The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1846-06-25
To the People of Endlana.

ana HOrally by those whose opposition nau
expected, and without any resort 10 those ba-
ser means of political success, which are usu-
ally employed by desperate and designing
men. have been disappointed, and most
malignant and unfounded personal attack
upon me has rendered it necessary that
should address you in this lorm-to repel,
with Indignation, the ioulest aspersions upon
my character. find ample apology for this
course, from the consideration, that | shall !,
have but little personal interview with you be-
fore the election.
Many ofyou will have seen, before now, a
charge originally published in the Lagrange
Democrat" and afterwards copied with IN
candid and illiberal comment, into the Estate
Sentinel" in which am represented as hav-
ing accumulated a.large amount Of property,
by dishonest connection with Edward NJ
Beckwilb | have not lroubed myself about
the paternity of the article, in which this
charge appeared; although it bears evident
marks of different one from that TO which
it ptetends | am content TO look only for
the present, 10 the object it, and to the in
sidious and unmaBly manner in which that
object is sought 10 be accomplished. That
il was the result OF concerted movement
amongst some of those interested in my de-
feat, is sufficiently manifest TO my own'mind;
especially, when | consider that they are
known TO pre- fer that mode of warfare which
cOnceals them behind some protecting bar
rer, while they can hurl the poison of their
malevolence from their secret hiding places.
For several years the subject of this accu-
saiion has been secretly and industriously
used TO injure me. 1t has never before as
sumed shape, in which was justified in
supposing it to have responsible endo!ser,
and have therefore, not troubled myself TO
notice il publicly. And especially did not
incline TO do so, until all judicial invesiiga-
tiOn-which | have ever challenged--bad
ended. The present position of the matter,
however, requires me TO adopt different
course, and 10 repe, at once and as ii de-
serves, this false and unmerited accusation
4 short statement will be sufficient for this
purpose.
Every word that is said, in this publication
about my intimacy with Beckwith; or, my
having seen the report of Gov Noble in man
uscrpt; or, having been advised Of its con
tents, before it was made by any one; or, o
his having altered il at the suggestion of my
wing friends, is utterly and uaqual6edly false
had no personal acquaintance with Beck
with, farther than mere speaking one. and
never had five minutes conversation with him
TO my recollection, until after his delacaion
Previous to that affair lie had been complain
ed of TO the Board of Internal Improvements
by Mr.. Ahram Hendricks, and on an iuves,i
gaiion Of his conduct before the Board, NJ
g. Bright, Judge Sullivan and myself, ha,
been called oil by hsm 10 state what his chat
acter was al Madison. We all stated ii f
be good, SO fer rs wa knew; ard believe
continued so TO The time OF mis- arrest.
had no iniimaton Of Beckwitb's defaca
ton until The morning OF The day on whic
he was arrested. Then NJ. G.. Bright ESQ
who YVES attorney for the State, called en- m
to assist him in the prosecution. conser
ted 10 do so and spoke of the proprie,y
instituiing civil proceedings, bat he inioln
ed me that il bad already been determine
TO prosecute lin criminally on charge
obtaining money by false pretences. The
consented TO aid him, and Beckwith was
rested. After he was brought before tn
Mayor oftho city of Madison, he objected t
proceeding, at that lime, with the iuvesiig;
ton, on the ground that the State had Ell
ployed MIR. Bright and myself to prosecut,
and that there was no other lawyer then
the city, 10 whom be was willing 10 conhd
his defence. He, however, expressed a wi
lingness to enter into the trial, if either of
would appear for him. To avoid della
therefore, was released by The agents
the State, that might do so. This did, ar
he trial proceeded.
On the trial, The two matcrial witnesses e
amned on The part OF the State, were LEI
vre and Carnchan. Lelevre testified tn
on two occasions he let Beckwith have mo
ey, amounting to about $500; that Beckwi
had applied to him Tor some money, and tn
he had told him if he could get good es
mate, he would lei him have some; tn
nothing was said about loaning it, and III
he never intended to ask him for IT; that
Dote was taken, and that Beckwith had n
named it 10 him since.
Canadian was the contractor on the Oh
ham bridge, on which all the over estimat
were made, on account of which the Sta
reco vered. He testified that he knew no
ing OF over estimates; that he received I
whole of the estimates and made only abe
81, 900 on the contact of about $500
and that neither Beckwith nor any 9th
person shared these payments with bin. T
books showed mistake in the calculate
on that job.
Upon this evidence the Mayor requir
.Beckwith TO enter into recognizance,
the sum of $500, for his appearance at
circuit court And it was from this evidel
alone, that acquired all the informatio
then possessed in regard TO his alledged
falcation. Upon this, had 10 conclude
on the question of his guilt or innocen
and 10 act accordingly. There being the