Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1842-02-26

dissolution of the Union, without qualii-
cations or conditions"
1t is precisely on this point that take
issue with the Hon. Secretary, and will un.
dertake to prove from his own pen, as well
as his public conversations, that there is not
only studied and designed concealment of
truth, but a wiful and deliberate prevari-
cation in his denial. take nothing back
that have said; on the contrary, repeat
that he ,oaS an open,eunqualifed, undisguis-
ed, and boasted advocate for an immediate
dissolution of the Union; and will now
add, without qualification or limitation,
since he seeks to circumscribe and mystify
his position. He denies it, and says can
not prove it by any man who is himself
man of truth. This limitation would prob
ably deprive me of the benefit of the testi-
mony of the Hon. Secretary himself. New
ertheless, shall use it; | shall make him
prominent witness in his own case; but
shall not be content to rely upon his testi-
mony alone. A question of veracity IS
thus raised between us. Either he or
have told falsehood. All ask is, that the
consequences may be visited with the ut
most severity upon my head if do not
prove satisfactorily that the Hon. Secreta-
ny is the guilty man.
| 1t will be seen that have made broad,
fair, and well-defned issue with the Secre-
tary of the Navy-one from which there
is no escape; and, if should fail, that have
invited terrible consequences to myself
Now. it seems to me that there should be
some reciprocity in this and should, in
the interim, be glad to be informed what
consequences are to be visited upon him,
if should establish, first that he has been,
as he will be again, disunionist, whenever
his interest may prompt it-(for even do
not suspect him of entertaining such views
whilst he is in the service of the Union at
salary of six thousand dollars Year,
and that he has afterwards been guilty OF
an offence that should hereafter drive him
from the high associations of which he
vauntingly boasts. Iwant no special plead
ing and no attempt to divert the question
from one of fact to one of association.
The only regret or modification that
feel in this matter is, that he should have
descended to give echo to the foul and Sian
derous imputation of that dirty. bought-ur
hack of the Madsonian, that was re.
taller of private conversations; for, if this
can be established by even plausible evil
dence, am ready to admit that it is just
cause for my accommodation from the
society of gentlemen; but it will be found
to rest only upon the fact that have prov.
ed troublesome and inconvenient witness
against the high functionary ,ohose duty i,
is, in the language of the Constitution, to er.
ercise the office Of President Of the United
States, by giving to the public his oft-repeat.
ed opinions, expressed, (as was this CONVEX.
sation of the Secretary of the Navy in the
most public places, and in the most public
manner.
This is the head and front of my offend
ing in this particular; and if the opinion:
of public men are not to be gathered oil
quoted from their conversations in public
companies, and before a crowded audience
in the name of common sense what UH
justify it! However, let this pass for the
present.
As to the silly, conceted, and arrogant
pretenson set up by the Secretary, of wha,
he supposes to be superiority, and more
elevated associations, will dismiss it in g
few words. My associations have beer
| WIFI SetltltNiei, VI sioulu nCNCT HdNt
found my way to seat in Congress from
such district as | represent. That the
Secretary has habtually associated with
any other class, will not pretend to assert
because his present position and that he oc
cupied at home forbid it; but it does not be
come me, at the same time, to deny what
might fairly infer from his own letter
wherein he asserts that he associated will
different class. can only assure him that
before this matter is done with, we may bt
brought nearer together, and he will, per
haps to his regret, be made better acquaint
ed with me. He shall, at all events, hav,
no ground hereafter for intimating that h,
does not know who am.
Respectfully,
JOHN Nj. Bolts.
*Before this card from Mr.. BoTTs reached GU
hands, the matter to which it refers in type,
prepared for the press as it now stands in tn