The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-11-10
For the Union.
To IN. Public.


the National Intslgnesr, published in this city, long
article puporng to be explanation and contradiction
OF the statements recently made public in the Union
paper, on my authority relative TO the circumstances and
which occurred between myself and
Thomas Ewing, Secretary Of the Interior concerning
the renting OF my house by that gentleman and the Office
OF public gardener AS the material statements oil the
ticle in the National Ltehgener (Which appeared to
have upon its face the sanction and authority OF Mr.
Ewing) are unounded and untrue, thought il due
to myself and the public TO publish true statement OF
the facts, understood them and accordingly ad-
vised the editors OF the Integencer of my intention by
them the following note:
WASHINGTON, Nov. l, 1919.
Jftssrs. Gales r. Seatom.
CENTIEMEs have observed in the National Intelligent
OF this morning editorial article purportipg to be
Of the facts relating 70 the transactions between
Thomas Ewing, Secretary OF the INTERIOR and myself
corning the renting Of my house by him. have only
time say that all the material statements in that article
unIounded in fact, and that in due time shall make
full and circumstantia reply to them.
JOHN DOUGLAS, JR
To the preceding note received the following reply
from Mr. Coye clerk in the Office OF the National In
teiiigencer:
OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL INTKILIoENcER,
Friday, November 2, 1919.
DEAR SIN, In reply to your no.e which has just reached
have inform that the yesterday addressed
10 Messrs Gales Seaton considered intended
for publications az II only expressed intention Of
be then given, If be not published.
Yours very respectfully, y cov,p
Jso. DOUGLAS, esq, present.
The next day, received the following note from
Messrs Gales and Seaton, which afterwards appeared in
the Inteiiigener:
WASHINGTON November 8, ls49.
SIR In answer to your OF the LIST instant we beg
sed exposition of the transaction between Mr. Ewing and
a IN
published in the Union series OF coarse and unounded
justice that gentleman and vindcae him from asper
ons founded on your authority we ascertaned and pub
exist In doing so carefully avoided everything like
mputaton reflection yourself You therefore have
Union to the iegsnes, and we must leave You to the
channel which you first selected for your attacks.
Your obedient servants, -
Mr.. J. DOUGLAS.
After publishing the unfounded and unjust statement in
their paper OF the LIST instant put forth defence OF
Mr.. Ewing, | supposed that of justice would
induce the editors of the National Inielligsneer to pub
lsh my reply could not anticipate that those gentle
men would be guilty Of the injustice Of refusing
hearing in their columns much Less of accompanying
that refusal by addressed to and published in
their own paper, which the citizens of this community,
and the members of the wing party to which both Messrs
Gales & Seaton and myself belong, know, contains
"coarse and unfounded nputatons upon my character,
if they not designed to injure my personal and pr
vate interests.
1t is under such circumstances that the editors OF the
Enteihgenoer have refused me hearing against their
own original or adopted imputatons upon and now
submit the inquiry Just, candid and impartial pub
lie, if the of Mr.. Ewing requires such injustice to
me and il his successful defence requires the suppress
sion of my story that it shall be neutralized by the
destruction OF my private character which it is evident
he and the editors of the Integeneer hope overwhelm
hxy IF thairot oh
tiers, without regard to truth or justice
In this community, where all personally known,
have no fears for the result False impressions
only be made upon those who reside at distance, and
know nehef me, Mr. Ewing, the editors of the No
tondl Intefiigencer,
But the refusal Of the editors Of the Ineiigeneer
to publish my statement compels me TO seek another
medium than their paper through which to submit my
the American people. That statement will
proceed briefly to give, emitting many circumstances
which would go to corroborats the main facts which
shall state; and also suppressing names which, how
ever, will be forthcoming, if Mr. Ewing shall deem it
necessary to have public Investigation OF his conduct
But in the outset is proper for state, canddly
and frankly, that believing myself qualified by my long
occupation in the profession OF scientific florist and
gardener, did desire the Office OF public gardener.
wanted il for several reasons thought Icould do better
justice the public grounds than the present gardener
besides my circumstances in life justified in desiring
for its emelument And these considerations induced
me to enter into the negotiations and understandings with
MIR Ewing in reference to that office, which shall now
proceed to detail
Soon after Mr. Ewing came into Office, he and friend
OF his called upon at my house. had then per-
sonal acquaintance with Mr. Ewing His friend intro.
duced him TO me as wanting house, and that they had
come TO see nine | then went with them and showed
them the premises. Mr.. Ewing seemed to be well
pleased with the main building, but alterations
suggested Those alterations were, that half OF the
seed room should be plainly finished off and papered for
dining. room, the two parlors papered and the
nainder OF the house to be whewashed At the same
time Mr.. Ewing and myself examined the back build
ing cellar wood house, and yard and much
ton occurred between us, which is unnecessary here 10
relate.
Subsequently to this interview, the gentleman who in
troduced Mr. Ewing to me, the occasion above
toned again came TO and proposed that should cal
on Mr.. Ewing and him in relation to his renting my
house. We started out for that purpose-but finally did
not CO. On that occasion this individual suggested 10
the policy OF putting the house at low rent, expressing
the opinion that would probably be appointed TO the
Office OF public gardener, il liberal in this par
tcular
In the conversations between Mr. Ewing and myself, In
relation to the house, he inquired OF what would b.
the lowest rent would take for Il for one year. with tn,
privilege OF keeping four' replied that was ther
offered $500 for all the house except the seedroom but
added that "under present circumstances and appear
ances would rather let you have IT for less rent thar
to let il 90 for boarding house at $780," am not alb
souely sure at which OF our interviews the rent
agreed upon but il was fixed at time subsequent to tn
intnaons piven me that was 10 be appointed publ