Daily American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1852, 1852-04-27

Mr.. Kennedy and Iuyseii nave poen upon ihu-
mate and friendly terms ever since his appoints
ment to office in this city; consequently, my sym
pathies were with him. but candor compels me
to say in this matter was clearly in the wrong.
Respectfully, LEM. TOWERS.
Mr.. Kennedy's Reply to the Foregoing.
MEssRs. EDIToRs AsMr. Senator Borland has
taken the initiative In publishing statements con-
nected with his attack upon me in the Senate
Chamber, in February last, silence on my part
might be construed into admission of the truth
of what to me seems one of the deepest STUDIED
and most ingenious tissues of falsehood and mis-
representation. Self-defence, them becomes a
duty no less to myself than to my superiors in
Office.
While the public press has faithfully repre-
sented what / conceive to be public opinion in
this matter, and, irrespective of party, has con-
demned the attack of Mr.. Borland with pointed
apprehension and singular unanimity; and while
he has long since been privately assured that his
statements were viewed as designedly false,
have carefully abstained from giving publicity to
the facts connected with the affair While he has
been pursuing me with unrelenting rigor, that he
might be enabled to point to my removal from
Office as an endorsement of the propriety Of his
violence, | have from considerations of respect
would have the public entertain for the charac-
ter of Senator, as well as for that high body
Itself refrained from transmitting to any point,
or furnishing to o single individual, any account
of the transaction, any part Of the correspond
ence which has taken place between Mr. Borland
| and my superiors in office, on which might
safely rely for my Justification This forbearance
has not resulted from insensibility to my personal
justification, or indifference to my reputation rs
an officer of the government, which feel equal
pride in sustaining, but from an abiding conf
| dence that all who know me would judge me in
/ be gentleman, much less Senator of the Uni
ted States, or unnecessarily giving any provoca-
ton that would justify such an attack as only
those Of brutal feelings habitually indulge in, or
| DULLES anticipate. There are men from whom
personal violence would naturally lead to the
| conviction that its exercise was called for and
which, without any explanation, would, from the
character of the assailant injure the standing of
the suffering party. My experience has con-
yinced me that my own is not one of these cases.
If the attack upon me had been made by one
whose past life afforded nothing similar in its
history and if this city itself did not furnish its
antecedent example--if, indeed, it were even
second or third proof of his disposition to take
stealthy advantage-or if my character as
peaceable citizen would not acquit me of the
charge of being ga ruffian," as am termed in
one of his etters-or if Invested of an abiding
| consciousness that the community will sustain
one who, having for twenty years been more or
less engaged in variety Of active employments,
| has never before received an insult, or engaged
| in personal conflict might have taken the
necessary steps, while contradcting his evidence,
as easily to dsprove also his charges; but have
| deemed it unnecessary.
Since Mr.. Borand has published his own state
ment, though at very distant, point, in his own
| State, he can take no just exception to my pub
LEGATION of so much of the recorded testimony in
| the case as may be necessary for my justification,
including my own letter of defence, prepared
under such restraints as the letter Of the Secre-
tary of the Interior shows that he imposed and
| which were doubtless properly imposed must
be permitted to preface this correspondence by
directing attention to one fact which, it occurs
| to me, should exercise material influence in de-
termining the credibility of Mr.. Borlands state
ment-which is, that Mr.. Bor,and framed his
statement after he learned Mr. Pearce had not
heard one word OF what was uttered by me on
the occasion of the attack. i mention this be-
cause, if the entire correspondence should ap-
pear, the reader will not fail to notice with what
n confident air of triumph, in different portions
thereof, he alludes to the important testimony
that honorable gentlemen might be expected to
furnish in his behalf My statement was pre-
pared before had either seen or heard from Mr..
Pearce; and it is not to be supposed that would
make to witness of his high standing n state
ment which did not feel conscious of my ability
to sustain; nor would be likely to put in writing,
and submit to the scrutiny and evidence of such
q gentleman, q statement which, if not true, would
render me contemplate in his eyes.
must be permittedto allude to another point
which is that the only proof brought to sustain
the allegations Of Mr.. Borland consists in letter
which does not profess to state single fact or
narrate o solitary word that occurred, but merely
speaks of impressions" for which, were the
reasons given, the public might arrive ut very.
I.
intention" and the proper I" alternative" which
it was Mr.. Borlands duty to pursue. This letter
is from Mr.. Lemuel Towers, journeyman printer
of this city; but what inducements have so ac-
commodated his perceptions to the idiosyncracies
of Mr.. Borland is left to the reader to decide.
For aught know, he is very worthy man but
while saying this, must be permitted to state
that, agreeable rs it may be to enjoy the good will
of all men, there never have existed between Mr..
Lemue Towers and myself any such Intimate
terms" as he alledges, or which would justify tho
sympathies" be so kindly processes. OF the
value of Mr.. It's letter to the justification Of Mr.
| Borland, when viewed in connexon with MIR.
| Magils statement which can be amply corrobo-
rated it is for the public to judge. have never
courted the acquaintance OF Mr.. Borland-his
manners and his tastes are foreign to my own;
and have yet to learn that his influence is worth
the sacrifice necessary to obtain it.
without any comments on the character of this
assault or the object Of Mr. Borand's persever-
ing efforts to injure one whose aim it has been to
refrain from all publicity or redress, and who
had, determined to view his act rs the result Of
unreasonable, uncontrolled passion, and his sub
sequent efforts aims to shake off, at any
sacrifice to myself and truth, the oppressive re-
proach upon his character--a while sustained by
the Judgment of the highest authorities over me
in Office to whom Mr.. Borland had appealed, and
hat 10 rotn mpu 1haro f he tn
or House Of Representatives who will not cheer
fully acauit me Of every chnrqe affecting my