The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-11-01
COM MUNICATto S.
wAsnMeroS, Nov /, 1916,
To The Editor Of The Union;

Sin: perceive from the communication Of ~
that was mistaken in supposng Mr.. 'Trott to have
been the author Of the first communication; but
was very much surprised when ! discovered who
the real amanuensis OF Mr. Peter Grayson
Washington. The history Of the whole transac-
ton, in relation TO the memorial which was gotten
up at that time, (lS33,) TO be presented to General
Jackson, and with which am perfectly familiar, is
not correctly stated by OK" ! am one Of those
who signed the memorial at that time and was also
a member of the Hickory Club, in which il origin
ated. The object we then had in view was the
same we have ow--that democratic triumph
should not to the entire advantage OF the fed
eral party and we intended that the memorial should
have been presented TO General Jackson by Mr..
Kendall, who was also member of the Hickory
Club; but he was called off to the North on some
business, and during his absence, DIR. Robert Mayo
got hold the memorial, and added to II sequel,
which those who signed the memorial had not seen,
and were therefore ignorant OF Its contents. Under
this state of the case, several OF them informed
Gen. Jackson that they were not responsible for
the "sequel from the fact that they not aware
of its contents; and Gen. Jackson then dismissed
the whole subject. II the investigation had taken
place at that time, Mr.. Washington would have
been saved all the uneasncss and trouble which he
has encountered since. Alter DIR. Mayo was frus-
trated in hs designs, he deserted Gen. Jackson,
which afforded Mr.. Washington, who is very
cunning man, a fine opportunity of wormlng himself
into his confidence; and, at this very time, DIR. Jones
pretended to be great friend OF Gen. Jackson, and
succeeded, through Major Lewis, in making the
brave, generous, and high-minded old soldier be-
lieve it, in opposition to the known wishes
Of nine-enths Of the democratic party at that time
and then told General Jackson that, if he lived
long enough, he would find out that he was de-
ceived by both Major Lewis and his particular
batch Of friends He did live long enough, for those
very men deserted Mr.. Van Buren,, whose admin
istration was the embodiment of democratic princ
pies, and who was pledged to follow in the footsteps
of his lustrious predecessor. The year 1910 will
long be remembered in the annals of the democratic
party; and he who passed through it, adhering
faithfully to his principles, is my political friend
am aware that Mr.. Peter G. Washington claims
great honor for the part he took in 1910; and the
following note from Mr. Wilson is an illustration of
his sincerity
''WAsHIKGToN, d. c., Oct. 80, ls45.
"Afler the presidential election in lS4O observed
to Mr.. P. G. Washington that thought the dem
ocrats in Office would be prescribed. He replied if
they were, it would not affect him. as he did not
profess to be a thorough-going democrat.
81. B. B. WILSON"
So much for the history of the memorial" and
the ''sequei" Is "X" aware that Major Rely is a
inform him that he is and that there is another gem
tleman (who is also clerk in the same Department.
who is familiar with the history Of those times.
The ground taken by "X,' that the conflicting
statements made upon the subject is proof that there
is no truth in the whole affair, is prin,a Jacie evil
dence that he is iaaoyer Do they positively con-
tradict each other as to the facts' It is true that
they are not precisely in the same language; but the
same meaning is conveyed and the difference is on
ly technical Did "Xr ever witness trial in
which all of the witnesses agreed in every word
If he has, it is an anomaly in jurisprudence. The
jury keeps an eye upon the conclusions of the facts
whether the intention of the individual was to COM
NIT crime; and this is precisely the in rea-
ton to the ssportYd"
| do not intend to be led into an unnecessary con-
troversy this subject, but simply state that shall
prepare statement Of Mr.. Peter Grayson Wash
ington's conductas politician, accompanied with the
facts and the proof for the ofthe democratic Sena
tors. II was not my intention to have replied to TX
rany other anonymous writer in relation to this mat
ter; but since he has admitted the other statements
made to be true, have concluded to crafty his
wishes in relation to this natter for am an xions
that justice should be done to Mr. Washington, as
well as every other man. Mr. Washington knew
very well that all he had to do was to have adj
dressed letter to Col. Butler on the subject who
would have answered him to his hearts content.
am extremely thankful to s'X" for having left il
to the good Of The community to rsbule me for
having introduced the names of the father and
brother of Mr.. Washington into this controversies;
and for his especial edihcation, would inform him
that am ready and willing to stand "rebuked, . If
they will come forward and endorse the democracy
OF MI +. ", w washington.
Now "X' must perfectly understand that never
originated, neither did resuscitate this subject be-
cause, if had been present, and heard Mr.. Wash
ington make the remark, l should have rebuked
him at the time but, after he was promoted TO the
authorship of the Post Office Department, the first
official act he performed was the promotion of two
wings, who came to Washington after the election
Of General Harrison. This act reused the suspi-
cions of the democracy, and the subject was re-
vived to show that he never was democrat Why
did not Mr.. Washington defend HIMSELF Was he
afraid' The sequel will unfold in due tine, the
mystery of the whole transaction, and of"X's'' un.
bounded friendship for man who has no claims
upon the democratic party. The very same state of
things produced the disastrous defeat of Is40 lit
had been otherwise, Mr.. Van Buren, would have been
triumphantly reelected. The same causes which
were then operating against the triumph of my party
and my principles, are now in exstence and if all the
causes which keep the democratic party from acting
harmoniously together are not removed, the same
fate awaits in l848. Is there an honest democrat
who will put his hand upon his heart and endorse
the act Of Mr.. Peter G. Washington, in promoting
Messrs. Trott and Kennedy, two wings appointed
in 1910, over the heads of sterling democratsi
Will "X" endorse III If he would, should oues-
ton his democracy. How, then, can Mr.. Wash
ington expect 10 be sustained by gallant and mag
| unanimous party when his first official act was in
tended slur upon the intelligence, honesty, and
capacity of the democratic party at large and par.
ucularly tnOse Wnom ne OVefsiaughedI ana 1t was
an endorsement Of the sentiment Of the wing party,
oft and repeatedly uttered, that no democrat could
be found capable Of holding office" If the two gen.
temen whom he promoted had been in the line of
promotion from seniority, would have been the
last man in the world who would have questioned
his motives; but, as he took them from the bottom
Of the list, and placed them over the heads of such
men Mr.. Dexter, who ] know to be a good
democrat of extensive learning, and an accomplish
ed and proficient clerk, his motives questiona-
BILE, because the Senate was doubtful at that time
as to its political complexion. ! have now given
my authority, and he is living; but, as the doc
uments which | shall array are numerous,
and too long for newspaper article, l shall
furnish him with a copy, when his name
shall be presented to the Senate for conirma-
ton; and it, in the face Of his trcachery to bold and
gallant party who used all the means within their
power consistent with honor, to elevate the illustr-
Gus individual who now presides over the destiny
Of the nation, whose administration ii is my sincere
prayer may prove a blessing TO his country, and
that he carry with him into retirement the respect