The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-07-21

and not an unkind word or thouuht to nv know
ledge bad ever PASSED between us. From first
to last throughout his whole career, | had been
one of his most zealons supporters. and in like
manner. he had always supported me. Our
friendship had been unbroken. and we had coin
cded in political principles. As to the tariff. the
remuneration of Texas, the presumption system,
the reduction and graduation Of the price Of the
public lands in favor of settlers and culivators
we had cordially united in opininn and action.-
The grant Of the five per cent fund and Chicka-
saw school lands, and Of the two per cent fund L,
aid in constructing the great rail road from the
Atlantic to the Mississippi at Vicksburg, the cps.
sion of alternate sections of land to improve tn.
navigation Of Pearl river, of the inundated lands
to complete the levee from onr northern boundary
TO the mouth of the YaZoo, the appropriations to
survey gulf coast and locate the HOSPITAL AZ
Natchez all which measures had been introduced
by me and nearly all whirh had become laws.
had received the cordial and efficient support Of
Mr.. Thompson In the trying crisis which pro-
coded the Baltimore convention and the votes
throughout in that body. Mr.. Thompson and nv
self had acted in perfect unison and no man ex.
erted himself more warmly and efficiently to place
me In my present position as secretary of the
treasury. How then could hostility To him. one
OF my warmest friends. have induced me 10 with
mold the commission and what other motive could
have influenced me than earnest desire not to
executive OF the State nor is there any man friend
or foe, TO whom under similar circumstances
would have delivered the commission
when the commission was handed TO me on
the 9TH OF March and my decision made and
placed beyond recall against the delivery. it was
my firm conviction that the senate would certain
" adjourn on or before the 10Th. until after which
Mr. Il could not take his seat under the commits
sion. There was nothing on which it was snp-
have IL
executive nominations. The Zolveren treaty
was not 10 be acted on until December and no
vote was to be or was taken upon it at the execu-
tive session. After months Of toll and vicilance
on my part, the Texas question had passed both
houses 0t congress and could require no action on
the part ct the senate. and it was determined to
postpone until December the election of printer
10 the senate, that nothing remained bmt the
executive nominations which no one believed
could detaln the senate beyond the 10th Iii
true the senate did set few days longer, prodmc-
ed ny most unexpected opposition to one of the
executive nominations resulting in an adjourn
ment OF the senate from the 9th to the 10Th,
which together with the subsequent death of a
Senator, occasioning another adjournment. did pro-
long the session of the senate few DAYS beyond
the lOth but when my decision was made on the
9th, did consider it certain that the senate would
ADJOURN on or before the 10TH and consequently
as Mr.. IhomPson's commission did not take effect
until after that date, that he could not take his
seat at the executive session. Such was my frm
conviction when ! acted on the 5th. and such
would have been the result but Tor occurrences
which no human foresight could anticipate
trust in conclusion. that the democracy of
Mississippi will see in my whole course on this
subject, nothing but an ardent DESIRE to have pro-
vision made to meet contingency which mipht
have resulted, without my Intervention, in de-
feat OF the democratic party, upon question of
great importance in its political results and what
ever errors of judgment others, Judging after the
fact. may think they observe in nv conduct. T
cannot but believe that all impartial men must
perceive that my motives were pure and honora-
be
Very respectfully, Your obi servant.
r. j. WALKER