constitution in this
as in other respects, to the utmost al my ability, and
in defiance of all personal consequences What NAV
happen to an individual is Of little importance; but
the Constu ion Of the country any Of great and
clear principles and provisions, ia ton sacred to be
those who nre charged with its Protection and dc.
fence. Least Of all should he he held gu,ess who,
placed at the head Of one nf the great departments Of
the Government, should shriak from the exercise Of
its unquestionabls authority, the most important
occ asions; and should consent without struggle to
etace all the barriers so carefully created by the
people to control and circumscrhe the powers conf
ded to their various agents 1t may be desirable,
the majority Of the House nf Representatives has de.
cared it is that such checks upon the will Of the
Legislature should he suffered to continue. This ion
matter for the people and the states to decide; bnt
execute, without fear favor Of the law, il has
been written by our predecessors
protest against this whole proceeding OF The House
OF Representatives. rs er-p0rfe and extra judicial,
protest against it subversive OF the common right
of nl citizens to be condemned only upon fair and
fore the country. protest agans, H. ne destructive of
all the comfy ofntcrcoMrse between the departments
Of this Government and destined, later tn
lead 10 conflicts fatal to the peace Of the country and
the integrity of the Constitut protest against IT,
in the Of that Constitution, which is only nv
shield Of protection and Defence but that Of every
American citizen. protest against il. in the Of
the people, nv whose authority exercised the power
| which am charged with having usnrprd, and "
whom am responsible for the Arm and faithful dis.
charge according TO mvown conviction of duty, ofhe
high rdshp confiiled to me by them. prD,esa
limited Government. as proceeding tending to the.
utter destruction of the checks and balances OF tho
Constitution, and the accommodating in the hands Of
the House of Representatives. or bare majority Of
Congress- for the time being, uncontrolled and de-
spotic power. And respectfully ask that this, my
protest. he entered upon the journal Of the House
OF Representatives rs a solemn and formal deelara.
tion, for all time come of the injustice and uncOn-
stitutionali'y Of such proceeding;
M