Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1847-04-22
From The Miners Journal
Gen. Iryim.-Tea and Coffee--The TIA.
riff Of 1SA2.

| FIJI Oh XS42.
As some of the Locofoco papers continue to
assert tha, Gen. Irwin, the democratic Whis
candidate for Governor, voted for laying duty
on Tea and Coffee, while in Congress, the Hon.
George N. Ecker,, addressed letter TO the
Hon. Joseph r. lngersoll, of Philadelphia, who
served in Congress with Gen. Irwin al the Pc
riod alluded TO, propounding several queries
with regard 10 the course Of Gen Irwin, the an
swer 10 which, with the consent Of the writer,
has been handed TO US for publications This
letter fatty contradicts the charge, and those
who reiera,e it hereafter do i, with knowl-
edge that they are utiering base slander against
an honest citizen and pure patriot:
PHILADELPHIA, March 27, ls47.
| Your favor of 24h March is received. II
| Gen Irwin stood in no other relation TO the
country than ,ha, Of a private man who had for
merly taken part in lis counsels and served it
faithfully, there could be no hesitation on my
part in replying TO your enquiries respecting
him. Having witnessed his course of public
conduct al critical and interesting moment it
has given me pleasure on many occasions 10
bear testimony to his merit. He is now can
diGare for place which will require in The dis
charge of lis high duties, qualities of no ordina-
ry character He is therefore entitled TO a
cheerful expression Of opinion. as well as a
prompt statement of facts, concerning him.
| You will not fail 10 recollect The condition Of
he country in the summer Of 1912. A dsas-
trous course Of policy had, especially during
the administration of Mr. Van Buren, inyolv ed
the finances in embarrassment and confusion,
which threatened TO be ruinous. Its revenue
altogether inadequate TO the support Of the Co.
vernment was received from Commerce; and
internal prosperity was bligh,ed by the pros'ra-
lion Of the manufacturing interest The treas.
ury was empty, and credit was lost. Loans
could not be negotiated al home or abroad. The
prospect was on every side gloomy Bold, in
dependence, and wise legislation alone could
save the nation from permanent disgrace. Its
Bankruptcy was already achieved. |. is not
necessary to trace infinitely the difficult and re-
sponsible Steps that were taken. Much differ
ence of opinion existed on the part of the Wing
majority in Congress. Measures were a, length
adopted, The wisdom OF hich has been proved
by the results which almost Immediately fol-
lowed and, although in some degree marfed by
recent executive and Legislative errors, have
not ceased 10 operate. in all that was done
General Irwin bore an active, intelligent. manly
and efficient part. His views, as the event has
proved, were just from the beginning. During
the whole course Of proceeding, while some
times grea, uncertainty rested upon the Issue,
he never doubted, hes,a.ed or withheld his el-
forts. A familiar acquaintance with the inter-
ests of his native state enabled him 10 bring a
large contribution of materials TO the cause
which was emineBly hers. He Iabored faith
fully. Pennsylvania viii deeply and las,ingly
enjoy the benefit of his exeriions. | do no,
recollect iha. his judgment or aeion was differ
ent upon any of the Incidental questions which
led to the final passage of the Tariff Bill, from
lha, Of the bare majority by which it was a.
dop,ed.
| When il was ascer,ained that no Bill could
pass which provided for continuance of the
distribution of the proceeds Of the public lands
among the States. much difficulty arose. The
effec, Of the proposed Tariff would necessarily
be 10 raise The duties above twenty per cent
In that case, by provso in the distribution &C,
of S4l the proceeds of land sales, must inure
TO the general government, unless special leg
islation should dispense with the proyiso As
| 'Hio PCSioi Sioiohoh nPpCdiCu W UC pidC
,icable by itself, il was thought by many il
equivalent revenue could be obtained by duty
on Tea and coffee, the revenue arising from pub
lie lands might possibly be permitted to remain
with The States. Gen. Irwin was no, of this
opinion. He opposed duty on tea and coffee
and it was struck out by vote of lls to 20
The ayes and noes were taken on the 10th oil
July, and the name Of " James Irwin" is record
ed in the majority. The Tariff Bill was finally
passed without any tax on these articles. Gen.
Irwin voting Of course for the Bill which made
them free.
Il is scarcely necessary for me to say more
in reply to your enquiries. My intercourse
with Gen. Irwin in public life was uninterrup,.
ed. | always regarded him as possessed of a
sound, strong, and discriminating intellect, an
amlable temper, and entire integrity of princi.
pie and conduct His course as a statesman
was wise and honorable. His deporlmen, as a
gentleman was correcl and uniformly courteous
have always understood that he enjoys amongst
his neghbors an amlable reputation for benev,
oience and liberalily. His hand is said to be
open 10 the Promptlngs of kind and generous
spirn. Wnh qualities such a, he is known te
possess, there can be li,lle doubt as 10 The safe
~ Of the concerns Of the government Of Penn
sylvania, so far as he may have lhe adn,inis.ra
ton OF them. IL might be very possible 10 Sc
! iect chief MAGISTRATE of mDre brilliant acrop,