The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1843-04-13
FIGHT BETWEEN UPSHUR AND
krIsltD

FIGHT BETWEEN UPSHUR AND
SPENCER
The Northern papers contain several
different statements about personal re-
con,re between the Secretary ol the NAVY
aud the Secretary of War. The following
accounts Of the afo.r are taken from the
Charleston Mecury Of Monday last.
NcKen=ie'S Case at Washington. The
decision Of the Court Martial was trans
milted to Washington on Monday, and
there are reports OF great division IN the
Cabinet respecting the same. A post
script in the Richmond Hhig of Thurs
day gives most Improbable statement, II
il be taken literally, but as scandal IS al
ways interesting, we quote II.
"A letter from Washington, dated
Tuesday evening, says Judge upshur had
fight to-day, with Mr.. Spencer, al the
Presidents mansion. This being Cabinet
day, the question was presented, whether
TO confirm the decision of the Court Mar
lial in the case Of Captain Mackenzie
The affair will probably lead 10 dissolu-
lion Of the Cabinet. You may rely upon
the truth Of this"
he Enquirer says the passengers from
/ Washington brought a similar report
Our own information leaves no doubt of
serious division Of opinion, but we under
stand the fight 10 have been with tongues
not fists (riris, non fusttbus ct pugnlS ct
cdlci6us.) The other, however, is so
much more popular and ediiying, that we
find the rumor in that shape to have trav-
elied North as we'll as South. The L. s.
Gazette has the following sensible remarks
on the subject:
Last evening, after the arrival Of the
South Mail, rumor was atioat, traceable
TO the conductor of the Baltimore cars, or
the mail agent, which caused no little sur
prise.
Ii was said that at Cabinet Council,
held on Tuesday, Mr.. Spencer, now Sec.
rotary of the Treasury, minated wish
that the President would dismiss Com
mander Mackenzie from the Navy. The
President, Of course, could not consent to
such proposition, and Mr.. Spencer threat
ened 10 withdraw from the Cabinet, if his
request was not granted.
Judge Upshur, il is said, limited that as
he was al the head Of the Navy Depart
ment, such measure would affect his
position.
And il is added, tina; after the Council
had been closed, Mr.. S. presscd the mat.
ter so warmly, that blow was passed be-
tween him and the Secretary Of the Navy.
We doubt the latter, because we know that
Judge Upshur is a man whose sense of
what is due to his character as gentle.
man, and his dignity as a public function
ary, would withhold him from such
mode of settling disputes, unless required
to respond TO one assault, or defend him
self from another. We do not know Mr..
S. personally. OF one thing we feel con-
fident, viz:-that Judge Upshur will not
hold his office one day, after he thinks it
shorn Of a single right or privilege pro-
perly belonging thereto. He will not al.
low the personal feelings Of others to have
improper influence in his department.
We give the above report in the least
unpleasant form that we heard it. We
deem il proper to add the expression of
our belief, that T; has been greatly exag.
geratcd, if not entirely fabricated some
where.
A Washington Correspondents Of the
Baltimore Patriot gives another version Of
the affair which we quote below;
There has been quite breeze between
the Secretaries of the Treasury and the /
Navy. The rupture between Messrs. Up T,
shur and Spencer, grew out of an order
issued by the latter, which he had posted
up in all the Departments, requiring of
every one before he entered his room or
any other in his Department, to first send
10 his or their names, and then wait in the
passage, until called in. On seeing this /
order, or one OF similar import, stuck up
in his office, Judge Upshur took ii down
and spoke Of it in indignant terms. 1t is
stated that this is the cause of the open |
rupture between the two Secretaries, ex.
cied by hostile bearing Of Mr.. Spencer
towards Mr.. Upshur ever since the organi.
zaton of the Court Martial. give you
the reports as have heard them, without
vouching for their entire Authenticity,
though | have reason to believe they are
New changes in the Cabinet
are now again calculated upon. There
will always be trouble where John c.
Spencer bears sway.
This affair is contradcted by the Madi.
sonian. This is very natural. The dis.
grace that would attach to the Admnis.ra-
lion after the admission of such an outrage.
Gus scene between two high officers of the
is too obvious not to be smoth-
cred. Ed. Charlotte Journal.