Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1856-09-19
LETTER FROM HON. JAMES A
PEARCE
CHEsTERTowY. Sent. 3 1915


CHEsTERTowN, Sept. s, 1856.
MesSrs. Gales &c .Scaton: A friend has
Just shown me an article in the Organ
OF Washington, of the 9th of Septem-
Der, headed Rufus Choate," and conf
ed from the Louisville Journal, which
serves as an Introduction to certain false
statements concerning myself, which the
Organ" makes without the slightest
foundation in truth. The first is that
| was an applicant for seat on the
Bench of the Supreme Court; that my
application was rejected for deficiency of
legal learning and experience; and the
editor says that, ''if this fact be ques-
toned, we refer to the endorsement on
his application on the files of the State
Department" 1t is not my purpose to
comment on this bald falsehood, manu-
featured to answer vile party purposes
but | ask, through the columns of your
paper, to state that it is untrue in every
particular. The iudgeship vacated by
the death of Mr.. Woodbury. was filled
by the appointment of Mr.. Justice Cur
It's, with my cordial assent, and his ac-
cession to the Supreme Court is still a
source of qualification to me.
For the vacancy occasione6 by the
death of Judge McKinly (after others
had been nominated and failed to be
confrmed) my friend, Mr.. Badger, Of
North Carolina, was presented to the
Senate. His nomination, too, met my
hearty approval. Not only were my re-
lations with him of an intimate and most
friendly character, but | knew him to be
a lawyer of ripe learning, of mastery
ability, and of incorruptible integrity.
For neither place had | the least desire,
nor was | an applicant for any vacancy
in the Supreme Court during Mr.. Fill
more's or any other Administration, di-
rectly Or indirectly, by myself, or thro'
any other person, with my knowledge.
before or since the fact of any vacancy.
Of course no such application or endorse
ment is or was on file in the State De-
partment, and the statement of the "Or-
gan" is a sheer falsehood
1t is equally untrue that was an ap-
plicant for the District Judgeship in
Maryland. That vacancy occurred in
1852, while was confined to my house
in Chestertown by severe fit of the
govt. While the place was still open,
wrote to my friend. Mr.. Badger, saying
something in playful way of this place
being a snug barbor for storm-tossed
politician.
| believe that he mentioned the matter
to Mr. Fillmore, thinking it hint that
! wanted the place. My family physi-
clan, DR.. North, of this place, without
my knowledge or appreciation, wrote to
the Hon. Alex. Evans, as / afterwards
learned, urging him to have me appointed;
and ! was much urged by some friends
at home to take pains to secure it, but
made no such efforts In few days /
saw it stated in New York paper that
| was an applicant for this judgeship,
when | Immediately wrote to my friend,
the Secretary of the Treasury, to say
that | was not an applicant, and would
decline it if rendered to me. After that
| received from Mr.. Fillmore himself a
note asking my opinion as to the qualif-
cation of several gentlemen who were
understood to desire that place. This
note commences thus: "Since you de-
cline the judgcship," &C.; from which it
is fair to imply that l might have pro-
cured this appointment had / desired it.
In few days after the President had
filled the vacancy by the appointment of
Judge Glenn, ! returned TO nv seat in
the Senate, and, though still suffering
from the govt, / made a speech (the de-
livery Of which occupied two days) in
defence of Mr.. Fillmore's administration.
which had been assailed by two democra-
tic members Of the Senate. By the
common consent Of the Wings in the
Senate this duty was devolved on me.
and was most zealously and cheerfulIy
performed, with what success it is not
for me to say.
Your obedient servant,
j. A. PEARCE.