New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-04-22
Life of Martin Van Buren,.


BIZ VIZ L. MACKENZIE.
This extraordinary book is respectfully inscribed
10 the Electors OF the Convention which is to as
seble in June for the revision OF the Constiiu-
ton of the State OF New-York' and We fervently
wish tina. every one could peruse il before the Elec
ton Were there time for this, we should cheer
fully waive all comments the facts here e!iciec,
all reca pus,ion Of the facts themselves But theEe
is not and we proceed TO give hurried glance at
its contents.
The book before US is the result Of a careful and
truthful sitting OF immense masses OF public docu-
ments cotemporaneous history. and The more trans
parent-because frank. unfurbished, unadorned-
revelations Of private letters Ii was the accidental
discovery, while engaged in the performance OF MS
official duties in the Record Office OF the Custom
House, of the mass of Political Correspondence de-
posted there by Jesse Hoy,, that fret opened the
authors eyes fully TO the systematic, cold FLOODED
sel6shness, utter want of principle, and incePachy
of even comprehendipg lofty or generous senti-
mept, which are the chief characteristics OF that
school of politicians by trade OF which Aaron Burr
was the founder in this Country, but of which Mar
Tin Van Buren, was for thirty years the masterspir
and principal embodiment Before the public, the
sordid intrguer and the true patriot talk very much
alike. Ifthere be any difference, the former is the
more unbounded in his professions Of disin,erested-
ness aad devotion to the public good; but in his
confidential intercourse with bis cronies and conted
crates the mask is utterly discarded loosely worn
The private Letters OF Van Buren,, Hoyt Butler x
Co. brought to light by Mackenzie will ever be re-
garded as the most important contribution yet made
10 the true history of the Politics of New-York and
the Politicians who ruled her. without rival or fear
from the death OF De Wit! Clinton to the explosion
of the Pet Bank System, and whom the uniimeiy
death of Harrison and the treacnery OF Tyler alter
four wears minority, restored TO their most unde-
served and disastrous ascendency.
The Private Letters printed cons ecutively in the
comprehensive volume before US, 3l3 in number
were about one-third published in the " Lie and
Opinions OF Jesse Hoyt, Benz. F Butler" &C.; the
residue now see the light for the frat time great
variety of politicians are here introduced who did
not figure in the first revelation. Some OF them
who aimed 10 do, perhaps did themselves good
by stealth" will blush TO find II borne, but no
matter No one need be ashamed OF letter written
for good ends, with honest, upright motives those
who write the other of private letters will scold
of course but little does the public care for that or
sympathze with their ferocty against the Editor OF
their Literary Remains. Many of the letters here
given reflect no discredit on their writers, while
they serve 10 illumine the darkness of the past Po
itcal History of our State This work is infinitely
more lucid and instructive than any other history of
New-York Politics. and, though containing mere
than Hammond's ponderous octavos, sells tor one
sixth or one tenth their cost.
We shall not today publish any OF these Letters
perhaps not at all, though we may There are
good many of the spiciest character, written by
Office. Holders, EditoY, Lawyers. Financiers, DC.
&c Of our Stale that will be read with decided zest
by thousands, but will leave them to be CLEANED
from the book. Whoever wishes TO understand
more clearly the vrtuous indignation OF the C0"r-
Ter g. Enquirer at the publication of such letters by
Mackenzie and their quotation by this and other pa
mars will find il in the various letters OF James Wat
SON Webb to Jesse Hoyt, printed IN this volume.
esnecially those on pages 224-5 and 230-l, Q.
On reflection. however we think one of these let
ters, written just before the Courier & Enquirer
turned against Jackson and Van Buren,, and after it
had taken ground agains, them on the Bank ques-
ton. will amuse our readers without harming any
body SO here goes:
| Col James Watson Webb, 10 Jesse Royt, n. York.
CITY OF WASHINGTON. Feb. II. 1921 SUNDAY
! Nipht-Dear Hoyt: | HAVE AN ITCHING TO GE
HOLD OF THE DID RASCALS THAT VOTED
/ AGAINST VAN BUREN,. and you will perceive by MY
7 CARD that have prospect ahead. Holm en-. An
gel Bergen and Soue are the members whose names
IN give these lighting Senators but at the same time,
III inform them that they are only responsible Tor The
fact that Clement did make the communication 10 them
which mentioned Consequently, IL THEY WISH
FIGHT rathe i thcy do MOI VISA TO Be TIE Glsh
ing stock OF The Nation ONE OF THEM MUST CHAL,
LENGE ME. Moore is dirty feiiop, and y cos ~
,. hold Of Poindette but the saying Is halt Loaf
/. better than no bread and RI be content rnA eAer
Your friend CrosseH says TIA, I'm entmy 10 Ian bu-
rea. Quere-WoULD Is hh fluhI foh INV hlM
BY the bye have you written TO Lynn on the subject
Your friend. JAS WATSON WEBB
P s Marcy the President and ali bis friends, think
the people in Albany mad in talking of making V.
Van Buren, Governor as If Ne York can make amends
for nSsh offered BY fourteen States 81 ne LH'on =
Marcy has written 10 them and you should Go so TOO
There are enough more like this, from various
pens. but the public were surtei;ed with such dis
closures in the Lives and Opinions OF Hoyt Butler
&c and we care no, to copy except where some
old mystery is explained. in this instance.
Mr.. Mackenzie has already fully justified his pub
LEGATION of the rascay portion OF these letters in the
ewes OF the public AS he very per;inently quotes
from the srea, Biblical Commentator Matthew
Henry,
Pirate persons Oush: contribute 70 tic publie good
BIZ DISCOVERING SECRET wIcKKpNEss, aud spins aaos.
an orpcr.-s to pzsk tta; hdcs u the p0ny Of ast-
hands"
That is all that need be said on the subject though
he says much more, very per.inenty and 'orcibiy.-
II the Letters disclosed by him did MOI contain I'M
formation important to the public welfare, he did
wrong in publishing them but ii, as we cannot
doubt, they anmasked formidable gang OF hypo-
critics and knaves, who, with Democracy or iheir
lips snd plumber in their hearts had for years dupec
and misled the People 10 their serious injury and
degradation then that fact is The authors perfect JUS
t6cs,ion. The public safety is and must be the So
preme law and woe TO those whose secret deeds and
plottings are OF such character that revelations es
sential 10 the public veal involve them in disgrace
and iguominy Let Them blame their own acts and
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