Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1866-06-21

tional Intelligencer, the United
States Telegraph, and even by th'
Globe itself, Tor General jackson
had not confded the secret of The
affidavits to his official editor. II
the Senate the letter was de
nouuced by Mr.. Calhoun, Mr.
Webster, and all the leading states
men of the opposition; and, Gov
ernor Poindexter having bestowed
on it the seven vials of wrath
demanded an early and an impair
tial investigation, and the imme
diate arrest of it's author. This
he demanded, he said, in justice
to himself, and to the dignity of
the Senate; for, if he was guilty
of the charges preferred, he was
unworthy of the seat ne held, and
Of the confidence and association
of all honorable men.
An Executive mandate was I'M
mediately issued and placed in the
hands of Shackford, the Sergeant
at arms, who was instructed to ar
rest the author, who was lying dan
gerously sick at his lodgings, in
Pennsylvania Avenue; and des-
pite of his remonstrance, he was
informed that be must either sub
NIT to close arrest in the Capitol.
or yield the name of the person
who had informed him of the ex-
istence of the aflidavits. Of course
Shackford, the Sergeant at Agms,
had no authority to offer any such
terms or threats, but, as he was
very much disposed to figure in
the business, and thus strengthen
him in the tenure OF Office, he sub.
mitted a proposition at once inso-
lent and infamous. He was as
sured, in return, that no ones name
would be produced till after con-
sultation could be had with the
original possessors of the secret
affidavits. Shackford then re-
piled that he was authorized to
Say that forty-eight hours of con-
sultation and consideration would
be allowed; after which, if the
name Of the informant were not
yielded, summary action would be
had. ~
The next day, at very early
hour, son of Mr.. John c. Cal
houn called on the author of the
letter, as the friend of the Hon.
George Poindexter, and, in his be-
half, demanded the names Of the
persons who had given information
of the existence of the affidavits,
and intimated that, unless this call
were complied with, resort would
be had to more summary pro-
cess for a remedy. He, at the
same time, "handed in a missiYe
from Governor Poindexter, which
partook at once of chivalry and
saltpetre.
The author of the letter re-
mained obstinately mute, refusing
to make use of the name of any
one; and, as the affair had at that
period generated an intense excite
ment, he was afraid TO call upon
his informers to sustain him, be-
cause he feared that they would
deny their previous assertions.
In this state of dilemma, hav-
ing partially recovered, he be-
thought him that he would call on
General Jackson. So thought, SO
done. He availed himself of an
early hour, and was fortunate
enough to find the old soldier at
leisure and alone,
"Sir," said he, 81 come here on
delicate business; am the author
of letter originally published in
a New York paper, charging that
you are in possession of affidavlts
to prove that Richard Lawrence
was employed by George Poindex-
ter to attempt your assassination.
1t is not in my power to prove the
existence of any such papers; and,
if l cannot make good the contents
of my letter, | am irrevecably
ruined. I cannot contend with
the Senate; and, unless | make
out my case, my reputation as q
man, and my profession as q wri-
ter, are destroyed! Mr.. Presi-
dent, may be permitted TO ask
if you possess the afidavits?"
'sMake yourself perfectly easy,
young man" replied the General !;
"the affidayits are in my possession,
and here they are, sir." At the