The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-05-12
THOMAS HART BENTON--THE MYSTE
RIOUS LETTERS.

In our affair with MT. Denton, VIC WYNN
have our correspondents respectfully to under
stand that we do not desire to make use OF any
extraneous aid We state this, because immune
rable charges ola nature altogether ditterentffom
the matter under consideration, from anonymous
sources, are daily pouring in upon us. These,
without exception, we burn unread The man
who would use charges of a personal charac-
ter, in mere political strife (having received no
personal or private injury from his oppo-
nents,) is capable of the commission OF similar
acts himself Further, we do not hesitate to de-
clare that we believe Mr.. Benton to be innocent
of the various petty crimes alleged against HIM
and will continue to regard him so until ne is
proven to be guilty.
On Monday, MIR. Benton offered the following
resolution
Resolpsd, That the Committee the Post Office
and Post Roads be instructed to inquire IN what man
ner the Madisonian newspaper obtained knowledge
of certain papers supposed to be filed in the General
Post Office Department, in relation to the appointment
of Mr.. Watson as Deputy Postmaster at 81 LOUIS
viz letter from MIR. Benton to Mr.. Van Buren,, and
another to the Postmaster General; and also In what
manner the editor of that paper became possessed OF
certain information, that there was no other recon-
mendaton for Mr. Watson, and that his appointment
ives made on the sole recommendation OF Mr. Ben
ton Also, that the said committee inquire into the
manner in which the said editor obtained copy OF the
Postmaster Generals letter to he Senates commttee
on the Post Office and Post Roads, in relation to the
nomination of Samuel B. Churchill and recommend
ing him for confirmation and that they have power to
send for persons and papers, and to take testimony on
OATH and report the same to the Senate.
This resolution has reference to an editorial
article in the Madisonian of the 9Th Instant
e
That articl, was called forth in consequence OF
the publication of certain letters by Mr.. Benton
"a publication which involved violation OF
pledged secrecy-of con6dence-ot the homo
rable and dgni6ed practice Of Senators. They
were published for the purpose of intiictlng a
eratuitous blow on coordinate branch of the
Government, and at time when the Executive
was rapidly advancing in the affections OF the
People, and threatened by its accumulatlng po-
puarity and power speedily to overthrow every
partisan leader IN Americd. or course the
'sbase abandonment of Senatorial honor and
dignity on the part of MIR. Benton, could not
and did not arrest its giant strides. Or course
has interposition could not avert the impending
doom.
In our article, we established the fact that
neither the President nor the Postmaster Gene
raj ever read the letters which Mr.. Benton pub
lished They were received by them, and
as usual filed with the application OF Col.
Churchill. They were sent to the Senate win
the nomination. They were borrowed by Mr.
Benton merely for examination" as he stated.
They were published by him, without the
knowledge or consent of the committee from
I'D thn
chairman Of the committee, distinctly asserts
this in his letter. The papers were secret and
sacred as the whole Senate AYERS Mr.. Ben
ton borrowed them. He carried them to his
room. He locked the door and opened his
dark lantern. The sealed casket lay before
him on his table, A ray of light from the Ian
tern displayed the mingled expression Of fear
shame, and revenge on his broad face He
placed his hand on the sealed casket, and hesl-
tated The perspiratlon stood out on his fore
head. He looked timidly around. Convinced
that he was not watched, by desperate effort
he tore open the casket and rAed it of its con-
tents. But there WAS an eye upon him
Well, the copies, thus surreptitiousy OBJ
tanned, were despatched to the printer The
casket was re-sealed and handed back to
Mr.. McRoberts. He received back the trust
without dreaming its purity had been sullled
He thought not of "gun powder plots" nor the
ssdays of Queen Anne" nor of the resusclation
of Walpoean schemes" He knew not how
well Mr. Benton was versed in English history,
or how adrotly he can avail himself Of this
knowledge in every transaction, private and
public.
But the letters were published, because Colo
mel Churchill was recommended by some OF his
friends on account of "his party services.
Let it not be forgotten that neither the President
nor the Postmaster General ever read the letters
setting up these partisan claims. But Mr.. Ben
ton cared not for that. If he could fix the
charge upon them it mattered not whether they
were guilty or innocent. He would reap the
advantage of the blow, and why should he care
if it fell upon the innocent? But, after all,
what politician has not recommended applicants
on the same grounds
In our article we called upon the Missouri
Senator to say if he had not recommended Mr.
Watson on account of his sacrifices 'ior the
party" Here is what we wrote, and we relte-
rate it:
What recommended Mr.. Watson, and cho re-
commended hm' We do not wish to ncupate MIR
Watson. We know nothing of him for good or evil
save what we learn from the papers. He too, may
have been capable and honest" But Mr.. Bentor
will not deny that while Mr.. Watson conducted Mr.
Bentons special Locofoco organ, the Argus, he (Mr
Benton) frequently promised him his reward HI
will not deny that he (Nlr Benton) wrote to Mr.
Watson on more than one occasion to be patient
not to despar-that all his losses and sacrifices FOL
the party" should be compensated. He (Mr Ben
tony will NOT denv that he addressed President Val