New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1848-09-11
Letter from Hon. Charles Francis Adams.
To the Editor 9th. Bo.ou republican

To the Editor ofthe Boston Republican
DEAR SIR My attention has been called to the
fact that Hon. George Ashmun, on Friday last quo
ted certain passages OF production of NINE long since
written expressive Of entire want OF confidence in the
character Of Mr. Van Buren,. The attempted now
be made Of them renders few words OF explanation
absolutely necessary in justice to the gentemanattack
ed through me.
The pamphlet from which the passages are taken was
a very humble endeavor my part TO rouse the slug
gsh feelings of the people of the Free States against
the Slaveholdng plot Of the Annexation of Texas II
was written prior to the nomination OF the candidates
for the Presidency by the respective parties and with
the hope of prompting popular demand that they
should be committed against that measure. At the mo-
ment Mr. Van Buren, was generally regarded as the
most likely to obtain the Democratic nomination, and IL
was very much spprehended by me- that notwithstsnd
ing his known resistance 10 the Annexation while Pres
idcnt as knew he would find 1t impossible to secure
the nomination without agreeing TO II he would sacr'
fee his own views and the cause OF Freedom 10 this
new demand OF the Saye-pOwer.
Ip to this moment. which In April l-if the
opinions which had formed OF Mr.. Van Buren,, and
which expressed in this pamphlet were honestly and
openly held by expected that he would sacrifice
the Free States 10 the selfish purpose Of securing HE
interest and thus gain the Presidency again This ex
pectatiOn dictated the passages which have been quoted
by Mr. Ashmun. fully believed that what said was
true But great indeed my surprise to ma IN May
that had been entirely mistaken. Instead OF sacrhcDg
his opinions Mr.. Van Buren, wrote the letter 20 Mr..
Hammet of Mississippi which sustained MS former oP'
my belief then well now, cost him the nomina-
ton Instead therefore, Of verifying my fear that he
would be "truc 10 his interest only" ] found
that he had done what sagacious statesman could
not help knowing would prove ms il did prove, fatal To
H. He did what Mr.. Leaytt lately said OF him,
and what other in the United States has done,
laid the Presidency upon the altar with his eyes
open"
/ need not say that my opinion of Mr. Van Buren, was
changed that day and throughout the canvass OF
1874 as well rs since Wherever addressed my fellow
citizens took occasion TO enlarge upon this fact to the
honor of that gentleman. For much ] still dissp.
proved of many Of his former acts, became convinced
that there point beyond which he would not 60
and that point had been reached in the case OF Texas
since that time have watched his course with anxiety
and not without apprehension and occasional nuctua
tions of opinion until the meeting Of the Buffalo Con
vention And the result of all my observation Is that
he seems 20 have done more 10 concentrate ana
rally the friends of Liberty Of all parties In the Free
States than all the leading members put together OF the
late Wing party who by way of proving their zeal
against the extension OF Slavery advocate the claims TO
the Presidency OF the only Stakeholder in the neid
Thus much have felt II due 10 Mr. Van Buren, 10 say
in PREPARATION of the injustice did him in lc44 lie en-
tirey fslsied my prediction Of what his course would
be- Whenever any one of my late Wing friends will
make me err on the same side by doing for the
cause of Liberty than his previous professions have led
me to anticipate shall stand equally ready TO do him
the same Justice. am. very respectfully,
CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS