Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-02-05
To The Editors Of the National htetigenecr.

have two objects in addressing you this letter the
first is request you 10 repubsh the letter of the
Hon. A. Z. Upshur, which appeared in the MadIso-
man Of this morning. and the second Isl to bespeak the
public patience for few days until can collect toge-
Their the testimony which | rely to establish the
scharge" (snce he chooses TO consider iU which ]
brought against him few days since in the House Of
Representatives.
| wish you 10 publish his letter, because want all
possible publicity given 10 his flat, positive, and
an immediate dissolution Of the Union, without quail
ications or conditions.
Ii is precisely this point that take issue with the
Hon Secretary and will undertake 10 prove from his
own pen well as his pabic conversations, that there
is not only studied and designed concealment Of truth,
but wlu and deliberate prcvarcaton in mis- denial.
take nothing back that have said; on the con trary,
repeat that he caS IN open, unqualified, undsgniSed,
and boosted advocate for an immediate dissolution ui
the Union; and will now add, without qualification or
limitation, since he seeks TO circumscrIbe and mystify
his position. lie denies it, and says cannot prove II
by any man who is himself of truth THIS Ii.
imitation would probably deprive me of the benefit OF
the testimony Of the Hon Secretary himself Never
heless, shall use it; but shall make him 4 promi-
nent witness in his own case but shall not be con.
tent TO RELY upon his testimony alone question of
veraci,y thus raised between Either he have
told alsehood All ask is, that the consequences
may be visited with the utmost severity upon my head
if do not prove satisfactorily that the Hon Secretary
is the guilty man.
Il will be perceived that have made broad, fair,
and well defined issue with the Secretary of the Navy
-one from which there is escape; and, if should
fail that have invited terrible consequences to my
self Now, it seems 10 me that there should De some
reciprocity in this and should, in The interim, be
clad to be Informed what consequences are 10 be VI.
sitcd upon him. if should establish first that he has
BEEN as he will be again, dsunionst, whenever his
interest may prompt dor even DO not suspect him
of entertaining such views lst he is in the service
of the Union at salary of six thousand dollars year.
and that he has been afterwards guilty of offence
that should hereafter drive him from the high assoca-
tons of which he vauntngly boasts. | want spe-
cia pleading and attempt TO divert the question from
one of fact 10 one OF association.
The only regret modification that feel in this
matter s that lie should have descended 10 give echo
to the foul and slanderous mputaon of that dirty,
borpht-up Lack of the Madsonian that was retailer
of prvae Conversations for if this be established
b. even plausible evidence, am ready 10 admit that it
is Just for my accommodation from the society
of centemen but il will be found TO rest only upon
the fact that have proved troublesome and nconve-
nlent witness against the high flnctonary rhose duy
it is, in the language of the Constitution, TO exercise
The office of President of the Uaited states, by giving to
the public his o-repeated opinions expressed (as was
this conversation of the Secretary of the Navy the
most public places and in the most public manner.
This is the head and front Of my offending in this
particular: and if the opinions of public men not TO
be gathered or quoted from their conversations in pub
lie companies, and before crowded audience, in the
name of common sense what ciH justify it: However,
let this pass for the present.
As to the silly, conceited, and arrogant pretenson
up BY the Secretary, of what he supposes to be a
superiority and more elevated associations, will dis
miss il in few words My associations have been
with gentlemen or should never have found my way
TO a seat in Congress from such district | repre-
sent. That the Secretary has habtually associated
with any other class, will not pretend assert be-
his present position and tina, he occupied at home
forbid IT, but il does not become me, at the time
to deny what might fairly infer from his letter,
Before this card from Mr. Boris reached hands, the