The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-07-13

To The Editors.

GENTLEMEN: The "Union," on the authority of
the Newbern North Carolina) Republican, is
pleased to allege, that was sent to that State
Ian agent of the Cabinet" TO interfere in " the
election of member of Congress for Mr.. Z. Stan
Tvs district This statement, need not assure
you, is utterly untrue. My visit to North Caro-
lima was as private citizen, and not the agent,"
''messenger" or ''emissary," of the Cabinet; nor
did bear with me, the "Union's" indignant
contemporary has il, "the imperial ukase" of Gen.
TAYLOR. Neither the President, nor his Cabinet,
nor any member thereof, knew Of my intentions,
much less did he or they advise me in the premises
required neither ''ukases, ''cdcts, nor "passes"
from them; and never presumed they felt so much
interest in my movements, that it became toin-
form them that I ] should remain here or travel
elsewhere.
Ii is true that was in Washington when Mr..
Stanly was nominated, but on leaving here had
no knowledge that convention for the district had
been called where at what time 1t would meet.
The delegates in attendance were, with single ex
ception, unknown to me, and it is not likely, there
| fore, that under such circumstances could did
"direct the action Of the Wing convention" That
| | reioced at the nomination Of Mr.. Stanly--than
whom know few worthier useful men,
nay, more, that urged him to accept il, | see no
reason to deny. And have yet to learn that for
| this am in any degree responsible to the editors
of the "Unon." At all events, neither their dis
| pleasure nor their denuncation will deter me from
| doing whatever may be legitimate and proper to
promote harmony in the Wing ranks, and secure
Wing ascendency wherever my humble exertions
| can be made useful.
| AS TO the following interrogatories propoundcd
| in the sUnion' Of to-day, as they are not likely
| to alarm any one, and may be said to be for my
| benefit | shall answer them without fear or con-
| cealment
"We now ask whether his (Mr. Clay Mudd's)
interposition with the postmasters in the same dis
| trict has not been active and even mporunate ]!
Has he moi, at the earnest desire of Donnell and
! Stany, pressed upon Mr.. Postmaster General Col
lamer the removal of John Askew, the postmaster
at Trenton, Jones county, North Carolina; and of
Marshall Dickerson, the postmaster at Greenville
in Pitt county, North Carolina, account of their
politics. and the substitution of Messrs. w. H.
Bryan, and Of James Davis"
At the request of Messrs DoNNELL and SrANLY,
| | was the bearer of a message to the Postmaster
General, the intent Of which was that the postmas-
tiers at Trenton and Greenville should be removed !;
and w. II. Bryan and James Davis, if ! mistake
not, were named as their successors. was not
"importunate, nor was any great amount of press
ing used in the matter. Not being able to see
Judge CoLLAMER, | addressed him note and
there ended my agency. To this extent 1 was
| "actve;'' and were Messrs.t STANLY and DOENELL
to make another such request of me- should be just
as active again. The ground on which these re-
movas were made was a noisy partisan interference
in elections. And as Mr.. JEFFERSON declared in n
letter to Gov. McKEAN under date of February 9,
1901 that 'interterence Nth elections, whether of
the State or General Government, by officers of the
latter, SHOULD BE DEEMED CAUSE OF REMOVAL; ~
there is little reason why those who profess to pro-
mitigate his political opinions should denounce the
Administration for following in his footsteps.
The fling at me of "Mormon and hog-drivng
operations in Iowa" is somewhat spiteful, but very
innocent. Neither "during the last year." nor AT
any other time, did engage in any such ''opera-
, TONS did precisely what the editors of the
"Union" are constantly laborng at lsympathized
with the exertons Of political friends, and aided in
their organization. My only regret is that could
not do more. Whether was justified in doing so
much, let the editors of the "Union" answer.
While Commissioner of Patents, in violation OF
course of the JEFFERsoNIAN rule, Mr.. BURKE in
connexion with others, sent out circular 10 the
Democracy of the Union. 1t is dated June Oath,
lS4S, and from it ! make the subjoned extract:
"Our friends should at once make a thorough or
ganzation in every State, county, and district in
the Union. II should be complete and perfect "a
E reach epery member of the party"
The same circular called for the formation Of po-
litcal clubs, and the raising OF money This, then
is the extent my offending, and whoever charges
me with using any dishonorable means to advances
political ends is guilty of falsehood and defama
ton.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
n ]. III. CLAY MUDD
| WosL;oofon LlIu 10 lSAq