Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1844-09-07

TO my friends throughout the
The reasons which influenced me in &C.
cepting the nomination for the Presidency,
made by Convention Of my friends in May
last, at Baltimore, have lost much of their
original force.
l had been not only most violently as
sailed by the Ultraists Of 10th parties, but
had been threatened with impeachment for
having negotiated Treaty proposing the
annexation of Texas to the Union, as a por-
ton Of its territory, and forIhaving adopted
precautionary measures, clearly falling
within the range Of Executive discretion,
to ward off any blow which might have
been seriously aimed at the peace and safe
ty Of the country in the event of the ratlfi-
cation Of the Treaty by the Senate. The
opinion Of person, once ranked amongst
the distinguished jurists Of the country,
found its way into the newspapers, appa-
rently as the precursor Of such proceeding.
A report had also been made, at previous
session Of Congress, by committee of the
House Of Representatives, which proceed
ed from the pen Of a man who filled no linn
tied space in the eye of the world, in which
because Of the exercise of the Veto pow
or IN arrest Of the unconsi itutional and per-
nicious measures Of United States Bank,
and donation to the States of 80 much Of
the public revenue as was derived from the
public lands, at q moment Of great embar-
rassnent to the Treasury, and when loans
Suo to h.,
Il was charged with the commission of
grave offences in the above particulars, and
with deserving all the pans and disgrace
flowing from the high power of impeach-
ment, measure, as it was intimated, only
not restored to by the House because of q
doubt entertained whether the proceeding
would be sustained by public SENTIMENT
l had, it is true, protested against that re-
port as originating in wrong, and dictated
by party rancor and malevolence; but my
Protest was refused a place on the journals
Of the House, and thus, in future times,
my name might have been furnished by the
fact Of a solemn declaration, highly impli-
eating my character, remaining uncontra-
dicted and unreversed on the public jour-
nails. The party majority which had sane
toned proceeding SO unjust had, it is true,
been swept out Of existence by the cleo
tons which shortly afterwards followed;
but, at the time OF my acceptance Of the
nomination, although large and over
whelming majority Of the opposite party
had been brought into power by the Peo-
pie, as if for the express purpose Of sus-
tanning me in what / had done, yet that
very party had made no public movement
indicative of a friendly feeling, and a por-
ton Of its members, who seemed to control
the rest, exhibited the bitterest hostility,
and the most unrelenting split Of oppose
tion. Under these circumstances, there
was but one course left TO me consistent
with honor, which was, to maintain nv po-
sition unmoved by threats, and untimidated
by denunciations. Those of nv country.
men, who had come to my support, had
done SO in self-sacriicing spirit. without
the indulgence of any other expectat on
than that my character should be vindicat-
ed and the policy of my Administration
should be sustained; and felt that it would
better become me 10 abide the most signal
defeat than to incur the disgrace of depre-
eating the action OF a party, the chief object
OF whose leaders seemed to be TO fasten up
on me disgrace.
] had also an indistinct hope, that the
great question of the anne >alion of Texas
might, in some degree, be controlled by
the position | occupied. These motives
induced my acceptance of the nomination
made by my friends. Before the close of
the session OF Congress, however, devel-
opements were SO clearly and distinctly
made as to the threatened Impeachment,
that no trace Of such measure was LETT
Mr.. J. Q. Adams report, duplicating my
motives and conduct in my vetoes Of the
Bank and other bills, was deprived of all
its force and furtive effect, by Report
made by Committee, of which Mr.. Ellis,
Of New York, was Chairman, accompa panied
by resolutions, which passed the House of
Representatives some few days before the
close Of the session by large and COM
handing majority, not only rescuing my
motives from all imputation, but iustifying
and upholding my policy. The voice Of
shO OoPAV Az uiC CICCtAOuS VI JCt< Was
thus directly responded to by that Of their
Representatives, and but little remained fer
me personally, either to expect or DESIRE.
Since the adjournment Of Congress, the lam
guage Of many Of the leading presses OF the
country, and resolutions adopted by large
assemblages Of the People in their primary
meetings, have still further endorsed the
proceedings of the House in appreciation
Of the acts Of the Administration. Icould
not, however, look exclusively to my own
wishes, which would have led me imme-
diately to retire from q contest which SEEM
ed no longer to be possessed Of an object
worthy Of much further attention. But
was not at liberty TO do so without first
consulting with such Of my most prominent
and steadlast friends az could most read
lily confer with, men who had shared with
me in much Of the abuse which / had en-
countered, and would partially have par
ticipated in all the obloquy, if any. which
might, in the future, attach to me. So far. !
as / have been able to consult them, they
have yielded their assent to the course
which my own judgment suggests as pro-
per; and now announce to them and the
country, my withdrawal from the Presiden-
tial canvass.
/ cannot omit to accompany this public