The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-01-29
MR.. BOTTS-THE SECRETARY OF
THE NAVY.


From the speech of Mr. Bolts on Thursday,
Il may be perceived that he is determined to
play "Bozy"-as well as he may-not only to
the President but to the Secretary Of the Navy
He has kept an account current of the CONVEX
sations he has held with the Secretary and, the
last time there was conversation between them
Judge Upshur was IAN open, avowed, undis-
guised advocate of the immediate dissolution of
the Union" We know not what opinions Mr..
Upshur may hold on this subject we know not
the expressions he employed. We, of course,
can undertake neither to explain his sentiments
nor vindicate his principles. Such is not our
Intention. But, Ignorant as we are of his opin-
ions, we may, without any imputaton of the
yeracity of Mr.. Bolts, venture to doubt the cor
rectness OF the representations made by him.
We do not charge on him intentional perversion
Of the language he heard but we may, without
offence, believe that he might have misconcev-
ed its force and tendency. One infected by a
prurienr and irrepressible propensity to gossip,
as Mr.. Bolts has shown himself to be, in the
anxiety to collect materials, his haste to dissem-
mate the information he has procured is espe-
cially liable to error.
Whatever care may be used in the endeavors
to form clear and distinct conception of what
we hear it is well known that misapprehensions
often occur. Ideas says an eminent philosoph-
cal writer, are not articles of furniture which
are transferred in their entire and unaltered state
from one mind to another; they are seed-the
growth Of our own soil-sown in another; and
the plant, springing from them, receives modif-
cations, and frequently incurs an entire change
Of character from the soil in which il grows.
We have no intention to dissert at length on the
causes which lead listener-especialy in the
ease and confidence Of colloquil intercourse-to
misapprehend the Specification Of what he has
heard, or to give it meaning which the speak
er never intend ID. Speak with what studied
precision you may, you will be frequently mis-
understood. Every days experience teaches US
that our opinions are misconceived and misre-
presented. We can, therefore, pardon Mr.
Bolts, if he has given shading produced by
his own mind to the language of Mr.. Upshur
Error is pardonable but not the prying curio-
sity which seeks to elici! expressions Of opinion
in the confidence Of friendly communication for
the purpose Of their publication.
The intercourse between gentlemen, however
frank and unrestrained, we have always thought
to be, by implication, confidential. At all events,
if it be courteous TO repeat what has been SO
learned in the social circle, that it is wrong to
publish it to the world for the purpose of nhict-
ing injury. If Paul Pry, in the shape Of Mr.,
Bolts, or some of his imtators, is to be always
at your elbow, all social enjoyment is brought
| 10 close.
We do not think that the Secretary of the
Navy requires any vindication from the charge
made against him, simply on account of the man
ner by which the knowledge was acquired on
which the charge is based A traitor to gentle
manly intercourse will not be regarded, however
earnest and positive may be his reservations Of
the truth of what he asserts