Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-08-17
Mr.. Benton's Book--South Carolina :
MIR. Calhoun Mr.. Polk.

He who writes history, often makes histo-
ry, and perhaps his fctions are innocent, be-
cause he only writes from his standpoint,
and sees things as represented to him in
totally different light by one set Of men from
what another set, viewing the other side,
might represent them. This is eminently
true of all those who attempt to 6 i've histo-
ry Of their own times, particularly If they
were active partizans in the politica. conflicts
of the day. Mr.. Benton has recently pub
lished elaborate books, purporting to be a full
account of his thirty years in the Senate OF
the United States. He has there attempted
to give the detailed history of great events,
in which he might yell exclain, Magma
parsfui."
Soon after became of age, was sent to
the Legislature and from 1852, became
deeply enlisted in all the great questions Of
the day from that time until the present.
This circumstance led me to keep an accurate
memoranda, particularly OF everything that
related to South Carolina. see many points
in his books where he has done the grosscst
injustice to the State and to MIR. Calhoun, as
identified with South Carolina. Forinstancc:
the minute exposition which he makes OF Mr.
Calhour's course as Secretary of War, in Dir.
Munro's Cabinet, in relation to General Jack
son, the taking of the Baranca's, and imprls-
oning the Spanish Governor in Pensacola, the
Johnny Rhea LETTER" &C., &C., all appear
to be quito plain and truthful to any one not
acquainted minutely with the detailed history
of these events, and yet there never was
more perfect tissue of misconception and par
tizan views published in any book having the
slightest prctension 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 accl'
sations against the integrity Of Mr.. Calhoun,
and presented to the worlc under the cover
of the illustrious name OF johnson, is well
calculated to produce profound impression
supon the rising generation; and yet the con
tradictions Of the paper itself, the totally d!t-
ferent style in which the first part OF it is
written from the latter part, and the appeal
which General Jackson says Hon. John
Rhean made to him under the instigation uf
N[r. Munro as all were "brother Masons,"
TO burn the famous (" Johnny Rhea," letter.
document so essential to the vindication of
his own honor as well as to the true history
Of an important event in the country and it's
administration, all show that if Gen. Jackson
we're alive and in proper mind, he never
could have permitted such document to 60
forth as his,deliberate production. Mr. Nun
70 ~, was a Mason, General jackson was Ma
con and so. too, was the famous lion. John
Rbea. member of Congress from Tennessee.
Mr.. Calhoun was no Mason, and yet this
{: exposition" represents Mr.. Calhoun as in
stigating Mr. Munro to appeal to General
Jackson, through "John Rhea, to burn t9ls
famous secret letter, which represents Ar.