The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-08-26

may be of some general Importance, and
may also be Of some service TO the State and
to the reputation of Mr.. Calhoun. Truly
yours,
MR. BENToN's BooK---soUTH CAROLINA
MIR. CALHoUN---MR. POLK.
lie who writes history, often makes his
tory, and perhaps his notions are innocent,
because lie only writes from bis standpoint,
and sees things as represented to him IN a
totally different light by one set of men
from what another set, viewing the other
side, might represent them. This is emf
nently true Of all those who attemp: to give
history Of their own times, particularly if
they were active partizans in the political
conflicts Of the day. Mr.. Benton has re.
Gently published elaborate books, purport-
ing to be full account of his thirty years
in the Senate of the United States. lie
has there attempted to give the detailed
history of great events, in which he might
we'll cxclaim, "Magna pars tM."
Soon after I became of age, was sent to
the Legislature; and from 1882, became
deeply enlisted in all the great questions of
the day from that time until the present.
This circumstance led me to keep all accur-
ate memoranda, particularly of everything
that related to South Carolina. ] see many
points in his hooks where he has done the
grossest injustice to the State and to Mr..
Calhoun, as identified with South Carolina.
For instance, the minute exposition which
he makes of Mr.. Calhoun's course as Secre.
tary Of War, in Mr.. Munro's Cabinet, in re-
lation to General Jackson, the taking of the
Baranca:s and imprisoning the Spanish
Governor in Pensacola, the "Jenny Rhea
letter" &c, &c; all appear to be quite plain
and truthful to any one not acquainted
minutely with the detailed history of these
events, and yet there never was more per-
feet tissue Of misconception and partizan
views published in any book having the
slightest pretension to history.
The paper published, as purporting to be
left by General jackson with Mr.. Blair as
his last authentic record of the controversy
with Mr.. Calhoun, and his defence before
the Committee of the Senate, raised on the
Seminole war;" contains the severest accu-
sations against the integrity of Mr.. Calhoun,
and presented to the world under the cover
of the illustrious name of jackson, is we'll
calculated to produce profound impression
upon the rising generation and yet the
contradictions Of the paper ITSELF he totally
different style in which the fret part of it is
written from the latter part, and the appeal
which General Jackson says "Hon. John
Rhea" make to him under the instigation
of Mr.. Munro, as all were "brother Masons,"
to burn the famous Johnny Rhea" letter.
document 80 essential TO the vindication
of bis own honor as to the true history Of
an important event in the country and It's
administration, all show that if Gen. Jack
son were alive and in proper mind, he never
could have permitted such document to
20 forth as bis deliberate production.
Mr.. Munro was a Mason, General Jackson
WAS Mason, and SO, too, was the famous
Hon. John Rhea, ,iember Of Congress ffom
Tennessee. Mr, CALHOUN was no Mason,
aud yet this Exposition" represents Mr..
Calhoun as iustigating Mr.. Munro to appeal
to General Jackson, through "John Rhea,"
70 burn this famous secret letter, which re-.
Rreaeuts Mr. Munro as prompting General
Jackson, commander Of the ARMY, to invade
Florida and take possession Of Peusaeola,
when be, Mr.. Munro, as President, had as.
sumeda . totally different position {, and be
is appealed to as "brethess Mason" to sup.
press the letter, and all done under the, in
ttisuss Of Mr.. Calhoun, wbo was no; ;Masaa
This 10 doing great Injustice to tat adble