Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1844-11-16
THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
OF 1s24-THE COURSE OF BEN.
TON AND SCOTT.

TON AND SCOTT.
GENTLEMEN:--I take the liberty Of re-
questing you to publish the accompanying
historical document in relation to my vote
for John Q. Adams, in 1925. l also re-
quest all other papers, who may feel any
interest in knowing the truth in relation
to this matter, to publish il.
Yours, respectfully,
JOHN SCOTT.
STE. GENEvrEvE, Mo-, Oct. 90, 1914.
Shortly after the Presidential election of
1924 and '25, and which produced the
misunderstanding between Thomas H.
Benton and myself l purposed to have de-
tailed, more perhaps than shall now do,
the history and correspondence in relation
to that unpleasant affair. Since that Pc
riod, Col. Benton has so clearly developed
his own character, that l may be spared
much Of the narrative. To this end, on
my return to the State in the Spring Of
1925, had partly prepared, and actually
went to st. Louis to lay in print before
the people of Missouri, the whole progress
and final end of our intercourse, both
verbal and written, in regard to this cleo
tion;--in which l would have showed,
stated and exposed facts that would have
borne hard on the honesty, integrity and
character of Thomas H. Benton, and SUBJ
ected him to the lasting censure of all men
Of good faith and honorable bearing.
Up to that time, the friends of Benton
and myself had been mutual. David Barton
and myself, with their assistance, had
placed him in the Senate of the United
States, a position he could never have
reached without our united aid. Those
friends, many in number, and Of whose
good opinion any man might be proud,
collected around me, and implored that
would not take that course, or make any
publication, urging, with other reasons
that the misunderstanding between Benton
and myself could be but temporary, and
would shortly be forgotten if permitted tc
rest, saying, as matters then stood. tina
they could, without inconsistency, still &C
as mutual friends, but that publication
would reduce them to the necessity of tax
ing sides between US, position they die
not wish to occupy. My great regard for
their advice and opinions; my reluctance
TO place them (whatever l might sutfer.) by
any act of mine, in an unpleasant situation
caused me to abandon my settled purpose
and to rely and trust to time and the purity
of my motives, TO do me Justice. No
should | even at this day have changed
this intention, of living, and perhaps dying
under false cha rges and Misunderstanding:
' had not Benton, himself. in letter TO Nj
y Van Antwerp, of the 23d June, 1874. wit,
y that unreenting vindctiveness for whc
he is remarkable, chosen to revive thi
affair, and caused 10 be published my not
10 him of the 5th February, 1925. and hi
= reply thereto of the 9Th of the sam
month, in relation to the then PRESIDENT;
election. These two letters had sewers
d times been published since 1925, by his vi
% derstrapPers and hirelings: but the az
could not be brought home to him, an
: knowing the reckless character Of tt
e presses devoted TO him, and not willing I
believe that he would willingly stir tn
question, have hitherto treated the publ
cation with silent contempt. But when
himself calls up this matter, and asks f
the publication of only portion Of Il
correspondence, for the purpose of makir
II capital to sustain his declining prospec,
.. il does seem 10 me now, as it must 10 tho
a friends at whose instance had relinquisht
the idea Of exposing his conduct, that
am not required any longer to rema
silent; but. on the contrary, as he has CHI
sen to revive this matter, Justice to myse
to the people of Missouri whose confdenc
| once had the honor to enjoy, but 10
without fault or crime. and Justice to II
people Of the United States. so far as tht
are interested in knowing the truth, al
properly understanding the honesty. int
rity and character of public man, requi
that the whole history, the whole CORE
pondence, and the whole evidence shou
be placed before the world.
Thomas H. Benton came to Missouri
think, in 1915, much in the character
!, left North Carolina. as a fugitive fro
justice, having cast his Parthiah arrow /
hind him, in letter giving an account
nd the bloody ARRAY between him and &c
IS, eral Jackson. On arriving in Missouri,
so complained Of persecution. and excited I
IT, sympathies Of myself and friends. v
Sc found him Of steady habits. possessed
Sc some talents, genius he never had.) me
nc perseverngly industrious, and we were
- ~ duced to believe his character was goo
~, ~ for we had not then heard OF, his ChaE
" Hill irregularities,) we took him up a
ultimately led him 10 a seat in the Sens
of the United States. We were co.wol
= ers in the Presidential campaign of Is:
when Clay, Crawford, Adams, and Jacks'
'se were the candidates. He was even me
N, Jealous for Mr.. Clay than was, claim
Se IN he n relation ne Mrs Clay thrauoh I