Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1842-12-28
j. J. CRITTENDEN,
MIR. EWING,S LETTER.

Dear Sir: Your favor of the 10Th ultimo is at hand.
had noticed the paragraphs in Mr. Spcncers letter which
refer but had not felt the necessity of replying to the
they cannot in my Judgment have the slightest weight
in forming modifying the opinion of the public. From
Nj Spencers showing, he could have knowledge
of the which he volunteers his tesimo-
nv and he stands in such relation the parties that,
had he knowledge of all the facts, very small reiaace
could be placed his opinion. Indeed, every thing
dered between statement opinion of the Secretary
of War and of the Presidents doorkeeper touching these
matters the title credit and respect would be entirely in
favor of that of the lnstnamcd iunctonary.
Mr. Spcncers first assertion, which understand back
ed by Of Mr. Gushing, Though have
the statement) namely, that the Wing members of Con-
gres- with the Cabinet, proposed post
pone the bill Fiscal Corporation the President
would agree continue his (thcu Cabinet III place. is
far as know. wholly without foundation. There
proposition of that kind made to the President behalf of
the Whg members, any of them, with my concurrence
knowledge What some member OF Congress may have
proposed and member of the Cabinet concued in,
not; but consulted any such PROPOSE
ZION by any member of Congress the Cabinet;
either advised sanctioned it, And moreover the
who said 10 have carried the proposition TO the President
had not in respect my confidence.
Ioined eo postpone the bill, the strong
sentaton made to by Mr. Webster that the President
that subject of mental arrangement. When
addressed members OF Congress upon IT. some expressed
apprehensons others belief that the President had deter
mined abandon the Wing party-that he then
gagged in negotiations with the opposition and asked for
merely effect his arrangements. was told by
hathe refused them that he desired the postpone
ment, give them any assurance, either in
matter, aay their apprehensons To this state of things
and nothing beyond alude in that paragraph OF my let
ofresignaton which referred shaddowng forth
the alleged proposition The person who carried the pro-
position the President if any such carried tell
and he ought 10 be required TO tell what members OF the
Cabinet were consulted and concurred in it,
The statement with 10 the Presidents proposition
decline reelection il much less wide OF the truth,
though ts degree OF verify OF course wholly unknown
Mr.. Spencer the time he vennrsd the statement
Tine conversation referred occurred the 4tn day of
September the absence yourself and Mr. Badger and
iUnne {tart
the bill Fiscal Corporation TO the President for
his signature He said in substance that nc should proba-
bly, be compelled the BILL and he thought of
panyng the message with solemn declaration that
Inc would be candidate for reelection and wished
advice the In the OF the conversation,
he also said he had ndied sentence intended tor nser
in his inaugural expressly declaring that he would
be candidate for reelection which he withheld, lest its
effect should be the batteries OF Mr. Clay and his
friends on Mr.. Webster.
Mr. Webster having replied and objected the declara-
ton suggested 10y the President snid that hoped he would
not feel himself compelled veto the bill but If he did
d i Gk 8 s Pea to s he Ee NC % %
whatever the subjects and did think such
declaration would have tendency reconcile the peo-
pie the This the substance Of what said tina,
subject what said by the other members of the Cabinet
do remember with sufficient distinctness state IT,,
except that all in the opinion that such deca
raon that time, and under those circumstances ought
be made.
occurred 10 me- which did think proper suggest
which were in my opinion, decisive of the
well that the President at that time exceedingly
unpopular and believed, if he vetoed that BILL he
come an object of almost universal detesaton The OPP
position hated him a renegade from their party. The
Wings had begun look upon him with distrusi and
sien as one who had betrayed them and deserted their
principles For him, that lime and under those circum
stances declare solemny public paper that he oould
or ioould not be candidate for reelection would,
thought make him the subject Of public ridicue and
tempt, nc already OF public indignation My advice
therefore, given seriously and in good faith, though
did not for n believe his proposition so-no
more than believed a fact his statement that he had
pcnned such declaration for insertion in his inaugural but
withheld it should the batteries Of Mr.. Clay and
h- friends against Mr. Webster. His suggestion seemed
me TO convey the idea that the Whg the Cabinet included
cared little about if could clear the way for
the succession.
in haste. This paper your service, retain
or use fit Ii contains the facts they were
partly from recollection, partly from entries my Journal
am, very truly, yours,
+. EWING.
Hon. ]. J. CRfTTExDEN