The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-08-09

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manly and eloquent letter of Mr. Wise 1t refutes the
charge against Gen. Cass which some of the wings ha We
drawn from that genemans former impressions. We
recommend the communication for various reasons 10 the
attention of our readers:
ONLY, (Near Onancock,)
Aceomac county, Va.) August 3, 1915.
To the Editor Of the Union.
DEAR SIR was IN the act of writing the editors of
the Richmond Enquirer upon the subject of my oath be-
lore the Committee of Investigation in ls36-'37, when
yours OF the 9th ut placed in my hands, enclosing
to me copy OF MIR. Gogglns speech | had seen that
speech the day before We have but two mails week
this peninsula and received the Integencer of the
9th July on Wednesday last, the I'd instant By the
same mail, south, came the Richmond Enquirer of the
2sth ult | see, rather never read the "Whg"
when do see it. Private letters, however, by the mail
before on Sunday last warned me that there was to be
"thunderbolt," as the Enquirer says, hurled at nv
devoted head, from the report which had made in the
I'd session OF the 24th Congress, the condition of the
various Executive departments and it not until YES
terday that was informed of the Jupiter Tonans from
whom it would come. But Mr. Goggin has not angrily
thrown it he has only let ii gently fall from his high
Olympus in the hall of Representatives The craven
scuhons OF party would rake up and print this thing
anonymously and never be SEEM be responsible But
Mr. Goggin showed himself to me; | saw him in the
clouds, and saw him smile too when he let the tbun-
derbo fall He was not malicious in sending down the
missile, and he is worthy of reply from one standing
down here among the people upon earth The bolt' hit
but does not hurt; and as as get the Sd vol
of Reports OF Committees for the session referred to-
have written to Washington city for i'll will redeem
the pledge, which thank the Richmond Enquirer for vol
uneerng in my behalf, that will reply shall do SO by
addressing the Hon. William L. Goggn himself, whom
have regarded warmly personal friend for MANY
years, and whom regard further, as having right to
ationo AZ n n,rfo F r.
ne does not really understand it, may perhaps appear to
him strange hoo 1t as that could haze taken the oath
which he has quoted, and noW be nominated elecor av
my consent, the democratic ticket of GEN Le,pis
Cas-.
Without waiting for the volume of Reports of Com
mees referred to- will venture to give some explana-
lion from recollection.
Ii will be remembered that General Jackson. in
his last annual message, December, 1850 thought fit
to speak of the mode in which the various executive
departments under him had been administered in the
highest terms of praise and he rendered to the heads
chiefs, and subordnates of the departments compliment
for integrity, intelligence, industry and efficiency the
most exalted.
l. representative of the people in the House, deemed
that TRUTH and the duty which owed to the country re-
CURED that issue should be joined with the President
on this part OF his message and moved and obtained
committee to investigate the condition of the various ex
ecuve departments 1t composed of six of the ad-
nnistraton and three of the opposition members of the
House, and appointed late in short session. there
being, according to my memory not more than six weeks
to conduct its inquiries.
The mode of proceeding which | contemplated on the
part of the committee take up the most important
subjects OF executive administration, such those of the
pubic lands, Indian AFFAIRS revenue receipts and dis
bursenents, extra allowances public contracts the Sem
mole war, the application of moneys appropriated
and to send Tor persons and papers, to go by subcom
IN Tho ,,I
gate their true condition. and to report upon whatever
was found to be corrupt, or wrong NAL administered
This course OF proceeding General Jackson deemed to
be "iaquisitorial" | differed from him widely in that
and claimed the executive offices to be public and the
official conduct of their officers be properly subject to
inquiry, not inquistion by the representatives of the
people. He, however insisted that, before investigation
should commence specific charges of maversation and
corruption and violation of duty by officers named,
should be made, verified by affidavit to belief merely
in the truth of those charges, by way of pointing nvesti
CATION to those deemed guilty. and of laying proper oun
lation for inquiry The majority adopted this view of
the President expressed by him in letter addressed to
me, as chairman of the committee.
When therefore, submitted resolutions of inquiry in the
form which | proposed the majority of the committee
called upon me, as upon others, for specifications of
and charges and to verify the my belief in
the truth of the same, OATH Thus came to be sworn
The proposition regarded extremely insulting and
offensive to representative, and II was certainly
exciting in its effect upon the committee But deter
mined that investigation and inquiry should proceed and
Submitted to take the oath that believed there good
ground for both Investigation and inquiry.
Many and serious charges brought by persons of
Ill descriptions against executive officers, and among the
rest against General Cass The nature of those brought
against him may be seen by the declaration which made
under oath. | chairman of the committee, and an
opposition member; of course most of the charges al
legged against the officers OF the Executive were submitted
by statements to me- Some of those statements made an
impression on my mind, and induced sincere belief in
The truth of of the charges But the real intention
and true effect of my oath was the journal of the
ntee will show, to lay only foundation for proceed
ing. on my responsibility to inquire into and Investigate
hc truth or falsehood Of the charges named in my oath
That oath itself did not and does not puport to verify the
ruth or falsehood of those charges knew, of my ovn
tnowledge, nothing about Their truth or yfdisehood |
spoke of my belief only the inform of others, and
he oath which took uouched only that ,chich belief and
information would justify and called upon the committee
% inquire into the matters alleged, and to report thereon
Such was the sole intent and effect of the oath.
The committee did not deem the specifications and ver-
catons of charges sufficient TO proceed upon and they
aever suere but pery partially and meagrey inquired into
AaU The main and most serious charges against Gen.
Cass as Secretary of War; touched, and the
truth or the falsehood of them was tested
So far them as General Cas- concerned, my oath
lid not and could not convict affect HIM 1t was
,earsay only, and an affidavit founded information
o some of the minor specified, and implies in its
a a. .ts al