New-York daily tribune., 1861-07-08
PLAIN TRUTHS FOR THE PEOPLE.

To the Editor a( TAs ". y Tribune
SIR: The late instance of treachery on the part Of
Mr. James Il. Harvey is not the first nor the second
case Of the kind in which be has acted prominent
part. You have already alluded to two of these in the
columns OF your paper; with your permission will
give you few facts in relation TO third case of q
similar character
During the early part of the Administration Of John
TYLER was editor Of The old Doiaion, Democratic
paper published in Portsmouth, Va. After Mr. Tyler
wheeled into the ranks of the Democracy, my paper
yielded bis Administration cordial support, and its
editor was supposed to possess little influence
with the them occupant of the White House, and with
Lis political friends passed the most of my time at
Washington during the Winter which preceded the
TYLER Conventional Baltimore mnglng freely the
wire pullers, and being admitted at all times behind
the curtain where the machinery was moved. One
day was met at Wizards Hotel by Mr.. james Z.
Harvey and prominent politician from the State Of
Connecticut, who without unnecessary ciicumlocuilon,
detailed to me the plan then in progress TO pack tho
Tyler Convention with the political friends OF the Hon.
John c. Spencer, then Secretary at War, with whom
Mr. Harvey was upon the most intimate and eoniiden-
tial terms occupying the position Of Clerk in that De-
partment. was overwhelmed with amazement at the
cooness with which the nefarious scheme was dcyel-
oned s well as at the baseness Of the ngratitude and
hypocrisy IL manifested the part Of the chief actor
Mr.. Harvey, at that time, protesting the warmest
frendship for Mr.. Tyler whom he was treacherovsly
endeayoring TO supplant and overthrow. On leaving
the conspirators made visit TO the White House.
The President was absent but informed Mr. John
TYLER. ir. Of the plot. That afternoon Mr.. Spencer
was dismissed from Office and returned TO New-York
the next day.
Returning to the hotel met the chief conspiratoss
who, with blanched cheeks and stmmerng tongue,
begged to know if intended to mention the plan they
had impaired TO me. l replied that had done 90
already; that their scheme had not been revealed to
me in confidence, nor was any injunction Of secresy
imposed The gentleman from Connectieut packed his
trunks and left the East in double quick tiue Mr.
Harvey also became Invisible a. Washington for year
and a half thereafter, or less. attended tho
Convention at Baltimore as a delegate from Norfolk
County but the Of Mr.. Spencer was not proposed
as candidate for the Presidency.
The last effort on the part OF Mr.. Harvey TO stab
political benefcto who had just conferred upon him an
official position TO which be Ia possible way entitled IN
dcates that treachery aud ngratade constitutional
elements in his organization. IL seems not little
strange but II is true nevertheless that this last ast Of
treason ON bis part should have come 10 my personal
knowledge within twenty.four hours after u "as
consummated. / informed some OF "the powers
that be Of the facts but notice was taken OF the
matter.
The truth ia that treason Is not looked upon here =
very heinoas oaense. 1t is considered crime i.s
less in point Of turptude than rObbng henroos -
the one case person knownto be guilty takes the oa''
of allegiance and Immediately discharged non' Gus
todv in the other he ia arrested seat 70 JAIL and paA'
ished Our public Offices swarm with traitors ans
,pes; they are known be such, have been reponss
AS such over and again, sll they are retained "a em
with fat salaries into the bargain. Why 81. "a ~
not b. when COL Emory ispromo'od, and Mr. sAs.' :"
y. Harvey IA continued as Minister 10 Pornssi' -