Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-06-07

sons, at the very time when his deseton is least to
be regretted and finds that to the loss of respect of
former friends, he must suffer a direct impeacb-
ment of his veracity.
Cry OF WAsHrNGToN Nav o. 1874
Mr.. WALToN,-The Green Mountain Freeman
of the 18th inst has been put into my hands, and
find in it article under the signature of William
p. Briggs, in which an unustifable attack has been
made upon me. | am certainly not disposed to en-
ter into newspaper controversy with Mr. Briggs
or any body else; but can not, in justice to my
SELF permit the destinations in his article to pass
uncontradcted. There is not the least foundation
in truth for one of them.
Speaking of his nomination to the Senate forthe
office of Collector at Burlington, he saws:
"The Southern Senators were forthwith inform
ed and that by Senator from Vermont, and one
who boosted on the day of his election that "thank
God he did not go to Washington with niger on
his back" that was an aboitonist and was called
on to explain openly and frankly admitted the
| fact" &c.
Mr.. Briggs here revives an old calumny which
had supposed was put at rest for ever The dec
aratlon which he attributes to upon the day of
OF my election to the Senate, was never made by
me. 1t was attributed to me in some of the papers
of that day, and was promptly denied by me under
my own signature in the public prints, as it las
been in private conversation from that day to the
| present whenever the subject has been mentioned.
| ne Telnurk was indue by some person TO me on
that occasion as matter of sport, was reported as
such by others, and ultimately very enormously at
tribued to me- 1t did not originate with me-
| What he means by the term 'forthtoith,' am at
a loss to determine. When his nomination was
made to the Senate, it of course became the sub
ject of conversation, and, considering the feeling
and temper of the period when it made, it is
not strange that an inquiry should have been made
as to his sentiments on the subject of savery-
| When that enquiry was made, | of course stated
what was notorious and what Mr.. Briggs says he
"lrankly and openly avowed." may add that there
| were circumstances connected with his nomination,
! which created supposition on that subject which
naturally led to the enquiry. know not that there
was any thing censurable or wrong in atribuing to
| him sentiments which he openly professed and
which, so far as he has explained them in his letter
would certainly injure him III the estimation of no
rational man. But the point of his statement on
this subject consists in the inference which may be
drawn, and which he doubtless intends shall be
drawn, that opposed his confirmation on account
of his sentiments in relation to slavery. Such an
inference is decidedly at with the fact. op-
posed his nomination, it is true; but not upon that
ground. Nor, so far my knowledge extends,
was his confirmation opposed by any body on that
ground Even with Southern Senatorslhis opin-
ions on that subject were not regarded import
ant, the office of local character and in 10
wise affected Southern interests. shall state facts
before | close which will satisfy the public and
He also insinuates that withdrew my opposition
because heard "the threatnings of public indig-
nation at the North in relation to Mr. Everett's non-
ination, then pending also" Mr.. Briggs has no au-
thority for this nsinuation tell him, and the pub
lie too, that it is wholly and absolutely untrue |
withdrew my opposition in Difference to the opn-
ion of my associates from Vermont, and from no
other motive. Whether judged right in deferring
to that opinion the public will Judge.
My associates in the Senate will do me the JUS
tice to say, that no Senator took more decided
ground, in the case of MIR. Everett, against the
proposition to prescribe Northern men on account
of their sentiments on the subject Of slavery than
} did. not only repealed it with Indignation, but
warned Southern gentlemen emphaticaly against
its consequences. While occupying this ground
and defending Mr. Everett against such principle,
it was impossible for me to urge such an objection
against Mr. Briggs. Such an inconsistency would
have made me ridiculous, and destroyed what little
influence might otherwise possess.
T Mr.. Briggs evidently wishes it to be understood
that he has been prosecuted for opinions sake
There is not the slightest foundation for such a
pretence. He was confirmed by the Senate not re-
t iected-and that, after | withdrew my opposition,
without further objection. And repeat that my
own opposition, and, so far as have knowledge Of
the motives of Others the opposition of others, was
) based upon totally different considerations.
He then proceeds to speak of his removal from
office. He states that no reasons have been as
signed by the Government to him or his friends for
t the measure He says he is therefore left to in
fer" that it brought about by the efforts of Mr.
/, Van Ness and myself. From his premises to his
conclusion is tremendous leap in logic He might
as well draw the same inference with respect to any
other human being. But for his satisfaction will
assure him that have had no more agency in his
removal than the man in the moon, if there be
man there. Down to the period when the removal
took place, l have had no communication with any
body on the subject, and have expressed no opinion
or wish IN relation to it. assure him further that
since the period of his confirmation by the Senate,
| have had no consultation or correspondence with
the President in relation to any appointment to or
removal from office | have intercourse with
the President beyond mere formal cIvility, never
visit his house except on public occasions, and then
only out Of civity to my friends from abroad who
may desire to visit the house, and to whom this
courtesy is due from me and even then have no
i communication with him except to exchange the
customary cvilities on entering the house.
The whole country understands the relation
D which now subsiss between the occupant of the
Executive Char and the Wings of the Senate, and
probably there is no man in that body farther re-
moved from any confidential relations with that
functionary than myself ! certainly know nothing
of the causes of Mr.. Briggs removal, the man
ner in which it was brought about, except from
NOR since it took place.
AS to the petition to which he alludes, | know
nothing of it. No such thing has come under my
my political friends in Vermont in relation to the
confirmation of Col. Hyde some for and some "a
gainst it But neither their opinions nor my own
on that subject have any bearing upon Mr. Briggs.
He was remoyed-the Senate could not restore him
i if they woodland there was not the slightest
probability that the President disposed to do it.
Under these circumstances the question as to Col
Hyde's confirmation was one, not between him and
Mr. Briggs, but between him and somebody else
, whom the President might choose to appoint, in
case he were rejected.
As to the raw head and bloody bones" of abo-
litionsm reared by me to frighten John Tyler Mr..
Briggs must be conscious that his suggestion is the
creation of his own fancy, and distempered one
i My only object in this communication is oclear
myself from imputations to which | 90 not
choose to be subject; have endeavored to confine
! myself to that object l know, however, that the