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ILF
*B 3m ST?
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THE
LIFE AND TIMES
MAETIN VAN BUREN:
THE
.€oxxt0ponhtntt of l)t0 ImnHy iTamils; anlr )Ptt|)il0;
' TOGETHER WITH
BRIEF NOTICES, SKETCHES, ANJ) ANECDOTES,
ILLtTSTEATIVE OF THE FUBUO CABBEK OF * .
Javbs Knox Folic,
BvNJA«iir -F. Bhtlkr^
William L. Marcy,
KoBBRT J. Walkbk,
Thomas Ritchie,
JBSSB and LotlBNZO HOYT,
Levi Woodbury,
.John .C. Calhovnj
Andrew Jackson,
Gbo^oI Banqropt,
. Aaron Burr,
Samvbl Youns,
RooBR B. Tanby,
Michael Hoffman,
JAMUff Gordon BBNHBTt, .
Jambs A. Hamilddn,
R. H. Mo&ris,
M. M. Noah,
Jacob Barkbe,
Aaron Ward,
C. L. AND E. LlVINOSTO^
M. AND H. Ulshobffbr,
Solomon Southwiok,
Gbobgb MgDuffib,
'Louis McLanb,
William H. Crawjfobo,
Amos Kendall,
Oboboe p. Barkbr>
Gborob MiFFtiN Dallas,
C. 0. Cam^r'slbno,
Cornelius W. Laurence,
Samuel Swabtwout,
Silas WRiant,
Walter Bownb,
Edwin Oroswbll,
Andbbw Stevenson,
PROSPBR M. WeTMORB,
Enos T. Thboop,
Rbubbn K. Walworth,
Lewis Cass,
John H. Eaton,
Azartah C. Flaoo, .
Stephen Allbn,
Joel B. Sutherland,
Jambs Campbell,
Francis P. Blaib,
Jonathan 1. Coddinqton,
William Coleman,
Nathaniel Pitcubb,
T. W. Olcott,
S. AMD U Bbardslby, dee.
BY WILLIAM L.. MACKENZIE.
-h—
Uoreniiuente, like Clock«» go from Ibe raotios Men give tkem ; and as Goreramento are made and mored by M«, §9 br them
Ibey axe mined too. Wherefors Govenuneat* rather depend upon Men than Men upon Gorernments. Let Men be«ood and the
(■overnnent cannot be bad. If it be 0), they will caw it. But if Men be bad, they wiH endeavor to warp and tpoil it to their tvk
Prefkee to tkt Constitwli»n of Pemujfhania, if WiUmm Ptnm,
BOSTON:
COOKE k CO., WAS.HINGTON STREET.
1846.
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m
EwTEKED MrtJrding to act of CoagM^flj in the jjBar.lBi6| Ij
WILLI AJVI L. IVLiCKENZrEi
in the Cleri^^rOBtts t»f tlie HiJiEricfc Court of the Distrtetof Misasojitflettfl.
ALPHABETICAL INDEX.
BAL
ABOLiT[0!fi^iq. Author not one G5 j Marey
proposed to abolish the 274 ; Jefferson urie of
the first and finne^t 27G; Young; oq 281.
Adams, John CIdincy. Youri^ a mean.? q{
his election as pre'sjdent 57, 58; on Mexico
61; AlhanyAr^us speaks for 70 j and again
83- 97 J 101 J vindicates Jackson ^s Florida
inroad 107 j oa navigation ^f Bt. Lawrence
111; Kendali on 118 j for rcliel^ to exiles 131 ;
bajik voles 134 ; bank enquiry baulked by
Polk 135; on the blotJtHiound 146 j Campbell
%gt; 193: CrosweE's artful plan agt. 195: didn't
J-esi^ 198; Wright oii 203 j Santbnl tor 204:
elecUoa loat by 206 j Swartwout'ss unprincipled
opp. to 209; V. k and 214^ to Dutee J
Pearce 353 ; [his father on Canada 2Sa j
Adopted Citizens. See Foreigners.
Albany Arfjiis. [See Edwin CroswelL]
Not in state librarv, when for U. S. bank
7ti; views, 1^28, 128^j V. B. on 190: on both
sides* 195.
^ Albany Regency, or Eucktajl Head-quar-
Eers. 51 Fedi?. join them 29 j 168; Noah ou
Allen, Orlando. Bti^lo bank and 91.
J Allen^ Stephen* Sub-treasurer 139: de-
noimces the banks, he had made 174: to Hoyt
for Tammany Bank 211 ; for U. S. bank, ib.
AJien, Wm. Senate. Non-colonial 28ti : lor
V. B.295.
Alley, Saul, 112; on granny of bank uinno-
poly [a new discovery [] 171 i^ wants Thomp-
son removed 2l4 \ how made a bank director
!«<i'2.
Anderson, Elbert J. A delegate for U. S.
bank 2*9.
Angel, W. H. [or C] 111 ; 126; 132 ; 231 ■
hammers Root 334*
Anti-Masonry, [See South wick, 1 V. Enren
on 204 and 229; Throop for 207 j Ada^s for
Anti-Renters, 14; a godsend for the Van
Enrens, [a.s iji 1812] 148; 150.
f Apology for this book. 5 to la
Appraisers of Merchandize, SwajtwouCs
exhibit of the W. Y. sworn ^23.
Arbuthnotj CapL executed by Jaekson 106.
Arnold, R. J. On gold mine, nullification,
&c,, 227, 243. '
Austin, S, Y. unfortunats as a bank debt
coU'n 94.
Bair^John. Butler and 153, 158, borrows
BAR,
Caleb. 158; Butler's remforcemeii
Baker,
by 160,
Baltimore Convention, 1844. 291 to 208,
Bamber, John and James. Marcy's con J
duct to 67. '
Bancroft, George. Was anti-slavery 296 i
on Convention, ib. .
Bank of Alabama, Deposites at Mobile 124J
Bank of America, N. Y* Origin ol' 06 t«j
28 } deposites in 124. ^
Bank of England. Its loans 1835 to '37—*
137 { Peel on its new charter 140, .
Bank of State Qi N. Y, 116; a national pet'i
124 ; a .state pet 139. ^
Bank Restriction Act. On repealing it 1 38 :
M^cy and Plagg a^. 175, 176, 177.
Bank Stock Tax, Nevins agt. 188. ,
Bank Suspen.?ions, 1S14, 1837, 1839. GnVl
wold on 12^1; Binnejon 135 j in ^37— 13G-7;
Washm^on and WajTen, and Barker's Ex-
change 154 to 162.
Barikrupt Law. Van Buien's proflisacy
caused the necessity of 78^ bank movement
\Si ; Butler, Edmonds, &c. on 267.
Banks. ToHy>kins on 27; Bailey on 28:
Penns^ivania 36 ; a bank hard pres^sed 39 to
44; r^Y. 1^28-84 to 86} Clinton, &c.on86,
tf7; affect public justice 86; in Buffalo 90,
9t; Jackson on 92 j Cambreleng and 101:
Young about 128 to 130 ; as,si^mats preferred
to 138 ; Hard on 138 ; Peel on 140 ; Olcott on
pretended 157; hints to empty handed, by
Botler 154 to 160; Plagg and Mar^y on 175;
Nevms on 188-^; Cambreieng & Tibbetts on
232-^; bankrupt 267. ,^
fSee also. Banks, of America, Auburn, State
ofN. Y,, Bufialo. Chenango, Chemical, Cin-
cinnati, Dry Dock, England, Exchange, Ful-
ton, Girard, Hudson, Long Island, Lyons, M^ -
chanjcs & Farmers', Manhattan, Mcrcliante*
Morris Canal, Metropolis, New Hope, N. a!
Trust, Plattsburgh, Tonawauda, TnnJcsrnif :iV
Utica, Waten^tiet, Washington and V/.^mai •
Bk. restriction ; Bk. Siispeusions , rreeBank-
mgj N. Y. Salety Fund banks j Pe< or depo-
site do.; Sub Treasury, and Stocbjohlcrs.1
Barjjour, Philip P. Jn Crawford Caucus
55 and 195; 101,
^tt^^ll3^^'^^ ^' ^"^^ ^^^^ ^'^^lo and
W, ill ■ 1j2,
Barker, G. R. cashier. Letter to Butler 161.
Barker, Jacob. Sets up Bntler as a * wild
catbaDk^pi-esiaentatSandyFM,38; entrapithfi
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BOW.
I
I
public 39, 40
ren concprn
U] BulialoBank and 154
m't of his W, and W.
W. & W. B, I5i>; paya off Buder ltJ3, would
hire him again 105 ; lo he tried for fraud 169 ;
letters 192, :^0.
Beach Mosefi Y. Polk's berald^ through
Sun*28f»; extraordinary change of his Texas
^lii^y 305 to 307.
Eeardsley, Levi. Vote on Buflklo City
Bank 90^ ill; 129.
Beardsley, Samvteh On bank deposites, and
Polish exilea 131 ; Bank votes 134 j nicknaann?
253; LO Hoy t— notice of 254.
Beekman^ Dr. John P. 154 ; on V. B, G93.
BetTs, Joseph D. l37; a proper depuiv 26 L
Beimctt, James Grordon. On Kendall V22 ]
an Calhoun 139 ; on state prison tbr defauliei^
141 1 1S4 ; ktters 221/222 j MaK^y, Webb and
235-d; on Vaji Buren^ U, S. Bank and big
gun 236-7; lionrowing— hot for V. Buren—
geta a coolijr 245.
Benton ^ Nath'l S. On banks, &c. 93.
Beniorij Thomas Hart. Votes for Steven-
iSon98; and fur V. B. !19.
Berrien, John M. of Ga. Jackson and 109.
Be Eting n El ec tion s. V. B u ren f or , Wri ght
against 305 ; Gouvemenr's 213 ; HHI's 239 ;
Ritchie's 240; Hoyt and J. V. Buren's255-
Webb's ib. J Lawrence's 362.
Betts, Judge Sam. R. Could not find a law
to punish Hoyt. [He only stole S*^30,000 !]
141; laws scarce nowadays, ib. J notice of 190.
Biddle, Nicholas- Van Buren and Marcy's
petition to 79 \ who he was 1J5.
Binney, Horace. Report on treasury hanks
133 : Bp^ch on Polk's pets 135 ; on currency
I4l.
Birchard, Matthew^Solr.Treas. Fiat against
merchants at Hoyt's request 271 ; 15'2.
Blair, F. P. On Jbreigners 71 ; for banks
88; on Congress 97 J againsi Sub-treasury 13*1,
139, 140 ; his style approved by V. B.^-speci-
mens 144 ; notice of 145; Fisk on, ib. ; on pub-
liu expenditure 1 IG to 149 ; a hired machine of
state 2td \ lP,022 paid for his press 233 ; lost
the printing 3-12; on Polk 292; for anybody 295.
Bleeckerj Harraanus. Anti-war fed. — geta
office from V. B. 4i
Blennerhasscttj Harman. Burr's confeder-
ate 62; his F^on 259.
Bloodliounds. Imported to track Indians
and poor negroes in i'lorida 146.
Bockee, Judge Abraham, [Ex— N. Y. Cus-
toms.] Votes to lei the pets keep U. S. trea-
sure 134,
Bogardus, Cornelius S, 10; l3, 14; 223 j
065,
Bonck, Joseph. Vote on deposits to pels I3h
Boughtou, Dr, Smith A. J. V. Bureti gets
S1250 for speaking at his two trials 149.
Bowman John, of Monroe Co, Moves ex-
sion of Clinton from Canal Board 53 ; gets
Chester bank (party) charter, ib. ; one of the
immortal 1 7, 57,
Boune, Walter, Voted to e^pel Clintotk
EI. BUT,
from Canal Board 53 ; against chdoe of Elec-
bank lois by the citiKens 57 ; 194 ; praijics V, B. for
; puffs his Washington and War
42, 43; wantfi a ni^iional banli
d 154; B tiller's manage- J his uprightness lOii; 112; with Buder 109;
. bank 152 lo 1S2; ou ihcf 185 ; V. E. on 216; 216; aided in staHMg
m2^0107
Blair ^3,
Boydj G. D,, Columbus. EmbezzleB t51 ,000
133.
Brady, Jud^e T, S. On the Bamber case 67.
Branch, John. An M, C, laJfes ofhce lOl ;
bis condLitt and opinion of V. Bnrtn l€il.
Breese, Sidney, IT. S. Senate. Law to pun-
ish embezzlement no law at all l4l.
Bribe rj^ and Corruptioa. Clinton on 30;
87 ; Congressmen selected for offices 96 to 100 :
124.
Brinkerhofi; Jacob, On Canada 283; for
Van Buren 205,
Britain. Great, gloriouSj salutary and
peaceful reforms in 40, 47.
Brokers, Wall St. Butler abujses Iheni 43 ;
Ls sharper than 160.
Brown son, Alvlii [federal, mereht. Oswego].
Votes to drive Clinton from the canals 53^;
with the immortal 17, 57; a Butler democrat
169.
Bronson, Greene G. S07,
Brown J WtlUam TBrown, Shipley & Co.l
Bank loan to 137. r j j
Brownson, O. A- On trading politicians
35 ; letter to Mackenzie l43,
Buchanan, James. SB; 100; 123; colonial
policy ojianged 280.
Bucknerj Wm. G. Hoyt. and the banks
and 179.
Buektails- How named 50 ; Crawford cau-
cus 57 i Butler joins 163 ; no office if not one
186; flog 198; 2ll.
Buel, Judge Jesse. Sells Argus to V. Bu-
ren, tU*. 190.
Buffalo, Bank of, !8I6. Dishonest charter
granted by Van Buren, &e., to 3l to 33 ; But-
ler on 15^1; Hoyt for cashier 155»
Buffalo, Bank of- 91.
BuiTalo, City Bank of* Some facts about
90, 91.
Buffalo Commercial Advertiser. On Mar-
cy, &;c. 125,
Bufialo, Ccntunercial Bank of, 94,
Bunner, Rudolph. 200; 212.
Buonaparte, Napoleon, On national hospi-
tality 67-
Burke, Edmund. On popular movements^
1 j on currency and usury 149-
EijiiR, AAROff. 21 ; the first to ziominate
Jackson 58; 259; his plans against Mexico
and this Union 60 to 63 j notice of 62.
Burrows, Latham A. Skinner tries to in-
fluence 197,
Burrows, Silas E. Swartwout praises 222 ;
notice of 223 ; loan to Webb and :^oah 235.
BuTLEH, Be\7amin P, 6; Glentworth affair
hjr II; 16; Polk continues S20, 000 a year to,
Ritchie defends him*-Butler's early liie — piaty
of father and son— Washington iV Warren
bank charter passed 37. 38 ; Bntler ajs its pres-
ident 39 to 44 ; his hypocrisy ib. ; Wright en*
dorses him 41 ; on Polkj ib. j* the Bjakers and
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43 J he prays ia Biddle for a branch of tlie U,
S, bank 79 [ a strong U* S. bank man 84 to 86 j
Wishes stockholders not to be liable SG ; 128 ;
horrovrs U. S. tc venue from pets 135; tarifi'
management 13S^>. [Letter^,] Pender and
principle 15-2; * stated preaching' 15S; Clinton
152 J banking I53| law, bankiiij^, chancery^
f Tan Buren 154 j Hoyt and Bank of Buffalo
155 ; banking immoral 15G j avarice rebnked
157; cunning and champagne— the Patrorm
158; gidb the people 159 f bullies bankers and
brokers — crows 160; post-script to piety — fair
and proper calls 161 \ exhorts icsse 1G2 ; Julius
Csesarj a bucktail 163 ; V. Eurcii partJierKhip
—Sandy Hill, adieu E 164-5; American Ers-
kine, organized cori>Sj envy lGG-7 ; piety,
cheating in polilies-— Young's nomination
J6S-9 ; dear Hovt, John Duer l7(H ; on Jack-
son and banking 172: abuse of Clinton by
tSS; 161; IU\ 167 j for a U- S, Bank— not
now 1 171 i Flagg on cleetion of ITS ; Dist.
Att'y Alb. 100 ; wrote Bo^^ne's report a^'ainst
popular elections 194 ; on Hoyt't^ sureties^ ib, ;
a candidate 2\}G ; 221-9 ; cant and hjnxicrisjj^j
unequal Itjd 354 ; on laws f{3r debtor and credi-
tor 267 ; at Baltimore 293 ; moves Texas ! re-
solve 394 -J on hard cider 205-
Butkr, Benjamin F- Lkttersj number 1 to
number 67 — 63 letters, in all; pages 151 to
172.
Butler, Charles. 154.
Butler, Mrs. Harriet. On Mrs. Olcott 156;
esteems Jesse Hoyt 168 ; on Croswell, Noah,
Sutherland, Talltnadge 170 ; makes Edmonds
a Belisarlua— Hoyt, Butler, iS&c. 17 1
Butler, Medad, father of E.F. His piel},
&c. 37.
Butchers and Drovers' Bank, K. Y, Lost
in 1328^93.
Calhoun, John C. 47; his course on Texas
atid Slavery 64 to 66 ; rote against Stevenson
98 ; 105 ; on Seminole war and Jackson l06 ;
casting vote against Y. B. 113 ; votes for V. B.
ajs president 112, 283; on removal of deposits
12! ; for one bank or a specie currency 140 1
afraid of losing the tariff 143 ; Blair and 144 ;
Selden on 174 ; 189 ; Godwin on 251 ; on bank-
rupt laws 367; on slavery 375 j on laborers
281 \ on Canada 284 ; on lands 308.
CAMBnELENG, C. C. lu the Crawford Cau-
cus 55 ; 100 ; notice of 101 ; visits Crawford
H>8 ; votes aid to Poles 131 ; votes on deposits
134 ; endorses fbr V. E. 184 ; on Clay, &c,
200 ; for Coddington 207 ; want.*^ a place 213 ;
picks partisans for eusloms 319 ; letters 224 j
236; on railroad and turnpike 938^ against
McLane's Treas. report— on Webb 236; on
bank and workies 331 ; for Tibbcts's plan 333 ;
for a national bank 233 ; on Pewter Mn^ and
private letters 334 ■ an M. C. getting P. Ms.
and b'k directors appointed 343 ; note by 363,
Cambreleng, St^pnen. StilweU for 226.
Campbell^ James. Il2 ; lettev to Hoyt— dis-
likes the merrihts, 191 — pfilitics and elections
193 J on Clinton's death— Sanford 203; 219.
Canaba. a refuge for the slave 65 ; trada
1 12 J Brownson on l44 ; 263 j insurrections Iti
292 to 2B9 i opinions on, ib. ; causes for revolt
285 to 288; Marcy on 203, 295-
C a nt ine, Moses L On ba nks 31 to 38 j 129 ;
dies 190 ; state bank director 307.
Car^ill, Abraham. Vote on M. and F. bank
86' 206; 208.
Carter, Nath'l H. Editor— V- B. stops hh
paper tor economy 187.
Gary, Trumbull. Safety Fond report by 89.
Car'h, Lf.wis, Memoir of 102 to 105 ; on a
bank 1U4 ; on Indians, slaves, and Texas 105;
he (ore Baltimore convention 292, 293 ; on the
Indians 396.
Calcus. V. Buren yes and no 44 ; Crawford
congressional 55 and 195; Butler ibr 168; buck-
tail 57; J, Y. Buren's appointment by a 143;
Y. B, 190; folate 197.
Cebra, Alderman John Yates. 220.
Chancerv, CornT op. 13 ; [see Wni. T.
M*Coun j] asked to remove old Buffalo bank^
a Nuisance 33 * Kent reftises Butler's injunc-
tions 42; use of in safetj^ fund b*ks M j Butler
and 154 ; tried for a base purpose by Butler
160: Butler and Van Buren^s practice in 164-
5; fees long in coming 367; its bushel basket
1 70 ; court of errors worse 193 ; notice of 303-4.
Chauncey, Commodore Isaac. Recommends
Wasson 220.
Channing, Dn W. H. To Clay on Texas
63 J on laborers 281,
Chemical Bank, N. Y . 33 ; 87.
Chenango, Bank of. Its charter how passed
34 ; V. Buren dodging, &;c. 129.
Church and State Unions. 69, 70.
Cincinnati. Commercial Bank of, deposits
in 124,
Clay, Henry. Van Buren for 83 ; on Ste-
venson 97^ 98; on St. Lawrence navigation
112; vote on V. E's embassy 113; treatment
of by Kendall 117 lo 130; not interested in
U. S. B. 119; on Duane 193- Young for 128;
on state banks l38 ; Campbell on 232; Van
Euren on 197-8; 202; Koah's slanders 214;
Cambreleng on 232; commissioners sent to Pa-
nama bv Adams and 379 ; on the Colonies 385 ;
Ritchie on 292.
Clayton, Augustine Smith, On IT. S. Bank
233 ; on private letters 334.
Clayton, John M. Vote against Stevenson
98; rejects V.B. 112,
Clark, Aaron. 165, 167, 196.
Clark, Lot. In Crawford caucus 55 and
195.
Cltntok, De Witt. 21 ; Clinton nominated
for President, 1812, 44 ; opposed by Bucktails
and Feds 29 ; cjcposcs official corruption 30 j
recommends the Convention of 1821, ib. ; and
Bank inquiry 35 ; Van Buren his political
aide-de-camp 4^1 ; Spencer on his and Van Ba-
rents conduct, 1812, 48, 49 ; Duane on 49 ; 54 ;
the Canals and 50 ; V. Buren 's duplicity to^ ib. ;
he is expelled the office of Canal Commission-
er — American gratitude to 51 ^ 52; his perse*
cutors 53; Van Buren lauds him |:^when
dead 54 ; but hated him, ib. ; Col. Stone on
V. E. ib. [ Jackson and Ritchie on 56 ; enmi-
ty to 56; Davis on 81 j on banking 86; 108;
J
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CRA,
INI>E^
Die,
127; Butler's shm-e of 153; 161 j 164; 167;
V, B, on 184; 19*1-7; 20-3; Wright and Camp-
bell on 203-4; 2(JG-7; on common law 5ft2.
C linton , George . Gives cast ing vote against
U- S. Bank 77.
Clinton Co. Bank. [See PJatLsbqrgh b'ks.]
Goddington, Jonathan I. 10 ; 12, l3 ; V, B.
toSCHj; CambrelengcomforU 207; letters208,
209 ; office-hunting, ib. ; 213 iU. ; reajdy to mu-
tiny 214; Bennett's friend 221; 230; 238
l^illbeP. M. 34*2; 202.
Coe, William S, 219; Swartwont on his
appraising goods 223; a fire commissioner
SS6; forleitures 27L
CoUectorship of Cnstomg, N. Y. 10,
Coleman, William. Remarks on 57;
abuses the United Irish 68 ; on Jackson and
the Seminoles 1 06 ; peace 26Q.
Colonial Trade with U. S. UL 112.
Colics^ Christopher. Planned the Western
Canal 50*
Commerce. Colonial HI, 112,
Commercial Advertiser. On Hoyt and But-
ler*3 Lives l8; Van Bnren, Clinton^s most art-
ful enemj 54 ; on Texa3 306,
CojjMON Law. Defined by Morris and Hall
1 1 * a chapter on 302 to 305,
Commonwealth Bank, Bostoti. Deposits in
1^.
Cooper, Judge Thomas. His strictnres on
W. H, Crawfoi-d 68 to 72.
Conckling, Alfred. Supports Clinton when
driven from Canal board 53.
Congress* Committees how named 97.
Congress of Panama. Van Bnren, Polk^
Adams, Clav, Buchanan, M^Lane^ &c,^ on 279,
280.
Congress. Speakers, rem'ks on 9il to 99.
Congressmen selected for Office. A chapter
on the ^peaking and acting, abnut 96 to 99 ;
Wicklifle, Duane, and Jacks<m on 9G ; Blair
on 97 1 Ritchie on 97 to 100; paid wages for
non-attendance ! 149.
Convention, N. Y. Constitutional, See K,
y. Constitutional Convention.
Corcoran & Riggs* Walker^s sub-treasurers^
143.
Coming, Erastug, 90, 238 ; 293.
Corye!), [ngham. 10; 13, 14.
Cosier, J, G, A borrowing of depoeites de^
mocrat 135.
Coulter, Richard, of Pa. On Taney's care
for Taney, 135.
Courier Sc Enqidrer. Friar's jump 230.
Craig, Hector. Notice of 213.
Cramer, John, Supports Clinton when per-
fiecnted 54 ; tor presidential electors by the peo-
ple 57; on batiks fl6; bank votes, 87, 134;
Itelptt E. Livingston, 185.
CRAWPonu, W. H. Minority Caucus tti
nominate for pr^ident, 1821, 55 & 68 ; Yoimg
insures his defeat in N. Y. 57- notice of CS}
Coo|)cr on his hatred to foreigners, G8 to 71 ;
fbr a national bank 74 to 78 ; conduct to Cal-
Wn on the Seminole war question 107, lOfi ;
Butler's artful hints about 1 Go ; V. Bnren visits
CroliuSj Clarkson. Votes to give the pecple
the choice of electors 57; on banking 86 ^
Flaggon 173; scolded 166; 195.
Croswemj, Edwin 53 ; set: up by Van Bnren
74 ; an admirer of U. S. Banks, 74 to 77 ; abuses
Jackson 78, 79 ; for CUav and Adams, 83; on
'Safely Fund &1 to 87;' banks in 1828— ib;
prints Young's private petition 129 ; for m!:^eci |
money 139; notice of 146, 147; Argus concerUj
■by Butler, for 1G9; Aigus I9f>; arttul letter
£0 Hoyt abt. Crawford, &c., 193 ; Bennett and
221 ; Webb on 230 to 232 ; do., Marey fie 235;
V. B.'s friend 236 ; to Hoyt— for 3 mill, loan-
dared not ofier a 10 mill. b'k. 252 : ag't. V. B.
293.
Crnger, John C. Betting with Hoyt, 256.
Cuba. Van Buren, &c., on Slavery in 379,
280.
Cunningham of Montgomery's gallant de-
fence of Clinton 51.
Currency. [See Banks-^U. S. Bank— and
Sub-Treasury.] 78; l39; 140; if deranged
impairs contracts and changes the constitu-
tional pmtecdon 141 ; Butler on a sliding scale
in 154; Livingston on 178,
Gnrtis, Edward. 9. >
Custom Houses. [See N. Y. Custom House.]
Cutting, Francis B. 112; 126; on the lob-
by 174; for free banking 177; swears on
paper, advice by l80 ; speculates with Hoyt 261 ,
Dallas, Alex. James. A Philadelpliia finan-
cier 297.
Dallas, George Mifflin. Gets Russian mis-
sion 190; Cass admires 104; votes for V. B.
as mini*iter to London 112; Y. B. lauds 2^;
notice of^a circular statesman 297^298; a
mile's a mile 298 ; V. P. ib.
Davezac, Au^-^ui^Le. 62, 63,
Davis, George R. Notice of 04.
Davis, Matthew L. 12 ; on Burr's Mexi-
can movement tj2 J 121; 185; 197; 220; 237.
Davis, Richard D. Character o£ Van Bn-
ren by 81, 80 ; he joins V. B. 80.
Dawsim, George, On Canada 290.
Dawson, Moses, Jackson's letter to, against-
the pets 116.
Da}1on, Aaron Ogden. Electioneers for
Jackson tj3.
Dayton, General Jonathan. Indicted in
Burr's afiair G3,
Debts. Repudiation of 267 1 wnetched bank-
rupt laws, ib.
DecatLir, CoJ. J. P. Office^s«eking 221 ;
304.
Defalcations, Defaulters, [See Eml^ezzling
Public Monies.] Banks in 1814, 124. •
Democratic Review. See J. L. O 'Sullivan.
Democrats. On ^aper money 78 ; V. Bm^n
sort 19^-7; timljer in ranks of 327.
Denraan, William, On Van Buren 70.
Desha, Joseph. On taking Canada 285.
Desha, Robert. Warns Eaton against the
Widow 109.
Devyr, Thomas A. Would secure wild
J lands xo settlers onlv 150.
Dickinson, Daniel £ On V. B. 203] hia
tmilecige g98.
?.. i
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
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EMB.
tNSBX.
GAL.
Dissolution of the Union. McDoffie on 61 ;
Beach on 306.
Dix, John A. Pro-slavery-and-Texas Senor
tor 281.
Downing, Col. S. Votes for City Bank,
Bnfialo 90.
Dromgoole, George C. 97.
Dry Dock Bank, N.Y. 94.
Duane, William. On last War 4 ; on Mer-
chants' Bank 28 ; on Clinton 49, 54 : on'Burr's
con^iracy 62*, on congressmen 96; notice of
115; approves of refusal to remove d^osits
119; 1^; on newspapers 147} ib. 182 ; on
the peace 269.
DuANS, William John. 100; secretary of
the treasury 115; notice of 116; his course re-
laktve to the public treasure 116 to 121 ; 141 ;
refuses Russian Mission 122; dismissed 122,
133; married Franklin's grand-daughter 116;
deposits and 131 ; ib. 246.
Dudley, Charles E. Votes to drive Clinton
from the canal board 53 ; one of the immortal 17
—57; prays to Riddle for a branch of the U.S.«B.
79 ; pteirty votes for banks 87 ; to Hoyt 210.
Duels. 3.
Duer, John. On Van Ness's bribery 38;
joins the Bucktails 29; Butler on 170; 184;
190; 209; notice of 210; Hoyt bitter against
212, 218, 219.
Duer, Col. William. 310.
Duer, William A. Joins the Bucktails 29 ;
defends the right against Allen 51 ; notice of
210.
Duncan, Dr. Alex. For V. B. at Bait 295.
Durben, Dr. On War 4.
Durham, Earl of. Explains causes of revolt
in Canada 286 to 287.
Earll, Jonas, Jr. Votes to exoel Clinton
from the Canal Board 53; one of VanBuren's
immortal 17—57 ; bank votes by 87.
Eaton, John Henry. Leaves Congress for
office 101.
Eaton, Lewis, In Crawford Caucus 55;
president City Bank, Buffalo 91 ; safety fund
commissioner 93.
Eaton, Mrs. [Widow Timberlake], Trou-
ble about her character 109.
Edmonds, John W. Stockjobbing 67 ; 111 ;
126; sends J. V. Buren to jail, and advises
Wright to give him SlOOO- — 148 ; BuUer on
164 ; Mrs. Butler on his pauperism 171 ; note
205 ; Webb and 225 : on debt laws 267.
Education. By cheap Postage 4 ; 301 ; im-
portance of 20 ; Girard leaves millions for 1 16 ;
Smithson $500,000 for 116; Young and L.
Beardsley and 129 ; Hoyt goes to V. B.*s aca-
demy 217 ; of laborers 281.
Electioneering. By V. B. 134 ; Jackson 96 ;
Purdy and Hofiman 132; Marcyon337; A.
Ward23»-9.
Elections by the People. 2 ; by districts 56.
Electoral Bill (1824.) Butler against 166-9 ;
Croswell on 19fr-6 ; ready to vote either way
on 196.
Ellis, Powhattan. 101 ; votes for V. B. as
minister 112.
Embargo. Clinton on 31 ; 34.
Embezzling Public Monies. Theron Rudd
24; cases 133; law to punish, itself a cheat
141; 149.
Emmet, Thomas Addis. Takes part with
Clinton when expelled from the canal board 52.
England. [See Britain.]
Everett, Edward. 11; for aid to exiles 131 ;
votes about deposits 134.
Ewing Thomas. Vote against Stevenson
98; and against V. Buren 112.
Exchange Bank (Barker's.) 39; 157; 158;
162.
Fillmore, Millard. Votes on M. & F. bank
86 ; for aiding Polish exiles 131.
Fish, Preserved. Director of 6 mill, bank
£7: 112; instructs V. B. 214 ; Cambreleng for
Fisk, Theophilus. Blair by 145.
Flago, Azarlah C. Votes, 1^24, to expel
Clinton fix>m the canal board 52; performs,
1828, as one of his chief mourners f 55 ; votes
with the immortal 17 to keep power from the
people 57; votes for party bank charters 87;
iree banks and 137-8 ; his state pet bank system
139 ; buys 3 walls of a house 147 ; on his re^
solve against popular election, Butler, Selden
and Van Buren 173; on free banking 174;
regency log-rolling, the lobby, gold, andf bank
restraints 175 ; his currency cure and notions,
ib. ; on safety fund banks 176 ; against foreign
monsters 179 ; on private banking 176-9 ; gen-
' ' '• ' -— - succeeds Yates
eral banking law" 181,
188 ; 303 ; BenneU and 221 ;' councils Marcy
on breeches 239.
Florida. Jackson in 106; V. Buren ex-
pends many milllcms in 145., &:c.; bloodhounds
m 146; Greeley on war in 282; 396.
FoREiQNERs— Adopted Citizens. Van Bu-
ren about 44 ; a chapter on G6 to 72 ; Craw-
ford's attack and Cooper's defence of ^ to 71 ;
Irving, Denman, Van Ness on 70 ; Blair on
71; millions left by, to educate natives 116;
V. Buren and 236.
Forman, Judge Joshua. Invents the r^Saie-
ty Fund 84; 88; 206.
Foot, Samuel A. On political proscription
113. I
Forsyth, John. In Crawford caucus 56;
votes for Stevenson 98 ; 101 ; intrigues fbr V.
Buren 107-8 ; in Crawford caucus 195.
France. Her views and condition 46, 47 ;
Butler on troubles with 173 ; Guizot on 280.
Franklin, Benjamin. And England's chan-
cery 304.
Free Banking. 95; 137-8; Peel against
140 ; Flagg, Livingston, Cuttixig, &;c. on 173
tolfe; Hoyt'slTS.
Free Trade. America and Britain 270.
Frelinghuysen, Theodore. Ill; rejects V.
B. 133.
French, James M. 20.
Fulton Bank, N. Y. Chartered 87.
Gaines, Gen. Fidmnnd. Ordered to invade
Mexico 64.
Gales and Seaton. On War 3.
Gallatin, Albert. A candidate for V. P. 71 ;
on U.S. banks 77; ib. 171.
Digitized byCjOOQlC
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Gardner, Col. Chaa. JC Notice of 188.
Qanrow, Nathaniel. 101.
Georgia LeglslatoieL MoAlliBter'e aoootmt of— not too
fond of gold mbiee 2S8-9.
GilohrisL Mr. Butler and 157.
GUlctt, Baoeom H. Totes aid to e^les 131 ; npon de-
poAtte question 134.
Giiaxd, Stephen. A Fxenohman leaTes BdUions to ed>
ucate Americans 116.
Oirard Bank, Phila. DepoBit«s in 134.
Glent worth. 11; Butler's cant and hypocrisy, bor>
rowed fbr the election 254.
Godwin, Parke. Strong remarks on relieving pubUc
distress, by 250-1.
Ooldson, Samuel P. 10, 13, 14.
Oorham, Beigaoiin. RepiMrt on treasury hanks 133»
GospeL Butler's anxiety lor stated presiehing of the
152.
GouTemeur, Sam. A. Bets 212.
Graham, John L. 177.
Greeley, Horace. On Natireism 70 ; on Walker 96 ;
on a state suh-treasnry 139; on protection to land set-
tlers 150; on Florida 282; on Eltchie299; on Texas
scrip 301.
Green. Byram. Votes to expel Clinton from canal
board, 1824,5a
Green. General Duff. 106, 107, 118. 145; Y. B. and
CambveLeaag subscribe 200 ; printer to Congress 208.
Green, James L. 183.
Green, Beqjamin W. 299 ; 301.
Greene, MsHJor, of Boston Poet. Ritchie grieved at
214, 315; on common law 302-3.
Griswold. George. On Banks 124 ; Butler on 171.
Grundy, Felix. Votes for Stevenson 98 ; and for Van
Buren 112; teaches Polk law 123; on Canada 2^
Gnisot, F. For neutrality by France, on war here 280.
Hall, Jonathan Presoott. On Butler's patriotism 256.
Hall, Willis. On common law 11.
Halleck, Fits Greene. Butler on 162; letter 163.
Hallett,W.P. 112.
Hamer, Thomas L. Votes on deposits 134.
Hamilton, Alexander. Prefers Jefferson to Bnrr 62.
Hamilton, James A. Impeaches Van Ness for bribery
28 ; joins the Bncktails 29 ; succeeds Clay as secretary of
state, pro tern. 45 ; strong opposer of the war 45 ; in the
intrigne against Calhoun 107 : auctions, Tai^^e and 205 ;
a spoilsman 209 ; 218{ bays Blair a press 233; to prop
the Staadard 247.
Hamilton. John C. Joins the Buoktalls 29 : 218.
Hammond, Jabez P. Ambrose Spencer on 48 ; the Jed.
Prendergast case 52.
Hancock, John. On private letters on public matters
Hard, Gideon ilate M. Ci Qn banks 138; on slavery
281.
Hard Money. The Jackson refbrm 139, 140 ; Ander-
son doubts it 249.
Harris, W. P. Columbus. Smbexzles t^l05j000--138.
Harrison, WiUiam H. His death 102: Cass on 104;
on currency 139 ; abuse of, approved by Van Buien 144;
delieats Van Buren 283.
Havemeyer, William F. 213.
Hayne, CoL R. M. 108; retjects V. B 112: his son 20a
Head, Sir Francis. A vain, bad Canadian governor
286 to 288.
Herkimer Convention. 1828—207.
Hill, Isaac. On Adams, Clay and Crawford 83; Votes
tor Stevenson 96; and for V. Buren 112; expose of Blair
by 145; Ritchie on 214; hissneech 232; betting 239.
Hoes, Mary and Hannah 19, 20.
Hoes, Barcnt Security for Argus 190; tfy sh»f; ib.
Hoffman. Josiah Ogden. Joins the Buoktalls 29 ; Camp-
beUon204,21d.
Hoffman, Michasl Vote on M. and F. bank 86 :
for Barker 91; notice of 131, 132; sinecure— offices held
by— pet bank votes I3l : mismanagement in office of 132;
Webb and 232.
Hoffttboom, John C. A $10 loan to nephew afflicts V.
B. 184: Corneliu.<i, in office 190; presides in Hudson
bank308.
Holland's Life of V. Bunn. Puffs him 79.
Holmes, John. Voted to reject V. B. 112.
Horn, Henry. Vote on tmasnfy depesltes 131.
HoMek,Dr.D«rld. Batt«r againtt lOa
Houston, Samuel. In Texas 64, 106 • Beach on 30?.
Hoyt and Butler. Correspondence, pages 9 to 14 *, lives
of 129 ; pures 151 and 172.
" ', JBft
HoYT, Jbssb. Vouchers inopportunely stolen from
132; his embesvlement 141 ; Butler's call to the nncou'
verted 152; admitted in chanoery court 152; Butler's
character of— wants him to be cashier at Bufiklo 165 ;
teaming of 156 ; nnblishes Butler's letter to deceive 159;
Butler exhorts 162; writes to none but 163; is the oldest
friend of 170 { helps Maicy to write his message 175; N.
A. Trust Co. and 179, 182 ; to, on mairiage 186; the
storekeeper 187; his sureties as oolleotor 194 ; V. B. en-
dorses for 201 ; office-hunting 206 to 212; V. B. on his
ill-manners— hunts tm an office to him— «ducates him
216, 217 ; Ingham to, on embeaaling, ib. ; pushes for &
8 lace 218; helps Blair 233: introduces Anderson and'
[emochan 248 ; hates rogues— pays for the gospel 250 ;
bets 255 ; debts of 258; a Are oommissioner, ib.; speea*
lates with the depoeites 261 ; slanders the merchants
271.
Hoyt, Loxenio^ Manager of Washington and Wanen
bank 161 : Van Buren's sludent 166, 166, 188; Ukes hiw
to beat down equity 193: morals so so 194; notice of,
ib. ; letter 194 ; a surety tcac 9900,00^ 194: utterly de-
void of principle 199; &r the spoils 210; lobbying 237;
on Livingston's conversion 241-2 ; dealing in aUx^ 253;
agent to Silas Wright 259.
HubbeU, Wslter. Wans, the state against V. B.'s
Safety Fund 89.
Hubbard, Henry. Votes for the treasury pets 131 ;
ditto 134 ; proposes Polk 29a
HubbeU, I«vi. 0« Maioy and Sub-Treasury 207.
Hudson, Bank of. Van Buren lobbies for the, and
takes office in 23224; winding up of 307.
HuU, General W. On Canada 264
Hume, Joseph. Efforts to do Justice to Canada 286-8.
Hunter John. Voteon City Bank, Buffalo 90; on free
banks 176.
Hypocrisy, Religious. See Butler.
Immortal Seventeen Senators of N. Y. 57.
Indians. On marriages with 69, 71 ; Cass on the 106,
297 ; Jackson and 106 ; warlike condition of the 276 ; fifty
mimons expended to banish and kill262 ; Ritchie on 300.
IngersoU, Charles J. On banks 114 ; &r Maokeiude's
release 290.
Ingham, S. D. Opposes the minority caucus of 1824.
55; 100; Jackson and lOD; Russia and 110; Hoyt and
209 ; on office-beggars 216, 217 ; note 240
Instructions, Right of. 2.
Ireland. Royal bribery in 96.
Irving, John T. On intolerance 70.
Jacrson, Andrsw. CoddiDgton tries to head 13
opinion of Clinton by 55; nominated first by Burr 58
250; his designs against Mexico, with Buir,60 to 64,
Jefferson on 60 ; Mexican policy of 64 ; abuse of, by Noah
and Croswell 78, 79 ; practice and profession on appoint-
ments 96 to 99; invasion of Florida by 106 ; Mrs. Eaton
and 109; Ingham and 110; on pet banks 114; scolds the
pets 116; Duaneand 122; his great reform 139; for hard
money 140; anti-Sub-Treasury 141: escapes an assassin
172: his confidence in Van Buren 216 ; for 231 ; to be run
again 293 ; Ritchie on 300 : Van Buren and 302.
Jackson, PanieL And Blair's Jree press 233 ; bank-
be^iTgar, ib.
James, William. Takes part with Clinton when vio>
lently removed from the Canals 52.
Jay, William. On slavery 278.
Jefferson. Thomas. 6 ; on Burr 60 ; on elections 90 ;
on England 271 ; on slavery 275.
Johnson, Cave. Votes ibr deposits to Polk's pets 131
and 134 ; and no relief to poor exiles 131 ; at Convention
292 ; 295; and postage law 301.
Johnson, Jeromus. From Congress to Custom Honse
101 ; billeting his relations 219 ; Swartwout on his i4»-
praising 223.
Johnson, Richard M. Opposes the 1824 Crawford cau-
cus 55 ; votes on deposit question 134; endorses Van Bu-
ren 263; for Canada 285 ; on author's imprisonment 291.
Jones, Henry Floyd. Vote on Buifiao City Bank 90.
Jones, Samuel For six million bank 27 ; Chief Justice
27 : Hoyt's surety for ^,000-194.
Jfordaa, Ambrose L. Opposed by the regenoQr 2101
Jurors. On Bodiae trial 6; merehants ordered t9 b«
nclided osr in aMmatUt MiM mOOQ LC
yiil
KEY.
MAY.
JtTSTXci, Administration of. Reform Mqnirad in
6; in the Somen case 7 ; eorrapt where banlu are in-
Tolyed 86; BaflMo hanldnff and 90, 91 ; by L. Hoyt, 193.
Keim, George M. On IVutckenxie^B imprisonment 390.
Kemble, John W. Abngee the Irish, and jobs in the
BtoQk8 67; 111.
Kkndall, Aho8. Letters to Clay on Jackson, &e. 83 ;
Sketch of-~hi8 oondnot to Clay 1 17 to 120 ; abase of Mac-
kenile 118; Bennett on 122: 1^; on ftee banking 138;
Ritchie soandaliaed at 214, 215.
Laborers. Their eonditlon, by CaOnran and Chaining
231.
Lansing, Jdkn. T. Boren wM make him a P. M. 82.
Lam. In U, %. 6 ; in N. Y. state 138 ; in conrt of er-
rors, Alb'y 193; (see 302 to 305, also com. lav, and conrt
of ehanoeryi.
Lawrbmgb, Cornblius W. Gets the N. Y. Cnstom
Ho. 12, 292; retains Record Clerks and Bogwdns 13;
1 12 ; got a two million charter, and v !>ered 1 16 ; 125 ; 132 ;
TOtes on treasury banks 134 ; helpi^ Blair to a press 233 ;
238 ; disreputable eondnet on the bank question 247; let*
ters to Hoyt on b'k 248; more of them 249; bets with
Hoyt362.
Lawrence, Joseph. Bank President, &e. 116.
Lawrence, W. B. On ftee baakbig 174
Laws. Who shonld hare the Veto on 2 ; check on bad
laws in Ga. 229.
Leake. Isaac Q. Cashier T. B.'s old Bnlblo bank, 33 ;
Oantin^s partner in the Argos 34; Ulshoeffer for 190;
Ibr Clay 197.
Lea^tt, Joshua. On Van Buren^s pro slarery creed
VS.
Le Foy, Abraham. Gets into custom house— nom's
Maroy 297.
Lee, Gideon. 112 ; Leggett on 2dt.
Lee, John R. Trial for perjury 91.
Lee, OUTcr. Polk dele^;ate and pet banker 293.
Lefferts, John, L. L Votes to drive Clinton from ca-
nal board 53; and as one of the immortal 17—57 ; bank
Totes 87.
Leggett, Wm. On DL Jackson 233; on Marey 235;
notice of 262.
Lewis, DixonJL Vote agst. pet Vks 134.
Lewis, Major W. B. On com. of enquiry about Jackson
GO: Ritchie to 96; 109; 300.
Lewis, Morgan. For 6 mill. Vk. 27.
Lincoln, Levi. Votes abt. depositee 131
Livingston, Charles L. Opposed to Bishop^s expul-
sion 67; and to safety ftind 92; 111; 126; and to the
"chartered nuisances " he had made— for some restraints
off 176 to 181 ; on N. Y. pilots 178; on credit, ib. : advice
to Hoyt 180; 2-2'); notice of— for national bank 241.
Livingston, E Iward, of La. [was a defS&ulter at N. T.
fbr $100,000]. Offer to Stevenson 98 ; leaves congress for
the cabinet 101 ; Bavezae marries his sister 63.
Livingston, Kdward, Speaker H. of A. Cutting on his
bonk notions \^T; 180; notice of 184; <m marriage 185;
letters 186-7; 197 (for lottery).
Livingston. Edward P. A candidate for Senator— de-
feated 29; vohs, 18^ to drive Clinton from Canal board
53 j against cli^ctors by the people 97.
Livingston, Peter R. 185.
Livingst u, R. R. Opposed by Van Alen for Congress
21 : one of the 1st canal com'rs 53.
Literary Property. See W. T. M'Conn.
Lives of Hoyt and Butler. Motives tbr, and account
o£ that pu 'plication 7 to 18 ; where printed and by whom
18: the publishers, ib.
Lobby, The. Cutting^s name for 174, 180; L. Hoyt
w»d join 237.
Lonflbn Times. Its tone in 1814—268.
Long Island Bank. Chartered 37.
Loomis, A. Gets stock with Hoffman, &o. 131-2.
Lounsberry, Ebenezer. Votes for city b'k. Buffiilo 90l
Lyons, Bk. of. Broken 94.
Lytte, Robert T. An M. C. gets office 101.
B^nt. Chancellor. For a reference of the Constitn-
tion to the people 3 ; refuses injunctions for oppressive
purposes to Hoyt and Butler 42, 161 ; 127 ; Butler pcolds
Eemochan. Jose^. A bank delogate 248.
JCeyes, Perley. votes in Senate to expel Clinton flrom
Canu board 53; votes with Van Buren's immortal 17—
6T; bank, votes 87.
' Kibbe, Isaae. 1st Buffiilo baidc president 33.
King» Chaidefl. Accuses Van Nestf of bribery 27 , char-
acter oi V, Bnren bv 73.
King, Preston. Agst. bank charters 177; a friend to
cheap postage 178: 189; 271.
King, Rttfbs. V. Bnren feared he might not dislike
Clinton 54 jV. Bnren for 70; for universal suflirage 72;
Parker on 82; Barker, Jacob on 192.
King, William (of Ala.) Votes for Stevenson 98; and
V. Buren 112.
Knower, Benjamin. Stops payt; 85
Knox, John, Liberality of 69.
MoAUister. M. H. of (^ On Jesse's golden mine 227 ;
vwy original letter to Hoyt, about incorporating New
Poto8i.22&-0.
McBride, James. A revenue borrowing banker 136.
McClure, Gen. Geo. Votes against the immort«l IT-i-
57.
McCook, Daniel Banks, Baltimore Conv'ns and 307.
M'Ck>UN, WiLUAV T. Interfores wltii the fteedom OJ^
the press 13, 14 : his £Q,mTT to Hoyt and Butler 16 to
18 : 148 ; Selden on 173 ; decisions of 301
McCuJloh, Comptroller. His firank 11.
McDuffle, George. On dissolving the Union 61; agst.
Polk's treasury banks 134; ib. 143; notice of 30L
MaoTntyre, Archibald. Against Bk. of America 27.
McJimsey, Robert. Hoyt, the Trust Co. and 179;
Hovf s brothei^in-law and surety 194 ; 230 .
Mack, Ebeneser. Votes for Buffalo city bank 90;
* goes the whole hog' 179. • ' .
Maokensie, W. L. 5, 9, 11; Coryell's note to 13^
Shunm's note to 15; on Colonial Trade 112; Barker's
letter to 192; V. B.'s disclaimer 222; warning toEug^
land in 1832—287; Keim and Johnson on imprisonment.
290-1. J .
MoKown, James. Takes part with Clinton wheA
driven from Canal board 52; is partner with J. V. B^
148,258.
McLean, John. Aigt. for Indians in Supreme Court
McLane, Louis, M. C. Gets an embassy 101; 1
the Treasury Bept 111; on currency, 120; may loan
money now 181; Cambreleng ag^t his treas. rept. 230;
agst. alliances in Europe, &c. 279. .
MacNeven, Dr. V. J. V. Bnren on 206.
McNulty, John, Clerk of Congress. Got off by &
quirk [laws scarce therej 141, 295.
MacQU. NaihanieL On execntire power 99 ; on neu-
trality m
Macy, John B. City Bank Buffalo, and 90.
Madison, James. Nominated as President in 1812, 44 :
on U. a Bank 75.
Maison, General Leonard. Votes for city Vk BuilUo
90: on restraining law 176 to 179.
Mallory, James. His bank votes 38; votes to expel
Clinton from Canal board 53; and with the immortal IT*
agst. the people 57 ; Marcy on 199.
Manhattan Bank. 27 ; a national pet 124 ; a state pe'9
139.
Mann, Abijah, jr. 131 ; votes for pet banks jl34.
Marct, Wiluam L. Borrows at the New Hope 34 ;
53' orders the Bambers to Ireland 67; prayer^of, to
Biddle, for U. S. Bank extension 79 ; Buffalo b^k and 90,
91 ; 99 ; votes for V. B; 112 ; his mortgage /message J2S
to 15!7; against 248; anti-slavery, or King pamphlet by
197 ; Bom*d for govr. 129 ; legnllzes bank suspension
137 ; wheels round agst. bank monopoly 138 : buys p*f .
of a house 147 ; a new move in banking by Hoyt and
175 ; on King and Mallory 199 ; served on the bench
tin wanted, by V. B. 207; Hnbbell, &c. on sub- treasury
and 307; Webb on 232 ; electioneering 234-5 ; Bennett,
Webb, and Leggett on 235; election of *32~237; on
braveiv* breeches, barber, Ace. 239 ; ditto 240 ; bets on
by V.B., 256^7; nomi'd in conv*n Tm cnstnm bo. 257 ;
blames the merchants, knowing better 258 ; on Ca-
nada 380, 883 ; foxy 394 ; on Canada 395 ; on V. S. B.
~T7.
Marriages. Crawford for Indian 71 .
Mason, Gen. John T. agt, to 8w*t in Texas 260;
nodce of261.
Mason, John Y. Votes on bank deposites 131 and
134 : and against Polish exiles 131.
May, Will. L., M. C. On land sales, and traasury or-
der 963.
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PET.
Mayo, Dr. nf Va. On embezzliag 149 ; 3M.
Maxwell, Hugh. Iii^tOD2ia
Maxwell, Dr. F. On Albany hank Junto 88.
Measurer* in Custom House, 12.
Mechanics' and Farmers' Bank Albany. Bonthsiriek
president 81 ; Olcott and Worth and 85; 94 ; geto mil-
lions bef. election 126 ; is a state pet U9 ; gaUeo by But-
ler 160.
Mechanics' B'k. N . Y. Depoeltes in 124.
Mb&chaiitb, Amkrioan. Campbell's distrust of
IM : 192; lAJustice done to by appraison 223: Marcy
accuses unlustly 258; ill treatment of 271 ; ordeied by
V. En's aJmln. to be struck off juries on matters of
J)i>- trade 271.
Merchants' bank, N. Y. 28; 33 ; Clinton, 4mu on 86 ;
125.
Meserole, Abraham. To be hired as a hireling's ne-
phew 219.
Meserole, Bernard J. Swartwoot on appnlsen 223.
Metropolis. B'k of the. A pet 114
Mexico. Jackson and Burr's views about 60 to 63 ;
Sedgwick and Channlng on 63 ; Van Buren's course to
64^%! ; Poinsett in 203; 267 ; 279 ; Beach on 306.
Miami Exporting Co. 36.
Michigan Banks Deposites in 124.
Miller, Jesse. Accepts office, though an M. C. 191.
Miller, Sylvanus. Made Sumwate 21.
Mhiist^rs of the GospeL Ought they to be eligible
to office? 3.
Missouri. Votes on slarery in 278, 279.
Monroe, President James. Fifty-one Feds, joins bis
fkiends 29; on U. S. bank 76; dispute with V. B. about
p. ma. 81 to 83 ; to Jaokson on Florida war 106 ; and on
Calhoun, ib. ; against monarehy in N. Amerioa 280; on
Canada 284.
Monroe, James. Joins natireii 174: Webb and 225;
S36: sneers at good men-ideals in ttoou 253.
Moodie,CoL Death of 289.
Moor«JGfahrieL Rt^jeetsV. B. 112; Webb to fight him
fbr that 232.
Moore, Thomas P. An M. C. gets an embassy 101 ;
Van Buren to 302.
Moore, CoL W. £. 221; on Canada 289.
Morris, Robert H. His Olentworth ease— common law
11 ; Safety Fund banks, Marcy's message and 126 ; as a
P. M. SOlT
National Conyention. For refonn and improTement
would be ruetol 101.
National Debt 144, 145.
Nationallntelligencer. On Canada long ago 283; 284.
National Reformers. Their land plan 160; Parke
Godwin on principles of 250-1 ; Camhreleng wanted—
only to to2Jfc263; on stopping monopoly, ib.; 160 acres
per family 272.
Natire Americans. The right sort 62.
Natireism. Crawford its champion 68 ; Greeley on 70 ;
Noah its candidate 201
Naval Office, N. Y. Improperly managed, very 132;
results, ib.
Neville, Mislor Morgan [Receiver of Land Rev. Cinoin-
natij. On Burr, &c. 260.
Kevins, Russell H. On banks and stocks 188-9 ; ditto
riew Hope Del. Bridge Co. A rloketty concern 34.
New Orleans. Burr plans its seizure 61.
Nbw Yokk Constitutional Convbmtion, 1846.
Remarks on 1 to 6; author an early friend to 15 ; Hoff-
man and 132; Van Buren against 305.
New York Custom House. Facts about the 12; 13;
133; 147; active partisans paid with phind^at 219;
Ikmilies served, ib. ; political app
to Hoyt 264.
Ikmilies served, ib. ; political appraisers 223 ; Ulshoeffer
[See also, C. W. Lawrence: Mlohael Hofihnan; Jesse
Hoyt; Measurers; Ingham Coxyell; C. S: Bogardus;
S: Swartwout; Appraisers:
N. Y: Evening Post 73; 132; free banking 138; ad-
vertising 147; against Maroy's mortgage W-8; on
peace 269 ; on V: B: 294.
New York Observer. On the U. S. constitution 66.
N: Y: Post Office. Enormous income of postmaster,
and charge for boxes 301.
Nl Y: Safety Fund Banks: A frill account of 84 to 95;
City Bank of Buffiido, and 90 ; commissioners, a mockery
89, 90 ; misconduct oC bank dire<;ton 94; fiulure of banks
ib: ; V: Buren and N: Y: banks control removal of depo-
sites 120: 135-6; the catastrophe, 136-7; Flagg on 176.
New York Sun: See M: Y: Reach.
Newspapers [see printing]: 74 ; 147; Agitate through
178; 182; Argus 190; Ritohie on independence of— edi-
tors bought up 214, 216 ; Decatur and 221 ; Y: Buren
keeps Bennet independent 245. /
Niagara, Bank oh See Buf&ilo, Bank of 18I6.
Noah, Mokdecai M: On Van Buren 22 : on ditto
and Hudson bank 24; on rotati<m in office 74; abuses
Jackson 78 ; nominates Van Buren 83 ; on Cambreleng
102; onHoflbian 131; grief for Swartwout 133; Butler
instructs 168 : malignity of 186 ; Ulshoeffer on 190 ;
after the printing 192; Croswell praises 195 ; Van Buren
ditto 197 ; Van Buren suggests to 200 ; in 1827-8, 201 ;
Van Buren's ffrief at loss of election of 205 ; Swiss mer-
oenary 214 ; Kitohie to, on independence 215 ; office beg-
ging 216 ; borrows by Burrows 223 ; denounces Wet-
more and hunts for a general's berth 225 ; kind to poor
Blair 233 ; eifitor of the Sun 306.
Nominations: A mookeiy of democracy 234.
North American Trust Co: Hoyt's ccmnection with
179.
Norvell, John: Note to Gage 290.
Nnlliflcation: Nullifiers ciazy 235. ,
Oakley, Jesse [Swart't's surety]: 220^ 221.
Oakley, Thomas J: Appointed Attorney General by
the fiaderalists 29 ; Jesse's surety for ;p200,000, 194 ; anti-
war 210.
O'Connell, Daniel: 47 ; on Polk and slavery 273; com-
mon law uid 303. '
Office Hunting: 12 ; 22 ; 30 ; 81, 82 ; by KendaU 117
to 119 : by John Van Buren 14S ; by Edmonds, kc: 170,
171 ; Cutting annoyed by 180 ; Hoyt on 198 ; Codding-
ton 208 to 214; Hoyt and Swartwont 209 to 212 ; Spioer
212 ;- Ritohie's horror at 215 ; Noah at 216 ; Ingham an-
noyed by 217; Hoyt again, ib:; Van Buren hunts Ibr
Hoyt 216 ; a family afBdr 219 ; more 220, 221; Webb
and Noah 224, 225 ; Webb t'other way 230-1 i Wetmoi«
243.
Oflldal Station. Ought priests to be ineligible to hold ?
33.
Ogden, Francis: Consul at Liverpool 63; defefits
Cambreleng 101 ; 213.
Ogden, Henry: On Hoyf s letters 9 ; custom house
Ogsbuiyi Francis: Wetmore on 243 ; an active politi-
cian 244.
Olcotty Egbert: Cashier of Watervliet bank 94:
Olcott, Theodore: Surety fcr Egbert 94:
Olcott, T: W: As a security 94 ; 126 ; to Butler on
pretended banks 157 ; coaxes vainly 160:
One term principle 111.
Oregon question: 271,272,294.
O'SuUivan, John L. A contractor 71 ; confesses the
sins of his party 133 ; pnfib Beers's bank 180 ; rebukes
the slavers 294 ; contemns the caUle 296.
Oswego, Commercial B'k of broken s. f. 94.
Owen, Robert Dale. Luminous (!) argument on sla-
very 59.
Pakenham, Richard. Calhoun to, on elements of
public safety 65.
Parker, Philip S. Speech on V. Rensselaer's appL 82.
Pamell, Sir Henry. For Canadian independence 985.
Partnership, Law. In England 140.
Party but no Principlb. 29 : 31 ; Peter Allen, and
H. Fellowes 51 ; Clinton excluded from Canal Board
50 to 54 ; the Bucktells 65 ; Davis describes 80 to 83 ;
Monta}!iie on 115: Butler's profession agt 151,— and
efforts for 168—9; Sutherland's letter on 1B3; carried
far 186 ; Argus in aid of 190 ; Livinsston, Van Buren
and Thompson 196 ; V. B. on (bets) 205 ; saved by a
Doctor 207 ; specbnens 208 to 214.
Peace. 136.
Peace of 1815. Comments in old and new nrorios on
26P to 270.
Pcarce, Dutee J. To Hoyt on Rhode Island politics,
Potter, Francis, &c. 2')3.
Feel. Sir Robert. On English Banl<'mg 140.
Pet, Deposite, or Treasury Banks. Account of 113 to
126 ; jHckson admires and i« deceived by 115, 116; poli-
tical 315; Kendall agent to 117; Polk the leading ad-
vocate of 130 to 134 ; $640,754 lost thro' 134; 50 Polk-
pets now 143.
Digitized by ^OOQ IC
RTT.
STE.
Phelps, Tb»ddei». Qaeer six bank and free trade
letter by 174 ; Livingston on 178 ; Hoyt's surety 104 ; 238
Phillips, Joshua. Iieaves Custom Ho. 133 ; how he
and Aaron N. got into it 316.
Prend^rgast, Jedi»h. Van Buren and Young's con-
duct toward him 5^
Pickens, Frances W.
timoredgS.
Pise, Dr. Constantine.
Blair's picture by 144; at Bal
On Church aad State Unions
Pitcher, General Nath'l. Davis on V. B's usage of
30, 81 ; oh banks 86 ; reason for V. B's mistrust of 154 ;
ib. 307 ; in opposition 234.
Planters' B^k of Mississipipl. Deposites in 124.
PlatUhurgh Banks. 34i 94.
Poindexter, Geoi^e. Votes ag't Stevenson 98; on
Woodbury andHoyt 149 ; Webbfor fighUng 232.
Poinsett, J. R. opposes the Crawford Caucus 95 ;
^200,000 militia plan by 145 ; notice of 203 ; in Mexico 279.
Polish exiles. Vote on aiding 131.
Polk, Jambs Knox. On private papers 10 ; duly ap-
freclates the Boyt correspondence— selects Morriaas
'. M. 11 ; rejects Coddlngton 12 ; keeps Record Clerks
13; keeps Butler in office, tho' dishonest; why 36;
41 ; 4>; his inaugural on Texas and Slavery 59 ; nativ-
Ism elected 70 ; Wetmore and 90 ; 97 ; at h*d of ways
and means 98 ; t's Buchanan from Congress 98 ; 105 ;
116 ; notice of 123 ; 124 ; V. Buren's pet bank cham-
pion 130 til 134 ; on Oregon 131 ; pays Hoffman all ar-
rears 131—2 : refuses aid to exiles 131 ; opposes sub-
treasury 134 ; 141 ; is its leading advocate ! ! ! *, checks
bank enquiry 135: condemns land speculation, but sug-
gests no remedy 150 ; his N. Y. Dist. Attorney and the
Patroon 158-9 [and see Butler] ; Butler, Hoyrs sureties
and 194: 271 ; lat. 49** and 272; 's nativelsm 272 ; O'Qon-
nell to 273 ; on colonial system 279 5 changed 280 ; Noah's
dislike to, ib. ; dislikes V. Buren 291 ; his pledges and
nomination at Baltimore 392 to 298 ; and Blair 300 :
chooses Ritchie 301 ; on postage 301 ; Beach, Texas and
306.
Porter, Governor David. Weed, the bank and 298.
Porter, Peter B. Vote on F. and M. bank 86.
' Postage. 4; Tyler secures cheap 111 : advantages
of 301.
Post-office. Espionage system in 11; Van Buren
makes political machinery of'^it 30.
Powers, James. Votes against city b*k, Buflklo 90.
Prall, Ichabod. Swartwout on appraisers 223.
Price, Wm. M. 1 12 ; 220 : Hoy t shuns him 250 : 257.
PaiNTiilb. See Croswell— Leake — Cantine— Blair-
Ritchie— Southwick — Hill — Evening Post — Newspa-
pers.
Private Banking. Flagg on 176 ; Tracy for 179.
Private Correspondence. Polk on 10, 11 ; Crawford
on 108; Cambreleng's notions of 334; Webb on 236;
Franklin and 304.
Proscription, Political. V. B. for 112.
Public Lands. How to stop monopoly, and lay out
new states 150; Jackson desired to stop monopoly in
3S3 ; Dallas on 29^ ; American Co. 308.
Purdy, Elyah P. 131 ; 220.
auackenboss. Mangle M. [surety for Swartwout]
219.
Randolph, John. Envoy to Russia 100; on U.S. Bank
129; on Canada 283.
Randolph, Thos. Jet&rson. 340 i on slavery 276.
Redfield, Heman J. Votes to expel Clinton from canal
board 53 ; and agst the people, as one of the immortal
17—57 ; votes for party banks 87 ; Clinton w'd not no-
minate 203.
Reese, Major. A very honest bank commissioner is 94.
Reform, (ts gigantic strides over Britain and Ireland
46,47; ib.272.
Rejon, Manuel C. On U. S. Mexican policy 65.
Religions Freedom. Increase of, in United Kingdom
47. Representative System. 2.
Repudiation of Debts. Foreigii creditors on 267.
Revolution of 1776. Walpole an admirer of 48.
Riggs, Isaac. Votes agst. Clinton's removal from the
canal board 52 ; and to give the people the choice of Elec-
tors 57.
RiTCHiB, Thomas. 12; for Crawford and the U. S.
bank 78; prophecies tmly 83; on bribiog IVL C's with
office 97 to 100 ; Stevenson's ease 99; CasB ttu} 103; ap-
proves of Dnaue'a refosal 119; i«idnst sub-treasury and
for pets 141 ; on militia plan 145; east room and 201, 211 ;
scolds Noah and turns censor 214 ; pretends to be inde-
pendent—hired as a state machine 215; letter on Webb,
bets, &«. 240 ; on Canada 285 : no friend of V. B. 291 : on
Clay, &<s. 292; memoir of 296 to 301; violent against
JaeksonaoO. '
Rives, William C. In congress, ts. an embassy 101.
Robinson, Morris. May lend the money of a foreign
bank 181. ^
Robinson, Peter. Put down for honest voting 94 ; 205.
Rochester, Bank of Vote on 87.
Rochester, William B. receives equivocal support for
gov'r 82; suspicious conduct of V. B. to 201.
Rogers, Halsey. For 6 million hank 27 ; 130.
Root, Erastus. Votes on six million b'k and bonus
27; impeaches Judge Van Ness 28; votes ag't V. Buren
for bank enquiry 35 ; 87 ; 48 ; for presidential electors hy
the people 57; on a land jobbing bank 114; 183; for Pit-
cher 208 ; Webb for 224 ; Cambrefleng dislikes 234 ; 254 ;
on blacks 274; anti-slavery 278; Spencer to 305.
Rowan, J udge John, Ky. 200.
Rudd, Theron. Defalcation of 134.
Ruggles, Benj. of Ohio. Rejects V. B. 112.
Ruggles, Philo. A friend of peace 210.
Rush, Richard. For Cajss as president 104.
Russian Embassy t?18,000 first year] John Randolph,
J. Buchanan, W. Wilkins, C. C. Cambreleng, G. M.
Dallas accept 100 ; W. J. Duane and S. D. Ingham refuse
ib. and 110; Adams's motion on 101; Duane and Jack-
son 122; Dallas and 298.'
Safety Fund See State of N. Y. Saifety Fund.
St. Lawrence, Navigation of the 111, 112; carrying
j trade via, !b.
Sandford, C. W. Asks Throop to appoint Wetmore Q.
M. G. 226.
Sandy yui. Beauty, banking, lam and Butler, at 151
to 162; Butler leaves 165.
Savage, Chief Justice. On SoL Van Rensselaer 82.
Seceders of Scotland. 16.
^ret Correspondence. 10 to 12.
Search Warrant 11.
Sedgwick, Theodore. On Texas 63.
Selden, Dudley. Votes aid to exiles 131 ; and agst Polk's
pet banks 134; Flagg agst. 173; letter on V. B., Calhoun,
&c. 226; Stilwell on227; 231.
Seymour, Horatio, Vt. Votes to reject V. B. 112.
Shannon, Wilson. His wonderful despatches and let-
ters 65.
Slade, WiUiam. Votes agst. Polk's treasury pets 134.
Slamm, Levi D. Note on reform by 15 ; Customs, ad-
vertising to 147.
Slavery op Color— Nb&ro Bondaob. Blotted
out by Britain 47; Polk's inaugural on 59; in Texas 63,
64; Chanuing on 63, 66 ; Calhoun on 64, 65; Cambreleng
on 102: Cass on 103, 105; Young on 127, 281; Adams,
O'Connell, Calhoun, Texas, on 272; Jackson to the blacks,
and O'Connell on 273-4 1 shaU black men vote? 274-5;
Washington, Upshur, Calhoun and Jefferson on, ib; opi-
nions on 276-7-8 ; free labor and 281 ; Wright on 281 :
Greeley on, in Florida 282; O'SuUivan on 294; Bancr<tft
on 295; Beach condemns Texan 306.
Smith, Isaac S. (Bufblo stockjobber.) Pa<ariotism and
bank borrowing 90, 91.
Smith, T. L. Objects to V: B.'s Safety B'und 92; Cod-
dingtion on 208; wont be P. M. 242.
South Carolina. Choice of Electors not by the Peo]de
57; sufferings by the Union 61; votes for V. Buren as
Prest. 112.
South-wick, Solomon, Van Buren's friend 22; he de-
scribes V. Buren 26 ; tried for bribery 27; set up for go-
vernor by atrick 81 ; his removal from post office 81 to
83 : V. B. on his vote 206 : on Canada 284.
Speight, Jesse. On Eacon and Jackson 110.
Spencer. Ambrose. Agst. 6 mill bk. 27; on Clinton
and Van Bnren's course last war 48, 49; rebukes Butler
« ; Butler bitter agst. 167.
Spencer, John C. Agst 6 mill bk. 27; De Tocqueville
by 99; for economy 190: on com. law 305.
Spicer, GJenl. P. W. Place-hunting 213; Wetmore on
243.
Starr, Chandler. Safety Fund report on, by 89.
State Loans 126.
Stebblns, ChMrles. Notice of 98, 9i.v^ ^ , ^
Digitized by V3CJOSl^
^8^
UJL8.
noKSx.
VAN..
Sterensoii, Andzevr. Ia Crawford nivoi^fcy o«a«ii» 65 ;
how selected for an amb&ssiMlor 96l to 98 ; furiously at-
tacked in Senate 171.
Stilwell, Silas M. 197 ; wants a place— notice of 213 ;
wantfl more places 220 : on S. Cambreleug 226 ; on Sel-
den 287 ; for (J. S. Bank 241.
StockholOars of Banks. For liability of 8S; on 4o.
86 ; notiona aboq& in Georgia 229.
StoekjobbiBg. 85 to 87 ; Cambreleng 102, 142 ; 125-6 ;
Y«ung 128; 1^, 138; ^,000 cleaxed 142; Neyinsex-
plaina it 189 ; J. Van Bnreu on 251 ; 254-6.
StFaoahan, Col. Farrand. Totes ta expel Clinton from
Canal Board 53 ; and as one of the immortal 17, 57 ;
bank rotes 87.
Strong, GeoKge D. 248.
Strong, J. fi. Saved from rain in state libxaiy 170.
Strong, T. R. A bank non-receiTer 94.
Sub-Trbasurt. Polk and Blair denounce it 134. 140,
142 ; they admire and support it! ! ! , Hoyt and Allen
patting it in force [by way of mockery] 139; Calhoun on
140; Jackson agMnst it 141 ; for it! I f; Ritchie is afraid
of it 142 ; Walker trying it 142; Hoyt's 179 ; notice of
182 ; Marcy, &c. on 207 ; in war 293.
Sudam, John. Votes, 1824, to remove Clinton from
Canals 53 ; and as one of the immortal 17, 57 ; lett«r
and notice of 199.
Sumner, Charles. On negro equality 274.
Sutherland, Dr. Joel B. 93 ; votes on pet banks 134 ;
principal follows interest with (a letter) 182 ; notice of,
ib. ; ^unbreleng on 2^ 234.
Sutherland, Judge Jacob. 170. 171.
Swartmmt, Robert. On the Chemical Bank S3.
SwARTWouT, Samital. 44; agent for Burr 62 : for
Jackson 63,64; ^mbessles levenne wholesale 133; in
scramble for plunder 209 ; pulfs Burrows 222 ; his effort.
fi>r &ir appraisem^ts 223: to Woodbury for nephew
228 : part of his definult started Blajr 233; letters on
Texas, to Qen. Houston, CoL Thome, Breedlove, 259 to
261 ; his bTOther^s toast 284.
Talcott, Ctai. S. A. Butler on 170.
TaUmadge, J>. B. For tnt banking 174.
Tallmadge, General James. Elected Lieut Governor
57; Wright on 903.
Tallmadge, Nathaniel P. Votes for Stevenson 98
111 ; on Marcy and SuVTreasury 207 ; to Hoyt 257.
Tammapy $500,000 Bank. By Stephen AUen, to help
duMTtered democrats 241.
Taney, Roger B. How to get to be chief justice 76 ,
122; 123 ; 126 ; Adams's amusing vote of thanks to 136
opinion on U. S. Bank to Butler 171.
Targ«e, John. Hamilton's |^ and 205 ; 21 1.
Temple, Robert £. (Adjutant General), brother-in-law
of S. T. Van Buren. 20.
Tennessee. Union Bank of, deposits in 124.
TxzAS. Polk npou 59 : 6 1 ; Chaining to Clay on 63 ;
Van Buren's policy to 64 ; 281 ; Calhoun's course as to
64 to 66 : 143; Swartwout and 259 to 261; slavery in
272; Clay on 273 ; Baltimore resolve 294 : Young on 296
Ritchie for 301 ; Beach on and oif 306-7.
Thurston L. M. Jesse's clerk, his brother-in-law, and
mock surety for $200,000—194.
Thomas, David. Tried for bribery 27.
Thompson, Jonathan. Removed from Custom House
by Jackson 44 ; at request of poUtioians 211 ; 216 ; ap-
pointed Wasson 220.
Throop, £no6 T. On banks 89 132 ; notice of 207-6
21 1 ; voted for United States Bank charter 24a
Throop, George B. Bank votes, 1829—^.
Tibbitts, Elisha. Webb on 102 ; 113 : Bennett on 222 ;
his Wmk plan 232. 233.
ToapkUis, Daniel D. Opposes bank charters 26, 27.
Tonawanda, Bank of. 91.
Townsead Robert. CrosweU on 147.
Tradesmen's Bank, N. Y. Vote on 86; a treasury
pet 124; Barker for 192.
Treasurv Notes. Issued by Van Buren 137.
Truth Teller newspaper. 238.
Tyler, Robert. Note to Mackensie 9.
Tyler, John. 98; national bank veto by 111; votes
for van Buxen as envoy to England 112 ; on inteiftring
with the press 215.
Ulphoeffer, Henry. Custom Hodse espionage, Boggs
too democratic, scandal retted, Shoart the eartman, ta>
Ue talk, Weetervelt) bad Wbigs 264 265.
Ulshoeffur. Michael. For bank inquiiy 35 ; ounnine
186 ; frank 1^7 ; letter to Hoyt 190, m.
United Staibs Bank. Van Buren party, friends and
enemies of 74 to 7S ; Monroe. Madison, and Marshall on
75, 76 ; Van Buren agatnst 106 ; its olalm to the deposits
114, 115 ; Harrison's death stopped a third 121 ; treasury
deposits and 131 to 134 ; shares unduly affected 142 ;
Butler against the pbssbnt one 171 : Hoyt's stock in
165 ; Nevins the broker against 189 ; Cambreleng's war
against 230— wanted Tibbitts's plan 232-hi national bank
""^ ; Webb and Noah's loan J&om 235 ; A. Ward on
I ; & AUen and C. Livin0iton for it 241 ; Wright,
Lawrenee, Hoyt, &c. on 247-8>9 ; the DaUases on 297 ;
United States Constitntion. Its imperfections 55, 56.
U. S. Navy. 7 ; enormous sinecure ei»taincies, &c.
149 ; Swartwout, note, 228.
U. S. Supreme Court. Declare U. S. Bank legal 76 ;
too eostly for the people 303.
Upshur, A. P. On Texas as a slave mart 65.'
Usury Laws, Young aiEainst, 130; Burke on, 149;
Flaj!g and Livingston on, 176 ; Cutting on. 177.
Van Alen, James I. Van Buren's half-brother, sent
to Congress, fcc., 31. 23; IdO.
Van Buren, Abraham and Mary. Parentage <si Mar-
tin, 18 to 20.
VaftBorent Abraham jr., marries, 20.
Van Bnren, Abraham (brother of president) 100.
Var Burkh. John marrtes, 80 ; attorney to a bank,
85 ; might make bad banks better ! 94 ; Aiarcy's mort-
gage and message, 12S-6 ; 143; notice of« 147-8; iden-
tifies Webb, is screened by W. T. McCoun, is partner
with J. McKown, gets $1250 for assisting at Boughton*8
trials ! 48 ; is attomey-freneral by caucus, ib. ; letters,
202, 205; borroirs ot' Hoyt, 244; swears and spells,
346 ; secret hints to— buying stocks— cursing— borrow-
ing— Whipple, 250; stockjobbing, 2.=^2-3; betting, 255;
more {Eambllng, 356 ; more yet, 257; borrows and specu-
lates, 261 ; begs Jesse's aid, 263.
Van Burbm, Martin, 7; 17; his birth, parentage,
connexions, habits, nHunriage, sons, 19, 20 ; licensed as
a lawyer— takes office— political moves, 21, 38; in-
trigues for banks, and becomes director of Hudson
bank, 23, 24 ; sets up as a hard money man, 85 ; as a
soft, 3S ; i^outhwick on, 96 and 263 ; on 6 mill b'k, 27 ;
appointed Attomey-Generah 26 ; chosen senator for
Columbia Co., ib. ; votes for Clinton to be President,
29 ; interferes with the Post-Office, 30 ; swerves from
truth ax to his Bank votes, 31 ; charters the old Buffiilo
bank, 32 ; against a specie clause, ib. ; his and Can-
tine's bank intrigues, 34, 35 ; he puts down Bank in-
quiry, 35 ; saves the Washington and Warren bank
charter, votes n gainst taxing Bank stock, and i'o/t two
bank charters, 37, 38; his manoenvres, ib. ; for Auburn
Bank, ib. ; abhors bank knavery, 43 ; the right hand
man to Clinton, 1812, 44 ; for and against a caucus,
ib. ; gives Bleecker office, ib : explanations of his war
conduct, 45, 46 ; urges en Clinton, then deserts him—
Ambrose Spencer on, 48,49 ; Clinton expelled from the
C«nal Board, 50 to 53 ; traduces Clinton when alive,
lauds him when dead, 54 ; his sense of justice, or the
Freodergast vote, 52; on district elections, 56; his
Crawford caucus 55 to 58 ; ditto 195 ; Catholics and
70; in tJ. 8. Senate, 73; on imprisonment 73; on
internal improvement, ib. ; character of, 73 ; for a U. 0.
Bonk and not fbr ii. 75 to 78 ; peUiions Biddle for U. B.
branch bask, 79; Davis on, 80, 81; regulating the
Post-Office, 81 to 83; for Clay and Adams, 83; his
safety fund, 84 to 95 ; governor, 88 ; ngainst b^nks, 80 ;
Stevenson fca^ 98 ; selects offices from Congress, 101 ;
the freedom, 101^ claims on France and, 105 ; Jack-
son's cabinet quarrel and 106, to 111 ; Crawford intrigue
and, 108 ; Branch and Webb on, 109, 110 ; goes envoy
to London, 111 ; rejected by U. S. senate, 113; proscrip-
tion by, ib.; elected V. P„ li;i; on pet banks, 114 to
136; to McLane on do., 130; electioneers, 124: dodges
votes, 139 ; on bank debts, ib. ; Young for, 130 ; for
and not for b'k rSstrictlon, 138 : for money wrli mixed,
139 ; sub-treasury and, 143 ; endorses Blair, 143 ; exam-
ples in style, 144 ; profligate expenditnre of, 144 to 149 ;
standing army of 900,000, 145 ; meanness in money, 149
and ! ! ! ; Butler and, 153, 154, 160 to 165 ; toasted as an
Erskine, 166; letters (»f, 183, 184; his terror abont 815,
185; letters, 186—7—8,190; on Albany Argus, 190;
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vnsB.
IKDBX:
YITL,
offiMs in fktnily, ib. ; Barker oit 193 ; on pMrty, 196 ;
letters on Noah, Clay and Adams-^is sure of Craw-
ford's saccew— Noah on V. B., 197, 196; Telegraph,
endorsing, visiting Crawford, 300: snspidoas course
tow*ds Roeheeter, 301 : Wright's letter on the spoils
to, 903 ; letters on election of *3d, Noah, bets, Jcc., 994-5 ;
on Providence, Bntler, Weitervelt, 306 ; Marcy saved,
Wcstervelt saves, 307 ; Bryan Earreil, Hoyt and, 311 :
Noah on, 814; on Hoyt's bad manners, 316; edncated
Jloyt, ib. ; on Hackensie, 333 ; to Hoyt firom London,
S39 ; Webb would fight for, 331, 333 ; Bennett and Enn>-
peans, 336 ; electioneering, 837 ; Bennett on^on Bennett,
845 ; on Swartwoat. 350 ; Godwin on, 851 ; on Whigs,
&c.,357; notes, 338; takes Piaindealer. 363; help for
God's sake, ib. ; on Amistead negroes, 374 ; Leggett on
slavery, outrage and, 377 ; slaveiy In Missouri and, 378 ;
coasting trade In slaves and, 379 ; Cuba and, tb.; net. colo-
nial aetUements, ib. ; Canada proclamation by, 980, 389 ;
on annexation, 381 ; Iowa and, 382; iaiinre, 1840, 888;
author's iraprisonment and, 390 : for Polk, Dallas and,
of course, Texas, 295 ; electioneering, B03 ; agt. cheap
law, 304-r5 ; agt a convention, 305 ; Bank of Hudson
and, 307. _
Van Buren, Martin, letters by, 36^ 70, 72, 79.
Van Bnron, Martin, Jr., 30.
Van Buren, Smith Thompson, marries, 30.
Vanderpoel, Judge Aaien, volee for Polk's pet banks,
134 ; notice of--4o Hoyt, 988-3.
Vanderpoel, James (Vice Chancellor), 90 ; deals in
stocks, 352.
Van Dieman's Land Prisoners. 287.
Van Ness, ConMfllus P. 9, 10, 12 to M,^ V. B. to
agtdnsfc slavery 279.
Van Ness, William P. 19, on Society— U. S. Judge,
New York 23, his clerk embesilee ^lld/JOO, on foreigners
70, in Hudson bank 23 and 307.
Van Ness, Judge W. W. Tried Ibr bribery 27, 28,
Butler's opinion of 164,
Van Rensselaer, Solomon. Van Buren tries to prevent
his appointment as P. M. 82, 83. E. Livingston on 186.
Van Rensselaer Stephen (the Vouag Patroon). Butler's
wine debauoh iirith 40, ditto 15a
Van Schaiok, Aiyndert Vn. Voted for city bank,
BulEftlo 90, for national bank 241.
Verplanok, GnUan C. On bank deposits 131, 185, no-
tices of 202, 206, note 206, what pled^ ? 242, candidate
for mayor 347, on equity law 303.
Veto on Laws. Should it not be in the people ? 2, bad
use of this power by Van Bnren 146 to 149.
Vin^nia. Valnmg Texas as a slave mart 65, Ran-
dolph, &». on slav<^ in 276, 279, Ritchie and 296 to SfH.
Votes, Voting. Young on 127.
^ Walker, Robert J. On Hoyt letters 12, retidns Cor-
yell and GK)ld8on 13, notice of 98, ou banics— 4q>point-
ments by 99, naval offioe under 132, Butler and, at Bal-
timore 294
Walsh, MichaeL A I^al contrast 302.
Walworth, Reuben fC Applies for a Plattsburgh
bunk charter 31, action on weak safety fund banks 90,
his broken bank receivers 94, his bushel basket 170.
War. Conveni^ons prevent 3, opinions on 4, 136.
War of 1812. Duane on 4, Van Buren and CUnton's
conduct in 44 to 48, closing scenes in 268 to 270, in Ca-
nada 283 to 285.
War with Enolano. Brownson on 144. would stop
reform there 266, signs of 267, the school of experience
2S8 to 270, penalties of 270, Moere on 289.
Ward, General Aaron. Votes aid to Polish exiles 131,
great electioneerer 238, 239, a place wanted 239.
Ward, General Jasper. votes to remove Clinton
from Canal Board— takes leave of senate himself to save
expulsion 53, one of the immortal 17, 57 ; votes of ST.
Washington county factions. Marcy on 237.
Washington, Geoi^. On slavery 274-5.
Washington and Warbbn Bank. How chartered
37, 38, used by Butler, Hoyt and Barker as a means of
fleecing the country 39 to 44, Butler's 161 to 165.
Wasson, Geo. A. Wants to keep in Custom Ho. 220.
Watervliet Bank. Broken 94, 130.
Webb, J. W. On U. S. Justice 6, on Hoyt and But-
ler 18, on Cambreleng 101. 102, on the Baton troubles 1 10,
142, J. V. B. swears to 148, Bennett on 221-2, Mackenzie
and 2^, office-hunting with Noah 224-5, to Hoyt 230,
for V. B. and Jackson— would fight for V. B— he pidnts
V. B. 281, would flght Poindecter 381, hto card, ib., on
Maroy's nomination 236, on private letters 236, RitcMfn '
complaint agidnst 240, describes C. W. Lawrence Ml
bete ^4600-255. -
Webber, Robert. 9,12,223:
Webster, Daniel. Blair censuree for giving oBceiov
Europeans 71, on currency 78, on U. S bank 92, voce
against Stevenson 98, on patronage lOL on slave tt«it
105, rejects V. B. 112, on banks 114, on Oftoada 284.
Weed, Thuriow. Takes Croswell's stronghold 14»-7,-
United States bank 298, on land co's. SOa
Wellington, Duke o£ On war 3.
WeUs, Alexander. 136.
Wesley, John. A missionary in Ga. 296.
Westchester Politics. A word on 238, Matey on 237.
Westervelt, Dr. V. B. praises 206, Pitcher upset 307.
Wetmore, Prosper M. 22, for city ban^ BuMo 90l
Webb's objection to 324 to 226, Sanded fnr 226 to
Swartwont about Spioer, Ogtbnry, &c. 343^, on oigaa-
ising board of brokers 261.
Wheaton, Heniry. Votes to expel Cttnton firom the
canal board 52, for popular elections 57, 169, 189, notloe
of 193, 196, on Canada 284.
White, Campbell P. Votes the deposits to the pets
131, and borrows out the d(dlar8 13S.
White Plains bank. 138.
Whitney, Stephen. Against U. S. bank. WhyllTl.
Whittlesey, Frederick. Votes against Polk** pet
banks IM,
Wiclcli^, Botiert, of Ky. On executive cormptkn bf
Wilde, Richard H. of 6a. Report of; agstPolk's pila
Wilkin, Samuel J. Votes in assembly agahtst ibe
immortal 17— S7.
Wilkin, James W. Vote on « mill. b'k. 38 ; 44 ; a can-
didate for U. S. Senate 70.
Wilkins, William. Votes for Stevenson 98 ; and Ibr
V. B. 112 ; on land bill 29a
Williams, Sherrod. V.Bnrento^, 77,88, 114:
Windt, John, and Evans Geo. Their slm|4e plan to
{NTotect land setders and stop monopoly 150.
Wise, Henry A. Admhrable expus^ of Woodbury**
misconduct by 133 ; votes against Polk's pet banks, 194,
Wiswall. * Commodore.' 155, 156, 160, 184.
Wood, Bradford R. Remarks on war, 270.
Woodbury, I«evi. T*n fm congress to cabt 101 ; on
banl^ suspensions 124 ; shameful ne^ect of impoftaat
duties by 139 ; agt snb-treasnry 141 ; sureties t^n f*Bi
Hoyt 194.
WoodwQrth, John. Tbmpkitts's casting vote agst 88 ;
appointed a supreme c*t judge 54 ; Butler on 167; in ct.
f^anon 193;
Worth, Gorham A. 85 : Bntler on 165 ; 198.
''Wkioht, Silas. Antt'Renters and 14 ; he endoorses
Butler 41 ; voted in senate to drive Clinton from the
canal board 53 ; and with the immortal 17, 57 ; to keep
power for firom the People 67 ,* bank votes by 87 ; praises
safety fund 93 : vote for Stevenson [principle involved]
98 ; on the pet banks 120 : on U. S. B'k. 121 ; fbr and
agt. sub-treasury and pots 139, 140 ; divides * the spoils*
$2100 to J. Van Buren for assisHtig at four trials 248;
old land C4>. 1835,149; to speak strongly for Butler, in
senate 171 ; Cutting on electing 182 ; pledge 189 ; note
197 ; politicnl letters by 201 to 204 ; ufpdnat betting
2C6 ; 213; Bennett and 221 ; instructs Hoyt and
ff^ : Godwin on 261 ; Potter and 254 ; Hoyt and ^ ;
his Texas face 281 ; on slavery 301 ; 2 terms and 302 ;
ou law 303; on convention 305.
TouNO, Samuel. Votes Chenango b'k charter 34;
48 ; on the canals 53 ; his opinionR, ib. ; on district elec*
tions 56; for Crawford and agst. Jackson, ib. ; for Claar
in 1824, and popular election 57 : aids Adams and cen-
sures Van Buren 58 ; vote on city Vk, Bulfole 90 ; vio-
lent for the depositee 120; notice of 127 to 130; on
suffrage— for Clay— on banks 128 ; begs for bank stock
— nom's Marcy— for a two million bk. &c. 129 ; on bank
debts ; ib.: for Van Buren 130 ; bank shares to 131 helps
Croswell 147; Butler had to go for 169 ; opposing regu-
lars 173; plan <^ banking by 176 ; on usury 177 ; 17^ ;
Wright on 203; notice of 234 ; Godwin on 251 ; on black
troops 274; agafaist slavery in Mo. 278 : on slavery 281 :
on Polk and Daltas S96.
Yulee (or Levy) David. To annex Cuba 106.
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i: TfiE ElfS AKfi ItMES
*i- ■. ■■ ■ ■• ■■■■■ ■ . ■ ■ ■ ■-,,•■.,..
- .: . .... ■■ of".-- • ■:•■•.■
, M ART 1 n' ' 'V A N : B u'r ENv
DedUfUitm. Ths Staie Comyendon at Albany, Checks on Legislation, C(m*
i>enti!(m»fre^eni v>drs, EepMks skoufdhe pac^, Okeap Postage an mjforl*
: aiU J^di^em&fMm^ame. The adder^^ i^me. Ada/itiusfreOim of Justice Hi iW
T|fi3 volume, like itsp^redeaessor^.the Lives of Butler and Hoyt, m rcspoct-
filfly inscribed to the Elepjiopa of the Conveotkon, which is \q a^ii^iemUle in J una
next, for "^ the revisioa. of , t}ie Constitution of the Slate of New Yorlu The
Unahia^rty with which th«.t great measure has been siupportod at the polls, aHbrtlis
ground for good hope that the delegates about to hr- elected will be unite J and
zealous in tJ^bir- endeavours for perfecting those cherished Institutions^ formed
upon popular iategrity and ip tell igenc^^ which tKe array of fat^ts in tfiese pages,,
under the title of ^he Life and Times of Martin Van Burf^n, too clenrly jjroves
tp have failed, in many respects,* to secure to the p^'oplo the praelical advant-,
ages of those equal civil apd religj^us ,rights, wliidi they nom in ally confer,
under any adqfiinistratioo. 'the Coiij^titution of 1^21, was, iii sonic resjx^ts,
like those which failed in Frapce, the -work of fa(?tians ; some of the leaders in,
each, striving so to remodel ihe iiistturr^iit as would best conduce to the grej^ti
o!]y[ect in view, the attainment of pipwer and its many advantages by themselves,
arid their followers ; but I, trust that it..is yet reserved to the new world to con.^
vioce the old, that men can continue peaceably and happily to subsist under the.
regime of rational liberty *nd legal, equality, with equal and exalted justice
^'VM eoTm[t<inienee of Edipnnif Uurke, lately puh^*^e0, shows Whnt he thdu^ht of pophlar mnvementt, bowr
Um tnuM tA direcied, imd whM would bs jth« ftNo «f tl|^.nMpte of En^and, Ireltfrnt wA ScotluaiU if rtb men m»1A'
b« f^^d both able and willing to bear Uie beat iiHd burdfn qf the day. The bittory of Mr. V^y" Bifceo and bis
urf^hlfihy eonfederatei Ww ibow,' what, sordid letflshnentf «nd 'an ambition wrthont ftatrioCism. and k>ve orvirtn«,
e^.4phiil^ve, wb«i| imiM ^^itb pteuKible numiipra-^fir^pu pMaetetnKMv vjtilf ib t^ mamif^q^nt of {Uirtievi'and tb»'
tAfCtQ amuse them with ftilst issiies. Mr. Vutke wUnes to counteract this iictivitv of a few for evil iiy sliowin*
mM« Mmy b« 4one try thfb iMiiH) of fr#at' minds Hk tbb adytnettMeiit of che ireMeral f o|id. ff» says f*^*« Td bHrtf'
tbp.p«ui>le to a feeUog. to such, a feelio|(, I nwHiLasttJull to a|iilend«ne|t or alteratijm of «yiteMi,tlieK mnstibe nii^n
aM mann«renient. ' All directliin^of pubKc lAtmor i|'dd ojtlniOn must oripnate in h feW- Pe'rhn|is a gtutd dWii of
tbft imtnor 4od Qf^inio* loust b^ ^\Hng to toele dtiMtiatf. EiteHts Mfi>|ify nUtCBsbWs : tiinesr futu\sk di^jihtitiotis ; blit»
conduct alone can bring, them to bear to any, Hselul -yurncwe. I never yeti|;jtiew oa iiiittance of nny gepefa'. taai]wr
in-the nation that mfiht not bnvb he««i tral!ed% some prtrttrikliir persons. lY fhiA^s are left to tbemtelv^, k is fftV
e^fir ppinioo tbut a natifdn mty slide down lair nad epftly froiit tbe highest fioipt of |;rafnk«ii;raBd nr«»etity t«ibe'
lowest state of imbecility and meanness, without aav »ne*s marking n imrtif ular |>eriod in this declension, without
takSttg a qnesttoQ about k^ or in the lemft tpeoilHt^^^ «ft oti/dttbe innutnoMhle acts ^ieb Uve stolen tA tbis'sflMIt
and insensible revolution, l&vexy ^veatso pWMyiwi the ti>biieqwfH>t. ib^yrMn it attiy^ it |irtidneee no ^w^ •«%
any. extraordinary alarm. I am certain thatHipitins, great and inunedutiii pains, are not taken in prevmu it, such
mnitbetiiefiitcoftkiseOnMv/': • K .'
. . .. •- ' ; a ; • • ^ i r > ■ ■ ■ " ^ ' ..',/.;..'«-
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* • ''[ :h ^"^ EiSIlbR 4o ckoosk GOOD Uttiiv&tS THAN GOob I^IEN i
dispensed to all/ '"The rational foundation of all government — the origin of
A rig-ht t9^Qwr«,aivi a fjorreUti^j^ duty tOt^»6w— |s mpithev-^^rWnf^ contract,
proprietai^ rj4;h4'no| piS^scriptimi^it.^ expegiejJcyJH-jie gene/filieaefit of the
cwmnunity."
I hear the people of the United Stales spoken of, by judges, legislators, eX*
ecutives, and authors, by those in, an4 jlhose in expectation of office, as being
wi.^, enlightened, and capable of acting for their own interests ; and as they
are empowered to choose presidents, governors, congressmen, senators, sheriffs,
4rc., ^ir,4^Ii(^'4:o jdkci»t|inate,.|o r^iiserlfteevilAnii^cMOBe^^ ^d,\irCon.
vW^df .' If,, fiiatt.lbrotlfer' lectori;,. yo4l ar©«'capabfe of^chAfiing ^thd- 4»e^ men,
>»nw much more so the best measures ! Would it not be well worth the enquiry,
whether laws of a general character, and affecting every body, ought not to be
subjected to the votes of the constituencies before they take effect ? Would
not that be a more republican check on such wholesale wickedness as the life
of Van Buren discloses in legislative halls ? "The veto of a Jackson, a Tyler,
or a Van Buren, may be right — so may that of a Bouck, a Marcy, a Porter, a
TUmoo^ or a Wright — but is it not anti- republican ? The governor of this
jrtftU, and the president of the United States have monarchical power — they can
resist — veto— and often do resist the wlir of iftk community as expressed by a
maj^ity. ;•■..• ) .. .'.r ' - - %
.In the oligarchy ^f Vpnio^^tbe i^e waa oirly a,|neml?^;qf, A <Ki^Uttcii--he
eqiM QOt oppose the will of the m^jor^ty ;^but w^er Xikfi- mu^xn^robjc^l pari of
our system, the governor or president, surrounded by power, patronage and place,
in aid of influencing a re-eleption or choice of succession, can oppose a measure
which the people may require— ^this opposition cannot fee ^ot rid of By the vote
of a. mSijority of their representatives — it can only be bvercome by a vote of
two to one, while the imfnense patronage of the courts of Washington or Albuny^
and often of both of them united for one object, Js available to prevent that vote.
. I have been a close observer of the wjjrkings 6f legislative bodies — was long
an active member^ — and have ever been a warm admirer of the representative
system. To instruct the delegate, w)iere the law is passed without the veto
power of those bound to obey it, is perhaps essential, but the check is imperfect
and inef!i<?ient. To send a representative to hear and argue and reason and
then make up his mind, and while doing this to instruct him to vote and argue
in this way, or that ; to Oblige him to reason and vofe, it may be against the
dictates of his judgment afid conscience ; to place t hie deterrftirialion ahead of
tlie discussion; to have one set of men who do not he£lr the arguments, decide,
tlio* hundreds of mites distant, that which another set of men have been speci-
ally appoihted.fo enquire into and conclude upon, after full investigation, 'is
perhaps not the best way to arrive at the truth.
If you can select a governor, brother electors, al'e you not also capable of
judging of the fitness of a bill agreed upon by your representatives, whether it
IS i^r the public interest that it shotild become a law ? A few men may be^
and as tl^esei pages will, shqw, cAen have been corrupted, atid have deeply
wounded your ieelings and trampled -on^your rights. The great body of tjie
peeple are maiily, pure, honest, sincere, and have but one interest — the public
Tfelfare. Consider, then, my firiends,, lit^hether the veto power in legislation
would not be safer in your hands than in those of any ppesident or governor
whom the effi>rts pf party leaders, in timeJ5 of excitement, may elevate to power.
I' do not say it would be, but surely this is the-time ibrgivii^g to the question a .
eyeful coasideration. . Siich a change would efiectipaliy check hastyand im-
provident legislation — there would be no need to tie; the citizens of each county
down to the choice of representatives residing in the sameebunty as themselves
— *that question mijht be safely left to their own discretioii. Neither need tbear
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coNysHfioNS 09 tlcB-mMi Ato loooD iliy j^^TBi^ Wars. #
ID be fe«trictB4-lirom «i^d00ilif «ek jmnmM i^inisier of th« ^os^L* Ao^iicttlttiioi^*
with the IftW of God id m sufe a qvaiificadoa :for a r«ptabtiea»i legislMor M ao^
intknaey with R. H. Uorm'» imkneiwn feudal usages pr&otiaed at mi^gteon'
Pearoo's hoa^ebeld a hw weetobaAre the ie§eax k>$ Marthi ¥a/Q Burea, iii th^
^1 of ISMi The idea ef siihmiltiqg ((QeetioisB as to measures o^ hilta^ aiM
tion, to tlie epinien of the ptGflt kk tbekr looalities, is not new, bat has" baefi ^<^
ten Hfbted oa. De Witt Oiintoa, Cbaa^eito Kent, and the other memben of Ito
Council of Revisiom in. Id^l, wkbed the amendBieiits to theicodstlftttiDn that'
might be made hi Cenvex^iNi, to be flufamkted, xmw. by one, eejiaTately, to tlie
people-rrand they ware right .. ' . '^
I look toisalioiial aad elate ooavanlidasy elected by an aWtfkened fieo|ih^ ^
the best means of averting wars. Once I would have riskad war 10 fb«s'Okiia«'
da*-Hiow. I would' not risk it to gaAi^ lerr ^ry anywhere. Whea in Canada, I
had ^ss. tiiDcie fer.study and re^flaetioa thm whhin the iast four y^ars ^ ioid at-
tho' I dont like Iho cowaivdice that {^ulksm -m, corner, or drops on ita kneas^, wmt^
a aystem that aims at governing by de^lan and lies, to which war » preferably '
for therC) in the igroanui ef expiring humanity, man ^»y learn to mpi^k a natu-
rat and true language; yet would 1 do much txy avoid bloodshed. Is not a dab!
a national, war m mkiiature ? Did Aaron Bunr's aapenorakill and praotiee iir
firing at a ,mccrk, by meiina of wbieh he murdered cieneral HaMiltcm, ptoive
that he was right in sending theojiallefige^ or that in the matter ih dispcrte^ho*
bad ju^tioe on his side ? Surely not. And do not nationals wars, after tuiaiftg^
kilHag, maiming, and butehering vast multitudes on both stdesj iisuttOif tonsi.
nate in favor of the AatQi» Burr like. power whiefa is stroagest and most skilMy
or involve other nations in the strugalc) and not seldom bolster up a bad oaiise)
at the expense pf the quiet of the world 1 Weil said Horace Walpolo> ** I had'
mther be a worm than a vulture." ' :
' << If I could avoid, by any sacrifice whatever, (said the Duke of Welliiigtan on^ a'
memorable occasion,) eveia pne month of plvil war in the country to wb£^h I wm'-
attached, I would sacrifice my life in order to do it. I say that there is noflk'
ing which destrc^ys property and prosperity, and idemoralizes character, -la the
degree that civil war^does; by it .the band of man israned against hl» neighs
bor, against his brother and agalast bis father; servant betrays matter, andtba^
whole scene ends in confusion and difordep." And what would a war between
two peoples speaking one lacfguager having one oommoa origin»^ belie viog fa
one God, professing the:Sarfi& <;i^ri8tia^ityy be, if not a e«yii war ? Howar^tho^
hutulred milUoDs of happy^ Venev<>)apt, joyous preatures who will soon fill this
country to be held together uad^r.the flag of the fi^el Only by acting justfyi
honestly and faithfullty towards eaph other, land towanda thia worli, aaid <^ to
brutes resigning caiiqiag^." .
^ We were the proprietors of this paper eoraetime before the eommencetneitt'
of the war of 1 812, and weire the adveeatee of that war^ [say Gales anc^SeaiMi^
in the Natipnal intelligi^acer,} heilieiViag i^ dcielavation and proseounbn eeoee*
sary. We were young at the time, it is true." Now they are old, they present
ua with a piotui^ of slaughter and dvvaetation from which the nund Y:ecdits'W{th.
horror. •* At the conclusion of a ten years' war, how are we recompensed fb4«tib»<
*<death of mttltitudee^nd the expense c€ nfilHons but by contem)>latiag the suddea
'< glories of paymaatera and agents,. caatraeion and commissaries, whoise emii-
''jmges shine like meteors, ai^ whose palaces rise like exhalationa?'^ Attet
Napoleon's ghrivus victory at Austerlita, Baron Larry, the ^pemr's friend
and surj^eon, cut df 1400hunian limbs, and then the knife fellfiom hia ex*
hauated hands. Pranee had made Napaieoa dictator-— after the piece of Atmen^/
the moDey, the arm&s, the pps8% and the jpeople were ui hk hands. He hadsw^nr
* I bttv 00 deiir* W w« |>wlon of etsgifgttiMt Nst to lffiil»tttm«
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t0-b9 tru» |o».'an(} defend a re))ublk, yet heempdayedsH Ms nifliieitc^ toobtnia
tini nl^soluta ^ud hereditary property of a pbwerof ^Hieh he Had recAtved but the
ymupK^i^ry adminUtration. No journalist dared tadispute his wlll-^hfe titm&xtsd
^ T^fxas,,tiia€ahadi^ Hihe Qre^, and the^Maxioo,* Cuba and OalifbjmiadT
E^urdpe tOihia.cMiitry— forgot ri^ m tba power af hl» ipight, atid wliere m h#i
a|Hl/wb*r» is hill empire? Perhaps the Code Napoleon, soon, I trust, to be
aiirF^^sed i» utility by thov codes crvil^ pmuil^ and^of procedure, ^ N. Y./hi
t^ pr«»idest,>be8t, «Bd most es^uriag montnneiit of his name.
Wkn ia tbeasa tlmt now fails to acknowledge the disinterestedness^, patriotism^
sieni aemocracy, ana accuraie means of knowledge posseesca by Ooi. wnr.
I>|ia{i0^ 4h^ friend of ; Jefferson ? Hear his aocoont of the irar of 1^12^—1 qubte
the Anmra of August 17, 1816.
# *'Thd. last war may be fairly eonsiderdd, as it regards- every thiiig-^bbt
tha paitence, hardihood and Taldr, of th6 line ai:fd iKe militia — one of the w&rst
QOO^itoted) the most imbecile^ inconsistent, and confniied in its designs'/ that ther
world, ever; saw. The. system ^f loans was a most villainous systematic cheat,
for which swry jrutn Who was concerned, oiight to be recorded in a register of
ijpJkfny, Imposture, perhaps, never ran such an uninterrupted career aii for
a^ea years past. in the general government and that of Pennsylvanhi.''
.. i ioigbt have begun, my n&rrative of Vrin Buren's Life and-TPimeS, wiftout
another, word of introduction. Every leaf shows that such a work is requirtnl.
Bftt theire a^e some vi^o say that a part of my materials were improperFy ob-'
tainedr^that I have pti Wished papers which ought to have been kept secret — ^
violated confidence gneposed in me-^^-done things not warranted by law, custom
and<the proper usages of sobiety. Of those who say this, there in ay be those
i^Ki^ not knowing the whole truth, do me grettt injustice, as there undoubtedly
are others who, shutting their eyes against every explanation, desire to cover
me^with ohloquy, how^Ver unmerited. To the former of these two classes, 1
here present that explanation which, iq my former volume or pamphlet, would
have been ^antial and pnemature.
^ One of the best educational improvement* of the iige, in the diffusion of a
ch>sap literatui!e> is not overlooked when this book is presented in the lightest
and cheapest, form, to be circulated thro' the Union at small expence, by mail
and private eoeveyance^ as containing- truths to the people of deep and lasting
iidporti Honor to those bold and manly spirMs in Congress who stood up for
ob^p postage, the spread of useful knowledge, the instruction of the millions!
Wjii pay vast suras yearly for armies and navies, fortifications and the imple--
ipetits of bloodshed.; Blessed be the day, see it Who may, in which the diffu-
sion of intelligence,; with a spirit of mutual forbearance and good will, strength^
ened by the wants of each rendering them dependant on all, shall Onitfe rfian-
hM.iir.the bonds ^f universal brotherhood. CJheap postage will survive, but
imraahi^ ceaae^^theiworki will become "iheUmt^ States," America ay*e
{99fm9s\^m the glorious (work^ tho variottd 'dimates, soils, products and divers!^
*Wiiiild BOt ttfl (Htrini'-atmEi of fif mir g^lorkous i^ffcitn hj aaaveatiaaji and wae Teforms. be a surer rniiLl t* 4te(
iiJitV4jnti'[ |fT*ntn«ss whirb we ?tekf than ihe Kmd Id baUio 7 NhUqus. Hkf indivkdaftlit got ejcited, iLtJtiKiloa ft
penee^il nnd praipamut qanimprfe. and ?:rpi?:nd oo wnr thfl mi 11 ions wht<:h. if lafd cmi <>n mil romlb nnri ctiiiik,
wuuld liftve Utttii an unipeokat^Eo LIcivftiiig. JtisL J;«ar1(0U Sot a tiicmiftfit to Uk Duit«ii nf the meLhodist ctiUFchyOr
'*TfeB People DR tmih tidm tbought theniRelvec fl^htinr ^*^r iMnj* the French, to ratjiir a iindcr n rul** oftfceir
own elHJire ; Iks xggn-^ji^ti m:if<ief nf tha tllie^ lu dDtiiJona tbe man whont ihey caniideTed tiie on It bnrneikto
f:»o«llEiTttoi]n1 frE!»tUH»i in Kiifojw. Bui liow uiirortunnte ih^ po-EiiJon h«M W Ea^ljuid on Ljkut dft>% Tlie frtmt^
af B^ajfiaud fmiyh^ to mniiHiiD tli* elofi>otiini9 of th« mntiuent — m Jnprire n brave people of thfr fr*e choice of UmIc
ra!*rs^— ID re*iore the rcurebentm ive of e^ worn out Uynn^iy to a tkrnuc fcjf ivbiefa h* was unfit, and fii>m which he
tuiil fled befot* the Mftii of t^it P^iple, Th* rrcjt«tiiota of En^Eiliarid fnirjht Tn mcov^r the pcn^er* of the Pope, to
tiring Imck tifie away uflhe J^uir*. lutif Iha maiMs war* deceived, the leaders were nnt. The allied aoT«i4ig.in
waA th# Ariit{i«!Taef of En^brkd ltn*H' for w>ini thov were fighUnj^. They hupod the war of ptmciid^i vft«iild end
with tti« i.ecoml iiTOTthruw of ^'jLa^loon. Ther aunqt^red. Well mu^ht Robart Hall prieve when Jse hesrd flf U*
vIcUtfT which hf« couTicfymen nnd their [ilh*a ^nijied at Waterlfio^ luifl ity, '^Tbat battie aad its rmulis ^eeia«dl»
me iapiit fr4cft (Ac datk of iAt xcwid sU de^pfi," ^ 5 •
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fied seasons, each oontributhig dieir pait of the rrfeans of comfort, content and
feliolty to a renovated millenial worlds ia whioh . <Mhe harsh dull drum shall
cease, and man be happy yet."
Like the word of God, against which it has been wickedly objected that there
are many indecent relations in it, there are none in this book that have not been
necessary for their exposure and the execration of wickedness ; and b}' their
merited punishment in the contempt and indignation of the public, a due oor-
Tection will be. administered, O^like the aEooBDS of the divine warz^ings,
OCT OR JODGMBNTS AGAINST SINNERS, EVER CONNECTED WITH THE
&:»- ACCOUNT OF THEIR SINS. . The sun is not to be blamed as the au-
mor'oi ijiac steucii wiiiuii arises when lus sulnes upuii putrid substiUiccs. 'i'.^.o
surgeon is forgiven the wounds of a necessary amputation* The sickness frpm
medicines is a happy token of returning heakh.
If there is a sense of real religion remaining with any one among those that
are here exposed, amidst the profession that has been made by some, publican*
dignation, the law of God, call for sackcloth and ashes, repentance and restitu^
tution. Let such a penitent as Benjamin F. Butler imitate Zaccheus "the
publican, the patron saint of custom-house officers^ and say '< Behold Lord, the
half of my goods I give unto the poor; and ifl have taken any thing from any
man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold !"
The greatest of all modern political writers has wittily observed, with respect
to an important measure brought into the British Parliament by the present head
of the ministry of that nation, that, as the poison of the serpent is said to be
counteracted by a stoue that grows in its head, so the corruptions of that gov-
ernment have received a salutary check and shall eventually be destroyed by
tHe operation of that bill which compelled the Bank of England to return to
specie payments, the work of one whose family and himself have risen into
power and consequence by the operation of the Actitious paper-money system of
1812, of which he has been the unconscious instrument of destruction, in the
hope, as some say, of giving it strength.
The sagacious Scots have gone yet a little further in their ideas concerning
the counteraction of poisons. It is a traditional belief among them, that, at
certain times, all the adders of the moors, assemble to form, from their slime,
an incrustation called an <' adder's stone," which receives its crowning beauty
from the king of the adders passing through it and leaving on it th^ trace of all
his shining glories. Happy is the shepherd, that at a sife distance beholding
the operation, waits till all is finished, and then courageously steps in and
■ficurtes the prize. He is henceforth held in the highest respect, as possessing
an infallible antidote against a deadly poison. But he does not gain the prize
Without considerable risk, being pursued by all the venomous brood, and obliged
JO seek his safety in flight, if he does not throw some one of his garments to the
adders, to occupy their attention and divert their rage, they cease not their pur-
suit till they recover their lost treasure, or obtain the body of their plunderer.
Thro' zeal for social and political r^orm and improvement, I have been in-
volved for the last eight years, in difficulties too well known to need recapitula-
tion^-^but would rather endure adversity than enjoy the unmerited honors which
trai^rs to liberty may now be wearing. During an involuntary exile, I made
this land my residence, and being acquainted in a good degree with its early
history -and the excellence oj its political institutk>us, it grieved me to find that
complaints not less generaltban just and. true, had been made against their ad-
ministration. That to which my attention was turned when a stranger, could
not fail still to attract it, according to my love of freedom and desire to promote
the common welfare, when I became a citizen. When this second book, as the
fruit of my labors, is before the public, it will be actuiowledged that I have not
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be#n altogether unsuocessAil in my attempts to expose abusas and the authors^
m the hope that the people's rdpresentatives in Convention will discover and ap.
ply a remedy. While in the employment of the state in the Custom House of
!Kew York, I obtained possession in a way the most honorable, as all must ac-
knowledge, with pure motives, and by means the most innocent, of that which, I
trust, will prove an addee's stone.
But the serpents {hat were employed in its formation, with more pertinacity
than the adders of my native moors, have not been content with th^ cloak that
I threw to them, the necessary covering of a former work. It was to be expect-
ed that the whole brood would hiiss and rage, as they had not raged and hissed
for many a day before ; yet I scarcely thought that one of them would have
ventured to follow me, even into the sanctuary of American justice, the high
court of equity — but, from some recent decisions there, many seem to expect
that I shall be given up to the chilling, elimy folds of the reptile tribe, to share
the fateof another LaocOOn^ who was strangled before the altar by serpents, while
warning the Trojans against the wiles of the Greeks.
Electors of Delegates to a free Convention, the proceedings of which may
deeply affect the welfare of the world, what an important trust yours is ! That
the fountains of justice are corrupted, that reform is wanted, all admit. " It is
time (says the Courier and Enquirer) for the community to take this matter in
hand." " Judging from the history of various parts of the country for some
years past (continues Col. Webb) k is our opinion that with 920,000 a man
might commit any half dozen crimes that can be named, short of murder, and
even that, if he happen to have pretty influential friends, and to be within reach
of pretty convenient judges*? "True, every word of It, (says the Herald.)
The list of criminals who have escaped by means of wealth and influenoe dur.
ing the last six years, would astonish every body. What has become of the
Virginia professoi- ? Where is Levis the forger 1 Where is Dabney ? Robin-
son, Jewell, /Wbite, all escaped." " Men who are opposed to the banking in-
terest (says O'Sullivan, the new made Regent of the University,) may indeed be
elected to congress, or to a state legislature, but seldom without a severe strug-
gle ; and, after they are elected, they are exposed to dangers of corruption, as
great as any the members of the British Parliament were exposed to in the days
of Sir Robert Walpole. In the courts op jtustice they have perhaps a more de-
cided ascendancy than in the legislative halls ; for most of the judges are mem-
bers of this privileged order; and the governors of many states are mere in*
struments for the promotion of their purposes." The Globe, while Van Buren's
organ, spake of << judges, who in too many instances, show that the boasted iih*
dependence of the judiciary is only an independence of common sense and com*,
mon justice." Polly Bodine was accused of a murder the most foul — her friends
were wealthy — she had a first trial and a second— a third was set on foot, and
because some judge or other had " laid down a rule in Burr's case," 40 years
since, 6000 tradesmen were taken from their avocations, a heavy expense en-
tailed on the county of N. Y., and the case put off by Judge Edmonds, thus
wearying out witnesses and niocking at right, on the plea that among these 6,000
men, twelve could not be found who were not unduly biased and unfit to try the
cause upon their oaths ! Is it not time that scenes like this, discreditable to the
age and to our institutions, should cease ? If the law is a science, 4t is capable
or being scientifically and practically arranged ; and if it is not, the freedom of
our institutions is an idle dream. Corrupt the fountains of justice to any peo-
pie, and what need they care for forms of Government 1
It is threescore years since Jefferson wrote " The times will alter— our rulers
will become corrupt— our people careless. The time for fixing every essential
right Oft a legal basiS; ia while our rulers are honest and ourselves umted^ Fsom
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*Hfi CONVENTION HAS A GREAT WORK BfifOBfi IT. "J
the close of this (the old)^war we shall fo& going down bill* It will not be n^e-
cessary to resort every tiaoment to the people foriaiupport-^they will be forgotten,
therefore, and their rights disregajded." Is it n^ so now ? The woe, wretch-
edness, insolvency, poverty, pain and anguish, of hundreds of thousands of our
fellow citizens and their families, whom the gambling spirit of the age has ruin-
ed within the last seven years, is a w&rning ?oice$ telliog the democracy to come
to the rescue of all tha| is valuable in their loved institutions. Far spread must
be that demoralization which in a land of.abundant^natural resources could ex-
hibit in one city and district, one hundred and twenty millions of dollars, the
debts, of insolvents and bankrupts, blotted «it as it were with a sponge. This
volume describes Van Buren.and his band^the great first dause of this accumu*
iated misery — it appeals to facts^^^it ua veils the past. To yo«ir wisdom apd
unanimity it is that the generouaand the just .must look, for a renoedy, in the coun-
oils of the delegates of amoral, virtuous and enlightene«l community.
Could the people of N> Y* state have read the insulting commentaries of the
admirers of European ^stems on the Somers tragedy, and the unusual features
developed in the evidence given before a court martial, in presence of which a
captain of the U. S. Navy, hesitated pot to av^w, that when about to launch
three of his fellow men into eternity without that trial of their alledged offences
whieh our laws seem to guaranty, he had told one of them *' that for those who
had money and friends in America there was no punishment for the worst of
crimes "— <jould they have seen the deep and severe regret every where display-
ed by the friends of progress abroad, while perusing details which indicated a
condition of society less favorable than they had fondly hoped could exist here,
they would rejoice at witnessing, as they have, the vasA majority who united to
rebuke Van Buren's doubts by palling together the convention of 1846. That
body will, I trust, lay its heavy hand on the knaves meiitioned by. Jefferson, who
"set out with stealing the people's good opinion, and then, steal from them the
right of withdrawing it, by contriving laws and €LS$^iationa against the power of
the people themselves."
The letters of Van Buren, father .and son— of Butler, husband and wife-'-of
the Livingstb;is, Hoyts, Aliens,. La^^rence, Cambreleng and many others, cannot
fail to be read with profit. I would fain hope they may prove an adder's stooB
in this community, aiding somewhat in preventing the baneful influence of Van
Burenism from continuing to overshadow the state and union, thro? its special
organization of all that is cunning, pharasaical, greedy . and heartless in this
Republic,
CHAPTER n.
Matthew Henry and Samuel ^oun^ on the duty ofciHzetts and ckrisHans in dU-
c&cenng secret wickedness. The author^s position. Robert Tyler, Governor
Van Ness, Tke Van Buren, Hoyt and Butler Correspondence. Proceedings
about it. Steps tc^en by Messrs, Van Ness, Bogardusy Goldson, Coryell and
t ethers. Copies shoum to the President of the U, S, and Secretary Walker.
I Action of the Government. Van Ness loses, Coddington misses, and Lavrrence
gains a Lucrative Office, Polkas Bctnk Committee of 1834. Recorder Mor-
ris on the Bench and in the Post Office, Secretary Forward and the 17 Mea-
surers, Ingham Coryell p^secuted for daring to be honest. Disreputable con-
duct of S. P, Goldson.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Bible is a work of sterling merit— full
of interesting and useful information, and of fine thoughts clothed in language
which has the eloquence of simplicity and truth to recommend ItPOgLc
6 SAMOTL YOtW(J AND «AtTttBW 'flfiNRt 0!t SECRET WICttDNESft,
In the 59th chapter and 4th verse of Isaiah, we find the text — " None calleth
for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth " — ^and Mr. Henry has made an exceUent
comment on it, and so applicable to the course 1 have taken with Mr. Van Buren
and his associates in public life, thro' this and former publications, that I copy
it, as follows :
" No methods are taken to red ress^ grievances and reform abuses ; none calls
" FOR JUSTICE, none complains of the violations of the sacred laws of justice, nor
" seeks to right those that suffer wrong or to get the laws put in execution against
" vice and profaneness, and those lewd practices which are the shame, and
" threaten to be the bane of the nation, ^hen justice is not done, there is blame
"to be laid not only upon the magistrates that should administer justice, but
"upox THE PEOPLE THAT SHOULD CALL FOR IT; FRlVAlK
"PERSONS OUGHT TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE PUBLIC GOOD BY
"DISCOVERING SECRET WICKEDNESS AND GIVING THOSE AN
"OPPORTUNITY TO PUNISH IT THAT HAVE IT IN THE POWER
"OP THEIR HANDS; but it is ill with a State when princes rule ill, and
"the people love to have it so. Truth is opposed, and there is not any that pleads
" for it, not any that has the conscience and courage to appear in defence of an
" honest cause, and confront a prosperous fraud and wfong."
My lives of Hoyt and Butler, had, I beKeve, an immense circulation — aitd I
find them referred to, now and then, in the Senate of N. Y. Yet is it not mor-
tifying to see how much more astonishment is there expressed that I should
have published such statement? as are in that book, than that such state-
ments could be published ?
Col. Samuel Young, in reply to a reference to my book, by Mr. Wright,
Feb. 4th, lri46, spoke of it as " a book surreptitiously obtained and surrf.pti-^
TiousLY 'printed, and which he (Wright) now thinks it honorable to guote from,'
for the purpose of injuring such a man as Benj. F. Butler." The Colonel's
code of morals were not quite so much Butlerized in 1625. *He had then no
desire to screen successful knavery and honor the delinquents.
During the discussion of the state road bill, that year, (I quote the Alb'y DV
Advertiser,) General Root censured the Canal Commissioners, and hinted that
the people's money had been squandered on their favorites. Col. Young replied,
that '•* if the General knew of any dishonest conduct on the part of the Com-
missioners, and kept it a secret, HE WAS A TRAITOR TO THE PUBLIC
FOR NOT HAVING EXPOSED THEM TO THE WORLD." The Gen-
eraPs rejoinder was very appropriate, but my object, in referring to these con-
versations now, is to show how anxious Samuel Young is in 1846, to uphold the.
dishonest president of Jacob Barker's Sandy Hill bank, and to censure me for
having followed his excellent advice to Erastus Root in 1825.
I now proceed to show, that the book ^Iiich has given so much uneasiness to
bad politicians, was neither surreptitiously obtained nor surreptitiously printed.
The materials came into niy hands, with the consent of Mr. Van Ness, Collec-
tor of the port of New York, Mr, Bogardus, his Assistant Collector, Mr. Gold-
son, his Keeper of the 'Recor/ds^ Mr» W^alker, Secretary of the Treasury, and
Mr. Polk, President of the United States. The importance of the subject will
justify me in publishing, at this stage of the proceedings, a clear and distinct nar-
rative of the main facts.
In 1842 and 1843 I was actuary or agent &r the corporation known as the
Mechanics' Institute, City Hall, New York, where my services received an un-
animous vote of thanks. I might have continued, with the approbation of all
parties, but resigned in the fall of 1843. Certain leading citizens of foreign
birth applied to Mr. Robert Tyler, son of the then -President, to provide me with
a situation in the custom house — this they did withoiit roy knowledge orsugges-
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CTTETIS, TTTLER, VAN NESS, MACKEirziB. THE CTTSTOM HOTTSE. A
tion. Mr. Tyler being at Howard's hotel, sent Mr. Swe^nj^ of Philadelphia to
ask me to call upon him. I did so, and he enquired whether I would accept an
Inspector's place (1> I lt)0 a yfear.) My reply wasf that I would. Next day he
told me to wait on Collector Curtis, who would place me in office, and T did so,
accompanied by a" director of the Institute. Mr. Cunis was ver}' polite — said
I would have the place, but that the warrant or papers had to go to Mr. Spencer
at Washington. Difficulties wei^e raised afterwards, arising out of my very
peculiar position with reference to England, but I believe the President and his
sons were sincere in their wish to oblige my friends.' The following note is a
proof of that :
" W. L. Mackenzie, Esq.— My Dear Sir : I have just had an opportunity to
" read your letter of the 22d April. I am alvayls glad to hear from you, al-
" tho' I find it impossible to be a very ptmctual correspondent. Colonel Graham
*' [then P. M.] is expected here to day,' and I shall urge your appointment upon
" him. If any accident should detain him in N. Y., take this letter to him, and
** tell him from me, that there is no man in New York I had rather see him
" provide Tor by an appointment in the city post office than Wm. L. Mackenzie.
" My own' feelings would be highly gratified atyour success. Very truly yours,
" Philadelphia, April 23th. Robert Tyler."
Altho' the note was of no use, the kindness of Heart displayed by the youth-
ful writer, to a person who was poor and an exile, and had no political influence
or weight, was very gratifying indeed — and when Mr. Van Ness became col-
lector, I was nominated as ah ins]pector, but, as Mi*. Spencer had objected, his suc-
cessor took the same view — and on reflection, I cannot venture to assert that it
was not the more discreet course. I was then placed in the Record office, which
had that name given it in burlesque, I presume, for it was the most confused col-
lection of papers on a mammoth scale I had ever beheld during the half century
of my existence, por did 1 hesitate to write a not^ to the collector in which I
frankly told him so.
In 1840, Mr, Van Ness wrote me from Burlington, Vermont, a very compli-
mentary letter with reference to a newspaper I was then publishing at Roches-
ter. He wrote a second from N. Yore, and enclosed a year's subscription.
Being requested by the President's brother-in-law, and son (with his father's
approbation,) he showed no unwillingness to give me' a situation. For some 9
or 10 months, three clerks were employed in beginning to arrange the Records,
of whom I was one ; and as I found many remarkable documents from time to
time which were no records, I copied whatever of such interested or amused
me. Six months before I lefV, Webber, the chief clerk, had privately informed
the authorities that I was copying papers; and in March, 1845, I drew Mr. Bo-
gardus's attention to some of Hoyt's and his correspondents' stray productions,
by sending or giving them to hini. I also aisked Henry Ogden, the old cashier,
to mention to Mr. Bbyt that many curious papers of his were turning up. Mr.
Ogdien said that he had told him this twice, but that Hoyt replied that he had
left nothing that he cared for.
When particular papers or books were wanted, we had some 200 or 300
trunks to search, all of them the property of the United States, and some of them
open, others locked — some with keys and some without — ^some with an assort,
ment of all things, pious and impious, official and unofficial, from 1789 to 1844,
and others exhibiting some efforts to attain method- and order. I said then, and
I now repeat, that the confusion visible everywhere was in keeping^ith the ac-
counts of Hoyt and Swartwout— it could not have been the result of accident.
I must speak plain — how could it be avoided ? ^* To reform and not chastise
would be impossible — the wisest precepts would be of little use unless there
Were examples to enforce them* Tq atfeaok vieen in the- abetraet without aim-
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ing at persontfi would be sa^ figbtiig indeed, but it wpuld be fightiog with
shadows."
Mr. Bogardus, with consent of the Treasury, had thousands of pigeon holes
made, to hold papers as fast as we covild sort and arrange then(i. . He gave his
orders to Samuel P. Groldson, a political friend whom he had introduced from
the 8th ward, as the keeper-r-they were very intimate, and Goldson considering
Bogardus as his patron, did nothing without consulting him. On the l5th of
May, Goldson told ^e that Bogardus had ordered him to break open, examine
the contents and remove to garret, the Custom House Trunk marked * J. & L.
Hoyt's Law Papers.' I suggested to him, Mr. Coryell, the other clerk, being
present, not to break it open, ^ut lo let the men carry it to the garret, for we had
the carpenters at work, and m^ny loose papers. He replied that his orders
were positive — ^took a large screw driver, called Mr. Stansbury, a carpenter to
help him, and they broke the screw driver twice, but opened the box. I had
^ had an idea that the papers of all Hoyt's remarkable custom house law suits
with the merchants were in that bpx, the contents of which were immediately
thrown upon the floor among other miscellaneous documents, and afterwards
carried in bi^skets to the attic. That box contained a psLrt of the letters of the
Van JBurens and Benj. Butler, but it is evident from Hoyt's affidavit to the chan^
eery bill, that he knew very little f^bout it. The box was not Hoyt's — Hoyt
was on record as having embezzled $220t«OOO — the papers were in possession
of the government, but not being official, for the words * Law .Papers' were a
blind, we might have burnt them or swept them out. He had told Ogden he
didn't want them, or to that effect j and if he had wanted them, I should have
done my best to thwart him after I ascertained their character. I knew that
Goldson would tell Bogardus instantly what sort of law papers we had got at,
if indeed he did not know before he ordered the box to be opened and examined,
and it is presumed he did not, for, as he says in his letter, the box was doubtless
ordered to be opened as many others had been, that we might look in it for some
important papers then -required by the authorities, for which we had vainly
soiight elsewhere. '< ^
In presence of Ingham Coryejl, and with the full and entire approval of
Goldson, the keeper, I began to copy as many of these papers as were of a public
character and fit for the public eye; and ai? a gentleman whom I had known
for many years, and who had held lucrative and. important trusts under the U«
S;, was about to leave for Washington, I called on him, shewed him the copies
I had taken, gave him many duplicates, and requested him first to show them
to Mr. Van Ness, and then carry them to Washington, and let the President
see them, as they concerned the public welfare. Another of the clerks appears
to have informed him about them, and desired him to tell the Collector that I
was copying them> with the keeper's consent ; and that altho' he had remon-
strated, I was also allowed to take such of <bem away to be copied as I thought
fit. The Collector was very fully informed on these points by this gentleman,
and sent for me, but was engaged when I called. About this time I was told
privately and also saw the notice in the Morning New;s, that President Polk
had promised General Dix that Coddington, being recommended by him, Cam-
breleng, .Butler, Van Buren„and the rest of the faithful, was to have the Col-
lectorship, and that Governor Van Neas, who had tried hard to elect Mr. Polk,
w;a.s to be thrown overboard without ceremony. I told the gentleman who car-
ried the papers to Washington, to mention to Mr, Polk where they were from,*
*Mr. Polk's committee to gearch ibe U. S. Bank, 1834, F. Thomas, Chairman, demanded of the bank the private
letters of members of eoogtesi to the bank president, or any bank ^officer, and all unanswered letters from M. C's.
daring the previous two years, whether about jk new charter or the privorte transactions of such M. C's, with the
' bank — and tho* ndt a secret committer, they demanded the books of the bank, not merely to inspect them, but to
do sQ in aeoNl^ uUdog thon'out of Uw- haada 6f tim dinetocs, abd the^ Midrtett theic ri^t to cwry ik^m wb«ra thqr
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I
and bdw, and request^ that tli«r6 a^auU be no oo&c«alm«fit as to what I vas
doing— and he did so. V
Mr. Hoyt bas had hosts of witnesses before three successive city grand juriea
to get me indicted on account of these documeat3**-bttt in vain. We shall see
whether \ merited the abuse and slanders tW ^ave bee9 heaped upon me. I
think not. I did everything fairly and above board; and even sacrificed the
petty office I held, with my income, time and means, and also borrowed money^
that T might be enabled to lay useful truths befcHfe thie people previous to the
era of a convention. A mercenary sottl, situated as I was, would only have
considered how much money he could alarm the guilty hypocrites into paying
for the destruction of the evidences of their sh^aae; and dishonor, thus placed
within his control.
On the 1st or 2nd of June, I received the following note from tb© gentlea*an
to whom I had given many copies to be shewn to the President. It was franked
"Comptroller's Office, J. W. M'Culloh," and had the Washington postmark af
the 31st of May.
"Washington, 30th May, 1845. My dear sir; I received your letter ex-
" planatory of the reference in one of J. V's [ John V. Buren's] letters to Hoyt,
"and thank you for the information it gives. The discovery of these letters
« seems to be providential, AND IS DULY APPRECIATED IN THE RIGHT
*< QUARTER. All will go well* I will be glad to hear from you, and on any
" occasion, in which I can serve you, write to me widiout reserve. You wiU
" find me ready to render you any aid in my power. Yours Truly. '*
pleased. They actually issued their gco'dtol Wftrtant to eofrnpal tiie Mi>daclion of aH tlie kttersHbat liftd beea
written to the bank or on priTale or pablic kasinest with it, fpr themselves and others, within two years, intending
to search the samiB with the view of iostitutiqg a crimiiml proseisutioa «gaifist the writers or receivers. AH thia
Mr. Poik approved of—yet even the chonceUur wiil eempel ao mwi io fwoduee bis books and papers io order that
it may be seen whether they furnish evidence on which to ground a criminal prosecution. "It is a compulsory
process,'* said Mr. Everett, late minister to England, ^ to eofl»pel Ibagood people of the U. S. to produce ibeir books
Mid papers, aod submit them to general searcb in proof of crisieSf not charged but suspected ; to be enforced by
attachment, imprisonment, and infinite distress ; a search of books, a search of letters, and an examination on oath
of the persons implicated, touching the matter* wheiwof tbny are ipspeoted. In what does such a warrant differ
from those issued, under the Ift Charles and the 2ad James, ibr which, among other things, Scroggs was im-
peached V*
Recorder Morris, now P. M. of N. T., seleeteA by Mt. Pplk an4 hit eabiaet en account of bis prinpiples from
among 40(KQ00 citizens, held that the end justified the means in the case of Glentworth ; descended firom the bench
of his i^riminal court, joined the mayor, and the two started off t« the quiet dwelling of a private cilizen after the
midnight bourr-told him he had in his- possession a sealed package of papcrs.the property of a party then absent —
and compelled him to give it up under a threat that they would (hen search his bed rooms, nudy, closets, chests
and drawers, and take it by fbrc6. They had no warrant— -no oath, general ur special — no sheriff was present, nor
a depaty — ^no not even a constiible. Pievce was not sworn as to bi« knowledge of the contents of the packet, or
asked whether it contained the evidence of Glentworth's guilt. Judge Morris' fea) object was to find aid towards
the election of his party leader, Van Buren — ^hls immediate purpose was to |»ove the probable guilt of persons
agaiost whom no charge whatever had come before him as a judse, by 6ieans of papers wniph even District Attor-
ney Whiting and B. F. Butter had not chosen to keep when they bad there ; theae papers, too, the property of a mail
whom their friend Judge Edmonds had privately warned to go away, after be hod taken them home aad perused
tbem.
Messrs. Morris and Varian said that fhey did aH this officially ; afkl whan Ctovemor Seward asked Morris what
authority he had fox his midnight ipareb to Pearce's, he replied that much of the Common Law in force here had
never been printed any where ; that Lawyers knew the unwritten parts of the law ;, knd that these parts would be
found to sanction his expedition to Pieree^s after piivaiepapers. Attomcgr General Hall flatly denied that the folkct
of New York live under a code of unknown laws, never yet set in typ^, or written with a pen.' '' The extraordinary
doctrine of the Recorder, (said he) that some portions of the Conniren Law have never beea reduced to writing,
and are not to be found ip any book, is equalljr novel and uatenable. Lord Camden says, " tha names and rights
of public magistrates, their power and forms ofproceeding, as they are settled by law, have been long since Written,
and are to be found in books and records."* - If Mr. Morris is right, cottmon taw is like dog htw. Pompey oiEenda
meand gets whipt. He remembers the whipping and avoids the offence. A man does a meritorious act— is brought
before Judge Morris and punished for it, by virtue of laws, which Morris teUi htm that nobody but Lawyers ev^r
heard' of^ and which many of them declare to have no existenoe. If judgee and lawyers cannot agree as to whether,
in 1845, the hiws of N. Y. state a're or are not wrij^ten, how then can they agree as to what the laws are 1 Yet this
is the man whom President Polk has selected to take care that the seals of the letters of the people of N. Y. and
their correspondents be not violated for political or party purposes ! Is it not ia diaraeter with his maiden choice
of B. F. Butler ? If 40 British ministers have stooped to the petty larceny policy of the administration of a
Fouch6, confounding principle with precedent, and morift hw;with legal custom — ^if all the 40, inclading Peal,
Wellington, Canning, Goderich, Melbourne, Palmerstoo, Hussell, Qrabam, aod Aberdeen, and all the lord lieutenants
of Ireland, have, each in his turn, caused letters passing thro^ the postofficelo be secretly opened, read, and resealed
by stealth, with counterfeit seals — and tiiey do not deny it-^what may aot bnaxpectad firom as convenient a pest-
master as Morris, who adheres tp a code of law unknown tA his countrymen, including it is presumed the British
practice to which I have had re^reuce ? In the case of Hoyt, Ae doctintents were in government boxes, and Hoyt
an embeezler of the revenue, who had neaped the penalty ot the swh-tieoanry act by a quibble — they were ipixed
up with hundreds of tons of official records — ^were unsealed, indeceni/ unb<iteoming, aha lefl in the CttstOm IiouM
because too polluted to enter a private maiuioQ,
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ii TBE etrsTOM Rotrse, its tunums Aim trb sscebt LBTtstak
' When I afterwanh saw the writer, be mformed me that Mr. Polk had pemced
the letters, and been informed where and in what manner they were found ; and
that the efl^ct they -produced on his mind was such as to induce him to depart
from his original purpose as expressed to General Dix. He said that he would
not give the office to Mr. Coddington, but would appoint a man of his own. I
have seen a pretty accurate statement of this interview in the National Intelli-
gencer, written by its N. Y. correspondent, M* L. Davis, who did not get any
of his facts from me. Ritchie did not eontradiet Davis's statement, nor make
any remarks upon it. I sometimes think that it was by way of an ofi*set to tj^ese
anti-Van fiuren movements in May and June, that The Union abused me so out-
rageously when my hook af^^eared last September.
Horace Walpole repeats a saying of his father, Sir Robert, " that but few
men should ever be Ministers, for it lets them • see too^ much of the badness of
mankind.'' Mr. Van Ness was, I thought, a kind-hearted man,. and all the Ver-
monters I had met with, spoke well of him, after he bad been their governor.
I would have been glad, if he had kept his ground, but he was les^ fitted to deal
with the host of craflty place hunters who surrounded him than Lawrence, whose
coid, phlegmatic^ calculatil^g temperi^ment, and mind turned toward stoclf job-
bing and lucre, will remain undisturbed, where Van Ness, would almost shed
tears of pity. I have been in the anti-chambers of Kings, and Governors — and
have witnessed the levees of the Colonial Rulers of forty colonies, in Downing
street, but never on earth saw anything so formidable, yet humiliating to human
nature, in the way of besieging power for place, as in the Custom House of N. Y.
On the 3rd of June last, a friend wrote me in confidence from Washington,
that Van Ness was superceded^ and Lawrence, the choice of the President, acid
I wrote my resignation the same day and sent it in. The Collector sent for me
twice that month, and bade me stay on account of my straitened circumstances
and large family. I declined, my mind being fully made up that I had a duty
to perform, effectually to uncloak the knaves who figure in part of this corres-
pondence. Nor viras it any great «acnfice, for I had the smallest income of any
clerk in the C. H. Webber and Everett were removed for their political opin-
ions, with about ten minutes' official notice, and I was ordered to instruct Gold-
son and Coryell, their successors, in their duties, which I did. We had pre-
cisely the same work to do, yet I was paid 8200 less than the one, and 8300
less than the other. The treasury regulation seems to be pt^rely political, and
Committees of Congress, named by their party Speakers, are altogether a delu-
sion. Seventeen men, called Measurers, get $1500 a year each, for doing worse
than nothing. Secretary Forward proposed to l^bolish them, fcut. his whig cabinet
was air built, and it soon vanished. The N* Y. Custom House is the most pow-
erful piece of political machinery for aeutrali^ing opinion and controlling elec-
tions, to suit the few, that I ever saw or heard of in any country. De Witt
Clinton's celebrated 'warning on that head, is indeed a truth.
It is a curious fact that neither Bogardus nor Collector Van Ness, ever spoke
a word to me about the Hoyt correspondence while I was in office. During
every spare moment, from the l5th of May till July 1st, I copied from these
relics of Van Burenism, at my desk and dwelling house, with the fteeper's ap-
probation, and, as it appears, that of his superiors also, whom he and Coryell
had carefully and properly consulted. Had they objected, I must haire desist-
ed. The power of dismissal or censure remained in Messrs. Polk, Walker,
and Van Ness, or either of them, but no one said a word. They doubtless
knew that it would have been highly criminal to conceal such unequivocal
proofs of turpitude from an abused people. Mr. Walker examined the letters
with great care, and both he and the President were glad that so much con-
cealed villainy had ooiiie to light. So far from beiag displeased, President Polk
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promptly acted on my inforUiLfeon,* biinfg *jii6tiy iAdignant at Coddington'g «t-
lemjcftt 4Q head GeoiiAl Ja]ckiO«< a« ahft9i;i m pAg«^:2X4, J^p^ 4.,q[9 of, OPMesM"
' *Talk o^, iriolatin^ |irivate confidence ! It was ip jpraMesiion of mr public dntiec to the stai^ikat piovidenoe
furnished me with such full iheant for the exposure ofiu letiemiei. Whiit ^flaluV |»*piili, •affrainr lex,** i^Mteim
tlk« l%m ef Oo4 and omtt. • nil* to refviate our^qduefrtim^ids ourQUifhbofM"^ thp^n^tioa^ix^iKdina W.*hieh
hus been approved by pottoriu in the case of every blessed feC^rnier who ha» left his toil op earth^ fbi^ Im imrard
in hearen. what eiivlM I Uhrb been, bat one of iiesWMvt of tiliiton, if i Jiidi^atod liHM«MMel that wlyMdmBrod
. into my |iand« ? ,
** liet then JesM Hoyt, the tool of tbeso pfottert; hi tiiei r IjiroliQ^ 1I19 ytoor n
^ Union. BJair aod liive» of the Glo^ Noajll of lW^ iun. iJ^iuicMt of Kim l\
U Ca»std/of the Atlas, Croswell of the Ar^s, th«» Buloniuni of tho iw& P«!
. into my |iand« ?
f tj.» »u^» 1^— ii^„* #1.* *^i «r ♦*— .xwMi^ i„, .i..,. -.;-.,. — ...-..^^,. ^wj^iaficr hflcbs, RileLiJe nud Hisisa of
I ILeriiltt, U'i?LilLi¥nu uf ihe N(Ji,i*i, FrencU
_ . „ _ _ P«stj. Jt«rB iirtrf In [fiHtuai, the Tny Had
fet^and «)enatoi«Maek, with ot^eratoio obeeuro drLuig^f, iha hearefs t^f uOieuil hiiitheiii. oci %ht^A gallwl ^huuMet&
'ibeir nutters have orten-ridden into power over the mn-.li.^ uf a bezrayfd aud kiultcd pei>ple - l«i (.hem kLI t^jinca iti
tRe partial tfctory which they have 4bkitM; tbVo"^ W. T, McCouii, in hinJoFlng^th* ct^c^iiJnElan of rtjv futniKr kmok
Oat a time, lielf the sacriftceewhicli>ttaBy hpre^alrDoJj' inadD \n Uio tein^rl^ nf mELinmcin &ittlii:^f in ^titung a ufti^fb-
hour, in some cases, to bhfn a C9py for Hrhicb he mciy hnve paid, bdt rciiiFnin^ their owti lika tht: fle^h «Fhkh thfr
lieatbens took froiii tb^ altarl'of tbOtr ^odl to mH in ih« BharnUJ^b. Lti 4verf fi«ret4»UB 4Ut]>i,iati ptircliAfe k ttud
»v«ry.^w, ashallttvvod at that shrine where thoy;ull tmutUEilly and Joviiii^iy worsihip «very ii^atur^nv nnd ^^nbtmcii.
The fear of losing nis office.'wben Laiwrence'iiaine in. mu^t huve been tha aikittre ilijiL indued Gtildvaq 14 ull,
•and imsist in a^aOhoOd, itf tkis matttc WhMi bud it;it«ii tn the TriliLUte bow I cauio by tJic |i![l«i£, Goldsrjii
vepKed as follows : *
** Mr. Mackenzie says :— ' With the oontent of Bfr. GoUton, thfrUepor; I (laUicly oq|>ild, irh^neisr Ital
"Une,iaeliofthoedlott«» ' " - "^^ ^"' -« ^ - - -• - • — - .. - ..
*' Mr. Curyell will no doubt
••varidnJ letters, td copy '*^
^* With tne oontenc or sn. gowmd, (M"«oepBr; i pmmcifo^^mtLt trbeneisr iMnJMe
m as I thooght tiio pdblie ouabt to see <oni|Uinf privato^passhMs.) and (as Mr. Qpmnui
ibt testify, if cOled on by theUottrt of Chancery) I took ftoifiS (wfth'the keepei^ coSiBl
"•varidoi letters, td copy Uiom in th^ t^iAtg/t. ThisiooiiooeaHliHaodJor^Mftriy a mmth firo|«. May U».' TulI»i
'* italeaMt, and evwy pactof it, I giro «n unqualified denial He never asked my consent. If he copied the papen
*' referred to ' publicly/ as he says, it was withoftt my knowledgr. If b» to«]( thrai boiue, il %is whMt rtyfiiKHilU
' Aa MftroQce was made by Goldson to the third clerk, Coryell, I also appealed to him, and here b liis ant^ird^
dated Nov. 12, 18*5. ",,...../.
M um^ nsad in ike JYibume your statement and Mr GoldiuhS rfnfy, and THAT' UPON' THE Jn^PLEABAVT
•^iSmUB TflUB MADE BBTWBBN YOU, TOUA^BOaRftBCr. p»t(ry»n* me^AMCOHYmUU^
, Mr. Cpiyell is well oonaeeted, aod caint to N.. Y. hif hiy recommended by the governor and many leading men
of the deino9ratic party in t*ehnsylvaaia. Goldson, onuie Mfii, wrote te the Tribune, ***l repeat ttoittt* ntiteihoril
•f Maekenzie b m esrer^tMrtfcaii^ f a li o 'fals^.botb m fact and spirit.*' Et^nor ha# if. that h^ swore to,tbeti(aili^
•ffeet hefijre sevei^l grand juries. Asain, on the 18th, Goldson wrotO, that ** certain gova papers w%H Wantlin|,
"knd the keys to sundry ^ov*t casetf tod boxeii, in whteh it jras suppoaod thfty wew deposited, wert IHmU- A
" Bogardus ordered these gev*t boxes and cases bfoken <mon an4 the papers arranged. . One of them wa^ .found to
< " contain hiindre<b of letters addreseed to B(r. Hoyt.^ He goes on to say, that he ^of a new 1ty6k and Ikf^ mm
that, with hisr eooMnt, aeitKer Coryell nor «y«ilf opeifed that box afttrwatds $ bat if th^s hd4 bwp • fu* « fifn «f
Aose rtMurkable disoWsuree bad never appeared. '
Aa Goldson and Coryell ore both retained fty Lawrence fai the tame departofenf, td this Hobr, wlOi tM ^aeitiettlOT
Mr. Polk and Mr. Walkdr, I copy <3oryon*a statftnem of Nov, 85tti. from 4he T^ibitna, f» 6>l\9W* f. ' , * s
** Maakaoae. Goldson and I were the only clerks in the room ; goldson was the senior and gatO Mackenzie pef-
mission to copy the letters ; / heHeoed, HtJUdtuf Knew, tUi Aa ^Uekded to pubU^ tkmA, and tpid^^G«)dio^ UmiI^
did wfonr iagtvinc )iini the pormiesion. Inetead of a|ding him to copy them, as Goldson charges^ I, Ihrmurh a
friend, told the Collector that Mr. Mackenzie was taking copies, and that he, the Cblleetor, ought to enqdlMrMti
the matter. Mir. Van Nesa^nt Mr Bofafdus, who to dia.peraoaal ^iend of Mr, Goldson* to malbe the, W OT iBK
He did i^qoiie, and he rcv>orted that it arae all right ^ and so far from fearing that he would lose his place J6t
permitting nim to copy tbe letters, Goldson, after he kue^ that Haekenafe w«« about to leave the eiBca, exlueal
him tiom other duties, that he mwht.makaesi^traoU firosa papers ih the ofiice, which, fiftackenzift has uiedJn his.hM((.
- I feibc to tbe pnbli^ed letters of^Mr. Van Ness and Mr Bogardus, to prove that my statement as to thenf'li tne,
and knowing these facte to be so, OoMson now says that he toftdd noi imt know thai he ihould irse Asa phtk iUb
Uwlikdod, onttatiemitite^veiftfriM^ke potttaei^ by the eonduet charged upon him. Now I reply that he did not
then think so \ Mr. Van Ness una Mr. Bogardus we^ then his friends, they knew that be #u the \onUk eterk Hi
ehargodf the paper* ; t!hey knew that M^kenate. waa oopying-llMM letta^a with Goldson** permiisioi^ or offuuvaiie^
aad^Qok no step* to prevent it, and ODlilson knew this."
On aeeing this, BogaMosgave Corvell the lie in the most plain te^s,' Id the TH'HdHa oftlka-2Wi eifSbW^t^ffka^
(hat hi* s ttt t et n o ft t was '' on aiabtuahlnr and . naiieiopit faleeliood.** Hassfs. P.olk, Lawrenice and Walker cpnttj^
toavaiithamselvefof byieervicesalso!! ' 1 '
But the calm and Intrei^d youth kept hi* jn^uftd-aMyaiod ftarlaasljf ; «and I tr«*t ti^t hia-lbvo of 'tfiBlk,4a<i aflPr
aeaipt of office and IllCIQO a. vfKir, if to be ^ishpnestly held, will yet be honered by the anprobetii^n or the B<M)le
hearted aod virtuous among his countrymen. On tbe ^h,. hi steted iif the iMbune that tm momeTfl I bigtH'lb
copy the Hoyt correspondence ha reqiiMted a aaafleniah of great faapeotabUtty to mentioir the Iket to Mt. Van Na*b
• who did fO' .aad be refers to Bfr. Von .Nass^s tetter of Scpt^ ^, where be state* that he bad been informed tliat^
had found some important private correspondence of Hoyt atnong tbe archive*, aM hid caused SofafdaaiatJMfc^
' a private eaaminatie*, fvliO reputed Ihaltba panem taere'of q« apparent eolyeq^ence-^and to Bqgardus'9 publish^
card, wjiere he say* that tlte documents were of no consequence, and not worth taking away. Bo^i^rtfos wOnf la
GoUbon, who had laughed Beartilv at Bntier'* meek piety, an«t Van Bmen'i eursiog and gamWiqf , biH ^'llt«j^
opened hu lip* to me, nor did Goldson ever mention to me that there had been a search or an enquiry. Coryeirs
JMt apistle aUned tbe correspondence in these words :
** I am made to '' - ..---^/- wtx*.^-^,.
hini an influence i
•fthose whoarefi ^ _
toctiag themselves. I am not hi* partisan-^-f hHd no agenlsy
, sustaining him. On the contrary I am well awitretllat what I fmve' satd in hn fhvor will provoka aiptinst m|ktl|a
ill will of men whofti I have no wuh 10 offdnd, but Ckildson and Bogtordds have placed nMina^sitoation ^pdiara t
. an aompelled to speak tbe truth or else d« as they have done, ^a^/4/M wHmse a^tut Maekmum* f * f, ,.A
a « * » « Mackeniie*sbookbanetpoittraofmeri wlKi^hatra bald iihpvrtentfinatcial and i)oUtic«l pasta;
,iaaQ bairioy |iacA waig^ and inflnaiica ill aocietf ijfnd witik tldr Go^^enunaM. Anonf tboeo Bs*«ilf*^ ii tha, m ^m f
Digitized byCjOOQlC
fRi \2l«lf^r^« Apology /or piOlklting <^ £ulA^«Hli^ Vdn Mmrn CorN»ponimc€.
Constitutional Reforms urgently required. Governor Wright and the Anti^Ra^
^rs. L, D. Slamm. Je^se HoyV$ extraordinary Chancery Bill and V i9$ ' Ck mt-
, 0^^ M'Coun's 9UU more eHraordinary decision abovt ft, Bmfamin F. But-
kr's pncfesiion tf f*iety, Mrs, Bidler^ « PoUtiokak VanBuren^t vadUating
( £di^ Whai^nmy he i^mmder^d. Literary JPfoperty in ih^se times.
With 9ttoh ofpotmaitiev at I liMl t>f madcmg tkece diaebsui^s ; sufierbg as I
wive sul&red in the oause oi liberty ; what an incurious creature must J hgviB
h^e»i what a ^mpleton, not ta hare o|>ened my eyes to that which was so plain.
ly «|ifMid hefiMreiny view; what a traitor if, wht^n I posseissed it, I had courted
0f yei^iyed the reward of silence ; if I had kept silence ! No ! trusting in
#»» coming emancipation of the humaa race from all the former restraints of
aatarule and oppression ', already seeing in the words of the ancient heathen
Ipoet in accordance with the prophecies of seripture, *< a new order of thin^
4«||^iiig;" already seeing a long eaatifluance of peace among the most ^im"
iSfm ^^Mttions, and the progreiss of tjb^ arts rendering the former advantages fbr
wii# worthlea^ ; wittier fendiHj^ lo secure a continuance of peace or to end war
w«lne hasty ^neral druggie; seeing even, many of the creatures that yftte
placed in subjection to man, and whose necessary attention io them in some
measure humanized mankind, rendered unnecessary, supplanted ; seeing all
^^&lhgs preparing for the greater happtt»^ss of mankind in a universal reign of
}9i^ should i not do what f could to wipe ofifthe reproach of this land, as f^il.
log ia the experiment of solf.governnf>ent, through the remnttnts of ancient fraud
tft|t still remain amidst that glorious progress which we once seemed destined
MT make in the career of improvement among the nations ; the last hut the best
^rm of government far outstripping them all !
- flow must the heart of every sincere patriot hie sad to see the Dik)lara,t!m^ of
indapendence Dullified in so many cases* if not in every state, by the state
Qpnstitution, in what is it nx>t disregarded b the practical working of it I 'V^ho
would not grieve to see, amidst the late troubles of one of our smaller States,
iai(tea4 of the great political parties in the others suggesting aught as an efieo,
Ift^ remedy, fbmenting the quarrel and triumphing iii its prepress, for the sake
ef poUtical efiect, without any measure for the full estSLblishn:^ent of those ^ual
i^lpts to Whfcjj the WHOLE nation is pledged in the sight of Gocl to one another,
beibf% the world ! Who would not grieve at the success with which the guilty
oQea escape through th6 meshes of law in^this State, and the innocent are
ci^rwtielmed ; to see a governor proclaim the injustiee of certain usurpations^ b4-
vtise their abandonment, but yet hold out the terrors of the law against their vf^fia^
ioirs ; t6 see men condemned for murder that are said to have taken the life of
fsm thai eimie to oppose them and execute an unjust law ! To see such things,
and here find so many felons go ^< unwhipt of justice," assisted in their crime
an^ their escape fVom its due punislmient through that imported, fi>reign, feudal
legislation, and those relics of ancient fraud wbfch slimed to have been swept
awajr in the sprtng-tid6 flood of the revolutten ; yet here, carried back and settling
down upon our shores in every ebh and flow of tlia change of parties find pre*
ffl W it te r, wImm ftpfwkiattawnt kis eh wiftd Him niatiqos bfttyrcen Messrs. GoldsoiH BoMrdus and Madteirzfe.
VtKM* IM«, Mr. 0«kUon gtm M»ck«iiai« pMni^ion to eon tli0 letiMs, aod Mr^ Bogardut could f!n4 "nothinff
•r impwt«ne« ta the mntleff,** iMit now «eii«^k«d«r than they i» dtpouno}^ Mackenzie. Denunciatkm is not
"*' ; ther^ or oae oT-ibeAf at least, bave ;oiw be^re.tlie gr«|M jsiry fnr the purpose of havinjr him indicted Ibr
r. \^hf is this 1 k it not Manifest that t^t wbk^ was of ^' if« intfortfince^ under Mr.Tan Kess, fit th«iir
iott, has Weoma a fUoay andor Mr. l^nrraace 1 And is itoot equally nianifc
; purpose of havinjr him indicted Ibr
• lifloHr. V . ■ " , , " • ^- ^- ^ *' - --
isMliMuott, has heeoma a fUoay aader Mr. l^nrraaca 1 And is H. not equally manifest that all this zeal agfaitiet
)f aekenzie otiflaatas iA^ a basa and fforeHiif dasii* to eonoiliata the doH^ctor at the expense of tnCth and l^mai' I
• «:«ar«*i»|,loDot stoy to aMpMia vhat ata thf coBoctoc [XiawcancaVs opiolons or wisjies. | i^
*«il «Md Bptak the ttuth, telit plaMa or nSM whom ii may. I hope J am done with Mr. Bomrdus.
e with Mr. Boaardus.
ijET^AM 9baY|aji.*«
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THE C0|^VEIl|Ktfl7^rBmGI?LE-:-L, p. Sf 4MM. , ^^
jj^len^^djieforTOia the frg^wpg^of qqostitutions.and ihq revising of Jaw;?; if ijot
" ready to wish for the abroga^onf^.tHin^i^i laws/ j^ijd with a trial oT a ^ury of
our peers, ttH3 palladium of liberty, ma court >v]^ei!e only the enlightened ^ con-
sciences of good n>e^,an4 their sense o^i^ hopejsty should he allowed ta affect ihe
[^depH^ion in pronoijnQing sentJeiicp; accordbg tp th? eviclenoe; hpw must t have
' peen excited to do at lea§t wha^t was put xa ray power, to afford a djernon^tna-
tion of the truth of facred wxif, " tha)t the love ofmopayja'tlio rpg* of aU' evi%**
. and to pall upoo tbe people pr this .state, i^ prospect pf.hold^i^ a qoover^tfoi?^ to
reform and perfect ats. constitution ; and of, ^IJ thei stales,} to -establish wore
checks, and qepoe forth aUov of no office, holder,but by th^ir direct suffrage, of bo
Kwinatioh but with your full Jf^owledge — and to, permit no one fleeted to lega-
te in any pecudiary noat^ei;^ regardif^g his own pay or whatever else may poja-
duce to hi9 x>wji .personal aw ei^cljii^lve 4^^dvant^g^,; bu^t V> e^joy hu* salary ^
cording. to thQ ^ppoimtmejit oi th^ people, in his qlectioa! ,.SucH are the prinqi-
plesJn^^^hiQhtbaYp had bo hapm]aea8,^to t)e inciqQtrnii|te^ ; *.priuc]iplfiSi\hatJ
kpow HQt if they are fully car^d ofit in pfactice aia[Hing,au^, society of i^^h
.but the Seced^r^ of Scotljsiach a xjhurch stroogly attafched to Pemocracy in cletri-
b«|l ffbvernmen^j, aad ii^hioh I njay oall my raot^r churd^ K^ving teen bprnapd
baptized in it. * .. . . '^ . :
Whatever motivfaof. dis^y;>pointedi ambition, wh^tevei: rnp^ves of self-seeking
'and hope of {^ture fayor n^y W iinputied to the iSmihor, he is conscious to tii^-
jsielf ox the rectitude of l;us pc^duct^ and, that, ia due time, it,wi^ he, approved
by eyerv sincere ,lover/of Im .country's welfara, tj every one tb^^reckong
^^in^self bouad to gi^ifd ^Q',i?epublia gainst iajuiy. If it i^ad^beep revenge
thaj had prompted mnj»;)ie uugMMve pt^ that long ago in matters, that wiore
nearly related hjpiself ; but, when hp qoosidefed himself able tp serve the pub-,
lie* he ove^loplt^d .personal injuries, and in9tfia4 of being the opponent of the
•partyj the. worst pa^t or whjch reckon ^em^elvea chiefly aggr^^ved.bv thisj;)i;\h-
lipatiooy he b^Qamejt^. advocate and pfea4^ its claims (o S^i^ and National
power m far as. he w^ then deceived, Aud^ as far as he reck(med it9 propi^s
prefef ablji to ,th9^ ojT the fxarfy that tbsn defeated it,, , .
laboring for the^x)d of whate.ver land it h^s been hia lot uader provid^noe
to inhabit, amidst the fll-treatment which he b^ received for the waixt of .sue-
i^e^ in a, cause at least equal to that for which.our revolutionary. ancestors of
th|s nation,' ere. justly bopored ;, njarked ^d proscribed with a price set upop bfs
bead,, equal to th^ aI whicb ^mp of the njiost illustr^us of them werp valued
by the same goyqmment j the last among all th^ survivoss of that i|l ^Lpttdsfx^tr-
•^^ that has potpbtained i| parooii and af allowaace to return to his i]in|bijfeiied
rignts and property ; were he to be crushed now by such an attempt as ^ Hoy t,
^Sutler, Van Buren, and their eupportera have naade, bow /would tyrants rejoice
' aaad the lovef^ of ri|ti6<ial lilH^ lament, xteckoning the refbge of the oppresscfd,
the dungeon of the free !
Is ft' to be supposed that t6bo(;^l4 destroy my fbit fairie, lay aside every priti-
oiple of faeitor, sacriAee« Itfe^long reptitvtkNi, and disrregarding all consequenees,
* WlMa tte ^VMiUoti b#« >tatre« »4j w iU > u "^ai flm wpdkttn of« I wm in fMf Meetrntftct^'Inititbte, Iwn, lUid wm^e
antiy tstMm iu itv Sumu, tb4* inM •▼«rm]^ imm iimMora^ h^ D. SIftiMi, *crtMtotl vdltor <tr>tiw Dnatttmj,
mtpmttkftk mt Hwfc iflftil and mW M i huAmit, hai, 4trii%'tbkl«t Aim ymn, ttiMowdd nnib«ti ftbute opsn «», aodilvine
ine«ll ti w l n^ii IM MoM'wilh tti*ii*Mil«. BinMlf Ui» n<Mt oftiCKinlian kitim «nd «n IrMi fhother. be (ImmuMI to
• dMOttiM* ow u-** a Ibfiigtt Kwtg tt< i * ' ihM* his pfet». Im, km ^vate ModaMnt^, f«llMb«d by im eakiactac, 0md
** VfHitBm4j>Wat^t9atk&t B a a.^ Pa ^ti- 6fr : I th««lt -ftm Ibi jtmtMtUfati&n;, Th« lrfti«l^ you alMh to-navcr^ttma
**tomy poMCMion, else I should pertainly have published it. Be assured that tbe fbaM y«a kKfunte difnia iai<s % a.
■^** tm 9i uA ftL99motnntj fcanii u i ai 'i bi i l **** iMilmt/tv wttnttt front ai»t motive or poHcy tyr ekpehcnan^. A
•*>fMeiir« o# Iksi aas a <h»<aai>» iailaniH ft iiav»lalMii Mfmitilci^I raftmn, at iSm ^dhtmna oftbe PtabMtmirill itta^,
«* llM cartoon aiM»j*eto «riifali aHse atsry tey i^ifiiirini; sttM weofd of ^«hi«--4«nd "Cbe little aiMvtatwe i 4ia^ ia
p* ihtr^mimttt «r my Jauttak ia wr »z«tMV-7«» tldf wnfttCtK^ Mifvivvt.T wto ¥■■ coicrKiivLA^tiii Okn-
^'MTTU'ffMrtfAirAttMBK^VM'iltfM?*^ ' ' i > ' •■ •* *YoUf ^wsMj • Vkvi 9. numn/*
•^itl«K«lj* !•«"»• y. '• ' • '--, ". . - . -*' .>•>>-#.' - . •-*■
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he HOYt, BUTLEK, ANt) f&t CtfUtt 6f E^itJIlY.
.*'ttke "a maiitoan scatter firebfan^s, arrowy atafl d^lrtih,*' bof e6Hng tBo^^ tifce
^'greatest i^d n9bl9$t temple af human Ifbiertj evei* erected, should l^ biirndd ujx
^Xf 1 should olilain' a nara^ I Pkr from fe ! Aft adiiiiter of the ^lorfbus pirracijiles
""of the Declaration of Indepeindence •; h6pi1ig to fiji'd the pfaetical effect of svtth
liberty het-e; as a Knox had established for thfe Church in my ttatife lanrd, andjt
,3uchAnan pleaded for the' stat6 ; the practical x^orfcing of the true j)olitical briii-
ciptes W4i{ch a Lobke furnf^lied td the immortal aut;flior of "At fuU drau^ df
''the Dfecl^tratittn of Indepeiid^Ce; hearhsg tfiis government praised by evferv
lover of liberty ; liVing i^der ftpprejsslonff my^lf ; idiplnng everything gcpd,
"4 rid carefully erideavdrin| to eJtcuse everything evil In the woAing of the r^-
* Vablicati system ; engaged at last, as is well known, iiir a desperate, (though fi)r
'the tim^,) an unsuccessf^, attempt to transplant the same institutions into a neig)).
' ^riwg region ; w^s I hot accurately to marit its wo^khi^ according to my bp-
' '^rtdnlties ; and when mad^ to feel its evils so l>ittei*ly as I have expf riencdd in
my bwh pei'soa; was f io content my^f as att idle ^itme in the Custom ilouse,
' subkiag the honey of the ptiblic hive ) ^Par /rom it'l 1 eq^deiivored to in]|>rore
^iht opportunlticls which were there fuiTtished, and'th^ leisijre which the preheat
arrangement of the pu1)lic service allowed; fe«r the benefit of the public^ ili0
here is the result of a part of my labprs. . '
Put, in ati attempt td cloalc iip again the villainy ani ^ud which has ^en
exposed, here We hate a d^^ulter to the pnbtic, an einbeizlei:' of Ae revenue,
* that shbuM have'bcfen glad to have retired fTPOih .view fhto the shdde^ c^ those
jurigles which it is nqW heodming fashionable for public hien to court, afte^ a
Certain period of office, where they ' teay liv6 KkirwiW beaalts that drag their
"yictims to theif dens, to devour them ana fkttea tfpori them at leisure ; there hie
should have bought to spend, after **a ybuth of labor, an age of ease'* with
fits guilty companions, instead of daritening a cotm dt justice with hiis presence,
>r deafeiimg it wilh his domplaints. But, " Oh I a^ame, wher^ i? thy blu^hl^*
' Wis tjTaittt is klI6wed, sanctioned ; an^ letters by ^he lovers of stock-gambling anli
betting on eteetions^— on the best mod'e of intrigiihig for ofl5ce,"*and how that
motis, the demoralizing tendency of which (Cannot for an in«tanl be dohbted, eveii
hy fl^ most liberal reader — ^these are ailjadged wdithy of the protecting mantfe
, 61 an BfQUITY court, as literary property, and the booksellers enioined not to
* sell nor pemAit the public to read the Wves of J&sdk Hoyt and Benjamin But|er.*
' ' •> tMvii^ l^i a l«nM< Mr.' V. Bmien'i vMIt toed, kt nt eiut %. took M^ fftriiMfrtdsi lU dri*^ Mfl^piratM aai Ji^
Hln^ aooonipliw^ in'«uiU. See ow fiiUo^ fbt a tiiM a liifh JMfil itetiau ill w^k^i N mn», tamblf at 4^ bfaM «r
Cic hidi|natiorf, wnefl ihe confined wind of tke Cintom House, tW £<>lu| Manulact^k'y of public <^)taion, lias
let out at the proper quarter, no longer belched forth from the throats i>f its graasy dawafgtiaal 8m itun
wt^^a ea^iace beyond nosl of the tf«der» jn ppIitiM, a^rly loa^inf afro^Mwn of reUfion ; net . waiting till letira-
-ittcnt frbdi fffllte to b^ triuKniet}«^ by the restriUitts d( 8e<^, bat all the'tim^ tMit^ his reltfioas |Ht^fiMsion a* a 41o«k,
fmmaifnf '' l*be 4«af«d to t}ie wodd, but^foUawiiv^^ ^Ktm^mmM p3:^\\»9wm» W^ « "^ "il ^t««dy <i4i«e
and an appetite as keen k% death.*'
If there are certain pictuKs so ludicrous, according to the description of the poet, to see which, wheir admi t UM ,
«iwiliirm«lia««b«eei fof iNMgavtaiiQaiMe Iwif htpr.; ^fce>w eqwH » WtkttiikI Ihl I ce*^ faMnitt aqr tetoatioa
lakaojtba of^yeituiotf wa«jtffardedl«» i»^ paru»ia| thaevidaare wluck ind»a aMn iinoialiaA a«ainat kiOMalf! Than
' see bis nearest lelaiipa IR IM^. bis mUwr seju^a wQ^aa^ of whcaa aea it b a a b ea n aaid, thai ** m i t eiaiit^ the frewHat
gieayt^andi. that one &iiieqs, Jsia^Mnetic f ^m ^ she. ea wt ad oa ia r iety to benaflf mmom^ tbaiannaaifliim
aale^ by. bar sbora ia lM» Fai^ily a^ npa e t of oocriift yoliitifiyfc! Wba.aoola vilbbold tM*i hai4h»fiMti
of enjoying that loving assuciution which she has conlted, of furnishing a^atber piaaf «f the eM trfnga ^' J
iaitbouia.wQiaan;'' oCattracUitg th»a4wMriag w a l^ ^ to^ba^harotarftba bafaia»<(Ctba|i»ce,»uafady — ^»^
jioMie,bitbarto%ooinei;^ totbem.l ' ^
It has becia saw tba^ (he oante of^he De^bifDseIto«fbttob»oM(NLiai|ad with tatarenot^aa waacaaMOtt*
matlk. vtjX^ diffhities. Such a AiiivBiple Must ba tapfmsad tA^laad to sooia ractraiAlin «»aakiaf ^ aoa tbaa^fea,
tlittMffh uQwortbUy, fiHedtha higbestjtaii^ of boaor ia tbislaad* But «ti|yW tbja s M aX sai JtiadwiiieMatai-
lawad to speak fi»r himMlH in tM word«f €ta4 wakava jM^«aaAPda of iba ■a/iafi af tka davit m a«aai ef
WkMateK. . Tbf author of ^is bofk owes that«baracter nothiof : I meai^iMl tbaJavil baitte atbait .Qt-iS lia
awas hTm anything, be is gtad of the oppoVtaatty of diseharging tba obligation, ^pa^ing ia this
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'^ •' ' '" ■" LfTftUAr tsLonntr DiWi«B nUi tm ctnr hall. V!
CcfeAd Aat he property to any one which had not only heen abandoned but
otmid \9b of no use to him li^hea recovered? In my book, the letters that
are claimed have their fitting place ; separated from the context, they must be
regarded as the sweepings, dross and rubbish of literature, utterly worthless.
Lkerary property no more could they be than the certificate which some skil-
ful physician gives to a pauper cui^d of the diseases produced' by vice, to be
exhibited along with his scars to excite the sympathy of every one that passes
by. In such frequent cases of moral disease in the body politic, when the just
retribution shall overtake the workers of evil, pity may perhaps relent and ,
hefarken to the cry of misery, and regard the sight of wounds worse than those \
of Lazarus, which even a dog would disdain to lick, and give a cent to the j
modem representatives of fkllen greatness, as one of old begged^ saying, while I
exhibiting his torn purple, "I>«o&i/^m, |?(it<pen BcZi^mo." |
These letters could only be useful for such a purpose, or to be published by '
their author as a cotifbssfon in anticipation of the horrors of a dying hour, or
the just judgment of God : not without a precedent in the annals of Infidels and
Christians, of Rousseau and Augustine. But they are sought for no such pur-
poses, with no such intentions. A generous penitent would rejoice in antipi-
pating his labor, in another's doing* for Mm that which he had been too careless
m doing for himself; that which his iX)nseieiic^ must have urged, though. Uie
modesty of his nature might have shrunk from the performance*
Then how vain the pretence of claiming this property for others ! fe there
any one, the most degraded of the multitude that figure in thi^ book,, that would
claim his labotrs here as literary property, or allow them to be used as such, if
'it could he prevented ? Not one. What earnest solicitatioi;i do we find in cer-
tain cases that the letters may be burned, and what assurances that the same
favor has been granted to the productions of him from whoni this is asked ! If
this were literary property it must have changed its nature in a wonderful
manner, appearing to amazing advantage in the editor's publication contrasted
with the author's manuscript. What a grace and bjilliancy the setting must
have lent these paste diamonds and glass jewels of literature !
Low as others are in the scale of sensibility, besides Hoyt the clairpant, it can-
not be supposed that they are altogether destitute of feeling on this subject. It
is related by natural historians that a cei'tain animal, a sort of prototype of those
beings that wallow in the mire of political corruption, has been known to become
so insensible in its fatpess, that the mice have been allowed to burrow and nestle
in' its back. But here, though "learning,'^ in the language of Burke, "may
have been cast into the street and trodden under the hoofs of a swinish multi-
tude," in all the ignorance and. disregard of the propriety of speech, as well
as of decency of manners, we must interpret the clamour with which we are
assailed and deafened^ as a claim of literary property urged here, as the grunts
ing of the herd, in the feeling and anticipation of their well filled troughs
being emptied, and themselves sent aa commoners at large, through the streets;,
instead of preserving their present accommodation^ iu the well built pens of th«
public's providing*
1% is how well seen that it was Uie miserable, ▼acillttiaf policy df tiMt wretched stAtesman, the Weathercock of
poDuIar opiniun, that led to many of the disasters tbat«verwiieiniet the good eaose in which I was enraged. How
did he allow countenance to be given it as long as it seemed prosperous, and how did he command uie rigours of
the law to be strained against the unfortttDote^ when it- bee&lne •d<rane ; -bord as a Hon agamst the humble lriTer$ of
liberty, gentle as a dove to the proud supporters of oppreesion.^ Oootrasthts conduct towards Tezns and Canada,
Brit:tm and Mexico ! With respect to myself, my iinririionnMat wa* proeored, at what expense of oaths and Jus-
lice ! as a sacrifice to satisfy the chunours of ***'"«* *; then reluctantly my releaie was granted lest
a longer confinement should injure his inteteste in an indignant eommnnity ; but, not without requiring IflO.OOO
petitioners to ask the favor of relaxing Cbe h(4d of craeft^, to/umish a pretence for doing what was right, to a/ford
an excuse against a party that be feared might r«roacl» him with mercy ! Oieat politician ,! let prosperity award
thee a niche in the temple of fa»e by the aidCflt iwi of wkoM it is idO««ded, tkftt " be could not take a pinch of
•naff without a stratagem !** *-^ - -
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Amidst all the olistructions that have been put in my way, myself M^ifa^ard
in many parts, and nothing but calumnies preceding as an advertisement of n^
book, I know that I shall yet be regarded ; that in some wsty I shall gaici &
public audience, and secure the approbation of the people in my honest efloit
<<to do the state some service." Not despairing, but assured of ultimate suc-
cess to my righteous cause, with the most earnest wishes and most ardent hopes
for it here, trusting to such a decision ^as most recommends itself to your o^a
consciences in the prospect of death and at the bar of Grod, that shall be^ re-
echoed in the grateful approbation of the people^; in the consciousness of no
ill desert,; and the justice of my cause, notwithstanding a former decision, of the
character of which, and its author, Vice Chancellor McCoun, the public, have
already formed their opinion ; and shall soon pronounce their sentence ; I af^
peal to you, and to the whole people ; to you as the representatives of their justioe
and equity, like the ancient Roman, who, when he had put down plotb and pun-
ished treason, was refused by a tribune to be allowed to make a recapitulation
of his services, but in taking his oath of c#ce customary on resignation, swore
that he had saved the reuublic, and ^tll the people assented with a shout.* ,
CHAPTER IV.
Van Bur en* $ Urth, parentage, and family connexions. His education and early
pursuits . He studies law — opens a lard office — marries, W, P. Van Ness,
Aaron Burr, Death of Mrs, Van Biiren, John, Abraham, Smith T,, and
. Martin Van Buren, Jr.
Abraham Van Buren was the owner pf a small farm in Kinderhook, Columbia
county. New York ; and kept a tavern, or public house, first, in a little Ipg
♦Suppose a clerk finds among his employer's papers a well digested plan, by persons high in his master's coipfi-
denG9. to deftuu4 him — with other plans, showitig that he has beea already defrauded by those persons ; and sup-
pose this Clerk to remain silent, and allow the guilty individuals to go on and do much more mischief, when, had
j)e warned his employer, they would huTe been checked in time — would not his conduct be faithless, and reprehea-
•ible 7 Would he ijot be as bad as the knaves vhosf vill^ny hy had thus cloaked ?
Such Was my case. I did not seek the confidence of Hoyt, Butler, Van fiuren, &c. I received noqe of it. I
betrayed no secrets, for I was entrusted with none. But while in a public office, belon(;ing to the United Stat^, I
found tbe evidence of knavery, duplicity, fraud, and dishonesty, by which my employers had deeply suffered, and
were likely to suffer muqh more ; and that fraud and knavery I hastened publicly to expqse, and lay befora the
highest authority in the land, as I Was in honor bound to do. I also laid it belbre the people in the form of a pufalic
book, to which I attached my name as the compiler— skulking from no responsibihty, but courting enquiry. I took
no profit or advantage by tne ptiblication, because, though an exile for the lore I bear to freedom, and poor, I
•corned tbe reward of an informer for kire^
I borrowed one hundred dollars, after leaving the Custom House, for which I gave my note. This sum enabled
aoe to complete the book. Twehty-fivedoUai^ paid the whole expenses of my journey to Boston, where I boavdM
at 4 Boudoin street, until Mr. A. J. Wright, a highly resp^otabJe printer there^ had set up the manuscript ;I thhik
1 had two copies of his edition, and have had some 6 or 8 of the other printed here — and this is all the connexioa,
profit, loss, or interference in any way which I had or have with the Lives of Hoyt and Butler, either direct, or in-
directly. Of the sales, costs,-pr6fits or losses, I know no more than the public — and as to the assertion that I liuad
the work published with a fictitious puMishi^r*s name, it is equally false with other slanders. I was introduced to Mr.
Cook in Boston by the prater to the city^I saw hhn at Afe. WVight^s before I left— and I borrowed $7 from him
to pay my expenses to N. Y. which I repaid here. While, in the Custom House, no man was more careful not to
divulge attght relative to merchants' etftries or invoices, or the ofl!ctai papei^ of the department. Who can say to
the contrary 1 . ,
1 found the prooft of Butler ScCo/s knavery in the people" 8 possession— in a public building of theirs, which Had
cost them a million of dollars^ H|M I eoncealed these pFodf», future misconduct would have been justly laid at my
dapr. Do not those who blame me for publishing the truth in this ease, seek to screen public and private kninrny
in all time coming, by threatening faithful servahts if they do not save rogues harmless %
I had not agreed to be the depository of dishonest secrets, when I accepted a clerkship in a pubfie ofl!ce; I |md
never ^^nt r.rt nf ni r r^npr-^mr-it -n^ ^o'" -rrota of ony VmA. To have concealed the letters would have heen
to iijfrt"*.^ !;,;,, ; .,w ij.jjiN.ii. H i ^.l.^.,,^ j.j^L,, . ni.,..itU3 rcintLin impure, f had made no such contract. The letters were
onea. Tliey were mucii up with the puWic ducuEiifirit*— / roiiW Kot hdp reading thffm. They had no business
there, nor hyd Mr, Butlei any tiuiinfi^ to tuikt the young Fat^oun ti|By, keep his good money and send him b^k
wflh tbjit which wfti bml
Were the men ^ho e\\ioted the traitnroitE oorrpspondanre fnumi in \ffljoT Andre's boots, blameahje ? " It fs dread-
ful to PQud such wiiherieifr #xpti»ui«3 of pMilienl prtiflignc?. EaJ^h ^^hocking exhibitions of venality, chicanery, hy-
pacrisy and fraud/* (sys the (^^nuiDitimioi Aflv^itiiter. I hnd rhnrjfsd Hoyt, Van Buren, Butler, and their oUies,
yfciLrs btforc^ With very baj tfoaduot, litroiigh tJie iite-fi, ^Vhen 1 Vmd some of the proofs in a public oflSce, and
^i ven in chtir|r« uf no ono^ T urn hinm^A for ciTciihianfr them '. '' 1 here are those made manifest in these pages, who
might glaJIv invoke the mouDtJitnif td fall ah imd c<jTi?r thftm." Sa says the Conner k. Enquirer; afld if f have
dons wrojiff iei ufichaking the a in tiers, let it wmu others tiavingr like vitlany to conceal not to employ me. Because
bad men conapira in lecrei against ths ftapublic. onj I to bo ooiu^ltad, ifi vk>Iation of my oath of fidelity, to con-
eftil their mUsconduct, or ho imulted for giving the country warning 1
Digitized byCjOOQlC
huHdkg wbere hk eldest s<»a, tbe ad^enUt president of the United Stfttee, was
bom, and afterwards in 4 frame dwelling wbioh be ereeted on or near tbe epdt
whiob his shanty had originally occupied in tbe centre of the town. Mr. Van
Buren was quiet, peaoeful and gocd natured, but very illiterate — ^governor
Geoi^e Clinton appointed him a captain of militia shortly after the.peace of 1783,
but he soon resigned his commission, having very little tas£e |br warlike display,
and no knowledge of military tactics. Hxa, politics were of the right sort for
a tavern-keeper in a neighborhood inhabited by democrats and federalists — ^they
were of the neutral sort. He married when rather advanced in years, Mary
Groes, otherwise Hoes, a widow lady with three children, (whose first husband's
name was Van Alen,) a polite, well-bred, managing woman, very fond of poll- •
tics; and as active and ambitious as her . partner in life's cares was still, con-
tented, dull and harmless. They were very poor, but Mr. B. F. Butler, whose
father kept a store and tavern in the same township, mentions that Mrs. Van •
Bnren was <* distii^uished for her amiable dispositicm, her exemplary piety, and
more than ordinary sagacity." She lived to see one of her sons a member of
Congress, and another of them a slate senator and attorney general of New
York.
, Abraham Van Buren, his wife, and her fi)rmer husband, Mr. Van Alen, were
all of Dutch deseent-«-Butler says that her maiden name, Goes, '< will be recc^-
nized as a name of distinction by those who are fittniliar with the history of the
Netherlands," which I am not.
Martin, the eldest son of Abraham Van Buren and his wife, Mary Goes, or
Hoes, was born in the village of Eanderhook, on the 5th of December, 1782 —
his younger brothers are Lawrence, a fitrmer, also of Kmderhook, and Abra-
ham now, I believe postmaster there, but formerly a lawyer at Hudson. There
were also two sisters, one of whom married Mr. Barent Hoes.
The early life of Martin Van Buren was passed in his father's tavern. He
received his education at the village school ; and e-ven that was cut short before
he had completed his fourteenth year. In ,1796, he was sent to the office of Mr*
Francis Sylvester, a lawyer of his native village, to acquire the art or practice
of an attorney, and as he had not had the advantages of a collegiate education,^
the statute required him tb study the technical, diffuse, and tedious forms of
English legal practice for seven long years, previous to an examination as to his
qualifications to be admitted to act as an attorney in the law courts, and several
years more before attaining the rank of a counsellor at law.
After remaining several years with Sylvester, Van Buren was taken into the
law office of William P. van Ness, at New York. Mr. Van Ness was from
Columbia county, the steady friend and associate of Aaron Burr, and an astute
caustic, well-informed pblitician. He wrote a powerful pamphlet against De
Witt Clinton and Ambrose Spencer, under the signature of " Aristides ; " and
Van Buren has been often accused of bet>aying to Judge Spencer or Mr. Clinton
the author's name. This charge is doubtless imjust, though M. M. Noah reiter-
ated it publicly after the judge had unequivocally pronounced it false.
Through Mr. Van Ness, and, probably at his father's tavern, when he was
on visits at General Van Ness's, v an Buren became acquainted with Vice-Presi.
dent Burr, who (says Holland pr rather Butler,) was led " to treat him with
marked attention, and to make every reasonable effort to secure his favorable
regard." In November, 1803, at the age of i^early twenty-one^ Van Buren
was admitted as an attorney of the Supreme Court, New Yo1*k, and "began busi-
ness^ at Kinderhook under the firm of Van Buren &; Miller ; his law partner
being a son of Stephen Miller, and both of them what was called * republi-
cans.*
Digitized byCjOOQlC
M VAN BtJfiEN's iriftRIAttS) SOWAtlOir, AK0 VAHILY CONNEXIONS.
Van Buren, soon after this, paid hite a<klresses to Miss Hannah Hoes— ^Miac
Hannah's brother, Barent, was courting one of Van Buren's sitters at the same
time. Both marriages took place. Mrs. Van Buren is descril>ed as havhig
been a kind, amiable, sweet-tempered woman, and the connexion was a happy
one while it lasted. Van Buren proved himself an afiectionate husband— was
strongly attached to bis wife-*-6lneerely lamented her death, which took place
in 1818, of consumption ; and has remained a- widower for the last twcnty-eight
years.
Of their family of foifr sons, ^ most remarkable is John Van Buren, now
Attorney Greneral of N. Y. State, who married a daughter of Judge James
Vanderpoel of Kindefhook, and is now a widower. James M. French* of the
Albany Atlas, married her tdster. Wright and Van Buren's friends tried to elect
his partner, Caesidy, State Printer, and thus keep that lucrative branch of the
revenue In the family or among its dependants* The eldest son^ Abraham Van
Buren, married a daughter of Colonel Singleton, a wealtliy planter of South
Carolina, and is a brother-in-law of Senator McDuffie. Andrew Stevep^on
of Va. is the lady's uncte. The third son. Smith Thompson Van Buren, mar-
ried a daughter of the late William James, a rich citizen of Albany. Her
sister is the wife of Robert £. Temple^ a.fion of Judge Temple of Vermortt,
whom Gov'r. Wright has appointed to the office of Adjutant Greneral of the
Militia. The four^ son is Martin Van Buren, so named alW his fathei^.
CHAPTER V. ;^ ' : .rfliir-..
Vim Bttren's earhy hitbUs* The importance to Soeiety of a judidoiis Educatf&n*
Jarries I. Tan Alen. State of Petrties m N. Y. dmton and Spencer, The
Embargo of 1807-8. Wie Starrogate9 of Cokmibki County, Van JBuren^s amrm
as a partisan. Aristides.
Martin Van Bu?en the elder, wa^ a shrewd, cunning, clever boy — very
fond of betting, gambling and pard playing— a first rate pleader for a
small fee, in cases tried before a justice of the peace — very persevering in
such branches of study as he found to be particularly useful — ^good at trading
horses and making bargains — and endeavored to give some consideration to
that branch of the science of morals called politics at a very early age, at the
tavern. Dr. Holland mentions, that during Van Buren^s boyhood, Kinderliook
was a litigious, quarrelsome place, where ** party politics raged violently, and
frequently disturbed the peaceful relations of neighbors whose. real interests
were not in conflict with each other,^' and "the theatre of incessant litigation
and judicial combat, especially in the local courts." A gentleman who remem-
bers him from his infancy, tells me th^t his commpil conversation in early^Jife
far more resembled thp style of his son John's epistles to Jesse Hoyt, than those
of his student Benjamin Butler, dated from Sandy Hill.
How important is useful knowledge, not only to the person taught, but to tJie
community, to his country, and the world ! With young Van P.uren's talents,
energetic character, and ambition to rai^e himself to riches 'and distinction,
what advantages might not his country have derived from his exertions, had his
education been judicious and liberal — had he tecevied that instruction which
forms the mind, elevates the soul, directs the judgment, gives k zest to the finest
feelings of humanity, enables native talent and genius to enlist under the ban-
ners of virtue, and sends forth into society men of patriotism and love of truth,
whose souls are filled with generous anticipations of improving the condition
and increasing the social comforts of mankind ! Jefferson, Clinton and Lafay-
ette, tho' reared in afiiuence> struggled through life to increase the public stock
Digitized byCjOOQlC
^ VAN BtTREH Ttiuhd tAtv xixt tB^dfstts k T&Lhfeikif. '" ' 2(1'
of useful ktitiwledg^, knA ktiofeK off the fttf^rs Which tiiiM!thi ftiittiobsj iirf'
they di^d poor— Wealth and Tiigh stition have beeA WTf. Van Btiren'a great ifhi
— he has been Pre3i4ent of the Rejrablitfr bis children are marrted inib j^k
families, and, he himself is the Owner of lar^e possessions, < and covered w^
honors artd distinction. He enjOys the comlbrt of a tfetnporary retirement ftom '
public^ life in One of his cdufltry sedtsi, Otice'the Ikfriily nmnsibh of Gfen«?rii!. Vatti^
Ness, a lovely^ spot Vithin view of his birth ^ace, atM netir td the bftnk^ of the t
Hudson and the base of the Ipfty Catskill.' Educ?ition, such as po recerv^*it-
thei vjllage scHoot, in the tavern of hi^ ikthefr, among the petty qiiarrcb 9M^
cases of crime tried before the country sqirire^, am6ng noisy and b^wfing pbH**
tidians, gamblers, arid horse Jockies*<>f Rinderhook and its envit-ons, andln tkte**
€>tfiee of a well meftnlfTg counfiy attorney i tied down to the apocryph&l pradtkjd |
of Enfflish law^ laid the foundation of his foVttines ; and we shall enquire, 'ftt *
succeding cl^apters how fai* his elevatibrt to po^er hds befeh a'benefit or anjin-
jurV to his country. ' ' * ' ' , . ♦ .. , , ,
van Buren had been HcensMtO practise as an att^Vtaey in the state' courts ii*'
airship ^
self, hfid been/educated for the Itfw*, lihts in good piractice, and in May ISO^,,
elpctea a ihenibef of the tenth' confess, which metin December, t^of. Wr.'
Butler, and Dr. Holland describe Van Alch as a high tdned federatistf ' wh'tte
th6 pudsod Bee, and the RepubKdan Watch Tower ^^fay 9, 18p6^ name hiritf *
as a republican, opposing the ex-chancetlo^, R. R. tilvinfgstoA, ana. what thjij^'
call iheftderal influence. " Ip spite of the^ahnost all-pervadirig anil aft-poterft**
injSuence of the MereJmnts* BcMk an4 the liltilgutes of CJoverner Lewis's part/'
(says the See,^ the repuhHdans of this county haver presented a sound anq un-;
varying body." Who could understand from ftus that Tan Alen hj^d been the ]#
federal cancRdate ? ' / \ , . ^ . ',
K 1800, the great federal party m the state o^f N. T. \^ere overthrown ' tiy"
th^ united efforts of rfieClintbns, Livingstons and Ad'ron fiarr ; Burr Was aflfef-
wards temporarily prostrated by th^diiitofui and Livingstons, and more cffectu-^
ally by his duel with Colonel Hfimilt^i-trsbortljr aftes this the Clintons quarreled
with the Livingstons and overcaine tfiem. Yanouren took sides with the Cliijtoni-
and W. H* Crawford of Georgji^, against' Jefferson'^ embargo ftct. Soon After
its passage by congress, De Witt Clinton presided at a public meeting in the
City of New York^ by which it was condei;E(ned ; and Cheeth^m, in The Ame-
rican Citizen, the Clintonian paper, steadiljc denounced it. The Clinton and
Spencer party influence made DanJeT D. Tomj)kins, whb was a tnember of
congress for that city, Governor of the state ; and having a majority in tfte
A^tnbly of the state, elected ift B^bi t8©8, Bcfnjarain'Coej R C. Adanis, Jbhn ^
Vceder, and If athan fiNnith, as a doUneil' Of iippointment, to't-emove peiitf^l^
opponents frotn dfRcfe arid choose friends to fill Vacandiee. This coiltlcil fo«ll- •
with appointed D^ Witt Clinton to the ma^orilty 6f New York, Bylm^m-
MfWet to' be siirrogate there, and 5 oaftph C. Yates a judge ef the S^prieiiftd*
Court. Van B\iren*s rewkrd was fhe office of sarfogtrte of Colombia Co«ifitJr.
Tn the cou^ of the ytf«r, (1808,) Clinton ihd Crawfttfd, changed their nflWdli^
in favor of the embargo, fkiViig given the qu^kjn a more carelW cbnsideratioft.'^
In IQIO, a federal council came irtfo jtbw^r tit Albrnfy btrt, fifo'i(as Ha«H«'*
mond tells us) sheriffs' and sufn%ates « were generally ttfede to^el its powfer,^ *
Vati Buren held On quietly. James I. Tan Alen, hfe*^ half-brother, was th^'^stnr* t
rogate before him — rnakidg HiTfrs at Washington, And pcrfonnfAg Jddf^irt''-
duties, the' thedeputy of adeputy, onthe i»iik»6f theHttdsOfr^-yimBureA^'^
Digitized byVjOOQlC
2f VAN ALENf 4KZSTU>SS, S(M7T^WICK 4e VAXI BimjE^. ^AHXU^G}.
h{^.jplac9^ March 2^, |s808--^nd ia X813, whm be wa3 safely seated in the^
^iM^it, the fedbrnlists res^tprjed the ^nrrogate'a ojfBce to Vaa Alen. In tha
slfijiggles of factiop, bro^rs of the same faipily* and law-partof r$ of the name
fifmr ®f^o^ took opposite wdes, and, Uke V« JJ. and Y. A. played into each
o^ieir^s ^«^i^s. It was said not long since of the brothers Wetmore of New
Vorlbr, t^fUy Ukt two buqkets in a w^U :iiirben.one was down the other was up ;
one of thera fit le^t was suefe to bp in the majority of the hoar and in office.
Theiie Are many suchi cases. , By reference t» paf!^ 19(^ note first, it will be
em^ that, thp' Van Ale«, the federalist, did not hold on continually, his brother,
Martin, Ike democrat, ^haste|ied to pat him hack into the surrogate's in 1821,
tlmWing in th^ office of assistant county judge, with its en\oluments, for his
further accomni^odation; Wji of whi^h plaaea^ I believe, he held on to, hesides
h4f lega^ practice^ tlH the day of his death.
M.; M* J^oat and others have ii^uated. that Van Bj^en wept over to gover- .
nor Lewis and the Livingstons in 1804, when twenty-one years old, in conse-
qui^nce of a quarrRl with W, P. Van Ness, arisii|g out of the secret disolosute
of that gemleman's authorship of JAristides'-^ut as Judffe Spencer has stated
that this charge of a betrayal <tt confidei^e has.no founaatio)[i, wp are bound
wholly to discredit it, lu 1307, as Butler and Holland inform us» Van Buren
was no longer found under the J[!<ivi|^atQi^ 6ti^)dard — he supported Eianiel D. .
TompkiQs, who was Governor Lewis's onponentr— and again in, 1810. From
19&8 to 1612 he was a thorough-going Clintonian, and delivered a strong and
energetic address in favor of Clinton as President, in pppositioji to M^diaoUi in
Novemberj 1812, in the legislative caucus ^t -Albany. Solo ipon South wick
and Martin Van Buren were iiworn frienc^s in ppjitips from 1804 to 18J3. They
went for Lewis in 1904 — for I'ompkins, ^g^inst Lewis in 1807 — forTompkina
in 1810 — and for entaiiglmg pe Witt Clinton ihlheir toils — to pi^t down. Madison
in 18;2, In Southwitjk's remariable letter to xpe £page26a,] onVai/Buren,.
Tie gives a death bod version as it were of Van Buren*s true characte^^ as he
Imd ascertained it from a personal intimacy of many years. The rea,der may '
judge from the facUs given in thip. volnme whether h|s stactures are M'arrant^4^
»h "W
CHAPTER VI.
Van Burai^s experience on If. Y, hnUng, Re lobbies fpr a <iharter io Ae JBunk
of Hudson. Van Bureny Ms hrpther-in-ldu?, Cantine, and W. P. Van Ness
becojiie directors of iluit bank, ft explodes — a total wreck. Van Ness upon
Societtf. Madisan gives Mm a U. S, ju^esJiip^ His mcftmer of guarding the
court monies- Theron Rudd. Van Bwen^s unconquerable dislike to bank
shares. ,
Van BuiiEN is, and aiivays has been» ft stucHQ]iiSy^ enquiring, ohserving nwin*
In his early day^ ihe principleaof Ranking. i^Qfl paper currency wem discussed in
CofigJPtsSy in the Sliite Legislatures, by the pres8» and in private ci|rcles, with
tb^ ill^nost earnestness ; and thitt class of ^instructive facts whki\ were exhibited
in the state hanks' suspension of 1897> weis^ in i^ctlve operation before his eye& •
dur^iig the stoppage of caah pay^nents in .1814 and. 1815 : he was as well
ftW«xe» in 1829, whan hp reconu»§nded u chain of safety (!!]) fund banki,
«n4:in.ldd4^ when he plae^d them in, a state of dependfinaa ^n the federal ex-
eotttire, that the result wou^i be, a general hi^nkruj^loy, as, when, in 183^, he
echoed the impotent threat^ of the H^rmit^e .against the deceptions of tkeir
pre^d^Qts» director and ofieers. With Van Bu^ea there had beei^ no duplicity ;
hn unc^rstood and anticipated every nuDrve they made. This fapt will become
tf^i^jront tp the impartial and atteR|i%e reader.
Digitized byVjOOQlC
^IH 1406^ Vli» B^BBik wm ^ AJbl^l^ Iq. W^ Jib influence with the lobby fpr,
tlMB 6)ltl^tl^ru|g of (b^ Q^ol^ of* Hu4#<in!; fln^apiplfaaibti \ms. s^qcegs^uJ, and ia.
4U€t4iin9 he.hfi^m^'jk niiraato^ i^qt4 |t99909i4uig attorney ibr ihe iiistiluiioEi-
Afofi^ L CiliQ^iafs his l>rQtbei:.«v4a,^/a3rt4t^.^nator of his polititig, aiid aftcN^
Wftrd»i|t«iUi.pKtoter» Wi^P 900 of X^ ^i^oti^^pqkihe pan of the people of N. Y.,,
whokbtd a sb«re qC *tb^ i9^i^aip^irU» ^Idi-stf^k, deposiled pan of tha publiai
i Tj i ft i M^ ^ in tbi».lMMjJj»>md ^^eo^ |jf»4ii^fiHEito»ir:^^(>%'h i he State Lei;UIaturaM
WilliWil,P* V«i^NW)»tfle f/ienjijpf B*»rJrr^«;)^*39t'^eT of Cornelius P- VaiiNe^ ,
l»m ^l0«t^ rf ou#toign% Nepv .X^fik, »»<irOf Gipneral Joha P. Van Nes.^, Presi-.
de»t(/of :thaBaok-of .tb^.M^ti:0P9^)!W«s^^ and who hdd been a legal in-
8UpapU>r of Vdn Bureri» w^ Ode of ^hiB^^ssoQ^les at tbp board of direation.
When Yaii Bufea hti Hudioa Ibr.^lbaRy. he gave up Uis i^at at the dkcount,
board ; btitfts Attiornej^-G^oef^l it.fegii^iQ^d m^ei^ Im supervision, througb its
ch«,rt^ry iand f^ beif)g.|i st^te iastitutloQji lUid fof years paying no specie. In
IS^ il ei^lqded, but. Van 9mie|»..ba4 ^H <)ut,hi^ slock ; having been behind
tbe •oreeo, ba was;weU -^ware ,bf^jir,i|t^itt^iYere ^oing. The House of As-'
sambly appointed a,Qomni^t^to,^QquU^4iito, tj(iti atfairD of the Hudson Bank,.
wJwch reported on tba tbird^f Ffhwry^'tb^ty^ar, [aeo Assembly's Juurnali]
tkal 0Q lookypg vaio-Ust iiiatHjigem^it^^Dg baclf '' many years,'' the facts whidi'
had 0Q9ie naier their ob^^^^iiiJti^Q^-*' dolose a. fscene of wild speculation, ruin<
ouft and im^OYid^ftt enaaa^m^nt) oa tlta oAri of many of li^ ofHoors,'' hy
which tbe<stock^boiid9ri logt their i?tack,.tbo,£ilVlioldcrs their bills, v^'hich went
dawii'from^ beiiigi word^ j|v# to ^{^.(^nJ^ pei; dpUdr, to nothing ; and Van Buren
aa4 ibe publio .gained m^ .^^peri^ i i pQ f' 4 ^ i* safety^fund banking, and his
oaoeiitiieiits ia i^ ]te«uit9< ; ; , .
A few months after Van Furen removed to Hudson, hb ffiend,, Judge, ( V^. I^.).
Ym Urn^f tlmki^CAmi^i^ wipj^r, deli? f»r^ an able q^varge ta the jgraqd-in-'
qutalri^ that oouQtyy tbere^ wWem.hd too)^.ocoi^4oa to d^acribeJhQ c9nditioa.
(rf icwiaty aa ^Haw» :- , ;, ,; 1
«^ AttlKMgb 4te Janto^ iiM 4kl» attMiei^lWol^adillMrdiftoad ^ibf perpftratiaii«>f flnrnt)*,
wbich distiAg^wbes ih^ aatforyi ^tbe old world, wq v(if^ ^laifn all ^ merit of moist hopeful
pupils/ and saccessfol imitators. All the evil propensities of foreign growth hav^ here found a
most congenial soil^ That species of ivqfli^acy, wjuch ha^ hithertd been believed t6 'fto the o^
sj^fing of defep national, and indlVidiiid degaiMfUT*, s^tiis to flourii^ fa^fe, with «• iioi*ili6u8
lomialM)* that ^versfaadowt A«d blaafii «t^.virQi«us piineiple. A 4Mb atteotMa tOi thi4'«ii>*'.
jact{ wiU. m'vn&Bft0 )wu Ih^ in theips 4i^ys4of fpa^latiwi and jce^io^atf mankind is ixnnroviaK
ia^every^ thing but virtueu Tjhai hj|» ingenuity is ejperted^with great success, in the skijfiu com-
mission ^f <pm9B) iind in the practice of devices ihti^itely various/ for tlie purpose df eliiciing
detection, ana escaping the piehatties of the, hiV- ttjl a simple^ state of manners, the artillces bf
dlesigning'ihen, were'ies» oom^^le^. Viee mtrtihed dirte4y to 'its object. The concetition ,a&<l'
cMStaniYimtkn^if a cliaie ia]picttr«wMbt|te# each^rtinn BiiH now ibs^raitidpUfd a^te of Bfun ^k/wk.
ejMit spocvavm: <^ ik^ ^b^t i^iU«l ^wad .fi^campUaliefl YJ,Uainy, which, by ^vasive detxterityf*
almost baffles the usual methods of scrutiny and detection. The wealth that .has pourecl in upon
us, since our national birth, and the reputation we have established, has exalted otir pnd^, anft
iatozicfted our vanity, with th^ hopes of unintemqsted prosperity. But it should be rem em bered,-
thst th^ adva;)t4ges hi a natioiiat'lts^ well as priVBft^ ti^w; arefysil hftd evanedeedt, trad that the
most prosperous periods are not unfrequently selected by the wI^OD;^ of God to cJyistCae the aa<
piri^g spirit «^ a people^'' . ; . ,« ^, .
' t^m. p. Van Ness was sogn after appoint W by Mt*. M^^ison, to the office of
District Judge at New Yark j and in 181^, be remaved Chaises Clinton the
derk, and appointed TJie^w^ Eudd in his stead. Mr. Tiilm%d|^, the cirtiUit,
judgfe, tuTtied off Rudd and apgnnted John C. Spencer's tmcle^PhiUp^ dlinton
not^e^rii^ a leappcHntment. in A4igust,1812t/Mr, V^ Ness put out Spender.
ariClgiav^ Rudd the ^l6i*lC*s pl^ce agalti. Ilwas,Rnd4*sdutyt6 keep the mon^ .
ity charge af the court, in a banfc ^stgaated to htm, and a rule of eourt forbada
him to pay out or remove any of it withoiit the judge^s order, stating to whom
the ca$h was to be pakl, and why. Judge Van Ness repealed the rule. Ano.
Digitized byVjOOQlC
ii X i^ti/AtJCM.nbif. TAN imttEW-iM ^nM nsMntfiMU m/^
tWr Ttile of court wMbh sc^bjec^sd Ktidd*ii ftec<Hili< ^cAak ^liand, to 1«A> l«ilf
y«any inspectidhsi by tfte hldg^ aild di^ridt' ktlxiniey^' ti^ iQ<lg9 ftiiMnded
hf IpkVfhg oth the district «tiomej*» Yamie,'hm fieV«r aftefr enifilired kite Rudd's
finAticial dp^ratioilii. I'he taw r^j^iUMl 'Ytltt N(»i t» fxAe bbad* ttid^ s^ooyfty
fer!th« fftithfal i^rformaneeofbis'dittlesjbcrt! he 'omitted kwhsmlfe.rattfpototed
bitti. In Feb. 1617, Rudd bad About f f 5^,0M ^ bta httiiik beton^kig to sui-^
to^ iu'TftU'N^^'s^urt, and ^uspioioa ba^g atiseir a cMMnmiitee of &mgnmi'
etaniiiied the^ jiidg^^ vr\\o Trent te Wastbtitgton abd tetd « eoniiiAi^iee oif tbe Sea-
atd that'the ca^h i^ cTmrge ,«f bU eourt iras plu^e^l^^ s«fe inr ^Uhe Middle Die*
trict Bank;*' north 6f the higbfamds, and that his ^tet^ Rtidd; \v«» ^<^wiBrj w9lj
iieispohsible tlhaferhls bohd.^* The clei4t' had given ne- bDnd-*4he j«d^e bad
made no' enqufry about the. numey for serertil yfeare. Jiidgfe Vah Nei^s tried
ih.vam to prevent congress from ^sarfng ft law requi^rig ' eotUt nHonilie' to l»e
paid into bank/ and a!! payments by ^Hem to he by the^uige*e eVd^r. 4b Jime,
1817, an onier ibt.tha attMchtnienf of Rtidd Wa% {^iied«^be Wasput fa pHson-^
Idt 01^ again^nd^ finftlly a cornVnitt^ 6f con^^ree^ Apifil fQ, 1819, annotmced*
that f 117,897 of the pubtip; money **wfereunaccimn^^ fer by Ttteiail ftudd,
tfpd ttiat they have beerf' most grbssly iwid nefarfoU^ purloined.'' No law-
Was ^hen passed tb punish furtbei* 'be(^u(^6n7 nod. Wbiu; lit July, 1940, H
peual enactment found its way Into me ^b-treasuty bitt, Jii6^^ Beds, Hie suc-
cessor of Van Ness, discorvereatba* it wctuld ft<^ apply to Jesse Hoyt'a oase.
l^uda was ^ gV^at admirer of Vdn ■Bui^6n-*-u'pheld hie adttiiiiistratkNi powerful,
ly, as editor of the New Bra— W^' fof the eut^.fre^siiry«— a^, like Priee^
SwartVoiit, Grouverrieur and ^Hoyt, f^robably^expeudfiid a fahnsbare of the ^«otirt
monies' in n;iaoufacturinjg^ public opinion, to serve party ka^ri, at S^nsraAaoy
Hall, Texasi or elsewhere. ' * ' .
Judge Van Ness's practice, fbrd*^his derk, Rudd, alR»rded an «pt Illustration
erf his thebiy of society, above quoted; AHho*^tbe i^mtntttee of eongvess biaitted
his remissness, they had no reason to believe that he received a M}$t of the
ifti^shi^ tfeksUf^^. Me^died hi ii2l4,vaiiythteg' bat .wMkh3rw.«t|id ^e beautiful
lands and mansion of his family were purchased, and are now occupied by hla
ancient pupil, Van Buren. , ,
. Van Buren'e o&tial bl<^raphex9 HQ%Qd> telU us, page ZOtf^^' that lie has
wholly abstained from 'becoqiiDg thft owner a( mxy bank -stocky ov taking any
iiiferest in any compaify ineOr)xyr«ted by the legislature of New Vork, eiaoe the
period of l^is entrance into the Senate Of that state in 161?;" afl Which is as
true> hiU^ TUJi more ,so, th^a O'Sullivan's assertion in his Ufe of B. F. Butler,
Van Buren's Uw-partner, that be^left the Washington a4)d Warreu Bank, la
good condition, paying e^ry bodty speoie. Van Baren was noi only inteneated
in banks, but was^ one of ihe niiost active mua^agers of the very worst of them,
ia 1814, that at Hudson. * " . „ *
I .;;.»•. .,-,.'.
* In ISOSr ^ )tfisl4iiU9 of UpfT-Yv^^tM^ ^ Mt t9^1«ad4;«nain clasfea of tJie citizen* a tjiiv of ippney ftn titbit
relief. Hr. Van Bureji'i friend, agent, and admirer. Jlordecai Id. Noah', nvei the foUowiOf brief hirtorv of it in
theJ¥:T.£ifmtng Star of AugiMl,l»H: s '
<* The charten of the Bank of New Yotk, the Bank of Albany, the Farmers* Bank of Troy^nd the |la«|ror6el' .
U^bia, wftve a^^nt eicpinng, tM tl^ykalaU a^tM &f tk» extenai^ gf tbeir.pb«jrtejr«. The copinenilBl condition
of the country and its cnrrency. was at wkX tune tinder |fieat embarftissnient, resulting from thutUenemboar^; and
ofber reitrvitjeas Imfiosedlty tAeGeni«lda»rer««ieaCi« aStbuine^eEiililQbvakieii c^eM nati«B« iU. Klie taemhen.
ffom the couotMi (otfa«r than th^se «Mre th»bai(^s m.entioned were ktoatedj cooM^ined that these fcanchises and
grants wens paftf al ii) fhaft opetaftion, kttd that fhdf constftu^nts Wet^ also ^'bfl«Sni uncTer freat diffioultiM, wMeii '
cebldnet* and trovid »otbel««Mnea«&«^»ei1>y tke ieM#ai oCli)e>nAk ^hartefs. Ta.obtiatethieallmed partiaMty
the loan of 180$ was adopted* > 'Hie )iiirf«|ailating this loan was drawi^ by the then Attorney General, and K mem
b«r of Asaembfy ft-om this city. Tuvte is eltother fiiot whiiOi e<seutt«a at 4liat f^mia* tfae.iii«lit(»BCtiitf «f the BaMk
ol fiudfloa. itWiin Van Baren was in; Albany during jUie seasiot) of ISQB, » lokh vttmkfir foi the ehafteripg of ^at
UanK, He was a warm' advoeate fgr ihe -rtehariering of the od^en, and co-«>mrating with those who snpiwrted
them. H^ was a Iwisy ta»te mtmbet tm th* T«n«w«l«f tit ^anfc dbtftfnv afd Ak th^ n«dadB fia«|i, ia whieh aa(
of ineonoi»tioB (w« tl^nkJ Im wa? fanned u ^ dlreQ^oirr^ lift WM n^dire^tor o| ^b^t institution for a ftumber o.
yean,'* ^ ' ■..-.:-
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▼AN BUBXN WlltfifCt HIS HAKD MDIflT'FACE. TH9 BAJHK OF AMSftlOA. M
CHAPTER yil.
* Yuh Buren sets v.p as an eneihy t6 Chartered Saiikst TJte Bank of America,
' olr Six MlUian Bank. Tompkins opposes it, and describes the dang&s of the
'2V. F. hanktng systetn, Southwick and the friends of the hank support Van
Buren in ISVi' for ^ Senate. General Boot, James W. Wilkin, Ambrose
akd J. C. Spencer, dnd Samuel Cnhph^U sustain Tompkins. The CommoH
Sc^iod]^ cheated &ut of the Bank Bonus. Judge W. W. Van Ness's bribe. Th9
' Mert^nis' Sank Charted, 1.QQ5.
When Van Btirea was a candidate for the Vice Preaidency, a sketch erf his
life appeapred in the Albany Argu^, and af\;epwards in pamphlet form, by B.
F. :B*itle». When m 1835, he was put forward for the office of President, But-
ler's pamphlet was enlarged into a. duodecimo; Dr. Holland was the rep«l«
; led awthor, hut Butler compiled the more important parts. Blair's Globe, the
. ArgiiSf a^d other prints under Van Buren's control, warranted the narrative tp
he authentic, and I therefore quote it as Van Bu^en's own version of his histor^i;
land principles. In page 301, it tells us, that *^ Ofall inventions which hav«
b«en fiut in^wgtiony^ in this country, to promote the inordinate aocumulatioa
of w^thi'the most exc«|>^oBable are incorporated companies; and the wojrst
of all incorporated companies are hanks." In page 40, it assures us, that> ii|
the days of Washington,** the leading doctrines of the democratic party were
* ♦ « * no privileges to particular sections of the country or to pai^ti-
<sular classes of the eomnaunity — no monopolies^ trading companies, or goves-
xnental hanks"-7-while "the doctrines of the anti.tepublican party weresimilac
to those of the present day. They were for a splendid^ consolidated govern-
nieft^ SUPPORTED BY A NATIONAL mNK, AND REVOLVING A^OUT AN INTRIGUING
. 4JND CORRUPTING TREASURY,*' In page 303, it denounces " incorporated banks,"
mid a paper currency ; remarking, that " it may be reasonftbly doubted whethai
the whole [backing] system, from beginning to . epd, is not an infraction of the
constitution. It is, at least, an evasion of its plain provisions, pernicious in its
influence upon industry and morals, and meriting the fi^m resistance of all true
lovers of equal rights/'
When, in 1811, George Clinton's casting vote in the United States Sen^te^
closed the cdreer of the first national J)ank, its friends pursued very nearly the
same course which the directors p( the second national bank followed, wten
Jackson's veto prevented a renewal of its charter. They endeavored to incor-
^porate it as a state instillation; and as Pennsylvania was opposed to them, and
l^ner legislature refused them a state charter, by a vote of 69 to 22, they came
to Albany, and thro' persuasion, influence, interest, and I regret to add, bribery,
pbtained majorities in both branches of the legislature, for chartering " the
Bank of Americaa" with a capital of six millions of dollars. Holland, page
.304, tells us that "In the spring of .1812, Governor Tompkins prorogued the
legislature, to prevent the passage of ttie charter for the bank ; and Mr. Van
Buren yielded this energetic, but necessary, exercise of power, his firmest sup-
port." This m^y be true, for Van Buren's opponent, E. P. liivingston, was a
thorougli Bank jnan— yet I perceive that Solomon Southwick, State Printer,
^President of the Farmers and Mechanics' Bank, Albany, who was the most ultra
■ Bjdvocate of" the Bank of America" in ttie Union, and employed by its projectors
£o travel over thestatfein 1811, and cnlist'recruits^nd manufacture public opin-
ion for its use, and who had bc^cOme deadly hostile to Tompkins, earnestly urg.
; ed the people to choose Van Buren as a Senatof ; this he did in April, 1812,
only a mopth before the bank bill passed into a law in spite of Tompkins ^and
\th^ war party. These were his woi"|5s : '
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D9 , * ' ., 809TEWICK'£{ two CUMMAfiTEM «F VdlN ..ftVEBK*
" Albany Register, April, 1812. — Middle District — for Senator, MARTIN
VAN BUREN. In the Middle District; WE REJOICE in the nomination
of MR. VAN BUREN^WE HAVE LONG KNOWN AND PSTBEMf^
HIM* He pos^essas^ genius, iotelligence, and aloquencer^as long b^n one
of |he firoiest props of the Republican interest; and with a spirit wVcl^ will
oci bend to aervilityor sycophancy^ cannot fail to become a distinguished and
useful ineqiber of the Senate. Attempts are now making to divide the party
oa a question which has no coAnexioQ with It; Wq allude tq the bmik question.
Attempts are said to have been made to corrupt certain members,. but without
success ; and surely an unsuccessful attempt to corrupt ONE member who
▼oted against the bill, is not to be admitted as proof, lior ought it to give lirth
even to a suspicion, that another who voted for it had been corrupted.*'
Van Buren, was elected — ^the sit million bank bilt became a Iaw-«-4nid m
th^ eighth of December, 1888, Mr. South wick wrote me as follows: "
** I hope, my dear sir, that you are now convinced of what I told yt)tiin
August last, th%t Van Buren was heartless, hjpocritibal, sel/rsh anid utif vincipM.
He is the tool or slave of a foul heart and a false ambition, and nere^r posslteaed
a paTticle of true greatness." I speak not from prejudice — I knew hirti inti-
ttetely— VERY INTIMATELY FOR SEVENTEEN YEARS, anJ tfeWr
knew him to act from a noble and disinterested nsotive ; always full Of low
cunning, dark intrigue, and base selfishness." "^
He died soon after, and the Albany Argus, and Evening JournaUtbus de-
scribed hinfi: "He w'as among the most ardent, generous, warm-hearted roan
that ever lived. He was in his manners, feelings and sentinwnts, a tepublicaif.
Oppression and tyranny found in him an enthusiastic and fearless opponent."
Hammond speaks of him in the same strain.
In less than three months froin the time when Southwick took the field for
Van Buren, as above, namely in July, 1812, John C. Spencer, in the Ontario
Messenger, remarked, that, " next to the tories, we think apdstate republican
editors deserve to be marked arfd known. The first whose name is entitled to
be enrolled on this list is Solomon Southwick.'*
The memorial of Cornelius Ray and others, read in Senate^ February 15,
1812, set forth, that the trustees of the late Bank of the United States had
accumulated a large sum in specie in their vaults, which they yere desirous
to employ in the business of banking ; that of this money a considerable sum
was owned by foreigners, who could neither vote on their sTiares nor be direc-
tors ; that a partial revival of the late national bank was desired by its trustees ;
who wished the stock-holders of the late United States Bank incorporated as
the Phoenix Bank, for twenty years, with $5,000,000 of capital, which privilege
of incorporation they were ready to purchase at the expense of $500,000 in
cash, to be paid to the state, and other $500,000 l^hey would lend to f^e state at
five per cent. An additional million of stock Was afterwards added by the
legiislature, which refused to allow New ^ork state to hold the $60,000 she had
held in the old U. S.' Bank, and refused to give U. S. iBank stockholders, if
natives, a preferenoe to. ditto, if foreigners. The bonu^ or price of the charter
was raised to $600,000, and a loan to the state of $2,000,000. Of its capital,
$5,000,000 were to be paid in specie at once, .and it was to be Testricted to a
bank note circulation equal to its cafutal. No other bank opppseci its charter.
On the twenty-eighth of March, Governor Tompkini? prorogued the legisla-
ture to the twenty-first of May. He Jiad no veto ppwer. In his speech at the
prorogation, he mentioned tliat, at the previous session, members, had been tam-
pered with to ind.uoe ^e,passage of the late Jersey Bank charter — and *' that
some years since, it was ascertained beyond any reasonably doubt, that corrupt
inducements were held out to members of the Legislature in order to obtain
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t\mr rt^ea in favor <^ an iaoorpomtioii of a banking insUtiitiaa [the Herohi^ntii'
Baak] ia the city of New. Tork ; and the very strong aqd general suspicion
that the emoliimQiito tend^ed were^t ia certain instances, aopepted, inflicted a
deep wound upon- the purity and independence of legislation. That it appeared
by the journals of the Assembly^ that attempts have been made to corrupt, by
bribes, four roemhera of that body, to v^te for the passage of the. bill to incor*
porate the Bank of America ; and it also appeared by the journals of the Sen*
ate, that an improper attempt had beeUf made tQ influence one pf the .Senator«i
to vote for the bill."
Grovernor Tompkins, when he opened the session, on the twenty-eighth of
January^ s^d, that, ^ not unfrequently, the prominent meiy who seek the inoor-
poratioa of tiew: banks, are the very same who have deeply. participated in the
original stock of most of the previously established banks^ Having disposed
of that stock at a lucrative advance, and their avidity being sharpened by re« .
peated gratification, they become more importunate and vehement in every firesb
attempt to obtain an, ofiportunity of renewing their speculations. If (said he)
we still persevere in multiplying banks, will there not be danger of infusing into
the public mind a suspicion, either that we yield too plainly to the naanagement
and luressure of external oombinations, pr that the unhallowed shrine of cupidity
has its adorers within the very sanctuary of legislation — such a suspicion will
be the prelude to the downfall of republican government, for it is erected §nd
supported upon the affections of the people at lai^e, and upon their faith in the
inviolable firmness and probity of their public agents, and when once the found*
ation is removed the superstifucture must fall, of course."
Aniong those who were apposed to this bank and approvers of the governor's
course, I find the names of Archibald Mclntyre, James W. Wilkin, Erastua
Root,i John Tayler, John W. Taylor, F. A. Bloodgood, Ambrose Spencer, John
C. Spencer, Samuel Campbell, B. Coe, Nathan Sanford, Henry Yates, Alex-
ander Sl^eldon, and Isaac Ogden. Among the friends of the bank, were Sam-
uel Jones, Jr., Halsey Rogers^JE. P. I^ivingston, Morgan Lewis, Jonas platt,
and Ab'm Van Vechten. Van Buren's biographer, Holland, states, pages 86
and 8Ti that he supported Tompkins with his " utmost influence and best talents,*'
and that the bill "did not become a law j but owed its defeat to the firn;iness of
the governor." This is not true — the bill became a law in June, 1812---01iver
Wolcoti was the first president — and Preserved Fish and Theodorus Bailey, ultra
democrats, were named in the act, with others, as directors for two years.
Next year (1813) in March, the opponents of Madison came into power in
the Assembly, but the senate 3;emained democratic, so called. Of the bonus
agreed to be pai4 towards common schools for their charter, the Bank of Amer-
ica asked to have $30Q,000 returned to thera — and it was done, by 16 to 9 in
the senate, Root and Van fiuren, Bloodgood and Wilkin, being among the nays,
to their credit be it recorded. It does se0m to me, that, as neither party wanted
to be rid of banks — and, that, as there was as much rottenness abod't * the Man-
hattan' of the Democrats as *the Merchants* of the Federalists — the offer of
the trustees of the U. S. Bank, was, in its way, very liberal, had it bfeen unac-
companied with bribery — but the corrupting of the next year's legislature to
induce them to give back 'to the bank 9300,000 of the purchase moneys of the
monopoly, out of the common school fund, af^r the bank was afloat, through
wholesale corruption, was a refinement in knavery evincing talents suitable for* .
Botany Bay or Van Dieman's Land. South wick, Thomas, and others, were
tried for bribery, and acquitted. Judge W. W. Van Ness, of Columbia county,
preskied at South wick^s trial,, and took a bribe of $5,000 out of the funds of
the bank, for his services m voting lor the bill as a member of the council of
revism (XI) Charles Eing^ J. A. Haa^lton, aad J. Verplanck, manfully atatad
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the fftets in the Amerieeai — General RcxM, in 1S20, braught the jtldge beibre the
legislature, where, instead of telling a plain story like a man, he appeared en-
trenched behind the legal quibbles of foar hired lawyers, six of the committee
being also men of law. John Duer and Rudolph Bunner swore positively that
Van Ness had told them that he was entitled to the third of #20,00(^ secretly
appropriated by the bank for a gratuUy to him, and the servicea of Grosrenor
and Williams, and that he feared he would only get $6,000. The reccfipt »nd
books of the bank were bot fdrthcoming— »the judge bad the oadi-^but the shock
he got through the enquiry affected his health — he died in 1824< Butler alludes
to him ih letter thirty-eight of Correspondence.
I am particular in noticing the system of Ne# York bank chartering, to show
how well aware Messrs. Van Buren, Cambreleng, Wright, Flagg, Dix, Young,
Kendall, Butler, Beardsley, Marcy, Benton, Dickenson, Lawrence, Hoyt, Allen,
Fish, dz;o., were, of what would be the results of their tampering with the cur-
rendy from IS'28 to 1840.
Theodorus Bailey, who was one of the most active and urgent of the lobby
waiters for the Bank of America, in 1812, presided at. a meeting of the demo-
crats of New Yotk, on the twenty-third of April, 180d, at which an addrees
was got up, signed by him, and sent through the state, denouncing the infamous
proceedings connected with the Merchants' Bank charter. - Here are extracts i
** Alas ! the influence of gold has triamphed over the honor and interests of onr country .•^Ic
isuhdeniabte that a member of the senate endeavoured to bribe one of his cotlvafues, and thai
he Vk 9tiU permitted to degrade that bonQrable body by hi^ presence. Can future confidence be
reposed in him? Can our lives, our liberties and fortunes, be safely entrusted in such hands?
If he was guilty, why was he not expelled ? If he was innocent, why was he censured by a vote
of the senate ? When the charge of corruption was o'penly announced in the Assembly, a coip-
nrittee of investigation was appointed by the Speaker, by 'the command and with the Sanction of
thftt house* The chairman of 'the committee pKsented a report, and a majority refused to tecem
it ? Qan we believe that men, conscious of integrity, and jealous of their characters, would have
shrunk from evidence calculated to vindicate the innocent, aiid detect the guilty ? Would they
have added to such committee individuals suly'ect to the. general criminationt knotpingr as th^y
mast have hnown^ that their conduct could be attributed to wo other cause than a determinatioH
to suppress the truth ?"
** Corruption, [says Col. Duane] was first employed in the senate' house, it produced this denred
efibct— rthe press proclaimed the fact ; the senate, in consequence, instituted an enquiry, passeci a
vote of Censure upon the corrupted member, and yet, strange to relate, this very senate ordered
the printer who proclaimed the mrpitude to be prosecuted, denying him the privilege of giving the
troth in evidence.'*
CHAPTER VIII,
Van Buren removes his law office to Hudson. Is appointed Attorney General.
Rficeives the support of the Anti-Renters for the Sfate Senate. Changes his
residence to Albany. Is removed from the Attorney Generalship, and elected
to the United States Senate, Fifty -one high-minded Federalists join the Buck-
tails to put dovm Clinton. Clinton exposes " the organized corps.^ Van
Buren^s early effort to convert the post office into a machine of party hy pun-
ishing post-masters for opinion's sake.
In the latter part of 1808, or beginning of 1809, Van Buren removed his law
cilice to Hudson, and continued to practice in the state and county courts till
February, 1816, when he sucoeeijcled Abrahant Van Vechten as Attorney C^n-
eral of N. Y. The CouncH of Appointment chosen by the Assembly voted, two
for VanBuren, (Jonathan Dayton and Lucas ElmendorfT,) and two (Ruggles
Hubbard and Farrand Stranahan) for John Woodworth, whom B. F. Butler
appears to have so much disliked. Governor Tompkins gave the casting vote, in
favor of Van Buren. In May^ 1812, Van Buren was elected Senator for the
Middle Pistrict — the aqti-renters of Coliunbia county, whon he frequently
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V. Btrbk lit ttOR sBitATt'. ' RS tn^mes "^iTH yh^ Ft»s to Menr einfmr. 3i
harangued, arid the friiBnds of De Witt Clinten in Roekland oounty, haYiQg
turnedf the scale in his favot. He received 5,d$8, votes and his opponent, Ed-
ward P. Livingston, whom he afterwards strongly recommended and supportcMl
for the office of lieutenant j^ovemor, got but 5,800. Holland says there were
over 20,000 votes polled, which f believe, was nfot the case.
At the time of Van Biiren's -flection to the senate, Columbia county was
greatly agitated with the anti-rent questicm. His conduct and proceedings witii
reference to that agitation are noticed in a subsequent part of this- work.
Van Buren took his seat in the senate of New York, in November, 1813,
and voted for De Witt Clinton for President, in oppoi»tion to James Madisoa
and the old Jef^e^sonian party, having been supported for the senate by Solomoa
South wick atid other editors in the interest of Clinton. In March, 18^13, he be*
came a member of the cdntt for the revision of errors; and in 181©, removed
from Hudson to Albany, where he resided till 1829, when he exchanged the
office of Grovernor of N. Y. for that of Secretary of State, at Wdshington,
in conformity with a secret understanding with General Jackson, previous to
his election, as may be seen by referring to his letter to J. Hoyt, No. 165 page
207 of Cprrespond^noe, where he expresses the belief that his designs would
have beSi frustrated had the honest and conscientious Pitcher been noraitiated
as lieutenant governor, at Herkimer, instead of that pliant, corrupt, and there-
fore convenient party tool, Enos T. Throop.
In July, 1819, Van Btiren, who had long been the most active and untiritg
of Governor Clinton's opponents) was removed from the influential office of At-
torney General, now held by his son, John, and Thomas J. Oakley appointed in
his place. In the session of 1821, Van Buren was sent to Washington as U.
S. Senator, in the stead of Nathan Sanford, whose term had expiied. In a
legislative caucus he got 58 *votes — Sanford got 24. In the legislature he had
86 vot^s — Sanford, 00. It is a curious fact that but for the operation of the
party caucus pledge. Van Buren would have failed, a decided majority of the
members^ of the two houses being again^ hiofi. By securing a majority in a
private party meeting, however, the minority of the party had to go with ita*
niajorify, contrary to their judgment, to nullify the plainest provisions of law
and the wishes of the whole legislative body.
In IB 19, a party among the federalists, of whom Charles King and, William
A. Duer, (late president of Columbia college, N. Y., and whooi Jesse Hoyt, in
his letters, notices in rather an unfriendly manner,) seemed to have formed a
design to put down Clinton. Fifly-one of them, including James A. HamilioOt
Josiah Ogden Hoffman, John A. King, James Lynch, Johnson Verplanck, JohaC.
Hanrilton and John Duer, issued ftn address, on the fourteenth of February,
1820, declaring that the federal party was at an end — that they approve of
Monroe's administration — ^that they will support Tompkins and oppose Clintoa
for governor, though they neither object to the measures, morals, nor abilities of
the latter.' The Albany regency, with Van Buren as their leader, united with
these fifty-one " high-minded " federalists, says Hammond, "to opjiose the election
of a governor, neither of which charged upon him a want of capacity, or integ-
rity, or uttered a solitary syllable against his measures." He was sustained by
the people by a majority .of 1457 votes^but his no-principled opponents (for such
they seem to have been,) carried the legislature.
Governor Clinton's speech to the legislature gave great offence to B. F. Butler,
Van Buren, Hoyt, iVIarcy, &c. ; and his message in January, 1821, where he
shows that the officials in the pay of the federal government were interfering
with the state elections, is described by the financial admirer of "stated pleach-
ing" as "very abusive." [See No. 47, page 167.] In his letter No. :U, page
161; he says <^ Clinton is raving .mad; beside being a fool"'^ia 1819 (see No, 1}
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df YB cmvtmnm «r MQlf vah vnfSM and tsb, foffT omcsu
he thought .dintoa's sitoatioQ was <' daily beocmiDg more desper^te"-Tand , in
1828 he shed crocodile tears over his grave. In Clinton's speech he intimated
that the officers of the U. S. government were <' interfering in the state elections,
as an organized and disciplined corps,^^"" and he recommended, as he had done
before, a state convention to amend the constitution, whose doings should be sub-
mitted to the people for th^ir verdict. Judge Ulshoe^r reported in the Asseni-
bly a bill calling such a convention, which Clinton, disapproving of some of its
provisions, vetoed in the Council of Revision, he desiring an equal representa-
tion and that whatever amendments might be made in convention should be sub-
mitted separately to the people. A new bill next session, first referring the whole
matter to the electors, passed the legislature, and & third bill ordered the elec-
tionfi to take place in June, 1821, and the meml^rs to assemble at Albany in
Atj^st. Their proceedings are referred to at length in another part of this
volume.
CHAPTER IX-
Van Buren electioneers for the Presidency by telling an untruth. Smcerity the
first of virtues. The old Buffalo Bank) by Van Buren, Barker, and tke party.
Van Buren goes for a never-paying bank. The Bucktail Democracy. Bank
suspensions, and hard money principles in 1817.
WheiT Sir Walter Scott's publishers had given to the world Waverley, Guy
Matinering, and the Antiquary, as anonymous, the baronet was frequently ask-
ed, ARE you the author? His uniform reply was^ "I am not." He after-
wards owned that he had written these books ; and in explanation of his previous
statement to the contrary, said, '< I considered myself like an accused person,
put on trial, to deny all that could not be proved against me, and refuse evidence
to my own conviction — in short, I felt entitled Jo refuse my own evidenpe to
disclose that which I wished to conceal."
Van Buren was introduced to the republic as a candidate for the presidency,
under the cloak of a friend, always a friend, to a sound specie currency — his
biographers, his political friendu in congress, the presses of his party, and the
aspirant himself, all chaunted one chorus, and that was in praise of the <' real
bard money man." In his letter to Sherrod Williams, Aug. 8, 1836, he says :
"In the course bf my eight years' service in the senate of this state, a vpry
large proportion of its banking capital' was inoorporaied, and i/ie journals^ of thai
*1Vitbr his oieasage to Ibe ^siembly, Goirernor Cliniton ■•jK mainr 4oc|imentg to profQ an undue interference of
the generalgoiremmenl with the state elections. He showed that Van Ituren, a thorough partisan of th* men then
in power at Washington, had addressed the following letter to Mr. Meigs, just tweotyone days before tbe etate
election, aq^ingthe past oifiee department to remove certain post-masters, though free of blame, to serve his party,
and intimidate by such example, the six hundred and leventy-fbur post-masters of the state— biddifig^Mr. Meige
remove them quickly and much good would follow—that is, to remove them be^re ti^e election and many yotw
would be thereby acquired by the candidates of his party. Mr. Monell made oath that the post-master-general
had been told that the gentlemen thus 'named for removal (by Van Buren) were uniform repoblicaiM, and that as
nD spefcific ehorgcs had been nkade against them, it was evident that their removal (for they were turned put) >ras
a punishment for supporting Clinton for governor. The papers sent to the Assembly contained evidence to show
that fix)ger Skinner had not been idle at Sandy Hill. Lot Clark, named fbr a posfe-mftster by V. B^ figures after-
wards in the Crawford caucus of 1834. " A gevempient of influence and corruption, (said Mr. Clinton,) is the
worst possible shape which a. republican government can assume, because under tne forms of freedom, it combines
the essence of tyranny."
Mirtin Van JB«r«» to Batry MeigSt Qeneral P. Q:, Washington.—^* April, 4, 1820.— My Oear Sir : Our sufferiiigs ,
owing to the rascality of deputy ))ost-masters, IS intolerable^ and CRIBB aloud for relief. We find tt absolutely,
impossible to penetrate the interior with our papers, and unless wocan attam thorn by two or three prompt removal,
there ia nor limiting thf injurious consequences that may result fro(n it ; let me, therefore, entreat the post-moster-
general to do an act of justice, and render us a partial service, by the removal of Holt, of Herkimer, and the
appointment of Jabez Fox, JSsq.— Also of Howell, of Bath, and the appointment of an excellent friend, Yf. B.
Rochester, £^q., a young man of the first respectability and worth In the statd, atid the removal of Smith, at Little
FaJItr, and t^e appointment of HoUister, and th« removal' of Chamberlin, in Oxford, and the appointment of Lot-
Cbri, £••[. I am io extreme haste, and can, therefore, add no more. Use the enclosed papers according to your
discretion ; and if anything is done, let it be quickly done, and you may rely upon it, much good will reeult from
it. Ytnxn ageMmaiay, M.V. BUREN.
April 15, laSO. Hon. R. J. Meigs, Jan'r.'--Sir : From various representatioBB which have been made to me ir
rigard to the mal-praetieec of the pdst-master at Nor^ch, I moftt'cotdkUy taite with |fr. Van Bsmi j» jwauak-
noading hie nmoval, and the appointment of Mr. Lot Clark. JOHN B. DR^CE, (M. C.)
Digitized by^OOQlC
VAN BtfEElf's BANK tBlNCrPtSS— .1816 AND 1896. Sf
hodi^ ^iU show that I took an active part in dU the questions which arose up&n. the
subject. Most of the applications fbr hanks that were rejected^ will he found to havH
been so disposed of on my motion ; AND EVERY APPUC ATION, SAVE ONE,
WILL BE FOUND TO HAVE MY VOTE RECORDED AGAINST IT.
THE" EXCEPTION was that of a hank estallUhed (it BUFFALO at the closei
of the war. It wais established with the avowed design of enabling the inhabit-
ants the more speedily to rebuild the town after it had been burnt by the enemy.
That my vote in that particular case would be governed by tbat consideration, -
and should not be construed into a departure from the course which I had pre-"
scribed tq myself, was stated in my place. . The motive proved in that in-
stance as delusive as usual."
This was as far from the truth as Scott's first assertion about the authorship
of Waverley ; but, doubtless, Van Bureri well knew that his hard money votiers
would, in general, read only their own parly journals, and listen to no orators
beyond the pale of their sect. Party, or rather faction, is every thing. The
people at elections move as 'armies do, under command. The riiind that directs
is not that of the people, or x>f any great part of them, but of men whd are call-
ed leaders — an oligarchy to all intents and purposes. Their leaders were^ in.
general, aware tbat Van Buren had no principles whatever^ — that he had pro-
fessed every thing, oj* anything, and been on any and every side — but they en-'
dorsed his orthodoxy, because he suited their purposes, and he succeeded.
To show how necessary it is to investigate character by the use of well
asoertaiz^ed. facts, this volume is written. Van Buren and his' confederates are
on trial, and the testimony for their conviction shall, be ample, clear, and un-
doubted. Let us hope that the time fast hasteils in which it Will be esteemed
infamous to gain power and influence by false pretences. Even Lucifer, when
about to approach ihe mother of rnankind with falsehood on his Hps, doffed hfs
natural form and garb as a fallen aneel, and assumed the guise of the serpent
as best suited to the deceitful part he was- about to sfct. Blair tells us that
" sincerity is the basis of every virtue" — Thomson, that it is " the first of vir.
tues." Were It in more general use among the lawyers, ^)riests and ppliticians,
America would again become the Eden from which the effects of the first false-
hood, firom Tophet, drove our first parents.
The Bank of Niagara at Buffalo was chartered in 1816 — Van' Buren ^as
then attorney.general, and the bucktail leader in the st9.te senate — his friend
Jacob Barker was a senator from the city of New York ; and his brother-in-la'w,
major Cantine, a senator from Columbia, Greene, &c. Van Buren, oh this ocica-
sion, made the only effort I evet heard of to grant a bank a charter during a tim^
when cash payments were suspended, with the condition that it should never be
required to pay specie^ unless when it thought fit, but might go on twenty years,
issuing notes, promising to pay specie, but never fulfilling that promise.
Jopas Williams and others memorialized the senate on the 6th df Feb. for ^
bank at Buffalo, with $750,000 capital, stating thsCt the agricultural and com-
mercial pursuits of the people required it, tut not one word about " iiebuildi^g
the town. ^' The memorial was referred <o Jacob Barker, Fhiletus Swift, am
A. S. Clark, who reported a bill chartering a bank. The bill was considered
in committer of the whole on the 8th of March, on which oocasion Van Buren
rose und stated, that its provisions met his hearty approbation, and thai he should
vote for it. He did soi— so did Cantine; Barker kept below the bar. Tw6-
thirds of tlje senate went for the bill, which passed. Ds provisions are irpport-
aut, as shiBwing Van Buren's views in 1816, aftef the stafe banks had suspended,
the United States Bank been put down, and he had had much experience as a
Hudson Bank director, attorney-general, dec.
fh^ bill provided, 1. That the Stockjiolders, none of^them liable for itsdebti
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
83 TWA OLP BANK OF BITPJalO— l^AY WHBl^ YOTT PLEAS*^
should continue to be a corporation till 1832. Even then it was planned to have
all the bank monopoly charters run out as near together as possible, that the
powers of corruption might be invoked, as they were in I829i, to perpetuate
them. — 2. The capital was to be $406,000.,—^. One notice in one paper in the
county, 80 days before an election of directors, was to he sufficient ; and stocl-:-
holders were to vote in person or by proxy. 4. if John vks a poor farmer with one
share ($50) he was to give one vote. If his brother Martin had 500 shares, he
was empowered to give one vote more alone than 499 farmers with a share
each, taken together. [Would Van Buren like to introduce this sort of de-
mocracy at the ballot boxes ?] 5. The bank was not to be compelled to pay specie
for any bank n<?tes it might iss^e, by virtue of, the charter. 6. Tne first di-
rectors were to be chosen by the jLegislature. 7. And might begin to bank and
issue notes when they pleased; and call on the stockholders to pay 10 or X2|
cents in the dollar on their shares at first, and the rest when they saw px.
The Senate, without knowing who would or who wouldn't take stock, named
the first directors, and took care to appoint one of themselves on the bo&rd.
There was no commission named to apportion the stdck equally — it was left to
be jobbed for. The Jefferson Co. bank bill appointed comnrrissioners, and left
it.to the shfireholders to elect directors. Van Buren vpted against it, and against
the Herkimer Co. bank petition, March 28th.. The banks he voted against suc-
ceeded better thaa those he supported.
On the 5th of April, 1316, (see the senate journals,) the Council of Revision
admonished Van Buren, Caniine gind their majority in the Senate, that it would
be unjust to allow the Niagara Bank bill to pass into a law unless it were
amended so that if the bank issued paper it might be bound to redeem it in
naoney — tha^t it need not pay out a dollar in money as the bill was drawn ; and
that if it had no money to pay bills with it had better not issue any, because
the paore banks there were issuing §uch p^per the less of specie Xve would see
in the state. It was notorious (said the Council) that for more than a twelve-
month the incorporated banks or the State had Refused to redeem their notes in
specie. They had found it far more gainful to sell their dollars to the usurers
of Europe, and to charge our merchants a high premium for silver, while they
glutted the American, market with paper promises on which they charged 7 per
eent. interest, though they cost them nothing. They further urged,"that this
was the first attempt made in this State to give special privileges to. a new
Bank, since the old ones had defied tl^ public and refused to pay their debts ;
and that they, {the Council,) returned the bill to. the Senate, because they wished
to, protect the public against the multiplication of corporations issuing a currency
which they refused to convert into cash oa. demand.
On the 10th of April, (see senate journal, page 236,) VAN BUREN made
a speech to persuade two-lhirds of the members of the Senate to incorporate the
Bank in spite of the Council of .Revision, and WITHOUT A SPECIE 'PAY-
ING CLAUSE, in the very teeth of its honest objections. He MOVE)© TO
IJSrSERT A CLAUSE TO THAT EFFECT, and thus' pass the btll| On
tlie nth, the bill was reconsidered in committee of the whole, but as it Was found
Utterly impracticable to get two-thirds to vote for paper currency, not payable
in cash, by a direct vote, the C9uncirs aipendment had to be re^luctantly adopted
by the "democrats," and Van Buren and Cantine again voted for the Bank,
which became a bad law.
Altho' Van Buren could not get a clause in the bill to permit the bank to flood
the country with paper promises it would be under no obligation to redeem, he
contrived that the charter should alloW; the bank to stop when it had no specie^
buy in its worthless Tags at 10. .or 12 cents to the dollftjr,-and begin agaitj as
often as it pleased to play this game. It did so, and cheated the public whole-
Digitized byCjOOQlC
VAN BUREN's buffalo ANb CaENANGO BANKl^. M
I.iwld Us Qotef iH'l82Q and in 1821, eighi dollars for one-^the SMe Wte
defraud^ out of its deposits, tho farmers oQt of th^ir produce, and th^
p^ediamc out ^f the fruits of his labor. Ouce more the b'aink started, its PresI*
dent was indicted for cheating, J. Barker w^ to have $5,000 for procuring m
^2p,000 loan to k«ep it goi^g^ but it broke i^ain before aid could get to Bufiaky.
Kibb^ Ms first President, was a Burrite, concerned in frauds bj which the Mer-
dbmtfli' Ban^ Charter passed in 1805, and one of ^' the lobby.'' General
Sl»5airkwout writes (18:33) k" My Dear Morrison— The Dutbhess must pass the
UcM|89 OIK Tvesday, an^ ypurs [the Chemical Bank] will pass the Senate on
VMi^f^^Yj certai^t '$ee Kibbie as soon after d^ner as possibles-he )cnowiB
ibt^ cords to pull upon, and will carry you triumphantly tlirough. Your firiend,
Rob. SwAjiTwouTv' Van Buren's bank initiated the Buffalo people, who had
bifecome such proficienta in the mysteries that thirteen banks brdke down in that
place, oheating the weaver of cloth, and the grower of wheat, wool, &c.,oal of
^at« J^Mt three millions of dollars.
CHAPTER X,
9maMk(mtlamm,tim 4MMCdiBinteiesfedefaU ticMc^s, forgot not, during his CAlipbaite of Mie
^4qrvto sM* doiwe^^f ^ert|i(msai»A pieces of gold to h» own househQld.<-> Walter Scott.
ykn J?Mre>rtf-coh/e(fer(tf«* Mow vp the old Bvffalo ba»k. — Its cashier (not Jffayt)
* beconies otate Printer ^ the Buektaih. — Bdmrcy^ L^akef and 4h&Neu) Mope^
tfet bridge Comphny.—Vmt Bkren not fond of ^t>arms of Banks,f^Hom ke
' ahedwiih tAe Chenango ffknk'Chart^.-^Wakoorth^ VanBureni and the old
aninkw PJattsbttrgh Bttr^sf—^On toting Sank Stocky tmd ckartermg Utma
' ' aiid^tNiaiio Branch Bafdcs.-^^liiaon and the Assembly sf N. Y. deftaHd ky
Tdn l^uren ahd his Ikolioter SenaM in an ^foft to expose trrors tit, tuid amend
iht Banking 8ystim,^-Th6 Fennsylvafda and (Mo Banks. >
Bt reference to pages 154 and 155, letters 9, 10, and 11, it will be seen that
B. Ff Butler hid a keen sd^nt: he wmnted Hoyt to be cashier, «|d Barker
ow^er of the Buffiklo ban]^ which Vat^ Buren had created, and which Wa» then
Mttdy to famst up. Van Buren's unprincipled followers had if in their own
hands from the commencement. Isaac Kibbie was its first President, and Isa^
C^ Le^e its l^rst cilshier ; And when it broke down in 1819,* Van Burto in-
* Attorney General Talcott applied to Chancellor Sanford in 1824, enumemting the eaop.
xftities qf yan Buren's Buffalo Dank, with a view to the sponging- off its charter fhinl 'ttie
statute book, but it couldn't be done. Perh'^pj?, like a Scotch peerage, it*9 only dottnant notv.
In 1836, its pareritj Vmi Buren, gravely addressed S. Williams thus i-^-" As if anirioiks to eon-
tribute their share to this inroad vtpon the policy of the federal constitution, the state govern-
ments have not only preated swarms of banking invitations, but until recently, most of these
institutions were authorized to issue notes of as low a denomination as a single dollar. The
consequences of this departure from the appropriate functidhs of the federal nfyd state gorem-
ments, have been extensively injurious. Tnat gold and silver should constHute a amch
greater proportion of the circulating ibedium of the country than they now do, is a position
which few are disposed to deny."
On the 20th of Api:il. 1818, during the ^ame session of &e Van Buren majdrlty in the
li^atft, all harry and bustle to haitien favorite measures, on speculation', i biU from the
Au fc m My,' to wmdraw from the democracy, the many, and cojaferon the aristocracy, the W,
more power and injAuence'eacme t^ In the fimnof abill to incoiporate the Bank ol'Chenai^to.
.what m^ess is tt thatblindi the tiHers of thesSil to their best interests t * Sueh^ bank
B on-a few anxious gamblers power to hire and, employ lying attome3rs and Ijring e^tors ;
xcrt&c the cotmtry mapy thoaeaade of doUars yearty for the nee of the idle and profligate ; to
make paper mon^y promises scarce In a country, or plentiful^ at ideasiiie ; to bre eiactien-
e«ring oracles and orators; to bespaner honesty and sincerity in nomesptts with ftUwb e e d;
Digitized by^OOQlC
94 LEAKE ANP CAlfTfKE^ VAN BVREN AND TBB ^LATTftBVROH BANKS.
vit^, Leake to join his brother-in-UVy Cantine, as pne of the stat^ printers,
ud jpii^t editoc of 'his moiith-piei^e, the Albal^y Aimis. h^Ae %as tQitiecl <kil
ot ibe Argus by Van Buren io 18)^4 to make ;way for CroSwetl, abd sent out ti»
I^QUn^ylvaoia to iak^ charge of. another leaky teasel, or bank craft, as irenguftet^
of the New Hope^ Delaware Bridge Company, a concerti snch as Yah Buren
,vould have made the Buffalo Bank if he coutd, with pow6r to fail fbom tiale tb
iimey ^ompo^ind andT go on again, for ever. It went down in 1^21, the treHsurcr
vanu^ed. Leake & Co. beean again in 1825, and in 1826, tre find him pdfiliig
tixe frail iark in the N. Y. Evening Post. Governor Marcy w'as one of Its bor-
jQwers, and a knot of speculators used it in N. Y. as Butler and fi^rkiarr did the
Wast^ington and War;ren. The Pennsylvanians w^re so often pnifltged-^hat they
drove jt oujb of theif State, and it Is now set up again the $txi^ time, and itil ndM
have, a wide ciccuiation, hailing from the Jersey side 6f the Delaware.
In 1817, Reuben Hyde Walworth appeared befbre the legislattirtf, as^senimr
petitioner for a bank charter, of like character with the Others, to be located fit
Plattsburgh, the stock to be discreetly distributed, &c. Benatoi^ Hilscafll, BidOdl,
and Walter Bowne, of the Seventh Ward Bank, N. Y., reported that the land
round Flattsburgh is '' fruitful in the productions of the earth," like Canaan of
old ; and that '^ it is believed t^t i|;hiink: ^iU foiahle the merchants to purchase
this produce, and save the farmers much, if not the entire, transportation to
§f bntr^al.^' Of course they reported a bank billy Whioli passed, tho £ctiial» in
committee on tlie 21st of Mafch (page 222 Of Joumal) : Van Btwea and Cantiite
'de4^hi]M^hat they CDuki not possibly «ti{^;)(prt thejDeasttre»an4 recorded thM»ir
votes to throrw it oul,'bul failed ; yeaa\14, n^ays only Ih Next 4ay two addi-
tioaai senators were pretent, alKl it was seen ib^t if Yai^ Buren and ^is brother-
in-law should both hold out, the bill would be^ lost, 14 iq 13. T^\would
never do. Nor vrouldil- suit.Van Bui^n to wlioei, round on such a short
notiae. ^ The leader tbereft^e kept amQi^ the n^J^s on the £oal passage of the
HWf bat Cantiw declared that he had ga$ a ruiw j^ht withw the last iwenlv^four
hoursy and imniediaiely revened Im tt^«, thus^si^cifSg the p^ilge of ths QQ)^er
in the Senate, by a majori^ty of one.* He played the same suspicious game on
* y " • • . - ' ■ _ » '
to join i»>!t3i othen in becbralhg baakrapt, and refDsiag: nayinent of debts, while eompelliiig
individuals to Mfil their olri^gatic^s to the \)ank^ and,i5houl4 the con^rn,t)ecoine insolvent,
wjWespread ruin ensues, while those whose folV or guilt, or both, did the-mlsciuef, lie ^,
■ rekdy to lobby at Albany tot new means to plimderby law, when public an^i^tioa is kast'
' efl'tb^leep. ' " ;.■ .i . . .
Oil tiife above 'day the Senate wefol into coounittee q& the Ch^iiango bank charter, Vfn
Buren being most appropriately in the chair. Senator Yates moved to reject it aS atiti-
d^moeratie, ^. But th& party Joved it^ it propaised la add to their temporary powef; tp yield
enormous gain on the stock, and form an offset against the opposition. 3V[ajbi: Candne held
«j^ both hands in. its favor; 5>amuel Young declarisd that ys neait was in it; tne t^oftimiltee
,j5«P€;. Van Buren i^jwrted that the bill had been adopted; no one even whitepeted " gwe*'us
. ^ &9e9 and Twes," as was usual ; the bill was ord^Jred to go ahead without even a divisibn.'
' . Had Mr. Van Buren been averse to this charter, he would have called fo^ the ayes and
^ npes.c» the Import, but he agreed to its reception; and when the bill wai cngroBsed and
passed (see Senate Journal, pasfes 353 and 354), (Jajitine, Skinner^ and Samuel Toung, voted for
' it, while Van Buren slipped below the bar to avoid a vote, knowing that his friepds' votes ivortld
esuwure the success, of t^e bill, fiejre, again, the o|!icial records of the State ^ve the He to his
assertion that " every application [for a bankj sa\re ofee, would he fbutid to have his vote
.leo«r(fedagaiinst,it" v • i
<-*-I{i tj^, the bank of Plattsbuirgh exploded, and tlieleWere niaiiy recniu)li^!<^safnofig^t^deAioeKcy.
. Judge Piatt prosecuted'Uotnpttotler Flagg, then a spttnlty conntiy etfitair, for UMI ; the ba4ik4lfGci»irs fiKMBaised
Iftan ; ihe fiirnfkf;rs fotnid their produce ifa thai «*lrnit<lll " landtMAttiuliil )xas> baak flap^^f l^aAiB|n^i.,»nd
'V^n BarsA eonirmtaaaMd Uanelf In oot baying yoM with hrothenCaQtin^ in 1S17.
7o h«l^ ¥afi Bnr«9 tv the i^Nsidency in 18^ the party chartered. a second bank at Plattsbmult ; and, with
. tio«oqd >vill towards CUatOB» named it after htni. The nominal capital was $dOe,MO ; the real ^itey itf its
Vamts vary little Indeed. For some three Offonr y^M its pre^dent a»4 cashier tBttMR^/oL ils.fldraln iriaaMt*
excfcHiiVcAy, and a^p^iiied ffe Ihiida to tiuiir |»ri«tte mm, or for the IWMtfit of fin^. favorttet, T^y. wace -of
tfiA dflfte eaUedBperalMoi»; . t)MirQliligati(uis«re worthless; andaa to>rJM(u^ the lazy directprs to hPQjs,/or
. llMli»l9<H9<^)^bM)l-4iQ44e»,tlieeli^cby,w|iorule«doDot^p^^^ ' ' *
Digitized byCjOOQlC
VAN BWBMs thhm MK UPOUtllM^ TBS MMMim « YSTBM. US
tbto mfflnft day in ib« tase of the Geoevs baak^ comioi; ^piietly jrousd ta the sa4e
of monopoly the moment hf» vote wis wanted. What a pity Jesse, Hoyt'e
meBnioraiMia, papers and correnpoodeoce^f did not exteod back to 1818, and dia-
^o^ethe wKiGHTt reasons which mduced th6 Van Bureo state pdnter to makie
these somersets t
Mr. 0. A. Brownsen, one of the i^tiets in the Democratic Review, assures
ua, Janaaiy 1842, that *f Blinkers^ capltalistB, corporators, stockjobhers, specs-
lators, and traffieking poUtieianH eentrol the ^ovemoneiit, and, ta tiearly M easea,
aliape its polk;y.^' Is not VMn'Btirenf, and has he not been for 88 years, aifice
1808, on^ of the most artfitl and erafl^ of these ^' trafficking politicians V^
In 4^16, (Sanate Journal, April 16, pages 202, 20d,) an exceileot resoltttioa
was ealied up for eonsideratiai^ in substance as follows ; ^ That as the several
chartered banks had for some time wholly refused to pay their notes, when
required to do so by those wh^ held them — the safety of the public demanded
some investigation into their afiairs*— and tha;t the Comptroller be required on or
after December next to call on such banks as shall not by that date have begnn
io pay wbal; they owe to. the people, who hold their promises, in speoic;--4o^ve
some account of their afiairs, each bank- on the oath of its president and cashier,
showitig, 1. The amount of their notes in circulation. 2. What amount of d^i^t
they owe. 3. What sum they have in specie. 4. How much money is due
die hank by iadividuais^ 5. Andhowmhch from other banks. '6. What was
the proportion between th* funda &ev had on hand, and the aaioi»t of bills
discounted during the three naootfas before snch bank stopped paymentf-^*and,
after tkat ^ne, what waa it duriilg each three months «p to the timie on which
the retnnl might be made. 7. -And, generally, a &rli and fair account of the
hank coaeerna, so that the legislature, on behalf of the conniry, might adopt
such measores next session as the pohlie welfare would be found to reauh^
WhM oouki be tnom just, appropriate, and imperiously called finr than the
above >inqoiry, during a suspenstoa of ca8b|Miyments 1 Y^ most true it is, that
Van Burea, the loader of the faotiopi who have for many years denoanced their
opponents as thobank'party^-*-Van Bucen atfd bis as^-de-camp, Caal^ne, o9«red
to the adoption of the above resolif^ d powerful amd steady opposition^* and
* In 1818, (see DBge 169 of the fieoate JoorptVl,) the Assembly, on the lecommendatioiL of Governor Clinton
ami complahit orthe people tn vadotts parts of the State, having adopted a resolution, fteiit it» Itlafch iff^ to the
Senate for concurrunce, as folltvws : ^
** Revived, (if the Senate concur herein) that a Joint Committee of the Senate and Assembly be appointad
to inquire inta tlie mode and manner in vfliich the several iucomorated banks within this State have adminis-
«erad <be tmst f?Mntipd to (hen ; and whether ahy or eithtr of the officer, asents or direoton; op oUier petsona
by them (uthocized, have secretl^^or impliedly diverltid any. part of the funds hereof to any im roper nurposts,
or have made use of any undue means for the purpose of forcing their paper Into circulation ; and Vfaeth^r
they have at all times pnunptty comi»iied #ttll alf tiie demands mado nDon them for tiie payment of their boiis
iu specie ; and 'whether nny or either of the said pfficers, aye^its, or directors, hiuire been guilty of any frandulent
or uRttrkras practices as subh ; ibd father any or either of ihem have used or now de use any of the fnnds of
eittier of the said banlcH for oovene«t8 or oflprfssaive pfirppsfe : and also tha/t the committee be inftliicted tp In-
quire by what means the several incofporarecl banks in this State procured their charters, ^at the said com-
]nittee'na;ve power to send for persona and pa)ni«, «kd that Ih^ report th^ prooeedtntes to this Isgislatnie svilh
all convenient speed; and in case of such concurrence, that Mr. Piersou, Mr. Duer, Mr. Booty^lftr. Lawrence,
and Mr. Webb be of the said committee on the part of this House.**
To yaq "dupen <iid his kvailoC decffHful |»r!;|pevder|i ^o deaioctmcy^tlie ^Ariw^ of the 8enttttr4NM]r a neolye
Next di^y, Match 21, Van Buren and some others of the majority delivered able and einqut^nt speeches in favor
was gall and wormwood.* How would the Washington nnd Warren, the Old Bufialb, ^nd other pretended banka
o-aidttira - - — - - -
bftve etood k seifrching it^^eetigatioh into their optoaidMr and standing t r^iey eonld not do it.
Next di^y, Match 21, Van Buren and some others of the majority delivered able and einqut^ni
of Um hanka and .the bank«(8> Jt was « < id t|iat their upefulness, hoq^aQr,, rectitade, and proper c'oiKluct were be-
yond all question^that tm dr)ubttbeni was to doubt the honor of tb« honorable gentlemen who preyiiied at tbei"
shrines;— that the people would be indignant at the insult o&red in the resolution to ''ihe democratic banKa,'
the friends of liberty, eouality, afid a ijetter Wrenc^-^and that all inquiry must be rei'isted, in every shepe vnA
form. It wiU be found by reference to the. Senate Journal, of March 21, that *' Mr. Fr<^sident put the quepitiQii
whether the Senate would agree to the saM resolution, and it passed in the nsoatiye. Therefor^ rtsahedt that
the Senate DO NOT CONCUR," &c. ^^ ♦«, *«i- . ^ , «•
The resohitirin which Van Boren and his party thus voted down in the Senate, had passed the Assembly 70 te
30, Messrs. l^oot, Edwards and Sharpe for, {ind Mr. Oakley against, it» It was based on Governor Clinton's lesHy
prophetic message, and an excellent report by Mr. Isaac Pierson, from (he Assembly's Committee. Judg« Ulsboef-
fer wished t»go fVuther stUi— he mov«d " toioaOtu^ an inquiry into the measures ni^r l»king by ^ank appli-
cants to proCQte Charters,^ hut was oiit-voti'd. Van Bareh and the Banks bad agreedUiat «U enquiry ahoiM ^
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
W VAflf aOBBN ON BAXiK BfWHW* (MtUO PANKI|f«»
'«etiBg as tim agents. or ioalnimfliits c^ the delioqiieiit baAets, attrci»afed in
quaadiii^ inquiry. They both voted against^ the resoIutioa^-Hfteitber of thap
eoggeated or oiered uny sub&titiite. [See JourBal, p. 203.] The Banken pat
theS feet on the -people'^ necks-^increaaed in number and in pewer^— bank
presses were set up— -grumblers were conciliated — false beacons held up to
doiude the n)illions--^and the fiattere«^ the vile parasites of the mofA unedu/cated
of the popalation, attained a bad eminence by the worst of mean^, «nd avarioe
andieils^ ambition were satiated with wholesale plunder out of the blood aad
tsweat of our too generous and confiding coun,trynien« That a system thus
successful shouM embofalen the immoral to deeds <^ wholesale villainy*-;tbat
b^nks^ thus the niasters of the legislature, should not be v^ry particular as i^ tlie
ipioicondflt or Potosi whence their wealth was 4lerived*r-js not to be wottdsrevd Sbt.
OHAPTER XI.
' Eno^west thott not thattiie triiim|>hing of the wicked is 9kogt, and the jo v of the hypo^fi$itbm
,|pr a moment 1 Thoui^ hjs excelkmcy mount np» to the Heavens, ana his liesd r^aob vmo
the clQuds i yet he shuU perish : a fire not blown shall coni^mne him ; it shall go ill with him
tfiat is left in his tabemacle.-p/a5, cAajp. XX.
Why did President Polk amoint Ex^PrtsUkUt Bfitkf to^ and why Aes ie
tonUnuc -him in the lyffic^ of tl. S. District Attorney l-^Brdkr^s extartions vsien
dhtrict aitm:9ey under van Suren^^^^Jih reHgieuB kypocmyr^HjUchie cenmutes
the author for unchakhg Butler^ Vatn Buren^ Codc^ton ated athere.'-^
Buikr*s krkf history^ — Me studies teto apd. politics with Van.Buremf isnd
' iecomp his Usuhpcartmr.^— Jacob Barker buys the Wasfdngton and Wurten
Bank charter^ and sets Butler up as Us miik President. — Halsey Moyere^'^
YSM Buren carries the Bank cunningly t^ro^yh the Legislaiure^ mid sup-
. ports the Atdmrn bUnk.-^Swart and Malhry* — Builer^s haink rogmryy or iht art
imd mystery of M, Van Bwen^s System of State Bankingy happily ilhistreUid
by the. practice ijf his law-partner y up at Samdy MlL-^Lmom for yowtg
^ bankers and Brokers.^^ Ferdinand Memdez Pinta was but a type ef thee; ihau
Prince of Liars P — Barkery Hoyt and Butler play a steady game of braoy and
\ sesk to pug their toorthless ragsy through theJ^atroon^Van Bensselaer. — Stated
Preaching.
Whsn Mr. Polk, in May, 1845,* had perused the letters of John Van £uren,
J; I. Coddiijgton, and others, t6 Jesse Hoyt, which appeared iri my Lives of
^Hoyt and Butler, he remarked, that be would not give Mr. Coddington the office
of Collector of the Port of J^ew York, which, op the recommendation and
advice of Butler, Van Bnren, and others, he had promised to him^ through
.General Dix, but would appoint a man of his o^t^n. The place was bestowed
on Cornelius W. Lawrence.
if Coddington's language, and his intim^qr and connection with Hoyt,
S'^artwout, and other defaulters, produced this change in tha Presi<!eni^s views
qnntfMiQ. In Peniraylvania, the fkrmeHi/ wftb tbe ftoriMt jtart of the commotiiQr gen^nXlj, bad snirend
terribly tVom pretended bankers, chartered hy advke of Snyder, tfte Yen Bnren ofitM. State. AnhrnneDse
amonm of property was sacrificed by the^sheriff, and corrupt men plityed any part likely to bring them plenty
of pttbrtc iminder. Dr. Joei B. Suther^aiid^s private letter lo jtt'Coy (page 182, Na 93), llfl* the cnrtairt on a
state of society anything hut enviabie. This year, too, in Nov., the Cincinnati banks stopped payment, owiog
'the U. S. BnMS750000 Ibr their notes received by Secretary €niwfbr4's ofder, ifl payn>ent of the Public
Lands. One of these, the Miami Exporting Company, has ever been in bad han'ds, seemingly, lis ftijate,
Jhr the fourth time, in 1849, so enraised the citizens, that fhiey completely riddled H, a? also the Cincinnati
• Bank. Th&t did no immediate good, but may serve tA a wiajmliig to others to fly low, and thus prevent a
more extensive violation of order.
J ^^^ Tft" moresfuTly to OlintoQ'i mestaKe of Ibis Veax when describing Tan Biiten*ii Ashonest scheme of
18S0;ealkMUw Safety Fund tfystem. , -
Digitized by CjOOQIC
POLK ANB BUTtBK) A atTESTIOtfTOT HOMMOU flONEtTV. W
in May, 1845, with regard to him, of what consists the secret power, hy mentXB*
of which Benjamin F* Sutler has been continued in office as the Uv S. Distriot
Attorney at Ne^ York, itwa that time till now, in view of. as full and ample a
record of fraud and dishonesty a» ever secured for a criminal a cell in the state
prison ? Mr. Polk is a strict professor of religion, avows himself to be a
democrat, and has been raised to the highest station in the gift of fifteen miUkms
of freemen. In September last, Mr. Butler's fraudulent conduct, as Presid^nt^
of the Washington and Warren Bank, was shown in the clearest terms— -hia
partner ia iniquity swore that the letters which gave evidence of his guHt, were
alLgeQuine*7— the evi<lence on the records of Congress, with reference to^ tiii»
New York Custom House defaults, seizures, and prosecutions, while Sutler
held the office under Van Buren| which Mr. Polk replaced him ip, is a disgraceful
exhibition of wholesale, legal extbrtion — and all this under the cloak of a piqus,
evapgelical pro&siaor of 'religion, careless about worldly wealthy and engrossed
with the cares of UeaVen-seeking, stated preaching, the gospel, a savor of life
unto life^ and the terror of Topbet to those " who neglect so great salvatioai."
Not only has Mr. Polk continued to endorse the availability of Butler^ as the
incumbent of one of the mo^t influential and lucr^ve offices in the department
* BoDJandQ F. BuUer, many yeats the law^partner of Van Bi:nren/is a son of Modad But-
ler, a south, a^rwsida clerk to Stephen Hogeboom, and finally tavern-keeper at Kiadeihook
Landing, N. Y., an industrions pains-taking man, whom the Van Bnre^ interest placed ia
the Housie of Asseml^y, and anerwaids maa« Mm, abenit 1824, a Cojonty Judge. ' Beniamia
was his a$sista!ijt ia his public house ; but as he gave evidence of talent, anited to great eua*
ning and shrewdness, and a love for seading, he sent him to study law with Van Buren at
JQudson, in 1811. In 1817, Van Buren made him his law-partaer. In 1818, Butler got
mairied-'^'^uid next year tried what he supposed to b&a surer and speedier road to riches^-the
banking business.
Old Butler was a prominent professor of religion — very conspicuous in the Presbyterian.
Chureh *,. but having been rebuked for some carelessness or other, he joined the Memodists
for a time. His son Benjamin was {or seemed to be) fervent in spirit, earnest, and eloqueat
in prayer aX meetings oi the saints. He was realjy famous and celebrated in early liie as an
exbcMTter to laith and repentance. • I l^ve letters from Odumbia County and Albany, written
by wordiy oiti^dns, who remember him, nearlv thirty years since, a zealous, devout-looking,
skd verv conspicuous professor of holiness. He ae^aired religious, leigal, and political capi-
tal in this way; and so strong ^ad the habit of reproving sinners, and playing the samt
abroad, bec(»ne in him, that he actually played it off, occasionally, on his partner in iniquity,
Jesse Hoyt, while ei^a^ied ^i«cenes of pillage and rascality, the exposure of some of which
has ajstonished evrai wall Street, JN^. Y.^ a&d the Bank Charter Factory, at Albany.
t It will be seen by refewQce to ILH. NeviuB's letter of iastructions to his fi'iefid Jloyt, that the Wall-street
brokers are quite averse to a direct tax on bank stock; and with reason. Confasioii in the currency, fkney
sticks, duubtfhl institutions, are among thelr'snrest props. A tax on bank capital wdirid be apportioned ftcconi-
ing to its nominal amount and such banka as NipVins descrtbei. No. 118, page 18&, with dre millions cafiltal
*' only ei few thousand ^llturs in apecle, and bank credits for the balance,*' would futer, as they ought. I»
1818, the Assembly passed a bill to lay a tax on bank stock (page 349, Senate Journal), but Van Buren, Cantine,
Bowne, and Tibbets, opposed it in the Senate. Young was in its favor. II was the close of the session, and
the bill was pat to sleep. Next year (1819), on Ihe 8th of April (p^ 873 of Journal), the Assembly %gatn sent
npa bill to tax bank stock Ar the benefit of the common schools t%f the State~-and why noti Van Ruren
opposed it, to the delight of the broken and bankers ; but was ready that same session to impose and collect a
direct tax out of the poor farmer's bard earnings. . The regency went against it, Van Vechten went with them.
Young did not vote, and In 1803 we fintf Nevins Instreicting his fit representative, J. Hoyt, on the same subject.
On the I9th of Msoxh, 1S13, a bill eame firom the Assembly to grant dw bank of Utlca a charter for a branch,
or additional bank, by the same owners, at Canandaigna, with a president, twelve directors, Itc. The Senate's
first vote (pages 238-0, Journal )v was, yeas 13, nays 9^ Van Buren invisible, Cantine a yea. It was moved
that the notes being issued at both places, should be payahle at both. Lffst, 13 to 10, van Buren invisible,
CTantlne a nay. Radeiins moved a clause, dectarin«( that the legislature may at any time repeal or amend thhi
bill. Lost, nay^ 13* jehA. 10. Cantine a nay, Van Btirtn invisible. The bill was thrown oat, March ^3d, vote
U to 11, Van 3nren hivisible.
Now yras the time for Van Buren to reappear in his place in the Senate. He wanted the bill to |iass, but
also to avoid responsibility. WhoQ he saw It could not be carried without his help, he voted for a motion to
reconsider the vote by which it had been lost, which reqttired two-thirds of the Senators^ and having thitt
restqred it to the orders of the day, he recorded his name in its favor and it passed, and .the directors of the
teok of Utlca were forthwith enabled to establish a branch in connection with theirs at Ganandiiifsua, for all
purposes except that of redeeming lii eash^ the nbte^ they might issue there ! We next find him voting fbr a
hninch bank of the bank of Ontario at Utlca ; and Ugain (p. 393), for an additional or branch bank of the New-
tazgh Beak at fthaea. To comprehend the wal eteaneter of ihie eunnlBgnnil deceitful iioUticteo, his aiii»
leMal vo(Qi| langiins*, ftodcoBdiwt, nuMU bo kept la view.
Digitized byVjOOQlC
3t VAN BUMll fNVftXaUUMh FOE TBE WA8BIDCC^V0N AND WARRHtf BANK.
of pablio justice, Imt ke even went so iar as td fUrect Thomas Ritchie, the
Drgan, advocate, or moathpiece of his goYernment, to censure oie in the harshest
terms for exposing Butler's hypocrisy, avarice ,aiid rapacity, which Ritchie did
accordingly through the columns of the Daily Union. Is there ^ blitgain
between the parties ? Are they members of a mutual insurance company ?
On the hrst week in March, 1819, in the 24th year of his age, B. F. Butler
took up his abode at l^e village of Sandy Hill, in the county of Washbgton,
fifty or sixty miles north of Albany, as lawyer, christian exh-orter, and president
of the Washington and Warren Bank, a ^ monied eorponition' of two years
standing,* which the notorious stockjobber, Jacob Barker, had bought ^oin the
* The Washington and Warren Bank Charter m.ay be found in the Statutes of New
York for I817. Its provisions were very mtich akin to those of the old bank of Niagara, at
Bu^lo. It trill be seen that Halsey Rogers, who is des^ibed in Sudan's Report, on the
Senate Journal of 18S4, as one of those unprincipled cjeatores^ho hang wpoik the legislaluite,
for gain, as lobby members— vile characters, guilty of letting themselve&pi^ far such rewards
as may be extorted fron^ the hopes and fears of the timid and desperate--was appointed a
commissioner to distribute the stock.
The bill originated in the Asseml^y. On the 94th of Mansh, 1817, the Senate (Van Buren)
threw it out-— van Buren and his brother-in-law, Cantine, the State-printer, both speaking
and voting a^inst it.
Four days after, Senattor Hart moved to restore die 4)ill. This sequired two-tbirds of the
Senate, which had then 27 members. If Mr. Van Buren wsiS opposed to banks, whf did he
vote for this Mil, when Ms mere absence would have prevented it irom being again placed on
the order of the day 1 And having done so, why did he deny it in 1836, and declare, in his
Sherrod Williams letter, that he had never voted but for the old Bt^alo bank 1 Are not 18
two-thirds of 37— and was not* he one of the 18 ? Was not his relative, Cantine of the Ai)^s,
another 1 What sort of arguments had the applicants for this bank used in the course ot the
fonr days with a couple of money-loring lawyers, who had " special privileges" to bfistow or
withhold, which induced them to talk tmd vote on both sides — for and against— bank and anti-
bank T
"I have always been opposed to the inci!ease of banks,*' said Van Buren, in his letter to
laienrod Williams. How could he be expected to add, " and therefore recommended and
voted for them I" "I have known Mi*. VJUi Buren long and intimately," said Senatdr Ben-
ton. ** He is a real hard-money man ; oj^josed to the paper systenr; in fiivor of a national
currency of gold." Yet this hard-money man could wheel about and re^are to llftj the Wash-
ington and Wanen Bank, receiving a jfew light within the space of four days : and his law-
paStner, Butler, could, with his adviee and consent, accept the Presidency of that fraudulent
corporation— and when it had<;l©sed its doors, return back to his old partnership. " An In-
troduction of a new bank into liie most distant of our villages, places the business of that
village within the influence of the money power of England," said Mr. Van Buren, in ^ Pre-
sidential message from Washington — but he omitted to add that he had placed within that,
and other yet worse infiuences, ike bank once located up at Sandy Hill.
The ''restoration" of &e WashingtcHi and Warren Bank Bill took place, on the 28th— Mr.
Ehos T. Throop's Auburn Bank bill passed the Senate next day, without an opposing voice
•^Van Buren and everybody else being in its favor. Next came the final passage of the
Washington and Wanen (March Slst), and the Senate that had been 15 to IS against it, sent
it up to Sie Governor and Council, by a vote of 15 to 6. CantiBe now for the bill — Van
Buren below the bar ! Senators Malloiy and Swart had voted it down at their leader's bid-
ding, on the 24th; now they wheeled into line and voted it up again! Governor Marcy
describes Mallory as one of the most upright of men, and he threw up^the American because
Charles King expressed a doubt. ^
The W. and W. Bank bill provided that it wisisto issue^its notes whenever the st&ckholders
had paid into its vaults ten cents on the dollar of its capital^ and that t)ie operations of dis-
count and /deposit were to be carried on at Sandy Hill only. What its cperations there con-
sisted in, may be seen by consulting the descriptive epistles of Mr. President Butler. By the
mbnth of February, 1819, its promises to pay ^78,69* were in the hands of the people, in the
lann <tf bank notes, pelding Mr. Barker $19,528 of interest, from thut source alone. How
Was it in February, 18201 •' ' .
Senator Hammond, from a Committee on BaOti)r Charter granting (see Senate Journal,
1818, pages 144 tmd 145), reported that the charter fpr a bank incorporation, called the Wash<
i*BtoA> a»d Wvien Bamc, cpold be of no use to the section of country, where it was nomi-
nwly located, as the stock was nearly all held by a prtva^ banker m New York City (Barker),
Digitized by V^OOQIC
POLfc*$,l>lflT»f CT ATTOWfBV OFFICUTINO Aft A SANK FEESIDENT. 39
speculators who got it up. .Barker could issue its bills at his Ex^change Bank,
New Torkf to mecl^anics and traders, who would find it no easy task to go iftyrth
to Sandy Hill tc^get them cashed. With brokers apd bankers he expected la
be able to hold bis own.
Jacob Barker betng the sole, or almost, sole proprietor of this real * wild*
cat' bank, Butler was selected as his colleague, and duly installed a^ its Presid^t,
Director and Bank Attorney. His correspondence with Hoyt and Barker,
published- in pages 151 to 165, of this volunje, running through a period of
fifteen months, will surely satisfy the iQOst sc^ptica^, that Van Buren could not
have recommended a more suitable coadjutcir, as the l^gal adviser of General
on whose credit its clr&ulaticMi depended) and that though it pretended to do business at
Sandy Hill, its real location iras New York. *
On referen<!e to Bntlel^s eorrespondence, page 195, he will be found exertinff hnsBelf ^th
Bntler in iavor of Hoyt, as a witablf Oa»hier.to the old, thrice-insolyent Bju& of ^i^aasL,
at Bufialo, the charter for which Van Buren drew and voted /or. Leake, one of the Btate
printers, had had the office for a time. • ' '
On the 3lst of June, 1819, Butler employed Hoyt to colWct small change, with whieh to
' tease the enemy,' (p. 156:) ' In other wor^, be vaaled shilUngs and sixpences, whetfUrith
to mock the honest larmers who had given their wheat for his bills, with a pretence of pay-
ment. There was A RUN on the bank, and he says that he had redeemed^on the Monday
aad Tuesday^ two dagrs, 038O,being igSSb per' day, durittg « nm f He had in the bank just
$1400 in specie, being enough (he tells Barker) for three or four days more. At this time
the Bank had periiaps $500,000 bf its notes afloat hi the cofuutry. Two persons hsfrthg sent
$166 in notes to be cashed (page 157), the enraged financier threatened that, if any more
snch demands were made upon him, he would '' put them ^on Ihe same groand withthe
others" — -that is, he would pretend to pay them in their turn, he paving "** in a slow T«ray,*< ih
sixpences^ to somfe other real or imagmaiy creditor, during * bank hours.'
Two or three bankers and brokers had taken in pa3rment $10,000 of Butler's notes fiom
(heir debtors. They sent Gilchrist and WisWall up to Sandy Hill to get the cash. Butler
had only $1400, but he pretended to pay. " I hkve told Mr. Gilchrist (says he to Hoyt, page
I5T0 that I was ready to pay specie, and would pay specie at all time? during banking bomrs;
ana that I would pav nothing else." Kow this was a falsehood, for aU he had was $140^,
which could have been counted in' 15 to 30 mixrates, and Gilchrist had teked good nottes or
specie for $5,600, and WiSwall for about $4,000. Next day, June a3d, he bade Ho^ «o pro-
claira throtig^' Albany the sdvencv of the bank. ** Tdl aft persons (said he, page 157) that
the bank has not stopped, arid vnU not stop ^ev^mqvt* and that tpe pay tn^ specter Th&s wasa
bold and imfmdent untruth, as his previous letters show^ and its c^ect x^9s to 4ndU<M die
merchants and dealers to take the noteii for goods. If he knew that the bank had memm t>
pay — and he was a deceiver of the people if he held his office, in ignorance of its real condi-
tion — ^I say, if he knew this (and he say s he did), why were the public cheated, on his advice 1
What became of the *ank funds 1 Was the W. and W. B. a tender to Barkfer^i insolvent
Exchange Bank, and Butler his decoy-duck 7 Let their correspondtoce answer.
On Wednesday (letter 19\ Butler wrote to Hoyt*-" Tell all persons- Aat the bank wffi not
stop"— in other worcls^tell aU persons to exchange their pioperty ft)r, andtake pajrment fbrtheir
services in, W. and W. notes, signed* B. F: Butter. Next day (letter 30), " In the atMenceof
all instriutums from Mr, Barker fo^r a fortnight, I consider it my duty- 6> continue paying. * If
I stop, I may as weU stop neA vf^ek' as'this.** Here, we have a mere clerk, an automaton ef a
New Y(X[k stock-jobber, decked out with the robes of a Bank President, and $500,000 of his
prcwtiises to pay put afloat by his guilty colleague, among the farmers and traders, affirming
on one day mat nis concern was solvent, and me next telling their confederate, Hoyt, that he
could only hold out for a we^k, and waited the New York stock-Jobber's ordefs, whether he
should shut shojp, or go on paying.in cents and sixpences, ont or a $1400 fUnd. Boyd, he
says, would have ad^vanced him some mootey on a draft on Barker, but as Wing had brought
Mm news that Barker was liard pressed, he would not draw on him. Did he warn (he thou-
sands who were exchanging properfV for his bills, that he might have to stop in a weekl
Oh, no 1 He had, in effect, stopped already.
On the 86th of June, he wrote Hovt that, unless compelled, he Would not stop till Battosr
directed him to do so. On the 26th (letter a5), he sent his own note to Babd, by Hoyt, for a
loatt of $4,000, for the bank, secured by 26 other notes, bankpropertv, value over $M>,000^
adding, " You may rely upon it that the bank CAN AND WILL continue its redemptions."
Compare this assertion vriui his fundsLthe bank debts, ahd his statenionts on the two foevious
days. Could deceptioh jfo forther.t' tiow did he find out, on Thwrsday, that iX was <tishoii-
Digitized by^OOQlC
40 ' VAN BXTREN's pupil, a trite CH^P op tHE ^Ll) BLOCK. ' ' "
jack^ii, in those measures oit madness and mischief, during the warg about
the natiooal treasure and currency, whi^jjt ended in a public bankruptcy, by
which 600 millions of dollars of debt were blotted out with the sponge of the
tfUtute, and wide spread tuin and misery entailed on many thousands of our
most thrifty, frugal, and trudtw^orthy citizens.
CHAPTER XII.
The love of mcmey is the root of all evil ; which while some coveted after, they have erred
from the faith.— 1 Timothy, vi. 10.
Gov. Wright endorses his old comrade at Sandy HilVs Candor and Integrity ! —
' ** Ash my brother if I be a thief. ^^^ Value of Paper Ena^tmeiits agamst But-
'. ierizers,-^0* Snltivan in the Eetnew tries to whitewash Buikr. — Barktrh
Exchange ffank^ and other humbugs, — He^ Van Bttren^ and Butler stronafor a
JVatioml Bank, — Van Bnren lectures Folh in the West about iank Corrup-
hons t-^-Butkr^s Bank goes down, and he goes off to Albi^ny and re-jcimids old
partner, . ., .
In Senate^ February, 4, 1834, General Jacksoiri had sent a message, with B.
F. Bulla's report, «wv^ttoraey-generai, for the removal of the ageiicy for paying
r ■ ' ; • ' .
oBable to ^eive Boyd ; *nd on Saturday, that he .might safely deceive, not Baird only, but
all to- whom that gentleman might exhibit his letter 1
On the 28th of Jnae, Barker writes in the N. Y. Evening Post, " The bank has not stopped
.pftymentr*-itwiil i^tstoppaymenj— which please promulgate." On the 30th, Hoyt published
pairt of a letter, full of laisehood, in the Albany ripers. On the 3d of July, Butler wrote
him, " Your extract wajs^ well timed." Turn to Ko. 35, page 15^, for Butler's statement thns
.ch?cttlated. After puffing himisolf, he sa}rs, " Wh^nihere Vr'ere mcTre calls than he could satisfy
with 'his QWQ hanas, he called in hi^ neighbors to au^s^st him in' paying, and y^^ th£Te wefe
more thaA all-eoul^ attend to, he requested thgse persons thai, came with th^ bills, tblaythem
down, and take as many dollars in specie a^ J;h£y lejft in bills"— in other words, to hdp them-
geiv^9. " Sell all the goods you can for these notes." says Mr. Butler, througn tfyn press, and
this ate: fall consultation with his coniede^ate in tnis fraudulent, cheating concern. At the
vama time he was threatening .those >irho sent up a few dollars, refusing his owq notes in
payment of a debt due the baiik, and- only paying a few hundrea dollars a day to transieiit
iaycHFit^ and none at all to bankers or brokers, though ^' there were thousands of men ando.
paper there," (page 168). .
His lettear to Hoyt, to try to get from Mr. Van Rensselaer, the ypun^ Patroon/a favdfeble
account of his bank, " though he did not pay him," is a master-piece of knavery.^ He kept
ilcinkiag intoxicating liquors with the patroon, for two or TnRfi£ hours, before' the ^ank
•cu>sso, behind his bank counter, and in sight of his customers, and got him in this way to
take^baek to Albany nearly S500 of his W. and W. notes^ for which I djre say Jie never after-
wards got 40 cents to the dollar. ...
. I paid the ^* poor and needy" in his presence^ says jSutler— and if Mre get his opinion prais-
ing our bank, " I dare say it will pass current, and J>e a legal tender in your Dutch metropolis,
aim it would^answer for circulaUon,r.&c." . If Butter, taught at the rum-shop in infency, and
by his tutor and partner, Van Buxen, in youth, was thus accomplished in knavery in 1819, at
5W y«ar8 of age, what miwi be his prpficiepcy in 18i6, in his 51st' winter, as district attorney
-who neglect so great salvation !— the avarice that usually besets men in old age, are liot that
commercial public to be pitied, who have to do with the attorney wio, when hunting down
Ib^ merchants of New York, in 1838 to 1841, made tlae fortunes of marshals, xilerks, nayal-
officers, surveyors, collectors, and district attorneys *l It would almost seem as if Price and he
h^nd tmderstood each other in 1837-8.
r Mr. Butler's party paper 'here, the Morning News, having complained that hisletterii aw
^arblc(il offer, as a specimen of the omission*, to supply the blanks in letter, No. 16, page
.■Xdfik to Bark«ff. After "Dear Sir, ♦ * * ♦ *" read Vi nave written you very frequently ior
*Jie four dayji past but knowing that you will have a desire to hear from me as Often as jj>ossi-
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WRtQHt UPON BtTLfitt. fiUTLER AND tfifi dANK. 41
pensions to revolutionary officers from the United States Bank. Mr. Clay '
remarked that ht had np poii^ence in Butler's opihioos while iie retnattired
within the pestilential, f tmosphere of Washington, as Jackson woold diamifls the
officer who might (like Duane) dare torditer &om him.^ Mx.. Silas Wright
(though at Sandy Hill duringjpapt of Butler's fraudulent banking movemeotv
there, and aware of his efforts to deceive the puhtic in th« Wwiington and
Warren Bank concern) replied^that Butler '^was not to be a£^ted by aaysiicb
influence, for he wai| ^ man of INTEGRITY) .TRUtH, and condor, {ill] 9Mk
would not give an opinion which he> did not in^ HIS cons€ie»ee belier-e to tie
light.^' ' , .. .
If his conscience was as elastic as his cor^est>oQ4cnce intficates, iai819, wtial
must it have become in 1834 '& {Should it be hw late, bereatter, tot miss a higil
place in the sanctus^ry above, old .Beelzebub might very safely install 'iiitn as
principal sub-treasurer below, , The , ex-president of the WasbioglOB and Warrea
Bank will assuredly h(^ on to the dollara* in vit^w of his management in 1&19^
a clever writer in the Tribpne^ '^ asks the question, not to wound the feelings ei
the descendants of a lapsed apostle, whether it is probabtevhad Mr. J&ller
been one of the Twelve, Judas would have gotten that money 1" * .
It appears that he expected a small sum in specie, perha^qr 1,000 to 4,0Qd
dollars — 60 to 2401bs — and we find him trying to deceive one of the carriers,
that others might ,be deceived through him. " He f BakerJ and every body
else thinks 1 have tons o£ it (specie) on the way," and if be will not stay for
it, " tell him there will not be a load until next week." President Polk has
been long add well «ware of this deception ; so have his cabinet. Butler
remains in office ; aritl is it too much for me to ask the public whether, when in
the face of these facts and his extortions ;as district attorney, exhibited in the
report of the commissioners appointed by the late President, he holds on with-
out a syllable of complaint from Press or President, such conduc^t is approved
in the highest quarters, and. Butler hfeld forth as a pattern for less ^vored
incumbents in otfice 1 As to penal laws, against such as him, they are altogether
visionary. Hoyt's and M'Nulty's, and similar, pases, in point, show that, with
one essential difference^^fAcy toere removed.
On the first of July, Butler issued ah official statement to th«j public, through
ijie Sandij Mill Time^ in which he very solemnly avowed his knowledge of the
fact, as jMre^ding officer, that " THE BANK IS ABLE TO PAY all its debts
[quoting^ scripture] 'to the uttermost farthing.' The debts due to the bank
amount to more than double their notes in einculation, andlheir debtii ARE
PERFECTLY SECURE."*
ble during ny/^.present ckcnmfttances, I seize every method of conveyance to give you the
earliest informatioa of my concerns;" Iiwtead of the second' * * * * * read, " The remittance
of S2,000 in <;wTenfc bills' by Capt. Wiswall, o« Saturday afternoon, took' all the notes pf that
description which were then ob hand. I have received dtfring the two days past a^out^J5(X)
in current billsr— of that sum I send by one messenger S90©-^and by another $250, to Mr.
Hoyt, to be (Converted into specie — ^aad J have, since the arrival of Mr. uilchrist with me notes
from the ]VtechaQi<i6^ and Faimeis' Bank, directed him to exchange them into the notes of that
bank, and to make them advance the specie. If that cannot be done, and the specie cannot
be had at All^y, then the bills will be presented at the Troy banks, who ^^I be compelli^d to
pay the greater pa;rt of 'them.'* The words left out where I place the third ****♦, are
" What Mr. Gilchrist will do I am anable to say. I presume, however, he will return with
ihe stage* to-day." The sease.of the remainder is not changied by these omissions, which are
made to shorten th? pamphlet.
* Though dating his " budget," as he calLs it, from the counter of a dishonestly chartered
bank, used by a. New York stockjobber, to avoid speedy payments, Butler had the assurance
to talk of " speculators and bank ageat-i," "greedy speculators, and arrogant monied aristo-
cracies." In alter life he played the same g^e in a la^er theatre, aiandeaang and jiflin^
*■ ■ ' » * ' *«-•■••• • ■ ' ' ■ Digitized by ^OOQIC
4S BUtLEft PtNANCtEKiNQ tP At dANDY Hitt.
• . . . . ^ -A
On the Idth <»f November he eomplahis, th«t ne poof wight had ever received
^ mare of public censure and abuse '^ than himself. ^ The credit of the paper
it very low," and my character is so depreciated at Albany^ according to report,
that hut few of my old acquaintances would acknowledge or receive me."
(pk 162.) Bow could it be otherwJAe 1 Had he not labored unweariedly to
chtftt ike community, or to allow his confederates to do so 1 If there was
dottble the value of the bills afloat in secure, isblvent debts, who stole these
obligations, so that the biHs went down to 50 and 30 cents 1 If the bank had
ample means, who plundered it of those means 1 If the politic, pious, disin-
terested finsDcier, Butler, advised all who valued his word, in June and July,
to take the bills at par, and assured them on his honoTy that they would be j>aid, |
aad thitt the baidc was good and would stand, what expfanation did he give |
when all bol a few favorites ibund themselves cheated and pluiidered t His i
letters, Nos. 84, 35, 50, and still more especially No. 31, are a queer mixture \
of religion, law, and banking. As his language was in keeping with this pious
extodor, many must have been deceived.*
t^e ,U. S. Bank, while " the party" urer^ creating^ Washington and Watren liftnks by the
hundred, humbly to imitate his too successful example..
' In Van Buren's address to the Democratic Slate Convention of Indiana, he tells the Hoo-
•ierB that " the manufacture of paper money has been attempted in eveiy form j it has been
taried by individuals, been transferred to corporations by the States^ then to corporations by
Congress, engaged in by the States theinselveis) and has signally failed in all It has In
jg^eberal proved not the handmaid of honest industry and well i^^ated enterprise, but the '
^mpered menial of speculation, idleness, and fraud. It has corrupted men of the highest j
standing; almost destroyed the confidence of mankind in each other; and darkened our
criioiinal caleidar with names that might otherwise have conferred honor and benefit on the '
country. There is strong ground for believing that such a system must have some innlate,
incurable defect, of which no legislation can divest it, pud against which no Imman wisdom
i^n guard, or human integrity sustain itself." pould he not have gone^ farther, and added,
that he and his friends Butler, Marcy, Throop, &c., had done more in the way of this manu-
laueture, i^rruption, and destructign of confidence, than any o&er body of politicians in the
Union'?
On the 7th of July, Butler wfote Hoyt that he had paid, since the run commenced, over
$9,000 — say $325 per day— that he had more ca^ now than at first, " but shall now hold up"
— '*oagJjt not the pu^blic to wait a while 1 We have crowed fuU enough." Again, on the
lOth, " I W!^l rather siifier the pubiic to fret a little thaii hazard the safety of iheinsHUdion by
paying out too |a&t." Schuvler owed a note^Butler would ndt take W. and W. bills in pay-
ment— nqt he. " He will be sued," said Butler (page 161) ; and when paying his debts he
selected HUs of an indifferent reputation (page 154), " he had no money but what was too
good for them." On July 14, Butter was " satisfying all fair and proper calls," and abusing
Clinton as being " ravii^ mad, beside being a fool." August 34, ne was " paying daily, in a
slow way." Other banks had got his bank notes, and were about to circulate them in quan«
titles, when Hbyt was set on with a series of chancery injunctions, but Chancellor Sent thwarted
him, and refused to enjoin the banks not to olFculate. In Feforuaxy, 1890, Barker advised
him that the W. and W. could no longer afibrd to pay his salaiy, and B. P. Butler rejoined
his ancient colleague in Uie law, Van Burea; being, "with. the assistance of Providence,
^Ily resolved never again po abaiidon his profession." He left the bank June 15, 1890, and
on the 19th the firm <)f Van Buren & Bidder was ready to d6 " anybody's dirty work," with
Lorenzo Hoyt for a student, and Jesse, his brother, as their Wail street correspondent, in a
very few years after, Butler was Attorney-General of the Republie, and his partner filled the
chair of Washington.
* In a card issued throi^ the Evening Post, February, 1895, Barker said that ^^900,000 of
its stock had been received from the debtopS of the bant. Why was this done, when it was
well known that the stock was worthless 1 Who besides Barker had $900,000 to pay in 1
Was it in this way that the securities for douWe its bills in circulation went 7 If so, what
could be a baser cheat 1 Stock was no payment of debts due the bank till its obligations to
the public were miet, and after that, only at its cash value in the market.
1 noticed the Washington and Warren Bank, in a publication issued in 1843, on which
fearker wrote m,e, from New Orleans, an explanatory letter, as follows :
*»,As .toAe Bftnlc of WathiBfton and Warren, you, in eflbct, charge Mr. Van Burea, iAt, Butler, and my-
self, with corrupting the Legislature of New YorlE to procure the charter of that bank. Mr. Van Boron was
not, in tb« whol9 coarse of hu Ul'e, interaited one dQltor in the BMil^of Wji^U^|^^|^Mi«& ! Ai (o its
fiARKE* k>it> VBt WAWma«0il MtWiMt^N BANK. il3
CHAPTER XIII. V.
Should JtsTiGE call_to iktfle, the applauding shout we'd raute ;
A million awords wcmld leave their sheaths, a million bayonets ^blaie,
The ibetn resolre, ^ couvage high, the mind untamed by ill,
The files that witnned/our Lbabeb's Isreaat, his fc^owers' i)osoms fill.
Our Fathers bore the shock of war— thdr Sons cap bear it stili
Ode to ^ofJtdy^ 1812, by WUUam CiUlen Siymit.
Van Burm^ ChnimL, Spencer^ Madism^ and the War of 1812. Tfie Caucus*-^
Bieecker and HamHon.-*^V€wBuren apposed to War. — He $tands foremost in
urging Clinton io ktke^ the- field against Madison^ — injures Clinton and tkf.n
deserts him,-*-Madis&n trvuinphs^ — Vim Buren joins the mctors> and bears off
the spoils, — The true Policy of this Union. — Cheat Reformaiion in the UnOed
Kingdom since 1819.—* Vast increase of Popular Influence and Liberal Measures.
-^Horace Walpole. — Ambrose Spencer on Van Barents crooked course in 1812.
Clinton manfy^ aikj honest. — J)uane and Spencer gave him good counsel
Van Buren^s history exhibits an absolute disregard to principle, in erery-
thing that has relation to the choice of candidates for President and Vice Pre-
sident of the United States, or to the mode of their election. On the 22d of
^eoFporafio*, 1 wm not a party to it, and knew nothing aboat the profre8»of Ihe bill tfarongk the LegtsUtnre,
never heard of it, farther than what I read ia the newspapers, and did not become interestfd therein till long
after Its Incorporation, nor did Mr. Butler accept a ttUaation in it until a year or more after T became Intenested.
The bank was unfortunate, yet its deposits atid cireutation were paid in fall. Have other falling bajQks done
this 7 There was «ot, to ray knowledge or belief, aay interference on the pjirt of Mr. Van Buren or Mr. Butter
with the Legislature, or any member, in procuring the' act Incorporathifif thkt bank. Mr. Van Bui«n Aay have
been a member. How he voted I never knew-T-presofne in the negative, as he, as well as Mr. Butler and n^y-
self, usually opposed the increase of thosd monied aristocracies, tho-^e privileged orders. My character tor
Democracy is not to be questioned «l- this 4ate day. Sio man sees ot hearsuhe name of Jacob Barker, who
does not instantly asMciate therewith Democracsy."
The facts published in this volume are the bast reply t» such erroneous statements as Bar-
Jeer tried to palm upon the public. Van Biiren's conduct in getting the charter I have stated
from the Senate Journal ; and as to the payments to the bill-holders, Butler's letters will show
that they had a veiy poor chance of ^tting then!i. Bills that- are paid are not quoted 4tt 25 to
50 cents in the prices etmrent; but, doubtless, w]ien th^ securities were sio an^ple, miich
knavery was practised, which will only see the light when the recording angel shall be called
on to endorse Butler's piety, or refuse a certificate. » ^
Butler was very saucy to the brokers — they could get sca^rpely any payments from him—
Hoyt published his letter in the Albany ppers, calling them "leeches upon the body jpolittie"—
and the bankers' were not mueh ajore fortunate. By way of retaliation (see Barkers pamph-
let), a New York broker hawked about the streets a proposal to contract to deliver Butler's. W.
and W. notes at 80 cents to the. dollar, within ?ix months. Afterwards, the brokers offered to
deliver them at 50 cents. In a few months they came down to 35 cents, and Barker's BJx-
change Bank-bills fell to 10 cents.
Butler's full-length picture, and an elaborate memoir, appeared in his fHehd O'Srdlivan's
Demvcratic Review for January, 1839, in which the public are assured that " before he (Buti.
ler) left the bank, by great exertion and care, its credit was restored, and specie payments re-
sumed.'* Far be it from me to call this a lie, but it would puzzle Butler himself to find a
more appropriate description.
In June, 1824, after the W. and W. Bank notes were bought in at 50 to 75 per cent, dis-
cx)unt ; then — bpt not till then — did this fraudulent c6ncem recommence again " cash pay-
ments," which Mr. Barker or his instruments kept up for some years. The Exchange Bkak
was a dead failure, of which its owner got rid by taking: the benefit of the State insolvent
law.
In August, 1819, Mr. Jacob l^arker issued a pamphlet, a bundle of which he sent to Butler,
at Sandy Hill, for general Circulation. One of these is,now before me. It stales that Barker
began his Exchange Sank, in New Yc^rk, with a capital of $350,000 ; that it flourished till
May, 1819 — that the average circulation of its notes was. over half a million erf dollars— that
in that month he ceased to pav out Exchange notes, substituting Washington and Warren
(which occasioned the run on Butler, at Sandy Hill)--that from August, 1818, to May, 1JJ19,
he had redeenied, at par, $582,116 ot. W. and W. Mils, and that he coTisUered the W. and W.
Bank, ♦• FROM THE BU^OWLEDGE HE HAD 6p ITS CONCERNS, AS GOOD AS
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(U VAit BiME!« AyD iptti WAft cr 181$*
May, 1812, James Madison was nominated by the members of Congress of the
democratic party — the nomination had Jefferson's approbation. On the 29th of
that month, and within seven days of the caucus choice of Madison, all the re-
publicans in the Legislature of N. Y. except four, met at Albany, 95 members
present — 87 voted to nominate a candidate, in opposition to Madison, and the
Washington caucus, and De Witt blinton was- unanimously nominated. Cren.
James W. Wilkin ©resided at this State caucus, and Van Buren approved and
supported its choice. He had been for a caucus of Congressmen in 1808 — was
against it in 1812 — for it again in 1816, when Monroe was nominated — and its
• l^er in 1824 in favor of Crawford. In 18S8 he denounced it as unconstitu-
tional, and in 1832 supported the packed system of Baltimore conventioAs, in
which the people have little influence, and the le&dors are everything. In
.1824 he was for putting down public opinion when he thought it would go
against his nominee, Crawford — and he did prevent thte people from electing
electors of president. In 1828 he had obtained quite a new view, and spoke
in favor of district elections, and since then the general ticket system has got
his approbation. He hated and despised the poor foreigner in 1821 and
1884. I^ got to be fashionable to apeak respectfully of Irishmen when Gene-
ral Jackson took the helm — and who had sooner learnt to admire themselves
apd their country in 1829, more than the flatterer of power, Van Buren 1
Crawford was a leading member of the caucus tvhich nominated Madison in
1812, and R. M. Johnson was its secretary. Van Buren was then politic»llj
opposed to hirti in ahnost every sense, banking and currency included. TwelTe
years after [1824] he seems to have almost adored him.
When Van Buren became President, he hastened to appoint Harmaniui
Bleecker, a lawyer of Albany, and former member of Congress, one of the inost
. thorough*going opponents of Madison and the war, to Be Minister to Holland
When he joined Jackson's administration, he sent James A. Hamilton, Hoyt's
correspondent^ (pages 205 and 209,) who was so ready to endorse Swartwout's
doctrine, that, aUhough all the candidates were avowed and acknowledged
republicans, yet the spoils principle must be adhered to, and office-holders
turned out if they had supported any other candidate than the successful one.
On this principle, Jonathan Thompson, the chairman or secretary of Old Tam-
many in 1812, when that society was foremost in the war ranks, had to vacuLte
the collectorship of New York, to make room for Samuel Swartwout, Burr's
old agent in the Mexican invasion, or dismemberment of the Union ; James A.
ANY OTHER, IF NOT TBDE BEST IN AMERICA." " Because I knm tie papfr to be
good^^ said Barker, " / recommend to every man whose good opinion I wish to preserve ^ to take
the Tiot^ t^the Washington and Warren Bank^ and also the notes of the ^Exchange Bank^for urty
.property he wishes to sett. '* The notes of the W. and W., payable in N. Y., will, from th.is
date, be punctmlly redeemed at this (Exchange) Bank ; and the others will ijontinue to be
^ redeemed at the Bank at Sandy Hill." " I confidently calculate that no man ■will approach
' the polls at the next sprinjg election with a bill [of the Exchange Bank] in his pocket which
-^e cannot then convert into money, at par, if he chooses to do so."
Time showed that all this was a deception, a» fraud of the most reprehensible character,
but it did not dimbiish the close intimacy then subsisting between Hoyt, Butler, Barker, and
Van Buren.
Butler, Barker, and Vaii Buren, in those days, were all National Bank men. Barker, in
his pamphlet, page 18, expresses the opinion, "that, spme day or other, the whole banjding
business of the country will he done by a national bank and private bankers ; the former wifi
redeem its paper with specie, and the latter with the notes of the national bank. If the pre-
sent Bank of the U. S. should be conducted with ability and prudence, it will be a very pro-
fiiable as well as useful establishment." If a spede currency cannot, or vill not be resorted
to, and if the promises to pay of the nation are not to be used as the drculatihg medimxi,
Barker's idea fa certainly innnitely preferable to 90Q paper-issuing factories, beyond all other
control Uian that of a bankrupt law; and mahy of them beyqud even tliat
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Vau ivtEffy ttikf^i^i aud tai xLiscTidif of 1812* 4ft
itamittOd took, for a time, the s^at of Hemry Claf at tke head of ^tie dapttt^
Tne&t of "Stkte, whtoh he spon^ exchanged for the mo^t' lucratrre offiee in the
gift of the Government, north of the Delaware, that of iJ. S. District Attorney
at New York, ^ He gave way m 1€84 to Price, a bird of the same feirther ; and
B. P. B«tler seoiJeeded on the iight ef Price.
On the 8th of July, 1812, some prominent individuals belonginj^io the peaee
psrty in Hudson, Van Bar«!'s residence, ptfbfished an address, lecommending
a meeting of the party* ^ for the purpose of deaouncmg James Madison and the
war-* Among other opponents of the War* this address was^ siirn^d by Jasom
A. Hamilton, the warm' personal frieikl of Van tSuren. ine nuason meetmg
convened and resolved, 'That the W^ar'is impolitic, unnecessary, and dkastrouaj
and th^t to eniploy the militia in an offensive war is unconstftutional.'
I do notblame Van Buren ; because, being of opinion that nothing Was to be
gained by war, in 1812, he supported CHuton, supposing that he -would pursue
such measures as would earlier ensure a lasting peace ; but 1 blar^e him and
his biographers f&v erideavoHng to piirsuade the public now, that he was a Jef-
fersonian Democrat in 1812, and friendly to the declaration of war, like Clay,
Duiiue, Calhoun, Grundy, and the other leading supporters of the administr^tign
of that day«
Van Buren, in a letter to £L M. Chamberlain and others, Goshen, Indiana^
dated Oct. 3, 1840, thus speaks of De Witt Clinton, and 1812 : —
" He had, for many years previous, and down to that period, been the leader
of the Democratic, party, in New York. He was the private secretary of bis
uncle, George Clinton««-was a taember of the Legislature in 1797 and 1800,
and sustained the Derhocraciy in the 'reign of terror ' against the 'Black Cock*
ade ' party- He was chosen U. S. Senator in 1801 by the former, occupied
by their choiee, various jpublic stations in New York; was in the State Senate
for several years before the war ; elected Lieutenant Governor by tliem in 18ll>
which office he still held in 1812; acted with his party to that period, in support
of the measures of the General and State administrations, un^er Madison an^
Tompkins ; was )|rthat period abused with unsparing bitterness by the Fedev
ralists, atid in relljii'n, he applied to them his well remembered description ' of |i
party who \vq^ rather rule in Hell than serve in Heaven.' "
Van Burejl^adds, that be supported Clinton in November, 1812, in preference
to Madi90R|''as being an advocate of war measuves ;-^-and that, '' At the ensuing
session 'bf the Legislature, which commenced in January, 1813, the political
reliatipns. previously es^isting between Mr. Clinton and myself were dissolved^
and never again resumed <'' - .
There were 16 States in 1812. New York, New Jersey-, Delaware, Mae-
sachusetts, Khode Island, New Hampshire, and Connecticut, went for Ulinton
—89 votes. .MadisoA got 104. Other 18 votes would, have elected CliAton.
Van Buren doubtless considered that that great man had injured himself deeply
with the people, for he left him next session, and went over to the party h* had
long opposed, becaine useful to them in the Senate, and professed to be a very
sincere convert to the prmciples and measures of Messrs. Madison^ Calhoun,
Ctay, Gkrundy, Root, .Spencer, Duane, Jackson, Rutgers, and the other pro-
minent advocates of armed resistance to European oppression and misrule.
His partner and parasite, fiutler, in a letter to ^ugh A. Garland, March, 1835,
says that ^^ the republicans of the legislature of 181 i-12, who brought forward
Mr. ClintonJ" had supported Jefferson and Madison " in all the great questions
of public policy connected with our foreign relations*''-r-and that Van Buren
'^ was an open and decided, adyocate^fali th^ strpng measures proposed against
Great Britain during the session of Copgress of 181 1-12, the war included." Be-
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teeiln Section «f 2840, Bltir told m^ihthfi Gkbi^ Oie prmting i»reilM« fyr whiek
were bought and paid lor by Van Biife«V flpe4^u[|ktii)^ friends ia N^w York,
(aee Daaiei Jackson's letter,) that Van jBoren wrote tbe Senate's rept;^ to Tynx^h
km' Meatage of ISHL It says that^' an admimstralun^ seketfid for iu wmhm
and its virtues vnll^ in our opinion^ prostcvd^ the war UU our v^iplij^d wrofigs 4xr^
Mjmfed^ md mir rigkis »eeuredi^^ ii Van furen^ m 18.1 1-12, was a decided nd-
yocata of strong naeasures a^d of war, why did he denoone^ the caocus sjratem
of which he w<ui so fond in 1^08 and 1824, and which Butler revered when he
supposed Andrew Jackson was to be put down by it ? Why did h^.deaounce a
caucus io 1812, join those who sought t^ put down this wise apd ?irtlipat
administration, whose foreign policy Butler iells us )ie-had approved of, and vote
with the Hartford^ Convention men, and th(^ federal ^tat^ of Mass^husetts,
Rhode Island, and G»nnecticut, for Clinton 1 Ifo one will -argue that Massa-
chusetts and Connecticut supported Clinton as the war candidate. . Uhe was
iuehi^where is the proof of it 1
That W! C. Bryant,* Dr. Channing, Daniel Webster, and Mndreds of ^mi-
♦ It is understood to have been the policy of Fraijce before the capiuilation of Cluebec, to
unite with the Indians, and surrouna the English settlements in North America, by a rear
communication of military forts, judiciously placed between her c61ony of Louisiana and the
dw«ilacs on. the banks of the St. Lawrence. Some suck scheme is ncncimputad to Britain
with a view to coerce the United States— and Bonnefoux, in a weU written painpWet^ evi-
dently credits Jt. He says that the Ashburton treaty, which was certainly a very hard bargain
to these State's, enables Epghind to assume a truly formidable attitude on the northern and
BGrthwestwm frontiers of the Union— to stir up the hostile Indian tribes, chiefly west of the
Ifiasissif^— and, that if Texas wai not annexed, Eng^d would control the Gulf of MexiiBo,
scatter her emissaries among the Indians all the way up to Michigan, and encircle Uiis repub-
lic with enemies, savage and civilized, who would rise to our iAjiuy at her bidding.
If Republican- America remain true to her original design— if lib^rt^, based on intelligence,
justice, and Industry well rewarded, continue to be substantially enjoyed by her people, no
s^Kirts of England, or of England and France combined, can pehnanently retard her progress
—no railroads, northern colonies, western Indians, or hireling mercenaries, would avail jnuch
for conquest. France is a compact country, sjirrounded by absolute monarchies, and by
Hc^land, England, and Switzerland— but was she not tefronger against combined Europe,
when battling for liberty tinder the flag of free institntions, and confined within her natural
.limits, than when h/^ frontiers included Italy, Ho^and^ and a ereat part of Qermany and
Spain, under the des^tism of Napoleon 1 In her struggles for good government^ the generous
and the just, the bold and the brave, everywhere asked" Heavien. to bless her— in her wars for
annexation or c(»nqu€st she became weak, and when I first travelled over her " vine-covered
fields and gay valleys," ^jhe was a captive, her strongholds j:arrisoned by , Englishmen, Rns-
iSians, Prussians^ and Austrians, and the imbecile Bourbons and old noblesse bore rule as the
vicegerents of Metternich, Alexander, and the baron Castlerea^h. In my opinion,^ respectfully
Offereid^ a^ revised and cowected by what I have seen here, ike XTnion runs more risk through
the exertions of the partv in power to extend and perpetuate slavery j inflict on us Uie evils of
an unsound currency ; keep millions of the people degraded and ignorant ^ stir up such scenes
as were witnessed in Philaaelj|hia in 1844, through nativeism and religious hatreds ^ borrow
large sums from foreign nations, spend the money in a Jjro'fligate manner under the sanction
of sovereign Stated, and then virtually repufidiate the debts y and omittoenfohie equal laws and
a. pure ad£iinistration of justice.
When we see great nation like Britain^ struggling under the hna;viest load of public debt
that ever was borne by any people, and yet accomplishing, in an age, many of the most gigan-
tic Reforms and improvements on which this republic pridfes itself-— when we "see the mind of
the pectole equal to the task of so far subduing an aristocracy, at least as united, powerful, and
i^endid, as that which iscmsd from the castle's and nsnsiofts of France int6 exile and |)oveftj,
fifty years since, as to ensure to the millions the jjirosp^t of a free trade with all nations in
grain and provisions, while we lay heavy taxes on foreign produce— at such a lime as this I
would as unwillingly go to battle with the J)owerful Briton as with the feeble Mexican. The
day was when free America rejoiced at*^tfvery ttinmpll of ilpecdom an the old 4od* Wai it
never, never ceme again ?
Since 1819, Britain has destroyed her rotten borough repre6enta,tion in the three kingdoiis,
and given Manchester, Birmingham. Leeds, ShefBeld, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dnndee, Green-
ocii, and other pc^nlous cosuttoftities a roi^ in her Parliaments Sbe has put do^n the
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O^ItfiAT REFORMATION IN ENGLAND, IRELAND, AND SCOTLAND. 47
nent, learned, and faithful men, of high talents and mncK ^periiei^t 'V^V^ ih^
American seao^eii aAd ot^et; haA praoticeA, tjiat a continuance of peaoe ,wo\4<l
strapjfthea Ameiica^jpferent immei^e^lQsses to ber com^ner.oe then afloat, e^^tin*
guiil^ iqiitea4 . ^^ iSf ^^^y ^l^^^^^i^i^ ^^ public debt asd. 9theribu|theoS| ayo|4
much, iU<-^Hl, and »S^ye :^ live^ of UMUny thou»and8 of innocent hum^n qceatureny.
is {^rot^bda enough ^ but when the war w^ raging^ the iji^tional. policy decid^4
QDi fu^ Madi^ot) the candidate. of the majority, the democracy, the par^fy who,
were for war, why did Van Buren Uien urge Clinton on to a contest against
^at majority, whose conduct, he s^ys, in 1814, Ijte had ever approved^ and ^i^def-
nsurp^d thorough governments ^ich obtained in W towns and cities: gfv^n the towns Irti-
pfeted intaiieip4l <^%rters, With the power of eldetiiig tketr m&yoiTs, aldei^en, ftd., and kn^
povhiff thecoo4ilionQif «nd ^AassaJAng the mas^ea. Sliehas broloendown iiKifetMiddie close
porou^ ^^% ^ '^ much that the proscripUpn and fayoritiam of oid (imea are at an end,
and iTaniel Oijonnell, a Roman Catholic, has been Mayor of Dublin.^ She has reduced the
sev^A cehf stiimp duty on newspapers to two cents, niiail postage included— and has led tlie
wkty to s reduction of letter pOs^[(ge> chaT^^g only two cents for a letter, any dfstimce, charged
hf ii»yet4 te lO^^ndjfor woich 4^ formerly exacted 10 cents to half a crown^ while- w*e
iitta^nded 6 cents to 50. 3he has neither broken down the Bank of England nor a paper cur-
rency, but she has chan^^d an, irredeemable paper circulating medium into gold andsuver for
all sums under $0^, an? her ^$35 and higher denominations of bank notes are redeemabl^'
aiim^ingold as the Bank of Bnglan4; w&ch is. under an efficient 8u|)eryjei0n, indudiaglpeal
piAlteky, und ae sa^ty fund pditical machinery to mar its uiefuiness.
Britain, too, since l8l^, has emancipated both protestante ,and catholic^ tHe latter from
many gdevotis disaiiilities, which had previously made them a discontented, persecuted peo-
j^;^ and the fiMmcr, when diaiwitfers from the Protestant Episcopal Church, by reraorihg the
liet aetRrand- oppressions which bept .Presbyteiiani, Ctuakare; Inifeependents, .Methddife^.
m n^any casa^ out of places of power and tru^t ; has endowed many achoe^ ^ Ireland^and
some in England; encourage4 mechanics' institutes, and the spread of scientific knowledge-
and less^&d the disabilities under which the Jews ;5i]^ed. S^e has m^e many and
valuable reforms in her colonies j given the Canadians the local administration of their town-
ship and' county affairs, lent them large sums of money, given them munificent grants for
canals and railroads, lent them' millions and endorsed ^e loans, and done much to encourage
their coi^amerce, and free it frotn ancient shackles. While we are doing our very best to in-
crease the numbers ~i)f wretched, hopeless victims who pine in davery, and cursing new
regions of Gk)d's earth with that horrid scourge, Britain has peud nearly four hundred millions
(tf dollars to hlot out African bondage from the fac^ of the earth ; she has greatly improved
her' jury and libel laws, she has humanized her penal code, she has done more than we within
the last thirtv years to make the civil co^e clear, distinct, and suitable to ^e condition of
society and ner institutions. The cruel restrictions on a firee press which banished many
and imprfsonecl more, are chiefly repealed ; the navigation laws reduced into one act ; excel-
lent amendments made in many of her courts of justice', as to' their procedure ; her stam^
dutiei lessened ; and while salt, soap, tea, sugar, coffee, and a thousand other things of more
or less utility, are either freed from taxation, or the tax on them lessened at least fifty millions
a year, a direct tax of twelve cents per pound is laid on the incomes of all men worth over S700
a year, whether from bank stock or broad acres, but persons under $700 a year income pay
none of it. JJJot long since she took three millions of dollars, yearlv duty, off American cot-
ton ; and she prohibits the growth of tobacco in the United Kingaom, giving us the virtual
monopoly of suppl)ring her. Under the proposed system of trade, Buffalo and Lockport will
sooii nave as deep an interest in peace with Englafld as Charleston now has. These, and,
many other changes for the better, including the breaking up of the mohopoly of the East
India company to Sttpply teas, and trade between India and the United Kingdom, the reduction
ef die tythe system, especially in Iieland, and the expenditurfe of many miIU6ns on railroads,
tumpilDss, canjiis, bridges, and an infinite number of other usehil work^, are only a part of the
rocent refgrms* Much has yet to be done — much is accompUahed. hera which ^e vast debt
of England, and the faithfui payment of Us intere9t,<ppeyent her from attempting. But who
is there that would rash into w^r to-morrow, with such a people, in order that slaves may be
worked harder in Texas, their ownfers, or the dealers in the^i enrjchcd, and Canada broAight
lifider th0 iron yoke ef the alare Slates of this Union 1 My past iife is the eyidence of my
sincerity in the^ cause of human emancipation, but I cannot, and will not subscribe to the'
doctrines of John C. Calhoun and James K. Polk ; and nxy judgment is, that they tW^
— the North CaroliiUan in the Presidential chair, and the South Carolinian^ whose talents and
experiame jMobt long stnce have eaabM him to. eksam it-— desire t» pmsne in the maiSy
one JDolicy, and that not favorable to human freedom.
Digitized by V^OOQ IC
4$ VaK BUREN^S CONDttOT hA^t WaIU ttrAtt»oi.fe Off AJUfillttbA.
. ' ... . . ^. • *"■ ■ . • I -
vor by federal aid to break down the government at the very moment when
i^Af ty wa* mbrt reqnlrt^ ? :...:.. ' .
In the address of the JR^pttftftedn membiOT of the LMsUtnre of N: Y. id
lixe electors, dated j^ptii 19th, 1815, and signed byErastu^RooC, SanMiel Yoang^
M^ Van Buren, Peter Allen, Moses I. Cantlne; Aarorf Ma6kieyi PeW; -Slagg,
John Wells, W. C. Btfuck, andothers, itistcwerted, that ^ driven tt> the vely t«tg6
of sufleranee, bur governrhent was compettfed ia chooi^e between manly reli-
ance and abj^et-^sttbmissfon— between open, detei-taiued hostility, and nat96nftl
debasement and ^egtad&tion. The former alternative wa& a^dopted ; and c^ the
iRtb of June, 1812, a day which Will form a proud epoch in the annals t)f our
countrj', war was ueciarea agamst Great 'Britain.'* When odr government took
this manly course on a uiiy wnicn jyir^ Van i>uren decifires to be a prpu^l cj:qz^
in the. nation's annals, why was he found nmong tb# enemies ef that governmenlii
the head of which had been nominated for re-election, by a caucus mia)onty ia
Congress, a mode approved by him and Butler in 18^4^ ev^n wheji adwted by
only a small minority in Congress to put down Clay, Ja^tson, aad Adams f Why-
did he oppose Wheaton, Root« Croiius, Sanford, Kutg;ers,and Old Tanunany) m
November, 1812 ? There is but one answer—to break down the' govetnmettt
of the day. Was there in N. Y. one enemy to the war, in Nov., 18 J?, who did
i^ot take sides with Coleman, Souttiwick, and Martin Van Buren t
Van Buren urged Clinton to take the worst step, mo great, so truly noble jnd
useful a man could have taken in Nov., 1812 — and, when Clinton foiled, he
basely deserted him whom he had betrayed, and listened to give in his "allegi-
ance to, and make himself strong upon, the winning side ; puMng the admij^^tra-
tion he had striven to ruin, and lauding it, in 18 14^ for the very measures an
account of which he had endeavored to strangle it in 1812.* Clinton failed ht
It is a great error to suppose that the aristocfacy of Europe are our enemies. How mini in
France sactiiiced everything to liberty 1 Did not the French nobility cheer on Dr. Franfojii
in his exertions, and did not Lord Chatham and the English liberals encourage the Colonists
to resist George IIL", Lord North, and the Parliariient of that day 1 Hearken to Hordce Wal-
pole, the Whig Earl of Orford, as he expresses his feelings to his friend Sir Horace Mann,
the British e^voy at Florence : , " Paris, Sept. 7, 1775.
. " I am what I always was, a zealot for liberty in every part of the" globe, and ,<5bnsequently
most heartily Wish success to the Americans. They have hitherto not made ojie' blunder, and
the administration have made a thousand, besides the two capital ones, of lirstprovoking„ani
t^en uniting the Colonies. The latter seem to have *as good ^eads as hearts, and We want both.
Instead of being mortified, as I generally am when my country is defeated, I aim comforted
by findiner, that, though one of very few in Epigland, the sentiments of the rest pi' the world
concur with and continn mine. The people with us are fascinated ; and 'what must we be,
when PreTtchmen are shofcked at our despotic acts! Indeed, both this na,tion and tljeir king
seem to embrace the most generous principles— the only fashion, 1 dpubt, in which w-e shaU
not imitate them. Too late our eyes will open."
The recent speeches of O'Connell show tnat England may depend on Ireland, in case of 4
war by us to sustain an extension of slaverj^.' Can we of America depend oji France, as of
old, to engage in such a cause 1 W^ ought jiot to expect It. Nor ought any of our' people
to be deceived with the cry that England and France, are worn out,' superannuated military
despotisms. The neople there are .just as young, and as wide awake to their rights .asour
favorite States of Florida and Texas, and, if I mist^e nof, a great deal more so.
* Chief Justice Speacer, the brother-in-law of Cliiuoot ftBd wbo supported M4di»<oa and \i» admiiiUtmtioii ta
1813, when Van Buren was dping uvore than any other man in the Siate to era))a[ras8 tlie war and its supporters,
wtote a lettw Ki the JVisw Wvrld^ in August., 1843, censuring Jabez p. Hammond for playing the i^ycophant /to
be aaid) to Vhb Buren. HammitJid had been iM-the oonfldence of Clintoii and opposed lo Van Btten alid his AX-
bwiy ciique ; but be wheeled round ia l@34» iMe pet bap^ year, got thftindeeehiiKOf a county coujt, and puffed
Van Buren'tf Wfir services, in his book and iu letters to the newspapers, probably as a gratetuljequpivalfnt.
Judge Spencer's remarks on Hammond's account of Van fiuxen's conduct in November, 18X¥, are so sensible
and to ihr* point, Uiat the reader will b« uletoed wiib them.
**Mr. Van Buren [says Uammoadj out his arritat at Albany fimnd Mr. OOxttati eoliraly destUutt'Of My plan of
operatien. Tlie talents, address imd aetivil^ofMr, Van Buren st^oo plaenl.iKJm at ibe, head of the RepuMicaii
niends of Mr. Clinton in the Senate and, in fact, in tj^e Legislature." The result wifs that BU^publicau eleciors
were nominated in the Senate, and Feder^ electbr« in tlie Assembly, and upon joint ballot^ the Ctintoiiian ticket
•eeeived 74 votes, the Federal ticket 45, and 28 blaak votes w«rc cast, and Mtr. Hammood says, ^* Of iSourat th«
fM«nU«ti^ 2^ 9f ttaeio, voted the ClimoiMa |i«ket." The tfumion i% who «fiectcd the «iiii»c«Bcat fay wMcli
Digitized by ^OOQ IC
AMBBeSfi SlWKMfs mtfil^ 99 VAN tWBH^ «>mim LIST WAH. tf
Not., &9it je«r, and Van Bartn tella us in 1840| that in the session of January,
181S, the political ties that had existed betwi^n them were diipived and never
resumed.
96 Federaliita abuidoned the sunpott offbeir own poUlteti tn^^ md wbom they liad dpeii^ oomlnatad to gife
tbelr lec^ ballots to tbdr poHticia oppoMMkta; ibm viabitaic Hmnto triunpli 1
It was not Mr. Clinton, Ibv Van Biuen found tte*«tatlraiy dMttiate tf my ptaa of opaAtlOBi. Mr. Himmond
unerringly points out the man wbo intrigood with the Federalistfli who drove and qoosamniated tho bargain. It
Was Mr. Van Buren who, by his talmtU, ad^rttt mmd aohrity, HA tUa, and thus ** placed himaelf at the head of
the BapaUicaB (Hands of Mr. CUpion fat aerate and, fci fact, ia the UgisUttare.*' But, according to M|r. Uvf^-
moad^s political morab, thte was all r^bt : and it ieeras n«v«r to'ttavv oaeorred to this simpla^niBdeS riMn that
■och political hfugaiia are baasd on a fw'd pto f «• ; that fuchs^slBfA Federalists as Mr. Vap Biiren had to d|al
with, would never give aip their own electors whoiQ they lsa4 the power of choosing, without some equivitrent
and what It wm, waa tnifcldei at tbe next oieethig of t)>e sam^ Le|t«iatare) in the eleetleki iQf Mr. Ruflia Kfai^to
t^ SeiMtaiif th^ United Stataa, by the desortion of a aafficient pomher of Republican membert to defoaft Qen-
oral Wiilcln*s election, whom the sepublican party had the power to elect. There may have been oth^ Condi-
tioBsi au4 stipuiatiQiis eithor unlhlfflled or unravealad.
" Mr. VanBureu miist have perceived that Mr. Clinton could not be elected President without the aid of the
entire Federal party, -and that with such aid hi« prospects were slender. He must ha^ been aWare that tha ac-
ceptance of that aid would ruin him hi the esthaation of the great lepubUcaii party of the Union. AAer the nom-
ination bf Mr. Madisoa fa) tbeaocusloiaed nkanaer l^ the b^ahliean tacmbors of ComcresB, and after the declara*
tion of war, I then thought and still think, these evanta had dUsoIWid atery Mend of Mr. Clhiton, even those who
had naatoated him, frodk all obligation to support lihnlbr tile maideacy;
** l%e occurrence of a war with a adghty nation iiad not been anticipated with eertafaity when Mr. Clintoq was
nomiaated. The deetahitlon of war kiftt the hearty assent of the B^pnUican partf . Did it eacape Mr. Van Bu-
rea'a quiali peeeeption and tofid oombinfthm uf ideas, thttaa oppofttion to Mr. Madison's ebction And hia dafeat
would have bean a virtual condemnation of- the war, declared by his advice and under his auspices T Did it not
occur to4f r. Van Baren that our puUie enemy would regard Sm defeat of Mr. Madaoa aa an exprahrioa of pub-
Be opitupn agahvt the war 1 Was it not notorious that the Federal partv aUno«t uaiversally wen opposnd tp idM .
war 1 Under these circumstances a cpalition with any pon^h dftUe Federal party to defeat Mr. Madlaon and
el«Bt Mr. CUirtoa, if kuceaMfuU would have been destmcthie of that writ/ of ophiion which pervaded tha Bapub-
^ , ^ -..,.., . ... - v^ - . ,. — ofopmio " '
party of the state 1 It is a notorious fact, that hamediata^ after the Presidential ootitest ceased, Mr. Clinton
rapidly declined tothe catimatiQtt of the Republicans of the state; and hilSlS was removed by a Bepubliean eooa- v
ail fhNtt the mayoralty of New York, the only office be thea held. * * * * It never has been insinuated or
asserted that Mr. CQnton personally took any agency in procuring his election, or entered into any bargains or
cottpromlBaB, or did any act IneonsistlBnt with his tionor. He merely auflhred hia name to be used. But, accord-
ing to Mr. Hammond, Mr. V^ Burea was the master-spirit. That Mr. Clinton was an anlbitious man, is not to
be doulrtfed ; but it was of a high order, and its objects wereporsued by no ignoble means. He loved that popu*
Isrity which followed his deeds, not that which is raa after. Ha waaao demagwue, and was utterly unfitted, by
a aobility of soul, for siich self-prostitution. If Mr. Van Buren had been imbaed with those principles of deiho-
cracy,' aad that lofty patriotism to which he makes pretensioas and for which his adbereiita gave him credit)
weal4 he not, especially after the dedaratiaii of war, have admeni^d IVIr. Clinton of the many weighty con-
aiderationa aa regarded the public good and' his own fame, which forbade a contest for the Presidency, between
two BapuUieaa ca nd jMates. * * • * Events proved that my aiotiveB were pure a^ honorable ; and it haa
been a source of great satisfaction to me, that Mr. Clinton Kved to be oonvinced of it. Thethouglu will natiurally
suggest itself to every mind— how comee It that I, nearly allied to Mr. Cltoton, and much mora interested in hia
elevation to th$ Presidencnr, <o far aa feeliop are coacemed, than Mr. Van Buren, should have taken the vi«w
I did or the course which hia own fame and patriotism' requbed of him ; and that Mr. Van Buren with equal
meaas of fbnaing a correct opinion, ahcmld have cone *«fie«tip to aaadverse conclusion. I conaidec, and afwafs
have considered, Mr. Van Burtn's conduct on that memorable occasion, as the greatest political error of his life;
an4, 1 make no doubt, he so considars it himself: his friends have in vain attempted to jostify or palliate lus
conduct, and any man who can do so effectually, would be welcome to him."
QThis is all true, and yet we find Van Buren held forth, September 6, 1836, in the Alb any Argni, as behig *'the
man who patriotically yielded the state pride of supporUng a citi«e& of ISevr York for the Presidency, in 1813,
TUS MOKCKT IT aSCAMK APFARfeJCT TVU.T THK f UPPORT Of Mr. ClIMTOIT INVOLVKD OPPOSITION TO THB COUN-
TRY, in supporting the war. * * * fiie man to whom, U may almost be said, the nation owes it, that hi
tl^ nearly equal struggle betw^n the contendhig parties in 1913 and 1814, New York was found on the side of
Madisoa ana the country, instead of bemg seated with her dalagates in the secret conclave of the Hartford Con-
v^ticm.'*
With many such.vabicles of- fiasehood aa tha jfrfic^, upbajd to lie boldly, artfully, and to- the advantage of
their emjIoyeTs, paid by then), circulated widely among ^e people, the better to deceive thera, Wbo can wonkier
at Van Baren's election fn 1836 ? I rciJeioed to Ma the patriotic hero, for such I believed him, triumph ov^r tha
enemies of hia 6ountry, as'described by my old friead Croswell, to Wheie statement of facts I gave implicit credit
Col. Dqaae was far more friendly to Cuntoh than to Bladlsoa, hnt a« the nation was on the eve of a war, ha •
went, like Ambroee Spencer, foranaAimity. In March, ISlOa said, la the Aurora, ** De Witt Clinton will
not suit the powers that be, he has an opinion of his own. Tw drcuAistanoe of the employment of delegated
power for the porpMa of depressing/ man who are, oa account of their great talents, or public services, dfstla-
tnHsbad in the public view. Is a honribla featursi in lepubUdan gavarament: after sustaining a press tn N
York, after making the deposits of the public treasury snbearvieat to die use of a neWspager. employed tn
* writlM down the CUatona '-^-It is probable, therefore, that tha whole inflneace of the government will l>e
' directed to wevent the noininatlpa of l)a Witt Clinton, aad this system, which holds such men as John A^rm-
strong, aad De Witt Clinton up fbr proscription, la perfectly connttant with the employiaent of men withotit
anysort ofihaesalorpitblicdatiee^''^ *^ r '
In las, ||uanaaamed Clinton aa the true deuoctatfe eaodidate ftir President, but ha wottld not oppose bis
friM Cpl, Monroe, the Albany Argw, by JiidC> Butl O^ab. S7>, *• thought the chances rather preponder^tinjr
.ia^mr of Mr. Crawibrd--a seieMlon which it belietMd would be MwdiW acquiesced la by the republicans of
llaw'^ork.'* Al«gial»tive ea«eaa tt Febnuur. 2816, at Alhhay, fautroeted tho delegaUon from New York hi
C^ngrssB. to vote for Tompklai. bat aa this would Mva rMend Miiaroe*s success eertahi, Van Buren and sev-
enjet hewgfly prdfu^td to approva tf tt Xt witf UK, (1%^ tl^ Alhimty tariff Instnietioiis, oaaaaisi firon Waahr
hii|i|M Ib ili9|) to ba Mtid an*
Digitized byVjOOQlC
flQ
A NOBiiE imtAHm •F^AViwoifii. w^tttsnmk
C H A P T E R X 1 V.
IJke sQive tall cliff Ui«t Ufls Its a^^fiil Ibnn,
Swells from the. vale« and. mid- way leaves tliie storm ;
Tboi^h Tound its breast the rolling clouds aie spread
Eternal sunshine settles on its heaa.--€rfil<2s7ntM.
CSntm ejteied from the Ccmai Boari.-^EIected Governor byucclmiatidh:'^
Christopher Colks. — Canal Aci of 1817. — Tlie Tamnany huektmls.^^Cun^
ningham^s Warning. — Justice trampled on for the sake of (he ^oUs^-^Peter
. Albn. — Touna (md Van Burtn^s Scriptural Majority. — Who expelled CKn'
ton? — Col. l^ung and the Canals.^^Van Buren Self Condemned.'— Sis per^
ecutum fif C&Uon.
The bold and -wise ^^tennination with which, from 1810 to 1828, De Witt
Cliuton linked his fortune and character with the success of the great canals of
this State,* and the vindictive opposition with which Jhe was met at every point
by Martin Van Buren^, ^nd his followers and dependants, are matters of history.
In ,1824, while President of the Board of Canp^l "Commissioners, acting, as he,
had always acted, without salary or emolument; holding no other public office
in the S>ate ; and the Van Buren or ^Bucktail party then holding in their hands
the reins of government, with a majority of their friend^ on the Canal Board, he
wte suddenly and summarily ejected from the Board, although not a whisper
was heard against the purity and noble disinterestedness of his conduct in that
highly important trust. Thi$ wapton attack upon his feelings roused the whole
State-^he slanders of the Butlers, Cros wells, and their allies, could not prevent
the manly and the generous of all parties from perceiving their jealousy, in-
gratitude, and malignant enmity-^and at the. next election for Governor, De
Witt Clinton was borne to the sc^at which his honored uncle, Oeorge Clinton, had
80 long and so worthily filled, by, the acclamations of the people — his majority
over Col. Young, the candidate of those who hjnd expelled him, having been^
nearly 17,600. How an act like thi^ atones, in the minds of good men, for
many popular errors ! How the memory of such a deed of justice warms the
soul to new exertions for enlightening and bettering the condition of society !
* De Witt Clinton bears voluntary testimony that Christopher CoUes, an eminent and sagaelons engineer,
firom Ireland, '* was the first person who suggested to tiie government of the state, the canals and improve-
ments on the Ontario route. Colles was a man of good character— an inffenious mechanician, and well skilled
In the miatheroatics.** This su^estion was made before 1764, in which year the legislature referred his plans
to a committee ; next year a public appropriation of just $1% was madie to enable him to .survey the route,
which he did, and published a pamphlet favomble to a canal. "No one can 9ay how far we owe the occa-
sion," of eetehmting the union of the Atlantic and thfe great lakes {^observes C. D. Golden J, " to the ability with
which he developed the great advantages that would result fi-dm opening these communications with th»
lake»—to tlie clear yiews he presented of the facility with wliich these communications might be made— and
to the activity with which he for som^ tlnui pursued this object.^* Colles planned the c'anals— Clinton, the
grandson of an Irishman, kept the public attention fixed npon the advantages which would result firom them,
and never forsook the great object he had in View, till N. Y., under his direction and guidance, had completed
them. Fulton, the son of an Irlshmaii, nevised and carried into operation the scheme whereby ocean, lake.
and liver are navigated hy ^eam, in connection with the canals. Thus it Is that the Union is cemented, and
nnan made the firiend of man. Cowper observes, that ^'jlfiqantains interposed, make enemies of naUpns, who
had else, like kindred drops, been mingled into one.*'
The bill, committing the state to construct the canals, became a law in the session of 1817. In Assembly
there were 64 yeas, " inrincipally, if not entirely of the flrlends of the nominntimi of Mr. Cilnion and the fede-
xalists," says Hammond. " The 36 noes were chlSfly.lils opponents." Van Buren may have been friendly to
the .measure, or he may not Why was he to vindictive towards the man whom, when ^ead, he acknow-
ledgtd to have been the means of its accomplishment? Why did he expel Clinton fi'om the canal board?
Why did the presses of his party try to undervalue the undertaking ? Tanmia;iy Hall sent repreieotatlves to
the Assembly who were the deadly oppqnei^ts of the canals. Among the lAsignla of tl^e Tammany society
was a part or a deer's tail worn in the hat, . Henrw the name of Bncktails, g\ven to and assumed by Batter
^page 163, No. 37), Van Buren, and the enemies of Clinton and his catial policy generally. Even when Van
BtBWBioiiied in the nomination. of Clin ton for Gove^nar, he acted with hii usual' duplicity, for, says Hammond,
he ** wished to create a council which should be ndniinally GUntpnlan, but which, at the same time, should be
reaUr huM^ to the Governor." He succeededLartd the moment tt was fgosen wrote to a Ihendlti Columblci
county, "AU la saft Seymour! Seymowr? fiteryntovr*'* * * ^ ,
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
>IV^lfl4Ms^ stiMfe'eMiiiiitted by Aosf^ ek<Mmof thfiir f^reb^g^l
idMlpi;^; cbld-hearfed, Mful pwrtiMfis, l» a V«s<^Burei^ « WtigfaW a
and • jMarcy, been since placed i|i the elevated statioh which thb gMaA^M
aiaived? Berhafi^ it waa to render niore striking, the diS^nc^ betyeeli .„
w iOi il Jj ! popqlar, and Ifaoae ttohleiaea of nature unt^ if ye wiU. pf civilisatio^^ '
wfaa ieave the impress of their wortir on tte eatOi ihd4 tha dw^Vbm Ui^mii^ . '.
<^ tW ISfih of Apri][, iS24^ the Assembler re^eire^ fr^m tlie Seuiitmi a ftaokl^t^
tiavrto wJuek thfiir eeDcarfance was^ requeued, tor tbe iihme^at^ mntc^al^'
Da Witi €UaIo» fr«tii the office of Caaal Commttsiimer* . J
Mr. Cunningham, of Montgomety, warned the HmM apiaat beaomiig f .
navtaer in the ungrateful deed. His eloquent speech I teke Ardnt Miiwi aa di i i ^*
J j£b«,'»^sftid]fe[r. <Dunningham,^''\Hth ho^^ortlinaryJFeeH^^^ i>f sarpHsis and ailbvfi|l»ilMAt;^
the taSki^ii JQst read, as coating ftom the Seiif te. Bir, it lis cremated lo joipQ^he jfeeiiiiu, ^
ol' e\rery honest mdn on this floor. Its very approach was marked with black ingratitude a|U^i ,
ba>a ^esipi. For what good and hoovrnVIe puqposQ has this resolution been 3ent hei^ fo^ C^ "
ci^ynpe at the y^fy Itast moment of oar session 1 Is it to create discokl taiabng tis, a^^de- .
stro^^at harmwiy ami good feejing which ought to pnerafl at our wparacion 1 ¥W *
spei* rMn|^i)f three mbnths in Icgislatioii, aad aoi one word |i«s B^n j^4, iot^n^t^^tt
or t aartmerf to oaoel Ihat hononiiie ft nUctnao figm the board of casuUixmuuission^n. r
hr«9iil[caUiBd to plit J^c€! by ^e united voice and. commpn consent of the^p^ifte qf lliW
on account of his pecoliar and jUraoscen^nt fitness iid preside Stttltat boar^, anaW4iis '^
^ ;e and forward the great utidertakihg. filt^ labor, ^b^)r«a«i; his befeaancnlU
far ihe ftnit ^d6d^' he enduied standee aad^fe^sacuAian iKm.*f^4^nel^
la Aiait^r ; ilmir^stoadfast m h^ ip}frpo^, he jotaisued hls.couije n^ ^ firm je~''
s^>|^MM ^ii$fi cipwned with suciBqss, and. t^e rojoki ardent of his oppo^^ $at .,
^kfet, 't,iX ,wl\atv Jet ine ^k, did ^r. Clinton, ^ttdur^ all this 7 IfW ^M ^ sM-opB
Noj Sr ; ft wa^ for the honor aid wc^fete cA his state ; U wasfr^v/i leme d7idpatmtic&-^
pMhiBkniMtiicia t$Hbui^Q46r^le tiouse to decide, uQon the oath wiHch they Kaye taken,
their sente of propriety and honor, whether they are ready, by &e!r vm^, 'to comt
o^-lngfaiiiiidpl What eaa we charge to ^. Clinton :$ Wh^t cai^ we say he h^s I
ofjifif he shofifid be ^lBfl<led out as anefeject of state vengeance T WtSTsoih^ jSl-,^ ^^ -
res^jitioii be'kind enoiit^ to inform mel Sir, I ehalleii^ ac Hiquriiy ; >l clmaad ffm'«
simnilars of this high-handed measure, that iJiey lay thefr h^iKli^on their heai«i,*aiid a
me til^y tor what-eftus^ is this man to be removed 1 I dare assert^ in mV place, trout trijif ^
as It^^^sd commissioner are unimpeaehed, and unimpeachable, and fiuch aji^ha^e ev^el.^^
th^ jHaudfi^ and admii^tion Of his political enemies. > This, sir, is (he efidid ckwnmtttoiA
nMa whaca we now se^k to destroy. I hope that this House will pardon ine, ^^^fkm I fr^y
deettpfe my opiaioR that this resolution was eiigendered in thejnt^ u^haUbwe^ teeljlttfstf '
r^HlSkj^ to efiect some nefarious !%eret ^cffpose, at the expense of tae hooer ajpid' iw^myisvt
this Legidature. However hard it Miay seesft, it U thi^ inesi«dble iinpiiteof jay tnind. . Mh^.f
Cim^n. mw4 imthe ptiiUcal market i^ he reposes in the. ^hddes of honorable retirendW; ;^
a^jgrnafffieej^uHd f9s$e$acs non$ but the one ofiokich he. is about U be flipped. ^'''^li^Wi0t^
it ^^fKars, liiave been actuated by sonie crwi 4nd maH^^nmilt ^wMffum, unacoounted: K)9r^*,ai^ whQ>
save Ihtit of ^>aiirlui*f tn™?ethcr ftjr pfily |i1iin(Ji;r, Xhn Bur*n and
iMREt^e of U»: aiatf! of N. Y. Tbb Cy^nicLl >vhir nnnuaUy chmeti,
cujr Alien, from OnlHfliJ esmmtyt Utr* hia scat, viHth i>iily SfilX"! voten,
. , -„ _ , , i:m! 3?2,j- In F«niilaMuiT, prltit(riil liAUot.><n Din^rltetl *^ ffmrif Fnll«wT!,"
Uaia, «talfrUtfM; mmI With ttio ^<wn tlerk witA AM the cortljficn^ of voiles, with the Ji!im« nl-yn in M] ; but
Df HMiy
ii aia^liHeaai iwt ts UittjCQUoLy clurk it wim wrLUtiii ' //», FulhiiVejp" W«rl knowlnsj thi%t che forty Titim
vMai jmiv Ibr Jtff:* F<« U)!B CorrUjU niM frjiiiiluienl i^leik rejexteiE Ihc^iu, ^3 the rGJc^rlon wEmlrl rvhirn AUen,
tiMt-lM hsd^ fewest Vfitei. In the A-v^tuihty, W. A^ Dn^r ^trasenti^d ihe ^^m^>n of Fi»IJmv^. om;riiig
yswftlSilhttWM HuA tlM^AIl«B wux nnt » men^ljer. and ilt^^taflnj; tliKt Justice nkl^ht nt ooce be dope the cnniity.
aiiWiSl MkSfl if he hn4(iny sUitevtenL in make to the i:rnUf»ry, but he vfm »i!fint. FeLlowv Iteioegeil ta the
MMIfMiilty : All«« tA tb« Imckt^Hii. When a r^ohjiiinarr qiieittlim \va% tn he mJten on Allen'if cEtiW. U vah
n^|B0ii4 rtwt iy P«<Bht ikSt tp Vrte ^^ htre lie hsut ii perso&nf IntereiiL ■ the SpenSteT di^rSdeit that he could vole;
SUslMpI WM tBttde te th^ Hooae, and ihe Sfienker decided l^al Allen eoulit vqte nii ihnt Um. PHTtieA wetir
•0 flM)(^BftiHtHy dlv^Mt tlliit if the HpiviinLlng prmcr of ci>^ncU Cnvtld be vnte^l fhr, levhlle AiKf^n h^ the Mal,^ tt
WMiabs Vaii.Biiieiusht Iwcktail, AvtuuiiutU' ; Ijul If jrs-iiit:*^ were firit dimr, :in'l Ff IJnw* put In Allen's iilftce,
the aidsmilStB nvfluU ftlect the cdiinrJl. Th^y llK'feOrre f>p{).»srd ^Tcrtilily fill npLlnn n^ lo Fellfjws, till AlJen';^
I'Kljiail sSciQgd (CbcsagbPeiley Kcy<^*. &r..>, for thtir frjeinLs the control i*f ihp cfl^res ihrotighont thp stit^,
a#IBta,M>l Milt'4iy app^ntied a eommitt^cui elections ivHh fi bnitktnlE tu.^^or\tv, who tiiian] mouldy n warded
limtmmmlMkm^iJOa M|.«||tor ffvldence thuu ibiU which we-s Itefore tlie Ijouiti the day It mi^t^ and which Ihv
^NphHiapilP^' I90A1 Allc%tea a^t Ui«n gftiUBayvft ; ilie Huiue then voted .Allen out and FeJJo^i iii| 11V1 1^ 1.
Digitized by CjOOg (^
eti^i>'ihX^6 "Skici^wi h&^i t^hw^v
M&k a xtuflt tMi this Hoi^^ Vl»4ndtgMii.ffM9^fplii bir^'
U'k'^iM, kit votid for it, 4re«re 4hmotdm4ht'iwi0swtj»M gocd 0Bn^ of an iojitu^ but
lalrtMM i< miiii^Miiitjr. W^t^v^ tbe fate of this resolutioii may be, let it f>e refnembered
th|it lit-iPUjUqQ^ has acquiret^a reputation not to be destroyed "by the pitiful malice of >a4ew
leading rartisans of ^he day. When the contemptible ^ity iairfffe Af tfte faobr slsai&^mm
pctoed by, ttfhdihejKjiiMad iargainen andfUgBkrs^wki^mnti^4lmgmim4 tkis CamM for smi^tir
ence, ihIA WtdtflM&iriiBM «b4 fig^goibBii; in «6ei^<own inaigBA^^nce— when the j^atlid,lxeeze
AilL ftm 9frw Ihn 400^ pi.( UAt great maiu canyin|f with it. th« just tribute of honor and
pifM^ ^^^^t^r^t ^'^ ^^ withheld — the pen of the future historian, in better days an^ In better
fiineg, wff do him justice, and erect to his memory a prdud moaulnM* •f^«^unle,a»inMMBial|ft^
Me as the iqplendid works whicfti iywe their origin to Bs ^eaiiv^A^dvpQriOTecaiiep. . Tfiasnpottf
IsMMty-lte'laiA.tlMll wflitbtgivcn ihiHtfusion, apd i^-pi^ay Ood it may be such as jiv'Iil o^t
^dlitimMn.llij^xv.eycv of jOHT'coaatiU^nts."
CKve me a Cunningham and a Clinton for '^ Native Americans !" Sueh;
>MH-«lwg{f8sllttov bow to tireat aright foreigner and native^ friend and foe. Of
silA ttatiiresvir them any land raig£t be proud* Cumiingham's oeart wa^ in. the
r^ pUee. /
The Assembly concurred with the Senate, 64 to 34. Among thoair wW
voiwi to expel Cliaton thus 0ummarily, I find the names of\H. Wheiston, iM#
cfltoy lo B^rlm ; A. C Flac^, now ComptrdUer ; General James Tallmadge^
basic. F^ieifon^ and Thomas Hyatt. Amone hkr^eink were Messrs. Bai«tow,
'lm9>9 Benedict, Camp^U. Cooper^ Jpn|i Cravy, Furman, McCrea, '
BbM^ Tholae, WhiiiDg, Tredwell, Essia Smith,
Aair^ides and i«sokttio«i iw honor of CUntOA wera signed on tbis ooca$io|^.
hy U: Owkson, W. Bayard, P. Hone^ T. A. EmmelPy N. Pish, W. Fev^ C.
F, Whiter & Wlutney, Preserved Fjsh,, C D. Cplden, T: Eddy, R: Spgardua^
John Rurt^doe, mM C. G, Haines, New Ywk ; and by John Tayler, James Mc-
Kown, WilHam Ittfiaeiij J. H* Weiidell, Chandler Starr, Hammond, the hi^oriant
Cfidean Hawley, ^ai9!b Townsend, T. Van Vechten, E. JeDkios, 8^ M* Hop*
Vtm pwea WM then a Miialsr And atfbniey general, and hto pahy, tt> a man, 8iirtc*ted4hi8 great ^»wfeiiid
taeir pittsfes nphekl it. HmrlHtle of <l*mo<S^cy. of jnstlc^, ofilM spirit oC free iastftatkinsUiart wasja/h^sA
pfoeMftiiSi, tlie^eeiA mad caaMAnadpar Is fsft to Jvdge. Hie evidsnce w9m read openly and was entirely docu-
We n Wfty* fteprseft n*iT -»-^t ?-tm1 iw>t :!n^r,^yed, yet tbe real representative was ithurout tlU tbe main V>n«i-
nmw or (he !>eiaion wivi itckiM h >: .1 kiainsiU . ifler which the bnektalls, to a man, admitted their own dMioiuBsl
rDiiiJuct by vutlrtj; mit The iDtruder aLtdo^^i nrtanimously. "Tbe denoemts in Ifae AawMPb ty,** tan tlie M« Vt
l?v?tUnE P'litt f> I foh. ^J, "sTtpr^n the ^pe^-^ksr In deelarlnf he wl^l «!Bt baibowKd by the roles or the Bouse ;
they ehooM the exeentivfl branch rifijiiTirfiiM^ht lay means of the vole of 9^ nian, wno th^y themselves, after his
■vnte bas bepii eiv<?n» Mekti^^wLedf^c hHti mi tnj iiness there, but whom ttiey had first permitted to d^eclare, by' his
riWD vote, thHt he hHil ; ihey |iiil>t|Aheil ^lvl ^lis wer to'the Governor's speech which was neVer accepted'; atti
tanlly they ^&y Furh h prnceWitin^ h, in ihv ovinion of thisilouse, ulwoustitttHonalaadlllegai' W^kilis so.fkjrf)tNii
the truth, that it^ recti y ihe cnntmry n]ifMjar» ^» die.face of ^helr own jeomaU. A true specimen ofuNBRiDLsa
<t«ciwcniry,'' V»a Burr n would have Lost hk office /of Attomex GeiMral ba^l his party aeted hone^itly as judges
in thu cflfMP. , '•. . .
llamcuonJ. wZif». in oiiiiiy tfjii>|^p, ij{^pla>#, to my mind, real Independence of eharael«r ; tfUMii^ Jodge In-
t^T, tak^E Hmmmnnd'! own dncthitiB ;•- -t [(!St,«e0ms tr» show mat tie wae ihi| alwagm so; ctvae Jtnoth«r jretw
Allen f^Ave In Lh4; flenniic in 1817, in wtjicH V^itiigiMtd Van Bmren cut a wretohe^ figuxe asjudifes. It is this ;
In I he WciUrn Hiiftrk t, twu icnsiicrrif wiTE in be chosen— one for four years ond'anolhc)' for une, Iqr bnu dec-
fiDi^. By Inw, h*', of t}vD two 4;hnii;u lo^sctlii r. who has tbe most votes, si^ ftair vears— tlt^ otiier, (me. f^ war
di^pul^d wMcit of thy ii\ (? K\t^tt<6 had R104E votvit— the dilute refbrrvd tp a eomttiKtee-^wti6 repart«a, <bst I9flf»
\ titm were i^vcii fur [^sc WJLwii^ihai 1 1 ,$H.i wi>re£lveu for Jedlah 1^re|idergn8t,9l ior JkMteA Pfeodttgaiii and
10 rqr Jtd. r^Kmif.r?mt, rttrXf-iwnuT thir fjkctors who spelled Jedeihih swrore, 10 the satisAictioh of tffe 8tB«liB^4
c^smjiiitiee, tkii th^v hiid iniuodeif Jf^ijo^, nnd these 42 added to the 14,986 #ho had spelled tlie nsMie rislOk
made l£,trJ7, or \% inoa' than WUsf>ii, litiyln^ Ejothhieof the other 59, wiflch it wwi deat -were aieaO m ai i d e d fcr
Prsnderfiut. The comiuJttifi^ jlV^i Y<:y>t>T\6\ that Wiisoti had hot alleged that there was a JedeMah Pnpa*
d^TP^t ifiihu distrioi— and, ofomnse, ilmt J» dFshP.'ought tositlbr fbu/yiws and Isaac Wifaoiifelr«il«. CaM
Uittri! tfi two iipiniotis ou iiuch a quF^jAiri 1 Th^e were. Van Boreh rose in His pf&cft and ur|M~his par^ia
t^iU Uie iew*r*t V5>t« Uus nnst ftnd j?ive the ]r>iijE term to Wilson— and Samuel Yoangprodlio^dttoB 2faWs.an4sai4
rould say tiikt Wilecwi had the most var
1^ wh4 n wc ^t« thf£ fAtht^rVcfing; tbu^ fipeniv^can we wonSJeTitt stfeing hk proflig^ inn eonhi^ Iife57i»ak>
Uittri! tfi two iipiniotis ttu iiuch a quF^jAiri 1 Th^e were. Van Boreh rose in his pf&cft and ur|M~his par^ia
r term to Wilson— and Samuel Young prodlio^dttoB 2faWs.an4 sai4
[ henoe be would say tii^t Wilecwi had the most vales. Van *a»-
hh him in fnvor of WUspn, IS to IT. Thv tw«> Prendeiiaats and
Bttren, Young, Boger VKinirti', and Ogdea were (a the mtMsf^
, can we wonderat stfeing his profligne inn eorslii^ iMi^ l»ak>
WjnB, fljihiliiic In the rourUn and iisina Mnrcj^'a mock messages to maltrt iiioaey hy, ajs a Wallatreet sfndqobbcrl
Thr oTilv w'fjndtei 'v^ Lliui N, Y. $iiu>LiJd nj^ji^iiEK puch a person her ntirtrney general, ae if deenocraey coft^isted l»
adiuioijHir^Tiri i; pobUc j 1 j it Itt? j ti rou^ h i\ kc mnst f rofli<!ate characters in the eoiAmiMifty. WtfR miftii* Uantmond ny
(Vitin l.« p. 4rp4) tb^it < ii would jjnvo hien morn^ ercdltable to Young and bis friends fohitv6vet»A witboiitaffgiiiDg.
Jtog^r SJtliinfi'!! pQilLicnl rtjaracinr lazy li^- lueafifd at firom his letter to Boyt, In pige M7, afltie '"-'
denre. U the itpring of \mi, 1 flr-t hearrt of bim from an oldfHettd, Dr. Shaw, of the AHmif Aei
tnvTtef} ikj« to be pr* »im! nt a public djimtr [^Ivtn tQ ^r^hibald '.ncBMTrej^ iMe^ hidaOttMle, and
l]f ootn^mllfTor thesiAie, whom r^l^lliri^r nndhtlttturmlMtf |flldlfilMV(H'flMl«n^
that it was uw hoiiesi, 100 g rest « cbecH irpon mOi ng de-oci a li , Mch ae I «■ hen deeaMuL , ^^
Digitized by VjQOvIc
liTi
jjf^'^n Mtm ' mmwmum «aHwm -. MH
mUM' «M«MNi^dtM«inr9 Albiiiy^ The Huate af Hi^ 4MM«te wHM/^
mjorioiisly a^cted their insulting bafgMtiof the SM0^^^M^ck^ln»t»1to'4aK•
Clinton's expulsion 'WlmfH^pOied in tfai»8eMte^ by JdMfr BiH|(ia|iii.'«^MtM!*,
ttl4^v«te6 «w by^eV^Silai Wirfght, mmt Gh^vetnerHlyb WftUef BMMi 4iMe
Mfl^brof 'Ne«r •Yortfr^Q^irClMrke fi. Dddley^ sneemev to Wn Bomii^s^
'€fe> Ji< niter<. H Mh Joi^a* ^^^^ j«niier, Gatial Commiwioii^ 9iM.f4 ^mMt.
fte^u-^Hwiguiv J. Redfteld, whom Wright iMrante^ QM^ l»iiMite •; Jb^e^
A^ Edward P. Ln4iig«toD, Van BuMn's ciiU(]M«te fer iieuc ^NtWtMtt^fa-
^^^'^^l^^f^'^J^^^; fort^hom M«fcy h«k MchtemlpiiftidSi^^^f^/.fl^^
<f9k Mifa IrfJMi^ fm» Long IshndH^ Bommfmi the ifady^— lar'^Miii
H«ght— 9(f» GoL Farntnd Stranahan— ^ John 8iidMiu^(^ StepMUl l«ofrt«-
O^i^^MetaetkoB Wke«teiy4-^ CShemM Mroactei^:*^^} ^ Oeacn^' deeper
^l^tfij 'iwto dUI not Wtfir^loW exp^Ued the. Seeete^* et b«i Itfalienr. witt-^iA
teite^lhefteiMM M]<lwe eet«dMthN^ Mtthe Wf^riejfBei
IteilHSf*) fielie, SftMneheM^ end Wahis, hasw wha* thejr «r0ii i*eM.
-^Weaipi^tiaye^d^Vaik Buciin, thegr did aot went to do (< jaaiik^w«fk/^\tiito Hie
Feds. It wouldn't be their fault if they failed to seize the spoils, Whe^ this
! vp^ was rfven, Sfj^c/was Com^Qller — hfs bther-in-laW^ Kndwei^, fVeftsimr
'^-^osweTl printed for the Stato, and manufactured ^^ opinion " i^, the ire^i^
pftmam of the* parfy* The men iprho went this leogth would have eqisled
/•*'Jose]ph% breniren " in Genesis, or driven Mofdecai from the kia^'e gi^ifb
we^have it in JElsther. Bqwmah got the Bocheiiter Bank c^harter ^at 'seasoj^.
^ Op)o#iel TnoBi^was Otintoii's succesgor, as the leading mea^ber an the canal •bdarA.'antf vpsroyed oT ^
_^tiat Mmoval. cmllk« Ctiiiton, howrever, the Colonel 9erv«d for pay, and tile f^minieston, Inscead of tefnf
as itcraght, composed of men of various poUiic»and high «hanoler, lit i e i K w Hd' too amdi tett^s «in»|iai^
Maqttlbe^ to «>Mi fte ^Hlieal MaAwMMd iheir etoeliQi|#eriQg dMendeots. Mafcv wmt^i^, the twy Boaiiet,
«fMl Ofeiwelji In t|M Argus, ceasnrinc dinton^s canal polley. When it was seen ibat a few veaii woi^eon-
j^te the work^ Clinton, who, vita Thomas Bddy, R. K. Llvlngitdn, W. North, S. De Witt, 8. ▼. Rehsselafi,
'aiid G. Hortls, had nrmd oh, and lepbrted 1« Ihvor of tMe^ Erie n^vte, 13 yeaM before, Wiar tamed ouc, that On
' florf iMf»h^«a MtfviM iHLlAt enctoeltagori^
Wltlfe t9 the Ganal loArd.yon which he had a seat as ^rly ai( 1815. Yoing, la VS25, .wrotio, skaed, Mtf
. MMepted to the legislatpre a i«poi;t» hi his oflklal capacity, statlfag his belief, Quit a parallel cuial, or &9^&
wcks the whole distance, alongside fhe Iftrle canal, wonld «oon he iBdlepens»ble'-ehi( the'canue Wonld sdoa
' iMty off theif 'debt and yieid-a great reveane beeldes--aad that other states weUM proAt by the htniaUe esiiff-
ple of N. T^-Hlwt wilMa ten yeiiM the taUM vitonld pnbably be trlf»led« aad (if not ied«oed> ariflgi^ te !«■
Iljan fifty yeui, asMnwt to $ld,QOQ.OOO. When reminded of this report U^ly in Senate, he ieauiikedt|iat«veiK
now thetollii on the canals would be (tve millions had they not been reduced. Why then, ' asked Oeneml
Clark, did you state ih 1139, in yonr sefwrt ott ftdanoe, that <' BfaMati jtevemiMfltla, a* tt ahrayfThu beed,
<be graiRB of nredlictiro Indofttty i-^hata^erv step it takee in «Mleavoti9g t» cany on worfet of label oTaa*
kind, la attended with sacrifice and waste to the eommanit^, and sinks it deeyer and deeper in debC:-«4hat l|»
•ODif «f ' hrtem^ iesprowinent* are libels on ,the laws of God, and a deadly mildew iwoa the happlneBs sind
proepenty of man !-^th^ with reference tp canal lotos, &e., a convert tl<M will i>e called, which will be ia
stnieted to reorgahhse and remodel ettr proetrate constitution ; and vfhich eon^tentida wii! leptMttiCie the del£:
wni tfU Mm hnpiheBa €i inftmy:ti|ioB vapt Bra4%ale Imtb^ and eaeet mw tm/prifmSait ths AitQm4-«;thlU the
MMumwity lots been abased ^d deceived, for year«, by the constant reiteration of the faUehoed. that the Bdp
aadXJhiunpiaiB caoals were enriching the state, whereas, if is a truth within the reach of all, that so fkrfMi
l^vwfi^d the cost of their eonsti^cdon. there would be now Ik ddbt agahist them, had they hot neeliMd ^
nMoFtHranetion and saU duties of eS,4d0,0Mr T
0a the iTth of Ane»>t. Yoai^e nepoeu above qaoied, adpeared in full in the jj^Abaay AifaiLthe adHerer
.whieh aaid, '' Thatt^ U a most able and jtower^ document no one will deny.** Of course ha dl4 aat smt
that ha concurred in all fls uoeitions. _ ^
When Yoaiig*s Internal ImpmyemeKt Kepeit ef iSISapfMaiad^ It was ^lloarAl by a MH la fU mttatte 9k
the survey of 19 new canal routes, including the Chenango, Black River, and Genesee ValMy-*^yfK ta a fear
feaialhemftPfc ^ iMaMpeed the Chenango emal, aAming that PeaaeflYania and Nav Yoiti " had^sea
ibreed by the demagogues of each, into the hostile attitude of profligate rivalry ; and eaehhaibeea reckiesabr
jmdedalong by the bloody lash of internal improvemenb** I ought to etbte here, that. In rOS^and 1836i%
^^' '" ^ an lAle oppoeltlon to the bltts for eonitmetint thaCheiunigo and Geneeae Valley iw a h a ad ^at, te
aeaa of tepbttn, ef TafAMaf^tlA eiaala, Iwd bsoehte a party laachina, mt hiapecbtipq JaatbafiH^Alaeilaa* aiM
iMBea tha IneiMAe oT dypeadttww." Aaothar smato^f^fMn, shoawd diat 9fi06,0M had bfan mM Ibv
aeglacu tQ fuUU epatiact^ ia glTtafwMehtt ap!)enwthewit eaoatfi of ^^^ It swme thai t«a«
^nmj^iUm ^^CM;^ fand» uRi pS>W< th^h Yataj^i. haade ; bat 1 hear oTao^teafiiaf^^lf
&#! i mmm m^mmp mm ^mmum m^u
4<bM' 4*1* «£ Ihit f«Uie mtriinojB;, alia P
Jedediah Uorpto^Mm Cfam«r»aa4 ArdulMad Mehty>a<iwft Oi^^ wwp t iioB^r )
,.i»llC9^iM<o«||ri)|^ifticMto!> Thej »ay;Mrell lieai prowl of U«
.'. .^l)o/p^«» ta.Db«ig9 tba peeoe to 1828^-Cliaiaii in kis aoffia, aod Va» Ruftt
j|i. WaAiftgtoa; thw add f ws in g thd tteaibass oC Coagrefs itktiire In tf^
,4<ceaaad s^^^Tte ba§lr aider of his talents, the mutuiag «eal^Hid fsim$^0mctm
wtk^lmkAvtm taWaltf l^ve, ihfdugh a aams of yeai«, baaa derolirf to Ike
> pio ai< tti att o£ plaps. of great public utility, are koov^n to you aU, * * -* 1^
.ytatait KfrilKa tn^ppa^eaaeiit m the age in wluch we Uvc^ iira&jBiMiuDM«(tii|id^r
.ike MkluHi!^ of Us BOtMwrli, aad ^pieadidly acoorapUshrod uadef kia iioMi^£aie
unrnfi^^ * *^ ^h« iriuinpka#f hia taleata aad patrioftiaoi caapotikill^lto^fMM
•ttomamBtairf k^and aednrisig Csime. * * * I aw ^neatly tasaptad la aaty
"kiaa^ mca wi^L ita kaoors."
! Hon^ Jm «»ta Balaaii^'a aaoduot when Baiak seat kk^ilK^aa to kidMf hkn to
.l«s« faraely [^«bei» xxiit.} waa ihe politic Vaa Baaea'a I Maaft wiAkad to
Miaifr kilt diMi aotw ^< iibtr sM/ /aam i«AaiA €M*mh^iU cmmdJ Jim^^JM I
. Jsr av /<!»( aaii 6e Hkt hi$ P^ Wiart a coaunentary a^mxi IttU, waa.&a i^aef^
t In !l6l9«tkere was a vacancy on liie beneh of the Suprepie.Couit of ^, IState of N^w
TTprk, ^hick a mutnal friend of Clinton and of Van Bnren, then Wgh in office, wW dintoa
that Vaa Bdi^n wished to lUI-^hat he hsid said so to him/and given as a reason that ke was
tam^af «lMllii«M(l of pcdltifia-^aaA that it was ^litic and «ipedient togive hka te ivdp-
. a^Lia. !< 4a agneapare of mere poUcj^'' said CUnton, ^' it ipig:ht>e expedioBt { ¥at so ip|pni-
clpled a noan do I consider Mr. Vaniurep, |hat I comld never justi^ myself in uiakinff such
a6i experiment, merely foi* the sake of disanning kis fesehtm^nt against tefe.*' /ohli wood-
irorth was appointed, of whom Butler speaks so spitefully in his fetters, and Van Qjoren, Qttllrar,
Mkdt^ir coafederateis, peraecuted Clinton till his death, an4 then^not till tH^enr^praiaed kim
as the gieatest ofrtat ro iiw a and of patriots.
:The batcr hatred of Van Boren to Clinton may be inferred frcHii BuAev^s teMsn. He was
at Sand^ Hin wlien Woodworth vms appointed. Van Bufen was & Senator at Alba^ in
1819-19, aai was almost vi«Hent in his opposition tollufus King, then a candidstf lor the V.
S. Senate. In December, 181^, he wheeled round to the side of KiBg;,'wn>te'apaaiphlet4ia
Irib behalf-^and wtiyT He ^d become satisfied that King was not the frieaA of Clinton !
*! Sensible 4s I am (s#jr& Van Buien).of the great merits of Mr. Kipg, and of the sdvantaaes
which would probably resak from his appointment, still, did I believe that he was opposed to
im in the present controversy between the repablican party and Mr. ClinUm and his joUtkeen ;
t^uli I even suppose thai he lookfed wjth i;nMfference on tUc struggle of the great boay rf our
eitizeas to extricate thenisdives from aa h^ttence [Clinton's^ Whichiias so long prtsied i/^9t» this
Ste/e, aad vnd&r ^ich she can it/ever atgmre her tmeeltvaikum in the Union^y have no hesitation
^ saying, Iwonld oppose his appointment."
\ Colonel D^ane, ever free and tearless, dfenounced Van Buren and his new aUks fbr their
J^eopecutioa of Cliatoa. In the Aurora of October, U^l, I find these remarks -:
■' > " Bat why c^utnniale 'Mr. Clintmi 1 Beeftune the vminence of bis qualificatioai^ and the
l^ice Which beholds, in the esteem of all ihtelligent and liberal minds, rtnders him an olijcci
^Apprehension to^those ^^ho ar^ in power, ana who look to him as a fearful rival, ftom the
disparity between their faculties, and the place he holds in the eyies axvd hearts of llie people.
'*f or this dahimny of Mr. C. the publication.of the laws, the patromge of the post-oiBee, and all
the miserable crumhs of a corrupt system are distributed, showing the m^ncholy fiici^diailhe
jras soav he pniehased Sos a pitiful anaual stipend— and perverted into an engine of iiational
^ %niiam L. Sfone, in dier N. Y. Commerdal of Oct. H, 1828, a*s several leading ^oestiaiis
pf Van Bureaus suppoitfijRs-.-ajnong them t6e.se; . .
« " Who, amoag the whote host of Mr. Cknton's enemies, was so active and sb artful as Mr.
Van Bmen % Who so relentless and so persecuting ^ Whatnoiftical plan for ^vetoping ^le
iesourccJi of the state did Mr. Clinton ever (Jevise, that Mr. Van Burcti did not attem^ eiflier
to thwart, or to deprive him oftke honor 5 What path did Mr, Clinton ever projxjse to travel
;^MtMr. V«iBmien«UdaoteroBB'^ Whea did Mr. Cliatoa ever raise his arm in the public
*serviee^iat Mr, Van Bnren ditt not attempt to pBra1y2e ft 1 Whea did Mr. Van Buien'iB ho»>
^ty to %. CB^ton ever ripep t J^otvmtn the illufilrious xtpfa^ sj^Pt with his fhthers, and the
grave had ckis^ upon his remains. Then it wafe, and not till then, mat Mr. Ta^Bl^M h^cflja*
aawas fifths taltats, iks virtues, the inestimable worth of Mr. Clinton," ^^^ , ^
' ' . Digitized by VjOOQIC
YA3»^.Bfligyi^9 €Mi^N>vafi ni»tl^AQy^ygsa>B iy>WN^ Q|S»
dt o£ 1^8; wkb Spiva^^e^j^^utt^lft^d, ]f lagg aiid Mmrcy^ decorated Willi
$tmx^ nioumi^g for Clinton!, and among bis pall-bearers 1 Wbat a censure the
IlilLtO' reheard ^^iaio^'s inyahic^ble aoryice^f |b^ a grant of money to bis children,
and bf tb0 yery men whose envy of bis taWntfi bad denied him, only four years
bofpte^ Oie humble privilege of serving hk country without fee or reward,
peer but .^interested, in the midst of Van Bnfen's greedy spoilsmen ! Andrew
indcaoii^ birthday toast, March 15, XSSS^.wa^ *« The memory of De Witt
Clinton, the Patriot, the Pbilantbropist, and. the distinguished Statesman. In
}^-^4eatb, New York has los^ one of her moat, useful sons, and the nation, one
O^ its brightest ornameiits." Even Ritchie, whofe columns had teemed with
ab^se of Canton, in former y^ar^i li'iis cloved ; and the Bichmood £n^uirer
4ki|9.p«)aouncedhi» eulogy :-r-'\A gi^at man has &Uen in Israel ! A man who
ipaa designated for the tet. chair ^ in, the station is cut off in the midst of hia
lio^ois. But his name^ will go^ down to jpoatejrity, full of honor, ajod his worka
ai(»lu9ia6aiime&t." ' « ,
^ CHAPTEJl XV.
^ne Graxqf&rd Cmcus of 1824. — Tan Stormy Cdnihrekng^ and Stevenson tram."
fleon the Demaemtic Prindpk-'-'S^it Oowi^natim of Regency Leaders. — 7%e
' ^ Eiettaral LatJb, — Mm€archical FeaiurmMour SyMm.—Flagg^ Wright ^JEarlly
Creswelly Van Buren^and the rest ^f the il/ftdny QHgarchSj unitifig to put d&wn
J^Mic Omrdon. — Young up/or U0verifidr!—7Jfje Old Federalists, — Wright
eand the iSev&siteen, . . . ,
1 kr.oae daj^, in the winter of 1^4^ (wo ^ioes^^i^pear'ed in the National In*-
MH^ncer^he 6rst 6&llinj| a meeling^ or 'Caifcas ^f the members of Congzes^^
t# iiominate fit persons to fill the oifices^'of Pr^d*nt and Vice President of the
pJQ^bd States—the otht.T, a declSratlojn 'signed by R, M. Johnson, John H.
Eaton, R. Y. Hayne, S. D. IngHam, Geo. Kjremet, i, R. Poinsett, arid others,
that they had been infornfed^ Iteti^ 261 membmv^ 181 were opposed to the
ciMicus, and pri)bably more.. On thts 14th 6f Febr&ary, 66^' members attended a
caiUeus at . |be Capitol : Vaji Buren moved tKat they be called by slates, and
'said, ''that the peo|de were anxiously wjftiting for a nomination, and he fe]t
confident that % large portion of the rej^^blicans of the Union were decidedly in
favor of this mode of nomination, aod that it Was quite necessary that it should
be made>" The ballot showed 61 vdtes for Crawford, 2 for Adorns, and 1
each for Macon and Jackso% to be President— ^and 57 votes for Gallatin, as
Vice President. Crawford and Gallatin ^were nominated.'
Among the members taking part in this wonderftil piece of imposture, were
C. C. Cambreleng, Andrew Steve naon^LeWia Eaton^ Lot Clark, P. P. Barbour,
and John Forsyth. Even if the practice of a^ virtual election of the President
by Congress, through ^ caycus, had been defensible, a caucus in £ftvor <^ one,
vrhere all the candiaates w'ere of ot^e p^trty, was confining the people's choice
to odQ person, and thus stifling publid opuiibn >nd resciii(5ng in so far the con-
stilutien.*
* The state of North' Caioiizia had, m 1818, prf^aoMcj^ as Amendments to the IX. ^. constir
tbCioxi, ^ua the r^srQsentali^scs in nim^tpta ehwd jw dmopn i^ aeparale districts, loade as
equal in population as possible by the several state kgislatures ; each district to elect one mem^
ber by line vowa o]&ili^4^ulifi«d'^kol^^-<myh«t, fyt t^ p^tpose. of elte^^ing enters fx( preai-
•^ ** ^ '^ * " - -: ^ / . ' * / ♦ >i . ^* -^ ^, t% ^ ««*•♦■ - ^ . . . - . .
Digitized by ^OOQ IC
'In 'January, 1824, fhere might he seen tbe i«alfy {mradoxieal spoctecte 9f^
body of men in the legisktulre, amgttulg to tiMinseliret the exduiitv tide of
republicans, the deinocracy^ who Were unwevied in endeftirering to defeat the
people's instructions, by giting the go-liy^ to a law required by the whole ftale,
giving to tlie country, add not resertring to party leadens in the Le^lature, the
election of electors of President and y ice President. I hope the day draws
near in which the peoplb will Tote directly for the men of their choice to tfaeae
oiBcee, and that on the same day t6o, throtighont the republic.
By' reference to B. F. Butler's letters, pp. 168, 189, and to Hoyt^, Groswdl's,
Van'Biiren's, Skhineif's, and Livingaton^, pp. 193 to 198, it will be seen that
there was 4 Secret combination %mons the leaders to keep power from the
people, and to use it contrary to thch: weH known Will. *• If Clintoli ik reiy
d^gerousy (says Livingston,) they [(he party in the legkilattii^} will go one
way 5 and if it is thougnt he cannot tbafte any difficalty, they will go t'oUter
way." Tbe patridts thus actine for Van Buren and Crawford, had^the asturaoee
to talk of a bargain "between President Adams and Secretary Clay ! ! A. C.
Flagg seems to have been the IjC^ftjjgr of the oligarchs in the Assembly. His
press, the Plattsbureh Republican, and also the Albany Argus, had come out in
favor of the measurel>efore tbe election^ and then moved round to another course.*
dent and vice president, each state otigiit to1)e divided into separate districts, as many as it was
entitled to electors ; eacli of ^d disKids to b« coiti^uoas, an^ convenient for the people to mee^
in, and to choose one representative. This was.thfc oistrid system, both for electors ana CbiMSs-
men, and eleven Senators, including Bowne, l&kiaaer, Seyinotff. a^ Livingston, (Peter B.J sup-
ported it Samuel Young, Van Buren, Cantine, Tibbets, snd six others, opposed it Several
y^ars aiter» in the U. a Senate,,y«ii Buren prppoaed to divide each pf the states into as many
districts as its numl^r of electors— eafh district to choose one elector— the electors, so chosen, to
meet and vote for president and vitie president; and in east no one candidate hid a majority
of their voices, they were to be convened a^ain, to vote for one of the two candidates to wbom
they had given the most votes before ; and then, if the votes were equal, and no choice made,
the House of Representatives wera to make a ebolce. fie agitatett Ihis question for three TMrs..
and others have loept some reform or olhtr hefitfe 4im eommunity aver since, but no steaay ana
conaected effort has been made to a%rd a reat z<en»e^ for a jreat and serious difficulty:
Ttoe are many features in the United States system oT^go'vemment that approach mu<^
nearer to the British and French monarehicat plan, than to democracy. In the OBsaavsa,
New York, 90th December, 183S, the editor sajrs^^
"Our readers are aware that, as theoonstitufeion aow sHads^ U the eledors.fail to choose on
ths first trial> the ohoioe devolves cfi the Hoase of Repres^tatives, and that in &is ^se the
representatives of each state are entitled to one vot^. The present number of states in the
CJnion is twenty-four. Thirteen are a majority. The population of the United States, in Ifiao,
was nearly 10000,000. Thirteten staiea can' be selected, whose joint population. is lass thaft •
2,900/KX). Or course, it is possible that 1,100,000 peieons, or a little more than one-tenth pan
of tb^ population of th» United Sutes, may k|;ally appoint the President of the United States,
in opposition to the will of the other nine-tenths. This cas^, moreover, is not a solitary one.
It is a filet, that the principle which we so strongly condemn in the Engliro rotten borougn sys-
tem, pervades every pa.ri of the oonstitntion of Uie United States, and Uireatens, in the «nd, to
be as ruinous to the rights of the people in this country, as it has been in Great Britain. The
treaty-making power is vested by the constitation in tne Presid^t and two-thirds of the Senate.
Two-thixds of the Senate represent two-thirds of the states— that is, at present, 4|ixteqi out of
twenty-four. Sixteen states can be selected, whose joint population does not exceed 3/400,000.
It is possible, therefore, that treaties may be nokads in opposition to Uie wishes of two-tfaiids of
th^ American people.'' f
Unda* the last Con^ressioQal anportioiuneQt, a presidential election, if carried into the House
of Representatives, might be decide^ against a candidate supported by more than two-thirds of
the population, property, and representation in that Honaie. of ^e wnole Union, and in Ikvor
of a candidate not voted ibr by even one-third of these. Tne slave representation makss thia
state of things still worse. Jackson, in 1885, had but tfajree votes out of seventy-three, in New
York and New England; but Van Baroi allied lutervla with hiasrin 189% and, wilh the help
of the ocmoacfeors, ^teesselssis, lawveie, aatt ediMi, eonvrrttd »ao|r^ myam among the
number. ' "
-« On the 8d of Angast, gt a special tisska la Sspait , M^ Ogdm aunwd a resolatioa " thit
U it expedient to pass liUwafMffnmfi^ nmtmg ^M« AyiMiirv,fiviafftotbe veopleei
Digitized by V^OOQLC
1^I«A66^S SHOW. WRIGHT AI^p THE IMMOJ^TAL S^y^m^ft^M Sf^.
1% ljB34,^Coloii^ Youne was th,e candidate of the bucktaii caucus, com|K>sed
cfiiUpy <rfirterifib€rs of jihe legislature friendly to Crawford, for governor. On the
2d[ c3r ApriJ, this caucus, 106 iq nunaber,met : and on the first bdlpt, Young had
t>0 yotea, and Joseph C. Yates 45 ; Erastus Root had 75 for heutenatit governor,
ahiS.BufI 2L Rgot was for Crawford, 'Young fbr Cky, and both were defeated
by^tliritbn and T^llmadge, who had their nominations from a state convention,
Yddi^' Was avdwedlj- fnendly, throughout,' to the electtoii of electors of President^
and/ Vice .Prei^dent by the' 'people, and opposed to Van Buren^s bargaining'
scfi^^ of 1^24, by which ^e and the Albany Kegeney soldj as it were, the
voti^ of a /hireling^ riaajority ot bankjobbing. lawgivers, to a parUcular set of
minority congressional caucusing profligates, ai>d etu!eavored to pledge the votes
of ti^f state 111 opposition to the known wishes of a majority of the people.
In onie st^e, only, is the elecfion of electors confided to the legislature now^'
and tliat is South Carolina. Young'? steady opposition to Crawford ensured bis
de|ie^ fn the legislature, anct caused Adams to be returned in his stead, as th*
Maliory, Jonas Ji^arii, unaries t., uwuey. feney is^eyes, ureen, ureemy, uronson, l,.eirertC
T4lorti,*Wheel6r,'^ WoOBter, M'CaJl And Heman, J.Redfieht. Amdhg Xh&afiei'WiAe A^¥-
biM <M'lBCii^4 Jaiat, Cramer, Haitfhl, Burt, Lyn^, Md Bt»rx}Ws. flagg 9«d lis lakiidt pm
ie»iW|h^a,sj^cial s^ssk>n.wasill^aljbut wereoy^rm . . -- «./f
^^he 5th, the resolve, to g^ivc the people, and 'talve from the; )Leffisl^ture the clioice oj
electors, \^s carried' in th6 assembty, 75 to 44 : CroHiis, t'urinan, McClure, ItJgs^s, TalP
ift4d^, Wheate*!-, and Willcjn amon^r the yeas, Fla^^ nakUhai •* as the sknwvftff^'ncvw'o^Mit
tkftnAllifff oi'lhe|pentiigin^ spread on the recovd, he hoped they wefQ ready tatiflijWBj^ '^MM
SMQ^i^.tour .^lor.of ^e^ost, called thM voting a ridiculoHS farce— jie was wiiji Ym fJiyWHi^
Flagg and W riglit,' for Crawford — ^and he w^nt with Van Buren, too,^for King as senate^ Tja
1813, and dead against the war and ClaV and Madison; in 1*12. 'The senate wouiffliat atr
But though Van Buren, Wright, Plagg, Keyes, Marcy, Knower and their artful confederfttes,
influenced the legislature to defy public opinion for two sessions, and to oust Clinton from
the canal Board, uiey had their reward. Cra^^i'o^d failed to get the vote of N. Y.— iie failed
to get to be president — Clinton was elected as Governor by 17,000 majority, and Tallmadge
Lieutenant Governor by 32,000, over Van Bdren'ai aoflMnees.. Wright voted on the 10th of
March to give the choice of electors to the pc^plo, l^y ^-'nera] rirkel — hp then proposed a com-
l^iraM a^S^epostei^us scheme which onlj^ jt^jl ichi j' supporteisv ' ' The fact wa.s" (sa}s Hain ■
n»Mi *' ftff, Wrighi, pre^ glvem the pt*bp1f* lo trndersijinJ that he
1^o<^Ptf elected^ support a bift giving to the people iJve rf^ht lo ehuo^* pre^uk rnfal electi^rs.
AntmB maiwfti#ring- waft for the purpose v( exhibit i«^ uti appearance oi Feiie<?miQg that
]pMg% Wa .4kaU sh^rtlj^ ^d him voting t.a- aii indefLiiiie po^siponerneitt of the bill/ And
It Is^^oMu lyho coi^d thus descend to the meauness or tricking Lho men he prek^nded to repre-
sent, ^hoip at this (Jay gov^nor Of New Yurk. Tht timber out of irhidi ^ood governors
tfVI Wffe lini^ bft scafce in these parts. The bill j^n tht fc^by same day (10 Mareh), E. P,
Uliqi^nia'Hariiig movvd tiBkStx>p tlieonslldr ration of the bill to five ilie "people the choice of
ft j^fiiijtyflt |ti] ]^iovei[n,bi9r, when' it woq14 b« u^cle^ for aiioCher four yearn. Himself and
ii^«»»^ "V*"!^. Broh;^Aa, Dudley, (Hoyt's eorr<"f!pondent,) Eiirll (canal Com'r)^ Gnjenly,
I Wright's noientof), I^fferis, Mai lory, M'Call, Hedtteld, Stranahan, Sudsm, Ward
bcfettt", and Govfernot Wriglit-Hhe immorlai 17 pretender* to adiemocracy ihey
ctiMi, ^he», arW«ight saya in his h.it^r (p. a03), they had tu do jotuney work, being-
.„oatffefi;.T^Bf*otLe. Col. Young, likt^ hh iiicnd Cr:jm.er, and General Root, wm op-
dte yan B^uren in this matter.' w right , then in his 30ih year, voted lo remove Clinton
froaiffie*qirtaI bcmrd. ' It is enough to shatf ainan'sf^fth in popular institutions when he
i$eM^ ffiewtt Van Bvren anft Wright saccted a CH rJo ii a? ^overaor» of th i :i great stale . Gene-
f9lMSQ0^M€kmedi». 1824^ and, Vaja Bufen jw JSii^t, an election of electors by siepar:*ie disiricts,
))fQpui9e ^^ y^oiis, itistrict$ have a variety uf interesL"^^ and each J^etion of country should
have a voice In the cfjoice of chief magjsti-ate. TJie arguint^nt*i nw'd in favor of a «:enerJal ticket
for electors of president would justify to a far ^cater extent, the eleetion of iiiembers of eoa-
IJfssby general ticket, for the electors Derfoiin buigii^ act while the congressmen perform
Hay' "Tdu^'ilhd^Vah Buren, howievlr, are* now 8tMnyy"inf3V©f*of «Mefii6ii^ Mr%^M^
m^miB^fkhQAvAit^c)»x^ Jbegiaialitop,i^ep»v»ry plliier>mfti><t
Wilde ft.'CjM)^ ^ theipfoiilje. Ck|^ qne oft^ aboveic^yenteen Tientm^to re-a|^ac aa|^ci%
wjf!», 9^}^'ym swept away by the ovenvheUiuj^ majority ^yen to his op|K)nent.
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d§' Tiri:%'£RM I'EbfiRALIST Ab X^Ki^ROACII. BURIt FOR JAdRSbwl
sfcpt^d caodtdaie;^ inkte»d of b^lng behiiid Crawrprd atij ^ajr, a|l4 iUjI*
Cftndidate ii all. Thu^ it was through Ne\v York that Adam^ l^ecame
Jhresident. ' Adams had 84 votes, including 32 from this stafe, obtained through
K Union of the friends of Clay and Adams i/i the legislature. Crawford bad 41,
byt would have had 73 baa he got the 32 from N.Y., and Adams but ^2.
I^tead of applylns: to plirti^' the names which woUld most clearly indicate
eir pi
leadeii^
HOllUlCeu^ Mvrv *vu[^ oiuv^CTi tin:; ou|'I'«JA veto yt ay^xu ,'*^. xi.uauij« aa jf^%»cr%M*i9*9* *» MC^U
It was shown that he had iiided Adams' flection in 1824, he said thftt ajt Itfaat
^e Adams was i good democrat. If so, wbjr abuse Clay for preferring one
democrai^ to another V The truth is, that Biair, Croswell, and many other
Unprincipled hirelings use the term federalist as a reproach, awl their impudetope
in so doii^ is unmatched, for Taiiey, McLane, Bryant, Buchanan, Ingersol,
Bteecikin-, Oakley, Powers, Beekman, v anderpoolj and very man^ others of the
|Murty caJling itself democratic, were formerly members of the great federal
^i^y, ^Ijich nuiiil»ers thotisaiids of th# jgre«test, wigent, and belsl namet kftMrn
lo American hiistory. }tU now no more ; it had its feuHii, its meH^'t Hs an-
W^MTtliy OM^Dftbers'^but \% was houonsd jn not Wving reared and ^ducatcdia Burr
m4 si Van StiiMi. Col. Young, in Senate, Feb. 4, 1646 [Argus xepod} jdoes
Cot hesitate severely tp censure Van Buren for the Crawford eaueus of iSM ;
e denounces it as " made by i minority t>f the democratic members of
copgr^s ; and that very act broke down that ma^^hinery, ffir never sinee have
Msiihijia ef cofigvess nominated a president. It was regaided as so f^ve^t aa
Mtraget>n the former practice — for never before had a minority undjet^ten W
n^minate-^-^tib^ the whole ^stem broke down.'^
CRAPTiTR XVI.
^4^ep Jaehdn wmUnated for President, in lbl5, Jy CoL Si«t.— "^ Tixm
' Jlt0mmM-"-r'^4A uni Slatsery.-^ Sworiwout^s ProceetHnjs. — Channing^
Vism.-^^^uHbssw's jmntim w ISm.—He acts as AmU A^etm.'^fivrr'M
-" mtempt i<fDisMt% the Unm.—M&Bu^e's Eff&rL—The True PoHcy of iMt
I Iim^Kc.—Jadtsa» and F/yw Puren buying Texas. -^Hamlian on Bun. -^
^^Awm Uik Uwuc-'llntef .wa# Arrm^ements u^ PUtr-fi^rt's I*am%hf,^
- Jt^ M^ifeMl mt BlmimkMseit.'^WiAh^on'M TiesHmny,^J&amam^4 M--
i reu,^1^ Baytans tf Nett Jetse^.— Frank Ogdm,i-tM[gwki an Zi»a«#,«—
Texm^how SeliMU—JU C(mvenium,—Chanm^g on 8l^verp.~Yon Buren^
, jbUMMtMW to the MMcan Mmsier^ in \S29.^:B€n$i>ote9Ce an4 IHsmteressh
^dnmof^ If, S, Gwwrftmmti^A Cwrwu9 ili9«MiMt;-«-^ittMf /ikkmIss
• Sl^to.— Senator Houst<^.-— Calhoun's OaMms on Slaverf.-r^Hie LeiUre
: ifi^ig and 'WU^t^ 5Aa|i»o«.— Canada, a Refuge for the G^esserfSfaue.—
^8m^kim P^^hey Pifokmi i^ a Candid MimsUr to Meximr-Qf^ Extes^Ss^
fht Afteg df G^pi^mhn.-^Bow to Raise the Price of Virginim i Negm ttt,-^
\ 'Mutj^U Mnfto Piuy the Ifvpocrits.—Our Treaty with ^ Mtttcdn*.-^ J*f
., Jk$lmg4^ ihk Amemas^-^PubUe Ufe.— National Pmty,
jikJntgism Iac»on was first ncmunated as President of the Umted i^Utee, by
iiln«M.Bm« Ook Btirr'4 letter, vitk int naeeiia for pfe&mng Jaeknon, wan
luldMlbed ti^Gotemdr Alston, at early ^ 161d, amd wfll tie found a&iMig t|ie
Mcmpdndence. I bare seen it stated, but not on ai^ specific andiorifyi tbat
^ Digitized by ^OOgie
folk's inaugural. MEXICO, SLAVERY AND TEXAS. 59
Bttcr'9 arguineQls vx &vor of Jackson ^ad gr^at InAaeneQ over Van- Buren's
Tomi, wIien.he.bQcaiii|^ Iiis adjierent tlDQuestiooaUy^ the popularity of Gefi.
Jackson was the leadii^ inducement. We shall find that Burr and Jackson's
viewa for. oonguering Mi^xico from Spaii^t in J.805, -have been since carried out
iop^t, by the Texas i^pyement q( rolk,* V^n Buren, Jackson, Calhoup, and
.4 JpR yiplei4;dism«mbeniieoit 9C Mopco by, cltiDc|is.qf ths United States, wi^ a view to
the leestablisluiieot of slavery u^ Texas ; fuid the igery jomacltable circumstances attending its
recent annexation to this Union, in vi6l^ion of gooa f^ith to a friendly republic : with ^e
state of feeling to Which these evei^, and their expected results, hare given rise, form some
apology for brief notices of the various parts played in the exciting drama, by Messrs. Polk,
'\^wren, Benton, Houston, JaeWbn, Btirr,' ewartWout, aAd their fWendfe or confederates; '
James Knox Vdik took thdoalh ai oMce at the C^itol, as President, en Tnesday, March 4tfi,
1845, he being then in his'ftOth year.'
htlas inJAugnral address, he expressed a de^ re^t that '' liiisgwided persons*' had, indul
in schemes and agitations " Whose ol^ect is tllfe destruction ef domestic institotions exir
in certain States or sectiotas"-^-and thought that'rfll must see that if these persdns fcould suc<
" Hke dissolution of the Union'' must Speedily follow. ''To iHcrea^ tne attachment of our
pewle to thb^Uniea (said h^ OURliAWS ^OULD BE JUST. ANY POLICY WHICH
SHALL TEND TO. PAYOR MONO?OLIB8, OR. THE PECULIAR INTERESTS
OF SECTIONS OR CLASSES, must aptratetirtWlwqiidioe.of the interests of their fellow-
citizens, and SHOULD BE AVO^Q&D." It would, be Jms aim <<^to'ob6etve a cakeful respect
for the rights of other nation»»"a]id '' noifea coidd fail tp aeftthe dauger to our safety and future
peace, if Texas remains an independent state." '* Oor^titlo to ^the eoui^ of the Oregon is
clear AND UNCtUESTIONABt^," , The President ^ fianrently invoked tjie aid of the Al-
mighty Ruler of the Universe, to guajrd this heaven-fttvoied land a^aindt the mischiefs which
mi^ arise from an unwise public pcfiey." ^' With a tair r^iance iipon the wisdom of
Oimupotence to sustain aad dir^^t him in the path oL duty' which he had been appointed to
pursue," he stood there to take the oath, &c. . . ,
01 \vhat is worth made for, If 'tis not the same,
^ ' Thro' joy and tiro' torment— thro" glory and shame.
Mr. Polk thoug:ht that the laws should be just and frfee from monopoly, and that there was
nothing Wrong in one man with a white skin, possessing a life lease of the labor of many
families of his fellow creatures whose skins weremo^e or less tinged ^h black-^no harm in
buying them— selling th^m-r-separating the husband from the wife, the sister from the brother,
the parent from the child— keeping them in poverty, musery, and brutal ignorance, and severely
pumshing him or her who would venture to teach them to read and writ^ — there was no
monopoly in all that, nothing unjust— no, nor in aiknexing Texas, the patrimony of a weaker
, republic, simply because that republip was weaker— and he invoked the aid of Almighty God
to enable him to preserve the Union, through the continuance of this description of democratic
justice — and had a firm reliance upon the wisdom oi, Onyjipotence to aid him in having every
frtee black driven out 6f the new addition of the "heaven-favored land" called Texas, and
slaveiy and a monopoly of the slave-trade upheld there, which he considered very essential " to
our safety and future peace." Had the Baltimore Cpnvention nominated" Benjamin Franklin
Butler when they pitched upon a pious Tennessee lawyer, hfe couid not have performed his
part more in character. When defending his friend Jacob Barker, in an indictment for fraud,
Benjamin told the court and jury that the Lord, iii hi* good providence, had watched over
Jacob's trade and blessed it ; Jacob's occuaption, thus espeeiidty sanctified, being that of a Wall
Street stockjobber ! I should not feel at altsurorised, if it were to turn out that Benjamin, who
sometimes penned protests and messageiJ for Jackson. and Van Buren, should prove to have
been the author of this unique inaugural of James Knox Polk. It denounces defaulters, and
its reputed compiler has since proved his sincerity, jn tie ctivse of reffdlor accountants by em^
ploying in the highest pecuniairy trusts the .very punctual ^. J. . Walker^ our defaulting bank
president, C. W. Lawrence, with the aforesaid feenjamih and such like. Ii is to be doubted
whether he had " the wisdom of Omnipotence to sust^n and "direct Kim" in these and some
other acts of his, done after the fj^shion of Charles I., defended of the faith, ^j ^' . When
Qeojge III. seized the Danish fleet, and bombarded Copenhaffch, the capital of his faithful ally,
in 1B07, his excuse for the robbery was, that tiie ^eqt, fr he md not seize it might fall into the
hands of Prance. President Polk finds an argument for the ^one'f ation of Texas, in this, that
if the slave States did not seize upon it to be used as a n^o pen, England rnight influence the
Texaiis'todo as Mexico had done. crush sjave^iving and iave-Working there altogether ! Bein^
niyself a native of Scotland, and Robert Dale Owen t^e annexationist, an. Rngushman, I htf
ittat my 'humble strictures upon Ptesidcn| Polk's piety and politics may be taken as a sort of
aec off s^giainst the powerful harangues and -steady vcftes of the Indiana philosopher, in favor of
Digitized by V^OOQ IC
^oostotu By referenee to tfit iimtacad eorreqMpdf nee, it vill be seen limt
Samuel Sniranwoui; who ww an a6Cire eatinulier for Jackson, in New Jerakfy
BA early as 1823, ei^^ended hrgt soma in Texan lands, sent setters there, ki^
up a correspondence with Houston kad the'Teitan malcontents, and with Major
I^eyiile, an dd associate of Kirr^s, interfst^ himself deeply In the Tc^au
tirade, and was looked up to by youtig ftennerhassett ' as a friend, atid
the friend of his father. Swsrtwout's connection with Burr, BlennerhasMtt,
and the attempt on Meidcb, In lW&-e, is matter of histoiyi A» an lilua-
tration of the life and tim^,^ Van Buten, mad showing what his coune has
been, I have appended as a note,^ a luief dsetcb of tb(5 origin and progress of
inerwwWthB domam of homaa bond^ tfid ifjff&nxi$ vi Ihe ^outi^as ameaas of d^^sreMiniT
it isk the^orthr:Muid who eonsoln "Els caceUcacy" hy ^e amxruce thai " Slavery, like
Monarchy, is a temporary evil, which will (Usappear when it becomes cammereially wa^fro&>-
ta^r or in ether won^^hat Mr. P<^ will discoatinae selling his Tesnessee negroes wtoi
he can find no <Hie to bay them frpm him 1 1 The President's well-writt^ message to Con-
grtes, when they met lai^ would be aremiag, wwe it not a barlesque upm the gieat priiicij^eft
of the DedaratiQQ of Indmndeiice, and a piaetica} defiance of the eardinal doctzinsa of th|U
gloiim maiu&sto, yet )>e hoaerid 19^ laore aia^cieas tibaes. Am I too sasgoinje %
. I hear from jroiith, ' Man's prospeats daily bri|^Uien ;
Eadi ilea his letlBia soniy. silq^y^:
llie Pi«88 iUmiiincs^ and thegaa Mightans;
. ne sMons iiaamboat qMiHbi oanai the seai^
jtopttartipsntyyeais, and than and^^en-^
A simbeam shall dw lofi^ gam unfold.'
Oh I I have waited thirty yaara Imraino-
' 4faeiirOddli«BtDO0ldl
BtaAKdaa.
• In a Wter to Governor Claiborne, of Lonisianay d^tcd Kot, 13, 1806, General Jaekson
says :— ** Be on the alert, keep a i;^tch&l eye \^vl ova Oencral pVimnson], and beware of
an atta^sk [on New Orleans], as well from oar own country as Spain. You have enemies within
yoos own ciQr that may try to sepatate it from the Union. You know I never hazard id^
without good gronnd. ... Be ^ the alert T<mr government [LouisiaDa], I fear, is in dan|;er.
I fear there are plans afoot inimical to the Union. » . . I love my countiy and government : I
HATE THE DONS; I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MEXICO REDUCED : but 1 will
die in the last ditch before I would yield a fqot to^e Dons, or see the Union leduoed." Next
Jan. 3^ Jefferson, who had perfect confidence in Wilkinson, wrote to him, with instructions
how to arrest Burr's movements, and added, " If Everything from that place (Louisville) be
siiccessftdlr arrested, there is nothing irom belpw that is to be feaired. Se assured that Ten-
nessee, and oartieularly General JackscMX, are faithful.*'
Genenl Jackson admits here his hatred of the Spanish in Mexico, and his earnest desire to
869 it reduced. He retained the fricaidship of Burr to the day of ms death ^ was his general
aeent in Tennessee ij^ 1806 and 1807, and received laige sums of monev from him for the use
m that ageh^. Burr, when in iT^nnessee, was oflen at Jackson's, who introduced him for-
mally at a ball in Nashville, th9 night befote he saued with his recruits and boati from the
mouth of the Cumberland Rivet*, when he took with him Stokely Hays, his f Jackson's) ne»
phew. When, months after, the press and the government had noticed Burrs course, Uien^
but Qot sooner, did Jackson write to Claiborne, whosj^ 6us|»cions he directed against WUkipn^
son, and not agahut Burr, That he had no wi^ to diamember this Union, I believe ; but as to
his being (rS from the knowledge of Burr's ^ans for invading Mexico, I see no reason to
tixink that he was so. His anxiety to break u|> and dismember that Roman Catholic cotmtry,
ai^)earB to have continued to the last hour of his life. It was Wilkinson's letter to Jef-
fii^n, Not. 25th, that enabled him to comprehend Burr's designs, viz., the severance of the
Unipii by the All^hany Mountains, and the conquest <^ Mexico. A committee in Tenner
sea r\ which w«!* W. B. Lewis, Jonn OvertoU) R. C. Poster, John Shflby, fh. Claiborne,
and ^ Wii met In 1838 10 take evidence and report on the nature of Jackson's connection i:ith
fitsi U General John Codec's letter to themi, August 28, he sayS, that Burr was in Teimes^
see VOL 1806 and inZ180&— that he wrote afterwards that there would be war with Spain, in
which case Jederson was to give hun the command of an expedition against Mexico— tnat
Burr fc ^ 83,500 to Jackson, which|.irith oth«r SJ&OOLwtre placed in hia (Coffee's) hands, to
bui d a id purcbasa six boats, and layja provihions. That suiroidbns afterwards arose that all,
was n^«t nght, and in Pecembdr, 1IO6, the h^lance was handed to Burr, in Tennessee^that
j»«arai^cDa^>yJaeliPW»^
Digitized by ^OOQ IC
HOI^riE pit DISS0LVU7G tHE UNIOK. MM ANUXAWfOfX.^ tt
tht jBiip^mbettnent of « we»k power, by the force and. bmi of » atmig fHM^
The truly great aii4,|;ood Dr.. Cheiiniiigy ki his letter ip Clay oa T^xm, VS^^"
heoded that its incorporation with the Union would ftqff a deep ii\|ury to mam
gmT0 him a letter to Qcnr, CUibome, and sent his luifkgw with hioL Judce WiUiams tfrtiil
to the committee^ that in the sprix^ or fiill of 1806, JackioQ.flp9ke to hiin iwMit a eommifeiea
in Burr'-s army, adding, ** When f recoil^ that the destniedoa of American insttt^jOna wee
the abject of the Bv/ff oonepiiasijri and that Qeneral Jackson was in the possessioa of (kioit
and circumstances whicn wotUd naf e conyicled the conspira^Es, and yet in^propeilj W^t
held them When summoned to Richmond to gire his teetimony/' dec. He also wrote to Jaekaon
as to what he had written, that while Burr or Adair, or both, were at Jackson's house, he (the
general) told him ^Williams) and others— " Take notice, eentlemen, you will find that a
oivii^on of jthe United Slates has taken deep root ; yon win nnd that a numher of the Senate,
and a number of the members of the House of Representatives, aie deeply involved in the
scheme."
How often, in the history of this country, do we see anxious wishes expressed for a disso-
lution of the Union ! Burr tried to dissolve itr-the men of the East, whom Aduns could n<H
be brought to act with, tried to dissolve it— me aboKtlonistsT of the East conmlain of it now'
— and how often have Governor McDuffie ^d others Of Soutii Carolina s^ed after more
southern territory, as' a means of reding the Union, or splitting it up ! bi the South Caroti-
nian of Feb. 8. 18|4, 1 find McDnffie's speech in the Senate of the 19th of January, in which
he«alcuhUes the value of this ^;reat aafl glorious confederacy of stated by dollars and cents,
thus :— " Sir, ever since the tarifi* of 1838, 1 have r^j;arded the exporting, the slave states ot
this Union, as being practically reduced to a state ot colonial vamUige to the iiianiifiuiUTing
states. It is a much more oppressive itaJte ofiriimJUury de^^endence than mat which once bound us
to C^reat Britain. ... I can solemnly declare, as a citizen of South Caroltoa, that in neai^y
a quarts of a century I have never felt this government [that of the U. S.] but by its op-
Sresslons." Grovemor McDuffie, in 1844, hesitated not to state, in Senate, a project to
ivide the United States mto three confederations, and to calctilate by dollars aad cents the
advantages of his scheme. Like his frien^ Van Buren, he was a wann supporter of Polk
for ^^dent ; and so wete Jacksoh, Calhoun, and others, who, Uke McDufile, considered the
bondage of the kidnapped Ai!riean the corner-stone of democratic institutions.
In Gen. Jackson's letter to Q.' W. Campbell, Jan. 15, 1807, he states, that on Ifov. UHh,
1806, Capt ' called at his house, and told him that the advejUurers intended to divide the
Union, " by seizing New Orleans and the Bank^ shutting the port, conquering Mexico, ana
uniting the western parts of the Union to the cpnquered country"— that , of N Y., had
told lum so— that Imowing that Burr was well acquainted with , " it rushed Into his
mind like lightning that Burr was at the head" — ^that he wrote to Butr that he susj^ected him,
and then to Governor Claiborne, but without warning him of Burr— that Burr denied the
charge of intending to split up the Union, but not a word is said as to invading Mexico. It
was after this November conversation that Jackson was most intubate' with Bjarr, introduced
him. at thje ball, even after JefTerson's proclamation, and sent his nephew wi& him, wlu) left
him, as he teUs the committee, at ^e mouth of Bayou Pierre. Willis Alston stated that J^-
ferson had told him that Jackson had written to him that he ** had been tendered a high com*
mand by Burr," and had tendered his services "TO MAKE A 0ESCENT UPON MEXICO.''
Is it not remarkable that Jackson, though in attendance^at Burr's trial before Judge MarshalL
was not examined 1 He piomlsea Campbell, that " in a few weeks he would give the proot'*
When did he do it 1
The true course for this re^blic, in its dealings with Mexico, would have been, to be genfh
tons and liberal to a people struggling for Ireedom, but without enough o^ intelligence^
secote and maintain it in quietness. The independence of Mexico was acknowledged a^
Washington while she was in the midst of a revolution — and distracted with ft^on, haraj»ed
by wars with Spain and France, troubled with domestic revests, some of them causedliir
Americans, encoujra^ed, as I shall show, by jQffic:ial men here : who could expeet fbai the U. S.
commerce would not suffer injury 7 The Sabine river, dtc.. formed the western boundary df
the Union, as settled in 1819 with Spain, and ig 1898 with Mexico— yet scarce^ was Jackknn
seated in tl^ chair of Washington, than, in August^ 1839, l^ pffered Metio) five milliona ,0f
dollars for Texas, and aeain, in 1835, he ordered the offepr to be repuidd. In 1837, CoBgtess
declju^ l^exas independent, and in 1845, added.thatfine province of Mexico to the Union, m
a new State, confirming and restoring perpetoal slavery throughout a territory of 400,0A
square nnles, from which CadioUe Mexico had banished it 21 years before I
Mr. Adams, in his ^peechin Congress, April 15, 1812, speaking of the Mes^ican treaty of
18S8,8aid: « I had myself, in the ne£>tiatiQn of our treaty with &aia,laboMd to giet the lUo
:dd Noorle a# oiur boundary : and I adhered to the deniand till Mr. Monroe and all nia caMneC
(ataectqd Jl>6 to $«^.i^ m to
I 'Digitized by ^.OO^LC
e^
AAJtON BTTftlL' TLAN TO SEIZE NEW ORLEANS. SWARTWb'vT;
stltes. It trftl not ''st^!! alone, he sajs,-— it will involve us in Surbpean wars.
"It trill darken our future history. It will be linked fey an iron necessity to
long continued deeds ct rapine and blood. Ages may not see the catastrophe ^
of the tragedy, the first scene of which we are so ready to enact. Of all pre-
cdrrifiiL ^ me. At the command of Mr, Mon/roe^ to Xjeneral Jackson^ wkfi, after examiivtitg U toUk
ihk map in his hand^ amoved ofVle SoMne as the boundary"
Aar^n Burr, who ngmiAated Jackson for President ^1815, was the early friend of Van
Bttfen, the friend of his law teacher. Van Ness, the confeaerate (rf the Swartwouts, and the
opponent of Jefferson, whoip Alexander Hamilton preferred, though of si, different sdhool in
politic^, because, as h^ states ia hi3 letter to O. Wolcott, of Dec, 17, 1800, Burr was " one of
the worst men in the community," who, as pi:esident, 'I would' be restrained by no moral scru-
ples," ^ut would " employ the rogues 6f all parties to overrule the good men of all parties, and
to prosecute objects Which wise men of every description will disapprove." Hamilton's
patriotism kept Burr from the presidency— Burr challenged Hamilton, shot him through the
hea^, was indicted for the murder, planned his southern schemes next, became odious in the
ndrth, sought British aid, failed in his plans, and renaoved for four years to Europe. Col'.
Duane, in the Aurora, 1808, says that " Miranda was ^ent to America, i^s was proved upon
oath, byv Dundas and'" Sir Home Popham. Burr's expedition, which 'was only a part of the
scheme which Miranda w;as engaged in, was set on foot and paid by" Britain. Burr's papers
went into the hands of his biographer, M^ L. Davis, who, in a letter to the Courier and* En-
quirer says that " No other man living, EXCEPT COLONEL WILLIAMSON, OP THE
BftlTtSH ARMY, knew tie extent of thp [Burr's] arrangements, both in England and the
United States, which had been made to accomplish the object. The death of ^e British pre-
mier, Pitt, and it alone', defeated the enterprise/'
Aaron Burr's grandfather was a German — his father, a Presbyterian minister, was born in
Fairfield, New England, and was the first President of New Jersey College, Newark. His
mother was a daughter of Dr. Jonathan Edwards, of Princeton College.' Burr was bom at
Newark, N. J., Feb. 6, 1756. His fiither died when he was a year olft, and his mother before
he was thre^, leaving him heir to a fine estate. He married Mrs. Prevost, the widow of a
British oflicer, in 17fe» and their only child, Theodosia, married Mr. Alston, of South Caro-
Hnftr Burr was called to the bar, atv Albany, in 1782, wa^ elected to the state legislature,
planned the Manhattan Bank charter, as a pen)etu^ contract, and in 1790 was attorney
general of the State. In 1791 he declared himself to be, a warm admirer of the talents, plan
of gowmment, and disinterestedness of the French National Assembly. The democratic
paity made him a senator of the United States for this state, and a Jud|pe of the ^Supreme
Court In 1801, he was president of tke Convention of N. Y. State to amend the Constitutiaa,
and became Vice President of the tlJ^Lioiijjvith Jeflerson. His a})pearance and manners are
said to have resembled those of his pupil. Van Buren.
Sonae pf Swartwout's movements, as the agent and confederate of Burr, and as the settler of
Texitn latids, when Jackson's collector, are noticed in pages 83 and 84 of my Lives of Hoyt
ai)4 BuUer^ In Judge Maishall's preliminary opinion, when on Burr's trial at Richmond, he
says — " T^ conversations of Mr. Blennerhassett evince dispositions vnfriendly to Ae Union,
ajja. his wi^tings are obViously intended to disa^ect the western people, and to excite in their
bosoms ^ax)ng prejudices agaihst thfeir Atlantic brethren. Thattheobjectof these writings
T«as to prepare tne western states for a dismemberment, is apparent on the foce of them^ and
was frequendy avowed by himself. In conversation with the Messrs. Henderson, he laid
ojen a plan, for dismembering the Union, u^ider the auspices of Mr. Burr." General Wilkin-
son'iswore, fliat, on the 8th of Octobei;, ,180(J, S. Swartwout had called at his headquarters at
Natchitoches, yriiSt^ a packet from Burr, stating that 7000 m^ were to be levied to aei^e New
Orleans and invade Mexico, and that " naval protection would be had from Great Britain,"
the power which tried, €ight years afterwards, \p seize that city, bjut were met by Jackson,
CfeinBe, AdBXT^ Davezac, and Burr's other old friends, and defeated. Col. Cushing testified'
llt^t Wilkinson had sho#n him Burr's fetters next morning, and they were produced in court.
Cushing added that Wilkinson further said, " Yes, my friend^ a great number of individuals,
possessing wealth, populari^, and talents, are at tbis moment associated for purposes inimical
» the government of th<* United States, Colonel Buir is at their head, and the yx)ung gentiemJin
fex-collector Swartwout] Wh6 delivered you the letter last evening, is one of his emisisaries.
The story of serving as a volunteer is only a mask.'' Oeneral Dayton's letter to Wilkinson
said, " Are you ready— are your numerous associates ready 1 Wealth and Glory— Louisiana
and Mexico." It-youldappearlhat Dayezacwais also Buir's friend in these times. Burr, on •
the ttial at Hichjnond, asks Wilkinson, whether he had given orders fbr Daviezac*s arrest—
and what letters Erected to' hlm,.Biirr, he^ W., had tak<n from Pintard stnd Davezac 1 When
}je asl^t'i hfml)}' what authority he had seized private papers, his reply was, ^'Aui I bound to '
aieswel ^^eiMions which may criminate myself V Augoste Davezaa ia now on a foreign
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'^*' *' Tttt DAYTON^S. ' SEl)aWlCJt. CirANNlNG. TEXAN AVARICE. 63
t
ti^ qrimltttf d#edA| thosfe perpetrated by nations are the most fraitful
* "v^We^re 9 r^ittUsa p«0|^, [continues tbi* eminent philosopher,] prone io
%ndoix^Sia»t^y impfttieiit of the ordiniary laws of progress, less anxious to con*
I ; fee is ioutftgeoiis: inimical tQ,finriand; true to -Van Buren. He was ail aiil to
1 at Wew O^fe^s— fcis sister marrS^ Edward Livingston, of ]
Jtec&gin 9^ Wew O^fe^s— fcis sister marrS^ Edward Livingston, of Louisiana, Jackson's
^<j^«4 Secretary of State.
' iJ^eoeral Jonathan D^jton, of New Jersey, was indicted for treason, and, says the Baltimore
jLtOt^dican, " "the Attorney lor t^e United States had no doubt that Da>ion was leagued in the
J^^erai Cfiisplracy^ bi*t on the 15th of Sejrteml^er, 1807, Dajton was discharged. [Is this "ftic
)n W|ip^ in l7o7, aideSd in framing the U. S. con.^itution, and was Speaker of the H. of R.
jUgr^f ibr 6ur years 1] On the 1st of September, 18'^, we find a J ackson meet^ig held
^ ,,^^^ York-— Col. Swartwont, chairn^an, Aaron Ogden Dayton, secretaT}-. Whether "the
scramlefoir ptilnder" described by Swarhvout to Hoyt, realized the apprehensions^of Hamilton
of a president who would " employ the rogues of all parties," the reader of Van Buren 's and
tilfl^l^s Uvcs must jiid|?e for himselH Swartwout,' and others, seem to have had that apprehen-
|l^ W"a« the Frank Cfeden, whose appointment to the $20,000 a year, or at least very rich
o|^ of tke Connate to Liverpool, drove poor Coddington to the very verge of revolt, (see page
SWjipne of these New- JejrSey Qgdens, whose names were associated wifli Burr's and Jacksoi/s
Isme romantic adventures of J806-7 f
^ t1^ settlement of Texa-s/* says Theodore Sedgwick, (as Veto, in the New-York Evenii^^
Ih^^ ^ began Ui land spscftlation ; it was pnarked in its course by abominable frauds, artd ^e
of xSk great causes of m^satisftwJtion was the absolute prohibition of negrp slavery. The first
s^Riars of Te3tas, for the inere love of gain, ab^ndonM a free republic for a colonial destiny.
f^esl^ts, they Iraiisl^rred themselves to catholic rule. The Texans [from the United States]
tcfilL'^ have b^^n insane, if, on entcrtiig Mexico, thev looked for an administration as faultless
anier which Ihey had Uved. They might wrth equal reason have planted the nisei res
4^ aiid then have ^nfiurled the banner of indejpendence near the throne of the Czar, he-
aled the immunides of their native land." The Union gives an account of the fon-
tl^e a don.stituiioii'ft)r Te;cas, coasisting of one Texan, three New-England^rs,
„_ ^^iistai^. three from Ohio and Pennsylvania, and all the others (tifty-four) from the
e^P^'stotes. ' J^nnin wrote from the Alamo, just before its capture ,"In my last, I inf^>rmed
j^i^ tf^ I ,coiild fend but some half a dozen citizens in my ranks, and I regret to say that it is
. J>r. Claiming, in his letter on Texas, Addressed, in 1838, to Henry Clay, truly remarks, that
'^pt^ w^ not con<inercd W its colonists — that in the army of eight hundred who took Santa
^^a prisoner, not more than 'fifty were citizens of Texas— the rest were selfish adventurers
I tnis tr^ioj). That land speculators, slave-holders^ and such men as these, were among
^^r^most Jk) froclain^ independence; and that Yankee speculators introduced slavery in
se fait l^tPdS) from which tne countrj'men of Cortez and Pizarro had expelled it Mex-
ico, at me m'omcnf of throwii^ off the Spanish yoke, gave a noble testimony of her loyalty to
Iree prinpiflea, by decreeing, 'that no person thereafter should be bom a slave, or introduced
(,jEp^Mbto me Mexican states j that all slaves then held, ^ould receive stipulated wages, and
\ ^ttn^ 16 »o punishment but oh trial and jndginent by the magistrate/ The subsequent
""^ "Sic gbvemn^ent carried out fuHy tticse constitutional provisions. It is matter of deep
J humiliation, that the emi|n*«n^ froni this country, whilst boasting of superior cj^'j^
. retofcd to eecoftj i^is hoporaWe policy, intended to set limits to one of the greatest
^/^, l^laves were brwight kito Texas, wiA their masters, from the neighboring states
. ./country. One mode of evading the laws was, to introduce slaves under form^ Inden-
$4br lot^ peric^ls— in some cases, it is saM, for ninety-nine years. By a decree of the
e^l^nre of Coahuila «nd Texas, all indentures for a longer period than ten years wei*
d, and provision was made for the freedom of children bom during this apprenticeship.
a*seit|ed, inVinciWe purpose of Mexico to exclude .slavery from her limits, created as strong
|]»ose to annihUim her authority in Texas. By this pohilJition, Texas was efiMualiy
^•jiainst emig^ration from the southern and western portions of this country ; and it is wen
^^yit the ev^ of (1^ south and west had for some time been ttirned to this province, as p.
rxftaid^ for staves, as a new field for slave-labor, and as a vast accession of political powe;r
^ i^t^Ming states. That such views wbre prevalent, we know.; for, nelarious as they
"^ w finM ^e!r way into the public prints. The project of dismembering a nei^boring
e, iSbkx slaveholders and slaves might overspread a iWion which had been consecrated to
" ---»-'^- TOg discussed Mi ncwspapws as cooQy as if it were a matter of obvious right,
jfi humanity.*'
^iTnever hesitated to bdiuVe^ Hiat Tan Buren, in his Telas letter, written before the Bai.
) i^ieetfon, was as litde tmpeii«l by manly principle as 1 have shown him lo have beeh
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64 VAN BUBBN AND JACKSON^B MKXICAN ?QLIG Y« CALBOUId^S ]»HItQaOFHt.
lolidale and pecfect^ than to, extend pur jinstitutionsy mort am^itio\;is 4>iBff^uj^f^
cmraelves over a wide space, than of diiShsing beauty .and' fruitfulnesa over a
narrow field. We boast of our rapid growth, £o«^etting that, thrQi:^6ut B^tturei,
noble growths are slow. Our people throw th^i)i3elye|a bejond Ithe bounds jpf
in other importaat acts of his ljf<s. On the 16th of Oct^, l^, wh^ Segetarylo HckaoBL,
he addressed a long letter to jUithony Butler, m« United Stkte^ Chafg^ In Meiaco, containmi
the President's instructions to him Sih the Successor of Foinsett. * Van Bujren describes the con-
duct of Mexico as unfriendly and undeserved, and hopes sh&,.wm becbn^e sensible of the injus-
tioe she has done to this country, " her earliest and best friend.'* |He says that Jackson thought
that the true interests of this Union' would be better ptomoted by Bf exican glory and pfbsperit^^
than bv her depression and disgf ace^that the bearing of Jackson's govtrnm^t badtiecn " lil^
ral am magnanimous" towards the Mexicans, " while many of their cttiiSens, voluniarjr ixlle^
in the cause of American liberty, fought by the side of thfeiJr 'M^^can friends, TO EXFEL
FHOM TlilS CONTINENT tHE LAST RElVtNAiTTS OF COLONIAL 0]?PRES-
BION— that eveyy step taken since, by the United States, has been marked by *' ben^volenpe
and disinterestedness'^— 'but that thfc Mexican goverbn^ent had been guilty of* poHtical pet-
vwseness and inattention " and of " persevering injustice '* Thlls benevolence of JadpOn aifii
Van Buren had been evidenced i|i Swartwout, Houston. Poinsett, and pthen?, stJrring up strife
ia Mexieo ; and by asking Mexico to sell some 400,dOQ squaj^ miles of hie^ territory for lEhe
use of the slave-holders, because she Vas poot— and this, too, fbt a. pecuniary consideration t
Van Buren tells Mexico that she is *^snut out from aktiost all^coi;nmuification With thp sea-
board," and then complains of the ** abortive attempts to negotiate with" her—the main db^ect ^
the negotiation being to deprive her of the yc^ domain wich .commusiicates with the soil by
hectoring^ullying, and menacing her. Dr. Mayo's comments on Van ^uren, in his "EjgJ^t
Years in Washington," touch this sore point skilfully.* " iThe idea of military ihyasiop of tfe
Mexican territojy has never entered Into the imagination bf the United States, nor, is it believe^
of any one of their citizens." How long after that was it to the time When J ackson and his narty
ordered Gen. Gaines to invade Mexico, in the midst of peace, ^nd^ the tSreneral address^the
ex-minister, Poinsett : " If I am permitted to make an arrangement 'in accordance "w^ith the fere^
going suggestions, I feel confident thiat I can thereby obtaiil, and call to the frontier, REAJuT
FOR AN ACTIVE CAMPAIGN TO THE CITY Of* MEXICO, frdm j&fty to one hundred
thousand first rate men, for the most part mounted, "before the first day of October next, the time
they should march westw?uxl from the Sabine V* Ofie would' think that Van Bur^n believed
he had in hand a second edition of &e Peter Allen case, ^f 1816, in which his boiifede*
rates in the legislature, voted in the appointing power of th^ state, by a &lse maj£n:i^ o^W^i
knowing it to be so ; and then, by the virtue 6f their 6^tt\&. placed tys majority of^one intp ym
hands oT their defrauded opponents. The hostile movements of savage tribes ^as given as ocSd
reason for the '* benevolent and disinterested" invasion \xj Gaihes. And who se| oh thes^
tribes 1 What Governor of Tennessee wp it that left his wifp' and white faniify, to* marry the
daughter of an Indian Chief; discard the robes of civilisation, turn Sav^e. and be rea^^f, wheji
the revolt was matured, to head'the adventurers shipped, frojn New-York and .J^ew-urkans^
and who composed the ^ii5e of the army of Texas 1 > ' - ^
I have been a warm admirer of John C. C^alhouh. tSs superfotr 'powers fi intellect, JStetCt
experience, and real liberality in, many respects, gave ground for good hope that, as Secretary
pTState to John Tyler, he would prove that he had a noble sov^. hy some . honest and abl^
i^ke of statesnoanship— add Texas to the iJniQn, hut not as a slave inart, nor by ihsUlting
Mexico — and exhibit a feeling in favor of the oppressed classes of society, whether white or
black. Mr. Calhoun had but pne end and aim in accepting a seat In the cabiixet^the defence
of the negro-driver's whip, ^ixd increasing to the greatest posgible extent the market for those
who raise slaves for sale, ^s we northerners raiise,b]adk cattle. Nullification m 1832 mlgha
idead as a defence an oppressive taxation or an unequal tariflf;'l>ut Calhoun's statesma^iship^
i}i 1844, es^ibited a far worse sort pf nullification, the.npght'orthe executive of the Vnion
Stretched to its very utmost to strengthen and consolidate the cordhined slave owners df the
iouth aa thb permanent and omnipotent element of strength, the great ruling power on this
contindllf with the breeding, trading and working of human beings, jus if theyUere property^
chattels, horses, asses, mules or oxen, beasts of burthen. When I read Calhoun's letter tQ
King at Paris, where he tells him that the British people had paid a hju^dred inillions of dol-
lars to compensate slave owners in the y^esi Indies for freeing flieir slaves— paid other fifty
millions extra for sugar, the product of free labor— paid another hundxea millions towards th^'
suppression of the detestable sj-gtetn of kidnapping and selling heathen Africans to Christiai^
receiver^ and that their capital, vest^ in trojpicai possessions, was at the brink of ruin, through
these stupendous exertions towards'bringing about that millenium of justice and univemal
Jdndnaa^ foretold in the Bible-^i^en I saw hiia ait ^awn to calculate the gains of his S3rst9ia
of ooerctQUi aAd try to excite )U feelings towards Eiiglahd in the jduada of the l^pm^ ^1%
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,ymMm^9ti4^ vm vl^ ^ ^ J^^^^ Vats otM tsxAa ? f|
bw iw iyvwl <Buqs»a thtmselves ^a relmes into a semirbtrbftro^ stat*,
^mmm^r tbe ifl»|mUe pt wild imagiDation, and lor the name 6f gi^t posseniohi.
Sarbaps t^^jpe ia jm^ people on earth, on whom the ties of local attachment sit
ad loo«dj. « i^ven ^e wandering tribes of Scythia are bound to one spot, thA
plMey that unforgiving hate and deadly, reyepge yroold be the inevitaUe result of a system of
iaftdae^a and con^^aasio^ tpwaids tmxse whom> during eighteen centuries, white men have
treated cruelly, and talk of ciheap staples gain^ bj^ flog^iig work out of Odd^ cifeaiures, I reluc-
tantly gave him up, as I had given up Van BuTen, ^th whom he may yet ifain, as he has tvfoe
already, coalesce. In his letter to Wilson Shannon, ki»eiivojrMSKl'RAOKI>lNARY, as hesaielir
was, he first gives as a reason for annexing Texas, that Mexico was not trying to recover it— aintt
next, that it would be altogether nuU apropos^ and quite offensive to this Union, were Mexico
to try to recover Texas while annexation was pendmg ! Calhoun was the first who made me
ashamed of the part I had taken in Canada. I had endeavored, as it seemed, to place Canada
in the hands of the slaveholder, in order that no place of refuse might remain in the land of
Jefierson and Franklin, for an oppressed race, on this side me grave— and this, too, white
eatholic MEXICQ and^noiestaiit Britain— ^e methadist, baptisi; ^Moopalian, quaker, Ro-
man catholic, independent and ]NPesb3rterian of England and nrelftnd were cheeifimy submit-
ting to enormous taxation and great privations to raise liha Afiaeaa in the scale of civilisation !
The £x-Gk>vemor of free 01^, His Exedlency Wilson Shannon, to wit, cut a most deplora-
ble figure i;i Mexico. Senor JEtejon, the Mexican minister, told mm, Oct. 31. 1844, that ** in
the declaration and suit of independence of Texas, those ^o figured as the leaden w^
almost all fit>m the United States, as were alio the .geDoiCl aikl o^rs who compqeed the
army that ftruglit under the standard of Tex^ in th«. batde of San Jacinto : and in m^y
p«ct»of the United State^ meetings were held publicly to provide, and, they did actually pro-
vide, men, arms, ammumtion, and other warlike stores. It has sfiice clearly apfea^d ikBi Ihe
point aimed at Was to separate that rhsh-and extensive toritory ftwn Ike poorer fk its tegilijnate
sovereign in order to annex it to the United States ; a measure of poli<yr ^hich. as it is ex-
pressly said in the note of his Excellency Mr. Shannon, * HAS BE;£N LONG CHERISHED,
AND BELIEVED INDISPENSABLE FOR THE SiJ^ETY AND WELFARE OF THE
UNITED STATES, AND WHICH^ FOR THESE REASONS, HAS BEEN INVARIA-
BLY PURSUED BY ALL PARTIKS OF THAT REPUBLIC, AND BY ALL ADMIMS-
TRAfnONS FOR THE LAST TWENTY YEARS.' "
What a ecmfession ! Does it not show, asked Rejon, '' that the deelaralton of indq>eiiden<st
by Texas, wd the demand of its anneza^n to the United. States, are the work of the govern-
ment of the citizens of the latter, being interested in making this acquisition, which they have
aoniMdered, for the last twmty years, indispensaUe for the saS^ and welfhre of their repimUe T'
^* The citizens of the United States who proclaimed the annexation, of Texasj with the exccb-
l&aik, perhaps, of the first colonists, went there, not to remain subject to the Mexican R6publ&,
but to annex it to their country ; strengthening, by these means; the peculiar instithtions of
the soutiiern states, and opening a new field for the execrable system of n^o slavery." " If
khe U. @.] aspires to find more land to stain with the slavery of an unlwd^ branch of the
numan family, [Mexico] strives, by preserving what is its own, to diminish the aliment which
the former desires for so detestable a traffic." \
I am no abolitionist— that is, I would not compel, or attempt to coerce states or nations who
encotoage domestic slavery, to change their policy— though 1 mi^ht reason vrUh them if per-
mitted — ^but I cannot forego Uite pleasure ot condemning the avance which seeks Texas as a
mon(H)oly market for the slaves her ^nters breed for traffic. Benjamin Lundy tells us, that
"In the Virginia Convention of 1^, Judge Upshur, of the Superior Court, observed, in a
^)eech of considerable length, that if Texas should be obtained, which he strongly desired, it
would raise the price of ^aves, and be a great advantage to the slaveholders in that state, Mr.
Qholson also stated, in the Virginia Assembly, iu the year 1S32, that the price of slaves felX
twenty-five per cent within two hours after the news was received of the lion-in4>ortation act
wMeh was passed by the legislature of Louisiana. Yet he believed the acquisition of Texas
would raise their price fifty per cent, at least."
Calhoun is firank— he has nothing <^the fox or weasel in him, as he said of Van Buren
once, and imght have added of Butler also. I like him for that. Instead of taking Murphy, our
l^xan diplomatist's hint, not to " offend our fanatical brethren of the north— talk about civil,
political, and religious liber^, say nothing about abolition'-'-this will be found the safest issue to
mo before the w^m with"— mstead of cant and hypocrisy he pjlainly tells Pakenham, the Eng^
Hah envoy, in his eiqpacity of secretary for the republic, April 18, 1844, that ^* that which is
GALL^ SLAVBET IS IN aBALlTV A POUTICAL INSTmiTIOM KSSSNTIA;^. TO tHB PSACB, S^BTT ANO
VBospsaiTT OP THOSE tfTATHB Of woicR Tt BxisiAkV In Other words, Texas is anaund, in oider
liist thftbcmdage of the African race mar be ma^e perpetual, Can thu be the language, thia
iikofQ^fihJm^yBiiipQmAQii^^ If not, wtoein ^
' . Digitized by VjOOgie
TO LOVE ONE AUoi/^fL ^'^oti'k^iiSiifh 6t iih^bv^H^h^Hi^MNis.
K
'aves. of theii[*father8 ;'\)ut theThcHjies and ghtv^g of our ftlClilSft (ieflHiiiai^lMH^*
ha knpwrj and Aipailiar is often abandoned fbr the distatft atitf tintloddwi ; IMl
%f^eUmes the untrodden is not the less eagerly desired Beca^use befoni^i^^
others. We owe this spirit, In a measure, to our descent from iften, i;^4ld4eft
the old world for the new, the seats of ancient cultivation for a wilderness -and
^hb advanced by driving before theiJa the ^Id occupants of the toil. To tUs
spirit >^tt have sacrificed justice and humanity, and through its asoendi&neyv tl^
records (^ this young nation are stained with atrocities, at which communities
gfoiirn grey ih corruption might blush."
CHAPTER XVII.
Farewell to the land -where in chiMhood I wandered,
In vain isshe mighty, in vain is she brave ;
Unblest is the bldod that for tynmlfi is souaiidered,
And fame has no wreath for the brow of the slave.
i^ thorn in the foot. — :Van Buren mid Crawford opposed. to naturalized citizens, —
Gti^ermj-MaTq/.-*'7'he Bamb&s, — W.H, Crawford. — Cofeman.^^Ur, Cooper
on the InjvMice of the Native Principle, — Polk. — Lanf^tree and O^SuUwan,'^
- John Kma^. — Who united Church and State l-^Ruf us Sin^.-^On Indijm
Marriages, --'M^ Lame on Van Muren,-^Van Buren on Jackson.— Van Buren in
U. S, Senate. ^ '
Coi/RTEOus reader, had you ever a thorn in your foof! A thorn in the foot
a^rds an excellent illustration of the pain and trouble M^hich a very snoall
foreign substance may give when in a hostile position in the human system. Is
it the part of wisdom for any party in the Union tq enrol among its principlies
the political proscription of foreigners 1 In a commercial country there alwuy*
Polk and W a 1 ke t a i ito r J ;n j m I ) ph i] r -3 nd Calf irii n 7 ' ' J here shidl be a firm, inviolable aiid
utjiversal p^ac(\ AND A TRL^fi ASH siVGEtiE PttTKNDflittp bf !\vreien the United States of America
and the Un^trd Mexican Slates/^ Peace, truth, fripndKhip and sincerity are not now so well
und^nitnOd at Washingtoti as ifii? hcffed they wiU be hnvafter.
'^ Why cannot we rise to nohle rorifL^piionft of otir d '^imrl" asks Channing of Clay.
^Why rto wp not fe.el that our -work iv? a njiifoa is, ro tany freedom, religion, science, and A
holder form oi liaman nahire nverthisi rontinetif i am] -^vhy ^o we not remember, that to diffuse
Jiifise bl&^sitij^h! ^'t ijiii,^[ JirsL tlterish thefji in inir o;^n ln-irlers; and that whatever deeply' and
ff^rmanenrly cornmts us will make our spreading infliieiii ■ a curse, not a blessing, tatnisjjew
^^?ofld T Pulilin life appefilR tn t ti^ nolnkisr, fl-s well h'^ hi-i^ principles of human nat»re^ .ft
hi>I(ls up for pur.suit cudtirmg fiime^ ajs well an ilie jiororiety of the passing hour. • By giving
opportunities! of acting on the vast and pi^rmacent iutcresiis of a nation, it often creates a deep
seiifle of Yes^poTisibilii)\ und a tjenerou-i psdralalirioi!, I have too much faith in human nature
to distrust rhe intluptii?** of grvRt truths and high lurHh^es on any class of men, especially on
men of cotiiinaiidiD!^ iiiteni;^eiioe. There is a c^nn^^niaiity between vast powers of thought
and difjnity iif purpo^^e. None are s<j capable of sacrili' jjig themselves as ihoae who have
xntM to saf^rilice, wlin, in ortering themselves, make the )fi' alest offerings to humanity. Wijjli
thia'convicliiTri; f am not discouraged !>y the anticipated MQiles and scoffij of those, who wi^
think tliiit in iniL^ting on aaiiofial pnriiy a>i the e!*wmiat condition of freedom and greatness^J
have? prtrached to the wind^. To yt>u, ^ir, rpf^titiid^ if; not an empty name, nor will ameasure,
Irangnt -s^^th la*sting corrupTiftji and t<lmine to your coiuitrj', seem to you anything but a fear-
ftil ealaTTiity/'
TIow ofli-ri have \ro^d this letti^r, and applied it to Callmuii, in the sense tiiat its exceHeat
iiaihor ivppHed it to CIny [ 1 am fi^humcd utf^tiy that I overtuted, not the clearness of his inlej^
ha, btit iRe rharactl-v of his Brj^biiiosk Snrel}- the man, uho wo»ld control the republic, nftw
and fbr ev«r, through the votes of African igpiTranee, represented by Anglo-Saxon cupidity on
fhe tinor of C-on|rf^a — who woiild place the intelligent ** freemen of the north at the m^s^it
the Spaniard^ ofjMexico, the mongrels of South America," (or somdidjig worse,) bf,Tftogt^ntAw^
Imnexali^wis and alavE-hreeditig, will no* 6i! m ^age of hlaiofy as a wisjp sC^tesnuui ! ^ •
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%ft^'t^ ttivi^rs <tf fer^^i^^ so also in a country where labor is high aod
' WaA <S^eap. It is but as !t Weve yesterday since foreigners were among ti^e
''fitaviMt and truest iti two Wan»; {lere they are ; here they will be ; whether for
^Lorlbrweal^ess; as a shield to protect or as a thorn to goad and inflatnte ;
tiFand ^oontented as your brothers \ intelligent, discontented, maddened,
'^'#oot^ g^>eionites, b^lotk, slaves. I ^re no desire to see the Flag of the Union
ifofi in two, with the stairs to natives born, and the Atripes to ^e victim of per-
* Iteration who has fled to your classic shores, to take refuge near the fiela of
^^hlgtoft or base (^unlcer Hill. Such a policy would weaken us within apd
vtlboot ; foreign nations woAld read our declaration in days of old when their
^atl wa^ gratefnl, and despise the intolerauce and hypocrisy, the greediness
IjCj^^ic^ &nd power Whicli had, in threescore years, falsified the noble record.
'^RciiQldre^i&Qf OiOttBands of men, able to read, reason, and reflect, would not be
ii^io^ t6 %lit for a land where insult wt^ their only portion, where they had
iMl^ ^ ^adiofui^^ place io strangle flcMr, and the exclusive privileges of a mas-
*t^r*el^ to seetire tb tho$e who would fill every office, administer govemmeiit
mr^eiaielv^ and treat us as Polk does his negroes. Are these states Q#t
il^iik #iuhlgh dr^a^", with Aree nlltlions of enslaved men and women, havli^
Meh inforii^ad feelii^s as Calhoun describes, the result of ages of oppression ?
^9/^uVk ^ wanton ^gradation of half a million or a million of men like me,
^$MB'1t^ elated, slrengtke» those defiances, to secure which some eighteen
*iAI^ twtetjr mUBons of dotl^s are yearly expended in time of peace 1
In older that we' may the more clearly understand the characters of Van
BwQOH 3(b«cy/ Flagg* Wri|^, Bowne^ Noah, Coleman, £arll, Keyes, Butler,
' ♦ Wi Ia. llawf, in ffebCMary, 18818, hantkd over the brothers Bamber, farmers irom tfie
<«(BtAeCliato^ and eHiirms, DJUebr t<iii years reAident here, for trial on a political cha^e of
qfttfier, l^fcdiMtfta tiiedijgiJsh Consul. This he did in the teeth of the lair. Judge Brady,
SlpnlE^ o£#ie %iiil^«:s, nftations that they were Presbyterians— old Mr. B. a United Irish-
SMA — and adds : " I waitied on Ae Governor — produced papers which, if properly considered,
akoqald oMiterate every feature of the offence for which they were doomed to be sacrificed, if
di^irered to the read^ execv^icmers of a corrupt Government. The Executive [MarcyJ, stem
^ >aex0|i^, tefu^eAto'grant their freedom." When the Sen<ite of Hamlwrg, a corrupt and
j9ffMigiiigfa6ily.^Y««9Btack^eU aad Tandy to the British,they excused themselves to Napoleon
•s h^m§ 'WttAc. lite i^J^- was this*^" Courage and virtue are the preservers of states —
;i»)wpi^^Uc^ and crilne are their ntin. You have violated the laws of hospiulity — a thing which
^^r hax^>ened among the mo^ savage hrfrdes of the desert. Your fellown^itizens will for
^fperiepcoaeh voa wiw it. The two unfermnate men die with glory— but their bloocl will
^Mttg mate evfl apon their persecutors than it would be in the power of an army to dc. If
,1^aK, "had you not the resource of weak States 1 Could ymi> tint /^ve ki Uuym escajte ?''
'**- ermtf Marcy was Ibrraerly edilot and i»roprietor of the Troy Budget. It was afterwards
_ lied: &r the paftv hy John W. KcmWe, wnom thei.leaders at Albany ordered to be n^
«^ 4tatj& »eaatt>r, and iif|ennucds ©i^ed hi|n as, their tool. Kemble joined Bishop, another
"gaiyaMft^ senator, i^id l^inond^, |he Van Bi^en leader in the senate, in certain stockjobbing
4aismeiwa» \ and K^oiMe and Bishc^ united with Barstow, a bank cashier, in secretly using
iilff funds of liii» Itfmk ** to ^i^g^ acombf^tipn" by which the stocks of certain railroads would
^M$ aSfi. m^lalvfid pjrofit. "Aeir plot miscarried— Young moved to expel Bishop and Kemble
m^ thi "^^f^le— Senile resigned-rand Charles L. Livingston, Vhose epistles to Hoyt speak
fit IIhmb8^v«s in this voUune, voted that Bishc^ was " guilty of moral and official miscbn<
Iftl^," hi« reftised to send hitn back to his coastituems for their opinion on that cgnduct.
'^QxOijg, and Van Schaick then very properly resigned, and left the Senate. Kemble's language
^ t^y Budget of 1834, shows thaX he held the «ame ojunions as Van Buren and Marcy.
f J^Mf. 1M Trtff Btit^ety-^^ To be frank, I shall be heartily glad when the election is over.
To hf^vc the dirty whiflSy-swilltng Irish tiimsting themselves every hour between the * wind
^jgf^jiur nobility, slobbering over me jn every corner of our city, is more than I can»endure, or
'^ttty flUMnadi bear, without the aid of disinfeding agents. If our case is to rest upon these
•WW^Ssxt sQccesff, much as I desire it. I shaH re|oie« tb witness it$ t)vi&£throv."
'' iMflii^ to Mpj^ threw Mait^yoC^^ and V^ Bitten t^ The ibnaer sav^ him
*tf0i9jr^ t&l!ai|5» and the laiter ki iCtf. Bancroft's diidike to the Cathoiies was one of his
iiUrfsMnfiMiAifti«» It hoik's fimvi ,., c . .
IhiwiRlies i
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i$ CRAWFORD, VAN *URRiy'l|, NASpiVR qj^HbmAf^^, Vf(Mlfr<S4
Jacob Barker, Croswejl, Skinner,, C^breleM;j^,a|Kl.|lip ..^ . ^.
ftawfetd and the XI. S. Bank, in 1S24, ft Will be necessary to'IoS , __
ciples and general character of Crawford.' 'ifhe re.a<)^ef w^I find, &at )^j3
avowedly the champion of What is now called the "native party, .ev;erAQ0lm^
the claims of the 'persecuted from other landg wiio. seek egual rights aod e^!^
laws in America. His hatred to persons of foreign birth, to whom CliatQ|i^w
ever friendly, endeared him to Croswell, Van Burei^, 'Wrigbtj Butler and iSkiA-
net, insomuch tHat the Albany Argus* opposed MonrpQ. ah^ wgjj iir^en4]|y,. jp
Crawford in 1816, w^hile Clinton refused to be a Cj^q^nlate In . pjpjpo^i^^^ ijo
Monroe^ in -whose favor his influence was ^xerted. . [',■., . \il.., tV^
Crawford, in 1816, all but defeated Monroe in the congressional caUQi^ ^^/l
candidate for the Presidency ; but his NATiVEiSM, hiai hatred to tqtt}{ '
citizens turned the scale in favor of Monroe. In IS^oy., I^^aI He cfuae
two or thn^e votes tn the legislati^re, of getting the. whole thlriyrfiVelwcs^SSdtt-
tial voiS^s of N. Y. ; but here again his intolerance iurned|h^ scale 8{a^tjb|ii^.
Had he got the vote of IN^: Y.^ the na^ie of Ji Q, Asanas coi^l^. uot T^vei, }>c^
itent to tne House of Representatives, so thai Jbe could |iot have pe^Q\rresid^.
Van Baren was served in Baltimore^ in 1844^ as Crawforj t^^ bAentw^enl^y JP^
before ; but in the 1844 case J there vas a isecret understanding. ,
Among other eminent citizens \yho felt insulted by Cr^wforct^f iU^tio^
sentinients, the celebrated jurist. Judge Cooper,^t $.'0.^(^1160,015?^
severafl letters to Mr. Madison, over the signature of" Amerlcua^ t^
Democratic Pressy in April, 1816, froni which the /0II9 wing are. exfra^ ,^
"Mr. Ciwdord, a schoolmaster in AlWiharie coun^, "Vttgiri'ia, fUfattMng it 'ihore^for^MB
interest to choose some new profession, and some new theatre of action, remoi^ed to onfe Of t!*
boundary counties of the state of Georgia, as a county cmm laimr.: Sti fl*ch«4Muat)iitJi man
of tolerable education, maimers and conduct, find& it iKKdi|k»ilt 4i«k (o faecdnM^woM '
a|n(Mig frontier settlers. In due time he was B&at to Congtiesa, -aodttien, by that Ifind (
rons management wluch men of nuxierat^ talents aie not*uBlre(|n^ly weu i|aaiiMi to |
he acquired influence enough to be sent as ambassador to Franc«.''t ' -■ <
♦ The Albany Argus, S^JpU 1824, tells us that William H. Crawford was Horn U Viiglnia, JMtli Feb. 1772—
the ion of a laborer— emlipriiled teC^i^gla at the age of 14— ibUowed ^e plow till SI— TOen tattied schoohpa*-
ter. and finally let np biuittea»as a lawyer. Af a msetkit of the yoiiM; mni of Atig;aita; <aa., Jtaly % 13M, all
adoreis was voted to President Adams, expressing fp^l confidence ill his admhriflMkon^ and tipgwhig t* wm-
tain it. Crawford was on the committee who reported th^ address,^ w&ich he sanctioned. In 16w
ha voted against inoreasing the navy, but the war changed his views. H^ fotight several duels, in ovm
of which ha shot JPoter L..Van Alen, a native of M. Y.-, and* Soticltdr Ceneralof-Oa.. deiid,and hi tlie
ether was wonoded by General Clarke. la Jan.-, 180B, Jo , the U, S. (Senate, he« ofptmt^ JkttlamtM ^Bdntfgto
bill, but in 9 or 10 months ^hanied his mind^ It was to his credU tb/^t ha rose ftoqi the station of a laboiar »
that of congressman— sat in theU. S Senate— betanie a minister of state— was sent oat to FxMacfi as ambaMa-
dor— and was thought wohhy of being a candidate for the chair of Washinglion— if his noting was manly aid
koaocable. That it was not a wise oae ferthe Union, th* file* oftbib Aurora, «dH«I'bythe ^Ider Doane; an^Mr.
Dallas' admissions abundantly show. The evidencefof cfNDEayt&oa and^'r^ltinineM ini^e4iaaBclall t
which " a Native' of Virginia^' exhibited to the public, j^ay hp found on ^ifjilev of the Evening Fostr-^yeif^
find William Coleman, the leading federal editor in N. Y., ip his paper of^V^. !2, 1634, exclaiming, '' I ^ve hiin
(Crawford) a decided preference, heartify, oheerfUliy, and with^lie fli^f ajfprobatton of niy deliberate Judgment.**
Coleman had been the law partner of Burr, bitC weatToundto tfomtlton and the fedeiaUats, Who eitabUsklkl
l)ira in 1801, as the first editor of the N. Y. Evening Post* in whicib siiuatlpa he i^m mof^cvma for hiaalwi*
of Clinton, Emmet, McNeven, and the United Irish.' In' 1807 he thus speak/i ;^** lalplerable insult! mw% t^
•isenoM of America's rights be contbunded with the assassins' of Wicklow mountaiiiiB 1 must the ^mericaga
revoliSltion bestow on every anarchist and public disturber [alluding, to Btntnef, MeNev^n/anft their friandiQ
the right to claim America for his hoihe and Amarioaat fot his Undrad ? Tha-attsmpifo ttiow a nlatioasht|^
between United Irishmen and Americans is . as impudent and detest^l^ns it ff tosidif ua. la New ^ott^bf
governed by De Witt Clinton for its bashaw, aided by Thomas AddiisEmmeiand his jakissanea ? Is New Yolk
to he put into the hands of Vnited Irishmen ^ndron^iavw^ f IJT it is to be rescued firom thik fiite Umt»t bt
kv M» kand$ and by t^ heart* ofhonut ^meri6an»fi 'When. I ceale to slate'CTrawJbrd's qu^ifiiatioiis a tittb
more ftilly, no one will wonder that Van Bnran, Oolamaa* Wright, 0inibrfet9nC> RJ^alir IQagf^ aad Batler
trampled on the peopIe^s dearest rights in the hope of securing to hi(n the presidency. > . .- , ^ ' ■- ^'
t Judge Cooper also states^ that Orawford couM not spesWa word of French, but stalked about the 4iawiax>
rooms of Peris uhable tu nk a quesiton or give a reply. His pap«!rs Were hifoimdi, and Talleyrand dkt^msnieM
with D. B. Warden, the American Consul, a learned Itteknan, [who lately died in VxnaCe, a meiiMr of )ha in-
stitute,] till the mistake was rectified at WasliiiigtaEi. Crawford wuapiqucjd witiiattt cause, amLturaed Wimtcfi
out of office whhout authority, to tde annoyance aiid lidury of tha merchants af Fhttadclptila ajjd New York,* On
'M» (Cmwf<itd*«) return to WasMngton, Monroe's'ienemies; aad the'en^mies of Ifiieral foreign dti^finls flocked' t)o hia
Handar^ m the oppotent of Mcai^ueibr the pnsiilBcy. «1Pbi»tti8h,*' eays Oaopct, *< may be secretary of war, bttt
iKwttlnsTiabathtpMple'i president." He was right AmCTlcalwailfc h o n ii H a n d t m a h a wi^ i ai Q m mU k hM
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W<%yAL ki«BT^^Am> LAwir. civil AiMteLidiMs fmetmu. 6i
KeontiiraM (diwpe^M Cr4wfbi« #Bto to uy sfOtoMia DMorbdhi oaoe paid to » cMwi km
— - -- il> » | ii to 4^w»<f|li»toqpwt»iii»oft ' '- ^rrr-rrr
laviiptaii Amencanbom/ ^^Well, il
„ wbenl wa^tfOetik^MM iiy/«oiuilt.. ,_
lMflki^li9)IM<liBl9 frond el|^oe« IjM^Ufi^ & cit^Mn appn your own terms and proiraeals— recording to your con
■tItatloB ui4 lawy, wHich gave me A^uafngntir wHifyottrself. I brobght wealth; iQiowlodgo, andtndiMtry with
me. t«m wnUffcodHltniy mtfim itt yowr tsmmlry ; I h«ro deliberately risked my happiness, and that of
mjUM Bifc %A OnUfnu^ apoathe.same chance with yourself, t have renounced former connections to become one
oTybiL ll[|v^^qiiad0iM«ifRoe«rfi)cotoMta i amfoblelliiid AtoMficaMized Iwfe, fhd «o is my fiunU^. Wo jw-
aa|Ei ihe GtaMfaX)tyom aie i|pt an Amencan obm/ *^eTl, sir (replied mV Mmd), and what tiien ) Bow aiiM
I MM V ^^Xt'au age when 1 wa» tfOe » ^odrt tty/ooamry, on malora Mnsidoiation apd reflectioB, I caao
hikjiM«f9$Bl3 <roid el|^oe« IjM^Ufi^ a cit^Mn upon your own terms and proiraeals— according to your con-
ui4 lawy, wHich gave me A^uafngnts wHlfyottrself. I brought' wealth; iQiowlodgo, andtndiMl
wk WPtitfcjdmtmy flvyot itt yowr eowiky ; I h«,ve deliberately risked my happiness, and
§4 fi^Mney* ^MPQA^tM same chance with yourself, t have renounced former connections to bec(
%^tk made W4rBKei fit ttoisiihe^ i amfoblelliiid'AimficaMaied Iwfe, fhd «o is my fiuniiy.
td tOBWilBdson jdie-Mlliill a9d,.|p«0Radn| every 9tlie% have chosen this as oar country. Bt
b7 ^Qti by choice, Dutby cHahce f Virlllurot 'your own knowledge, exertion, or consent^ yoa feund
i^Tbere/ beoauM ftiturmntl^kikiei^m^hmiftm ottf^ • f onv^Uppeanuice in Aneiica was as a w«a%,
because mrMre««0ftqse.tfeipui4raft tmf^ • xonvlvsUppBarance in Anenca was as a wea^
"yPitHI 3ft f^'^f nak|9d iafiwt. reanhring the assistance or others to keep yon allte ; dependmt
_^ he care oroiffim fSr twenty years of yoarexHfoiiee. '^iKM. were bom and staying iu AkneHea, becaiM»
yon could Mt help it, you have remained here because you knew no better, without choice, notion, or reflec-
tiofll Anit<lb tdP tMnjft re yo^ceplf,' m an Amertafm, to mot' I would not like, as an American, to acknow-
li^p lh0: wbDliB 01^ ^ds reiyMiiing,.biit there is somethi^ in it I would take the liberty, sir, if I dared take a
'^L so neat a man, df asking Mr. Crawford, vi^hetherQeneral Montgomery, General Gates, Goneral
. ...., iaron Steiibbn, Haiaffa'De Kaffb, Oeaerai Kodlhisko, OonoralPalaski, General Hamilton, Geaeml St.
[«^iml Jbeo, aad €tolietal Stewvt-wKe not forelgBaisa Whether the officers and soldiers of the Pean-
lll0ln{^n»n«t {m^\lpmBi^\ 4v3ie|hiar ouvl^aaaeien, ^bert Morris and Alexander Hamilton, were not
^t -Had oar coon try &iiy need to repent receiving, with open arms, these fuoitivks or thb old
IKms it become % m\n of yesterday, a man whose most dlstingQlshed act has been the fltmons iopc«t
br ebnsideraiion; wtab iii liaifdly -kaiown, but by the bigotry of his sentiments, and the impradenoe of
liSr«di|lii0t; dcias4t ii aa ai a Hw<iitaittaa> who anuses hhnself like an idiot boy in the woods, with ptdling
stow «9|a|B)8jMaiab9a|^ii|i. ears;. does. it become such a man to stigmatize, indirectly, these warriors and
99mmM tii|(5lfVoli|tion 1, 1$ there one fleam of c&mmon sense in Mr. Orateford't toanton intfuU of hit eotletjmm
tnjjf^tMr. D^l(U afli Mr. CfdUatin ; and af ^u, iir\ «0*s ofptvnUA^Uiiett wdl'informed and abU men 7 Snow
mymi j att tea e^ win ^^ei^Mrikie la ^neriea, who haa bean or eoaid have been guilty of such a needlesSf wan-
tOB, iMMllmiM, jnAMliM^4DaJdMI sarcaw» npop t^e w|iol9 Ainerlcan people, their ancestors, their constita-
tiqpi%)ttMlr ipwa af^d naagpa,. «qc)i as is implied substanOally in this bravura finale of Mr. Crawford's Indian
TDfeiftt experieneechmiu^ kuNbn^ssiiom the Amencan people, and am satisfied
ihal,;^ for. the malevolence of some of their rascally politicians, aided by lazy
preachers,^ who have leas of christi^ity lix th^m than of jealousy of oth^r more
iliijipt tiji hsnriinn nrlj fnij^ fnirrr'niirfnT tfim^ VanBofeliand his 'coiifederates showed- very little sagacity
WfciB 4e3r foflowad fbr e^htlong year* the fdrttnte iif Judge Cra#lbrd.
^^ la a afttyl>ird Aat hMRMhlts iWrn Heat,'* sa^s Qooper. At tliia ttkne (161«).a au^ty of the whole paopla
amU V. ft aMMit •e«atlfaftof4teaaC BCkute aiid Irf lauL or tlie dascendanta of such. Full 9-lOths of the paienta
^^teAamiaiVl^ people ii^ \S^^W^ nat{^ of the Bcitish^domhilons. Did not Crawford calumniate more
tfMft-lndf tJM ij;s|^i9QMi Jieople (orthat day), and more than 9-l0th8 of their Immediate anceatora 1 Add alao the
Oa i to ai'Biift&h, Aiid French parts of the population. Did not SngtaM weH receive and encourage West, Cop-
ley', C«6or&inl(brd,Coimtil^woiatt, Dr. (Sotandsr, Mr. Planta,!^^ da Magellan and the Abbe Coreaf Have
wil a*aTMitbn» j».th>a<pMtfe:irtte 1 Has not Eiigiand 300 1 Do we not want home nianufaciuree 1 Where can
aWin.Me art% sfteucaa aad.maiuifactures and Imp^ovemen^, in every profession, be found (out of America)
ttora tj^ln JESi|lJand. France and German^!.. Do we not t>we niich to 6ur immigration laws, encouraging men
of ekiU %D conr^fieref f ' Crawford Hid advised AiaerieaBB to auury Indian savages in preference to the &ughtera
mtmmm^t flwayn, eapHi^ or I|M4»^- , Ha wo^ld have Yankee girls called Mn^. SpliUos, Mis. Great Buf-
^laii MimrrlJilt TiTirtiti Mra. MadHiftgi Mir Tecamaetn. dcc.f by way of increasing social happinoss on our
froi^ien.
" Mf, Seenitary QraLii'fL.rdV Ju^r4i:i3fuil uulxdijiy mj lujibu-E^aU^^r nbinarlp npi^ears to have made him aeeretary
of war at hfomaf foi ctceptldj*^ hk t^rci^^, h\<ik mmn^^x vraut or ulr^iu Cirnl .I'^iinlrement, his pompous deportment,
hJuH i-^fficlkHwaziiijphjadLipcstk mcnwiei w^iVlc ndnjfter, tiit»i«cret t^l not bo erTtcient enmity toyoursalf [Mr. MadB-
aoa] ani Mr* Munfoa, and to tint wivUe^ of Uift rtpulilitan p(u-ry, jolnc^l i» ir^± double-faced conduct on the late
nopiliiatiiia or a iuiiift^ ^nvidesit lu uuc^eil yi}tirMf!if^ir4,i£ qM^ti^atinn \\ii^ this man ? Is there one peraon in
t^^c cduiiUy in tfic J'«s9i ujDvt^raartl wiLli thi' i^tiurjiicCerB and cnndyct of Ainf ricaii politicians, who does nbt know
thai c^voryAnniJicM^ in Tarii, wu fpni t>t lln pt^rpetual hUy«\\ froHi ih*! lanumn :c and insignificance of Mr. Craw-
fond as am baHiKlot ihaie ! Vau i^^mtl m^t hnva kept bini Utcre -, and y2.v \\m man eome«! home, to tudermina,
»nd ifUe dare, oftpose lEjb rcpuJ^lLc&a ciuadJdaLCt [M^j^jrocJ and to ht: inadt: &t'cretary of war!- Thomas Jeflbrson
%froiild eitjL htiv*:: fi^Hn: Uiiii"
^ iMn^ all ftdmlper ef te bold and dttuntless Seottish reforaner^ Knox, I am not preiu-
di^edL^Bipst Other sects, '.M'Otfe got mcn« jpraibe for his life of ^at Eminent man than his
work mented. It is a' fact that Knot proposed, in Scotland^ mor6 than 250 years ago, in his
8^e^ Bltd^ Ills flitteinMSoe^ prlneintoB &oi a ^^yt behind the glorious declaration of inde-
' " e^^ in f7T6. lfQt«0Vefr,'ke wifi^ IdfeiAe, many y%vt^ a bamahed man, or outlaw from
^/ Scotland. "'There I din iiVmpaf!ii26 "n^tif hun. Even England was shut against htm
I J^iMheti^Oii AQMiuil of his .first Blast Dr. Johnson,, tne reyiler of the American
KD. oiU« ItiOK H-llM-niffitti of the B^fainatiQn," but he never sanctioned that union
eC^d|S)DJC0i iMldf$tat€ iRrttSb tiSsA<i k King or qnem the spiritoal head of both. ** We find [savs
Ditf^XFlssj that no Catholjc govenmient ever united Uie King and the Church, tnaking the
Kiaf hM ^f both Clmdi asd State. . Koi . Tim w^ the effect of the liberty, as it is so
t^mw, of 'tite RafMCMtMi; for w« find that nfier that evant, Prussia, S^R^en, Denmark,
Hjaitep^tllW jEngtitna establji^hefl th^ ymnectlon; and made the temporal sovereign at the
mam tWAjtbeii: j^tual xukr '^ the Xl^it these couxS^es, or the ^ueen a^ it may be, bekig
th0lldyi<rfgpwwiiiMHtf>|iqlktityiw^ Rome has qpen^ her^tes even to thet
Jews. Roms has givm protcctiop tA-ik^wMmmtm i.a|iirifii of Jjids^." Wiieii Valt Btvrea
I givm protectun t
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actm priestixiodb, tlie Hl-vill e jiytq u wu d io«r»Hb opr, IwMlfCft b^ CaimA|^.
Eur£^, &c. , would b« unknown. Well miglit Greeley tay, in hia wSug dmaoii^ ..
for 1845, << Native Americanism struck us m hati blow. * • * Mr. Polk, on
this single question gained more than enough votes in die state of N. Y. to Med
him/' Nativeism killed ofi' John Adams's administratioBi and assisted in under-
mining that bold, intelligent, and powerfiil party, the federalists ; it turned tbe
scale against Crawford in 1816 and * 1S24; a professed hatred of it, which, k is
evident be did not feel, as I have shown in ano^r jAaise, ^ecmned to Poljk an
honor of which I think he has proved himself, thus far^ net the most w«rl4yi
was President, the Roman Catholic paper of N. T.. The TtiUh Telkf, by William Demnan,
thus ceasured his iutolerance. '* What do we fim during the Presfdenflal contest t It waff
deemed by some peruon in one of the Western States, important to injure whether Mr. TalL
Buren was a Catholic or not, and to this inquiry a reply was g^vsH that ke tou in the Mnt
ofvl&Ulng several churches, but that he HAD NEVEfl YET iCPrfKRED A CATHOLIC
Chapel. There was something in the reply well calculated to deeply wound the pride and
feelings of those who had been educated in that taith. It seined as if the Catholic ChtQPch W
been avoided as a pestilence and a la^ar house. The whole of the admiiiiatowtiOB pRsses po^
]ished the correspoudeuce with exultation. Not only has the adiUiniMTation avolM taking n]p
the detence of their persecuted friends, but has actually added insult to inj,uiy. It placed 1^.
Bancrott, the open foe and reviler of Catholics, in oilice, as if Id try how ur their endurance.
would submit. AAer Guv. Mai^cy had committed a &tal error, in ao rr ei d eiinr the Bamberg
and had made himself obnoxious to adopted citizens— what did the leaden^ of '&e party ^ Did
they place another democrat in nomination for his place 1 No. He was pot forth and was to ' -
have been crammed down the throats of &e rebellious hidh. Tlveir .Wiapes <« ^Mi^B» wcfB
not Vet be considered." ' ^ . • , * .
Judge Irving (brother of Washing:ton Irving) in his oration before the Tammany Socid^,
May 12, 1810, offered the following philosophical reniarks against intolerance. "t
" No error has been more productive ofiium^ misery, than th^ which in moat cotaitri w htm -
placed its. religioas, under the cJntrol of its -civil iastttutions. There is no such Uring a^bMh»
mg conscience— its texture is not malleahle— it caanot be cooled aad wanned at pleasiise to #?" '
ferent degrees of temperature. The most valuable meniberB of a coDttMHUty aw llMiae who 9» ^
in heart zealously atUiched, and scrupulously obedient, to their feligionB eenets. Aamng thote
are we to look tor patient industry, strict frugality, correctness <rf morals, and regularity of life. •■
Hei^ are we to search for that lionesty ingrafted on rotigion, which teaches the tulfihnent of ^ .
iiuli vidua! contracts, the preservation of order, th^ reverence of law, and^the sacred aticgiaBc«
due to our country. Thjs nation that wars Ac^iiiisT aky moral sECT,"«rHATET«li Wtt bb rUr «
CAST, WAftS AfiAINST ITS OWN PROSPERITr, AND SAPS THg FOukoATIONS Qf ITS STRB»flTir.**
« Rnfus King, though a federalist, asd ^o friend to French potttict or the IvMli f^Mff, la IM m
by Vhii Buren ottcner than once for the highest ofBcet, becanse of hta dMMre tb'wiiaif(liele» Taa-
and Young were Kiiui's ieadiog supporters for the office of Seaator to tin U. S. la 1029, aad he was
almost uaanimousiy, Ciarkson Crofius, of N. Y., Comenae Heney, of BRiok)yB« amd •*--* llaalir,^
altlMugh the same party the year before had chQaea to iet the stiite go'wWlHmt a fall w fae esaiail q u nittar*
than appoint htm. Mr. King was the federal senator fer tlie state )« 1181. fa ISta, hewM l^tocM V^ 0.
Senator, C8 to (31 votes for Gen. J. W. Willcin, republicaa. This yvw Van 9tand*i aet, fm hit rnit^ M^iie nm^
jority in senate. In 181A, Rnfus King was the federal caadidale fbr ffesidebt; He txtpp&nm tki war eibeta-
ally towards its close, and was a steady opponent of die extension of tlUVRf ia Mltioilrl. Van BaMl» wfedv
canvassing for King in 1819, thus wrote to a friend :
** 1 should i^rely r^ret to find any flagging dn the ^utiJect of Mr. Klflg. 'Wt.tire eenartflM ta hif an^pMrt.
It is both wise and honest, and we must have no Hafterkig in our course. ISr.'Slas** i^leniv tewMle IM Itie «
iceals, so far as he is coaceraed, no plot^ aad we ilHll gtarv
honorable and correct Tl^ Missouri question conceals, a
it a true direction. Yoa know what the fMings aiul views oC mir flMnde wei« yfhtin I «a«r yau * and yua
know what we liien concluded tQ do. My ' CoasidemCioiw,' ^jo^ and tha tm^tKt of the Atliaiiy Aifgus, wHI
show you that we have entered on the work io earnest. We cannot, tterefoiat look back. Let as aof, men-
ton, have any halting. I will put my bead on its propriety." '
In 1824, Rufus King took a truly repuUicaD staad In the fleaaCa, ngallMt i
—Van Buv^n and bis confedeiates were oflmHted, and on the 7tli.of Jaa., IMK, Hr. KlBf deeUae^ a re-alectioa^ ,
f« he knew ke could not be retnrned. His sons went- with Adans'& adiytalairafion, and soon ezpeH^oed toe
UM>st biuerenuuty from the Araus.
I have spoken of" Aristides," a pli
I have spoken of " Aristidea,^ a patpphlet by W. T. Vdn Keis, Van Boxei^ laWleaaliilC W>M> oj^awiOfce-
ton, and abhorred foi^igneni. " I/hIms thmf [the tawdgiteats-to AaMtteaOnM alMid,- mffB TMk tftmimtekeidim
ds cnnJcdomtes. James Pawcrs, of Catskiil, thus described foiBiga eittaeas, in a 4th of Jaly oftttioa, dellv-
latHudsonw" What is the evil that W reduced evervrepidilbc to ^itsigiiMoance and inftmy, to com*
Ctraifn 1 The intro^tuciiop offiireign J^eorganlzers ; theV wto Know'ae dMHaenee befareea a XiaiB Itad • '
ident, between liberty and Ikentloasntas : wboara IhdHlar WithltefttliiMliM, ead iacarMStkw M ii«lDa
aad wfco taow <>f no other »ar fcat Mm* wltt^» tH^jeltiwn imv^m ^** . . -. ^ , . ,
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MARRV SAVAGES RATHER THAN IRISH GIRLS. 71^
It is,^^ curious coincidence, that whiJe Crawfofd was ihus undervaluing and
despising foreig:h fnechiknics, (lie Eu^h couttef of law wfere hvmty ^srtit^ySf^^
ptinishihg them by fine and 'imprisonment for 'fendeavoringto efhigrale to the XJ. ^. \
Albert Gallatin, always the advocate of a National Bahk, wajr placed on the
ticket with Crawford, as the candidate for Vice Psresident, but hiiJ foteign bitth
seemed to have maited his fortune, insomuch that he had fo leave the cocnrse
before the race was over.* ' '
In Mireh, I8I6, at th« close of that War, in Which foreign bofri c^ikenift — •
from Lawrence, who closed his eyes in death, exolaiming **'Doh*t give up th^
ship!*' to the gallant Ctlpt. Blakely of the Was^p-— and the sons of foreigners,
from Commodore Charles Stewart to Commodore' McI^onough-^-^Histifiguisked -
themselves among the bravest of ttie brave, and the tfUest of the true of Ame-
rica's sons, William H. Crawford, being at that time Setr^tar^ ait War, to wh^ '
station he was called, after his European tour as Anibasi^or to Napoleon, gaf e
vent to his hatred of the men of Europe in' the following report'^ Rresodofit''
Madison on Indian affairs. From that day fo^Fward, Noah, ytfa iBilren, Wright, "•
Butler, Cambreleng, Barker, and the Nativs faction became his friends, afi^
only deserted him when hope was lost.
« To Janies Madison^ Presideiit of the United States ; * • •
If the system already devised has not produced all the effects which were
expected from it, new experunents ought to be rtmde ; whcft arecy ^^t to.,
introduce among them/ [the Indian savages,] ideas of exclusive property in
things real as welLas personal shall fail, let intermarriages. bet\«{een,theut and
the whites be encouraged by the. (government. This cannot fail to. preserve
the race, with the modifications necessary to the enjoyment of eivil Jibeiriy^aiid
social happioBss. It is believed, thftt the principles of humanity in this instance,
are in harmonious concert with the true .interests of the natioQf it will redound
more to the national honor to incorporate, by a humane and benevolent policy,
the natives of our forests in the great American family of freedom, THAN TO
RECEIVE, WITH OPEN ARMS, THE FUGITIVES OF THE OLD
WORLD, WHETHER THEIR FLIGHT HAS BEEN THE EFFECT OF
THEIR CRIMES OR THEIR VIRTUES. I have the honor to be, &g.,
WILLIAM H. CRAWFORD."
We have shown the impartial reader, on the clearest evidence, thai Van
Buren, Cambreleng, Noah, Butler, CroswelJ, Wright and . their copfederates,
trampled on the constitution, and violated the right of instruction, to place in
Monroe's seat, in 1824, a man of a narrow, contracted mind, because h^ was."
prejudiced against the equal rights of our citizens of fiJreign birth, and the :
* Blair, of th« Washinfrton Globe, copied tha foilowinff cenanie of Daniel Wehster, when he was Secretary of^
State, from 6ryanl*ii Evening Post : [How «hai>p they l<x>k aflkei us Einslisii, binh, Dutch and Scotch !j
'* The appointment of a man named Reynolds, an alieiuhy M& Weintert to a piace in the depai^ent of jitate
has astonished those who knew him in this city, * * * The indecencif 0/ this aanoinnttMHt.of an o/ieii, to a ^ t.
post in the department which has the charpe of oar foreimt rrtaiiona), wM suiiprifle tattm who have j^t lUe us,
ceased to lie sarprised at nnythins doAe t>y Mr. Webster.^ ■
Vi'haf eohld be more edifyinft tnan to see these pretended fnends of tiu9 stranger, almost In hysterics becnujie .
ove foreigner had obtained a petty clerkship to copy papers ? Langtree and O'Sallivan wem partners in trade
at Washington. They snpplied Congress wiih a vast amountof atati<Hiery, chwgiiig doable what they themr-
selves paid for innny articles, and realiziiic ewMmiccis gains. I can prore it. They wece, moreoverrJ^roprietors ^
of t%« Jbemoeratie Revitw^ which Andrew Jackson, M. Van fiurba, the Globe, And , the Albany Aigos, had
publtcly recommended, as an organr and ezp<»ient of the pdncipiee eif the. party. AU fer^s knew thai Lang-
ttee was then an alien. When tfie Review &il«d Jn Waehtogton, n^d i«B8tre# had retired firom it, he came.
t» New York and wm nMnmllzed at'tte maitee ecoK- sb^rtlv b«foi# his deat^w whan he had conipleted his
probation of five years. Langtree had excellent qualities of head and h%99%\ hu( why praise him and 4l^use
the other alien 1
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9S TAN MaSN W tWB tllUTS* SB FLATS FAAA01TK TO TBS IlIMT.
tktmskm of thft U. S. Buk. Whil« ]UiW]aM;, in the Coaventioo of Ittl,
way voting for lUUTouinl suifrage, without regv4 to property, such wasVan
Boran'i hatrad of the Iriah, and dd country people generally, that he thwarted
King and Young— went for restriction, and declared ^< that the character of the
increaaed nuiuber of votes (in N. Y. city) would be such as would reader the
elections rather a curse than a blessing ; which would drive from the poJis all
sober-ounded people." CUnton was kind to the Irish, and unwearied in his
eiSirts to educate all classes. What has Van Buren done for education!
Louis M'Lane, now U. S. minister at London, told a friend one day, that during
aU the time he sat with Van Buren in Jackson's cabinet,. he never knew him to
pcopeae pr take much interest in any great measuris for the public good, but
where anything was to be done by intrigue or party n^inagement, he (V. B.)
was always the most active.* On referring to Van Buren> letter to Hoyt,
Albany, January, 4^ 1829^ it will be seen that he woukl have avoided the
appoialment of Judge Swanton, one of the United Irishmen of ^8, but as the
city liked the Judge " he did not see how he could avoid the appointment, "f
CHAPTER XVIII.
Ttoo Piefiiret cf • FiMieian.^Van Bunn, ^iayoj Butler tmd Mfcrcy^ frkndfy
to the U. S. Bank,-^They prote its Charter Ucmtilutumal. ^Crawford and
Gallatin's Crawnina Merits— Monroe^ Crawford^ Madisouy and Marshall <w»
the Bank', — The Albany Argus.--' Thomas Ritchie and M, M, Noah on Jack-
son. — Van Buren on a National Bank. — The Albany FeiiHon to Biddkfor
a Bank, and Who Signed k.
In the New York American^ of April, 1840, conducted by Gbarles King, the
son of ^at.same Rufus King, whom: Van Buren had aided in 1813 and sup-
* V«n Buren wms appointed, by the legislature, a Senator of the United States for N. Y., in February, 182i, and
took hie seat in the U. 8. Senate, beaide Rufus King, his eolhacue, at the opening of the I7th confress^ oo the
3d of December that year. He remainedin the Senate till elected governor of N. Y. in iSSS—and afterwards pre-
sided fo«r years in it,fr<mi Msieli, 1833, until Marcli, 1837, as Vliie President of the Republic. In 18S1, iieing
then S8 yean old. a rendcnt in Albany, and a Senator elect at Washington, he was chosen by Otsego county a
delegate to the State Convention tp amend t|ie Constitution.
In the U. 8. Senate, he supported R. M. Johnw>n*s very popular and humane proposition, to al>oliKh linpriKm-
Birnt for ddit, and gained pnMIc approbation by »q doing^Noah and <xher editors copying his speeches, on this
and the dectorsl law, more especiallv the latter, by request through Jesse Hoyt, or some other follower. He
was ten some time chairaiaa of the judiciary committee but his propositions for improvement, like the appoint-
ment of Taney and others, did little good. He 9eems tu have been rw Iteeping the members of the Supreme
Conrt on the Circuits, while in this state he and his party separated the appellate J urisdictitm altogether from the
cireoit and jury business. He very justly termird the power of impeachment, at Washhifton, '* the sear«<ereto
of the eonscitution." lu 1620, Van Buren opposed Adamses administration when it proposed tosend commissiun-
en or agents jo the congress at Panama. His arguments, and those of President Polk are not much hi accordance
wkh the views of the lfttl«r as id non-mterference in our day. Clinton was a peat friend to internal improve-
meiiUi,.by the gencrid government— Clay. Adams, Calhoun, Von Buren, McDume, and other men of the demo-
cratic par^, had been so— bht on the IMh of December, 18SS, Van Buren offered resolutions, declaring *' that
Concresp does not possess ii» power to make roads and canals within the respective states." He liad just made
the discovery, it seenlis, though his new light did not e::^end to forbid congress from voting any Bumlier of thou*
sands of dollars to mfke a bar1>or at Oswego, where he has a valuable property that came easy to him. If Van
Burea was sure that the United Sutes could hot lawfully sMufcs the it>ads, how is it that I hud him votii^ \n the
Senate to exaet toIl« on the Cumbeilaad road ? Strange, indeed, that it is unlawful to moke tiie road itMlf, and
yet lawful to establish toll bars on it, and exact perpetual tazatton, after you have made it hi defiance of all law !
' Preeident Moaroe kept hhn right in praeSee, ftr he vetoed his turnpike loll act.
. 1 1 mifht flU a vt>luiiie with evidence df the heartfelt hosiiilty to men of foreign birth, which Van Buren and his
eonfederates have tried to conceal since the advent of Jacksen and demise of Clmton. The Ibllowhig extract
from Van Buren*s lerterloGansevooit Melville, of 12lh Mazeh, 1S44, sounds oddly, when read with some other
yasieiges hi thfa work :
'* Driven from ill-fhted Ireland and iuoppcesskms, the Ihmily of Oen. Jackson sought refdge in tliis now happy
..... AtsaBgam ., ^ ^ ,
that early age, like hla DlwtrloM ee.worfiiriDtbc|fM«tcMMorimiMai1ghla, *ew«ceettai«lfliuiatf tocvtqr
USd of tyraniqp cyvet tfw nM o^nMOk* **
)^ set this tM very MMwe of hypooi^r Y
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mMA§tnmih wm m m^ 9\lfi%pmi¥mhii
fl&'V f. Ftii*"' ior New York^ .ind who, like Solomon Sputb- r
wii|^i<|ii Jul <OiorfkNll>L 'Jnmm o( asceitaitiioE \'aa BuretiV tn]e character, the »
fbllfll»i»g ;«(ttcte. Tiift^,jl/)i«^ ^r^K.^ copitiuTtt ao the 7th of that moDth, md
HfjiaiiUl i ^mtobI ii(.jihliat »gaiD;>t KiDg, for wliich Cromwell yvaa prosecuted.
I Aak . iMunheriof Ibti Ar^u^, aad r^^olved to judge of the charges a r
(Kim t&N/y/AmeriUn-copied into the AllMayAt«!«;Apt»^ ■ t *U{ ^'
'^liK't'V^Mft^BHiealt: ftrfltliy puliijctaii laereif, H^ ha« uov^er be^j^ au^'Uiin^ else; and to
hlMfcjPtjilffiiH fUttOQ^ajMi. the kiii<xes.s uf hin party, are Uiv firiH uaftAidctralion alwayi-. If
tM^X^ea to cofnci5p with the publk welKire. the hvu will be prtmiLtt^ to;^ber i If, nti th«
oi^jSa^tiky ihoufi* cohttfct, aJJ too niTteh loev h^ve done, the ptibJie welfeiie wcrald moiii
aiiWidiy-WfMWitftdibe(to'<fci|rg«rtk Bwh hai betJi;Mr. Vrh Burcri's p^ csneet.md ihe^e ^
ii >ll#llii(| 111 hmi hm flii llii i i |;Miiica.L morality, ui auihurize &q exfKi4:tation that ihe fixiiu-e
ie <&i$r\h^fi)re2and we isk the attention'of tfifer jmbtic to fltfi tniMlftiJ iidritolliidMb^
lof ivlir Mtr^lklj^t BHtafA inay^ «r this ilotiiM^ iBilMlf^ tiAi tBQ»Uii»«ttlMriiiiiM
wiAent mc aid of a war.
'^ Wl-: ARE AWARI'rrHATTHiSHVPOTKKSrs^IlVfPnTESTU MK VAN BUitHrv
A TOTAL ABSKNCE: OF MORAL PRINCfPLE, aucl presenf^ him tn The ii:^ht (jf a inan
pu illicitly b<?iit upon hiG own bfi'X'^^, fti* Lo f\hy fiif fE fhe tlespCTUte ha^^aid of war, with All
rfirrlhY- H^ HAS NO CifiNERUUS AMBITION— NO NOBLE, DlStNTERESTEEL*
SX'tF-KACaitlOJNG t^ATRlOTmM-NO ENTtinsijLSM POR TRUTH ANO*
RIGHT AS SITBSTANTIVE VifiTrTES. HE Ig A POLnnCAL OALCULATOilPi
AND SCHEMER, AND NOTHL^G MORE. ^
*' k 1m, (heictsre, nrt unjust ti* him, a^ we vhswhln charaLtor, to iwatrt, that if war with Cjkeatj
Britain bihall hold out a. prubabiiity uf Biisrainin^ ihe prCtcnt adjuinidtration ia puwcr, tw,
may be pniTciked/' , , li/
iwiip^ di^s^ptioft o/ an ex-presldfini timleir the editdriif h^lg tP Aj^
^'Mr. Van Bureii liA^ LITTLE MORAL FAITH OP ANY KIND^ hardy cddu^h to
notd rW anifidal pidtfflliorn'r btMly- f*r mind. Thia fi«£cienuy drives him into an axti^ciai
' codedf poiilital pra elites in which he mfitts aM s^jcial acdona lo individual interests, and all
jxjlitittal aciioiw to cambinatiijns of thosft intrrtsr^. TIE BRLrR-VES FIRMLY LN THE
ijrcti of manai^Timenr, or the COOL, COXSIDKRATE, ARTFUL APPLICATION OF
GENERAL PROPOSITIONS TO THE EXISTING TF.MPER AND OPINIONS OP;
THE MASSES, a» f4r as tlieae ean bt; a^oertamcd, iwd WITHOUT ANY LEADINGL
REFERENCE TO THEIR PROPRIETY or iurabUity. Ui^ -en^rij-Ii/^tion of m^d^l ph«7
mwem iv^vet re^ht.^ ,kj fer ai*to> A MORAL POW'ER, OR NECESSARY TRUTH in
|r|ibljc ppiniun ^ hut hf sfiiiply deal;* with rtif cf^lt^'i^tivf? rjpintena nfmeii, a« manifi^sted by th^
rt^4*cnjtatlve<, or nthprwiF^e V'i>n'i^pk(Totirt iiidl^riihitife iWim, pt ajiirnjt: tiie prr,i>1r, hv iiit^ang of
u£rtai£i ea?*y rulcfi a i»a k jj^uni* lo atldiiifm^ ^tibtraiiutitn, um1li|jti« atiuTi aoit ti\s i-k-m in arithmetic;
HelwlowKswlwily Iff tlir prptfennime, AND MAY BE ^AIDTO REFKKSHN 1' TRADING
OR BUSINESS POLITICS. HE IR TFlE VERY IMPERSONATION OF PARTY IN
n^ STRICTEST FEATUEIES OF FORMAL DISCIPLINE AND EXCLUSIVE; GOM^
ftlN ATION. He is cpremoniuuij, polite, reserved, in manner, very small, and eitroinely neat
in person." ^
Tbe hUtonr of Van Buren's connection with the United Stateg Bank^aili.
Au insUisLUom d^atiDg. in money, ^IH, I tbink^ satisfy every <5Wi4^dl^ iiR|yin)|c
agl^ tlMttlie i$ the lotfol, Hoprineipled, (poUtiool calooktor, 9bove^Jk9cnM£T
lEe^ eaptaan or chief of a hand of hypocritical knaves, whg assumcf Xbt'^JfSb^
4BiBiiwfni<y» aiid the najff)« otp^Hbts, the Ntter and more eflfectimBy td fcii^fi
i l WyfMi aj^j ttnd iarore tiie public. . • ^r:.t
^ff akm4«r win turn to pige 190, be l^riU M bj^Vai^ ]S^ir^'r.JUp@|;^
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
vMltti9M'%tm'^*'%» 4miMmm^t^m9^n.BiML
W^^^ir-Maw. Ciitiiiiie. wha' catuaimd by Mm «8 fMr ttMM^nld^lt ilifM$^ <
aijt ttiwt he ba* Ihjt a peconiaTf as wteU a» a plliliaai mte«&. ^ Wutmhv #
piVek T9U8' totKD m Albahy, wx may tiAnci <wa laaafB M^rmf^ mfmjmn^j .
mTHlT, THE PARTT Cjilf SDaVXVS A THOVaAETP^ flKlti tt>]fftflbnaMI)^ M^¥(W
Blum to his confederate, Jesse Hoyt f whom lie iMlr«ctedt«t4ke fApi^ittli^
with refineaca ^ tbe qualificaliops of the new editor to be sought after. Leaka,
Canftme's partner, was, as HammotKl tells us, '' in feeble heam, and of an «x-
^^|alefJr lienrvto tem|>erameiic ; so ibuch so as-q«iit» unfiMd bia ^M^tha^ialifi-
ca|.aiN3ip of AJhany ;V— but B. F. Bu[tler, J^sse Hoyt. John 0««r, and ndi^
jNMMldW' Bdarki CioafraU, an editor al GatniuII, to alkiw h^elf (o foe axUnl^
aiflidi 1m- tte loAklure as state priorter ; aad a law f&md. tha s^ttai0 a9)4 «
assemblf, Martth 31, 182d, appdntiag €tmmt^ md LeakatotWioaMliw
^Kmhwgh CuoiBWj^l has held from that day to ^is, with th6 xnki^flitk^ ti m
fmrmiul maalhiirf llmUmm whea tbe wh^ we^^ in the aiajprity * an^ ftia^
ira pMif that Van fiami^ war^^ry af rotalMtt ia affioe^.iaylibfi jiis oUi^f .
p^ttriyral ivfchiaofy^ Use a^. hyi^utical^ in mockery and dierisiM^^f the «!« <
: fianmaod traiy^^eaonbaa CrotweA a« ^*<;ool^ canUgus, and ci^ldlw;.'''
f;i|)l:«n^ Us^lMruelki9t1« Noi^, saat thuomh Hoyt, No. 13d, paga I95^|^w '
t#; ialp for^ai^ {kawCoo-d, ^ a^ilee ean^dk^^ tf>e piitiotily ocateri^iamV
mmm cnmildata^ tVe United. 3tatas Bank (»aidi<U^ of 1824. WW^ccUU'b^ ^
more artful and deceptive I B. F. Butler^ qpisUe^ ' pfll^pi f yigittea t^e 4|3^/
b(|ibM OroaweR's, to the tmmB pstaoa, and for the saasa.farpase. |JSlIo. 6li;p.
We have seen that Butler and his partner. Van Buren, with Cuai^^bAlj-OkHf^'
^^g^Wrif^ Hcgrt^ Noalw l«iriwtQn, Barker^ Lot.Clafk, FUigfl\ Mu^^ Skiii-
^r,]tnowjM:^ Eaton, Vaa Ness,' Ritchie^ Fors^h^ Barbbur, H^es df^wSfle,
aWCainlHr^lpni, w^re, in>J^^ front rank of the supporters ^ If: H:.
Crawford for President, in oppo^tlon to Jackson. In the (all of tbat yean lust '
brfore the general election, a series of sketches, laudatory t^ Ciawforc^ ma-
aiMfMrfiag km siapm^ chJm lo the j^eaideney, 0Yer/C^y=, b^cauae.^ 19^1)
aM at dl'Othef tmftes^ he had defend the principle of a aatiooal baiA^.iw Om
ffiiMAj^ It was bom use^ and constitutional, appe^ired m the AHnmf Arfu9. -
't% maltefis 4iMe who wrote the sketches, signed Americanus, jnid pr«wbiy '
fmstti fa^B. F. BaHet^ who helped Croswell in the editorial yrs^y^ in these jlSiaea^
aSFiWg«nd Dix hare doiie m more recent canlesta; their inpei^Maoe JiMweib
A(m w he^ that tbay appeared in fhtpc^ fit Van Buren*, Us Bioiith»^ltaa
^ F^^pcalgrf und were deUberately enidorsed by his editor, 9^ hejln||^ the w&it^
ilmrt» of Vaa Boren damoeracy ia 1824. Here i«i the endfMTsement by tb<i
A^^m-^ m$i Hui e^it^Mra of ^ Natioiial hftelhgenoar (idinwya for iba> ha^tc)
cOjpBi%Qc^ X ; gave it their " ftiirooncurrence^^' and te thoso di^a mtimt^
€«|$ Aal lt«ti» Vfo Biimi was a " r^win rapi]d>li^.'^ '\ '] ] ^,
[From the Albany Argus, October, 1884.3 . ., ,
" We ask the attootion of Republicans to the sixth niunber af the SkeUhes, not because
Bditor «rti
. * ** Out dC tb«> iSNllBtl fi^vrw 0f « Pemoetaeys is rot^itifin in dtct, and where ^ man Hke jtjlie Sditi
Mm^i hit for eigftteeti years, ws belleye, gleaned tbe e^onbods mfecfc tneome ortbat flppawMMat,
\t£jmkti Ji ^mmamA aSyg t a w aM ^ bis palMeal twsitiBa, be mm be tbe bfeait <<tesl i»Ciueaim«saaBA«vw(a|L,
iasttMgia.to abow Oiat he Is preeeribed in his removal. - tt* be has not fed long enough at the poblftS^^lK^
dKmmisMiie oTfotation in office is mere deception. Besides, tbe oStoe wts wigkiatly obiainsd M^f^iAm*^
maftwim ilnd fitpfcmr. I «m ■omiMtod. by a DamocnMio iMMMfttwa as State Pnatei^bBt Van Burin asBPIr
iKim g that 1 wonld not answer his objects and intentions, set Jesse fioyt and other UtAM at uroih vA^mmm
SM, aad bi«Qibt up CnsaweiJ, then editing a paper at Catsktil, and he was ekaated sp)tb sa otlMt <clabM:4laa
Digitized by ^OOQ IC
1 ^
itktli^l!Mt,Vat tecaoM it Ium intriitfie worthy atod, in the |iretent fmrtote of otir politiotl
affairs ^ pecoliir interest In ptrting with t]^ author, and with his fpoductions, we can only
assure him, that IF UKDENIABtS AND COOfirTT TRUTHS, ooKvayed in the languaga
of reascm aiMl candor, ably and clearly aa it has b^eu in this iastamoe, CAN CONFIRM
H0I^8T OJ^INIONS, or remove holiest prsiudices, th€ sati^adion cf ktmngdane m%ch in
this wa/t/i is his" ^
I will now give the reader a »eeiiiian ciUbm^ undeniable and tec^nt truflrt-* '
of Ammetmus m the Albany Argus of Oct., 16d4, which Messrs. Gales and
Seaihm copied on the Iltfa of that month ; and which are calculated, as Mr.
Van Boven^ cautious, cool, and calculatiae month-piece tells u«| to *< confinn
HONEST opinions, or remove HONEST prejndkcs i^
[Ttcm the Albany Argus, eopM iito Uis Nattonl IstslUiMMr, OM. 11,-1891]
'^Itisundonbtadlytniethataiaajodty ofthsjD^ubUoaapaiiy iatheUmon w«»{in ISU],
to Tarioiis reasons, opposed taa ren«waloftha[Uailed8catssfiaiikJCharter; anditis alsfl
probable that the opinio^ of those who voted in its i^vor wste at variaiice with the seatimeati
of a majority of the nation. Foxthemore, the oppoaitidn to the hmk was, in a gf^ai deigiae,
political, and many firm members of the democratic party dqveeated its renewal, either on
m^ party grounds, or because th^y viewed it as a msamre fraught with pernicious conse*
queoces. All this I cheerfully admit, and surely it is all that the most stubborn imppirti|d|ty
demands. On the other hand, rr is not true that the opposmoN to the bank bill was
EXCLUSIVELY POLITICAL, OR TQAT ITS SUPPORT INV(H«V£I> ANY nSRBUCnON OF REPUBLICAN PRIN-
CIPLES, OR ANY ABANDONMENT OF THE ADMINISTRATION. 6a the contrsiy, the subject was con^
nected with many grave questions of constitutional law and political economy, AND, SO FAR
AS THE WISHES OF MR. MADISON WERE CONCERNED, THEY WOULD
PROBABLY HAVE BEEN BEST ANSWERED BY THE U^CORPORATION OF A
NEW BANK* on a judicious basis. And if any further evidence is required of the views of
* In Fcbraary, 1791, Mi. Jefienoa delWaed an «Uboi«ts opinioii liowiaclbat Sn fscorponted Buik of the V.
8. was unconstitutionaL
Mr. Monroe, ,iii a letter to Silas E. Burrows, dated Jan. 90, 1831, stoftet, that he had fnuod, during the last war,
that " uxM the union to threatened with min, no ktaoe can be obtained in mnelgencies, wlthnat a Natiobal
^ank, otherwise than «t« great iti^rifice. These considerationa (said hS) led to a change In tny opinion, and
indnced me to conpar with the President in the propriety of instituting each a bank. aAer ths conclusion of
the war in 1815. As to the constitutional ohjection, it formed no'serioos obstacle. In votTfn^ against It in the
first instance, I was governed essentially by policy. The construction I gave to the constitution I considered i^
•tiiet one. In the latter instance it was mora iiberal, bat, according to my judgment, Jiistiflcd by its powers.'*
in December, 1831, VV^m. H. Crawford, Cambieleng, Wright and Tan Buren*s favorite in 1824, wrote to Chas.
J. IagerM>l, in these words t-"'* The opinion which I formed of the Bank of the United States when ( was a
neniber of the Senate, was the result of a careful examtnaiion 6C the Constitution of the United States, made
without any prectmeeived opinions. That opinion is recorded in two speeches which I made in the Senate in
I$ll. Since that time I have bad no occasion of reviewln.' the question. Mf opinion remains unaltered. I
wM Secretary of the Treasury more than eight Tieafa, and daring tint time X had ample evidence of the great
iitility of a Bank of the United States, in managing th« fiscal concern's of tl^e Union. I am persuaded that no
nnii, wliatever hie pre-eonceived opinion may be, can praside over the treaaury a year, wittinut being deeply
hiipivsaed with'tliQ expediency of the Utiited litates Bank in eonduc^ng the flnaneas of the Union.*'
Mr. Allen, of Ohio, in the If. of R., Washington, June, 1840, in a dlseUsslon on the subtreasury, said : ^ When
Iiec^llect thnt thirty-two of the fiilrty-nine fhuners ef the Gonttitoiioii, at one time or another, officially ivn-
tmined a Nattooal Bank, and that almost one-half of the thirty-nhie MfMe In the Onnsress of *91 that cbartsred
the tarn Bank; when i rejCoUect that Washington, and Jeillfc«on,and MadlaDa, and Monroe ; and last, and least
«p eoastitatlonal points^ Andrew JaeksiHi hlneaif, have pappoM snoh an instltnttofl, and that -the Supreme
Court, with John Marshall at Its head, affirmed its conititntioaaiity ; and, too, what may have more influence
than aii with some gentlemen about me, when I raeotlect that the charter of tte late Bank was passed as a
. Democratic, wax-party measure, afiainst the votes of the Federal party, and that its passage was esteemed a
party triumph, I could not doubt, if so disposed, that we have rightnlly the power to make a third bank.**
In 1831, in a letter to Chas. J. Ingersol, p# H., FiealdAst Medison thai acates hit reasons for eigning the U. S.
Bank charter, in 1816 :
enralli
nnnUal Ivniaimww ivbugMiuwus , m uiiv juvwiiivo, tuuevH, wim CL }foo<uv« mpmwauwD oi it miu b. tmyr 9t»i«t wui
wUh the entim acqoiescenee of all the local authorities, as well at the natfon at large : to all of which Inay bs
added a decreasing nrospect of any change in the publie opinion advfne in the eonsiitutionality of such aa in-
atttqtion. A. veto from the Gxecntive, under these ehvumataseea. with an admisilon of the expediency and
Ahpoat neoewity of the measuro, would have keen a deianee of all the ^UifHttoas derived from a course ef
spSfffdenH amounting to the reqnisita evidence ef the oathMua Jodflneat aBdhUoatlon."
iB W18»the viesttoBof thecdHititaiftBOiai^ of lbiBai*.or*eiMe«0tates€affie up Px aiJOiidlaMoii te
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Godgle
7d DEMOCRACY T-WEi^V S^IEXVS i^Cf.-^^^Vt' imk FOE EVER !* ^
the administration, it wifl be Ibund fit the fact that Ae Secretary of the Trtksury ^ilifeftljiiffa-
dnj, when applied to by tlie committee of the Senate for his opinion, expre^ly stated^' that'%
deemed a renewal of the bamk as esservtiall'y necessary to ihJb operations <ff g&vemmcnt. '
«• The opposition to the irenewal of the bank grew 6m of various considerations, "Many'w^
opposed to the'bfll [of 1811], becoAise tkey idjere ofopinM that Congress did not possess the c&iisSir
tfuMonal pmoer to pass it; others, because they thought it, for political or other reasons, inexpe-
dilQt and dangerous ;^ ^ ot^r^^ a^^ain,^ ^)t}^. |;c9uxuis. Man^ rspMicafu supporii^ if p.]
because^tiey deemed su>cA an iTistituti^etsenOalJo iJie i^Uerests of the coufUry^ andjk^^^m^mkf'^
of tJl0 government / aiid (2.} beeutise^the^^ kad no ^Umhis ^i^ tkt wi^tutiifnaii^ jf ih^ imntmtk
M&€mwfi^wa^pneQ^h^AjUA^her,sPr^pftth9ino^^ E^iSfiRiSi^^QB
HAS PROVED THE COmyECW^' OF.. TJEJB; FiRSIV POSJOTlONj Afm* TUt
PEOPLE, through their representatives, HAVE RESPONDED IN FAVOR OP THE
OTHER. ' • : ' . V
" In addition to these general views; 'ttiere ^#ere oAers of a special character, which had a
bettrfng on the question. In vatiwis parts of the'ITnion, public sentiment was decideffly in
fitter of the renewal of Ae chahcr ; this "^Jras espefeJally the case in the smaller States, wfic^
interests were supposed, byfiie advocates of the bank, to be somewhat concerned in the ques-
ti6n. Hence," both the republican Sei^ktors from Georgia, andfeany of the republican "repre-
sentatives from other small States, in bodi Houses,* voted for the bill. And it has never been
doubted fliat the vote of Mr. Crawford was in strict accordance with the opinions and wiidies
of his constituents. '
'** It is loeU kfunvn thatthteo^eriencs if the' countnj, during the late war with Great Britain,
n&rtmgH a change in the feelings of tfie nation^ on several important questions of public policy.
THE EXPEDffiNCY OP A NATfONAt BANK IS AKfONG THE NtTMBilR; and,
whatever opinions may hav6 prevailed in 18U, it will not derogate at this time from the
character of Mr. Crawford as a statesman, to have FORESEEN THE NECESSITY OF
PRESERVING THAT ORGAN OP THE GOVERNMENT, AND TO HAVE ANTI-
CIPATED, EN THIS RESPECT, THE JUDGMENT OP THE NATION."
To this defence of Crawford and the Bank, there is a note added, to say that
" Mr. Adams was not a member of congress at the determination of this qaes-
tion [1811]. Had he been there is the highest reason to believe that he would
have voted for the renewal of the [U. S.^ank] charter."
As the Albany Argus for 1824 is not in the state library, it is probable thut
in all the discussions of the bank question since 1828, the above strong declarar*
tion of Vata Buren for thefU. S.'fiank, has not before been quoted. The Argus
affirms, that " experience has proved " that a national bank is " essential to thfe
interests of the country and the convenience of the government ;" that the
people have responded that the bank is constitutional — that the experience of
the nation during the late war, ^through. bank suspensions and bank losses,) had
changed the national feeli^ iij wvor of ^ the expediency of a national bank— aiwl
that Crawford's wisdom had enabled liim to foresee, what Clay had not then
seen, " the necessity of preserving that organ of the government," in which he
the Supremo Court of the United 8taM«, in the casfe of McCulloch vs. the Slate ef Maryland. The cahse lva«
6liiQi»t»ly aifoed, and in the 6aiaiBiri«Ctottrt't>ft)wU. 8. <;Mef Justice Marghall delivered tlie jtidgment bf
the court, as follows, [4 Wheaton, 316.]
** Alter the naost mature detifefemCkAlt 'lt-t« the uHaMimons And decided opinion of this court that the act to
IneorpcMn^ a Bank of the United Staties is i Law made in pmsHattCe of the ^provisions of the Constttutlou, si^
iBftfiaKlofthe supreme Law of the Hand.*' • ^ ■
ttis laid by some that thejudg* orltogi^lator, bcAng 'sworn to support the constitution, must support It, ac-
covdint to the meaning he may snppese it to have, without regard to other men's opinions or the dethtiOM of
co««ts. ** Has the wisest and most comeientSWtiAi judge /says Mr. IKsdisoA) ever scrupled "to ac<;hidtee in o§ci«
siovs in which he has been overruled #y the matuwd ophnOns'^Of the majority of hb coneaguesffi^ |"X^'<^
quently to conform himself thelete, m. vt •ottoiitative exposttieiiB of thei'lilw %** Mr. Taney set up hh b^Mft
agatejtt the law of Congress, suocestiv^ pi«sMSMs, ««« ih#iftiaftin*s«i^ 4Ma^-^t ihe Stiprcmf &mi of th«
United States. For so doing he was mi ide the chief justice of that court !
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« jy ^ . ^ VAti.J^f^y |^'^K9V)^ jJAf X-fT^N^ ANP TpE BANK. 77
h^ " anticipateii the jatkipent of the. nation," The Argus not only endorsed
Cmwford in th^ fall of 18^, but also the IT. S: Bank dllarter of 1816, and the dd
U". S. Bank and its renewal in 1811 — and Ajben Gallatin \<ras glorified for having,
on the 30th of January that year, responded to W. H. Crawford's note of the 29th,
that he desired to see the, bank renewed — that the bankihg system was firmly fixed
— rthat he hadibiind banks necessary to the collection knd ^afe-keeping of the re-
venue — that it was self-evident that the public naOneys were safer when deposited
weekly in the banks,* than when anowed"(subtreastiry fashipii) to accumulate in
the hands. of collectors (as Hoyt aiid SXvartwout have jsince'aemonstrated)-^that
state (deposit or pet) banks .would have t© be Used, if the U. S. Bank was put
down, but would be Jess safe and ^bnyenieht — that thfe government could control
the tJ. S. Bant, bub not the ^tate banks-^ahd that asyltem which had been tried,
proved, and found to work w^ell and safely for the public, should not be des--
troyed, and an expertment evidently lesi ad^i^iantage^ws, substituted — that as the.
stock of the bank was p^tly owned by foreigners, provisions might be notade m
the tiew charter, giving that portion of th^ capital io new stockholders, and
such other modifications as Congress might desire to make — ^that he believed
the bank and its branches to be coni^titutional — and 4hat as the merchants owed
the bank fourteen millions, and ten or twelve more on bonds for duties to the
United States,, as trade had been unfaybrable^apd m^ny losses met witb abroad,
as seven milHons would be payable ta foreign stockholders, if the bank stopped
(whose ccwA. would not lie idle whether it wfej^ j>eac^ or war), and as the baijk
had thirteen millions of its' paper afloat,* which w^swld not be succeeded by a
better currency in the notes of the state banks, he f Gallatinj thought the U. S.
iiank by iar the best of the only alternatives he knew or had heard of.
All this Van Buren and his confederates believed in, in 1824; and Crawfoird
for PresideiU, Gallatin for \Cice President, 4Bd a nafional bank and branches,
and down with Jackson ! was thie party «ry. How* changed in 1828-9 ! and
without even a shadow of reascm ! !^ * .*'.-.
« Van Bands'f oftd&rbiograpft^, ffolIaUd, tolls u« that o»fliel9t1i^ Feb.f4811, the Vlc» Presid^nt-ttf tlia
U« S.,'€eiMml e«orf» Chntan, m vl«d tbe fat»af tbe^oU U;S4B«nk br 8i*^ ¥» cftBtiag yot» afaliist Craw-
ford'* blH to r«B9«r (ts charter— Bhil that thuf vote " wvs wannly (iefende^ and juatified by Mr. Van BHicn."
<p. 85). '* Mr, Van Bnren ardently and vigorously sustaintod this bol(J act of patriotism.'*
It1» very probaWe that Van. Bur^ wag opposed to the IT. S. paifk iit'lSll, for he was at that time a re8pec^
ftd ana a*piring tbllower or siif»porter of the Ollntdn^ fkmily: • He waa just aft BUting and vlcoroos on behalf of
tt|^ U. S. Bantc jn }»l^ whpn Madison signed the 3d charter'^-Mid in i824> when Crawford was his &Torite
candidate for the presidency, because he-Md bee^i a consistent friend of a national banJc. In 1839 he professed
a strorig antfbathy to the Bank— but it was onlv wljh the view that his tonfederatos and partisans might di-
vide afiionir them more securely, many m!Uimis of pnbHc plunder. '»
In his message of Dec. 5, 1840, Van RorenreiUon thus :• . .
*vlf a Ji|i|$9!»f»rB»j»k was, AS JS VNBENI4BL5, 1: . pUDIATtlD By THB PRAMEES OP THECONSTl-
TpTIONas ineorapatihle with .the rights of the Si^teo uad the liberties of the people ; if, from the beginning,
it has been regarded by large portion* of ohr citizens as coming in direct coTllslon with that great and vital
amendment of the constitmion, whicii declares that all power» not eonf^rred by that instrament on the Gene-
ral eevemraant are feserv^eii to the SUatea and te tbe poople ; if It faas been viewed by them as the first great
step in the^ar^h of latitudinons qpnatructMua^ which, uncheeked, would render that sacred initrument of as
little value as an unwrhten constitution, dependent, as it would alone be, for its meaning, on the interested
interpretation of a dominant party, and affording no security to the rights of the minority ;— if such Is nndenl-
aHf file eas^ whtil ratioaal |protin4s eould have been covceive^lbr antuiipating atight but determined opposi-
tion to such an institution at the present day 1"
In his letter to Sherrod Williams Aug. 6^1d3<V h^^ys : . ' ^
** The constitution dpos not give Congress power to erect corporations within the states. This was the nain
fifH»iiftit.3tm^Mn*ti cMebriMI o|»htieii agakistthe eMabltohmeot of tR<^ first National Buik. It te an objec-
iffwwhkh nothtBgietaert of an^aifi^ndQipnt to the coii^t^tiAtvatt can leaiofe. We know it to be an histdrieia
le^pt, U^ the convention refused td^t^nfor thai powe^ on Congress, aq<i I am opposed to ito assnmption by it
npoi^ ^rty pretence whatever. I hoW it to be sufflclenily certain that a vast majority of the people of the
United States were opposed to thiflat* Bank, and are equtJiy opposed to a new one. They have had fearfhl
MO^ by «B»rt act»ef tiie corr«:tness of Mr. JefibDion's opfvton, Aat i this Institutlbn is one of the most deadly
^ostuity ejUfting egtlsnst theiirkiciples a^d f^rm of ^or con|||^utio«i' and of the reasonableness of his appre-
hensions, that ' penetrating by its branches every part of the t^iUpn, acting by command, and in phalanx, it
might, in a critical moment, upset the government.'"
. ^-h^ demoenoic pjwfty heW a si»t^,o6pMwntio^ i4lilitiana».ibiaa|Mine d«ri|« tlM^ winter of 184SW, ^94 pro*
pojdndea, among other quesUons* to, presideatial candidates, thetilbry, Are yon for or asainat a national bank t
%ilBaren replied from Klnderhook, Feb. U,%«,tti3SW ^f"^'^ yuw*«r«r««»in«»imuo««o«i».
' '"^ke questidft of ArKa^^a! Baiilt U sQH bef^^ th« p^e^Md will eonfinue t« be so, so long m tvarlte antf
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7d ' VAN BVR£N ANB 66. iVVf JIM CROW. ^DOWN WXTR TSS ttONSTfft!'
Ia 1824, Crawford and a national bank were Thomas Ritcfaie't watehwordi i
but the moment that he and Van Burec, and Piagg, and Noah, and Croawell,
and Marcy, pious Ben. Butler, Enower, and Wright, and their Swiss comrades,
found that Jackson had the moet votes, they prepared to worship the rising sun
— ^and the mercenary presses which, in 1824, had assured us that Crawford, the
champion of national basks, was the wisest man in the Union, turned round in
182S to glorify Gen. Jackson, whose great achievement, if elected, would be
to slay ^ THE MONSTBt,' hand over the treasury to the Washington and Warren
Safety Fund Bankers, end give us a bank bankruptcy, a specie circular, the
public lands gutted by Van Buren, Wri|ht, Butler k Co., as a land company,
with a sub-^treastiry, and Isaac Hill, Stephen Allen, Jesse Hoyt k Co., for our
sub-treasurers!^
ftuiMtioB see in It the muDf of imiHIlif tb« to^«f moMf ud ^ low of powtr. IT IS OKC OF T8B
QRBaT l«BAD(N6 MUASUBM Of APAftTY WHICH WILL NEVEIL BE XZTINCT IS THJM COUN-
TAY. It is eM«ntlal to tho acqaUitton, tt wtU M to tlM proMnration of iu power, and will novar ba nlis-
qvislied while thora exists a booe of Hi attaiamtnt. I am oppoaod to tho MtftUitbnient of i^ National Bamjc
ia any foroi. or noderapy disffoiio. hoih on coBstitnttooal groandt and gronnds of exptdiency. THB P<>V^£R
TO CkEATE SUCH AN INSTrTOTlON H a8 NOT BEKN OIVBN TO OONOaESS BY THB COKSTrTU-
tlON, NEITHER IS -IT NECBSBaRY TO THE EXBRCffiB OF ANY OF THE FOWBRS WHICH
ARE GRANTED; and If exoKlsed. would be, as it always baa been, highly ^qjurioas to the public welfare. '
will be abandoned by that party whteb alwaya haa been, atlll Is, and ever will be the advocate and sujpport of
such an institution. It may lie doiMuit for a Maaon, fhnn a o6nvlotloa of its being inexpedient to levfve It ;
botiae must be blind to all Indleatleaeof the Aitvi, wbo» aaelnfr that ev«n at the very period wkm tk4 pUhmk
waat infecting the vtry air to* br $ aA t i with iti eorrvfOoM^ and when public Indignation was moat heavily
weighing on its long series of delinqnencliBi«>et (Aet verg meewkt, a mi/^unM t§tn ««« mUt t» h^tk kmui»
9i Oomgrut to er$au a $imiiiir mttsMitim, ikenkl neverthelaes lull his cautfcHi to sleep with the Jelosive idea
that the project will ever be abandoned. Moat assnredly nothing bnt the stem vigilance of the democracy will
guard it against an institution whlcli tnav thus be piostitxitecl to the rain of Indlvldnala, the disgmee of th«
country, and which, while so limited in Its power to do good, la eo potent for the perpetration of evil."
In the above declared opinions, Vwi Bnren tells the public, that It *' is undeniable ** that a mttlonal hank
—that
was *'iepudttited.by the frateeie of the conitltation**-4lHtt ** the eonstltntloii does not give eongreas the ^
to erect corporations within the statw .... the convention i«fuse<) toconliir that power on congress*'-
<a« Jeftrson said), *' this Institation li oiM of Hm ntoet demSly hoetUity ezisttng against the prtncipleii and
of our cnnstitotton"-'end ** that the old bank waa inlhctiog the very air we bieethed with iu vomiplions.**
In 1834 he sent, as a toast tea 4tli of Jnly celebration at Fniaerteksbnrgh, *' Unqnallfled and nneomproinialoc
opposition to the Bank of the UnlMd fllalM— the interest and honor ef the peepit demand it"
• I am to champioii of aattaal Kaaks. compoied of private iCockbolderB. If wt miut ksnre
Kper, let it be the ^.romisss to pay ef mt Baoon, and let the natiaa have the praSt of the
ifsues ; and if there is not mHqiuu nnrifi&tiieiP enough to nuuuup an unilbrm cfurennref na-
tional paper, let us have specie. ClaY tnd Webster asked Fonyth, Cambreleng, Wr%ht,
Van Buren, and their wortaleeB allies, in 1834, to say what better system they were to build
up, if they pulled down the aatiooal bank and remorod the deposits* The party answer, in
Congress, in the Olobe, in the Arg^u, everywhere, wa»— ** We go for the |>ets, bnt'no sub-trea-
suiy. ' Thus far, Clay and Webster were right— the change was rmnons to conmierce, to the
public morals, to western settlers, to the- widow and the orphan. Clay proposed the extraordi-
nary, and, as I think, too sweeping measure of the Bankrupt Law of 1841 ; bat it waa the
unprincipled profligacy of Van Burea, Wright, Butler, and their cdnrades, between 1836
and 1840, that secured the passage and sponging operation of that law. History tells us that
originally the republicans stoutly resisted the introduction of paper money by tne federalists ;
but, under Van Buren and his Swiss allies, the democrats have or outstripped their old oppo-
nents in spreading corporations over the land— corporations evidently too potent forevil,in>at«
ever of good may proceed firom them.
Hearken to Van Bur^ Flagg, Wrif^ and CroewelL This is &eir laagoage to the de-
mocrats of 1824 :
(FroA the KatkMl Advoeaei, ef m^ 15, 18113
" The General rjacksoa] preftrring Monroe to Medison, beeaose the fbntutr eoold slaad
blood and carnage better } his recommendatioii of n^Utary nen generally tooAee ; his avowal
that he would have bent the laws to suit h|^ purposes, and hangtid Cabot, Otis, and Lymsn^^f
the Hartford Conventioa, probabl v including their respectable secretary ; all exhibits a ti*
ROOiOUS disposUioTiy itaMmdkd by no cofutiMwndl or Ugal ^caiiirsi ckeeM by im- kumm^
<jr jiist amsiderations. R is out of the question, cot of all leaaofi, to think cf him even for a
xiioment for president."— M. M. Noah.
The editor of the AJSbmy Argus^'h/Uy 1K5f^ 18M,th«s ioohsof General Jaeksoa aad his
pinions:—" This most araul scheme lor the destmction of the republican nany [by the elci>
tion of Ja4!kson>^as secretly as it has Wen permitted to operatSH-es smoothly as it h«ahe«>
glossed over— and in as £ne phrases as it is now given to the world->is fully uadcnioed. Rt-
"^ ■ Digitized by ^OOgie
,v * f /;- , V u *. v.. M - i . i ii a- ..u ::i 09
Van bvrcn, maecy and butler bbsebcring nic« biddlb. 9^
^^ l^lit^ili^ MH>#b mt, thBl% 1M6, M. Vim BwM, W; L. lA^fi^S^
tmpriBcipkdr lb«y i^e,) Mkk^ ^BTm bMndi ImhIc of UmI V. #. iM^
. _^ y* l ^ i i ijL »i Mii ne llte'^ift€»«ii«; m4 tke Mhtskj Af|B», ^lfcfefl%lMiftilH|
1li^ilu^;iM^<t^^iei;U^^ BMmoriiHists; and ooMeHNI «lto^^i|$Mflft#
^MtiUitf df tomch baetei. C^Mferft^ iacfesott, with aiiioat «faBy o#ii|iiiil^^
Mked that V^fiitleli MiglM'b» kMSat^ ^ FioiM^ 'wb^n ^p'^fim/^ Wtik^* H'tt
impossible not to see tbuat Van Buren and his cabal must feel the utmost g0»-
tempt for the intelligence of their countrymen, when they thus mock them wilh
a pretended affection for a ponstitution which meia^ anythin^i;, as by them ex-
plained; and can be appUedto^any aiid ^v^ry fm^poak^ however c<Hitmdictory.^
ka^, n/h^^bkt the ftiends df Mr. Adtos, Df Mi-, Clay, or^df lli^.tewrtWbA,
oB^eiamit" . , , , - . , • ... , ; ,^ ^.
Jollaiid's Life, which I purchased in Steele's store, Albany, ten years ;j^ ana ^iooMily
credited for truth, tells us, page 319, that, " In the election of General Jackson, Mr. Vah Wat-
fi,w th^ h^ should Witney the triuou^ of tiatme^ prinpi
is earti^st'years." '^What a mocker and «cofter at hohe
ri§i)tiff1ta^i^c lSLhd,'ih!hs Van Bulp^n must' be! Had lie cho
. iM i iiiiA ^eAaiiy twit weH^ bat that nf an hoatm ^ton. .< ..> t .
^ ^ - / . « [From ^e AXbaay Ai^fus, May 18, IS^j '
*** OT« p«^ adopted bij ]3fir, Jackson is pood' and raiment to t^e fedeivalists <2ni[2 J^^j-
^jUS^^Aek. itis j>l^a»aht to ail who fltrive for the destruction <tf the «cnioch«fc paaty. tIL
will «f«»jr#faeAr S|iplauf|>4t, as tiieyhat^ prOc^d^; and will inafiiSff tlie 4klMfcorpt:««|.
.9|«irEtvWKd^BkSi«>90''YeUiBtei«Mfar)ti><^ v^ i -. .t -^ / /*?
'^' '^* ' ' ;' ' CRromthtAlbauy Argus, 31st August, l^,] ' ' ' ' ** * ^ ''*''*^ **''**
^'^^^^^ffc^ (J^cSsoft's *«uppoi1j^l profess to be remiUicans, And yet thei' Hiipptirt ^ w/??t «*Ai? fi
iHwJW^ «rftirt^ i<r» MLWAYS A FEt)ERALIST-Mhejf prtSfef^ft to be the rienrifi (if lite people,
i^ff^ iBBhWtnmam^f xs ^ New Ytt*:,.-dMw>har« alwif^.^ rcsifited ihe e^i^ai and j ust rightt <)i
n|p»ja^t)ifi^^te^^siDn<of itbose i^ririieg^ which ^fu intPitt valuahk to tiiem. It is [hf
Ceycry republican to expose these ooon-adictions^ and iiiconsi^endps of f^cinduct and
^ -"^ alid, is fk'r as possible, counteract the purposes they ar^ i mended to an^swer, namtlj,
WTRATION OP TUB REFUBLIOAN PARTY, Mr iwi^^nim of fhe rtal iniir-
a0to^«f j^4i«, AKD T»E: EljSyAXiON OF HIS OLD AlUdTOCKAOY, ii?m£ «k flu
^gPfgf|!fii^d^mAfl*ywf^^ofai^part^^^^ . , < .« »ji^
* The f<illi,)\v]j;ii; 1^ !% mif ^if^i^'s of ihn pf mit>ii of M, V. I^uen uiul tttbi^n to NlitboLni. Blddin mid liii hnfiTJwf
dlrvr^FB. fur zi slice frnin Lhi^ itncoititLUiitinnal Irtuf.
"To the l)ir<jctv.rfl iklthe Buok f>l tho 1'niu^d r^tuto? ■ Th*" iii*^mor1it| of the ^nbicrVber*. in b«hnir of ijinD-
Mslf^n nail UieLr rpJlow ciUxenfl <if jMtMitiy. miv^ctfutiy jibuneih— 1'luit. f^mce the coiiiplvtilnD ot' ihe Noriherfi
&ad Wa^Utrii ('ansils nf ihix SuLia, nuch tkcilUieH llk ^\\e:n tk> t/hsisponBLinri, Lhrit thf" (iuELnEJU«!i «f caiinlfy
pfOdace liMUKlit in t\\^ nmrkH fruni ilii* Ststf riiir (vfthl* ^iflU! ni* iEii'r«(i«*<l lo hn Siditi^hj^^! ajiioimE» ajid whta
TO this in Mirled ihn |:)Tf>4lUE^ whWh will be limU{;hl tn ihh ninrkf^l fp^nn th** ferrilie rrJi^i^iiif of th* nonl!)W4(»h!<Fn
'*pnrls of IV?nim>ivH,n!ft. tht Hiuu^uf Ohio, ojul tha TenHftry of MtchijEin, sQine jdp* mny Iw^ foroned DftheainDiiJiL
, i»t'bu»iDn[i whitb Fnl|i£kt bedimi^ Id iJlii* |tliire, vv;i4 ikerf^ jit iiumci^^i iiiL^EiLrd capLtAl iiri:Aied tLiire, la |fiiir« eonn-
^ tftfumr^ afid ^iiLppftrL tii camineiifiHl tDtcrprii^e. The rajiitnl at (hi? Hmikii ithiiiiied Iwft^, iJtiiU^r ^XMv Iiicoftiatii-
liomfl* 11 Pfitifply lii^ntHrient (o nilhTd ihiTAft frtf illtlppi lit ttjmiritffl-inl enierpfi^fl whirh the ttiwilness trf' ihfl plw*
would WELrmutr^nd whkh (h<* mo*! rrtuiicnis pnid^nct! viaul^ J««ti(^\ T>ie lliniied capitnJ of onr tnnkn fitziitdK
. the 4\taDKioii i>f nui tradii. Mi*rchAiit4 of mnderiiLr tbrtunH iw.^ dl»t>tirFi^d fimii tHklnf up ttw^li abodr AinanijEsi
am, from ^ know li^fi^' tJwii tl^(^ J<jH.n^utg fnpitnl ui" ihe plac* ia inndeqiiiiiF to thf r]**ntrviids i,vhU-h are uiade upon
, it foi tbr iiroafTittinR of n giiflki Fully ciien^ive biwiJiO!** tii ronder it jjrnfiinljle ; and LnHtunce* are uol w^niinjEur
^Dvf* tutelllptent And pEilDrprlsinji oierchnnV^ rernnvlng fjroiii ihl?i plctrf To itifriLy of pjew Vnrfc, to oafiiripttli*
Ip th« tnntf fiU <>f hh iDcrf!n';«Li Ikanklt)^ caj'ital. iJio' their business hfts [idnclpallv bpeii rrjntltiiiHl wUh itw inierioi-
' c^ttiLt Staite. The U'esi«rn rt orld 5s poUfirtK lis irAii^nn^s lutrv tlw nip^rkf t of Afbany, but li* ciUzrns am doomed,
' with fcvntuliEed fw^Lii^^i, m iteholJ « rich anil pr(»OTr>bit» imde lloftt p^st iti<*fli Ui «ho city of Ne(V York^ wlily
. im Uie wiiniof n sufficiPiil Imnklrif; cftp^"*! Utrined timmigaL iljem Could the pftHbiCp brnu|;ht to this pUce b«
j^iir^hjised ber«t ^Q^h paiTion a.-' in ant wanted ffii hoiue contain ption mti^bl l>f- gJt ported dUt^Vth' rjmni h^^ra to m
^ WJwIeU njEU-ket, [tw fjir aa the a nv ligation ot ihe lludiioii ^voiild psfaiUj ibd relTiTji f aqjoeB, cakrulF^iEid fi)f ih«
' liitriKjr nf Ui* j^ouniry, mijtht tic inijMkrti^l:, without the ^ipimt^t of triina-istiltKnent at >iew Vork, tif iliHf pr«fild of
th« iiUipHiinixi^ CDfrcbant ihtrc TbAae r^miKlejiatiaa* luivi? bducfd The cltixfrns of Albany onch? rit^re to atk fbr
'*■ hmenl of a Rmiich ot nffire of Hl^ccunt and flepoFiit of the Bank of ih* Uaii^j Siatei in ibi* city, h
!■ hpfiprt tikis nEtpllCEUion will h^ favtHrat^iy Terelv«d, &» tUa lame caoi«i^ which rfMei U dnlrmbl* tg th« dili
if AliiBr w bAvt a Brand), Q(f the Lu^Ltd &tAt«t UuJl eiimtflMwd b«re, amcb^vely 4huw Uiat U w$^iil4 to «
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OT BICIAKD D. DAVIS ON UAWKIH VAN 90KKN.
So kte as January 3, 1828, the Regency had not matured their mad aafefy-
jtMNB t^ ^timsiyinmi ^«9flrer»mDt in ib^ U..&. B«»k. . « . ^ .JT^ irill
^' [at»<lM6«»W<^9ti>^be^a(M»fti<Mi^Mr. BarlHHir; . .. . thui^ wHn^jil-
iifa ]ilsre^iit«oy«B|4)meD^ thwl the KMo^otioto would. b»a4«fMi1^
Kiv^M liyiMlNNvioci. that the mer^ propsesilictt woiM h^« an^jufio^
kriwp thi0:fiftb&s.peeuiiiai7 eopoQBtKi 9^ tba.«atioii ; mi Hkm^ W^f m^
wf a'JMtrnunalioa tq paVthe 4a<Ba|i«it M seal aa soqi» «• F^wUe/' ,
A-*
ItMfF^ 4^ Dm^m Fw J?waK> J^cy^.'-^hln^aOfuif, fo^^49 9)^9^^
mrM^grngmBfrn Cii^if mi Mam-^Vim Bma^ Kit^g^ atiSUm Mb^^^^
CfMce, — Kendall looking ahead. — !7%« Jackson Campaign.'-^IIfadt Htlf ^
^../W^^^^^ ^^ I^Avis, of Poughlteepsie^ an aiiti-<*rfeig member of tfie "ln^ Ci*-
im«a.fbr S>atc^jift,€oui)ty^ w^s an e^rly 8up|»ortef of Jackson and 6{^ne|it of
Crawford, Butler and Vaii Buren. He was next a warm admifer ^ Vtk\ham
aaid upbeld the Telegraph, Calhoun's course on nullification diapleaaed hiiajafia
dfove him round to Van Buren^s camp. In 1840 and 1^44, he gave Van Bumn a
jfBfrer&l ktfipoi:^, for^e js energetic and eloquent. 1 ^ink.be is not at pmMt
Mijr {Nuelifi, eitlier ta Polk, Texaa^ e^the extension of the aiea of ^veiy.
In Van Buren's letters to Hoyt, Nob. 16^ and 165, page M7, ha t^k
kim tbat a certain zealous Jacksoiji man could not then be removed widioat
^j^er, and ^bat MTestervelt had saved ibe Albany Regency at tb^ npiQuialiiig
mm^om of 182$^ by tbrpwlng Gorernoi: Pitcher overborn, and aettbg yip
fVliafK A iettar of R. D. Davis, addi^ssed to General Jackaoo, Hkw Fmlgh-
1ee«^|ide, April 15th^ l93t , throws a very clear light on Vatr Burenf*s f(Akj*> Jt
Itt^l^ £r3t. fi^ m the Washington Telegraph. After telling General Jacksdn
4mI jlr. Van Kleeck, P. li. i^ Peugbkeepaie, was one of tlu>se ^^ rascally posii-
Maalei»*' weh^ lar^i^ for him and CHnton, when Van B^tan waa tka emuBy 4of
holh^ he adds that his removal was threatened because he had not been a' Buck-
Hto: 'H* then describes Van Buren'sf policy, i^ these words :
'2l!^^^:P^^^''^^.^^'^^^^^^^i''^?^ ?^!?¥^ a difference between thomft of toar
feein CHritonian? md 'flrase wI|o h<i4 l)ecii the tools and adherents of Idr; Van Baren —
^1, oppress, «L»d iiiauU the former, aod to aggriMfidize, promote, apd faror the lioter.
mble exa|iiple<il'thi», I aead^btit menlion the proscrfpuon ot'ijieBend Flicker* The
^fltri^^mer Ovmvent^m wWch nominnted • Mr. Van Bur«en for Goyeraor Mid of wHidt f «M a
Aember S5 pnfe of the Pele^ates from tRis coupTyr, having, BY GREAT PREVIWS
>IAWAiC^y4ViF*NT,.he^ acmdeto eiabrace a bare majority of t " '- -
nnder the indjaeiM9e of, $t
mkarw€99^iix»femmk\ adkei^ate of Mr. Van e«R-eii, ia the iolfi&aaat nhd ftizthe«aaa»<tf Ibat
9t ptnfi^ the Dkraiit tnstimti^f . IndHsd. it is beHeve'd that a BrftticH here woiild^be more proHlglle In
i'ito a^ exibnt Of biisiiies* done, than several of ihe branches located in seh- port townp. The local Iftlia-
Aj^al^y. renders it an emrep^ lietti'epn tlv: fUst^rn Stat«'ji atwj the Westerq Counriief!* ; lietween tkeSoa^
^ *V. and cOfisequ^tf^ a very Extensive currvncy H^ould K' gWui to th;^ bUltiasaad flrom abr^icti
jistate of thr trad^ witicfi wotiM be prosecuted here, wontd in a great measure render the bills of a
i, and cOftsequ^tf^ a very Extensive currvncy H^ould hn gWui to th^ bUltiflsaad flrom abr^icti
pature of thr trad^ witlcfi wotiM be prosecuted here, wontd in a great measure render the bills of a
UH^ itvtbis pface the clreolatkii^ n^tdium of tlie exumsiv^ regions who^e prodac^ would ^ bfoafht
g^k)et. Ihasmtich, thereTor^, as the establishment of a Sfancb here would not only be MrIU^ lutvaataceote
mjm, baC a npiyee ol profit to tljie parent iaisiltution, we hope that tie directors of the ITnited Stmer Btltk
^ t mulih aa offiee hf discount and d^po^t ai this pW4w
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VAHTMnrr Mrf^D bh Jbvhhrhpml!!;! !>■■■»» m^m^owxm 81
— JiflTTi lyidi^risbtti byfiuoe-teiM^ pf yji^ fn«)4s t^ 4ie- should have been. G«tL Pitcher
hagygpjpr been a, Olintonian, but had been a uniforra Biicktail ; ^nd when, by the demise ol^Mr.
Crfflroa, to ^otcemment of the state devolved tipoii him, his adihinistratlon was eondtiotedti
aiM<JM' atf Jr lijipartial mwia^ tewwdS fiffyoSr^iente, vM^^sSii^fehed by a ftrm tmd'
hiQttmmyih ofj^amoa to the poticj^vrhM^it Mis fiAei^'^ftii msKfih i^ieirtion lo enforce. G^
P||q^K:wa^ fffoecpib^cl «d4 pDOStn^ by^e ^^gafcy, i^a|£mcn|^ andin^uenoe of Mi^ Vaa
BoTMi and his|)ersonal adherents, for the above reason^, and Dec&use it was well known that.
iixrt|e|eKe»t,then cpntemplated. wid now oon^uflamated, jof, i^fr. .Vajv?uren's being callcS intp '
the ^aijnet, Gen. Pitcher would have continued to act On the same liberal and honest princi- '
plesT ." His ^eat zeal and valued services in your ^tipporlj l\is popularity throughout the State,
an$ the certain injury to your cause by the absence of his name from our ticket, had indcM
caused the fjction of which I am complaining, to conceal their dark designs from the great
hoqy of the^kepubUcan party until the moment , of their execution ; but they afforded him no
protection agamst the vengeance of those who hold subserviency to their views as the only
merit, and the refusal of it as the only and the inexpiable' offence. No other single act was of
such signal and lamenitable injurv to our cause throughout the State a^ this ingratitude and in-
justice to Gren. Pitcher. In all the ensuing measure of that election^ and in every county of
the State that I have heard of, the personal pi^rti:§ans of l^r. Van.Buren pui^ued the same policy^
»nd adhered to it with a pertinacity so preposterous, insolent, and oppressive, that nothmg but
y<^ own personal popularity and the magnanimous devotion of your real friends saved us
&oi^«;ft entire and universal overthrow. In many districts your earliest and constant friends,
driven by their just indignation at suqh abuse, forsook your cause, because it had become identi-
fi94 with that of their inexorable and 'merciless persecutors. The result was, that from a party '
literally overwhelming at and immediately after Mr, Clinton's death, we were reduced to a
DaOT« joajoritj^, and Mr. Van Buren himself only escaped defeat by the accidental and collateral
advanlage. wfcch accrued to him from the anti-masonic excitement at the West j nor, was he^
now to renew the contest unpadded hy the implication of your interests in his election, could he *
avoid being defeated by a large majority." . - . " Van Buren and his adherents are now.
rei^[»ng the rewjMxl of all that Clinton md in your behalf; find he and tl^ey, who came in at the
el•ve^th hour, and when np man else would employ them, are now lording it in this State over
tho^ who \Kyre the heat and burden of the day— a^a lordi^ it jvith such an extremity of inso-
lepo^ aud oppressiou, as is only commensurate with the power they have thus fortuitousy;
obUined." . . . " If the memory of Clihton and what he did, cannot preserve his friendS'
from the remorseless and eternal hostility of Mr. Van Buren: if the patronage of the General
Ctoveniment, which we support, is to be us^ for our destruction and to fulfil the base purposeaL
of Mr. Van feuren's personal jind viperous malignity; if these things are to be, they must be.
b|»t.they shall not be m this county, wijAout at least one man's humble efforts to prevent them.
I have long been of opinion tl.at Solonaon Southwick was ^et up in 1828, as
a candidate for governor, to inako up for Van Barents tirant of popularity and
sejtMire his election. The Albany Argus of March 8, 18S8, says : " We publish,
in another column, Mr. Southwick's acceptance of a nomination for governor,
made by his friends, on the 26th ult. at Batavia, Notwithstanding this nomina-^
tion is sneered at by the Daily Advertiser, and some who are very wiilinff to
receive the aid oi Mr. Southwick's exertions in their behalf, so long as they
af«/^^^rmed in another capacity ; yet we know of nothing that debars the
frkUli, jf any individual firom avowing their preference, even if such avowi^
cbancd to cross other and conflicting views." in Van Buren 's letter to Hoyt,
page 205^ he rests partly for success on the faith he has that " Southwick's vote
will be large." When Southwick had the Albany post-office, Van Buren con-
sidered it safej but he raised an awful tempest at Albany and Washii^OD, .
-when Southwick's insolvency led to the nomination of Van Rensselaer.*
♦ Solomoji Southwick was successively in ofljce as Clerk of the Le^lature and Statp
Flinler. and was very popular. He got the Mechanics and Farmers' Bank under his control
— acquired gireat wealth— took the federal and commercial ^ide in the war, in 1813— and
aUhough he nad abused Colonel Monroe and his friends umnercifhllv through his press, was'
a|nM]m|^ Postmaster at Albany, in which capacity I first saw him in fSsbraary , 1821 . Strange^
to5p,.ftC J3,|iilaiy, 1822, he was^a d^ulter and a bankrupt, advertising for the benefit of tfi^
S^^ n^Q£ren^i|!% ^Vas, about the $ame time, another who has much more recently hdd th^-
same MS! SOTtthwIdk, inthdfe da)^, Wascomi^ained of by Gov. Olintfon and Jndge Spencer'
—he was the confederate of Van Buren, whose |J sufierings was not intolerable" m. he helird
digitized by ^OOgie
8S TAir wnoMf motswios am tmi aliam t mm
Van Bareif, Enower, iod Mm^ oimiMiUd Boebeiter and PiMitr, iir
Governor and Lieut. Got., tt Herkimer^ 0«t. 18iMP-both iMinst Ciiotoo.
Moah, as advised from Albany, came out for Clinton and PitcEer^ and aided
materially to defeat Rochester, as Van Buivq wished he should, ^e note to
page 201] «< Mr. Van Burea defeated the eleetkm of Mr. Recfaeeter," safe
the N. Y. American of Sept. 17, 1887 ; while c^pe^aing to support it, h«
that Preisident Monroe was about to appoint General dblompn Y^n Rensaelser, who had been
wounded with six balls, one of whicfi is still la his body, and safTered rery severely at ^
battle of Clueenston, wheie Qeneral Brock, President of upner Canada, was kiOed. Van
Buren got Rufus King to assist him in S protest against Van Rensselaer, and a recommenda-
tion of Ex-Chancellor Lansing for the racant office. A meeting was called, Charles £. Dudlef ,
Mayor, in the chair, Benjamin Knower, Secretary, with Chief Justice 6avage,^ Jdm 0*Cole,
Roger Skinner, and Motfes I. Cantinc, taking part in it, which Tesolvod, that the conduct of
the Postmaster General, Return J. Meigs (who had forfeited their respect), was " unjust and
arbitrary, disrespectful" to Daniel D. Tompkins and M. Van Buren, ** ana not less insulting
than oppressive to the community*'— that Van I^ensselaer was ** a zealous and unrelenting
enemy of the republican jparty"^->aad the office given him " one of the most important in the
gifl of the administration."
To explain these resolves, I may here mentlpn that although Jefferson had laid it down as
the rule, that the only questions to be solved in such a case, are. Is he capable ? Is he heneat 1
Is he faithful to the Constitution 1-— although Southwick was hopelessly insolvent, and yet col-
lecting the revenue— and shhongh twenty-two out of the twMity-six Congressmen fiir Ihis State
had recommended to the government to give Van Rensselaer me office, van Buren wrote the
President ^iid the Postmaster General, asking that his (Y. R.'s) ai^>ointment should be delayed
a fbrtniffb , to give time to organia an opposition b it Col. Monroe would in no way inter-
jfere-— Mr Meies would give no dehy— van Buren and Tompkins, then wrote to the postmas-
ter genen . to this effect—" that his fvan Rensselaer's) conduct has been that of a galUmt man
we cheeil sly admit," but " that the Unhed States have granted him a liberal pension for life,
which war » allowed to commence many v«ars back ; independent of which he has for a long
time held a lucrative office in the Stale [ftdi) which, bv the way. Van Buren and his frieikb
had ejected him the moment they had the pawerj-^tnat Lanring was a firm and iniexible
republican,'' but Van Rensselaer " a warm, actite, and inde&tigable opponent of thb party."
Tney asked whether the place ought not to be given to Lansing ** because he belongs to die
republican party ;" or if not to him they would nam^ otfiers of the PARTV-^and they assured
the postmaster and the president that the party in N. Y. " will regard it as a matter of great
importance, that the postoffice at the seat of government ^ovld be in the hands of a gentlemaa
of the same political character with themselves" — and thut the general government was con-
ferring an office which would give Van Rensselaer " much T«jore politick influence and con-
sideration among them, than the one of which they (the. party) )^ave deemed fit to deprive him,"
Mr. Meiffs, po^aster genersj, replied briefly, thus : " I r^imihat, on a view of the whole
subject. I have not been able to accord with your views and oninioos." A Kendall or a Niles
would have been more pliable and ductile in such hands. The principle on which Van Rens-
selaer's appointment was made, was bad. He was then a member oreongress £rom Albany— .
and to ta^ a trusted representative of the people from his post as a paUic sentinel, and reward
him with the post of a deputy-postmaster, is at variance with the spint^f our^institutions.
Tiiatf however^ was not one of Van BwreiCz objections. \.
Another Albany meeting was held on the 2&h of January, at which Lieut Governor Terrier
presided. Philip S. Parker remarked : " That Mr. King, a high toned federalist, and cidtoriuit
leader of the party, should object to the appointment of Gen. Van Rensselaer, as a depaty post- ,
master, because he was afederaUsi^ }& truly remarkable. It is a &ct notorious in tbJs city and
in this state, that the vice president and Mr. Van Bui^n were zealous and active supporters,
and contributed much to the election of Mr. King to the senate of the United States, n^twiA-
standing he was ^ federalist ; and fliat very many of that party, who, during the late <Far, used
every exertion to tnwart the views and operations of the general as well as the government of
this state, while General Van Rensselaer was fighting the battles of his coundy, and spilliixK
his blood in its defence, have been taken by Mr. Van Buren into full confidence, and through
Ills controlling influence over the Council of Appointment of this state, have been appointed to
hon )rable and lucrative offices. That the inconsirtency of the vice president was still mpre
glaring."
Col. R. M. Johnson and General Andrew Jackson were very friendly to the appointment of
Van Rensselaer, nor would Jackson remove him, although the K. Y. Evening Tost declared
the office to be a very lucrative sinecure. At length Van jBuren tamed him out to make way
for Flagg, and dnrinr the tiM he hdd the offioi^^ IL T. 1^ aa Mpseto
IQrTarjr sitentt
Digitized byCjOOQlC
A FALSE FRIEND. VAN HUlUtiN FOR ADaMS. ftlTCHie. IfL
t^ A . ti . . ". i '.'i * ^ 'I i» Ant mB
^^ tttok care to palsy, as fur as his secret influence went, the support of otfieiv
wluan he could control — ^and the result in this city [N. Y.], in Jeflerson, in
Chenango, and elsewhere, manifest how well his measures were taken." Van
Barea feared t^at Rochester's sncceas-womUl fllEK^Iire the vote of the state for
Adanns, apd hence even party ties appear to have be^p severed to effect his
&mm. ^ The ']^^ Ydrjc Ebquii^r, alt^ays on the afert, $w^ tbi litt; fHML>
df 9^:^^ fs28,]r has Already nomh^atbd the Hon. M. T. Bttj^ Itirito >g||ai
ol*ie>f't<?vern6r> Noah was n-ady to do tfiiar while CHmtfen»^ iniifcftl^i <»Siu
jr^t^icai^TOly^ coid irt his grave — and if the e^;idettce of his mthii^ri^dfli^, ^v^|HHl
tite 6«hfK^6ttdence, is not strong enough fo coijiirin6e er^ybMfjWbnr^fet
on hand. ^ ^ ^ . . .• . . , . ,\ . y.
i -T^f^ivV^^? VwBtn M^as fqr Adams In VS25 i^ cU-ar^ f.ven from the Albany J^r^us,
vif^M^f>U l^e.loth of Feb» said;, " la reUtjon to the choice we have only lo
r^M^ ,)fr\taX we have, declared on form^^i- oecasion^—^thAt between the two
m]fMnipet)t cawJi^^tes, Medsrs. Jacksoj^ and Adyms, a Urga majority of the re^
polj^Kilia'l^^and of ti)^ elec^l^ 6^ this state, gave Mr. Adams the prt^fi^rence,^'
^ ^4^^ iras elected in Feb. JS^S-r-he was, as Noah has always stated, Van
C^<:|rf in'asedojad qlioice* While Jacl^san> talents were conteinned^ the. Ari;ui^
ab«4^ the tim^ wt^n. Adams formed his cabinet {^tnc- month), thus addreiised
i^rjjiiBrs^; .
" 'Wfe have heartl witiiin the few last days various speculations as to the
probable formation cjfihe cabinet of the Presitlenl **lect. It seems to be placed
bi«^o»4« di^ubtlhat Mr. Clay ban been oifpred tb<^ oliicft of Secretary of State,
tUtS H '^ the general Impn^ssfon that be will accept it, MuRirs. SF.ar.KAxr aod
G^A'LtA'ptn have been named as Secretaries of ibc* Treasury \ and Gov. Lkwt«
C&Laa^the Miehigan Territory, as St'cretary at War. Witli a Cabinet formed
df^'gH^hiMteHa^j whichever of the gentlemen should be selected ms the head
of ^ Treasury Departmeut, THE ADMlNie^TRATION CAN SCARCFXY
FAlt^ ATTRACT THK CQNFIDKNCE OP Tilt] COUNTRY,"*
^Jltthe vwry ninneDtillnE Van Burcn ajid hi^ frhwlff. wri» thus de'^Wiiig l!wir ronfldentie In AdKin^ Mid
ai^'. On lh« SOth of Pob.» iH^iTi, Up ihus addrpswd Mr. Clftj" tii Wn^hing^lrtn, (nfihi rraiikrnjt, Ky. :
♦BWirSir: ISloce the ehPlnNed wm tvrllteiK wr huvo rpcptv^^rt thp nrwa af iht rwnlt of sh^ rftiHtdrfitlnl
tUtmtymt. Roiwitaft vwf liittr H^iuiAtion ta^ri^, In I'Viintefort, pmlutHy hbU; ot nmurly jhi, !^rpml'« thpcoorwa
0C CMT w pwun tatlon. JaGK--:iin*A oi^i^ianl iiiend* iLra L^iiiil in itj.elr Cf>in^LamUf and n^ver&l wh^t wfrv^ fu^i you
■ i^^uifiiA. I thkikin some w?c[J;rin:i4]f aid coantn'. ilit^ra xvUl tic h. ti>ti.it(ffiriilp(j^ stir ; hot if the KflrEirnMiHiliDo
, it wUt die away. I sprrik n( Kenfiichy nni\\ TtiorB i* much inj|rtiry ^"i h4*th«r y^M v^ill Ik? odf^revl
Mpf di^S^eretar^shlp of t^TJiic?, «iid mnvh ihvmiiy of opin'Loo :is lo Whnt yoq onf^ht !/» do If Ji in
ft MUMS to me tllHL no mxa hNf ch» Ivtl whitt ynn imiiht io ttos htKAitie ic bt iinpoAsiibld for 04 to kanw
mil tlw) cli«Ma9taiiecf. U thrrv not a jimtuiUtUy thut JAc^kiiott lu^y hp elecEed h}* th^ {h^opIr ;u the eat) nf fotit
f< Wi|i notCUiltOB nntip Jit^ Int^r^iU with J^irksoo^^, w'dh the PvpocbtUan thiit he will niu'refd him ta
JfridbAcy'; And Will noi *ilch n. Ciunlilitatioti bo ion powerrol l> ^FSiUntinil t Will ant Adnaw, r*'\r hl^owa
^i letaln braW^Nd, a«fi tlwrt^by ronciLiate hif inlan^tt ? 1 ka^w nmhine of theie atHth^f^ ^ liiU on rln^r-
'a dllipt'ii Hup pottdre of men and pnrtlfis, Ijidicaijpd hy ihc!»r (lafuias har^ flUEc^d throanh my mind.
^ .' VouT friiiril. &.C., AMO^ KKNDaLl."
dtour^ i cannot aiyct mrntlon.l learn that Vatt Buren'^ hujflnln with JarfcSi.%a'^ friend*— their m\\^
dcHntaBdine.lmay ap Well call It, lienr* rintp la \}pc., \9^, In fhnt moaih ho eTp»rted tlip frtendi of
1»4it|Bck luii, and frO'ta afterwKrrts [Feb,, LHeTJ hf liad Combf^lea^ ara afctn dlrpctin^ lUiyi to 4*.lrculal8
■f»^9l«giaph.. U April ihpyiiifl nff to lioath CaroUna {Se<* No*. 41, 4-2, 43, 4.1. 46. and i7j. tlrom
l|i^l|ri inrlr rirnwlj j flezUiiF nuociiiTe, nitehiii, rpc^flvei h-i ktti'r, dni^d ' Charlesumi 8. C, Muy 7, 192f/' and
fimltjU <rotik t^e Richmond Knqulrer, e^chtepii ninnth!^ Itefor^ Jnekmin't fjlerlkia r
^Olfr ftSencf Tan aorm h-i'* hi Ir^n^th Tt'^^onrblt^e! nearly ail thcs mont l1np<lrt^tat inrrln^ claims nnd ltitere«t«.
Qmm, Andrew Jackson coo* ni«s to i^cropi ofihe l"r^ii«k'ncy of the United Stauva, PLFd>tilNC3 ilLMSKLlT IN-
¥|ai»A9I>C TO QURBEJIV KTMK FKOPLE! OF Tf If : HOUTH, ut^i to fAniftn ni ihf^ 4^n>l Df four year^i. John
rT^fSuhnan has been prevailed npt>a, in cnnforiT^tty tn ihe wl^he* oC*anw of onr luost inllut^nliEi] frtend'i.tat n?-
nWurani ^ claims tipon the Wcs Pre^identy. Every effim U to hfi marie to indtice Of? Witt TTinton toarc^ipi
iitf^filed Plreaktency. Martin Vnn Btirea to servi* asSwretary of HialP under G«n. Jairluon, and at Ihe end of
tmrVWWtn be nominated etnd Hti^ttQ^fled fiv (ho Pruideacy : ^vUh a pprfTict naFleriiiui^in^ thai he ^ ill pur-
fMe^lKS SOUTHERN j^^LlCY, la relation tct drtme^BtLc nianuiaF tnros nad internal ImprDvcmcatH- If 1 jun
i^ Ji^Oi^ q^teinibfQied* a rahmet U Mt arrnngifd aj ^ comiarLad thft greatest ptjajiible f^itetii kf poUtkal
#SSi3die^^->^(taerivil6itodUhU0Bp«lC«]lMiMion thnlr tUtttfoOiMMMi
, ftltdyiftiliMred wtet tian tUum cooae to ft^s in |||i]r» laC^-^Ml *>
Whimee— nooiiu over sinister athoniems— wlttaom eleTntion t>r m&nt
^nlMiren--HrnM1MUolofa,toitideepandtoatingi]
G«niial ftr ll«i^ n^tend, ««?WBor btilfce mil «r
vchimee— nooiiu I
tphnMin portray Vi
eiiV9(ib-Tk«ft8«rar
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ii
it- ^>
I .
>' .,' rt '
*-'. \
V
^ ■
> •» .
\l ' »
THE ALBANY RlSO£NcV ON THE SAPtTY FUND LAW.
XJH AFTER XX.
y^jmi ilr'nINMyMraff Bai^ FaUur^.-^Who Suffered 1^ them.— Van Amif *»
- fep i lrt i l i M W m }.6?9«— i& £rjbr/« f|» oUain Charters tn 16^8,-. TV ub^
, tm4,inUv J^ufmm-'-Mukmci and Paxmers* Bank^ 4l4««y.— 7&# Ttcw-
fSkirdMuU§U^FauU.^Cmm's l^VmW 1816 am£ l81^.--^a«9i<M}4«9
iT. F. Banking. — Flagg^ Wrighi and Ear II coining Charters,
■jifa! •fipTi^it N CtoswEjLt of tb* Albany Argtw, «ent mc*, Ih 193^, a piiinpMet
ffttqjQed*^ Origin, provisions and effiect of the Safety Fuml Law," with a r«queit
lyf 1 wditld abttce tt. For the first time, I have now given it a careM perusal.
H prqt^se» to be a reply to Mt. Walsh's Quarterly Review, the Report of the
Upon Committee,^ and the strictures in Congress on whkt is termed a dangerous
SliCica4 dccep|ioh by Vatt Buren, under whose short for^mmfint of NeW Yorii
h fund and its commissioners were recommended. The patni^et may be'
ftirly assumed \6 be Van fiuren's defende. It appeared, with high comm^<ta-
tieiM i{i his press, the Argus, and was approvingly referred to by the presses
controlled by bank democrats throughout the stale'.*
1liftirjM*,^aai/«, Iw wMfti ^l« Hh^ *' No vim uote^ iwva of the t]ittHil«9 at tte liiswt ■»
ft|itf«a«4»bie ^ntlepnan, than Jnhn Qnijicy Adntiis. Mr. AUhiiui* Uxlenn are fitted solely to rule In a trputi
UF, Mkirtili«ri>miS/ieii« giviwranient can onty be snstaiiwil by fittegrityfind plultl dealliifr.** fa inH, ftiH went
l^€lMwf>r4Jiiitn<^1Fteui, ^ t||« AirnoritVci^iictis->4Mit, mM be, Jilny, 1^^, " SbouU be {Cmwft^] not te
MMtad) W^jmn tfoU oof Axtfcutive depi^tAnent in the hunds of Adams or Clay. I wtsti I could nay th# mim
iMMMItateiMi. « ^ *v.« « V^Mredo«oiltktto4ieliMffedirl^i»tthyM«erfMteif.» 'bvIWtS
*fighrtif.lii|d vfeipi fOQiiA |o Jaetaoa, vaA la doe time. JacMoa was *' the democ^y," and Cl«¥ «b4 A4bj««
AMbi M bad men as laaac knew of avy where. Oh, what fat contracts Isaac f^ot when ^e tuilied !
> Tbj; P^KcE op TBR Safety Fcnd Law, so called, to which Mr. Croswell iiad iStiw
rnoestiea ny iitinitioil, meotSoit^ that priop to Yon Barcn's short adninisthJiGii) in 1^, ibert
hm heen demrate bank failures — that the b^nks had paid in only part of their capital at stai^
n^tm^mi t^ etfiw iOfs g^w% " Htlle or no further guaranty fo» thefkithful estecotion of Itdr
' (ban the obfigation to pay their aebts in specie"— that in some cases payments on shttrta
mm^9di»in«jMCy^, the money vithdrfiwn again, and notes of hand substituted, with ao
seasrity^tkan liie uapaid abarea held by the party— the fraudulent Itanks had ikus mm
i^Ofetwaph and wheii feilare followed^ the capital was found to consist of the w<»rSle«
T^Ae^ b^ 'wortWess individuals — that the excluslre legislative power to act as bankers. Issue
fmper a& tnomey, dec, cx>aferped, by law on such banks, had in4uced honest people to take their
a tH m fdi '^fBTOpetty and labor, and deposit aaonej with their rascally managers, who genente
piftbed tneir plunder, flitts ac^ired, D<gnDnd Uie reach of the creditors of the instittittons.
Vlfxe^eiice be made {9 my account c^ the Hudson Bank, the old Bufklo BanL the Wash'*
iMMMn^ W«a9» milk, t3m Bank at Plattsburgh, ^nd siiuilajr institutions, in this volume:
9*i^mPt(mm M W«M)i« Md p. W. SpiM'a United St«te» Lombard Co., the Mociis CmJ
lUn^ tV^eSmeh^s Bank, FuUDii Bank, ihe Life apd Fire Co., Chemical Bank^^nd other
liiUb«deoDc^BS,. noticed in my Lives of Hoyt.and Butler ; as also to the repqrt^ banV fi^hd
tti«li«f 1896, of whieh Noab tfHd Webb appeajr to main a xecoU^tion, when speaking at
Mnldeiit Fetf a Kavy Ag«nt. Pron^er M. Wetmore [pa&es 234 and 285], the reader will aai
ikaf the pfAMn had been so cheatea by Van Buren and nis adherents, their iexdusive le^fthp>
ItopiJiiUlIm nharliirn. and dishooe^t i>ank agents, that the cry was loud and uiviversal fur an
aK^nidm: ittott sttch acomnulatod wronss.
' Bo fer vcfe Van Buren, Wr%*it, Butler, Flagg, CroRwell, and fhe patty in power, A^ool
dJBsAxmk to .check charter granting (a disgrace and a scandal as they ever have been to th6
ll0BQKd€ajiM0«f|^Qpaiax{^^<ux^ that they did their veiy best in tlte session of 1828 (only 8
mm$i^'h9tmt}, to pass through the tegislarure of the state, without any new check or rcfom
trtalcT^r^avarietvof renewal ofbatik(fhftrters—ahd when Bmler was defeatedbj^^
cf two-fhi]\is of the members any longer to countenance the odious system. Van Buren cats^
^■lAa«^||hUa'AM0[^aA47iU«ad that tvo-thivdfi clause i^ Y^enit
lMttyra|MQ«ait Auit sisme coneesslon must be mtde to public sentiment, theteoek^^uamaitrW
IM tSkfity £^nd Bubble was introduced by Van Buien, as a scheme ji|vented by Joeimi
WmglfiXk, jn» (M is^xpiiat of Onondaga. It pretended to in^e the banks enter iii]to a acst of
mteul a8Saraiioe-*4he conimissioiier clause enabled the executive to pry int^ the coacenM of
Digitized by ^OOQ IC
irilfi 8AFKTY FUNl) A TrICK 'I*0 Oti^AiN MORE ttANKS. fiS
|)f^ «ca look back appB the dishonest bank legislation of Van Bmreir/Bttt-
li WW? Barker, Throop^ Marcy, and their frieqds, previous to 1829, and
D|»^ with this par)tj account; and then look forward to 1837, and so up
j[| al) Van Bureii, CaoiWeleng^ Bowne, Butler & Co., denouncing as viW
■'1"W* the fabric artfully reared In 1829. we are compelled to admit thaft
^HJi^orjs in tUe continued Imavery of the last twenty years, must feel a
kj^coaiempt for t^e J^pje they have so successfully deceived, beyond
^^^^nJf^i^^ ^^^ i^itlii .on tte' records of monarchy, froln the days of John
^MI^4W ^f Cornelitta W. tawrence, C. C, Canibreleng, and Benjamin P.
^1
J JfVMiii^t^Of riktber Van Buren, Wright, Croswell, &c., went on truly to
4i^pMll9it HmOL ^f$^Q^ QWne tioyt or Cambreleng) had got hold of a quan-
^.9^ n) l >yw of one of these ipooDahioe banks, and aided in rifling it, he could
^kgf^mff^,^^ lia ah^es, raise cash on them, join a company of adventurer.^
Utitl^4|i8Mfl4 «tHi9?h^#^ ^JinaQj of th^ shares of a sound, well managed bank
aili9m|ll4.i9^4W th^ coatroi oi' it, by the election of Butlerizlng directors, and
HIM/PM^MrllMyiy ^ the notea pf the bank out among the people as possible,
flM.^^JPI«V <^f9^Hs fs.ljll^ 9f^j issue the post notes, or promises to pay ^
a distant time, of the bank, for money or property, sell out their shares at an
ay i Mrt ijf i ^wd it hilled the fm)|rifi ialo a fiUse security, out of which the stockjobl^cr and poti-'
t iiil^ gii wmnfH naped an ainuidaiit harvest of ill-|irouen wealth. It was because uot one
I iWltii qiiHl4 tai got-iv ySOb, 18^, aad 18d8, in cpasequence of die two-third rule, that the
8kiik|M^ leadef optaed his buiiget i<t 18:£), with the panacea of a safety fund.
itt MiM^ Van Wmmtt aad kin Mio^i'efs-precended that the Safely Fund Law of 18-29 was in-
tanfHU^Civa proteotion to die |»opte. before believing that tale, be pleased U) listen to Mr
Maitin Van Huren, on t'ollMr aide of tMe question. I quote the Albany Argus of April 8, 18*28:
^Wt^M sajipotdlUiatllw queatUm as to the expediency of a renewal of the solvent exi.si-
^ HwacmiAedad. Wh
iafcfifcirtftli iieaaeeBAedad. Wheiher this be so or not, it appears to be urged by strong consi-
d OTt iifa » <i^fcaliP8 to the i nirt l itfM»s and security to th^ public. It is conceded that Bank's,
^^MnaMbittlieiiS'aa to ttKir Buaybcr, have becoine so identified with oar currency, and oiir
iMKKkmtm trahaiaiAioiia, aa to be iodtspeosable. And the question now is, whether it is safer to
recharter old and solvent Banks, which have passed through the hrst| period of their incorpora-
tions advanta^iMKdv feo^ilkeaisetTesand to the public, and which are known and confided in,
or to break up the old foundations, and on their ruins bring in A SCORE OR TWO OF
NEW BAPTKS, untried, unknotvn, possibly in irresponsible hands, and questionable as to
tM^lvebeyor the chantel^ Chey may so«taia 1 To this que.stion thei^ in an easy answer :
"^ le'orfHr mflerence of cmtAion probalily is as to the time and manner of tiie renewal. As to
M^. ^inxt period more uvorabie than ihe present t It will not betray a hftzardous or unne-
) iis^j whilst U 'mitt avaid fJk^ tPits ufa near approach to the- expiration, of the charters.
* '^^'^ ♦ So futty convinced was the legislature of Massachusetts of the importance to the pub-
He B i ei ti fe and eke siabHity of the institutions, that U voLDNTseaeo to bknkw, and did n-neio
" ' rs 0f^e Bank^ in that sUUe, SIX OR SEVEN YEARS before the limit of incarparaUim
-f, 0elay, incNd, may serre |he interetts of the lobby, but can scarcely promote ;he
_ ,/ the coapamunity. • • ♦ ♦ ♦ We bave no interest in the renewal of any charter,
I tl^hat eveiry cititen has," #c.
If echakics and Farmers' Bank at Albany, to whose manager, T. W. Olcott, Batler's
I and the Safety Fund give additknal notoriety, was incorporated iu 1611, the moment Uie
fif« v!^ 8. B|nk charter was vetoed by the casting vote of Grov. Clinton. At these time^, baAJ(
ot^nids were often 9 to 18 ner cent., and the premiuas on privileged stock 90 to 33 per cent.
TraJ^ ^as obtttined on the plausible pretext of benefiting tanners and mechanics, and the
pt^e^teA and a maiorlty of ^ dit«clors were reqnired to be mechanics. Sokimon Southwick
tW tlk fim president, and Gorham A. Worth, the cashier. Worth's poefry is noticed by Bntler
" • "^^ and Jacob Barker speaks of him as a friend (page 192). He is now, I believe, the
_ . JlBL bank in thh city, in due time the M. and F. tell into Keg«ncy hands, and Maicv's
^ia-l^W, mmi. Kilkower, became itsptvftidem. When Knower stopped paynwnt, in 18^
i^s stK^cessor in the U. S. Senate, C. E. Dvittey. succeeded him. This Bank ha3 bfioi
ktiikd with Van Buren's interests, and him abn^ Joiai was a director and t^ebank
"mt8Wtorl«37. _
LM^sLrch t^, feaSfsars the Arms), ifr. Butler eaUed lor the ^itfdmadij^«C tli^
ft Me^bMca tM V»miKf m^ in «m dijipf Aiba^y. Mr. A. JMi|u«,Jr.,
fftasiiedtoacldadaase aiecting the liability of stockholders, but was not pennitted. To paai
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9$ ANOTilER Vt£^ OF NEW YORK CUABtER ORANTING.
a4yi&ce, Dtrhaps, on their onginiil purchase mon^y, and leaving exchaMrd J^«
creAi of tne bank for substanual wealth in ever^ shli^; bdrfof^ cnslH wtk^cifi*
Udy and all tbe wealth that could be raised bnit^ crftdit^ retire froii tftVM^,
fad allow it to blow up and ensulph the worthy and the'^b<^\UAI ^MkMtttHistg
and unwary. Keports to the legislature wer^ foiiiid tb be aibtegih^ oSXiMf
were plundered from the community, and In so^e cas«i the'plaat'wili't<y^iirli^
the funds of the bank aniong the (few) stockholders, as preteiide^ tntifitilir^MiaiMI
inlact there were none to divide, lliis enabled 1li«fh foWSI'ih^-vNftittdtar
abares for a goodly sum, as of a flourishing cohc^. ^(^f cokKkct^!^ M SfWMbitf
but so linked in with the system was the admitiijlfriltkm df )«li^#M(ttiM*
were Marcys, John Van Burens, Hoyts, W. WJ. Van Nesses, &c., m tboeett^M
— that if any rascal was prosecuted, he could \|ibr6,' from his'tmljief^ llSu-
sands of dollars for defence \ and what with getting ttearthl^ti^i'tli^s^ thMigfe'
new trials,. through appeals, through a bfp&el-toave'oiith* Jii^JllWifcci^^^
science could not convict, the law was i^iop^fatiVe^ as resfyeets^ in tW. ^€IM*ti|'
says the official pamphlet, <' Of i&ch dt the clai^ses abote ittefotfoved^* hall aoINN
ally occurred, exhibiting Iscenes of fraud a^d coitupCioi!', ttt^ dMBfii of ItMdl-
were spread before the community through 'the fepattM ij( Hfui'^tMbA t$MA
WHICH FOR A LONG TIME WfiRE CROWDED- Wl«ieAOiBSK)F,
— ' "■••'■• ' r* '.\: ,., ».?*,. ♦., ,.5 ^
dte bill, 67 members voted, Butler, Cargill of N. Y., JVtichael Hoffinan, Savage, yeruLukdtyii^f
against it there were 37 vbted, General Porter, Speoetfr; Ftihnte, ^o. Tiaf tmm ftfwin iJmtf .
Qn the 8th of April, the Assembler Was in committae on rmtmit^i^M hnk iilimms IttJ
granting new ones. It was proposed to make ttie stoddroklerB^of baite iMtivMuall|r SMOMiUi
to double the amount of their shares, but Butler; Cargill, Daiftoft,Fuiliqfeer, jum IJliiijIiirtu,
opposed tlie clause. Butler said he wou]4 take the new chartora thasborttaiai^ aa a iMBer «lil
than no renewals, but woiild vote down 'individual nfeponisibtlity i^ ha oattH (^ibahlMiit^'ifr.
was voted down, by Bntler, Cargill, Dayton, PaulkAer,Moffm«B,&«i , .. ^ ,- >,.
Messrs. Butler and Hofiinan voted for specdal char^rs toflonie kaMSLimiA,.aad laotkan tWiA-
out the responsibility clauses. Any wav to get them. 0»4ike i^h, the AawmbUr iA^eoflVRi^»
tee of the whole, passed bills to renew the Franklin Bank aindtiw Tm^wmBm'n Baal^J^^ l^^^y
and the Catskill Bank ; also ten new bank charters to be located «t ^^T'^rh'Hir, WMWihtM,
^. I believe the whole batch got swamped, and tliac charters wereiaid owBiill the tmt^^tm^
of Van Buren and Reform (!) iil 188^. . . . ' >
The following extract tells the feelings of the bank Democrati, in April, tffiB : ' . ......
tFrom the Albaay Aigua, April 14, 1838J ' . " ./
" The Bank Chmien. — The final question was taken in tl^e,Asaei|ib]y, on Saturday^ on t$e
^ bills for the renewal of the charters of the^^ieneva aad Ontaiio Ba<ili^ a^d ^ Baik pf^ew
" York, and they were severally lost ; the former being d^fici^nt by tkr^and thje lattca* by &>ur'
^' votes, of a constitutional majority {86]. It seems to bQ an Hii«qual ^oostitutioi^ riilei wluc^
'^ declares a vote to be in the negative, notwithstanding Jnoipe than three tp one,^ ike infimiers'.
^ pftxs£NT are in the affirmative ; and it is partiadiw^ unfurimmt^ ta^eoxae $o n^ear an4 ¥^ \o
•*faiL" • ^ . - • • . • ' " '^^* -■
Van Bnren, Young, Wright, and their fMends» had 1^4 very, early- lessons ikt thf^ 4'Lngeis
to liberty, attending &« vicious s]^8tem of baaking^Avhich obtained in this state. In a )mi(t.
to the rejjublicans of the state, dated Albany, Apnl 3, 1806, «nd «igned iy De "\Vitt Clinton,!
' ' ' "■ "' ' ' ' ■ '"' ' '^ " . Riker, ^ohn l^I'lean,'
Katfeftniel Pitchei*, John Cramer, Caleb Tomi^ans, ClayksM CppUus,K. ^ , ^ _,
John Herkimer, John Taylor, Alex. Sheldon, Benia«un Ferrj^ and <>ther membere^5 ,^
Le^latttre, iht^ tell the people--:-^ You turned with disgust imai th^ scene of bribery a£l*
" corru|)tion by which the Mekchants' BAN»in th^.caljc of N. V^sefjuierf its charter. J^ tlic*
« wg^wsentatives of tihe peoptecan, with, irapunily,, receiv^e or ol|ei: bribes, the^ virtue of omr'
« government is blasted. If tx« permit its puritor t«> be stained, we pave the way to,4e8troy ils^
•* respect in the eyes of all good men. We slwie thel)ajs«s o^ ow:^.renubJicJan>stabl>shments/
"analay the foundation wheraonia built the ccwriypt governments 43^5^ fc^ '
In Jan., 1818, Governor Clinton solemnly wamed the peqple qi the dangers th^ -w^re
Hfrkigii^ on the country, throughi the vitious mio^ of trcji^a^ting banking business, whiclt
Van Bnren and his pupils Itad continBiBi^ fostered. The Ai|sem% appointed an honest,
MIkfal committee, to whose i^le-.and uiseful feport I wo^ld. be glaJvio ^ve a place here»,
Their chairman, Isaac Pierson, was also directed to propose aresUution iiSi^.puA committee'
^ .*._*__... ^. ._ _. .„. ....,.-.. , '^ • »4?f ttjc banks, wheth«' "
^ bp«i^,ie«atyari|^pioi
Digitized byCjOOQlC
«r tibe legislature to iiiq«£re iiil» t^ slanl^mentef ifae^aSsdn^t t^ banks, whethe^ their
tod* had been'imps^pe^apj^iad^ar ibfi}s.»^Qti\<iiif ^ittxtos^ b^^igoUtyofii^pioper^^;
FLAM) WUO«T| HkiLLLf AM eOn C«UU»VI •ftAVVllNk TUW yiOTIlll. 87
THAT CHARACTER. HUNDRiSDS OF OUR UNSUSPECTING ClTl.
ZENS WERE THE VICTIMS OP SUCH CONSPIRACIES; and whm
ihey fowod their fortunes had been ndned hfihe frmtde of then vifkine m ike
managemeni of corporate tmetihUionSj and appealed to the kue to bring them in
merited pumjhnmtj ench tuned mU to be the extent and iniricaewpf their cambi' ,
noHam^ andeuehdm ni^iuenoe q^ the accueed, AND THElR SECRET ABET-
T09Sftha$pnbkcjneHceherai^Meemediobeahno$teetaideJkMee.^^ This sMe
of tbingiH we are told^ ioduocd Gk>yenior Van Boren, when fliate pfajsiciiin in
chief, to prescribe his grand nostrum of the Safety ("uiid Law.
usurious practices for covenous or oppressiTe purposes, and whether thesr had paid theif MBi in
money according to their charters, or eyaded dping so. The report of the committee, and the •
Governor's recommendation, well warranted the inropoBiticm.
" !%« committee believe, the present eireulatioH in the state ariaeipaUy eonsifts of Ihe ao^ .
of those banks whose nomin^ capitals are smaU, and compofsa pdmpallT of the notes of the
individual stockholders, called stock-notes : so that the security of the public consists of the'
Srivate fortunes of individual stochholdeis, and .those ibrtnnes, in a gveat mtMsttie, fdaaitt af
le stock of the bank. T%eir infiiience too frequerUlyf na^ e^ffen aireadif begins to tarmu a
species of dictation altogether atarming, and unless some judicious remedy is provided hy tfai
legiiBftative wisdom, we shall soon witness attemfts to coatrol all felections to office in one
counties, nay the elections to this very legislature. Senators and members of assemUy vriU be '
indited to banks for ihe\' seats in tbis capiMj amd tkus ike wise ends of ew oiml iiuHtntiam laHit
be prottrabed in the dust by corporatiom of our own creation. It is therefore evident thq ddete-
rious poison has already taken deep root, and reqtdres immediate legfi^ative interference wldr
the utmost energy." ^.
General Root and Messrs. Meigs, Edwards, and Sharpe, made able speeches for inquiry,
but Mr. Oakley opposed it. The resolve was adopted, 70 to 38, and sent to the fieaate, m«e
ihey were carefully protecting the knavery of. Washington and Warren, Buffalo, Hudson,,
Plattsbu^h^ and other rotten banks of the Van Buren family. Van Buren denounced in-
quiry, effectually crashed .the Assembly's resolve and protected 4he hanks in their viUany,
ull their insolvency, and the breaking uown of many others of like character, closed the scene.
For proo^ take theprinted journals of the Senate of ^. Y. Look also into the secret earres^
pondence of Van ^u^en, Butler, Hoyt, Barker, &c.
" During the November session [1824], a complaint was made that the passage of tha HU
for chartering [the Chemical bank of New York], had been pfocnred by corrupt meaaa An
investigation was ordered, and a committee appointed with power to send for persona and
papers. The evidence given before the committee alforded a most disgusting picture of the
depravity of the members of the legislature, and indeed, I might say, of theSegndation af
human nature itself. The attem^ to corrupt, and in ikct, cormjption itself, was not oonfinMl
to any one party. It extended to individuals of all parties, and it is not improbi^Ie that the in-
terest of members in these applications for moneyed incorporatioiis had an eikci on the political
action of some of them. Mr. Caldwell, a witness, testified that he heard a senator say, * I am
a Crawford man to-day, but unless the Chemical Bank passes, I shall be a peopte's man to*
morrow.' In short, it was evident th^t the foul and sickening scenes of 181% had he^n r^;
enacted in lSQi.^*'—Ham7nond, vol. i., p. 178.
The old bank of Rochester, chartered 1884, was a regency /&vorite. It ptased tha Senala}
Feb. 16, 1824, and among the yeas were our present Governor, HQaa Wright, Jonaa Earil^
canal commissioner, John Cramer, Charles E. Dudley, Heman J. Redfleld, and Joba. Bow-
man, In the Assembly, 30th Jan., it was voted for by A. C. Flagg, our comptroller. Mr. Ftaac '
alsa voted for Ae Fulton Bank, N. Y., that year ; as in the Senate, Apcill, 1834^ did fiilaa
Wright, Jasper Ward, Jonas Earll, Jr., John Leff^ts, and Perley Kejras. This histny of that
charter is before the world. On same day, in Senate, the Long bland Bank passej. l^ fliA
votes of Silas Wright, Jasper Ward, C. K Dudley, JiHias ^arU, Jr., Peilqr Kayis, ai4 F^^
Stranahan. hi the Assembly, A. C. Flagg, not baring made vip hia aSa^, atantad himself
till the voting was over.
Did you ever see a cat watch a moUse^ reader? Jtist so will the little countty bank directaCa.
vrho has lent cash to a &jmer on the mortgage df his place, watch him. Six^ day renawak,
vriA ^h meals of interest, are an eating mctti. Tha iqwculatioa ftibfi> the aota is nowm Uf
as ha^f thevalue of the &rm--4heDanidrs. Didleasimof the lawtightea^ t^
ia the banker's^ and its owner on his way ta Iowa.
'-^Digi^edbySoOgle
—Dlkding the * tptjihl^BMr goe$ fiM- tn^rt Bmki: — WetnUr- cw ihie Pate.-^
^fl^eop succeeds Vdh Bmren.--^]tfuhiciP9Pl^opkeck$.'^^^hiin^kr Siarr an ik$ir
'F\tt/tmmitt — 9%e Safety Fund SShenw a Prdndon ihuCtimtfy. — Qimerul
George P. Barkiri-^mttrcy .an the Bttffah Bmk.-^Mank officer$ trkdjor
At* the opening of the legislitujre of 1829, fJan. 7] Governor Van Bureta '
takl« gpcftl deal about bMiks/ but very little apout education. Oue paragr^^h
oMiis ndfessage waijin these words r
9^'^ To dispense witk Banks altogether is an idea which seenna to have «^
0(fitAP advocate; Bod to make ourselves wholly dependent on those ^^
0(jf» established by federal authoi:ity deserves none. If these are conrect «^
gtf^ views, the only alternative would seem to be, between a renewal of the «4$
gt^ charters of the sot^nd part of the existing Banks, or to anticipate the «4)8
Qi^ winding up of these concerns by the incorporation of new institutions." *#5
When a few steps liigher upi preferment's ladder, he wrote Sherrod Williams
in 18S6, " I have always been opposedto the increase of Banks. "f
* On the 15th of Jinuary, 1«B9, Vfen Buren wrot« Judge Foi-man, at New Yoiflc^for a popalar veFsiob of lii«
vitMtmxA bbreiiiMBt tlnrough JMse Uoyt l»es No. 160,1 mti on the 27th kiid it by message before tlie legislature.
Nexftflwit awewredin tiio ArguB, and the iinprc^toa is irr^aiatible, that the scheme for posaiiig a bateii of new
and Old banks, to suit favorite interests, was, lllie Throop*s succttwion, and Westervelt's "great salvation," a
matter of bargain and good luiderstandlng between Van Buren, dleott, Throop, Marey, Flagg, and certain of the
paMfieMlers, nt Beiktmiett in SefMembef, 1638L ' Ftonnan puts Ibrward Mi plan- as of "a cuinmuniry aomettung
aftir^e ummffrofon Menl uiiioa— -with a aaperviaioB ovef the whole, as perfect and more beneficial for the
puhUc7M>« THAT OF *. oBNCjiiOL BAKK OVER ITS BRAXCHKs." IIow Van Burcu's scheme operated— how tfin char-
ters were got— tne sioclt distribute^— who the men were who were most active In procuring charters— who and
what the commisrtoBers wer^— what proportions of stocii went to legislators and prominent patriots, like Olcoti,
Mac^,>Fla||ii, Vauderpool, Dir, Wright, f^awrence, Butler^ Croaweli, Porter, Coming, Beekmais Gould, Youag;
an4rB|ll)kner, oc t^a^en of straw for them— and whether thoae who profited by these safety fund speculatious
were npt leagued ^qgetberaa, Regency supporters, both before and after 182S»— tliese arequesttons ih^it could best be
ansWeredbf t special work oaN.y. ftanking, which would show in detail how the charters were log-rolled,
amHorand by whom. Bach k work would be tbeMaek Boolr of the Empire State in right earofi^t. l>r. Mmx-
weU^a kgielaiar, aAdreMed Zeno AHen th$ poMasMer of Sacketfa Uarhor, by letter, dated Albany, Jan. 7, 1832,
thua,"Peac Judge— Youra just received. There ore more applications for banks tills year than ever before.
Yoii jnust i^ia^e out a complete list of directors, officers, &c., and if obtained you must know now. It must be a
Jafektolt Btdik ; and the Bank janto in this place, vcaiBt -be allowed a finger in the pie.
Yours, truly, fB..MAX,mc3.L.'*
tdfftfartaii^w b«y« he^A medie by appdrtSonlsg thie atoek of riew banks to favorites asd foRovTeri of tlie gor-
enuvwot* V«i Buren. wMeil that cornipt power to be letained. in his January Message, bo said,' ** Who are
the jwii^njar recy^QDts of younfayor is a matter of miiinr hnportance.^ The number of the stockholders, hi com-
psMPP wUn_|he great ho<fy of the people, is so very small, and the stock is so constantly changing hands, that
TamnMiVfry of its original distribution becomes a eomparativdy unituporUnt matter** Tllat
Is 1* say^ieav)»'tlie palty to wkiU the conudlssfoners to distribute the stock, and leave the distrifoatioif to the
eofntHi^kman, fefla^fti the prpihltHiislMd^ from 1899 to 1899, on bank stock, sold by the iMdgiaal favorites of
thajjai^, yielded them from (wq to three miilious of dollacs. All this, soys Van Buren, is comparatively
t4%is vMiifM atlbrds abtiAdant etidenoe that Blak was Van Barents conAderate, and the Qlobe hhi motfth^
plaofr^Bfafar MHl Ifisft Buwadnlt that.- 'Tom ta the Globa of Dec. 31, 1833, aad yaa ^111 find the followiac
paragraidi, proooising a large crop ofbanks without any safety fund to fvotect their customers :
*tWM. WW coall\iw» howover, Iiaire labored io vain. Th« intelligent people of the West know how to
iiM|ltalittnei^ rights and independence, and to repel oppression. Although fbiidd in the beginning, ^very
WlMlvAi 4Nm» is abftot to estaMish a 8cate betiidng 4nStitiitio&. "Fhey are' rssolwd 4o avail themselves of thsU^
oyjUmt ivedii aa-Wfll aiM>C OM^n^ttoiiffl CBsdlt to Ipainttdn a mnmicy Independam of foraigB ooattoi. Mt.
Caar||^»M|BSia,KMtaQ|y.h«g}nj^ fi»l how, v^ are<aU their e<9»EU to resist this determination of the
pA|RrmT&B West. The Louisvliie (Kentuck^p) Herald $ays : * From the indicattons of public opinion, as con- "
tahMd in the papers fh>m the States around us, there is ev^ry ptobability that banks k^H b* charcei<e4 4n iha
States of Ohio, Indiana, and Mt/isouri, and that efforts will be made to charter in this State (Kentucky) not only
a State bank, with four or five branches, but several independent banks.* "
Highly approving of this promised crop of state banks, the Globe concludes by saying—" So Ohio, Indiana,
T1i!nr;<i MiMourl, and Kentucky, are resolved to take care of thamselves, and no longer depend on the k'md
gu^Ui«i4:>h:i) of Biddlti Clay, and Co,*' And Ohio did take ciire of herself by chartering at that same session
Digitized by VjOOQIC
YAlt MBBIf, TMlboP AND WsitfTSl^ ON f «E I^. T. Wiiftt. H
^^ ')^ w^jE^i^ 1^ w«y^ to fte 0<i^bl, and become Prestdctit <^Hf
^ Ke |itteiQ0ed ip'sliow tbat iiUand banks were dependent on ^hoise df
i(^l^i wWyn^ ^« produce is sent and frona whence the merchandize is r^
^^ifPld^^^ di^QOuWed in oiie c^his mdssages to Congress after this fashion ; *
*»g1ipn I'lwni qf il(i|wyiiiii CdftWB*<sty hiwi> It doM «^ tsnmnate at PMiadclphU (f
JbnK.Vfnb I^ ifligl^s J9fit<m Uy ooean, aadf end* in I^naon the cen^e of the credit system.
ne saaie laws of trade wkich gare to the banks in our principal cities, power over the whol^
Mr«d^.o(r the United fiate*^ sUb^ept the former in their turn, to the moneypower of
i^,in. It is not denied that; the suspension of the New Yorfc banks in 18S7, whlcli
Jijifed ia quick succession throughout the Union, was produced by an application of
^jpl jiwr I and it is aow alleged in extenuation of the present condition of so large a ynf-
«g^'o«r banks, that dieir emharr^ments have arisen from the same cause. From thisih-
loe tl^wr caj^not now entirely escape, for it has its origin in the credit currencies of the
Mpjcoi^ftneii; k is 'streii|;thened by the current of trade and exchange, which centrei» in Lon-
4i^-aoa is rendered almost irresistible by the large debts contracted there by our merchants,
(^Vaaks, and oar States. It is thus that an introduction of a new bank into tlie most iis^
tifil^ of oiur vi^afes, traces the business of that village within the influence of the money
iper i<i England. It is thus that every new debt which we contract in that countr}', ser tous-
l^|fec^ our owD curreacy, and extends over the pursuits of oiu* citizens its powerful ia*
iSimAt^ VMk il Mf^rckyVsf) Bares abdicated in &vor of his lieutenant, Enos
T« TliKMp, eat «f ike noit Ihoroagfa^ag U. 8. Bank men in the state. He
kad TOted for the bank in Confess in 1816, and resolutely defended it every*-
SvJSbre. ••^ tm^ lo/en/s,^ Haid Van Buren, about Throop, " and a somddis-
' #<WWa<rttHy ptdffmi^t* y inU^U^ and wigkness of purpose^ and truly repub-
iUtak ffiM^hMjimnkk tmf jiu gramd /or. expeeUng a safe administration p/
^ gontmamHj^ that expectation^ I am pernuadedj may^ in the present instance^
fkJfSy mtu^id*'^ Throop ^d to r^iy, of course ; and the journal tells us,
liUllMi moamm hm pUcp w tbi^ Senate, and, among other things^ declared he
wm flB** tanks, wdid jpkmtjr of tkem^ ^ Their influence upon productive industry
. .* /' . 'We been mora l^f AefiCial iKan the most sanguine projector could have
fipitk^i^^te^ saii Throop. '
dttuie l^of Itoichi Sir. Hubbell, in the assembly, rose to oppose the
l^k MU of Ott Vkn Bwrra party.'* Hk speech 1 find in the New York Eveq-
oClAt LagWutvie, t %en%y% mewtm mtm kuks, witk ta agpegate capital of abont four miUiona— the pf t
bank party haviof a majority la botk Wanebes.
— ** -.. - .~-., j»jj^^ 1^ Goveraof Wright, in Senate, March W, 1&14,
1 had, spMer-like, enticed th« fanners and maaafac-
^^I'^jitetf rA» InMcs te «i««i«M»y whlck have bee* iaeorpArattd aiAC9 the Safety Fuml t-yiiFin wna e^iai^-
I one whleb has aot tieen studiously iiod desiujLt'tUy H^it'eri ill Thff hia<i]i
bank party havlof a majority la botk Wanebes.
.WMbftar, \fi Miif IB a Ji^kmM «f the Feu aad Safety Fa
9jfl* ^^^tPSffl t>i£'tfwql ««t into whlek itfeteilded patriots ]
cm. taa ftatlciiaa aMattm one whieb has aot iieen studiously iioc . .
IUend« 1 b theie, aow-a-days. any such |hlns as ^btaiain^ a bank charier tn^ni ikie E^e^Tilhtttrf oi'
U Wijikant coikausalaners, aanwd in Ch» aet it^lf, to distritafe the stnclc -tnit is tliere nny nue in
\ wmk- a nlajnilrt df sha««»« i(t tM attotted to nwn of otter particular politi x M ^^r iv 1 Will ihn pa^^
VlttMt a hUMlfed of the iiat fnet«aaDl» ^ Mevr York, or AUtany. or Utici< . ^k Ji^iuttilov n^nilii iiii* lUy
^~*4f» Ibr thuMsalvHt 4ul tkair aasoeia^s ; Uie. stock to be divided as th> y miutu ibim^ 1 I »iu
llafiwinad if.fty meli tt^ingcoiild be expected. With us, and I suppiKc H^eivbffe, Imiilrliit; Is
^ Certain cenefal laws regntat^ the whole business, and one class of pphtikn!^ ^laa Hip muus r^lu,
"aaliuti iAwS< JketHty, In aip^lylax Ikr aad fecelvhig ehaneis as others, if they confiirm to lUt^ ^pnMrdi ^w ,
m$ i^mm'tipoilbM^ mt tm ai tr ftar the iattitnHkNit wh^«h they ask fUr. No qaostion i;^ luilitti] .^au^ wlhttr. ^c\u.i(^\
^ wpMJftffy ^ <gfl*c»»*' h^im^; and this is as it should he. To place all bank circutailnn, uhd bunk iir
^iMS t^omoa^uA h^ Inl^ueace, into party hattds. to be nned for party purposes, nonkd be, haJ li, if wn^h a.
m9% nlyirhei<e «vlsts, mi enormity, worthy only oTihe worst governmeats/'
♦'Hi Skftty Ptdid Commiailotiers, CHiaqdler Starr, Tmmbtdl Car)', &o., in tbeir report of
k.39, 1843, i/aow liow correct Mr. Hu^U's views were in 1829. I'hey assure the ksfislk-
?of th«v titter finabii^ to gretent Aie plbndei^ of banks^by th» negligence of directors and
ry* of cafthicfs, or tiie vinkinyof both fcombiiied. 1. Because it is. difficult, and often
»ibl«, by the exercise of the greatest vinlance, to compel a hank to SHs^)end tiU it Is
"f^y insolvent, 3. ITiitfl a haM: ha» viawiied a positive law, it is usuaHv beyond their
of ititerfereace; thfdueh ah application ibr a chaiicery injusictioti. ^. Thoagli the
lie^t hi very iiAprovident* the knoib ma^te hi large sums to a fbvr fhvorites, or badty
litfTery (Jottbtful— ;tli6u«a th« officers m«y%e tlie prfnoipal borrowftrs, aad the mana-
evidra^ hattfdinf %be ca^HHaT a iMHk, yecHia tsmnAaAxMm tot moUmwHste, 4.
Digitized byVjOOQlC
|M WBXd COiniCl89lQMKB8 ANJ) VAN BUUN's SANDY BILL FUND.
4IV^^ repo^rtod from ihe iJbi^j. Ar|jas,, He wu^oorinc^ tb«
iund would prove only a.splendia ^ren^iium/o'fl^rwtd^fiJfediHsS^ 6i
tbftt many exp^enta would be resorted. to tfy the ir(in^trd'6{% tJOjpi
tuUon, in failing .circumstances, to push as man^ 6T their bilfc'lAo/-
as possible, the whole banking capital of the istate Being jA^ged ftn* 6
tion. He wanted to gnard the honest slnckbiAta'^ inlial^* widiwrs, mdlijw'i
sons retired from business who hkd their f^inds' ifi thebftaks, h«tnhii \"
** It i» trne that an iiyunctipn will be granted when tfe ruin of the bant has t^een \
by actual insolvency, or in cases where half the capital 3tock has been 16m." 5. ftt tiMt
fycts must be sworn to, as facts actually known to the coinmission<?fs, Or w^ed On oritH bjr
pthers. 6. ^ven if a well founded belief of insolvency is the ifesult of An Tn'rctidftSSm hflbt
commissioDers, Chancellor Walwortli carries the matter to A fliture ^y/ ^intf Hw aiMb tfft^
to the bank otficers to give preferences to those they may desire to mv6r, and to 6tAMIinte
worthless paper, or paper at iQng dates, for notes at short dates and well i^ciired! The l^aik
of^pital is often placed " in the Jiandsof reckl^ and unprincipled managers, a^tt itt i ip sa aflft e d
by either moral or legal obliga,tion." 7. Examinations 6f bsLnk$ take^ce l>tit tMft^ ^^ ftwr
n^oaths — tlie commissioner has o(leh little knowlerlge of the debtoi?5 or of the r^ v;^ie o^tke
9ther funds^" he is precluded from disclosing the names of thfe flebtofe,"*!*!'!!!!?! to S^ff0^
whatever tlic managers may tell him. Even if the iufbrmathm fe swonl to, it f s not 'W«>i1li
much. 8. " The selection of President and capable'Directors must, of necessity, cdbififilBfe
theareat safeguard of bank stockhoMers "—BUT THESE CONSIDERATIONS SELPOM
INFLVtyVE THE StOCKHOLDERS ^ THBlR CH<WOE. iTcMom&A&m^t^
fA in, are fortified by proxies, which k^pttomiB* - TiO^lMMV Mri4iBck«f JMhi^i^oih
Isting unwisely. i .r\. . • ' , . ^
What a commentary on that grand hun^ug^the l^ibty fvaad. l>aw, W which f^^ swe^xpSg
is declared to he perjury, and tlje exhib^ion of.^se books^ or ^trles^'the cdrtimissfonrt^,"?
I^k>ny ! ! Justice.to the guilty is a mockery, and ev«ii Stenjifenm BiAwd tot ta ^ 'ikg^fttm, af
falling the knaves to account, is thii, ean it be, fl«e„eidig^e«ii^ i><»iiiriiiii AWMJiil %:'X^
▲ttenca of my early dream* it surely is.not . . ^ ^ 4, • ' « '- ^* . - i'
In 1836, Georse P. Parker was elected to the .^Lsseijablv ^om Erie (bounty, to electioneer for
the charter of the City Bank of Buffalo. He old k), and bbtaSned it, t&ongh the" votes- of
Senators J. and L. fieardsley, Armstrong, ©aajertxttt, Coe S. TJewtii^^ (Jki&k,'H\Mt^3.
Hunter, Geo. Himtington, J[. P. and J-. P. .femes, Lacv,lAtryert JUimj^prhJUm^ti^m^
€. Mack, the yaiiy priater, Maison, Segor, th^ exiplert^of f^^mbly, Yan fitOAaipl^Jp. vVS;er,
Sterling and Spraker. Samuel Young, with Loomis, James Fbwers'{sfee page iuj. ksA one
or two more, formed the opposition. Prosper M. "VjVetmorewafi its snpjxirter in the JkatfSSSStf,
and also the supporter orahnost every other baxflt^askerfiHr:- '9G&stfek»'«^hinf)L«tlavv
Agent here, like 4 broti&er. Van Bwen'a ^Uoltfers hadr thi^r nHa^ qC^l^e 9ip]4^r^ ^ Mo-
ment. One prominent operator (Coming, I think), had $30,000 of the stock, and.^TO9i
the bank failed, the Argas ^ad toe aasaranae to oitt tlia oaaovii a '*vh|g bfi^.BMty"
"machine." < . ^ > .. . . . •
^rom first to last, General George P. barker, a'bdlitidnist, Canadiah Patr^^ «tocWc*l>er,
and Van Buren's steady tool, was a director of the City Bank— life was ^so i^'a«orpet,
transacting its law bn&iness. John B. Macy, another ex-Yan Bnven jMn^va^Ule im presi-
dent, and he and his pariber, Isaac S. S^mfth, the 16eo»ft>c6rcafiflMdate ftr OovomoF, alwfnwipd
and lent themselves nearly $150,000 pf the funds of the bahk : their sechrities Wete^ »(M ai
Buffalo last Nov. for lew than $2i)0&.r»-$&%000 of disuwanted hflkhrpnght $l«)200-^'tfdgnlekits
in fkvor of die bank for $285,000, were -sold fix $01^. Until ^^ov. i€l29j the SalfatyFiwl
Commissioners reported the bank to be soi!md and nealfliy, t&o^hft was even lh4»> ntierl^
worthless—so too, the state authoritie& had le^t it more than $1'00,COO of me pdbUc fhnds —
a dead loss. The bank 1^ not oc^y iasaed tke extra, allowawie of it» notes mentioned in tl^e
statutes, but also many thousands <k dollars beyond dM legal limii-^aiid whm MaesjF mis
na<aed as its receiver, ne swore that not only would over $300;6OO of its,noie$ be t^sdieeAiaiaie
out of the state treasury, but thai " it is sunposod that a still larger anapnnt of th^ ftanr^ldcj^t
mies of that bank than is ahr^a^y nde^ed ij| Inr^ang yet ii^ recesses o^y kji9wn to Ifes j:or-
mpt managers."
Isaac S. Smith, in an o^cial letter toFitzwilliam Byrdsall, and others, daled Buffalo. Se|^m-
bar 29th, 1836, a month or two aHer the City Bank wa*) set afl9at there, 'l;hn^ proclaimed the iEhitfi
that was in him : ' , . v . . , .
"' None of our institutions/' said Isaac, " have sq strongs a tend^cy to create and J>erpetaate
'^Uie odkHts distinctions between the r^ch and the j)oo^, as the naper mode^ nank$.
** Those ittcoi^wations, and others not moce meritipriou& and yet e^uaiuy monopolizxn|^ hate
*' ^etn dke greatest cause of trookling and otn^ruption in tefislation. TAe worst feature m ihm
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left lihe eontidine rtdckholder Without remedy, When a UtnvB to<A pfaioe.' Be
had no fitith i& the commissionerB, who wcmld rely on the statemeiits tobe giirett
by bank (Acers, and prove no check at all to mimnanageDvent. The commis*
sioners woald have an unfooanded and very dangeroufl mfiiieBee, aod form a
connecting link between all the ifistitations, for poKttcal or any other comhina*
tions they might think necessary \ and the whole machinery prove an unsafe
monopoly ) nothing short of despotism.
I am very well satisfied, that an honest, efficient system could be devised
without difficalty, by which this country wouM have a sound currency, porti^Ie,
'^ for public improvements, but in reality for party pniposes, and the srantinf of chane^ Ibr
" baauB, with ^ch to tmnglhen tbe hands oif party leadeiB. I woqu tamoa aoflUas bat
" sUver and gold as a circulating medium." This fellow pots me ia mind of dM sharper
Jenkinson, in the Vicar of Wakefield. £[e had. silver on his tongue, but did not fox^t to
abstract $150,000 of ttie bank funds, with the aid of his more tolerant x>armer in leatlier, Macr.
The bank, through a committee, gave up good securities to debtors, and took the Tonawttoda
Bank in lieu of them, capital $150,000, but not worth <Mie cent In Nov. 1839, the bank, by
Lewis Eaton (Van Borea's ex-safety fund comV) its psesideat, Qencral Barker, attornnr and
director, L. F. Allen, no whig of '76, and the other directocs, appointad three of themaalves « .
coBimittee " to take collateral securities, <x ext£tiguish donbtAil debts." Stephen While, L. F.
Alien, aad jTed. H. Lathrop were chosen, and went to work and made a aettwsient af the affiiirs
of the bank, concerning which Marcy swears '' that the same was made with inftoit to defraad."
I need not tell you that as their brother in the affair, Baricer, was eleeted Attorney General by
those who had got rich by such knavery, and &eir abettors and supporters, tibere were no con*
victions either at statute or common law. Cteorge P. Barker appears to have borrowed lanely,
$13,000 with Vandervoort, $10,000 on his stock, known to. him to b&utt«rly woctUass, $3,000
on Ohio city, &c. Let honest republicans keep in mind, that after Barker had hroagM forth
and buried this Infkmons bank, Fiagg, Marcy, O'SuUivan, I>ix, Cwcniag, Fanikner, JDaveeac, .
M. HoiTman, Van Buien; and the party leaders selected him ibr Attorney Qeneral of the
State, while the Syracuse Convention that named Van Buren for presideat om a second term,
put Attorney Barker and Col. Young on their ticket as state eldelors.
The Bank of Buflldo, another safetv fund concern, of which Hiram Pratt was Pkes^tent and
John R. Lee cashier, chose Orlando AUen as its President on the death of Pratt, whom a &ar
of premature discoveries of villainy hastened to his grave. It failed in 1840, and had issued
many thousands of dollars of its paper, as mcmey, beyond the limit allowed by la^, i^ officers.
Allen and Lee, solenmlj swearing to tne contrary heht^ the commissioners. A Bnffldo grand
jury, on what was believed to be unquestionaue testimony, indicted XiCe and Allen fi>r the
perjury— ^ey were arrested and held to bail, Allen, if memory serves me, beine out of the way
and brought back. It is reported that the banks lent their notes tu the brwers at r^fular
interest, with an understanding, ^., that the brokers shaved (exacted usury) as dose as they
could, that/the prc^ts were divided between the brokers and the preside^ and directors of the
banks, and that when discount were applied for, they would say " we can't do it — ^Lee, the
broker can— away to Lee." Two per cent, a month, Ac., fi^owsd, of course. TMs may or
may not be so--but as Lee is a fair spoken, plaosible person, and as AHea qpiotea Bawr's
case, and says they all do it, I wrote a friend in Buffalo to send me all. the papcsa containing
the trial or any part of the proceedings, as Barker was the prosecutor, and the c^ of unusoai
interest to the whole country. Here is the result ** BufflUo^ Nov. 30, 1843. W. L. Biacken-
" zie. Sir : Oeneral Barker has just concluded his speech m the trial oC John R. Lee, the
" cashier, for perjury in swearing to felse returns. The evidence contains some strange
" developments in banWng. The judge proceeib wiA his charge-4h^ verdict you will get
" to-morrow. The trial excites much mterest, and the newspapass ootfainiiur th» beat report I
" will send to you." Soon after, the N. Y. papers said he was acquitted, and my fHend wrote
agaitH*-'* Every Buffalo paper is silent on the details of Lee's triap-h« was MfiwttM, hot tl»Me
" was perjury or its equivalent somewhere, and enough of it toa Why tiia pafayc jmamah,
" which often copy very unimportant isiraes in die courts, shoaid have all omiaed diis very
" important one, you can guess as near thetruthas, yours truly." The end of the BuflUo banks,
13 in all, was hopeless insolvency, fraud ia not a few, and the honest part af the oommaaity
in Ohio, New York, Cs^iada, ladiana, &e., were cheated, as befoie by Van Baraa's int bank,
and by similar characters, too. Had the evidence in Lee's case justified the verdict, or had
the attorney general been any other than a charactitr steeped ia bank cormptioa ; had ha been
aident to search ibr, produce, an^duWexaniinedtewi tt i ess e a that a>ighthava bean tortlM« aii ai|
either woukl Lee's exccdpatory testimonv been heralded to hiaertdlt,or tha viwtiit woval
8fl»e atoaament to a piUaged people. All may have been rigM— bat I ha»a wltawaaia triala
iaftiaiMawfakh^MtaaaaMafedaatosilBBaMr'"^^ '-'^-
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91 WBB9nM|^iM?«»^ii,I^IW^<HITpN^ .^im I*..Y. 9Jl|'^1C ?#NK8.
\
flUplaLIe^ for ^apin^se^ j»q4 y^t not be exclusively metallic ; but it 4Qfi? iM>t
lyppear^pbab^etba]^ Vaa 3urQahad auy wish jfor 9t^:h a currency at this tiine^
Gener«^ Jacdcsoo sjud he Ju^^w ^' a veiy good plan o£ a hank," but when I wrote
s^me 0^ hi^ ci^^aet adyis^rs, th^y bad never seen it.. Webster's language, in
Jj^Sii^ji^j IQQ^j was very jiKticious. While he denounced the pets, he said to
govercui^nt, tel) us of * better . pla^n t,han the U. S. fiank^ and we will ^opt it.
" For the convenience of the government and of the country,'^ said he, " there
tAMsi bff spina bank, and be ahoukl wish to hear the view^ of tl^ administration.
He was not so wedded to this bank, as not to be willing to hear any other plan
which hiiman ingenuity might devise, if any other feasible scheme could be
deviied.''
The following extnKt' from Jackson's Farew€ll Address of March, 1837,
a||pears to me to exhibit other feelings and principien than those of 1829 and
1834. Why did he foster the state banks for eight years, and then condemn
theitt ? '
"Tbe. planter, the^Carmer, tbe nechanic, and the laborer, all knonr that their success ctepends
upon dieir own indufitry and ecoacMAy, a&d that they must not expect to beconvs suddenly rich
by tha traits of their toil. Yet these ciaeses of society form the great body of the people of the
U. S», they are the fajone and sindw of tht ooantiy ; men who love liberty and d^ire nothing
but eouai rights-and equal*, laws, and who moreover hold the great mass of our national
wealth, aUheugh it j^smstributedin moderate amounts among the millions of freemen who
possess it. But, with ovemrhebniog nunrb^^ and wealth on their side, they are in con^itajui
dapgcr t»f h)fline their fhir iniuence in the government, and with difficulty maintain their just
rights againki me incessant efforts dafly made t^ encroach upon then. The mischief springs
from the power whidi the moneyed interests derive from a paper currency, which they are
able lo eontrol j from the multitu^ of corporations with exclusive privileges, which they have
succeeded in ol^taining in the diffenmt states, and which are employed altogether for. their
benefit j and imlese you become more w^atchftil in your states, and check this spirit of , mono-
poly and thirst for exclusive privileges, yo« will in the end find that the most important powers
of gevenameaf have been given or bartered away., and that the control over your dearest interests
has pa0s«d' into the hands of these eorporations."
CHAPTER XXI.
Albany Bank tfwrf State Unwn. — English mode vf BasiJe Ingutnett."^ Silas
. M^iicfht, — iWti? Yotk SanH protest against Van Butenh Mutual Insurance
C«mpmay,-^jN',i S^ Be^QU^ <i steady Bank Man. — Correspondence on Banks —
. OpMonsifOid Safety Fimders, ^Charles Stebbins,—-Tke Dry Dock Bank. —
* George R) Davis.-— Peter Robinson. — The Electioneering Commission, — 7%e
Broken ISfmks^iheir HJiatwy, au4 J^ttenness. — The WatervKet Bank. — T*.
JV, OleotVsBond^'-'Bank of Zyong,-. — Dishonest Receivers. — Egbert Okott^
Vau Burbk's Safety Fund Act of 1^29, is a regular union of bank and state ;
the f?tute ixas to ]jrotect the banks and lo control them.* He found that to carry
^The Biiiit» ii# K«W VorlE«->th« MfercJiiMits*, Cftyr MeolMiiict*, Plittiiix, UnioQ, Trailmnen'a, acid Bank of
AiBMlf*^wi&taB0«hie«fiji'al«, 4»ut tlniy<it|Jetu4 to lite bU^ U\ IS«ii«t«, Mfirch 30. that it was wrong lo make tlie
wUole i>f the JMjB^jr«8pq^giW^ Ihr eacb oiUer's ^ouAict and roanagejueut— tliai in 40. years only five chart*>r»'d
d y bankd h»d'r^ilf?t(-'tbat vitnowt a piiiil vp cnpital and faitliful and capable directors, Van Baieti's plan wnnid
be n I rein^^ nt all, liiii^ with tliefec, it wan not required'-that fhe Hir«e comtuteooners wnnici be a detudm^ of
die piibKki,^tid «^ fafee, lll-gnmi>4«>d )pec«ifty, Btcauae no tbl^e'iaea coiild .male? tiiecoiuplKe W)«pec(ioik«i, in-
osttriN anfexaaipallona nfecfsiMfy )• f\t\k\ tite iur«iiiioa of tli^ pvopoflfed law, and mpiTficia] inquiries would
A^iv^UiasQlvfint, well j)iaiiac^d Itfuk.s encourage Ciaud, and deeply injure tbe onntry in the l/ing run— ilmt
tlie iH)*v'er p^e^i to the Secrtfary of tfie Treas^iry lio inspoct the conduct of the U. S. Bank hail proved 'delusive,
the vaifit amoaiit of <f*fiilt'fiif<m hatiugliearly TUineid-U b^^^e 1* knew that anyUriujf wa& wrong— that no pre\'i
steiSll?t«»N^*iatf*lhat«xeHt^iairtttittpMnita[jitlalBtm wlieii new cbarien* w^rr grafted, no^
■tet^f s|p^||.fitetuJ^^|o Uito 4l»e hitA<)4 of leait^n^ fido slocKholder^ «iid not lotp tbe keeping of speculators,
y. BunbL^p Cii. iiwuIdLbave [c^t, and tbe pecualc saved iiiiUiona by Hucb tin honest provl-iio i ii9 ihi?.
"■On'thwllft of AMiirT. L. Smith hsktt! Ifeave to withdraw the raemOrtelfl Irom *o N. t. city banks ; «iftd
BIr. C. L. Livingston, w i i i ii tt i fc ltoth Hrtim-i»yewr4n'<Mb votauM, W^y iWmlie J>.tlat. HieiTjimBPi • '^^t
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' h^ ine^fVr««,.tlvteiivpef .of the times requir^4,sucb ^'prqposjtictD to be artCullVri.
' m^e then. la 18^7, i^ special sessloii/ .wlien tfie vilf^iny^ '^iJolesale sis' * ^^
' sureiy was, had been&lly accorapUsbed, anc^ tl^e peopfe duly plundefe'3 in tf at
fotm — he deiK>unced his old scheme, pretended to ^ be horror-struck at the/
roguery of bank and state unions, and advised their repeal. Young said that *
Ropian despotism co^ld not have done a tithe ofthe injury which the hibnopolv
^ystQiTi Wd accpmplished ; but he forgot, like Van feuren, to tell th^t he h'ddii'phela,'^
uursetl) and gained gold by it, in the teeth of Tomplcinj?. and Clinton's sdebn
wafoings. Van Buren had plundered one class, by his sham safety fund; he
Wfts now prepared to plunder another by his subtreasury. That scheme would
make money scarce, and oblige the man who had mortgaged his estate in times'
of plenty of paper, (for paper promises^ tp pay in gold, and silver in times of
scarcity,) or forfeit the iQherit|ttice of his fathers, fiui bankrupt kw of iS42
was the closij^ scene. In 1S16, 1S25, and>lS3l^, tbe Br^tidi Paelian^nt ha<f
questions affecting the currency before thetn, and speeiail committees T«ii«d be-
fore them, and carefully examined bankecs^ merchants, n^anuiadurers, nien o['
skill, science, and experience t, the whole was taken do^n ih shorthand and;
printed: Action followed at a future session. One of these reports and the
evkhenee forma a lar{;e folioik Here the grand question isrr- What course \s^iir'
promote the interest of tlie leaders of the party ? Tediouf,- thoUgjh invaluable
inquiries, like those made in London, might save millions to the people, but the^ '
would be too monarchical ! .
Such is the operation of Van Buren 's deceptive Safety Fund^ concerning
which, Silas Wright, in reply to Henry Clay, in the t7« S^ Senate', Wednesday
Feb. 26, 1834, said, " | verily believe, that in consulting the safety of the pub*
lie, it has, in the best manner, consulted the greatest safety of^'^the tanks.''*
P.1W that "the tmin of AiBimcer ani'emlMm-aasment that wooW fellvw theaAapli^B o^than«w fMgle4^(8tea»
wuuld be '* t«ry fTVHt— ntid «> it proved In th« loiiff ran. I pio«iKite4iiitt Smilii'toppoiikioa wa« ml fitrgotttin*^
thnt h? is the Smith of whom Coddinirton felt afraid, (pafes 208 and 'i^) and 4iie Smith wtiQm PoU iiaa cer .
nittved ftrorti office to in«ke way for Giltett. • . . ■ '
In li^2kii on Van Bureaus principle of Safety (!) 29 bankw were efaariered— i» 1830, only S^IS ia .1S3]^~9
in 183-3—7 In 1833, and 21 in 1834 and ISSS^in all ninety. On tha firrt o^ JaaUnry, 1831, tiieir nominMl
capital wa» |3 3,501 ,460^their cash $5,562,307, and their notes in cireulattoB as fliloaey $29,0ftavl3d. Ai uf-
fictal HccooRt ^ive!) tiieir \Ho^la at more th^ii five mDlions of dolUra. In Muy they atopt payuieDt. The titf«at«.
Journal of I8i9, ehow« the werlcing of the machinery that y^ar. N. & Beutoa, of Little Fails, receatly the U*. S.
District Attorfu7 for Nnrthftm N. Y., and now 8ecreury of State, waa then n Senaiar. He voted with the
leaders, but went <h gainst S ohartei 8, all of which were rejected. Denton, S. AtleiL, fiogardiu, TbtviQi), Stehbind,
and Has;er, toroahawKed the Butchers and Drovers* Banlc, bat a better undentaiHiny witk the regwicy wa#
brought about and next year the bill ptnaed. Nearly the same pariiet aaited againat sevecal oitaar baaio. Ste-
phen Alien moved an excellent clause in the Safety Fund Law, tliatno diteetor, ofioer or afant of any charter-
ed bank shall purehase or be Interested in the )>tirehase by others, of any bank-aottv hand, -or obligation i«s«Qii
by any b^nk for a less sum than the face of said note, bond, dec., under a potnKy< N. S. Beatuo n»«e thi« hoM'
pn proposition a decided negative, and viith Lewid Eaton, Hayden, Ha(!er, Stebbias, Wheeles, Watermaa, and
Botif!*)ton, voted it down ! No wonder they made Eaton a bnnk commissioiier, and iiresMeot of the>City Bank
in Bulfitlo. -•-''.;
• Our Secretary of State, N. S. Benton, 1?} a very *uitablo incumbent for those who efeeted him. Hte vot*li hi
tlie Senate show that he is rotten to ihf very core. His office \< ttie rocmnpcnse of frictious ■e^litud^. Ha is a du- '
pUcale of Dr. Sutlierla d of Philadelphia, whose letter forms No. 93, pnge IftI of Corr^«pondentie. The latter
avowed frankly what all trailing politicians think. They rtjally hold the fiiasseis incnfttenipt; and nefer hesitate
as to means, provided they may gain their tselflsh'end^. Vet these nt^n arc saceessru) whHe tittfe Yteard is pilid
by the people to honest, capablR, nnobtrusive persons.' 0r. SatherhlDd.'8 a\T>wals, one'wouW have tftoueht, wtmht
have excluded him thereafter from political ftivor • n«d yet he has scarcely been out of office ever since rtbe peojile
of Philadelphia and the U. S. government granting almost all hi<i reqa^sst^, both f>>r himself and' fkmtty ! , is tlie
reader surpri.<ed that ^wiss multiply ? Does it' not s'-eni that, ns the Bihfe tells ni 6( cMt times, ther people lore
to be cheated, and heap honor.<i on their deceivers witli their ryes open ? . v. .
While Van Barents ^.eneral nieasuce was bef ire the Senate, Stephen A4ljen nrtipoMd to improvwK by a pio-
vision« tliat each bank certify on oatii (hat its capital was paid np and entire before its charter could be renf^w«d,
that no dividend bo made oiitof nsal profit?, thai none of the capital be divided ^xtvpt by virti^e of law, and ibat
tlie fund-) of the bank should not be used by the managers in spcculatingT in the stoclcs in fitYmr eoiilpaniot>,'and
nincy sfocks in general. Secretary Benton w.ta almost eloquent in his op^sllion to this p#opoeal. and, wWi
Porter, Hubbard, Hayden, Stebbins, and Geo. B.Thronp, the Auburn bantjef, voted againrt it— but he votud for
the bill itself, of cqurse. and also for the charters of the Mohawk fiunk, Bank of Moufbe, Fiurmefs and Hechan-
ic«\ Lockport Ithica, Taies Co., Utlca, Putuam Co^ &c. ' ^
'Charles Siebbins, too, was a steady, nnprinnipied instrument of Van Bdien, in these ttami. fletoofkMtwmt
in. the senat(! for the 5th district, in January, 182ft— vo»'d steailHy for th(* party ehanRrsin* }8I», and^kgatmCim^
^ovinnehts for the protectkm of the honest stockholder and bU f- Bolder— proven YriBuelfflt to be a go-between fef
tiM Regeney and tile Banki-Hiat as president of the senate, When Tftfoop took Va'h ^aren'ii'place~>aiid wten hto
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9l ▲ TISW 0P WlUMf, ttTTLtt, AUB VAtf BITltSlV^ ULVtfT KILL 8A
Twdhr« jem afteri i^ Albany, as Oor^mor, (Jan. '46,) Kr. Wright dumgd
hifl tone, ana iatd that '* That legislation which equalizes the benefits and am-
dens of government, and attempts to secure no special advantages to any, will
difliise prosperity throughout a community .... attempts to confer fiavokv %
law upon clashes 9r localities, produce a competition destructive to profitable
ind^ustry ^ a strife, )iot to earn but to gain the earnings of others Tbe
tendei^cy of this &lse system is to separate capital from productive labor, and,
carried put to its tall extent, will produce the singular result, that he who l^km
least n^y accumulate the most, and he who works the hardest may know ^k
most want.'' These latter views are borrowed from Burke — ^are correct— «ad
i£rEh wu Aut, Thf«rp ftnd thtf Sairitc madft him i^ fatak commlsskmer of tbe atate, mneh tfr tbe delighS a^'thc
hanka, wbo wsatad li bonk -Jobber &nd ihoi a tte^rn^ upriglit agentt tp eiflveiM) tbe iu^uiaiiorial powers* nuMi is
ihe bill to make JL pAlAtabli* lo :lic fnUlkun, but never meant to be used for tbeir benefit. On the 6lii of Ear,
l^ST, xvhrn Lhe Dry Oock Bank, N. Y., sUut iu doon on the public, owing its stockhoUlere $4Sfl,000^-<o ftCMw
bfinks f^<$u,CiOo-to other atf buUn *316^)4>^eo depodton $164^^0-^10 tbe U. S. $80,000, ae a pet — to ibe jC.
V^ Stale ireajiury, » i.pet ut Aibnnj^ aJHfh'Diid to u« bftl-holderB $2(10,000 nearly— one of the SAFgTV Fiw d &ih
itiiiuLcmeiB EitQCHil on tJieALi>pBi ofttie Qaiih {uid Assiiredthaeitiacnitbatbetiadexamhied btWdall wasaaAfH &
had jittJT llajas iiL B}}ecii3-$400,Don uJ lUi fui^dH hiid been lent to three Wall street leech^n, to speculate on, aad
1ll(^ (IfrecLctra pieLeiidfHi thai Hifiy did not huow it ? I Who stifferea for the fbhe books, false entries, lUaa faepcc-
tinm, and fairie diri^cK>r4 in tbta cilsq 1 No oiii^. The Argus and tbe Atlas ba|Me about equal righta^ and sedc
the victliDP of^iarty criiue, attoayit isi'eA tuiBunEfy.
Oeomfl R. Dnvu, of Troy, was titile irPubbiHl i^ltJi orincl^le, noc wiOKJutabHItjr, andpakl hia coarc i
to T. W. O]cou In Uie Asseiutity^ tA U)43 ninter t)r 1S80, be was fishing for the oiBce of baikk com
a,»d declared in delmte tbut he waid the iiiicoinprnniisiBg enemy of tbe United States Bank, anrf would i
his hostility tLu * f^iitid tn hjtIsi^ Olegtt v/m ^clijirhMd, and In 30 da|s Qavis was a bank comalssioneft *,
Okolt's iiifliKmcK. fot ibt? N. V - htmk^ bud ti^tn ik) vote. In 1831, we find tbe banks sending their commierioMr,
TO tlic Leaieilaiurc, ai<^iLi t^>eakt>r, 1^1 to ^. while Pt^ter Robinson, of Broome, the Speaker «f 1889, who ha^ voted
KgalRit die vftHf\Q scheme ea Injurious u hw eoitiiny, was ootmcised.
Mejur Re^ftt, thr Com[iii<iii[nn£>t (ippotiiipd by the western banks, was not, like Stebbins and Davis, a fiolloWer
nf Van Bur&n, \nn im }niTiy \oc&ijexi new l^mkt west, clumged tbe vole next times displaced Reese, elected mHb
CaiLiii, a fheiid orSiln^ vvn^lit, aiid tb(> three brink commissiooers then formed an available traveliing, electkn-
ctirtng cammilte<L% to adv'?ii>cc Van HurL'ii, Mnrny, Ftegg, Hoyt, Butlef and Wrigtvll's fortunes, dufy saltfM
and paid by a ^t^iioroufl jmblic. Bill* were pasiied ftom tone to tiine tl» lendijw ont tbe ata^ t^oda to tbls pst
bftHiJc, or Lh^t, at n low raie of liJitJ^f^t, on which iarge profits were made by the borrowers, with a secret aa-
rkntjurHliag thiLt c^rtnju meti AhinoLd liave cf?rtain sums lent them. The machmery was made to suit tSI
J 877. and then » nmv l^at' vinvt ttimed f>v«f to isret more gain to tbe few by decrtviog their brother men.
\Vben the bunks refused Lo n^ftmn ihc'ir ii&\u^, nr repay tbe funds deposited in their vaults, in May, )83r, tbe
people found no ^fniy iii the nfcty C\tt^^ Those Who required rqiecie had to eell bank notes for what th<7
would f^teb to ubifim \L To ninet ab^iLute iustdvencics nearly two millions of dollsrs have been paid since
laot, part by thf brnik* and part Uy tJip jEEstr".
Era^tuK Conun);, AFbrit LeiAtr, tunti K U. TflErott, the 6enate*s Committee, January, 1845, state that tbe di-
rnetont mid mriniMiPTK nj thr foE lowing timkcn biiuhs, viz : tbe City Baak, Buffalo, [Attorney General Barker's, j
tbe Bnnk of BuffAiQ, ih^ il<immercl^| Hank ot Bitffola, the Wayne Co. Bank, ihe Bank of Lyons^ tbe Commer-
f^lnl Bank of Oriw^u» mid ili^ CHiiloii Co. tiaikk, each of them insolvent safety fund coacerna, took care to le-
<inlire fi'^Jtlii'T hf)m\ um piet:ur\iy. fJtIier from tbcir cEisbiers, teilers, clerks, or other olTicvia, to ensure their AUtbfal
ron li '1 i-T -. Pi . i r,r,>i . , p f- - rr*.- k h • i Mi' r- * ■ ■> H m ■ r i ■ ' ■ ! c against embezzlements. Van Bnren's regency commissiQB-
t-'tv-^-^'.' ere not one whit more clear-8i(;bted. The Water^^liet &mk
lot^ iui ajw-^M^iii :ici^uiiiy ^ Um ^utliiUi. opU j^i^tus T. W. Olooit, but the understanding between the cbanodlM'
and his neelver seems to be that the creditors of the bank do not need that money. I find none of the reports of
tifefteeeivarson the i!3enaii»*s journal, but enough of matter in which society have a much smaller interest
There wenr$l,391^848 doe to tbe Bank of Bufiklo, when it failed, Nov. 1841 ; Walworth appointed S. Y. AiMtio'
BAaeivar, ih 1848, and up to Jan. 1845, he had collected only $83,839. Out of $543,430 of notesand oblieatloiis du^
by tha pabfie to the dinton B>nk, which failed, April, 1842, tbe reeeiter had coMecied but $76,019 in aeveial
years— and the Lyons Bank (worse still) had yielded to T. R. Strong of Palmyra, the Receiver,only $37,4-1$. out of
$aBS,flQ& of debts. The Senatfi's Committee tell, that of the good notes, well secured, or good bonds, beloncins
to the-Commereial Bank of Bufalo, the Bank of Buffalo, and the Clinton Co. Bank, and which could have be«
eeUacted in full, the (democratic) Receivers had, in certain cases, sold the notes to the debtors or their friends or
compromised the debts, FOR NOUI^AL SUMS, thus defrauding the people of the state, putting Hs juatice to
shaaie, and eapi^ the enemiea of Amedcaa fi-eedom to rejoice at these new evidences of its fe%lene« As if
in flBaekery of the u^jured, Messrs. Coming, Lester, and Talcott gravely recommend that all further tevetdteatkHis
needfol to proteetthe people, may be referred to Attorney General John Van Buren ! Sec Senate Doc 187160
I tnd, by reference to Senate Dot;. No. 118, of last year, that the Receiver of the WatcrvHet Bank, in wSeh
Colonel Vouog waaa lai^e slockholdar, had Informed the Senate's Conimittee that the cashier of that ballk had
fled the country, and that be ** is supposed to liave been guilty or oilcial misconduct of the grossest character and
to have«mbeaaled in rarious ways a larg^ amoiint of the funds of the Bank/' The aflbirs of this Bank have
weald ao his duty, apd aet honestly to tbe Bank ; and altaough the Olcotts aru wealthy and the Bank iiqiSlSnnt
tbioaghibe misconduct of their relfitivc, tbe Receiver's last reoort is, that '^ no part of said bond has beam col^
leetrd, nor itny suit bimight thereon.** The Watervfiet Bank failed in March, 1842 ; its asueta amounted to
9203^379— and the Receiver fWho is hel) bad up to January, 1845, collecied only $19,459 of tbe money C
Muidoek, who J ii ce saded E. OVoott, as aashier, wrote Comptroller Flflgg, April S?^ IB^ that the Farmtts ami
Meabamcs; ^Stebdd $M^af tbe ^iper of the WatSrliet, on wfikh K had a^ To paTlmSSt Se
.ng tomifim, were aold by aoetkm atT^chester, for $13,(XK), hi July. 1846, This isbowa what fla|^f^£
eommiarimiefB, Nceiven, aai thaMcry ln>iBe«tomi are woith to tfM pdW^
Digitized by ^OOQIC
•ivStj^m^ uri&flfe gjbt^AibrV conduct as ft {>0Uiici^, for the last twentjr-twt)
To that valuable class of citnens who %ave the tttii6 and opportunity to read,
r«|HP«H(#^^|«lkcW H^ljpptf^^ of FlaK| I4yiDgj$t4;)n aad Cutting, and the^^mariw
of Miwif f. m^ipgi^ 2714 ia l$2.af this volvoie, must prove v;ery iotere^tiBg.
Wlieff tlyi IRMetcid irjwtem had been flushed toiC9 umost linoit by the jade^
h^ipi^of ;^aHy,.ttd m) ipore trioney could be made dnthat tack, they wheel
about/fpc ,pejf juid .popuVU}^,' abuse thejf own bandy wp^k, and go for banks, »
witb4^€MiuatM»AiMiiMMtiii Arkaii6««, JiUaois, Mississippr, MicbigaR^ Peaa*-
s¥hmaA^y iEAdoth^ itaie dehts^-vnd wi^ privileges, the character of which the
North AmeticahlVlis^ Co., and kindred coalitions of knaveiy, t6o soon deve-
loped. Marcy, page 174, boldly denounces the system that had placed Van
BM|>»:»t^4h«i kvki0f4!^ wU^W) f^affg wou^ bloy? '"^^the lobby " Mgr h^,
«|l4tHiMbiV9l^/r(9ii^{M^bui^0b b^iA^.a^d r^acy backing, with ^^ scenes of
^^^Iliibm^^^^ffW^^l' ^i^W« t^jPPJpejJAwbJch a "decent regard to
tjgiiiLaiwi i^m^ f^iiSi^^' v^Quld be pr«seiv.ed by the party ; Marcy (p. 175)
wi|lll4rbttaFf^ i|p}^;e;c|jK3ri^p(}e^Q'eoahle hi^i to throw dpwo Van Buret's
step-kdder, now no longer needed : Flagg would demolish th^ usury laws, ^and
nlkomi^ti^i^ywA^^^ #^ct;pe|Dt p^ ^st^Qt, iC th^ necassitles of theur deblcrs
^vi^dfc ^(NV^l §vct^ o9|Mliti/^ns> (fil 17,63 :,,l4yingstoa woul4 put a stop to all
lmi»^mi frY«r<« *f cl^ter^ Mis«^;ice$ :^' Ypung was ready tp draw hia
^'drippings of unclean legislation " from the banks, and lend cash on mortgage^
atiaMMia iateir^ ^tewmn^d firoin Qt^^ to R^veiatiens) if the usury law
omilXWiiiot^^iSiif^i^ 177« ^c): an4 Hoyt'aDd'8utler wpuld squee^ from
tfeb:]^^^i;it< tjteir asrt dollite^^ t^rmig^ th« Custom House and Fetts's Courts,
W «M«kftQr.witW4ty diioiHPh the^ree haak of Beers, Stil well U Co. m Wall
'.,••»•?.: i- ■
.CftAPtER XXIIL
** Vicei»uii«teiiaif«hefofgTetfrh«rHrtb, -
;And stoops' froWi AftgelB to thcidregs of earthj
. Ehat *tis, tfe iall degJMie&her to a \vhore'f .
Let greatness own her, and ahe'ff m^an na more.
Her WrtljL hef tieaaty, cctarts and crowds confess ;
', BJiast^ Matrons pr^ her^ and ^ve BishopB bless.
Shaiif ber ])lack tnuapet throagb the land proclaim
Vkat^KoT toss ConairpTEo ! J^ is the shame.
?.sb!o»^, ditkrfehinjiit, patriot, mai of power,
IS s^Varlpe all^ ambition i^ no more."
,^. „^, ,_|Trt rtc S^dle. — Keep CortgresB pttrel-^Steva^
i^<^t^^WkkUlf€>^s- Experieuct^ — Duane^^ Thoughia,-^
'VUfMiB^'eH afa«a?\Jftp'*cir^|l^'^ (ke Story Teller. - SieimSm fond t^
WhuUng, ^Blak and Ritchie^ or a Peep behind the Screen, — 67ay'« Pnxxk^
M#WV«^ khdBmOim^e VMe^.-^SHveti^m gets to Londm.-^Polk and Slid"
i^l^r-^4t'fii^$ Ugpopisyf-^-Ite 8waiiawsthe,QflkedBaU,-^A Peep at Wah
., fai^nP«JBeic£i«.40j^a(9^ Sh^e Mart. — Congress Sham'
*- hk^.'^^Wimhs^ ivehoMmj BapbowF, Old GarrotOj Cambreleng^ Ellisy McLane^
* ArtW fli* e%t}o^' of Johtt-^J^ti^ey Adarii!* by the- House of Representatives^
aibd wheitt* General Jackson had heen' again announced as a cah^date for th«
Digitized by^OOQlC
9|c JACKSON ELE^tO^^EJI^O^ . pq^^Kli^i||ff|ft ||]^| f^^^ 9f »ftIM»n j
what he would do if elected, by placing oil recoiii certfio pfln^ ~
of i^signation. Tl^e fc^iowiDg is an extract
tSK "* Wi A a vfeti' to sirsfnin more elftcraaHy, in ymcffce» thcitlom trhJsK'AHdbr
r}r great eiaw$es^>bw«r iaio ifkl«peilri«fM «dn«lMHMaldle«llt(, I«o«V"^ ^^
1^* tuideriog any iiifmber ol'coacrest iwriigibte to cftce gpjcf lln #f »f jal]
^' tlie.tenu ibi* wisicii lie was elccieU^and lur tuvu years tbereafter. '£^^
S" sliiulion^l provision is obvious. By It CongrcsB, lii a Qopsi^rimc i „ .
13r tWnn tlic coanectjoa'wHh the Execotivt; Deprntment, whkh ar flttM^ t^^'sM^lMiiAi
ry 0CapprMic<»kHi and |eaiouay on the pan el' tha a c a ^ Bat tf Urti JliiMja ia-lfct^^^-^
■^ ' ' " ' 1 atyoiinym irtaNaiail»4a^fc;
i:V 9eniatives in Congri^, it re^ijres do depili f4 4boa|pit tu be coariiiceil.l)vi| eorranxL win
^^-^ be the order or ihe day."*
JCt tioa (>huQia not be oUaiiia<, ami imfmwuan aBMnaaaata ateiiaiarJa liniflin uaJt||ll|pP|i
gi ■ " "
Mr. A4ains had appoints Uglify CW, a SeMf^, tA SMMIkrf' af ^flMl^'
tike abov^ Mas iDeaht as aTel>fiklB to A'M!n«,aii^ Ho^^vMl WdM* %i4lk^itt
vle^ <« firjuriiig the popularity^ Adams a^d Clay, aM f»Wl^iafa»fcipi%Hl>
next election. Like Polk's pledge to staml by ihe BakiMVii i^aMttcM^bMh^
54th degree and naturalization, it was perfeet^ Mt if it imA K^ tana^ ij#tta^
eerily arid gObd faitH. *c « . i. .
I havB sho^^^n that Jacksoa was so fofgttfcl of pHfceipi»ai1» am it »j ar <»
seduce Ddan^ to abandoti his prmcljries or teMgn, 1)y dlfei^ ft^
of ihe Russian eifiba^sy. What couirsa dM lie piMaa witlk AmImW mm^Mritttf
-^-^-9 ' '•."• '•:■'.•.^•^
* Corn|>)ftint scorns na uiiBVJ»i4iM Imrett ft ws i]||i«««|a»fte i» I
editor of the Ky.7)b5ervcr, dated Aj>rU a, <837,lLWtek»lip fraiikly _
irttiMpuMic«l[)ieiMlkiire8 imlfi tii«y hnimjM W nfe^y fciff «iMIM
ALi^ aoopnT AKnaoMi in thk f^iw;0Ttvs>Uaip^vattfMv«MK WMflftl
COt'NTRT HaVc DXIN DKV0T«D TO ThC toRRUFffuy AMD mLtTflOfl oi* plB ktl
tiM! prv$ii Md i» the ^rgiailKatiiin of idbips oT ofloe luriuc* aatf aMto ^ u iil i M ^ wm laiMai' mmtm0k
by britiery and ral«ehoo<l." It is the sainc now, and wonc thwi it #m wIim WidklMiB piM^a #■«
episUe." Even in 1818. in November, Col. Duaoe had lo adma hi Kw Amnrm^ Uw press of iVMtas, _
evtlii of our prcNent form of Eoveninient, obvionsty arise ftoia Ibis dilfereoee ofeiiaffact^, M a^ ua tki rspvvMil-
a^tvM am<rti^ the people, and tile r<7»r««eMf«</«e« ngembUd t&fetktr ! Tke syBi|alliies of amUUDli, Mlf-Mtorsgl,
vanity, pride, hold alf tlie members of govasupwit ts f gil m s : tMT tmvf m msmnm n^gntt lo lc«rp faHMW •■ oM
anotli«r— to clicat tbe people- to oppress tfiem, and ^rip ttiem of sll power and privlcfua, tli«t MR any wmt te-
terfcTc with the (tratirlcation of their pttajAons. liike the moi»ks in their ctoister, €a«seeralcd i« tlM mum of tM,
tliey become the intttrumuntii or the d«vij. CJoUected tp pnokect htony, tk^y heoMne in fkot « e/«n i/ iyr<iKs. In
the cane of tlm bank 8if$tMm, we might Dknast^y^ a lumd #/ rtmbews- All goiemMieiila arc nainriJIy JMioya sT
the iMiwer of tlie iieoplc, and oun is not a whit less so t>i«,Q the most despotic in Europe or Afin*.**
Vve boost of our political purity, as compared to Europe. Have we canse fiir so Mw 1 k Is trm we aiv nol
quite so bad in some respects as the Irish ftov^nunenft W« do not ga onr cMcaiiris ^ lend niiliilwrs of con-
fjttiSB money Without intcre^, as Pitt did, but tJio nK>ney is pl«oed wbore able and ylwiaiaie tools in Congrsas wW
not find it inaccessible -in treasury banks. Htury Qrattan, If « P., n6k |iiaay ye«i« agoi, paMlslied tin l*Qfe of Ida
celebrated father, Henry Grattan ; and fhmi that worjc Iselcetfha f>liowilig passage, la oidar iluic Aw cri c ans
may comparb the old mode of boyWg fcnavaa WMi ttar now :
«*The letters of Lord BiM^kitiffham (Lonl Ueatenwit eC.fraittnd], s^pff kv wlMfcnioaas the eaasa of the paoalc
was defeated, and what liiH Viuiroy onnalde^iia %tt be aawftvaiiva a snavica vo a«« sovsaai**. Cofir«|»ina
botti Houses of Pnrliament, in order to keep the people hi slaireO' ; ^^:gradfng the TtKti lo pmthase tlw Co—sin ;
prustituting tJie pension list-^tlnit Rtitf hi wlii;h he propoia'd diat hte ma|My sbn«W Uy the inraulent paantoi
of public iipirit in Ireland ; CMM w«i« theDtUitftoecnpaaons of lln» Vieaiagr; m9 ana whac lia calla ' mmrun-
ine HIS TIME TO THK BxsT OF HIS MAJasTr's s«i|vioK.* TIm IMpfaMesi ofainhts MppoaH by Mr. OraCtani, he
called an * improper measure ;' but the purchase or (lie Hous« of Coimninn^, anqtlfo Mytng Ha Bi6 Bi te ia » ha can-
fitdered good for the King's service ; and so Intent on hlfc object dHT he ite^m to be, Ihdt ho deelared ' no dtatc eH y
should remain with him. when bis conduct was marked ont, at it what it mioMt.' He had not (Aty hnlsingl^a
hi^MFalCftitenihMrrassedaiitKlniei having, m h« ft<«id,/ rtt<«ft4«traa Aim^VtM mtV^f O ntm kJ f!^ mMMi ^
MAJORITY iif Tax Housa or teMMo^s ' He had thus bvdved bja n>yal niaaier ^ u£«^ hiWB^TWnwp
mmn- ihat the Viceroy woiih) not hav» aaied ta ^e tca4& t4 eartaptioR f n wl o al pbMiMl oiaiaat mmm waiii-
<v ins POWER. The King s cDmrnandS were not 10 trniianiit ffie UTib ; anCrier Mia sfrvlcot aiMrwweaFia'va"
t Andrsw Sr^vENvoa is iipw^o oU. maa^lp^ls a aaliva of V ip fW ai.adi^l
practising lawyer, his practice baiug Wis sola deapadmce. ,H« WMJoagiaC^
was elected Speaker of iKe House of RepreecntAliv^s, m ttectthber, IW, owX"
6f N. Y., the Adaihs candidate. He bad the sxippdrt ol'^the AiMny IWgMcv, or 1^
mea. X think he took his seat ih 0<9fipess six years Mbne,. im 0pfeMiiier> iSUk, fap liijiidliYe
state. In 1824, he was vehement in his <^po^ition to Jackson, and Craa^^ifti w^ ^ ^
— ^he voted for him in th^ House, Februaty^ 1825. In a letter, in the Natlcmal Intel
Oct. 14, 1888» by John Sloane, M. .0., ajrd^ia,{frWi
ajt the beginning of th? sessioa of Id^KMS, jnst as tia ]
Digitized by ^OOQ IC
. TAKhuUIM WITH OtlltiM9r«-IE0V«WBY Ba IT. A. S»Vfilf90V* 92,,
- Qaite 9SA^May» 1€S4, Prf«iddttl J«ckdon foqiiii^tad Andrew /SteTen^<^>
tken prtskUn^ in tht H, iiff R,y \o h^ eEnvoy Extraordinary tp the court of Xoa- ^
ckNSy doubtless as the reward of. his yobserrience to iha Executive. Mr^.Cliy^
moipod an inquiry as to whea Stevensoa was Ikst pj^omis^d this $9^,000 a year
and $9,000 outtit, by a presideni fi(ho^ wheii he wanted th« people's votes, had^
a holy horror at influencing the firee dc^beraiions of the people's represeijitatives .
by hoidtog out Expectations of wealth and power to leading congressmen wh^^*
would be pliant and servile. The documants were produced by the Presid^nt^'
Stevenson r who with Taylor and Campbell were candidates for the chair, saici, " Elect lii^
Speaker, and by God 1*11 sustain the administration "—{Adams and Clay.) H« was wJI'
electe'l, and he turned to Jackson and against the men tbtn in power. Stevenson, deniedibat
he had'sit sai^t; liul^^vci'nor Branck, when the unit cabinet brok« up, stated that Jacksoa.
had expr«85<tl ^fcat contempt for Ste««nson. If so^ he took a sober second thought, cUid 3te-
yensou proved such a bU-ict and st<^ady partisan that ihe party kept him seven years in fli*
Speaker's I'halr. lie resisned on Johe^d, 1834, his otfice and seat, under the pressufe Of a
" severe and continued indispoBttion/' Whk^ iacl^son appears ta have cased by the. offer of ak
mtsbkm to LovKkm. • • .
Jackson 4«t a less value oa Stevenson than Van Buren did. Stevenson's cunning;, in-
tri^niug mm, sailed Van Buren. Governor 'Branch says: "When, sir, I separated froax
GcneriU Jackson, bat a short time previous to his determination to appoint Mr. SteveiTsoft
minister to the doart ofSt. James, lie did not regattl him' as * worth the powiler and baU M
wonkl take to kill him.' This very exprcssMi Ihave haiird used- or assented io,,by him, and
eandor compels me to admit thai 1 beai'iily sonc^rred wkh General Jackson in his estimate of
Mr. Stevenson's worth."
Wh^n the dispme arose In Cbn^ess about which set of New Jersey ttienbers weft; ^
would be admitted to lie, mie siftifn: ni^mie/v, and it 'kacaine anpamit that the dacijtion wouM
give one party or the other the selection of a Speaker, Van Huren's editor, Blair, through ike
Hhbe^gfLvc tlie uninitiated a hini^of ^e uses to whioh Speatos are put^ in the words and
aentcnues which follow :
^^^^OrvanizaLumoftheH(mseofRtpr€seiUaliv€S,-^^ tjiat the public mind is.
f;^ tfiron^ly awakened in regani to'ibe pranarations of the Federail pe^riy to{<4K comu^aod of
XjF the Hoase of RepresciaaUvss by their traud in the elaction uf members and faluification of
i:^ retoms afterwaAls. If they can foisi on the Represantaiive body spurious inemb^ni
X^ enough to make a majority in the openiag, there is no doubt they will hold it to the tisuL
|:^Thc command oi the Spsakership wilt give them the committee6-'>*amon^ Uiem the
Sl^CommiUoeof elections. Their report wiU coaCUria to ibe interest of the appoiming-party,
Itjr anU the samq dishoacst maj^rky which woukl consnire to get a central of (he House. ^
Sycoauterfeiting members, would voie to maintain it."
Polk's editor, Ritchie, then of the Richmond Enqutreri was equally oflThis j^uard^ In terw
he exclaimetl— " Have the whig party become desperate 7 Arc they determined at all events
ttt/seize the reins— TO CARRY A SPEAKER for the next congress— AND HE TO SHAPfi •
OUT THE WHOLE STANDING COMMITTEES OP THE HOUSE FOR THE
BENEFIT OF tHE WHIGS r-^Ewjulrcr, NiW. 6, 1838.
^ The command of the Speakership will ^'ve them the commiuees^" and the report of the
eommitt«Ki ** will conform to the iatertst oi the appointing pariy." Van Buren writes from
Kinderfaook thai Blair is the very best of authority—and hence it is evident that it was ihe
usage of Sjpeaker ^Stevenson's commiuees, and, of coarse. Speaker Polk's, to make tiieir re>
Ibnns to suit " the interest of the appointing party !" Here is the reason why ihe administra-
Uea vf justice is too often a reproach ana a Dy-^"^J^i ^^^ the profligate expenditures ag^
appriipriatioosofthe party always sustained, and inquiry stiiied in the grand inquest of th^
■anon. The majority, who eiect the President, send congressmen, who elect a Speaker who wiU
appoint eommioees lo suit the Jacksoa, Polk or Van Buren .of the day-*ana these committees -
mik be., deaf to the dishonesty of the worst men iheir leader may appoint. A Butler, Hoyt,
Wetmore, Stevenson, Lawrence, Edmonds, Woodbury, McNnlty, or J. Van Buren, is ii^-
pregnabic under such a system, by which the popular part of our free constitution becomes a
screen ipr iniquity and crime. *' Sir," said J. GL Aoams, to the. Speaker, during the Texas
debate, June 10, 1838, *' the Standing Committees are the eves, the earst and in a very great
depee, the judgment of this House. They are instituted for that very end. They are ap-
pomtedf to meet the subjects sent to us, to consider them, and mature them for our action."
General Dromgoole admitted the correcmess of the Globe's statement, when he owned that his
enmbtee had rsportad on many reeoiutioas of Ic^iaiatures and petitions irom citizens, without
opening or looking at or into one of them i
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i^ LfvtprGdM'N, wRiaK^ iblHPbJfi iftx^ ^*iMM% Aim nftxut&u
One of ttrem Was a lett^ fhim E. Ll^i^D^tmi) aco/if stste, !• Speidctr
s6&, dated, 15th of March, 1833, '{mijstLtf u6ttrm BBFens fiw iicuudATiMiJ i !)
in these \vord8— ^^ 6'tf .* / nmdirecttd b^iki PreMMt 90 inform ymi^ CQNFI^
JdENTMLLY^ thai as soon as ttdmcH SkM he r^etkfed ihaiihe JUrUisk $r^Mrft*
jKCht ccnsent to open negoiiaiiffni with tkisf which are iM/jf expected^ it is hi$in'
Untton to offer yoti (he place of Minister to the Qok'tiif 8t. James^ aatd he ntfueais
that ^should this appointment be ayreecfbU' fo yoti^fou tcouhi koldym/rseifin
readiness to emhaik in the coarse pf the smmmer,^^ Anolher ivtler wan kom T*
RUchie to W. B. Lewis, objecting to filling up of Van Buren's London bf?rth
wUh a coBgresKOian, without letting the semifi know about it. I'he President
d^ftlared that he never knew ibftt Sb^venion t>ad ^iAswered the letter of Living-
Sto]^. On June 24th, the senate, 123 la, i^2, negaAired Steveoisoo'i appoiaxmejQty
made under such suspicious circumstances, fiat amoQ]^ the S<*nators who sp<*
jprdved of Jackson's plan of ofTerrnjg an American Speaker a. high o^ce, '*^ con-
Mentiaily,'' 15 months before h^^ left tl;^ chair to accept it, and thus keeping
the golden bait always before his eyes, although he and his fellow members
^»igbt be CALLEa. to lake a bold ^land' against executive encroachments, were
^ Silas ^Wriffhti- {^ T. H. Benton, {jf^ King of Ala. (now minister to
Fi-aace,) ^ Wilkins, Q^ Polk's teacher, Grundy, ^ Isaac Hill, ^ I'all-
madge, i(t5» Van Buren's 8ec., Forsyte, |9n and John T^ler ! Among the nays
were Clay, Callioun, Ewiffg,' Clayton i We1)ster, and Poindexter. But the
Seviata WHS'delt^ated in the long run. In May, 1835, Andrew Sievenson niight
hare been seen presiding in that mockery of a people's convention for the nation
Whi(A tiominated Martin Van Buren for the next presidency — aiwi in due time
Jacksbn's pledge to his tinworthy confederate was redeemed, and Stevenson
sent ambassador to London. It was Stevenson that put Polk * at the head of
^ Since -1835, Presiderit PoIk*s mentor a»d adtnocate, JtttcAiey has «© veered aboat from Jackson'*
jrihciples to Jackson*^ prartice'as to cohseht that cong^itssmen and editora may be pewardai by
f^ executive, as ambassadors, jodgtss, ftiid oal^at Hiiniaters [i^e Correspondence, p.. I^M- to
Sn^— lie has even adbiitted that 6n a rat^ occasion, one dC ^them, at least, may accept ^4i6^60d
a year (himself, for hif^tahee), as printer to senate, ho^jee-ofr^rfttentatlves, and pressident. In
accordance with thii^ new definitkm of k botmdary or fetice ag^nst corraptionj Pnaadeiit Polk
jsEtv^ James^ Buchanan the vast power and pattonaga of tli« secretary cf stipe's office 5 aud per-
haps i/ud was settled, like the presidential candidate qnaMJron, ajbowt Mcr ^£ma4)f the'last Bakiznom
Convention. That Bi*chanaji knew the use of that. power, may be inferred from his speech in
^riate, 1838, where he said tjiat " When a man isonce appointed to office, all .ti\e seifish pas-
. sions of hi« nature aire enlisted for the purpose of jetainin;^ it. The office-holders are the
enJisted soWiers b[ thkx adininistration by whic)i lU.ey ^te sustained. Th^lr c6njfortablc exist-
ence often depends upon ' the re-election of their patron:" The Secr«tar}'siiip ci' the Treasury',
with its ten to twelve millions of patronage, he gave tt) Robert J. Walker. Thus did he enlist
fmro very conspicuous membei* <» «cftignj8»,'aiid"tiy«^d6i^g]^ve " strong gutwoDtaofjjjqjriBhtti-
flSon and jealousy on the part of the people," " that conuption will be the order <rf Ao day' vidi
him, however regulai* he Hiay have bfeen at college prayers in Nortii Carolina; or its man
Butler at " stated prea€hin|*B'' at Sandy Hill. *. • . . , .
- Secretary Walker is a native of Northumberland, Pa., in which state hia father, Jonathwr
Walker, was a county judge, and, 1 belierve a teadicr <yt' youth. The Secretary is a la«>y«^
began his political career in his "native state ; and, on his emigration toMisRi»?ippi>eiSteTcd iato
. many speculation!??, partly in lands and oentmcts. He is sftid t<rhavB owne* $10,60© wortli of
, lands ill Texas, and he certainly gave its annexation to the V. S., as a new firid ibs the cnJtwa-
tioii of. slavery, all the sii|)port that Polk or Johnson could have desired. In the<Senatb,^hi was
friendly to the nrinciple of the last bankrupt law— jterhaps, fc* a like reafion with Stiiwdl, thfe
tJ. S. Marshal her&— for Horace Oreeley, in the Tribune bf Dec. 81^, says he « fans iMsep deep
ehough in credit, sroeculatlon, and paper money — is now a bankrupt-— and in- 18(34 wrote- in
*|ivor of a nation^ bank, and the restoraricMi of the depoats" thereto. The Tribune publishes
a lettCT erf his, dated Natchez, March 1, 1834, as follows :
'* Dear Sin As I promised at our parting to give yoa my views on any subjectwhidi miglit
be interesrtnffto our eommofi constituents, I hasten to say that MisKsstenpr will with great una-
Aimity sustain yon oa the Deposit dueitioo. In fao^ the -pubHe vcdce denaands a restocation cA^
the Deposits, and the creating a Bank to supply a genenl cotrcai^r: . A ^tats .Baiik^an 00
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the Ways and Meaos in 1834. It was Polk who, when John Slidell had be<^
elected to Congress from La., closed hi^ trust with the people by sending him
out to Mexico, without asking the senate's consent. How many salaries, out-
fits, and Mexican and Russian ambassadors has the Union paid since 182S^ Ml
C's inclusive 1 .
more supply and govern the general cnncncy tiian a State Govenunent can direct and coatrel
the affairs of the Nation. Go on ; your oonstittientft are with you ; the country mast be retievad \
from the Irightful scenes of disixess which have visited U9. Yours truly,
R.J.WALKEE.'.
Walker's appointments in this ^te have been much influenced by his colleague, Marcy.
In general, they coukl not well be ivor^ than they are. Out custom-house, the haadqtarterMf -
intngue and corruption |br the city, is under hil especial supervision and care. The pious Po)ik
invokes providenc^, oamipotence, heaven, ai^d all that is good and great, to luidchim-r-and
then pitches upon a secretary of the treasury from the repudiating state of Mississinpi — that
seeretaty the wince of specraators— and whose moneyed transactions were so situatea that ike
cocUd not pagr Van Bor^ f<»r his famiture» and had judgments against him advertised foe die
in the Natchear Courier, by the Unioa Bank of Mississip^, for acme twentvrfive to ^ly thousand
dollars, which that paragon of banjcs sadly needed to pay the gulled and cheated people. I ^y
nothing of the lost rwfe ojhand. j/ the spirit of seventy-six is the spirit* that now animates Atao-
rioan bo^bms, I shall be justified in these strictures, e^ upon those who sit Ulghestm theo<»i- .
denec of the fraemea^f America.
In John C. Spencer's edition oC 0e Toapteville, I find the remark, " I have heard of patd-
Jl^otism in the United States, and it is a virtue whicK may be found among the people, but
i3rnever among the leaders of the people. In all governments, whatever tneir nature'i4sy
Orbe^ servility will cower to force, ana adulation will eling to power. It wonjd hame beea
ll^impossible for the sycophants of Louis XIV. to flatter more dexterously" than the cwnr-
tiers of America. Jeffereon, writing to Thomas M'Kean, Feb. 2, 1801, tells him that
i:^* Interferences at elections, whether of the state or federal gpvemment, by officers of the
5:3Hatter, should be deemed cause of removal j because the constitutional remoiy by the elec-
Slrtive principle becomes nothifir if it inay be smotheired bylhe enormous patronage of the '
Urgeneral government" No^y if interferaaca with the freedom of elections i$ -haa^ ve nat
temptations to the electors, by the executive, to betray those who elected them much worse 1
In a letter to President Afadison, which I find in the Richmond ENauiBea, by T.
Ritehio, dated June fi9, 1810, the appointxae&t of BueteMr Thufstoa and Beajaiain Howard
both members of Congfe«i, the one to be a judge^ and the other the goiveraoir of atenrit^O^y
tha President), is sternly seprobated, baeaoas that so long as they were " invested with tkn
lenalative character, it is the duty cmT the President to leave it aro«md tfaea."
Prasjdent Madison is reminded that the patriot, Macoa, had nu^red the foUavintf 9MfmAf
ment to the constitution a few months previous : ^* No senator or representative, afler havia^
taken his seat, shall, daring the time Ibr which he was elected, be eligible to anyeivU ap-
pOHt^aeitt nnder the authority of the^aitedl Stales, nor shaU any person be eligible to any
such appointment untU tlie e^cpiration of the Presidential term, during which such person
shall have been a senator or representative."
The editor of The Umon, that aow isR^the man whose son is lessening the number of ^ppa-
siUon writers, by violence, and who himself abused me, at the desire of President Poik, fir
bimviag the danger of exposing state crimii^aU high in power^ through their own eonfe^ons
-»piy>malga(ed tne foUowiag pure doctrines in 1810 : .
" Sir, if ever the JBxecutiva branch, in this country, acouijres an undne ascendancy over the
legislature, it wilK not be, as it is now in France, tmough the sword-^but by corruftUm,, as it *
is in Great BritaiHi* • It is true, sir, thai no fUuxmam. oar pensiwier can sit on the floor of Ooq>
greee, as they do in i^arliameat^but places and appointments may now be scattered, amen^
those who sit on that floor.
" WiUv3Km mark the darker of this disfribution of offioes 1 WiU not the senator or uw m »
tative, wlio wishes for an executive ^ift, slwavs take care to consult the eteeativie wishes, Is
hia.»easures or votes 1 Instead of watehing the misconduct of the President, will he not con-
nive at it 1 Will not Cerberus sleep because he wishes. Ibr a sop 1 If the President should have
evil.dssigns to aooompUsh,here then are instfonieiits discmliaed to his hand--^ faJrexehaBga
is struck between themu Tiie one baiters his conscience for the ofice-*>just as mach. as if he
were to barter a pi^ee of land for a piece of gdd. I know it is impossible to bribe both hoas^
of Congress by such temptations. 1 know that therie are some ot them who ere too viriuooa
to catch the contagion, but it is certain that in proportion to the extent of this comtption, wiH
be the ruin, of public morals and of public spint Are not oftees of almost evarr deecriplioa
within the &(actttlva Patronage 1 thiring the year 1796, Mr. Gallatin estimated the amouiit
withi&hiagift at $3,000^000. .^id where the saareUiit of lucre could ootaway the nan, theft
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-. * • - • • • • ." : . * .^.- .' ^•
CHAPTER XXIV.
Iisball ever regard mv situatiwi in tli^ cabinet as one" of the most fortunate events of my
lift, placing toe as ft did -in close arid familiar relations with one -who has been vreW descWbed
by Air. Jefterson as possessing more of the Roman in his character than any man living, and
whose administration will be locked to, in future times, as a golden era in our history. To hairc
aetwA utidet stt^ a cbafit, at such a time, and to have won his eonfidence and esteem 1$ a saf-
Mftm ^oryj^Van Bwren's letter to Walter Bourne, JameB C&mpbeU^ Pregerved FSsh, Wm. M.
Price, Elnha Tibbets, {Stdean Lee, C. W. Lawrence, 4^., London, Feb. 24, 1833, on his position
in Jcu^aah first <a^nti.
Vm ffm^ presented by Bourne with the Freedom.Qf'N. Y. and a good, Ckaracter^'^
^\ O. Oamhrekng. — Jackson^ 8 Fir si CtMnet.y-^Sinne fadt» about Ltim Cnta.
/^^is War Exploits^ Politeness, potions of Slavery, Friendship to the Indians^
"Vn^ WeaUh^ mdian Agencies^ LawSyEtoqueuce ifi Senalty and Notiomt about
Texas, — CtUhoun^ 8 Position.-^ The Seminok War^ — Momve^s Sncrtt Letters
io Jaekson.^-Joknny Ray, — Intrigues bf j^dnnlton^ Crawford, Forsyth and
others, to injure CaUtoun and bjenefit Van Buren,^— Jackson i^uarrels u^ith Cal-^
.^WL — On thet! Publication (^ Political §0crol^,-^Jph^ Henry. Eat on and^Wife^
— Jackson Quarrels with three cf his Cabinet about her. — The RuBsian Mission*
--^Brdnchon Van Bur ^, — John Tyler and n Second Term, — Van Bttren sent
a$ Envoy to London, but Rejected by the Senate.. — Opinions of Websier, Clay^
JFieHnghny sen, Foot, 6fc, — Th4 Colonial Trade. — Van Bwren elected Vice
-President,
Having resigned his office as governor, on the 12th of March, 1829, Va»
Buren left Alt^y, accompanied by hk friend and confederate, B. F, Butler, on
th<» forenoon of th« i7th, to take upon' himself the- duties of Pretnier; Secretary
a]>e ofikes oC dibtinctlpa to inTite and floothe his ambiti^. «• ♦ • In the nmking of Laws; it is
for tl|e members of Qongvest to have a simple e^e to the imereatsjof tlteir eountry. It i« for
thfiK to- decide upon the merits of every questioli that cevies he§Bn theni, without either hdpe
or fear, without compulsion ca reward. From the moment that the^^ are led astray ^y sttch
indlifwents, they are shorn oi their rcpnesentatiine character— they ceaae to be tlie agents of
thejjeople, to become the tools of the Executive." . ' .^
Will it be believed that the man who could puhUsh these truths in. 1810, is now grown so.
gr«By in sin that he has for sixteen y^is nphdd the violators of dght, and at length accepted
offtee &om those who practise what is here so justly condemned I
Jackson, to get popularity for himself and his Iriends, recommended MaconVt measvffe «f
1800, to prohibit itak buying ajid bribing of aecidy aad grewiy congressmen } but it was a
deeeptioB, for he practised continually the baiting system. Benton, too, when he and Van
Biien were seeking power andpopuiarity in 1836, made, with the help of Van Buren, a gfand'^
report against those abuses which have brought free institutioni* into disgrace art ovw the*
werld, but the report was never acted on, nor meant to be. It was^an etectioneering trap to
catch voters.
I have seen a list of congressmen whom Van Bureni and Jackson tempted to leave -the peo-
ple and take offices of far more emolument under the executive-, hut I am not: sure that it was- >
correct. It contained seventy-five names, and among these were, for the Russian missidii'
sio^eare, JcAn Randoljih, %faB5>e« Buchanan, W- Wilkins, ^,000 a year, andc^9,'000 outfit,
for .a nip, to the continent. Cambreleng and Wilkins's bp^ther-dn-htw, V. P. Dallas, had also
the $ia,0OO godsend to Petersburgh, but were out of Congress before being rewarded: Therfe
is another Russittn minister since, and doubtless we will soon have one more, if not half a
dofwa, {l>uaEe of Pamsyivaaia, as a bribe or indncepient to take an unfeir course, was offw-
ed l?y Jackson, fj-the Rus.sian mission, and so was Samuel D. Ingham, by way of " a «op to
Pewwylvania," a» he tells in his letter- to the President, July 26, 1881, in which he accuses
Jaelcson with duplicity and falsehood : with secr^ly cherished hostility to him, and wiA cre-
dulity and imbecility. There is. no doubt but that he was managed %ir Van Buren and his
aaaodatea to great advantage for f;^ themselves.] Bli Moore, S.^. Gholson, Arnold Phnb- ^
mart Felix Onnxd^, Leonard vJarvis, and Gorhaxn Parks, and C. C. Cambreteng were re-
jeviid. aa^imlidat^ for. Congress, and infitanUjr placed, in hierative jqAm I9 v^ BuMik
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of State, or Miniater o( Foreigo ASam^ at WashtAgtoit. I{e atopt a Abort time
at Kiaderhook, Hudson^ Pougbkeepsie^ &€., and soon after hisr arrival at New
York, was presented by tbe Mayor and Aldermen witb " tbe freedom of tbe
olly,y wbicb had been voted to bim on tbe d3d, on motion of Jesse Hoyt's
friend, Cebra, wbo is said to bave had a hint from Cambreleng.* Corporations
J<to Forsyth was taken on| oi Confess by Jackson aad Van Bnren, to be Secretary cjf State
-f-R. T, Lyttle to be Surveyor General of Oiua--Je8se JVCller to be first auditor [an^ such
an auditor !] — H. H. Leavitt to be a district judge— J, M. Wayne to be a judge [$4,500]—
Geo. Loyall to be a navy agent — ^John Branch to be secretary of the navy— John H. Eaton
to be secretary at war — Thomas P. Moore to be aunbassador to Columbia*— Louis M*Lane to
be ambJtssador to London — William C. Rives to be ambassador to Rpance— E. Livingston and
Levi Woodbury to cabinet office*— Jeromus Johnscm [see bim in correspondence !1 to be an s^
praiser — J. S. Pennybacker to be a judge, and it is my impression that H. A., Muhlenberg
was a member of Congress- when sent to Austria — Philip P. "Barbour when placed on the
Supreme Court Bench — Powhattan Ellis when sent to Mexico— and Nkdianiel Garrow when
appointed marshals— but it may be that in one' oar two instances the executive reward was «ot
ciMiferred till the recipient had been rejected at the hustings, or. had retired.
One grand secret was soon found out by Stevenson, namfel)^, to pay court to Van Bux^ and
his confederates. He is uncle to the wife of oiie of Van Buren's sons, and one of his steadiest
supporters. On the 9th of May, 1834, J. CI. Adains moved to refuse that part of the money vote
of the year which granted $1^,000 to ambosBadors in Russia and England, as there weie none^
^id these honors and emoluments held in terrorem, as a|tracti(»is to members of Cong^[*ess.
The yeas were 69, and among them Wise, Selden, Slade, Vance,^ Gilmer, Corwin, and Lincoln.
The nays were Vanderpool, Gillet, Cambreleng, J. B. Sutherland, Polk, &c., 123. About a
month afterwards it was found that Speaker Stevenson had had Ae promise of the London
mission for fifteen months ! ! ! Have I not shown that Jacksen was right, -v^en, in 1885, he de-
clared that if congressmen were not kept out of executive <Mces until two years after die term
for which the people had elected them, " corruption would be the order of the djuy j" as also that
he, his confederates, Van Buren, Polk, Ritchie, and their partisans werd guilty of the practices
they affected to condemn 1 The more I look into the past, into, facts, the more I see the neces-
sity, not only of a stale, but also of a naticMiai ccaivention. If we have not reform, we shall
haver worse : while England is really improving her defective institutions, we are allowing bad
men to trample our jnore pure system into the veiy diist. In the language of Webster, " Our
political institutions-^-our goveniment itself, is made an engine of corruptly, and undoes what
our social institutions perfoBm. The patronage of government, offices, and emoluments, are
considered as rewards, instead' of baing regarded as necessary agencies of the people ; the
hopes and fears attendant upon this state of things J the desire to get office and the apprehension
of losing it, all become motives of action, and lead many to a coilrse never dictated by feelings
oi' patriotism, if such people ever feel patriotism."
♦ Churchill Caldom Cambreleng. — This gentleman's letters require no oomment If he
is not an unscrupulous, unprincipled partiSan, where shall we find one 1 His motives in
attacking the 35 million bank al Pniladelphia were to get a 35 million bank at New York, or
a new United States Bank, through the Bostbn and Portland people, who were leading the
w*y. On the 16th of October^ 1832, he hinted to Hoyt,that the stockjobbers of Wajl Street
oxtg^ to "follow the Bostonians and Portland people |:^ in askii^for A NEW BANK
from t^ federal government, but on the plan they propose." His notions of honor and confi-
dence, with respect to private letters, need no remark. His stock speculations as one of the
Van Efuren, Hoyt, and Butler clique, are well knQwn j and his efibrta to mock the workies,
aiid make them his instruments, ror no noble and worthy purpose, show that, like Van Buren,
he'has quite enough of the cunning of the fox. He wanted to be Consul at Liverpool, but
Frat^ Qgden*s interest was too heavy for him there. The Custom House, in Hoyt's and
Swartwout's time, was a political machine for raining milled dollars into the palms of his
parasites, and as Lawrence is &c old confederate of Ho3rt and Swartwout, Cambreleng's
influence there now must be very considerable. That sineoure, the Russian embassy, which
is used so cleverly for paying off *' (Ad and active pditicians," produced to him, in nis turn,
$19,000 and tiie et cetwas. He was *£br the pets m '34, for the sub-treasury in '37-^for Jesse
Hoyt as collector, and for Coddington as postmaster. When Van Buren took his southern
tour, in 1827, Cambreleng was his companion or pilot-fish. He was an old Crawford man,
2^ treated Calhoun, in 1827, about a» honorably as he did Webb, a few years later. The
ccmfidential letter to which Cambreleng refeis^age 234, N9. 225, as one which A. S. Clayton,
of Georgia, would publish, was writtea by "Jy eboj, and ajMJears in the Courier and Enquirer
of Swt. 25, 1632, credited to the MiUcdgevillB papers. Webh there says, " W{ hAve alone
mi sm^handed fought the* battle of th^ SOy TH* In ti$ Qeorgia has found a bold and
'Mii'lir SeM^' j|p« Ala|»!rk and $nd||| jl^ilio|4 ftock.^iira^ M^^uOly^af^ M^tqMkr
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IW VAIV BttBfir »to^V»'l^MtflN>ll& fm MO^ilWK stock, lewis CASS.
worship rtumg lowissrit^ s> saaiag;iy *fro» hsbHr-^Bd the resolstiom m-^a
Buren's case, declared him to he one of the state's '^ brightest sods,*' whose
pure repubiicaniiStn, patriotism and public spirit caosed the corporators to
*^ deeply deplore" the necessity whith had called on them *^ to sorreoder'^Jiim
to Andrew Jackson. Walter Bowne^ the mayor who afterwards whised so
piteously for a few bags of the public treasure from that ^' revered chief," said ta
the secretary eleox, ^^ you have had to encounter the persecution of enemies
and the treachery of friends — but your uprightness j your wisdom, and couSaoe,
have bdrne you in triumph through every conflict. The sarne powerful intel-
lect, untiring industry, and devoted patriotism, constituting at once your glory
and your strength. During the whole of your career, not a single event has
' occurred to dim for one moment, the lustre of a reputation, which has been
continually increasing in brightness." The mayor then presented " the free-
dom," in a golden. box^ ^nd V^n Buren delivered a suitable response about har-
mony, '^ liberality, moderation, justice and firmness," retmarking, rather quaiatly^
" WE ARE ALL EMBARKED IN THE SAME BOTTOM." After giving audlenCOS U>
officeseekers, political Schemers, holders of French claims, bankers, brokers,
and blacklegs ; arranging/plans for the.fj^ture with the party leaders ; receiving
judicious hints from the merchants ^ and very probably settling with some of
his most interested partisans, how best to open the' future campaign against the
United States Bank, he departed for the south to begin th^t twelve years course
of daring, and successful intrigue which had scarcely closed when he landed at
the battery, in the midst of storms, and tempests, leaving the* fickle dame called
Fortune with her new " favorite son," William Henry Harrison, who, like
Nelson at Trafalgar, was soon to expire in the arms of victory,
Jackson's first cabinet [which soon gave place to Messrs. Livingston, M cLane,
Cass,* V^oodbury and Barry,] consisted of Messrs. Van Buren, Eaton, Inghajm,
hdlders, who then sold out, and down went the shares to 117. Wehb and Noah explain Cam-
breleng's coars§ In this and other stock operations. He in a candidate in Suffolk for a seat in
the state convention of next June. He was anxious to secure the extension of slavery to Mis-
souri in 1819, and to Florida and Texas in 18^6; and he reported from the Ways and Means,
in Congress, December, 182^, that " the commerce of a confederacy, internal and external,
should be wholly fr^e." Noah says of hip, Oct. 24, 1834, " It is now more than 12 years
since Cambreleng has been foisted upon this community, and we challelige any man to point
out a single measure of his recoinmendation, calculated to benefit the country. Having do
wife, no child, no domicile— no interest, nothing \o attach him to the soil here, except seme
hypothecated Mohawk stocky and being very useful to Van Buren in more ways than one^ he is
to have a perpetual seat in .Congress.? If I could not state one particular of V. B.'s life, the
characters he associates with would show vtfpy clearly what ht is. Like Polk, with itrbom' he
is very intimate, Cambreleng is a native of North Car(dina-^old in years, very short made,
and very stout—no great orator, but well -acquainted with business and politics. Messrs.
Webb and Noah, in the Courier and Enquirer of 10th September, 1832, say :
"It is well known her-? that Mr. [RlfetiBJ Tibbltis nml the little getitleman [CambrHleniri are stock specufafore,
who!« hostiii y to tHe B itik of th» Uniti^d SatSd isjmre^y mereenarp. Tney ore oppoMO to ft jre-chartev simply
because they want a new Bunk fur the purpose of v^icculstiag up(m new stock. For (welve yiirs Canibri kng
ha* lived uj»oii the deniocrHtit; party * ♦ * * be was no soontr adinUted into the iiionev changing fi m of
Crf)gweH,'01c')tt& Co., than his ideas expanded. * ♦ * * We admit ihut not an individual in' the State
tat Mr Cambreleng rould iiave Biicc<>eded in raistnf the Mohawk' and Hii«i8nn Riiil Rvnd Stocit lo 196. H>' naii'
agHd that well, thrmieh the agency of the Albany tirai^doM out at the nick of time--»reaigiied hla appobument,
and rau off to WaKh|iigton. • Hte stock is nqw worth -ilS. having ((epoedated 83 per cent iti teas tiiaij a year.**
IfCambreleng believed that the U. S. Bank co^jld not establish a branch in any state with-
out a gross violation of the constitution,' why did bB accept, a fee of lilOOO from Biddfc?, for
locating a branch at Bufiklol He voted arainrt Jadsson for President, in 1885, in Congress,
and $br Van Buren as governor at the Herkimer Convention of 1828.
' ♦ Liiwis Cass was bom at Exeter, N. H— removed with his father and family to the state of
Delaware, in or about the year 1795 or '6— remained several years there, and^henoe emigrated
west to Marietta, Ohio', in 1799-^btuaied iaw there, and began to practise in lB03. In 18^ he
was elected t^ the Ohio legislaiure, atid on the lUh of Dw^mber introduced "a. bill to suspebd
t)w writ of habeas oorpos, on account of Burr*s tenspijter. Next year be ^t» Appo&iad
Hiiied l^ttOB Manhai, wMeh office he hilcltm 1«U. Tbe $d Ohio ToIiiiii9eirilieM4 4im
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JMick and Birneti 5 (Bif #korii tlie tittree iwl'iifttnec! were **^artn ffi^ncls of Gal-
JboaA. The President and Eaton were, atlieart, opposed to Calhoun, and in the
jb/^jr colonel, and with that r«gimenl he joined Ckaeral HbU and marched from Dayton to
t)<^Qit Hull sent him across to Sandwich, with ^30 men, and Lieut. Col. Miller, to see what
the British were about, and afterwards crossed to Canada himself, but being old and the fire of
youth aU gone^ if he ever had any, he soon retrealed before a ^ry inierior force, and surren-
dered Detroit. Cass was sent to Washin^:ton, where he gave Dr. Kustisj in Sept^nber, an
eccoimt of the campaign. My impression is, that he behaved well ; but a militia colonel with-
out; a military education had not mjilch chance to distinguish himse^. It was great cruelty to
the country^ not to shoot Hull, as sentenoel The example was m/uch wanted in those days, and
It was the iate he richly meiited, \>y his ballying predamatinns and base cowardice. Cass was
appointe4 Governor ol Michigan by Madison, in 1813. He hdd thE^t office eighteen years,
and, b^ing considered more suitabLs for the purposes and policy of Van Buren and Jackscm,
than Berrien, Branch and Ingham, succepded to the war department inunediately after the blow
np ih the &:st cabinet. * In 1836, Jackscti sent^him to represent his government at the court of
I«Quis Philippe, where he remained till -December,, 184S, and has ^ince been elected to the
United States Senate from Michigan, hi 1641, he was named as a candidate for the presi-
dency. Ritchie was then rather Iriendly to him, and published in his Enquirer many letters in
his favour. Heiss, now Ritchie's partner in the Cnion, but then of the Nashville Union, copied
a long sketch of his [Cass's] 11^, " by request," as he took care to state. Cass was, and is, a
iaVorite in Ohio, with what is called the conservative, " or pet banks fear ever" party— and
having made, a few flourishes while in France about the tyranny of England, and all that,
ad capUmduM vulgus^ he was set down by the war folks i^, the west as very favprable to another
18th of July, 1812, policy. In the senate he keeps up this ' free and independent' character, but,
at 65 or Gdyears pi age, it is to be presumed that his fighting days are all over. His opposition
to the quintuple treaty against slavery, and affected or real indignation at Ekigland's " determi-
"^ liation ti) persevere in her plans of. suppressing the slave trade, until slavery itself was eitirpated
ftdm the woi'ld," affords the very best proof, that like, the cold and calculating Yan Buren, he
wds quite ready to barter New Hampshire and Ohio filings for a phalanx of southern votes,
and to exhibit in the presidential chau* the revolting spectacle of a truckling New Englander,
playing the hireling, as the attorney of a set of men whose notions of liberty are better realized
in Texas as it is, than as it ought to be. Ritchie and his clique would Jiave preferred Cass to
Yan Buren, but Polk was still better. The yoke over three millions of unlucky necks in North
America was likely to be grasped the tightest by one who, with his ancestors, had always bought
ahd sold our fellow creatures like cattle, and never even dreamt ot the slightest amelioration ot
their hapless lot. How well Cass knew the south and the west! His tact was really admirable.
How naturally he put on the guise of a horror-struck freeman, at the very idea of a mutual
rijrfit to search for. human cargoes of kidnapped Afidcan? ! . What a blow to our libertiesj should
we suffer it! ' Van Buren,' in hjs inaugural, vetoed in advance every efibrt to enforce the con-
stitution in its purity in the District of Columbia. That was part of Ais bargain. No man in
' Afiierica would moi« cfhe'erfully have offered or accepted just §uch terms as his were, than
Lewis€ass.
'His hamanit}- to the Indians was oft a par with his kindly feelings for the serfs. . When the
Sapreme Court of the Union had decided that the Cherokees or Creeks were entitled to the
independent and quiet possession of the lands of their fathers, which they justly claimed, Cass,
like Van Buren and Butler, was.fbr getting rid of them. He is a good writer, thanks to his
Yankee education; (he "\^as the schoolmate of Webster and Saltons^UQ and he filled the Globe
for weeks with attacks on the hunlane doctrine of the Judges. Jackson s policy prevailed — the
poor Indians were virtually banished — ^the nation was heavily taxed to pay for driving them
Weftt, iar from the graves of their fathers— ^e Gteorgia slaveowners were conciliated, and
Cass had his splencSd rewani in the French embassy, and became as supple and oiiy a courtier
to the polite Bourbon as he had proved himself before to the passionate Tennessean. ^
General Caas is rich— ;very rich--^nd, like Van Buren, very fond of money. He made a
fortune by monopolising, through his statkm, means, and superior credit, much of the lands
cioee to mmI around Detroit, at an early day — ^kept a sort pf land office, and sold fhem out in
lots at immense profits, on bond and mortgage, gradually, as th^ city increased. When Wise,
in CJoBgress, had accused him of having got rich through government jobs, agencjes and con-
tracts, the Globe, Blair, in April, 1840, replied, that 'MGteneral Cass, while Governor of the
twiitory «f Michigan, bought a tract of land on the verg^e of the then infant city of Detroit.
TlwS sudden and rapid growth of the oity c(invert3ed thisp^RM info city lots, which Genial Cass
6(M for an immense sum of money. His forftme consists in the bonds and mortoaoei^ otitadned
on- the public sale x)f real estate wt^h he purchased in the^ early settlement of Michigan.*'
Bvw he manages with his waller of *' bonds and mortgages" I can only guesa from the fact, as
stMi in» the Albany 'Amis, thtft ix^ Ddoember; 1848, the ^rst ward of Detroit, in which he
ii^ii%ae«t ivefrjW #w«» xain^ iha cailtf^mmskm there, the delegated in wliich
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iBterest of V^Bu^en. I do pQt at aH doidit that- Van Bareik^a letter ie Heji,
page 216, t^uly describes bia standing with General Jackson ; ^^ / havefinmd
stood, 29 for Van Buren, and bi^liS fair Casa, of which the cfty tent a majority opposed to hittL
II' this is 90, his popalarity among tboBe who had had. most dealings with him, was not very
stiroDg.
When he 1^ Detroit for Washingiui, in June, 1831, he became, as Secretary of War, tilt
official principal in settling the accounts of his five Indian Agencies, and of immense disbuttie-
ments made by him for the U. S. govomment He settled ma own accoonts ; perhaps with the
aid of sotoG dependent auditor, and perhaps aot. With Andrew Stevenson as Speuter, regu-
lating the committees, and the gilded bait of a London mission placed ner before his eyes, coa-
gressionai inquiry was but an Jmaginair check. Yet all may have been perfectly correct
Who can know anything to Ibe coj^traiyi . As settled itith, Cass was assuredly no defaulter.
The Portkmd Advertiser remarks, that prior to the time ot^ being Secretary of War, he was
Goremor of Micfaigan--4hen a territory — and superintendent of Indian affairs. Both offices
were given by the general government, and both salary office*. The business of the Superin-
tendent was with the Secretary of Wlir. Coming from this office, therefore, to the War
department, Governor Cass had the power to settle his own accounts with his own hands, and
almost upon his own terms. He had been a contractor, receiv^er and di^borser, and became
debtor and creditor and examiner of his Own accounts."
John Bell, HarrisMi's War Secretary, winds up his annual or othfer report with som«
very leiNianded compliments to Iiuiian Agents relative to their honesty, but names nobody,
He was soon ousted.
In the matter of the U. S. Bwik, Cpss, in the cabinet, was assuredly no Duane. The pre-
sident had no need to offer to compound-witit his tender conscience by an oflfer of * the Russian
mission.' Long after the bank was defunct, society ascertained through a letter to G. 0. Whit-
temoce, that Lewis Cass " had never seen in the constitution of the U. S. a sufficient grant of
Eower" to establish a national bank. Of course he thought Madison very wrong inde^, when
e signed the national bank charter in 1816, and also Crawford, Monroe, Calhoun, Clay, Van
Buren and the Supreme Court, in defending the act, but, being Governor of Michigan, by
Madi&on's appointment, just then, he was far too polite and civil to say so. So he was, but he
always thought so. So- he did. In Sq)t. 1834, m the Telegraph, General Green described
Cass, as " For a Bank — ^for internal improvements — tariff so-so— a little anti-Supreme Court —
friend of the Indians, and no friend."
G^eneral Cass's laws,'When Governor of the territory of Michigan, were, some of them, at
peculiar as * the peculiar institution' of the south. The following enactment, if extended to jus-
tices of the peace here, would much delight many htmest men who may have' befen so unfortu-
nate as to break the commandment number eight, as abo th^ir worships of the quorum, who
would be sure of heavy fees, prompt pay, and no need to tax biUs. Poor sinners, as usual,
would be excluded from the benefits. No pay, no pardon !
" An Act for Pardoning Alexander Odion,— Be it enacted py the governor and judges of the
territory of Michigan, that Alexander Odion, now imprisoneii in the county gaol of the county
of Wayne, upon a conviction for larceny, be pardoned and released from gaol upon ccmdition
that he pay to the Sheriff of the said county, the costs and expenses which have accru^ from
the time of his apprehension till his discharge. The same being adc^ted from the laws of
one of the original states, to wit, the-state of New York, as fef as necessary and suitable tp
the circumstances of the territory of Michigan. Made, adopted and published at the city cSt
Detroit, in the territory of Michigan, this 7th day of August in the year of our Lord, 1817.
(Signed) Lewis Cass, Governor of the territory qf^ Michigan"
A few months before General Harrises died, one would have thought that if the official
newspaper of the Union at Washington was eatitleel to credit for veracity^ he must have
been one of the greatest of monsters, one of the worst of men. When he died, Cass, at Paris,
delivered a very long pration to his memoir, from which one would have judged that he must
have been " one of the greatest and best" ol men^-aU this, too, on persoiud knowledge*
When defeated in what some suppose to hatre been the great object of his wishes, by the
decision in favour of Polk, Cass wrote to E. Worrell and others, that he was delighted With
the choice the Baltimore Convention had made of Buch "firm, consistent, able, and honest^ '
citizens as Messrs. Polk, and Dallas, both of whom he knew intimately, and that " they wonld
never disappoint the expectations of OUR party, n» of the country." Perhaps he really waa
delighted. jEIe had written from Paris, 16 Aug. 1841, " Mv oonvic^ion is, ^at there is nothings
ia my present position, nothing in my past cAaftaR, which should lead to my selection fi
such a mark of confidence. My rew^nance is gr^at, r^ AXiMOST inrineibla" How
sorry the friends of Peace must be ! That isjba ease Polk ihould set the world in a blasoBi
Mr. JEUchard Rush wro|e Aaron Hobart, of Botton, JtOL 4j 1914, that, aficr an aeqiudattaotf
of iftorfe thaa thirty ymcs, he waaiMl Qea^al Otm («o .ha ek»M^ **B9oum to Jum «
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Atii,V gaijshe^ << affiHHioimttp eifH^UkktMy and iHM io tkitoH deft^; mA mi
efuir€lff satisfied tku th^ttUniy^yu^J goad f^ing w conJUancit which h$4m9
not B/uertainforme.^^ .. . ,
The first lYieasiires of (Sot^seqaeMe lO whMi 'V«ifi Burea wIas engaged, appear
to have bee a the prepar^bn of suitable ktttrtieikMtei relative to commeroe, (artfll}
Bti^gation, and bouddaries, aad the adjustment of daiais, for theguidanoe ^tke
U. S. env«y» aad other agents io Sngiaftd, FratH^e) Mexieo, Spain, &c.
In the ptoseciftioir of the U. S. eiAims on Frailce, he'seeniB to have pertuaded
Jaccson to ass a me a tone of menace and defiance, very unlike indeed ' to his
bcmied acceilts when addressing imperial Eogiand. The aggrandizement of
those hankj) and mercantile concerns on' which he placed dependeiioe^ as fbrmfng
mateftal for the construction of a steb-ladder by #hich, in time, he might be
elevated to the Presidency, was tM forgotten ; nor did he hesitate to intrigue
for the destractioo of the U. S. Bank> fbm the moment in which he saw Jacksoa
man like him President, would be the lAost likety moan^ of keejftfaig.ua OUT OF WAR, under
menacing qaestioQs that hang over U9>" MetUnks ftiend Rasbwoukl have left this because
out of his catalogue, had he heard tiie gallant general's trumpet tongued notes in the cabitol
this session, all ending in 54° 40', for which, hoWever, sorne wicked wags affirm diat hd A>n't
oare a rush. Brougham said of Cass's efforts to please the cotton growin£: states by opposing
tlvi anti-slavery treaty, "And ht has done all this for What 1 For the sake c^ furthering his
own electioneering mt«5rest in Ameri<Ja, and helping himself to that «eAt the posAession of
which he envied Mr. Tyler— the iteat of the first magistrate of that m%hty repijblic. My
lords (continued Brougfiam)) I hope and trust, fbr the sake of America, of £ngiand, and oi
hnmaalty and mankind at large, that the prosperity and happinests of that great people 'will be
perpetuated for ever."
In his protest, Oass accused England of duplicity. Wefester replied : ^ " You will perceive
that, in the opinion of this Gtovernmant, crftising against slave dealers on the coast of Africa is
not all that is necessary to be done, in order to put an end to the traffic. There are markets for
slaves, -or the unhappy natives of Africa would not be seized, chained, and carried over the
ocean intb slavery. These marksts ought to be shut. And ia the treaty, the high contractibg
parries have stipulated * that thsy will unite in all becoming representations and remonstrances
with any and all powers within whose dominions such markets are allowed to exist;
and that they will nrge the propriety and duty of closing such markets at once and fyr
ever." ' •
Cass's efforts in Prance prevented die ratification, by that nation, of a mutual concession
treat^r, by representing England as insincere, and desirous to enforce her old designs of im-
pressinant, searching for her seamen, Ac. t*resident Tyler approved highly of Cass's conduct.
\yebb, jrf die Courier and Enquirer, rarely misses a de^ce of Cass t>r of Marcy. He evi-
dently likes many of his brother editors of the Whig party much worse than he does the demo-
cracy of Cass and Marcy. He and they are thorough-going friends of negro-slavery in its
very worst forms.
General CasA is the Secretary who issued orders to Gaines to invade Texas. Of course he
approved of these orders. JHad it not been so, he could have resigned his place. He is by
no means tl^e equal hi ability of Clay and Calhotm, nor^oes he possess the excellent heart, the
kindly feelings of Col. Johnson. Van.Buren has less mental power than either Clay, Calhoun
or Cass ; yet, notwithstanding a life of intrigue and demagogueism, chance did the most for him.
Van Buren preferred Cass to Calhoun, and Calhoun prefer!^ Polk tqfJass. The new divisions
of party are north and south, slave owner and Creemaii, Southern policy is to give \o us north-
ems a master, and to ensure our bondage to tKe spread of their system by dividing us, and
engaging and bargaining with the Marcys, Walkers, and other cunning men who have popu-
larity without liberality. Calhoun was hot for Texas, but, as to Qregon,^ he urged us to be
.still. Polk does not differ from him. ifed I yoted in Nov. 1844' Polk would nave had my
suffrage, because he stood pledged to act with perfect quality to the loreign bom and the native,
while Clay stood silent, with our native bigots, thp mreigner's aVowed enemies, in his front
ranks. If there is to be a* slave dass, and a master class, I shall not willingly forge my own
fetters. Had I supported Poflr, however, which I did not^ I would have been, as others are, his
du|)e. Those who are intimate with Gov., Cass, tell me, thait hismanners are pleasing : that
he is courteous ; a gorfd scholar ; an amiable man ; a gpod husband' and father. He is a large
saed, pdrdy man, With a l^g heail ; and can:iea his ^itical principles, likQ a country doctors
wallet of medicihes, in a convenient portable: form- He placed his card weU in the'^ganfw of
presiient making, in 1844— and, after Viii gi^ren's^ election, there's no' knowing ^at may
'Kappen two years hence. Cass isf by trade, a politician, knd has mind and gr^t experience.
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m foim&swHk of subftttotiiil p9imh . Tb# J^naMUnt wag ^pttdily involved m (^
qiififfn:! wit^ tbe dirie^tors.of t^ V. S. bm^ck At PorUfiiouih} If. U., ^nd tlihe
breach when made was easily widened.
T^e influence of the cibinel; iu patirOB^ge j tbe means iU.Qoembers bad of
giving a. <Uf oaion to- pubiic ctpiaHNi w certain import^ subjecia v ^beir views,
ooo^dcUonsj^ expectations, wishes; the majprity of theia desirous to see Calbomi
the next President ; Calbl>uo hiiQSflf already at the head 9f the Senate as' Vice
President ; with the TeiǤp^pb press and pcrtroBage of Coi^ress in -the hands c^
its indefatigable editpr, General DafTGree^At his back { presented a state of
things, w^eb neither J^kson nor Van Bufe» liked^sq they resolved upon a di^ih
solution of the cabinet, as the only^ plausibljs naeaos of gett^ rid pfBrani^b,
, Inghaqri, and Berrien. One ^pretext for a quarrel was found, in the bo/L tbat
Presi4ent Monroe, and his Secretary .of W^r, Calhoun, had not been ahogetber
satisfied with Jacicson's o^ode of condjucting tl^e Seminole war,* — and this wan
* What a^s the facts on tbs Sehi^k>le auiuj^oi^? They are thes^. Jaekson w^
employed by Mooioe, and' his cabinet, Vhicti thea consisted of Crawford. Adams^ Callipua,
Wirt, and Crowninshield, to chastise certain J^ndiaa tribes or bandsy wnose home was m
Florida, a possession of Spain. He disobeyed, or rather tr ansceiule^ his ordexs, and on t^'«
19th of July^ 181S, President Monroe wrQte^ him j^vat^y, tha^ when called int^ service
against the SeminoleSj " the views a^d intentions ol the goveniment were fully disclosed -in
respect to the operations in Florida.. IN TaiNSCENDlNJJ TH£ LIMIT I^RESCRIBED
BV T^OSfi OtoERS, yov^ acted on your own responsibiMty." Mr. Moi^-oe said, it was
right to attack the ^enunoles in Flwida, for- they haid a sort of sovereignty there, " but sai
order by the government to attack a Spanish post would assume another character. IT
WOULP AUTHORIZE WAR. CONGRESS ALONE POSSESS THAT POWER."
Jackson had s^i^sed and held the posts or forts of Spain in time of peace. Hill had denounced
hifli, so had, Ritfehie, and Noah. Coleman of ih/^ pos^, Feb. 8, 18I9, said, that " in spite of
the votes which one. branch of the legislature have passed, we shall continue to think that the
conduct of General Jackson, in forcibly entering Uie Spanish territory, and seizing upon the
civil: authority; in decoying^ by means of fal^ colors, two* Indian chiefs on board of an
American vessel, and then hamming them at the yardarm. one of whom, too, had spared the
lile of an American captive, at toe intercession of his daughters j and in hurrying to ayident
and ignominious death, two. prisoners, ailer quartesr liad been, grafted, c^n never be justified
by any authority to be found in ahy civil or religious' code." In the British cabinet it wa4
seriously debated whether satisfaction or war ought Qpt to be the altelxia^ve demanded foi* the
hanging of Capt. Arbuthnot, who advised the English authorities that Jackson's war. mission
was. occasioned by persons who were grasping ailer thp Jands oi" the, Indians, aiid the southern
planters desiring to seize and piini^h' their .black bonosmeh for seeking that freedom 'in a
Spanish cdlony which the land qf liberty denied. Crawiford, in onp of his letters, mentioned
that, ajjout this time Jackson wrote to Monxc^, and ''gave it as his opinio^ that the Florida^
ought to be taken by the United States.'' He (Jackson) added, " it might be a delicate matter
for the Executive to decide ; but the President [Monroe] had only to give a hint to seme
confieUrUial member of Congress,^ sav Johnmr JRay, and he would take it, and take the responsi-
bility upon himself." Was Senator Houston^ Jackson's Johnny Ray, in the Texas aiTair %
Was Senator Yulee, Polk's Johnny R.ay^, when he hitrodueed a resolution recently , to annex
Cuba, after the highest officials ii\ Illinois had m!et and ^dvis^d that measure 1 Who are to
be the Oregon andX:Jalifc)mia Ray«( 1 . That president is not vert particular iii the matter; qf
sincerity who pledges himself to 'all Oregon hefore ah elect?ioi^ orfers^^to give up 15,000 square
mUes after it, declare - • - • ,, . ,
, declares .to the American people that our title is clear khd unijuestipnable to M®
40', and then oifers a Gomprqmise for latitude 40?.
To return to Monroe's letter to Jackson. He told him that his seizing the fortresses
of Spain, might ihvc51ve' the tjnipn in^a war with that ppwer, when British privaieers- would
harass American commerce, and this cou^Jrv not have cttie EuropeaiS powi^r on' its side — and
that sush a state of things oi^ht'npt to be lightly hazarded. He advised Jackson to amend his
reasons — aud in another private letter,, dat^d, Oct. ^0^. added, ^' 1 was sorry to jdnd that you
understood your ipstruoSons relative to operations in Florida DIFFERENTLY FROM
WHAT WE IfifTENDED.*' Here he speaks for Jiimself and his 'cabinet, especially for
Calhoun, who was then at the head of the dejjartment of ivar, and had issued these instruc-
tiong. Mr. Monroe bids'the general jwrite out Ixis views^ addine, ** This will be answered, so
as 10 explain ours, in i friendly manner, hy Mr. Calhoun, WHO HAS VERY JUST AND
UBdlRAL S^NTII^ENTS ON THE SUBJECT. * this will be necessary in the case of a
call for papers by .^angress, or may be. Thus we shall all stand ojx the' ground of hood^
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fantis^ed by thfi cdirfddefBiea fl#'V*fi'Bdreii, and wged tfew^gh ^wnUUfa itiid
Forsyth upon Jacksoti al the fittkig mmnent, whoft* igot^ a feeting of indignatiott,
evidently put on, and acted, to rouse CathouB am! brnig ofi an aagry dispute. I
say feigned a feeling, for after Jackson had qaiirreiifKl with Calhoun oH- this
rhatter, he remained upon the most cortlial add kindiy teril)s with many Mber
leading politicians, who, as he weil l^ew, had id 1&18 and Ibli^, been amoi^
BACH DOING JUSTICE TO THE OXHJEIR, which is the ground on which we wish
to place each other."
Adams^a vindication of Jackson is on record— lVionroe*s manly conduct towards him in his
public capacity, was onlv equalled by his kyid and friendly consideration in private. Here
we see that he frankly told Jackson^ fiiat Calhoun's sentimeut;s in the whole matter were very
just and very liberal, and that his (Jackson's) conduct was not approved, but that reasons were
8p.ught for its justification that the evils of an unnecessary war might be avoided. How
could Jackson, when in possession of these secret letters fbr ten years, pretend, after his elec-
tion had been secured through the gigantic efforts of Vice President Calhoun ancl his friends,
that he had always understcfod that Calhoun, as war secretary, had approved of the hangings
and fortress seizures in a friendly country without war ! Jacjcson was enraged at Calhoun
and Crawford in 1818, for not thinking as he did, but Calhoun gave him a party, and the
Suarrel was revived at the convenient interval of ten years^ to serve Van Buren. As a. proof
lat Messrs. Monroe and Calhoun continued to coimde in Jackson, and that their ulterior
views were believed to be his, they offered him, in 1823, the mission to Mexico, which he
would have accepted, had not Burr and others' more influential, induced him to set his cap for
the Presidency ot the Union.
Crawford, when he reported, as he had a perfect rig:ht to do. at a proper interval of time,
the secret conversations m Monroe's cabinet, ought to have told the truth. ' Does not his own
statement show that he did not do so ? and Knowing that, how could Jackson or Van Buren
pretend to depend more on his vindictive yet treacherous memory than oh the confidential
assurances of James Monroe 1
In 1828, we find John Forsyth, Van Buren^s confederate writing Major James A. Hamilton
as follows : " Milledgeville, Feb. 8th. DCar Sir : Our friend W. H. Crawford was in this
" place a few hours yesterday. By his authority I state, in reply to. your inquiry, that, at a
" meeting of Mr. l^lonroe's cabinet to discuss the course to be pursued towards Spain, in con-
" sequence of General Jackson's proceedings in Florida, during the Seminole war, MR.
" CALHOUN SUBMITTED TO AND URGED UPON THE PRESIDENT THE
"PROPRIETY AND NECESSITY OF ARRESTING AND TRYING GENERAL
" JACKSON. MR. MONROE WA3 VERY MUCH ANNOYED BY IT."
Hamilton had previously asked Calhoun the saine question. In his letter to him of Feb.
S5, 1828, he says — " In reply ta my inquiry/ * Whether at any meeting of Mr. Monroe's cabi-
net the propriety of ARRESTING GENJBJRAL JACKSON for anything "dcyiQ by him
during the Seminole war, had been at any time discussed,* ybu an^sw^d-,' * SUCH A
MEASURE WAS NOT THOUGHT OF— much less discussei -TO ofif^^Hn^ i>efyre the
cabinet was the answer to be given, tq the ^anish government,' '*
Hamilton was the dependant of Van Buren — he was fond of mone}'— had bfea an antUwai:
federalist, and required Vsin Buren's aid, as Van Buren did his. At the pruptir monient, t]w.
information which, he had secretly obtained from Crawford's frientt Fursjih, aboEit THE
ARRKST, was communicated to Jackson. The elecl;ion was now su trc^^Brajiehij Ingham and
Berrien were true to their principles and their friends — Dutf Green stood by CaJhoiin, who
had no means of rewardii^ him, though by so doing lie knew that Jackfjon'^ and Van Buren's
indignation and the loss ofoffice and its vast emoluments, would be the certain fesiults, Thf^
apples of discord had now to be scattered — and Jackson, professing aiistonisshTn^nt about The
ARREST, and. not contented with Calhoun'*' explicit disclaimer to Harajltoji, applied to
Crawford, the politiieal enemy of Calhoun, and who had voted in the ^^^>^p'' i^ ^itv; J. \.;^j^ t^y
a disavowal of his Seminole proceedings ! ' .
Finding that matters" were taking thiis new turri, Crawfprd wfofe 'Forsyth from Woodlawn,
30 April,. 1830, "I recollect distinctly what passed in the cabinet meeting reforred to in your
'* letter to Mr. » 1 Mr. Calhoun's proposition in the cabixiet was that General Jackson
" should be PUNISHED IN SOME FORM, OR REPRIMANDED IN SOME FORM. I
" AM NOT POSITIVELY CERTAIN WHIC;H, AS JtfR. CALHOUN DIP NOT
« PROPOSE TO ARREST GENERAL JACKSON, I feel confident that I could not have
" made use of that word in my relation to yoti," &c. Here's adisclaimer foi^you ! He had told
Forsyth secretly that Calhoun did propose to arrest Jackson. NoW;he tells him he did not say
th^t. In one sentence of the above qupted letter, he says he ^ec^iects distinctly what passei
hot in the next he says he does not recollect distliicdy whether Calhoun spoke oC reprimand
or of punishment !
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USB 9^lMQ9H^ itfftpr- M MI PWP H»,»W 9^HmV^ fUUXi.
thff most hoitile to kim in tbe mtter itf> t)i«is«n« FJoriilA campftigp. Jaoklw
wan perfectly a^are that Van ^ur^Ai with the preaaes under his control, and
also aome of his frienda in the U. S. Senate, had really been his deadliest enemies
Vk 1818, and long aAar it-^y€a»nov thai it auited his purpose, he could profess
to £c»rget all this, while Oatihoui», whp had acted moat honorably toward him,
waa made to feei the effect of what aaaupedly was a rooted hatred.
Jackson, urged on by Van Biufen*s creaturfes, goes to a man for facts, who is filled with eavy
and hatced of Calhoun-: and who cannot withhold the details of his own petty gTiefs/evea in
an. appeal to the public. Calhoun (says he) estalblished the Washington Republican to
slaucfer and vilify me— he set on Ninian Edwards to break down my character, &c. He goes
on to say, that he was for Jackson as president if it wonldnt help'Calhotm, and that C?alhoan's
family Lad c " ' ^ ' •• - '
adding what 1
favorSi Mr. i . ,
Dec. 1827, Crawford also says, " My opinions upon the next presidential election are gene-
rally knpWn. When Mr. Van fem-en and Mr. Cambreleng made me a visit last April, I
authorized them upon every proper occasion to make those opinions known." On turning to
page 200, letter 144, it will be seen that " my friend Col. Hayne" is the word with Van
Buren. In 1832, we meet with the Colonel's vote to recall him from London. When the Van
Buren party nominated Jackson, in this sthte, in l628, they omitted to name Calhomi for vice
president— meaiitime the plot was ripening, and a very deep plot it was. How like to the
persecution of Clinton ,in 1819 and 182Q, by van Buren, Butler and the " high-minded ;" a
persecution, the prindple involved in which, even Hammond could not see; for CMnton's
measures, like those of Jackson's insulted secretaries, had given entire satisfaction.
Calhoun's letter to Jackson, dated May 99, 1830, is a spe^ime» of his manly straight-for-
wardness, and consistency, which one wotild wish to see rewarded, even on earth. He goes
fully into the merits of the Seminole case— is master of both facts and arguments — and after
having stated that he approved, that they all approved, of Monroe's private letter of July 19,
1818, 1 cannot perceive now, at an interval of twelve years, Jackson should have singled out
him — the man to whom, when aspersed and slandered from Maine to Missouri, he owed so
muciv— as au enemy-sunless it "(ra?, that he ^Calhoun) stood in the way .of measures, public
or personal, which Jackson and Van Buren nad at heart; and must be injured, if that were
pe8sjble« Calhoun's idea appears from his letters. He says to Jackson, '^ I should be blind not
to pea that this whole affair is a political maooem'jre, in which the design is that you should
be the instrument and myself the victim, but in which the real actors are carefully concealed
by.au artful movement.'*^ In the hand^ of Clinton,^Duane. Calhoun, and men of* their honor-
able dispositions, Jackson's administratioU might have become a blessing to society, and Van
Buren been compelled to suspend his iutrigues.- SOcm after the dissolution, at a public dinner
in Pendleton. S. C, one of the toasts was " Martin Van Buren. * Ahi that deceit should steal
such igenjfle snapes, and with a virtuous visor, hide deep vices.' "
Camoun never could fimi^ out the name of Jacksbn's first informer— -he who referred to
Hamilton, who in his turn referred to Crawford. He was justified in holding f*orsyth up in
that detestable character, ^6. did so— but Van Buren remembered the service done him, and in
course' of time Forsyth became his 'Secretary of State. This was his reward. ' • '
Because I gave to the public the secret correspondence of Van Buren and his confederates,
instead of turning it into money, as some poor men like me would have been tempted to do,
Van Buren's friends have slandered and persecuted me.' In a letter from his favorite candi-
date, W. Et. Crawford, dated Wbodlawn, 2d Oct., 1830, and addressed to J. O. Calhouh, I find
the following paragraph on political secrets r ' "*"
** I shall first notice your observations Upon tbe «liscIosure of the secrets of the cabinet, which you say is Che
flrsf which has occurred, at least in-tbis country. ^Dd you really believe this assertion, Mr. Calhoun 1 Bow did
the written opinions of Messrs. Jefferson Rfid Hamilton, on tbe first bank (Kll. ever.sei) the light 1 How were tbe
facts and circumstances which preceded and accompanied the removal of ;^(hao|id l^aiidolpb from the State De-
partment by General Washington, discloseo and made knowfi to the public 1 If your a.sserti()n be true, those
facts and circumstances would, at this moment, be burled in Egyptian darkness. Wli^li) a caljiinet is hi exutepice
and its usefulness' liable lo b^ impaired, reason snd common seiia^ point out tbe prop^ty of keepmg its proceed-
ings secret. But aftef the cabinet ad longer ezisl^ wh«n its usefaluess cannot be impair^ by a di^Mure of its
propeedings, neither rea^Oi common sense, nor pritriotism, requires that tl^ose proceedings should be abrouded in
imnenetrsble darkness. The acts of such a cabinet become history, and the nation has .the sanete right to a kpow-
ledge of them, that it has to any other historical fact. Itis presumed that all nations have entertained thki opi-
nion and have acted fpon it Hense the seeset history of cabinets, tbe vast despotic in Europe; fience tbe imtotf
of tbe house of Stuart by Chwles JamM Fox, which discloses ike most secret intercourse between Charles
it., and tho French Minister, by which it was proved that Charles was a pensioner of Louis XlvT, King of
France, and had secrttly engQg©4 to re-establisi) Popery in England. Yet in the face of alf these facta, you dare
. ^.^^.^.^ — ._^-^ -_^. — ng,sofiir«!toiiisiiittaldUiat
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presuBia upon the ignorance of the discfiaguiflAied paraon you wercaddressipg, so f^M to *ft«inuaf that niGh
diBol«8Uf«» bad nover been ouMte ia wy voujouy, but o^rtainly not in this republic''
TWB vvrOoW timbbIlakb, or a \?oman in f KB 'plot. 109
The Seminole question >yais but the nomioal one, on which they difiered-^a
means taken to eft'ect a much desired end;
Another c^use of strife was Mrs. Eaton.' She had been the widow of Pliner
Timberlake, of the Constitotion ; lind was married to Mr. J. H. Eaton, Jafck-
son's biographer and war secretary, in 182^. White Mrs. Timberlake, ibe
ladies of character, in Washingtotx, h«d refused to associate with bet ibr'Mrciral
years, alleging that hei* conduct and reputation were too bad. General Rbbert
Desha had warned Eatoti 'Of all this before their marriage-^ahd, as Eatorf was a
favorite of Jackson's, and the fa^m^lies of Messrs. Calhoun, Branch. Berrten and
ingham neither yisUed* kh wife nor invited her to their j)artie^, wnil^ Vai^s]^-
ren, being a widower, wtth Ap daighters, was imremitting in his atte<itit?tte ' to
her. an effort w-as made to «oeroe Messris.. Branch, Ingham iind Berries Mto
a different course, couplfed ^itU a.thtefit df reinbtal from office, in case Jifm^£.
was not, by their fomilies^ plwded en a more friendly footing.* In all jthi^ the
.' «t What fK^LusNCE mo Mr. xm^ Mrs. Eatov JsxEaeMe over Jackson 1 I place muck^oon-
ildence in^the statements of Meair*. Branch, Berrien, and Inghaim,' becaiwe they were demoocats
"of high character, the choice of Jackson, in accordance with pubuQ sentiment, an4 becaus^^t^y
choae, like Daane^ to retire from the offices they held, aa^ refuse other- iiffices o&xed tktm.' as
bribes, raftter tiian become ike base insdrtrments ot*Van Buren, and through his4n#u^fee to
enjoy a monopoly, as it were, of the pp^to and patronage of this great republiie. I pliace <!bn-
fidence in tiiem because, like CallKiun, they woul4 descend to nothing mean^-becausertii^
spurned Jackson's ofkt^ for such it was, on condition thait theijt families would aseeeiat* j^^tm
Mrs. Eat6n, the'wife of Jacki^m's personal friend and warminirter,* moTRm whom fee^Hti-
zens* wives would neither receive nor visit, oil account of her mode of life ^s they had witnessed
it : and I cocJ^de in them» because tb^ were acknowledged to have been good and failMul
sl«wards to the publie, by Jackson^ whilt not a whi^)er did even the bitetb of sJiaDder vMe to
♦ their priejtidice. ' I wish we aould sa^ as much of their weH^ known sueceiisors, KWftiafl, Tg^ey,
"Woo&ury, Van Buren an4< Butler.
.JdhR' Uxmy^.^sAon mamed tius Widow Timbeslak^^ i^^ J^niiai}', i^i^. I suppose he-h?id
been a long time a widower. Efther General Macomb or .h jhn ' Van Bnren introdttc^me
^at year< In the department of stafe, to Mr. Eaton's sons, one at kui^ of whom mni^t havt teen
l^ oTj^Q years old. WilUaia B,. Lew, <gf -Tennessee,^ wiiaia Pplk diji^*ied ijxjui offit^ g few
ninths 9mce, another personal Jfriend of Jackson's, "i^as EiLti^ii'a brother-in-law, and appears ti>
have approved of this second marriage. When the,cabiJiE?L hn>Lo up, Eaton wrote a letter h.*
Blak, stating that soqn ailer their marriage, J^c and Mrs. CaJhoun calM juid iclt their c:ard,
a^d that be and M^. Eatoaiv retoirned tha visit, and were, by Mr^ C, received with much po
Iit«jiess. To th^s. a reply wa» made4)y,9alhQuh, that hi^i \\'ife had ntvCT cailed un Mrs. E. ai
any time, never left her card, nor authorized another to do so for her — that Mrs, C. conceived
it-lo be tli duty ofM^'-^n if innocent, to open her intercourse with the ladles who rcjsided iti
' thevptaice-^at ^^ it was nc^ in iact, a (^asgbion of ^ excbi«iQa of ond «hHBady adantMS' mto
ftoci^, but the admission of one alres»d}r extel«ded. Before -tiie marriage; wiiile she was Hfis.
T:bnberlakfe, sh^had npt been admittfed into, .the sodietf of Washir^on |^and the re^i me^^
was, whether her marriage with. Major Baton should open the door already closed on har^^r,
hi other^words, whether omcial^ rank and pBtroita9e should, or shionld not, prove panrmxmnt to
other newspaper statements concerning J^ckH>Tij hi?* f^ecreJaries, sjid Mr?. Kukm and Yan Bu-
ren. They are fidl of g^ ai^d bitterne^ The Secretary id Wav (Eaton) pubildy aJdrt^sscs hie late
colleagues, the great ejfemplars of the new wt>ridj dius; ** The*^ Wm inm\ lii;^iiam and Berrien,
\dll stand together in after timi„and with honorable men, uionuments of duplicity, ingtaUtud**.
and baseness— rtraitors to their friends, and [destroyers of thera^lves — n meintjrable illnstTaliofi
of the melancholy truth, that i man may smile and sun! e, and b-.; a Yiliain [■' BoUijtt his
angry wife and artful monitor, Van Bure^j ["nr Eatim mast hav-^ bc^n in a bad way. To re-
peat the charges of deceit, falsehood, hy 1 1 othpr viotib— Uit^ thitati; of assiLByinaUon,
vengeance, chastisement, &:c. — the challeii^^u^ :, u^iu diieljj cr bear the bi-jmd o^' cowardice,
woiad be tedious— but a few extracts from the narrative of Crovembr Branch of North Carolina,
who ^ad been Jaclison*s Secreitary of the Navy, may help' u§ to a right estimate of Van JBu-
ren's agency in the affair. ^. ;.*.*.)
** ikr. yao Bwren, it mast toe bonie M mindHEsaTt^^toV' Bfuach.] was i^ widower wUbout. dfttglfVen ] ^ii# lie
adroitly' iivailed fabns^ of ftH hit pidvileges at. tueli. Bit Atteniioof to•Bi]|l^EH«Ml w^re of th« laoa^ iMacad
du^acter. Polite and assiduous on all occasions, he was particularly so ii» the presence pf Gen. Jaclcson o^
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•^10
A JTdX CHA^E, Hr B^Ngi,.Wf8Jk| ANSI ^fjiionX'
ppiot Aimed at, both bj? Van Buren and Jackson, wa9 to ^?t rid ot\.Calh6DD'8
friends, and to fill iheir places with mo^e pliable pyliticiaus. On ihe 7ih 6f
Ajwl| 1<>31, Eatop resigned th($ War Bep^unent. Van Uuren ^dyti, ug the
Pt-p^jruuetit ot Slate on the llih| and Jackson wrote him after this manner {—
" 'l'« «ay that I deeply rej^et to lose you is but feebly to express my feelings."
Jinghain was stnt tor nejc,t — the iwo 're$i|juation« sh'owp him by the' President,
pi2^ wish ^^pr.'^ed that be would go out. The Russian Mission was offer-
ed as usual, whicE he indignantly refused, bi^t resignifd forthwith, giving, a^i his
th^iy ; b^t b$ tb#Mi w th« ptiwer to |k ii«qttUMe4.by ^r»u|aii »nM^ » O'VTM, «
At Tength. Gen. JHcksnn, ftfter the meeting ut' Congre.^y \o^^9G»uib»r, 18'i9, 6i
to telMaflfcHfliible^ dHenuteed n»»( Um laiMiJie»Qf hls<4£Hbtefir>teMriU'Hlb»il i
fii»J. Eaton. Bis infinence, in ever; variety of fqrm, both official »ai nnoAciiil. wai exened to niKke it api)ia.
iM0t<^i!fan««p»iitteineDthttt^<i»ttiM«d<4e«ply intotlMrir fee4iiifst ni^ in liuK. tii«t lie rM»e4 ntij-tHtng atumt
t, «nd biut ;k» »grH|Ues t»i«»<rHio b^m.
, Anfling the bidies of Wfivbington to
il h) ttriHS or b«r dlnnilK'itf. * * *
Coiigfi^ Va» in »v»Mou ; ibe l^die* of the ineuiters frum Teiine»i«e^ even, beld no iatercoUir!«ii wltb kit*. 6a-
1^ mir, Hi tkci, the President'^ o\tu fkiuMf- The fVi^ncb of the iiihtiinKtrittt6n beraine Hlnriite«(, ie»t thevx-
^ci»e I)!' "it^b de>ip( th: |wvi(fr«boM oMrwbetiii ib«|pi «iH^iM>d w»fAMI,u|f tb»'iai|Miiding blow. Tbe tiH<i«iion
of Un. Eaton, however, engrossed tlie President** whole aoul, and he eoutinned Ui lie much ocelipied In cot
toctiuE certificates, urlnclijally from office seekerft, to sustain her. This buok of (ertificnteii, tor a tolln did it
fnun wonff ynm that <a whick utftee «9ekM»*llrsi fnalifM ttor i^Oim* i* Uto maanttsie. Mr, Van Bsfen, who
bnd artftilly' eou.trib«ted to InfaM the PrettkdeDi'a iuMid« UuMbtleAi, in ftiirt. Inducing biiH t^ believe that Ura.
Galhouu'tf relu«ul to retucu Mrs. Eatoirs Ciird in February, 1829, had iit^uenced the fainiiies of the Cabinet to
Tfrnt'-nt the coarse they hnd adopted towards her, liudlug hini wrotfght up lo the load lury of a ^roai^ng Hun,*
in mm Cut. Johnaon*e de»cripcieo, tb«>nght it a gund ttiue lu nflcagn and turn -hini Unftie ua his meet Ihnaidable
MmI,, Mr. Calhoun, wb» was then Vice President. ««a part^cipnUNt «mh him in i^ mnown whivh be ( Vnn
#ttfe;)) attached to service uudt^ eo^h •«. chief. The uiunMer in which th« unffiendly €orr«;»poi>d«nGe com-
menced between Gen. Jucltsoa and Air. U'ilh(<au, taken in connection with the tfnie, is snAcieiit to convioce
nny lafetlti^ut inintl tlsiit It was in-^tigated by Van l^ren. I exrrved every nerve to defeat his purpose. Ojflen
l»V8 LAMtfe^teO-OefiSlrai JaciORku Co nvuiA a mpitire with Mr,-Caihone. tU no gimd euttid resliU trtim lacb ii
Erml. llievall<>Eii|ioo,iM;niUHi.lljr. CiilhiAUi was a niere pretext j y»a aen^hiinfnuw in swe^t coQinmnion with
W who. in 1^19. wen bis most bluer aaisalluDts. By IhU liuie, f weiJ nade(»teod the character of Mr. Van
en.' With Him, t funridYbHt tH^ end justified thP nicanif; nnd, a^ the destruction of B|r. Caiboan was the
i#h||eet nearest bite kienrt. he whs very wilHng theutd Chief, formksim hepri>fiMsed sonaeh fovenrid veneration,
il^lW ancmppMsl this mmk Sot bink nt any niul eVtry lia«uBd to hluiMlf. 1 beiinved then Uwit Mr. Van Mtumi
■Mmed juo i<iw an estiioatn on the virtue, patrivlism and tutf llfgeace of the Ait»ri«an pe«tple« and that his cei^
i«ce oil General Jncksun to accomplish his parpo^ies wuuUi prove deluiiive. * * * Jju shirts have proy^
Mntag enough to benr Mr. Van Bui:en into the Vice . Pre:tid«ucy) and recent ll^dkatioDs bate induced me to
mar thmUi^ enuntny Is suftciwitty oornipc to nnnUe him. thwttgii th« natioAag» ef the 6<iv%mmenC) to- reach
ttn*ginatoMecLuiheauiMti«». 'li4onssMrpa4eall belt#l' that^ thn eooi, 4isfHs«ignai« and unfiriscif^efi wtre-
Wwt^t in this ptot s^uld. hy aoffh iunaB»,/»ndttr Uuntey'aecepuibie. to a ffee» generous, jMiViutic, Nl|fi •ulifht*
iaed ))eople.*'
One thii^ tturtt bc«rfd iew, in finror of -JacksoiL but ft till* ao ftmch the "wwsft fbr Van
Wartai. His partr had basely idandered Mrs. Jaclbon dtarirfg t&e canvass of 1^ ;' Jatkson
was tenderly attached to her ; she had ^otm to hei* grave, fust lielbfe he left Tennessee to assn;ne
tike duties of President ; and there were those who wounded his feelings by tellinaf htm that the
tonduct pursued towards his I'ennessec friend'4 Vife, was ctte way of insulting himsetf. Jack-
son had not foi^tten the BentQn pamphlets. On the dth of May, 183|, Jesse Speight, M. C,
wlio afterwards adhered to Van Buren, thus addressed Governor Branch :
' ' ". ' ' "STAHTOHBtHtf, May9, 1«31.
*^Mf »BAB niiBiw :<^Toiir8 of the«li inet, hns thie rec in e a^ esmB»» h>pd^ I ^nrtiotmiatalcen is tb^npiaioa
%M^ foraied.as to the cause of the biflw out st Waeblbglpn (a> we call it Xere.) It is- impossible for B|e to sx-
tress th«,d^p and hear|^U raortiQc^tion I have and tuntUiue to fesi for thd honor, of my ciunntrv. t too, sir.
«tn ilbiappointed. Sevtr did 1 bt^lieve that the high-iuluded chivalrous independente of Amirew ikeicson could
b» lOnde 10 IxnV at the shrMe of selfkth aoiMtien. Ah ! •and so a^to loteake did long trind ffie*d« at the polls,
u4 m&ft^d by the d^ceitfhl aitiaaes of such «»en an Mufte Van fiMes. witf reduced by the iastipitioB of llrs.
. Catoft. So ikr «« I have undemood. thi fiM^ings of y4»ur IrlfOAdf .«» with yo«. * * * God b^M TPU.
CqI. James Watspn Webb was. as the reader wyl perceive l35r reference to hi^ letter and card,
tagfe* SAl and '232; so friendly to van Buren, that he was ready to fight anv number of duels to
ftirf^hohor and glory. Having since, like me, cooled down a Utde, he tells his readers, through
the Courier & EntiuiTer of July 7, 1837, that Van Buren became Jack^n's favorite " by his
bw sycophancy and UBscrUpulons truckling to the mandates of his master"— -that, to worm hina-
self.intD Jackson's favor, he gave a grand entertainment, to wWch all the families of distinction
wci^ lnvxted-<^that " at the appointed time, the doois of the supper-room were thrown open, the
mri^lc struck up, and Martin Van Bnren led to the head of hjs table, and seated upon lus ri^hi
haAd, the lady whom General Jackson had commanded to be received," hnt whom the rest of
thexabinet objected, to couptenajice. ' ' .
' As early as iVov. 64, 1828, the National A4vocate, N. Y./notices the singular fact, that " im-
" ])i^||iatety after the combined powers have effected the security of Jackson's election, the forces
of Van Buren and Calhoun should assume a hostile attitude towards each other." Van Buren
atui'his followers, well knowing Jackson's pledge not to be re-elected, were the first to nomSnate
hlqi for a ssccxkI term-r-they saw be wished it. an4 that it would thix>w him more and more
into Van Buren's power. How few Kings, f'ojpm, and I^residenis wc find who willin^g^y lay
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Ttteaon, Jft^sdfi^s wi8lie» 4kAihe ^duU ^iM»k.^ Jtckion nr^^ied ta ki» aote, Wre
testimony tofa}9^^ inte^ky aild z««i^^^' a&d^declnr^^cl tbat he kad beeii>^ftiUy tt«
tisfied'' with his conduct. This wamf not the truth. If the officer was trde «id
faithful, did he merit, as. a r^ward^ to be turhed rudely out of place, or whiit
was thereto equivaleQi? If he had said U) the three, cabj^net mkiisi^rs, wbo^
he asked to go away, ^^ Yoo are £akhfui, oapable and zealous in the public «er-
vic<^, but you at^ ajso fond of Cftlhotm, whom Van' ^uren has made me beiiei^e
Dot^to li^e xf^Y frien4 \ this is your offence, atkl it is .unpardonable ;" hp would
kave toid ijaaemof the tfuth io lhat,^tter. . Ho>vr .could he ]>^£plx KSoRfir (6
part #kh Van Barea as aa ^ffioar, 'vrhaa h^ had already resolved to send him
tp tibndbn, and giv^ Mctatie Tngharii^ ^phioe-T • -Cfca^ress broke wp afi the 8d
of "March, and ]>^^ th<5 7tl^ of nextj^pnth*, the 'acl<i.rS i| fhe cabinet plot had their
parte pecfedly poepai^ »,...... ... t^ ,
> That sftttie year, iMk McLane took ohaiga of the T«eastiry,aiid Vaa.BujDeii
lefr fot Eho^land as the^liew envoy. His teHcr to* Ho;jtj p^age -229. shi>w8 tliat
'hp^ Uk^d the ftciti^ ^P^pija^i aU-4)^'t jthe e3|Lgease of tfvipg in it. \.Hrsnbmma-
tioii aa n^oiater. waa Mit^ to. tha Saio^ \vk I^qpnber \ wl% Q^ th^So^h of J(ia-
Hary, 4832, by a t«(e of ^'-a^aiael 2gy aaa the casting voice of fC^Uxma,
dbx^ fk)wer f I think John TyTer was hoiidt and measfrio do iSgfet, ^xii I ai»^M he 4kl art
ghre ns a natimsU bank, fbr I thiak we m^de bett^ri^btxtlicouoiie^ hav%AitMHaed.a m rt a a -
ttoir, and positively d<*clai:e<!"<hal he wtraWnotfeea caa4ifte*e/' Wky <« tie acl^ocate ifae ^oae
term princ^le, and aiterwards^ ISst Jacksoii, doclinfr to !«(y •down^he ftap tH* he had, d]«a[k'.lu
the very dregs 1 I^anr not sure tfeat hi* (5oiida<Jk ill askftig hi* tfabftrt officer*, whirtiMr^
•ought to be a candidate for a second tertnjVaa flie siicett evidentee ^iflT atateat aoalor a loiy
spSfr: He mtist have known, when he ftslco^ Ms cabhtec, What shadM db^ Olatiheanaayr
would be, Hold the reins as Ions' as tteatSWe.*' ■eiifr-#eod4d'hiHi !«$alM ^on^ th«.CDaaML4e
t(k»k., Ui feamt what a h*)Uaw; deceilfi* tfffej 'eik^mer» iar&. Thfer«ti«,tereaiay,JMtt»two
ttutrt^'iii thfe i^blic ; and it woufld*havo b6eR^l0i*fotis, ilidetd, if th# pec^e faadk jrfiaken Off
tl|e hatnesr of (Serhagc^nes^ and jcohsHldfed' a p»f^ ^ the -coantoy aad for iflwclf . ' i oaiK
thdugttt thatMt was Mr. Tj^^'s amlKflo!i'l6ti96^at!|!*r>iiRsirfpr<«i^ ^tt-
h^ i was mistaken. When hfe left Woshftglon, Ri« Mcceaibr'««d*i«dkwattaing in ^reajpeot to
- the m<^ lie had hMd. fio mafte*. Ittenght ^iiiWii IdiMoa. « I hodar him Ibk- signing the dieap
poita^ Mil*, insi^ all Jonthern opp6»lllt;w: - > * \ , * • * ^ • • ••
* V^RY WA|i Van Buh£>^ Rtjivr liith ijv Tuu Susate'? '\yhen ihe Van Bnren party at AHwny
heard'of h\s rqeclioQ as ihinUur to Lundun, whehe^ ayr l>r HoHandnells ns,^«ti the best
aglhorityj "he arrived in ^uptemB Y, 1S31, and was received M^iih di^tingulshea favor, by
thQ Court of St. Jame*," thie Je^^i^ilattkrs fricndJy to him nict ai Arirany, rn th<? Aasanbly Cham-
ber, where Senator Keaxblfe,.ir2iose .■^iibricqucnt adv^:1^fure*i>Hfl h> lynnd in ipy 1,1 ves Gf'iJ6yt
jma Bi;tler^came forward, wit !> it ycrfcs ofrcsolytitips Tot a rj^.rJun^t ronvention at Baltimcife,
a stats convention at Albany, &.r..^ a ad t^^ mfe^tin^' iilstj ajipQlnlc*^ TvJvi BeardSTey, iJohn W.
Edm;)^ids, N". ?r Tabijvtdge. C. L. Liviiig*ilon^ ^V". H. AngcJ, ftud oAers, ' a committee to
^dress Geaeral Jaclcsoh ; ivjia, iii his f^pTy. took: CKciaaiun tp^ay to t](i^ "that V^n Bdrea, oa
thj? Question of trade^ respecting which }i^ naEf been blamtd. Had af:ted under his diit!CfiOii«.
anil tjljat his^condua had h\^ apprpba lion— that het hi^ld h;in in htjrii csfeera ^s ii'manot
ability and integrity— that, as ^y ^^ he (JacksdYi) laicM-'h* had takt^n no part hi the diflicW-
ti^ between him (Jackson) and Calhoun, nor advii^L^d ihe diasotuHoa of his first ciibmet,'|Mt
been the friend 6Charxnoi]ij'^~ai)d ihat^ when asked ta ^o to London^ he " yieldpd a reluctimt
aOnsent.^ " ■ * • .
In gjenate, Mr. Webst^-jiKotight V^in S\ifen.4liiHru,(;;tibns to'McCane,of 29t^ of JuN-, iSiB,
derogatory to the liatioiliai ch^u*acter,'and^s'ho^^ed a disposition in the writer to petsnade Lord
Aberdeen that tH6 English govei-nmeni had ah fftterefct in maintafning in tho U. S. the aseend-
ep,cy of >he .paryr to which h^ (Y, B.) belongci} ; thus establishing abi'oad a distinction between
liis country anij his party. . MK^I?V^linghyysen toolc a similar view. Van Buren's instruc-
tions icohimissiondd McLane to anprls^ the British CbtCrj of wlip triumphed last election, pA
who were defeated— to put his party in ijft^ right an^ hfs country in the wat)ng — to seek as a
lavorj as a privilege to the part/ ftow dghiiha^t, what h^^l been 'refused as a right in Mr
Adams' time — and to separate ^he administration, of ll?e countrj' from the country, for, 9»id
he, Mr. Van fiuren argues that. " to set nji the ^cLs 6f tlic late •AjDMi-VfgtRATioJ.', as the cause
or the pp^P£iTi;R« OP priVilkges which would o^crwlse be eictetided to the people of the IJ. S., -
would be un^'u&i," because we, tha'ue^ rfieii' in "ol^ce, took -sides with England, and oppoaed
that acMihistration. This is very Mmlliating Ind^i^. . -
Op the matter of colonial trade, Adams and Clay, \dieh in power, had agitated in every
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:$4tf ^w Y#fk'« fair^riie 90&" wits pemuilod tq e]|$liiu|ge ti^e oIai«ic baiics of -4^6
'Sb^Qies, affid the Mniit::» <^ royalty in. the old \«tt(M, foi^ bift ruml rf^^sklegce at
jcw^Ue vay the question of the free navigation of the great St. Lawrence. They asserted that
llng;lahdj by her colonial trade act, wanted to mj^nojpoii2e the whole carrying ti'aete lor Ame-
rkan pit)dttee, which is very bulky, to tbe British <\Sfeu indies, aad reakwacd with ^het on the
'ttBi^Unt<6teot high discriminatu^ or proteccing dviam. Jaciuon and VaA i^uren abftinioiicd
^#«€ i^ oixk^ St.,jt4awTen^ loul uu^ wxym^^M^dti ^ad 9btain«id a raduq^on ot duues on
jjfUticies. sen^ through Canada — they deciaring triat if'tiie farmer found a new or i.iproved
market at his "own door, it maitered Utile xa him where his product Went to. 1 muat own that
' Van' tfui^en's condnet in this-lrade qtwfe»tion does tfet^af>pear t» me to be «Leset¥iiig'<if ceaaate
^M it^iJ^SLad as the iastriMtioms \tNS4 by. the Bteaiiktuii and haid Ikefi lie|iaf8.UapgpeM ibi
ms^S nMtaths^a^^ tlie tersis agi«ti^ to by.iiord Aberd*ieDr and JUouis McIiaQe^ in l^kH, i Ihink,
hiui, been accepted by this ^'ouniry^ and the trade opened uncbu' a legiiiauve eni^ctcaent, it
sebiDj^ To methat it was tpo late to e«fusure, in ittS, language Which kad been pasM citer
witnout remark 18 months before. Tiie ei mging, apologetic lOM 01 the instraet&dsis .teds who
thetf^Lauihor was; andeonccuisretraiifeiy Witu the be»4i wid JM^^ghty defiiUKse (^ytak to a»>
*1^U (f^^^h warm-heaxted ifYance, on «uotaer memorkble oecaaion, ^(»a tke Mime quarter
r-bvul.do think the arrigignneot made was a^van^igeous to tne U. ^, Soon aiter thia, i
"thdVe^ In the Canada' A2B8«;uibly for tke ap^ntteent oi a ComsiittieiMi llfade; aa^, ateer
some ^ weeks ot iaquiiies, I draw «p th^ i^>ei% irigich Ihe legiUMiot priBBteU is the lornt of
a4)attLphl6t of a hUDdied pages. Here n an e^act ; ** iMigtan^ <^iaii»« u^ e^uaiYie monopoly
in our markets ; sne allows us none in hers. Our becl and pork are prohibited in h^^ hoine
(ionunion^ aiiid ant ^ and peari-aeitee subjected to the same ratea oi amy at tiverpoul tis the
fm aacLpwl^ejihet oi i^ aouthaiin ahone of Oatairio asd tf:k. The st^ppijig oi JbrJU^ at
MUieheo give ao prelereDiCfi to tiinber, UveaitQCiCf ^or, beei, «n4 porh, bsou^ tit)m tipper
Ctaada, over similar articlee brought nxtm the iJAited ;:>tatee. Tin monopoiy ia all in t«.vor
flf ifcugianiand the United States; the Congress ot whieh latter country, by aa a^ paasad in
My, kiJii^aubjecte our wheat, wh^t floor^ beef and pork, ashes^ and other staples, to an im-
peat lax oC £ 15 on erery 4C10il[ value." In all this there was not much of reciprocity.«-4Mit I
do am aea how eomplaiBt ooi^ be uiade at Washington of an arrangement wnich excluded
C^aaada from the porta of tiie United Stales, aad o^fwd thoee ot Canada and tha West Ijuiies
to the tanners u thia Uaioa. m av^r^ ^oftvereatioa 1 had, when in hJiglaad, with Loird
Qoderioh, who introduced the com hill iaio pair^iameDt, and with Lord 'Sydeanam, V. P,o( the
tB#ard of Trade, la l&Si^, 1 eompiaiiied grievoualy of the liberality shown to thie IX. ^%x
th» benefit of ijiOgliak ahippiag, whUa ao eara wi beaa taken la obtain the like favors ibr
Canada here. The late drawbaeic act i% an amendment, however, and there are maay im-
l^'ovements on both sides-^ut 1 have proposed to mya^^ avoid siaymg much Jon tariil* %ues-
tAOi^' There i9 not ro^ here,
A charge made against Van Buren, that he was the parent of the proecriptive system, yhich
Clii)' and AUams ha4^disdained to resort to, would have been ably sustained, had the Senators
who made il hiiii, in additlfui to the fact^ in their jpoeseBsion, the Custom Ho|is^ rubbish left on
, depot^it, or to be swept out; when Jes^ Hoyt ceased to be ilrst lord of the Van Btu-en treasuiy
here* Senator Foul, of Connecticut, said, *'l sincerely believe that Gen. Jackson came -to this
^aiCe fuJiy detk^rmifiud to remove p6 man Iram o^ce, but lor good cause of removal. I am
4\ilJy convinced the whole ^system of pre$0^ption' owes ita existence tb Martin Van Burea!
jThai tlie disi^jtution of the Qabii^et Was effected by his management and for his benefits and
. fpat ihe hmid oi tJic iate Secretaiy of State may be traced distinctly in another afikir, which lias
. .producE^d ^i ^ it nation between the first ahd second Officers of the Government; and al^ in
jcjla^tjn to tlie present ' improved condition ^ the public press/ and the great abuse of tJte
,,patrQii&ge cii'the Ciovernment!" ' 4 ■
Un luesda J, Jaii- 31, Tammany Hall met to 9ustai4 Tan Buren^ahd fhe conaanittee of
rcscjJvc^ cunaisitcd Qi W. Bowne^ James Campbell fsee pagea 193, w8, A-c], Saul Alley, C.
^W. Lawrence, W, P. HaUcU, Preserved JPish, IVm. M. Price, F. B. Cutting (see pagis iTl,
iSt?, 18i;]j Giddou Lee, Elisha Tibbutts, 4cc. They gloSrified Jaci^son ahd Van Buren, censured
ie s^Liiaw! as intrigiiL'j^, and read Johxi C.,CaUiOUn Out of the diemociatic party by due process
i^i political excomnjuxLicalion.
A^noug tlie '23 rejecting roiea m the Senate, I hotice^Bolmes Of Maine, Clay, Webster^ Sct-
^uur of Vt., Frt'lit]gJmyscn, Clajtou^R* Y. IJayne, Gabriel Moore, Thomas Ewing, and B.
Hugglc*. Jimoag lUe 2^ aihrmm^ Votes were Isaac HilJ, Felix Grundy, Dudley and Marcy,
G, M. Dallas iuici W. Wilkins, his tffothec-in-law. Beht(m, Tyler, Powhattan Eim, ahd KU^,
now at Palis. 1 kave seen a labli: fdiowing that the States voting in Ihvor of Van Buren had
^ populatiou of ti,ii05,{i7lT ami liimL' opposed only 3,500,000, yet the majority was one against.
KuiUiicaiicia conu^ nexi, Lhtm ibt- [i^t banks, the sib-treasury followed. On New Year^ day,
,1840^ Clay luid Calhoun aiteiidi^d 1 Resident Van Buren's levXe i and in November next, Sooth
Carolina; with consent of Calbouu^ Mcpu^,,J*Sckens attd Rhett, honored with her Vote, Ibr a
aegotid t^ym, the rejected minister of 1892. ' '
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^ r^ved, for ^ bri«f i^Mton, from ite Mres of |^Wic lifev He left Eagkad
for France in March, made a hai^ towr qyet Iht oooUiieal;, and embtrkeo, oq
|iie lOtb of May, at Hftn:^ lor fi^n Xork* ^^
JCarl^ ia 1^^, lia oama a|^a inia poaaeaiioo oC ^ower at Vice President of
ihe wQion ; as Preskleat of the Senate whiell bad Tejaatd to pbee ootfidence kx
Um a Iweivemonth befdrt ; and aa tbe «tcce«ior of Calhous, whose eastMi|^
Tgic|e bad ensured his rtjection. Had Vim 6wwal>fenf a truly great ami ^rood
man, Ills triuospba would hav? be^ « pit as$nt tbMse for tibe historian to &wM
bpon^ but, aa the/ were obuiaed, like Butler's, by deceit and hjrpeensy, by
leeroiog to be the maa he was, i^^t, and by i\ut ^^ judicious pufib" of artful ki-
lowersy interested in his fbrtanas by per8«ttal.ties^ they are a source of regret.
Blair's press, a donation from Va^ Buren's ioancial-oonfederates in New York,
did him good service— as did the trusty types of his ancient advocate, the editor
of the Argus. Jealousies, bickerings, aad some lack cf tact among bis oppo-
ll^ents, the cry of persecution, and the lict, well known to '^ waiters on Provi-
4eoce»'^ that Jacksoa'a pop^darity w$s at Us back, did the rest* That the agi«
tation of the colonial trade question at the time of his rejection, and the speeches
of General Samuel Smith on that hom$ topic, did him no injury, I am well per-
shaded. He took his , se^t at tbe. bead of the Seaatai for the first time, on the
16th of Becembery 1833. ^
CHAPTER XXV.
'^ GWl, stiU gold--it flew like du8t ! it tipp'd the post-boy, and paid the trust ;
hi eaich open palm it was freely thrust ; there was Homing but giving and ta
And if gold could insure the future hour, what ho{)es^ attended that Bride to her i
But alas ! even hearts with a (bur-horse power of opulence, end in breaktng."
JRmnoval of the Deposits in 1833. — Bank of ihe Metropolis, — Root^ Jackson^ ami
Van Buren, on the Pets. — iV. BiddU.-^IngtrsoU on Charters and Slavery. ^^
Col: 3uane. — W. J. Buane.—Polk and Lawrence. — Kendall in Kentucky. —
Sis treatment of H. Clay, -^Kendall and the Bankj Tariff, Mackenzieyfyc. —
Buane oppqses the Pet Bank Conspiracy. -^Hzs reasons. — Lduis McLane^s
tUws. — Silas Wright and the Bank. — Calhatm^s Prophetic Address in 1834.
— Lan^ Speculations. — T%e Ghbe.^^Jackson, Duam, and the Mission t^ Si-
heria^ — Chief Justice Taney. — Wonderful effects of Flattery. — Bennett upen
Kendall
I HAVB shown, that, in 1^4, Van Buren, his presses, and his partisans, were
among the* most thoroughgoing advocates of the Uiaited States Bank, and of the
Prestdentiar candidate who had been its most cpnsistent, zealous, and uniform
adTocate — that, ia 1826, Van Bqren, Marcy, and Butier, admitted that it had a
m^ht to establish branches in the states, and that they petitioned Nicholas Bid-
Jm Mid his birother directors for a branch at Albany— rthat Van Buren was
fHendly to Adams and Clay's administration in the first instance, and that the
presses in his interest had abused Jackson in harsher terms than even Ritchie
used — ^that he was connected with the most corrupt aud infamous banks and
bttBkers in the State of New York, the bpponent of inquiry into their miscon*
dutt, and the advocate of new charters without check or responsibility — that
the Albany Ar^s wta his, ofiSciat organ — ^and that when the swindling establish.
oaents of previous years bad pillagjbd th^pe^e of millions, and no tworthirds
itiy^ty could bgft liMuid' to rechaite.tUMMMMt and Fiumeis') and other
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&Y^fi«6' bmbt of kis, in 1M9, «t/ nM^^'SISv he JM '4bt>^if'ar» bb flflM^^ii
nogtrfun, and. went for baiAis b5r 4H^»9(0oJ%, ia\Hrtl«yj^, l&2^: I haVe ahtt
sbawo wbat that fund iwas and ttoWli;>(^fa^. ^ ' .
The authentic secret correj»pondailoe/ \f*W^ jronWertte bas thrdtrn in.ttif
way 5 wiH iielp th« hiatofii^n net a'lftti« ifi' hi^ ^drt^' to discd^^ the m^m^res
vhicb inftueDced Van B«ren* atvd hia confed^m^ft to tj^mper with the tutr^ntf',
aft they did, from 1829 to 18«f . The fett^s ef C. W* La#te«ce, C. C.'Ctor^
bpeieng, S. Wriffht, B. F. BuCler, Ri H. Me?ins, Joha Van Baren, Joseph S^ei^-
ooobani W. L. Marcy, E/^ttd* C. L. Livtegstow, F. B. Cnttidg, S.'Swartwiout,
E. Croswell, A. C. Flagg, Thad. Pbdpd, St^pheil Alten, and T- W/Ofcc/tti
when compared M^ith certain facts and dfcuilfistani^s previously made piiblie;
too clearly prove that the war againat the !T. S. Bankj the detectable schein^
of the pet banks, witb the brrb^y, fraud; bankraptcy, and other acduttiulate'd
miseries inflicted on the public throi:^ the deratigemetit'of business, had theif
origin at Albany. Jackson, though cufltling himself, was but the ready instru-
ment of still more artful men. • Lady Hester l^anhope tells, Uiat when Pitt was
premier, large sunM, bundreds of tfaousandsf of pOands, were oif^ed to him iij
presents, by men dieeply engaged in dommerce, speculation, banking, U(f:i
doubtless with the hope tlMt he would fevor their interc^sts. In the absei^ce of
proof to the contrary^ w© «iay venture to assume that bucktail virtue, like
English pride, would have spurned all such Potosian temptations.
The United States Bank had paid $1,500,000 for the use of the public
money, during the continuance of its charter ;t the Supreme Court of the Union
* In VHn Barents message to Congrts^ Dee. '5, ld40, he s^ys -.
** When I entered upon the discharge of my official duties in March, 1837, the act for the distribution of the
surplus revenue wimi in a course of rapid exeoatiwi. Nearly tweaty-eighi milliont of doHsrs of tlM'miblic
moneys were, in pursuance of its provision^ deposited with tlie States in the BkMidis «)f Janualyrf^Aprll, and
July, of that year, 0:^ In IVfay tberd occurred ^ genernl sUspeQsinn or specie payments by the baoics, Rending,
3):3r with very few iexoeptions, those in whirti the puliltc moneys wete depo Ited, and upon whose fidelity th«<6ov-
0^ ernment had nntVwtumrteiV murie itself depeodmi for thje rovetiues which had been collected from the people,
and were indispensable to the pubKc service. This sunpenslon, and the excesses in Imnldng and commerce out
of which it arose, and which were greatly aggravated by its occurreqce, made, to a great ej(tant, unaviUMPe
Ihe prineipvf part of the public money then on hand; suspended the collection of many mil lions, accruinc <mi
merchants* bonds ; end greatly r&riuced the revenue arising froip cu^ms and the public lands/'
'*The Treasury ^m it in its power to exert a salutary io<flnaiice, first ov^r the dept^it banks, wbicb wIB al-
ways be selected from the principal Bttnfcs in the states, and through them, over the residue, whatever #lMck
was exercised by the United States Banic 0n the issues, of tiie state 'banks, wus diine either by refusing to lake
their note's in deposit, or if taken, by returning them qnicKiy-for specie, if it believed their issues to be <kces-
sive. Tb0 ' deposit ba6ks have a right m do the sahie thing, and are in the habit of exercising it, whefn, in
their Qpinions, an occMsiou for its exercise ^UtSk Ocv^r the deposit ba^ks rtafimsetves, the SecretMry af-the
Treasury has liberal supervisory dbwers. He may in his discretion direct, as before remarked, an inofease «f
thHir specie, when it appear»by th£ retnrtis whith they are obHged t<#mHke to faim kt short h|terv«}s, ttanTOieir
issues are Ur^e and dispFoportiouHte to their specie ou hand ; and a ponstaiit and great checH is exereiaod Hyer
thonhy the'aetnHl pubMc knowledi;e of their condition obtained through their reports, and the regular publi-
cation of them."— Fan BuretCs LeUer to Skerrod WUliams, AuguttS, 1836.
In his message of 1833, Jackson told Congress, that " the State Banks selected are all Institutions of high
character and undoubted strength, and a/e under the manMgenietU and cMsertf/ of men of unqnmtitMU prt^Uff
anHnicUight6e.^ In his message of 1837vhH said that "a number of the Deposit Banks have, with ac<»|i-,
TTT Ti^nir 7.i>\\\ tr -< ' 'r ^ impTnvpTin^m. of 4he cnrreni^. imported fVum abniAd at their own expeneeiYaciM
EEiuiiJ^ lA" Lit^ ^rsctuu j \ui'iii\A Uv i:iHiiLi£^ .iX\A circulation/* Thj? expjositm apd bnnl(Suptcy of 1837 lhU<MV«d|
and Wrlshl fit (Ja. wert rendy with thoir new nostrum, the* sub treasury. Ritchie, of the Union, like TiiU-
niad^c, kkckei] n Utile, heinji uji ui tttc^ i;:hm in speculatiotu His presl 4e«i8QtU^the honest locos wiK» met Irf
the Pnrk. N. V.. " thfl rihlit^ um\?' v , .. .
Jn s letter la H, D, HaiiiSiigjf, d^iiei! Ki>rQBt IBIl, Sept S6, 184At Cha^^s J. Ibgersdll, Chairman of the CodA. «6
Fflwign AlFhiFj, \\. m" U.» any* ihnt " ihe chartered power glv^n by^wr laws to ni«ke pnper xontmf Jtr
IauM of diflninnL TOt.ERATED IN ALLTHEIlt VlOLATIONSr OP EVERY PRINCIPLE OF RIQHT. ia«fc
this »ifiii»nt il4iirx>raUzing p4^nafly]van\H,j^nd panticaiarly Philailelphin, by more folly, ignorance, bivach oril3di-
pnd of l»w, luviiry, InLfftf^EJernacev vke. i;rimc, and misery, than .can be justly imputed to slavery anyw^Mifb
SlHVeryi 1 eniirely icfsHcvc with ym\, dVgtfmpers any CnMimAnweal'th ; btit the blood of ours is fatally poiimn^
by wbu^t readers liberty and e[(iisUtyhHhJJy worth Wving.'*- - • . "^
tin W«^4E«r-n re|)ort on Fmitoc^i in U. S. Senate, Jane 37. ISM, Y\B sUt«f thai the BaVik of the TllfTrfHiiHi,
Wdshlitf^tnri, hnd not jjlOtt OOCl nf it^ iiotc^Hln circulatidn-— that ii^ credit was so bad that its bills had been ^Jdi
lit a diBcouni neiu Lta doLm— ibnt xnnm than $90D,000 oC the poblic trea&uire was deposited with it^and tiMt
(hoiD whn look \u DDtoa :l? piLyn]>M<t fmiii govemmeiit, and carried them to a distance, su^ved Iom. Geaient*
KiKit fxplnVaa that iw funUt wera nwd In land 'Joi)MA|ir in the west, to realize fbrtunes to Pkdk^s party ptitrlots.
TWfl biiTih Li 4 its canfbdemie \mn gave n« security u^t^ country-^they oaid nf>boims nor interest-^^h*-^ 'pUf
nrniB nnw^tbf^y n>nda imnienRt! itiittit hy u«i|g Oiie i)littohal revenue-^they were recnmtoended by IVandllvv>
aed Tue^ v» laud it tint, go that ibt mttrflJW&tiiiinnirlin Bd^l^^B Kgm^mA-^^ikuM theif party wSmt
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^hsA Mmvm^^^y decided thsi^ Uiil ^im^t w%i 99«s4ila|ioiuil r «.coiomitHN^43f
CoQgresS} and finally ^ iimf* 9^ Ropr^Nwiit^v^ h»d d^lared^ after tnqittrj,
that the natioaal treasury w^ safe io, it» vauJUs; tk» high tariff of 182S, sup-
ported by Wright aod Van Burexi with U^ new pf obtitiaing a surplus of many
£iUioD9 of revei)ae far political dM^tribution Aod pefis^iM^l afgraQdizementi hf^
^oe i^ wock ; Jackapo had been «lej(t^d a se^a^d time tp the Preaideocy ; aod
DOW was the time to go into ^' the general s^^c^mUe for pluadef^" a^ Swastsnoii^
mU it, in right earnest
The first step bf.the coaspiratom wm to advise th^ ftppoiDtment of William
J. Duaoe to the o£ce of Secretary of theTreaMi^. The ofier wae made, and
it was accepted. Mr. iDuaoe wsis the soa of one of the^ most aprighif> eiiergetic,
:eealoa9 ana oonsUtent democrats erer known to this Union. He had sown the
^ood seed of manly, truthful prinpiples in India, England, Ireland, and America
— h^d suffered peipsecution for the love he bore to freedom-r-had upheld the
good, and been a terror to the evil doe^ in high station, during half a ceoiuiy— *
was vigilant for his country as a .trusted military oi&cer in War— ^and the foe of
United States Banks and othec monopolies; at variance with his ideas of eqcud
rights and laws. In Poland, he would have followed Kosciusko ; in France,
been i*eady to tear down the Bastile, or participate in the glorious days of i8H0.
What he thought of last and least was th^ acquisition of wealth 'f and he died
in old age, very poor, with a heart warmed by love and kindness toward his
fellow-men. Cobbett, who disliked his antipathy to the J^nglish system of war,
taxation, finance, conquests and ill treatment of Ireland^ frankly acknowledged
that William Duane was the most efficient and sleepless opponent England had
on this continent. I have read the files of the Aurora^ no matter how old, with
real delight, for it was impossible not to see great sincerity united with true
patriotism, and an informed and reflecting mind, in the remarks of its conductor,
who, with " Montague on Republics," believed that "There cannot be a more
certain symptom of the approaching ruin of a state, than when a firm adherence
to party is fixed upop as the only test of merit, and >¥hen all the qualifications,
requisite to the discharge of every employment, are reduced to that single stan-
dard-"
His son,* William John Duane, whom Jackson called to his cabinet, in May,
mrong. General Root, in N. T. ^nate, Feb. 7, 1841, said that " t)ie deposit banks were expected to sappoft
tiie Xrovernment even in the lucat elections— in short, to do all its dirty work. The customers of these Banlps
wen re<|iiired to support the Adoiinistrntion, otherwise they eoald get no accommodation. The New York
merchanvi sell their ioods to the coaniry merchants on credit. When the merchants from the country went
to tlie city, they were told, we cannot give yoit credit unless we can get accommodation at the banks; The
Banks will not discnnnt to those who are opposed to the Government. The consequence was. thnt the mmr-
ehants were compelled to support the Administration. Thirty or forty Pet Banks were appointed for the ex-
press purpose of doing the work of the Administration. There was no need of proof of this — it was open, pal-
pable, visible bribery--obvious tq every man, woman and child in the coaatry. Was there ever such an attempt
to overwhelm the whole liind in a sea of corrnption 1'*
Wherein did this system, whkh miy have made fortunes for Polk, Butler, Van Boren, Lawrence, Cam-
broteng, Marcy, White A& Co., its creators, differ fh>m that in operaQon now, as presided over by Walker, Baa-
crofl, Marcy and Poifc 1
Who was Nicholas Biddle, whom Blair, CrosweU, Green, and Bennett, so systematically abused at the word
of oomihand from Van'Baren, Polk fc Co. ? The favorite of Monroe, of Adorns, of Jackson, a demoetsatic con-
grassman, affluent before he entered the bHnk, and nominated by Andrew Jackson and confirmed by the Sen-
ate,* in 18301^ in 1831, and a third time, in 1833, as a government director of the Bank, as he had been for seven
years before by' Monroe and Adams. The moment Mr. Ahab Van Buren coveted Mr. Naboth Biddie^s vineyard
he raised such a dust about his ears, through the collar presses, that many persons, myself among the number,
liellBYedHhim to be as great a monster as his bank vn» said to be. '
* As Secretary, Daane gives evidence of a sound judgment, first rate business talent, and
great nprightness. Of Ms title to superior ability as a statesman, when compared to Jackson,
Polk, VAn Buren, Lawrence, Wright, Butler, Taney, Cambreleng, and the rest of the pet bank
jiinto, let his conduct, and his reasons for it,, be compared with the result of THE EXPERI-
MENT, and the tardy confessions of the men who made it.
In a letter to Moses Dawson, dated in 1837, General Jackson, after saying that be Jiad con*
:fideQce in the honesty of state ba^ at the time be placed in their vaults U^ deposits, adc^:
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m •mMf MtMM^ M P Wi lli ^ HMn it»Wf§mnv.
1823, was a kwytr of •miftinov fn FllBftdlftpliitt, op^ of the e^peeutoniof ile
geaerous Freneh banker, GKntrd, wko, asif Ib^ihame tht iatoderaot nafkntpixiy
of our thiy, left miJliooi of dollars, to ediKrate AmerieaQ children, while ^Smith-
son, an Englisfanna)), seat (500,000 across the ocean for ft iik»s generotfs pik-
pose. Duaae wfpte ^irard'swHi; was lobg his adriser, was oppos^ to^e
U]nte4 States Bank, in 161 1 ^M 981§, «/uMkys and on principie ; 'and, wi^ Ks
&t<hef, threw their great^opnlarky in P^aasyltaDia into the Jackson scafevln
18;^4, when Van Buren, Ritchie, and the selfish politicians, into whose hiUids
ba fell in 1833, ilrere slaikleHiig his name, aiH] ridfeuling his prete
'Mr. Duane had represented the Phiiadeljifak democrats in the Legfelftture of
Pennsylvania, had wintten mtich that was useful, w^tnarried to a grand^adjjhter
of that eminent American, Benjamin Franklin ;* and, with his father J^ had gfvcn
l^e war of 1812, an early, efficknt, and continued support. He was opposed to
congressional caucuse^, and had no need to turn to the winning side, when
Jackson was victorioCTs, in 1828. For twelve year^ has this^ great and good
man been allowed to remain in private life, traduced and slandered by the
Crlobe, Argt&s, and kindred presses* m the pay of Van Burenism, while his great
ejcperiilnee, true patriotism, and sterling honesty would have been of vast im-
portance in the Congress of the Union. "* f
No doubt, Vftn Buren, Kendall, and their confederates deceived themselves
" But was this conftdence well founfled, and whose fauU is it that it was not 1 Let tteir
treachery to the government aiid the people answer. Every day that the directors of these
banks met at their boards, tbey knew their liabilities, atid their assets to meet them/ Tfcey
were repeatedl}^ and €^mesily<;autioned by the treasujry department not to oyes-issue-^bHr
charters prohibited it — their solefnu. obligations to the government and -the people, and ©very
principle of mora^ honesty, forbade it. StiM^ in open vioFation of all obligations, they sus-
pended ^cie payments m a time of profound peace, robbed the treasury of many millions of
dollars, and criea out, at the same time, that the treasury was bankrupt.
" The history of the world never has recorded such base treachery and perfidy, as has heea
committed by the deposit banl^s against the government, and purely with the view of grati-
fying^ Biddle and the Baring?, and by the suspension of specie payments, Embarrass, andntiw,
if l&i/ cmUdj their awn cmvntrij^ for the selfish views of making large profits by throwing* out
millions of depreciated paper upon the people — selling their specie at large premiums, and
buviag up their own paper at diiScounts of from 35 to 50 per cept., and now looking forward
tOT)e indulged in these speculations for years to come, before they resume specie payments."
Cornelius W. Lawrence, the apocryphal President. of perhaps the most corrupt of these
bamks, thus denounced by Jackson, is selected by Polk in 1945, a£^ Collector of the Port of JW^
Y., arid confirmed in 1846 by the Senate » His letters to Btoyt and others show that he acted
contrary to his oath (which was, to vote according to his best judgment^, in supporting iftc
spoliation of the U. S; Bank. A two million charter was handed to him, from Albany, in
1836, as some pecuniary recompense for tear and^ wear of conscience — some two millicnoft. of
the plunder of the national bank were placed in the custody of the new c(mcem — ^Lawrence
became its president, as a matter of course— ^nd, with oyer ^4,(K)0j000 of a paid up capital
and United States deposits, its doors were shut uppn the people ^d their government, ^i^Ie
the ink With which its charter had been written was yet scaicely dry. When Lawrence became
Collector, through the friendship of President Polk, his brother Joseph slipped into ofiice as
bank president ; and their defaulting paper factory, though- denounced by- J^^kson, is once
more a pet of Polk and Walker, with the use of millions of thopublic treasure to its mana-
^rs, witbonf bonus or intejrest ! Who can doubt, the result ! Not the authorities at Wash-
ingtoii,. ^ ■ . .
* Sarah, daw^Jiter of Benjamin Franklin, marri^ Richard B^he, editor of, the Auroia,
Philajdelphia. Colonel William Duane,'a native of the Province of N. Y., succeeded Mr.
Bat' he in tlie management of that pppular journaJ, and, was appoint by Madison, in l8l^ a
hrrgadier-g^nenil in the armies of the Union. His^son, the fearless secretary of the treasury,
married a dn ugh ter of Mr. Bache, and her^molher, ijJL^s. Sarah Bache, died in Oct., l8Q8,«qged
64 yearfi. I have long and anxiously wished that some able, well-informed friend of tl&e
family, who has access- to the necessary materials, would comp^e and pubfish the Life and
Times of William Dtiane. To the union, to Britain, an^o Ireland, the. Igqi^ of his foce-
fathen, the lesions that tet work^wouM taach Would be imSuiible.
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AMOS KENDALL) Oft ADVEKTURES IN KENTu!;KT. HT
into, A belief, that DoaaeV) Inoyni ^islil^e to the priacii^e on which jthf U. S^..
Bank was chartered, would enable them to nuke of bim'a {>awerfal #^d ]pOf^
lar wtrument, fpr the acbiievem.eat of their grand ^chepoae of bank plmiderj tirts
ready resolved upon. But they had mistaken their m&n.*
Previous to ~the loss pf jUberty in Greece, as Thucydides te|ls u», ^^ ?rll{lo
oapht p^L^ty endeavored, by* every possibly liftetkod, t<\ get the better of ^ mM^-*;
gODist, the most flao;rant acts of injustice were perpetrated on both sides. Mo-
* AMos Kendall. — I have, in former chaptei*B, and in a sepatate work, endedvored to an%.
lyze the pietism of Benjamin F. Butler, it now becomes necessary tbat I should tbripfuijtiy
introduce hi^ twin brother in politics, piety, and principle, Amos Kendall, Postmaster, G^nval.
to MaJitin Van Buren, Director of the Commonwealth Bank. Kentucky, Fourth Audit^ip of
the U^. Treasury, an editor of the .Globe, the Expositor, and tne Kentucky Argus,* and special
ag^t for Jackson^s advisers in bargaining with the Pet ^anks for the use of the public reve-
nue," 183^4. If it be true, as we arfe told in Gil Bias, that " there are ^ew breast^ papacious
e^pueh to afford ^us« rpom fpr two such qjjiposite inmates as political ambition and graii-'
tude,'' some excuse may be found for the conduct of Amos JK^endall toward? his early bene-
factor, Henry Clay.
In jiendalrs own account of his life and adventures, which s^iows that he was bom on Umt
day in the year in whi& Hull surrendered hm army, he makes strong professioos of m^^kr/
ness^ humility', and Christian forbearance — '' Deacon Z^bedee Kendall, qf Dunstable," hijt ,
honored sire, is introduced singing David's psalms, saying grace before meat and grace a£tef '
mfat, and pflfering up to heaven prayer and praise-i-pious apppal»are made to the Lord, to
conscience, and to the world— ^na the Democratic Review for Maich, 183^, paints AmoB ^^
"EXTREMELY SIMPLE in chiaracter— plain, mfld^ and unassuming in m^nners-^
estimable and amiable." ' , . , , , - »
O'Sullivan elevates KendaU into a very Father Matliew of temperance while he was ^t
college, but we are remindedof Butlers famous patroon scene at Ae Sandy Hill bank, where
Kendall hiiaselfj in his journal, juctures the Yankee lawyers who l^ad gone to Kentucky^
mend their fortunes. "We again returned to the tavern wher^ were ttoee or four Yankee *
emigrant laJ\\^^ers, and wr made ourselves mehry Vf;iTn brandy." , . . . '. .*
Ambis landed in Kentucky in. 1814, a lean, gaunt, hungry adventurer, and^ as the evi^t
proved, an un{)rincipled and ungrateftil one — hd m^as received into the ftnnily of Henry Clay
w^en abs€?nt in JEurope, as the instructor of his childreu — ^treated bj Mrs. Clay with gr^at
kindnefss both In health and, sickness—assisted by Mr. Qra)% on his i-etup, to get forwaSl in
the world, accomqiodated by him with a loan of $1500, introduced to his political friends,
patro^iizea as an ^ditor, aided in obtaining the public printing in" Kentucky, and when^ in .
18^, Clay bec?,me Secretary Of State, oflered asituation in the state department. Why did
he noft accept it"? His letter to Mr. Clay, in 182^ will explain. " Vo^ afterwards offered me
(says he) a clerkship with a salary of $1000, which I declined, expressing a wiUin«iess to
accept one of $1500. Amos was readv to join the d^mocratip administration of .Clay and
Adams, at $1500, but couldn't ta,ke $1000. JajcksQn*s friends, throng}^ Cri'een, l^ad outbid thdt^,
They hastened to buy Amos upj—and enabled him to turn his marketable talents with effect
against the character and standing of his early friend. Trading politicians may a^lau^ liis'
^vprldly prudence — ^the parasite of power will award him a vulgar .sympathy — ^but Irom pare- ,
min^ea Americans, such conduct as I am about to describe will ever meet with unqnaw&ed
reBTobation and deserved contempt ■',':' ' . i^-
Kjen^l denies that he was once f^r a Bank of the U^ted States and a protective tarifi^^or
that W owes a debt of gratitude to Henry Clay. He azures the readers oithe Expositor maj.
hi» " opposition to Mr. Clay was forcdi-on by the heartlessness and ingratitude, ot Mr. Clay
himself?'
A letter of Kendall's to John C. Knowlton, of Lowell, ^ated Washington, July 11th, 182^,.
apj^aied in the New Yofk Evening Post, ijere is an extract : ',
*» ^thif feeHog pri'dispoeed me toOAwk well of Mr. Clay, iind UEADILY FAUL LVTO THE SUPPORT -i
" OF HIS POLITfCAL VIEWS. Accordingly, when be beaunu a raudiJuu? ftir ihe ptesitirncy, I EfiPOC^^liD
•« HIS CAUSE with al«criiy and zeai. *— Mytime, my lilKJuf. iind my infmty irerq ntl hv\%\tiil b^^nHcHt
njii<i«riifiM i/KMiiiirTnYtnvJrffTTIlTlt PTiiIT if I ewfjd hm of Jill fvmUy iny ubM^aiioiifl they wiivft
•*riMy««pawintbat€Oiite<)l> — ^AlUOS ICENOAbL.**
JVIr. Clay was then, as he is now, the champioi^of one- rfiguitdm^ bank — the United States*
jBaalt— ^li'pj^f^^ii^ to onetttouswndof them— iaVtf.i \ ■ \\(^\ a pfbtective la rifl" and internal
improvements by vote of Congress — and had disa rjv j i : v - . ji Gtrneral Jack?<on^ conduct in
Florida, and pronounced it tyrannieal and uniust. KendaU tells un that he Mferred Oioj'to
Jackson, for President—" readily fell into the sunpojt of his POLII^IOJlL -flcilirs/' and
" ^s*>fcms#a Mis cause with -alaenfy and ^al." Wny then den^tfiathe x^as "'ohce for 'the
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118 KEND^LIi UP AT AUCTION. A CASH TRANSACTION.
dejrate men, who refused to join with either, were alijce the objects of tbeir re-
»«tmenf/*nd equally pfoscribed by cither faction,*» Wfcete iir the difierA^ee'
li^, li^D^Jane's case ? He was indoded td support Jwki^n^ throfigh & belirf
^tia he wo^ld act up to tfie ihanly pitefciples laid doWn in his letters to Mon-
roe.. Did he try to do it t ' • ♦ -
JDtftne took office in Jihie, 1933| a)id ^^^'hftkrw&rds infomied thkt it va^ the
Wm'of the President that h6 should j^moVe tfa^ oattond treasure from th#
JlendaU addressed a long letter to Clay, through the Frankfort Ai^gus, which was copied jnio
tfit 1C\'en|ri^ Post of NoV. 1837, in which 'Tie assiires him that he preferred him as Sccrefi&jj',
^^tj^ Adams as Pre3ic!ent, to the election of Jackson, and that lie ahd Blair, since of the Globe,
Wtote in 1825 to the members of Congress, froni Kentucky, urging thenpi to vote ag^TtstJack-
s^i hnd in favor /»/ Adams^ itith this rieir. Kendall also wrote to Clay before the presi-
dential eleotioti was decided, that he preferred Jackson to Adams, all things being eoual—bttf,
said he, " if OUR INTERESTS can be -promoted by any, other arrapgement, I shall be cot*
leiu." "** Our interests" are uppermost stifl.
fc Kcfjidall's evidence be^ Ihe Kentucky LegiMatttfe, he says that Mr. Clay intended to
ffive him a situation at IVashington, in 1825, and Uiat he (Kendall) stood rea^y t6 deffend with
his pen the political character ot his early friend. In a letter to David White, who had voted
in Con^rtss for Mr. Adams as President, dated March 8th, I82S he ^ys, " Wfe kpew 'that
Mf. Clay was to be Secretary of State, and FOR THAT REASON jSomoted Mr. AdanK*!s
dNtetionj'' and prevcijted, of course, thai of Andrew Jackson. He asserts that he supteorted
Adailis oecause Clay Vas to b^ Secretary, and yet he told the Kentuckv Legislature oj^oath,
that he believefl the charge by Jkckson against Clay, of hating bargained tHth Adamsi**#as A
BASE SLANDKR, and that he had applied 10 Clay fdr a ^ittiation in Washington^ where he
WQ«^ have defended him through thejirest againi^tiiikl; ^Tander! tn a letter addressed to
Clay, and dated Frankfort, Oct 11, 1826, Kendall says. « Whatever course I may fcfel coa-
strlined to take in relation to tiie administration genisraUy, I trust I shall not be the means or
Hait occasion of casting any imputation upon your integrity and honor."
Kendall swears that it is his solemn belief there was no ibargain at all. But turn to his
IfMer to Mr. Knowlton already quoted. Hp there ^as ^iiite a different story to lell. ^ He says :
** fa Kviewing vof coarse, I have but one thing to rraret. It is, tbAt I did not, regardlass bf all ionpatatiobs,
*' ttftse a dect8iv# Btand^'iiwt tte If nion of Metseni Aeftnis andCtay in 1H35. I knew that Mr. Clny violated the
«'ii|«ih of bki state { I KNEW THAT THE UNtON W^ft INT£I£»TED AND Sfi:LF»H., Inaiead of being
'* »LGNT, 1 <»uKht boldly to have denounced it. I o«ght to^l»ve been as sensible as I aiii now that l ^-^^
'*cmigation of private friendship, and no fear of Unptiied iogratitude cnii Justify a public man in WINKING &t A
" vioiationof the fundmntintal princil>les of ouf fre& institatione. On tbis puint I am guiity.— AMOS KBr^DALlA.^
,*niere's a confession for you ! " Gitre me i $1,500 place," says the pious politician/ " and
Ili call yo white as driven snow-^thoiigh I know' mat your conduct was interested and selfish.
Buy me at my price— I'm in the marketj and i|' j[ou don't your opponents will* Hire mp, and
111 go wiA you for the tariff, the bank, internal impro»<rement, Adams, anything— Jieglect me,
ai^ I will be found among your nlost bitter enemies. You warfned me ii»to,l9e. as the coun-
gVman did the snake— ^if you don't wish to be artung, give jne my price.'* , t^ticn, tfcough not
iendall s words, is the substance of his'oflfer.' Clay spumed it, fCendall lieCanre his en$my,
a|»d used the influence Clay had obtained for him to feecure the vote of Kentucky for Jackson
and Vai^ Buren, next Presidehtia^ election. ''General Duff Green, the Jackson and Calhoun'
•ditor^ before Blair, "once for the bank,'* supplanted him, says, — " It will be seen that at |he
^iry mcfflttent that he was, negotiating with Mr. Clay for a salary of $1,600. as*the price of nis
removal to Washington, for the purpose of vindicating Mr. Clay against tnese ' SLANDERS
wlueh were afloat against him,^ he was negotiating with me^ for a stipulated sum, which I
Slid him t6 remain in FTankfolt to assail MrJ Clay." Whether Qreefi proved tjiat it was ** at
e veiy nioment," I do not now rcmembfer, but if it was not, it Was ycry soon after, "I
winked at guilt till' hired to assail it," is the substance of KendaU's pretended confession to
Kaowltoii. (General Green <ras supplied by his party with funds — Kendall got iAdnby — paid
his debt to Mr. Clay, and became the ready instrument oi ins enemies. General Green dc-
•aibe*hImas*'€rtnMtioiis, nng^ateful/mereenary, andoorrepl" -' >
In his letter to Kno^ifltpn, Kendall si^,— , * / ; *
«Tbny (mflviiog tlw fidraAi ^ ciaytaml Adama^ oomb*D9d to viilidrtw toti'ne t\\ public aa^^mn^
** PATRON:itt;£, to destrny my chnmcter, :iiid reduce my faaa&ly to idfgitadMlaD aad taoggary. I f«a tUm Mr.
•" Clay waaunirau4^f^.-AMOd KENDALL.** . i ,
W[ select th« fo^owiAg paasag^ from page ^ of the Expositor) for' 1343, by Ajnios K^daU,
aahingten:
**l|trODS?reB-'Fas lutpsr SrEciiisi(.---llackf nzie,. is bis New Y«rkiEzmiB»r.BBy8wvwe(«*Me«/0ra
hiAV Hialaufua«di»iia»:
^ WMfc «f ler wed(,'»ootli aO^: vvwOh Ibe (Dphe t«ke« pleasure bi dfiwq iw i n g Mr. Tyier became i;^ wmi)4
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lTii!t^9 $t!i|i^s Bank, and place it in c^er baoks. He refused to do this tnUtm
ordered by Congre^, or unless ' reasons should be asrsj^ned tp justify his (tolng
so. Thooaa^ Ritchie/ of the t/fiio?*,' ap^Jroved of his Course in thus re{Qsill|t
He askect the' 6pinioti of Coi. Duane*^ his father, who also told him that \ia koA
acted ri^fit, though he thoifght the bank chalter unconstitutional, and disappror*-
ed o^ its management. ' ' ^.
'^e speculating; banks and politicians, of wBoni Van Buren was the jeidf
not; ttkke enqyoimoRiitftwiUa 4he V«m B«ra» cUqu* I havc^iiBcilM; ami Keed«]l, ooee for the batki jMlir
CaDStvell anil foUoyirs suit' - i ^
Ttiert 18 nothing' M&bahifHeed fbr defyrarity tor invetit am} mhlk^ to MaMt; but tne ttrp^ #lio toalt^ t
ciMW|liii«lbis,/»i|n»(ml>hip9w«,body. . , . .
Praui 1818, the B3mK Moiisier iievKr ceased to receive our Mowa whfh we coulil atrifte with the least etfbet ;
and InMSS^ kii*k retil(1vUl»r the debits, i»hiek lla<k«n<i« eoDfTeina;*, we ci|( tile einfr v»itE vUck •« Uvttnr
les ;^w it. Bu^ fur. that iBe«i$ju-e^ i^ wooifl l^e line^ untU it p^ridlieil in 'an owu coitnptioos, iuvolvlni; tli^ ,
Gi^rnoH^nt Ih llie ruin whMh overioolt rhet*i6 c^indittg ettidcbaftfers. *
'Eb.rieiftqqQooBd9-«tivit.in«iiqii »tt.-ie|»iK?ft|BV 4ism»9yti^ o»iiMtiic« of 4be 9efipl« jtt alV the libels wMi)|
flow fmm the name aoUice upiia more importfuit personifies."
I>fJ.jiot i^ndajl dp.his very be»t.to a^quLre tjie ^leotipn pf A4amK 07«r Jackson ia. 18^,
wh^pi M found that Clay coutd not dc elected by the Hoiise of Represent^ives — and was not
Adaim men, af'naw,.the advocate of a national bank fii pfefference to a thousand ^chected
sta«if teaks 1 Sendalt^^ EyLpoBit&t fsonnalfted endleo hatafigttei againsl. bask and tttfitf,
th(9ir«tifLC0iistiiiitioaaiHy) ^t did h^ Aot.nuppwt .th«,ad:iKK)it«» of Itaih, and ako ^ i^t^n^l
im|Koveai«nts, till he got his price 1 yes, and in i817'18, Jbw as^ his friends, u^ paulis^s
caused charters to ba granted to more tlikn forty spdrious '-banks, thereby flooding iHe W^tR ^
ofK^tucky with worthless paper. * ' ; * ' ' '
From the kentuclcy ^rgu^? by Kendall, (copied into the National tn'teUigencer, ^apu 15, 18214.)
" Jfteksoq will get Tennessee and Clay wHl uet Kentucky ffei ceAklnly as they Remain candidates, »nd Itfdlmta ^
bii9^At(>fi9kKSiii0i«tKta»e|K)UcyUi»aatfiHE»iiMlS<a.toh rimvm,im^mtom talmts are loxMt oampiMenc tju
pronopie t}ieii|. ; TJiat t)^^ ia H- nry CJluy, iHitfowK»f w. adVoqatpqf i^tkkh^ JMfROVEafKMTs aud iwtutiT^o
MA^tdrlcfuiHEs.ne^ on prejudiced man cftHddmt^.^ ^' • ' ' * . •
tn 181^, 4Jr.* Clay voted for the late V. fe. Bank, and 11^ ever sincie continually avoWed
that he thinks such nii iuetitution accessary and coastftutional. ' ' -
WiU£eB4alf assert that iielried,^i«t to Meet Clay in )8a4,-aAd then Mams jH 1825, hfh i
cai^se ibniy were for tM bank, and to Ittsp out;Jap^a^^ase he wa^ opposed to it 1 He had
better admit that he was a mean, soraidt mercenary adventurer, ready to go foi; any principles
or any niail *that paid b^t: Indeed' he ha-i^admitted ia3s much In' his l^er to Knqwlton.
Mr. Clay, previous tp Kendall's desertioi^ to the Jackson camp, had Supported a bill to
pledge the bank boiius as an internal improvemeM'flmd-— had declared that Congress might
appropHate the reveniie to construct canals ahd pbst roada^had advocated in the spring oi *
1&39 a high protective tariff— had voted to censure General Jackson for his conduct in Florida
--and had made Adams President of the UitiWaJ States. Alf this !Cf n^all endorsed as demo-
cratic, till be refhsed hirti a $1,500 office^ while Jacksoni^m held qjit the prospect of an anditoir-
shiplit $3,090. The At"nol(5k the Damouriez ©rpdlitids, in 1826, jOined Blair whom, a» an
entterser for $^.000, the bank of the United States had forgiven, and hired himself out to tra-
duce *th9 man whose kind family and hospitable Mansion n^ afibrded him a shelter Whe^ -
he- WHS a hdngry, friendless stranger, a brie^ss barrbter travelKng in sfearch 6^ strife.
Y<is, it is true, Kendall deeply injured the persomd and political friend who had given him "
caAsifleftifion in Kentucky, and whose family hatl tended htai in sickness. TWs was (fcne '
for mdney, gain — there was no wincij^e involved.
My impression, until! saw Clay's statement ott page^^ of V(}1. i. of MinoY's PuWic Docu-
ment for l8S4, was, that he owned'much stock in fhe U. R. BanJij and was deeplv indebted t»"
it. He stated, howfever, in Senate, Dec. Id, 1838. that he had not been counsel 'for the bank
sines 18^, had not held a share fbr many yea^ aid not owe the bank a cent, had voted for it
in 1816, but subscribed' for none of its- stocte, arid <m -tfi* <^ilure of a friend twelve or iUtoen
ears before, l^d &n his endorser, become pespo^slMe t(r the bonk "tbT'a large amoimt whieh
L^ had paid, owing^tfte insdtnii^ no ftivor. ^ ; . ' •
L«t(et, Atna^ Kendall to H«iiJ3^. Clo^, af WashiagiUm^led Frankfort, Ky., Jan. 21, 1823.
_, , fv-0iiftegiiila|dfel&jiooti^lQ^bav# 1(^*1 us^repns^. W«baTeapro^taf acnntH^tmoftf^HibitlAml
tbau fivec I reiiret it, aitd woul^ gladly ^-$oap>- fro^i^;^biit the rates seetu la order it otherwise. I may mis-
is anioiig tiiAse opfirwed lo rriitoviiiiE Ute
I
* P«Rr ,8if v-Oiif tegiiilaldfe i& gone. l(yt |iav# left u&m repns^. W« I
vd ever. I reisret it, aitd woul^ gladly ^^oap ■ fio^i^ ; but the rates
;e, hui I ihmlc the legls-l nure will lie fumftbied. The* cxciienunt
Da wAat f(ra tkiitk *^ -tie Jirfus ftill «•< iomflwin^^MCiMts if has fMtlr that yoa If ili ^riMth«bg tn ooinpro^
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agjpt) ^jrere; eager to grasp tl^ maw roijlions of mopey, the pro^edi.of l|CffcTy
taxatJQp', wjiich the tariff of 1828 had imposed. Daane^s feasoha tior refus-.
inffiq gratify them, a^ staled to General Jackson, we/e very pow^^'d.
pb^ reminded the deoer^ that the law. m We him responsible to Coiigi^efis if
he^:i^moy£d the Joppsites — that the pro|K>9ed .pet banks werq far less sa^e tbsA
tbebarik of the U. S. — ^that Congress had pronounced the public money ^ft«-
that UQ tl^orough iiv^/estigatipn had been igade iutp the affiiirs of the bank— -tjuit
no ' real, adequate security would be ofiered by the local banks, and that he
codhi tM yidg^ of their fitmss or aolventy hf kettisay^'-^tfaat he had sot been
coiitK«»ed.ia his ofilce hy the ^na^^^Vbat th« U.S« Bant had I'eceivedlkndpaid
400 .millions of dollars for government, without the loss of a eent^ but thi^ it was
a weU^known &ct that mlilions had beeii already lost to thex^ouatry, by tntstbg
the public money with Che nianag^rs of localbanks^thelmisCotKiuct of whiidl bad
caisid much uncertainty as to the raloe and amouat of the paper eiirteii^— '
that if the U. S. Bank was selfish, as had been said, surely the focal banks would
•not prove less so — that they would trade upon the public money to be entrusted to
them> and be unable to refund it when req^uired to do so-— that perhaps it i^ould
be Wier-forthe govermnent to^lo without any b^ojca at all^-^thkt now was the
tim^to ina|ee a fuU. inquiry as to that — ^that it would be Very unwise to enter into
entangtrdg alliancesr' with institutions which deraUge, depreciate, and batiish gold
and silver, the only constitutional currency — ^that a thorough inquiry into the con-
dition of the currency was much required, but that we need not look for the tteces-
saiy ii^rmation from Interested bai:^ agents-^tbat it would be well to . resist a
combination of pewerfni mooied anoAopolies before' iitt only means of resistaBce
would be through a public cbnvutsion-- that bot|i the local and tTnited States
Ba^ks were monopolies, alike at variance with thd sov^eignty of tho* llnited
^ States and the general good of tbe people — ^that a renooval of the deposhes
would bring on >' straggle for power b^ween the Bational and state hades,* by
meai^s of which thousands of innocent* pensons would be mined-^and that if
there must be banks for social or ffsca^ uses, surely one bank* for thel Whole
* Louis McLape, l^cretal'y of^the Treasury beibre Paaney opposed the removal of the
deposits, and so did Cass^ thoug^ the Jatter was pliant and ready to go either wav. Van Bu-
ren, in private, professed to McLane, for some tune after Xoland's Report, and the vote in tJte
H. of R. favoraqe to th£ ttank, M«j(^^0 i/'^Stfm^ Of course,^ it was Van
Buren, and his Safety Fund Bank^, thajt controHed the vote of this state in Congress, and it
was thjLt vote that eontipHed %e deposit question. . The language of the Globe, Post, and
Argua, >^nd of Cambreleng, Bearddey, Vanaearp9el, Wrigjit, and Tallmadge — Lawrence and
Butler's I^et^ej^— Wright's orders to m&4ftgislati*r8 of N. Y., through Hoyt (p. 240, Ko. 256),
and thje 118 votes in the Assembly — also the great n^e^ng at Tammany Hail, and Jo|^ Van
Buren's correspondence, ^ord ampl,e proof that Van Buren and his confederated decided the
removal of the. publiq moi^ev. Colonel Young had a deep interest \n thft. Safety Fund 3ank5,
and we find him declaring that black lines ought to be drawn ajcross the faces of the Senators.
who had censuned Jacksjpn for removing the <&po6its.
In 1834, Silas Wright " woujd njerely pronounce his ppinion that tiw country would sustain
the Executive arm of the ^^vernm^at -in the experiment now making to substitutfe the Slate
Institutions for the Bank of the United States. He had most entire coaiidence in ^ ^ull and
complete success of the exj)erunefii, ^ was his firm opinion that ^e stq)s that had been taken
woiud redound Co th^ honor ai^ best laltiKats of. the coantry.'* When the banks broke,
Wright talked in this fashion : " Under this law, all the existing deposit banks §cpq}ted their
high trust to the govej-nment and people of the country, and received some forty ^lillions of
the public treasure, and yet, strange to tell, before a singfe fwelvemonft hiad|*^feea away, they
all refuse to*pay gold and silver for^tfieir notes. Nay moic, and vroi«b, Aey even refu^no pay
to the government anything but th^ir own irr^deeroahte bank .iiates-— those not^s which the taw
prdiibits the oncers of the government from either x^MseiiriQg or paying out, tor the millions
enuTistoi to their safe kewii]^. The -drafts ol the Treasurer of the U. S., drawn upon a depo-
sit banR for a mere trust Tund, belonging to individual citizens', which fvM was by the govein-
ment im])orted front abroad in gold and silver, i$tnd in gold and silver placed in mat bank for
safe ke^li]Bg|)iav« been dishonored and ffetaas^witboait paynaat, becausa theMderof the
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A
i thoasand ba^ks altogether
treasure froni the tf . S. fiank:
puWiQ had invested sevea millions of jdollars), aod placing it in
thM» keeping pf a host of local baoksi with their gambling, stock-jobbiog2iaDd
sg^lilating iQanagers^ might be to drive the people t6 adopt a third U. S. Bank,
M% a refuge frotm-tbeir irre^eeo^able trash (which but for Harris6D*s sudden
daith and Tyler's ui^expect^d vetoes^ would have been the Case in 1841 J.
. He 4id mot, propoae the Sub Treasui;^ scheme, but expressed the most deeidett
0{)f«9iti<^ to the U« Si. ^ok—be would institute a thorough inquiry, but not be
riiskly guilty, of ^ breadu of the. obliga.tion of coiitracts toward the bank. If th»
baqk b#d done wr<^ng the judiciary were able to punish. He thought it Banger«
otts to. pj^ in iiu^ )2ai|ds of a secretary of the treasury, dependent for bis omc6
onil^.^iriil ef the jPresident, a power to jfavor or punish locdi banks, and eonae«
qiunitly to maka theiu political machineiy (tike Van Bureo's Safety Puni
U^ioa.) ^He knew that ^he efibrts made to hapten the removal of the deposites
did oet originate with, patriots or statesmen, but in schemes to promote ractious
drafts would not receive the irredeemable bills ot' tiat bank in satisfaction.** Onanehiul
shown il would be so before " the ejEperimsnt" was ma4e, and that it had always beoi so.
WrishMn^ew that just as well ia 1834 as in 1938. Matthew L. Davis writes Webb, f^eb. 8,
18H, thM at a meetinff of the .Seaators for N. Y. and the committee of m^rchanti» of N.. Y.,
favoialtltt to a U. ^ Bank, Wright, sa^d^ *" Gentlemen. I am opposed to any U. S. Bank, bixt if
weiiiust have a bank, I do not want a commercial but a political bank." In his speech of
M^^ $^, 1834, he calls the pet banks << perfectly safe a^t^ fully competent to discha^ all
llMTdtities repaired in the collection and msbursemento^the public revenue."
*J When I bow down myself in the Hoiw^ of Rimmon, the Lord pardon thy servant in this
thingi" aaid Naamap, captain of the host of the king of Syria, to Elisha the Hebrew pibphet
cifMi^ In }ike nuuinev, John C. Calhoun's clear int^lect can discern and acknowledge evf!
wieiever it exists, unless it be in the enslavement of the sons of Africa ; and he wa^ nbw ready
to warn the Senate of the manifold miseries which Van Buren's extension of the N. if. Safety
Fand sysfem would bring upon his country. In his speech, January 13, 1834, he fofesha-
dowadf'ia the elearest manner, the landjerbbii\g of the Butlers, Wrights, Van cnrehs^d
their associates — Judge Woodbury jpulling the wires for' the rise and fall of stock*— jHoyt
lending Beers the public funds — John Van Buren speculating in 1834, and drawing cash
fiom the public in 183(>— Swartwout k^ping the bonds |:^a» he kept them— and the Man-
faatlan aM its confederate banks lending^the public treasure to their corrupt managers, while
tiik governm^nf bade them, as il* in derision, to help the /neichants. They did help them, at *
tbeosury of cent per cent. -
'Mr. Calhoan's really prophetic remarks weie as follow :
"Let H9 «at dedeive ooMelves^this leagne— this assodatlon of b^k«H>-creMed by the BxeenHfeF— bound U»-
SBther |)y infli\ence^unitjMf'in cmninnn articles' of assoeiaticm-^vivifled and sntt&ined by receiving the depo«l«i
of the^obUfc iii«n^y,'aHdr'fanvifig tlwlr nolBs converted, by being leoehred everywbeve by the TreHgory, into the
enmmon oorrency of the country, is to all intents and parp<vse8, a bunk of th» UniVed StatesT— the Bxecotive
S»»k of the U.-o., m diMfnimlshed from, that of Congress. However, It might fall to perform satlsfRctorlly the
useful functions of the Bmk of the U. 8., as ineorportted by law, it woald optafrfp it->far outstrip iv^ln pll iu
dhi|i|E<0ft>ttsc|«tHlitiee, inextendin^theiK)wer,tbelnflllepcean»Uiefoxrapti<>n pf ihegoveminent. It was impossible
to^ooaeeive anf institutk>n more admicalily calculated to aavance tbese.objects. Nofonlytho selected banks,
hnt the whole banking institutions of the country, and with it the entire money poWer> for the purpoees of
speculition, peculation, nnd corruption, would be placed under the control of the Executive. A system of
VfieAaees and pnrmises will be e8tHbU«he;i*-M>f menace to the banks in p<iese«ion of the deposites, but^ which
mllfbt not be entirely snbaervient t» Bxediitlve views ; and by promise of future favors to those who may not
n yet eojoy its favors. . Betweejp^th? two, the Banks would be teO without ipfluence, honor, or honesty;
4M> A Vn^mVL of srsCirLATION A.ND STOCK-JOBBIKA would COMNBNCI, trilK^UALLln W TBI ANNALa O^ OVK
c0ui«TRY.^ I fear they haVe already eommetiGed--l fear the mean* which have been put into the hands of the
« minions of power by the removal of the deposits, and placing them In the vaults of dependant banks,
]|KTe«ztsttdad their cnptdity to the public .lands, partlcukurly in the southwest; and that to this we must attrl-
^llie the fecent phenemena In that qnaxter^iNNiNSK anb valuable tracts or LAin> sold at sMokT notice
-^^uTB^ FRAUOULENTLY postponed to aid the SPBCULA?X>Ba ! with which, if I am not mis- '
Sfllfbnne<^. a napie Act niiknotirn to this toody (Ctarin) has perfermed a prominent part. As to stock-jobbing, this
aew armngemeirt wtll open a field which aothschUd himself niay envy. It has been found bard work— very
iMMd, )tA d^bV-by the jobbers in slock who have been engaged in attempts to raise or depress the price of
Vntled SkateftBank Stock ; but no work will be riiore easy than to ndse or depress the price of the stock of the
selected banks, at the pleasure of the Exeettttve. Nothing more Will be reqoifV'd>than to give or withhold de*
Etes-rto draw, or abstain fromoh^wlng warfants— to pamper them at one time, and starve them at another.
IBS W4i> lrc0LD «c i> rm skcrbt, anb who wovlo know whbm to buy akd when to sell, would
inn JMAlirOr ilBA].iatl«r »¥ ]>IAX«IK0 in TBK S^CX«, WHATXVKft rOR'nJ5X TBXT MtOH'TFiAASI.**
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tii
ueKiioM A7^0 tts rtATttMhttM^Jtitt AW^ ^»rti'Wii # ua i.
* porp^^ft, and that the whole proceeding would tettd to diminish tfa(ft e6tMt%&fdt"
tt)e WQrId in our regard for national credit and i^eptitation.
On tl^e 20th of Sept.; 1833, the Globe announced that the depositesr woqH l$e
remold. Next morning Mr. Duane waited on the Ptesident, atid iM h\tn' he
would aeithei- resign office nor remoire the pubHc money to the pets.* ^Jntk^oh
tried to bribe him, or call it what else jou please, with the $18,tK)0 bait which ''
•O^iuany have swaJlowed slnce^the Rgssiaa etobaasy sinecute: " My dear Jdt.
Cuaoe (aaid the President), we muM separate ks friends. F^r. from deftiring that
you aHould sustain any injury, you know I have intended to give yon the fc^^
est appointment how ij^ my gift. Vou shall have the mission* to Russia.*' ^ I
am sincerely thankful to you, sir (replied Duane), for your kind dispositioii-^
I desire no new station, and barely wish to leave my presmt one (oianrnteSii, or
f|||e from apprehension for the future. FaVor me with a writtetl declaratioa of-
your desire that I should leave office, as I cannot cinrry oat your views as to the
deposites, and I will take back this letter fin which he had stated jthe s i itMc
determination}." On Sept. 23d, Qeneral Jackson wrote his reaotate otfieeir,
*' 1 feel o^yself constrained to notify you that your further services as secrdiar^
♦ In a. letter to Josepjh Neef, Sept. 3d, 1838, Mr. Duane said of^eneral Jackson, " Hi*
inclinations werepatriotic, but his passions were undisciplined. Oiboth, designing me)) tooXr'
the advantage. TTie poss<*ssion or jwwer produced adulation ai^d servility, and these intoxi-^
cated the President, as they had bewildered greater men. He could not bear cdntradirtiOD,-
and \^ himself overcome by tlie lutit of overcoming. At length a vindictive spirit mingled
itself with feelings which, if srelLre^Hlated, would* have been hdnooraWe and useftd. ^- — *-», '
The President, while he fancied his wffl was the true spring of acticto, was bm a^purveyor for
the anabitious and selfish men, around him. While deoiaimtHg a^tlnst abuses of ihe bank, be
was assisting speculators in politics, stocks, and lands [such as Wright, Butler^ Young, Ytm
Buren, Marcy, Kendall, Ho)rt, Slilwell, Stephen Allen, Blair, Cambreleng, Wetmore and
Swartwout] to gratify their own rapaciousness. The notion that his clandestine aasocicteB
[Kendal), Whitney, Blair, &c.] were shocked at <he transactions of the bank, or at the wantof
morals in Congress, i^ preposterbus.'*
The Maysvflle Eagle published a private ktier'fttmi Mr. Duane to a gentltiknan in Mason •
county, Kentucky, dated Philadelphia, Oct. 17, 1833, as: follows:
'* l>mr Sir : I have ju»t now received yoar letter of the lOlh Instant, ezpressing your approtKttlop of my
eoiirse a^i Secretnry of the Trea&iiry. I have nlways been, und am, opposlili Cu the U. 8. Bank, and to alt »mek
aristo^rtitlc inoiuiponet ; but, 1 considered the removal of the dftpovitei onMBeaMhry, unwiae* vindictive, m^
tniry and unjni«t. I believed that the law gi|ye to the.Seeretary of ihe TreatMiry. and not to tb« Fre«iden>, dif-
cretion on the question ; and I wnald not HCt to oblige the President n6r any body else when I thought it im-
proper to do so. I never aslced offire— I accepted it reiuctaatly, and was renii/ved for an honest dl charge at
my duty. If to keep office and S6000 a )'ear, I had fiveii up my Judgment, 1 shoald have brouglK ihaiDe. vpon
thi^gmy bain of my ^tber, and i^a my numerous children: ^oth^tl am content to return to humble life
wMi AtniaquU mind. " W. J. J^aits.*'
" Mr: piian? was dismissed (say Blair, Van Bureli and Kendall, through the GHobe x>f
Nov. 19) for fkithlessness to his solemn writtet^ pledges, and for the exhibition of bad feelings
which made him totally unfit for the station lo v^iieh he had been elevated. He was not dis-
missed merely for refusing to remove the deposites." Hennr Clay explained the thing mor^
clearly in one of his s|>eeches. " A son {said he) of one pi the fethers of democracy, by an
administration profe^ing to be democratic, was expelled' from oiRce, and his jflace supplied,
by a gdDtleman, who, througWout his whole career, has been uniforaily opposed to democracy."
Mr. Taney was ready tp oblige Wall street, Hoyt, Butler, Lawrence and Cambrejeng, ly re-
moving many millions of dollars from a bank whose paper circulated throughout the Union and
abroad, to weak banks whose bills had only a local circulation, a^ of wJiose stock die Unfoh
held not a dollar. ' , ' . . *
Flatteiy sent Napoleon tp Moscow — it induced Jackson to dismiss Dnane, to cau^ his
'character to be traduced, and.tv cling to JB^endall, Van Buren, Blair aAd Butler, whO ijjl
mocked and sneered at his pretea^^ioiie as a candidate for the presidency in 1823 s^i/w$,
while the Puanes, father and son, were affording him their uabought, disinterested afid fo'^'er-
ful support. In August, 1833, Van Buren had three Saftty Fund Commissioners— Amq»
Kendall was despatched from Washington as Cgmmissioner the fourth — James Gordon
Bennett was his crony—they q'liarrelled— Bennett published Kendall's private correspondence
witli him, adding, that " assuming it thnes the spirit of enthusiasm for liberty, and, purity c^
"purpose, you [Kendall] contrive to hide purposes of the deepest tivatice, and to eoidmi the
"most mjshrinkiu^ ferocity towards those who presume to cross your path." *
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JAMBS KNOX POLK. IJS^
of tke treas^nr are no longer required." An4 from that day to thi^iDuane ^as
remaitieA a tall i^riVate ; wnile Tan^y, iAa successor, as the recompense of hiit
pBatH sapi^eness hi a dishonest cause, has ascended to the seat of John MarshalT,
at Chi^f Jusiice of the Union! ^Does any one -suppose that Taney, had he
resbted Vdn Buren & Co.^s spoKation scheme, would hare received that promo*
tion? NOj indeed.
CHAPtEB XXVL
Polk mi the Pett.-T-Totk^s .Early lifrJ^Bank DefauJtera.-^Griswold ,4m th$
J^nks,^^Van Bwrtn^n Policy in 1837,— rJlfccAomcs' Bufik.-^Marey^i Mortgofi^ $
and Ten MlKon l^ank. — Van BurtUy Lawrence^ and Marcy^s Mes^agt.-^
J. Hoyi.-^Akx. Welh, — Col, Samuel Youna — of Irish de^ce/U-^a LatWyer-^
in Convention^ lS2i-^for Clay — on Stave Hepreaenfation — adaakr in Bank
Stocks ^and Scrips-^for Marcy^or Bvmks-'-on the WatervHet Banl^on Van
Buren-^beggingforBgtdc^tock.
T^E history of tl?e pet I)ank experiment, in which • Mr. Poik was the mo^
conspicuous actor ii^*door^, and Mr. Kendall without, would fill a goodly folio.
•^ James Kii«>x Polk, President of the United States, labored indefiltigably, in 183S and
afterwards, to remove tfae pabHc treasure to the pet bank^, put down the United States BaAk»
and general^ to^v&success to whatever measures KendaU.and Van Buren chose tp^'proposQ
OK countenance. Ab I shall have to notice his votes ai^d proceedings on many occafsions, in
this volume, it may be the proper time now to give my readers a very brief sketch of his
early life.
The Democratic Review of 1838 states that he was bom in Mecklenburg^h county, North
Carolina, Nov. 3, 17^— he is, therefore, like Silas Wright and B. P. Butler, a little over fifty '
years oM. Some acdbunts make his ancestors Irish, othen Scottish — some say their original
naise w^ Pollock, others that it was Polk. It aj^ears that his branch of the family had
resided in Maryland, in Pennsylvania, in North Carolina, and finally removed to Tennessee.
Aodiew Jackson stated, in 1844, that ne had known James K. Polk from his boyhood, and
that *^ a citizen more exemplary in his moral deportment, more punctual and exact in busi-
ness, more energetic and manly in th^ expression of his opinions, and more patriotic, does
not live.*" «
Mr: Polk^^ather is still alive— he was a farmer, and removed to Tennessee in 1806, when
James K. Vas in his eleventh year— it is also said that, he acted as a surveyor, and, with his
family,' had to toil hard for a living in the valley of the Duck river, then a wilderness. James
K. is the oldest of tcA t;hildren — acquired the rudiments of an English and a classioaT^^ffca-
tion neat his home, and after years of suffering from a very painful complaint, was relieved
by a surgical operation. He gained high honors at the University of North Carolina— was
assiduous, persevering, and regular in his attendance — a good ma,thematical and classical
scholar. In 1819, he b*gan to study the law with the celebrated Felix Grundy, of Nashville,
was admitted as a lawyei* of Tennessee in* 1820, and was well employed in. his line. He
served as cierli to the Tennessee legislature, was nixt a member for MaurJ, his place- of
re«jideAce, and in 1835, in hi^ 30th year, elected to Cdngi'ess. If lie was opposed to a national
bank, he kept his opinions to himself, for the first two years in which he sat in Congress, but
after Van Buren went to Washington as swretaiy, to' wit, in August, 1829, he began to give
the Tennesseans some hints about " the monster.^ Upwaixls of twenty years since, he mar-
ricdf the daughter of Joel Childsrs, a merch'anr bf Rittherford county, Tcnn., and who had kept
alkotel and bDarding-house in Norfolk, Va; Mrs. Polk has no children — is said to be unoS^
tentatibus, quiet, do most ic, and religious — not fond of show, danoing, dissipation, and late
hours. Mr. Polk, Mr. Buchahan, and, if I mistake not, Mr. Bancroft, are named as staid
Presbyterians; like Silas Wright. It is greatly to Mr. Polk's credit that he has the reputation
of tong no duellist, no gambler, but a steady opponent to spcGidation^ He was fourteen years
in Congress, and two gr three of these years Speaker, having been chosen in Dec, 1835, and
in^pt., 1837. No more thorough going party man can be^ found than Polk — he is very
inStwtrious, and while on the floor bf Congress is reported never to have missed a vote. As
he jteceired tfvote of thauks at tl^e close of the session of 1837, for hi* impartiality aa Speaker,
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J^ J
IH BLE0TIONSERINS tflkOTOS TRSAStWY tAyKM.^
Iq Augusty, 1826, the banks had, about 40 millioiis, vUhout intc»^$t*-*m -AmSL
about 32 milliQDs. Of these 32 millions, the Unioa Bapk of Tennessee **L^
$480^1^— CpmmonwealtbB^k, Boston, $1, 009,73 1—Manhatti^n Bank^Naf..
$3,ol5,791— Bank of America, N.Y.,'$3,70«,714^Mechanics' $aiikj N,y,»-
$3,816,261 — Commercial Bank, Cincinnati, $395,135, and its,.M[efl<gr at'St
Louis, Mo., $1,471,157 — Girard Bank, Philadelphia, $2,540,910 — ^BraDcb
Bank of Alabama, Mobile, $ 1 ,694,464 — Planters* Bank of Mississippi, Natchez,
•2,649,596— Farmers and Mechanics' Bank, Detroit, $702,380— Bank of
Michigan, $96\),364. The influence for Van Buren's election, exercised by the
state pet banks and the national pet bankfc, the tsontnicts, the 60,000 federal
offices, the millions of stock thrown into the market as bribes Xo partisans, bY.
the If Ir! Legislature, the land sales made to suit ftivorileS^ the custom hou4(^^
%the post office^, and the state offic&s dhd influence going the same way v^i^ tbe
federal*— these powers, added to th6 betting, gambling, and electioneering, with
the men who hoped to get offices, ^et contracts, get some advantage or 6thet,
through Van Buren, surely turned the scale, and witK the 777 presses in his
favor, made him president. His skill lay in marshalling the powers of intrigue,
corruption, and intimidation, and he succeeded. In Feb., 1834, the depositee
\^ere only 11^ millions, of which five millions weye in three N.Y. banks. The
2§ pets had,* at this tiine, more public money free of interest, than they had^biHg ,
in circulation. The Tradesmen's, Union, and Lawrence's N. Y. State battle
were made pets in August, 1836-rand we find the Gil^be by Blair, some ye^n
aft«r, complaining that "MORE THAN 48 MILLIONS OP DOLLARS
HAD BEEN LOST BY THE BANK DEFAULTERS^ during the war of
1812. Did^not Polk aj[id Van Buren know that just as well in 1834 as in 1840 ?*
I infer that he has a ^eat command of temper. He is a ready debater, makes lon^ a^d
animated speeches^ sm w^s a hard working If^slator. It is stated t^at he is about 5 &^ 7 *
^ inches in height, that his countenance bears the impress of anxiety and care, that bin
' voice is unmusical but strong, and that he is clear-headed, firm, an attentive listener, aj^
possessed of a good share of common jsense. Some say his face is repulsive, others that it is
mt«resting, and thatin feeling and manner he is kind and courteous. Such is his piety, th^
Governor Branch reports that during, the four years he was at college, he (Polk) never
missed prayers.
* B. F. Butler, in one of his secret epistles to Jesse Ho}1:, about the removal of the deposites,
dated Feb. Slth, 1834, has this remark, that " As for supposing that Newbold, George Gnswold,
Stephen Whitney, or any of the old federal commercial men, were with us on this'occa^ioQ,
for any other reason than because they found it for their interest to go wi^ us, I never ibr oi^
single instant had such an unwarrantable idea." p. 171.
In a letter to James G. King, dated New Yorl^, Sejpt. 9, ^840, George Gnswold ha? theas#.
remarks : "J never took any part with the officers or agents of the gpvernment, in counseUiiLg,
advising^ or recommending tne removal of the deposites In October, 1836, when l$e
banks were suffering under the operation of the distribution law, and were on the poii)^ o^
suspending specie payments, a^d in the opinion of those who knew all the facets, WOULD
HAVE SUSPENDED IN LESS THAN ONE WEEK, if not relieved, I did go to Wash-
ington, and, with the aid of others, prevailed on the secretary to postpone the payment of dia^
on this city, and in other ways relieved the banks from a call for more than a fniUion erf
specie, $600,000 of which was payable in ten days ; enabling them to continue specie pay-
ments, and increase their Idans to merchants^"
It thus appears that the banks were just as teady to break in Oct. 1836, as in May, 18^^
That would nave interfered somewhat with Va^ Buren's election, and rendered St necessary
for General Jackson to make very material alterations in his farewell address next JN^arch. ^
Van Buren called a special meetin* of Congress in the fall of 1837, and gave indnlgeaot
to the broken banks and mercantile defaulters — that i;s, to the British and c^er foreign tra^ieis
and manufactui'er-s, and to the bank of ICngland, at the expense of tho American pec^e and
their interests.
In Woodbury's report, acoompanying the president's message, and 4atdd 5th Sept.^ 1837, l&e
said that with regard to the pet banks, their specie, as compared to ihcir circulation, was neai:^
as great in May, 1837j. when they stojj, as in Nov. 1836,^ when they went onw4hat their
immediate means, as compared with their immediate liabilities, was as one to two and a half.
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Tho'puUtb balailees hi b^nktf, Jm. l^ 1S37, were 4M5,M£1^0n un tk« Istvf
Jan., 1^38, U \ras estimated that the balance trai $34,187,143, bat ^f tkat MM
Van Burcn computed thit Only $1,086,498 were available.
P^rhap^lthe most artful and dishonest proposition made to the L^islature of
W;Y. in 1834, was by Governor Maiicy, on the 24th of March, td lend tW
banks five op-sfx millions ; borrow the money on a mortgage of all the property
in the state j by' the issue of state due bills ; and, i/'9i60e9ffar^,^charter a ten tiBtif«
lidn bank in the city of N.Y.- The pretext for doing this was, that the U. ».
Bank Vas harassing the state institutions.'* .Of course this was untarue, and k^
and as this was greater than the usual ratio in the best of times with banks having large
droosites, he assured Congress that theii' failure wis not generally anticipated*
H« admitted that the banks failed without cause, to make gain at die public expense, on the
40 miUioos due to th9 najtiqn. . As to tl^ merchants' bonds for duties of which tbev had got
six months credit through, a 'pad law, and realized and sent the cash to England anf Fran^^
long before that term expired, to help foreign trade at the expense of American credit and
currency, he said that Van Buren, without any law', had given them a further credit fro^
May to S«pt, less or more (that they might be enabled to exj^rt the moare specie). The gpvenh
mei4 was bankrupt — ^it had npminaliy many millions^ but Van Buren and Pc^'s treai^ury
baiiks had clutched the whole and held qn with a death grip. The banks had given security,
so "Woodbury affirins— so the Globe boasted when Calhoun doubted their solvency— then they
could Ire'teured for a half per cent. !
The government should have borrowed ten, twelve, fourteen millions of dollars, or whatev^
sum in hard specie would hivesaved it from the deep disgrace of offering its creditors orders
on broken banks in ^aymeht of Jawflil d^bts, on contract or otherwise, which it knew would
be paid, if paid at all, in a cu^ency from 6 to 16 per cent, below real money, which difieWSnce
they would divide as plunder, while the honest debtor was cheated and the 'government
disgraced.
It appears that while the revenue was raised from the payments of manv merchants, those of
thein who had to borrow had often to pay two per cem. a mcmth, while the banks and brokers
hadtiie use of -20 to 40 millions without Jnterest. Some years ago the Alb. D. Advgrtis^
said that " the Mechanics' Bank, N. Y., recently Ibund that more than a milli<m of dollars of
its fonds had been most illegitimately used." The Alb. Aigus remarks on this, that it loust
referta traasactions of 1837, just before the banks became bankrupt, and that if it were so, it
showed " that at a tiipewhen the bank had perhaps two milligns of the public money, insteiiid
of granting proper adbommodations to the regular business of the city, more than a million of
dolSurs had been us^d, {»:obably, either in loans to spec^ulators, or to brokers, who shaved the
noteaof merchants £tt 2 and 3 per cent per month."
* At this time, Van Bureii, through the Argus, exclaimed (Feb. 17), " Let tljiat man, or that
newspaper, which attempts to disturb the public confidence in the banks, or in the merchants,
be marked d|s an enemy, and treated as such." Such was their recldess course, that the
whole of the sixty-nine Safety Fund Bjanks, had only two millions of dollars on the 4th of
March!, to meet nearly thirty-five millions of debts, over thirty of which were due on demand.
Is it not clear that they were mere machines to do the executive will 1 Could not the servile
Taney, at the nod of his superiors, have broke them any day in the year 1 They had not
one dollar in cash to sixteen of debts ! A Safety Fund indeed ! lyell might the BulRilo .
Commercial exdlaim of Marcy ai>d his colleagues, that " To humbug the people, to use th^
power to repay partisan services without regard to fitness for station, to succeed in a stock
gambling c^eration, and to make honorable men the innocent means of bolstering up an in-
solvent bank, seems to be the end and purpose of the several actors. But the mask is' re-
n^oved, and the disguises stripped ofi^by theu" own hands." Turn to, Stephen Allen's instruc-
tions to Ho3rt, No. 241, page 341, for a Tammany Bank^of the Safety Fund order y: and say
whether that letter doas not strip the mask in right earnest off V'an Buren's Receiver General
of the SubrXreasujy, who had through life assumed the ^arb of a hard-money democrat 1
Turn next to [No. 264, page 250,] John Van Buren's letter to Hoyt, dated Saturday, March
22d, 1834, tl^ day on which Marcy wrote and doiedL his mortgage message, le^rhich he withheld
from the legislature till Monday the 24th. May not that message have been of Olcott &
Co.'s manufacture % Van Buren tells ftiat it was got up to " charm you Yorkers — Lawrence
will run like the cholera." Lawrence had betrayed his constituents, was deeply versed in
.stock-jobbing, had become rather unpopular, and ttje message was needed to get him elected
over Verplanck by any majority at all. If Marcy told John Van Buren on the 22^1 about his
message that was to affect the public stocks, so that he might employ Hoyt to buy ^,000 '
worth on Monday, and sell out on Monday week, $1,000, or $1,500 richer, through me secret,
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101 AVARICE Tiiiiftrriff^irr'nri ^a^kiin^boitnm
kfVWit^I^ii^^OP'^ faDfe4^fate of Hoyt, AUeu, Lawreo^, Vaii Bum^
QJN^ty |Ul4 the fcaf Q oliqae of stock-jobbers wRq then (as now, I fear) controfljid
the monied afiairs of the* Union. Jj^leveo or twelve nnllions of dollars bad beeA
-^bdrawn by Taney md Kendall, from the United States Bank and braocbes,
at)4 six millions and a< half had been, by Jackson's <>rder) lent to the tavorite
banks pf Van Buren, in N^Y.y to lencj out, but no interest was charged to tbem.
IVr had the use ofaliout $8ib0,000 of other U.S. monie^. They had in tbeit
cait#dy between two aad three millions of the funds of the state. , They had
M|^t and a half millions on deposit for safe keepii^ by individuals. They owed
the United States Bank at least a million. They had lent out their capital*^— l^nt
their credit in the form of bank notes, some twelve millions — and also lent the
above twenty-one millions of borrowed cash — and yet they grpwfed, grumbled,
and stormed, insomuch that the Bank Junto at Albany and their confederates in
New York, set Marcy at work to influence the gamblers' or stock market, and
affect the election^ , by a moonshine tnessage or proclamation in which it iras
proposed to mortgage the farms* and other property through the state for another
five or six tnillions, and lend that also to the Safety Fund Banks. It may seem
incredible, -but most true it is that, under these circumstances, did Polk's present
war secretary present the state with the prospectus of his inortgage. Morris,
now postmaster at New York, was in the Assembly, hard at work pushing
through the annual batch of Sandy Hill charters, for the good of the party and
gain of the initiated. The Dramatis Persons^ playcdt i£e\r parts well. Our
circuit judge, Edmonds, in the senate, and our postmaster,Morris, in assembly,
moved the teference of Marcy 's grave suggestions to a joint committee, and with
Angel, Livingston [C. L.") and two or three dittoes, formed the committee*
is It ii<ift equally probable tnat he gave copies to Olcott, Allen, Bmler, Coming, Croewefl,
Wright, Lawrence, and the other dealers in politics, to enable them to take tinie by the fore-
lock 1- Van Buren's message to Hoyt, with his " f fear stocks will rise after Monday," shows
how a stockjobbing band of hypocrites, in power, made fortunes ten years a^go. Is it not veiy
probable that our/ Attorney Greneral made many thousands, with his friends, by doing with
his father's messages wheii President, as he had with Marc)r*s when Governor 1 Why does
he curse and blaspheme at Hoyt for not having always spare cash to be used in his stock-
gambHug*? Was the coUectorship bestowed on that unprincipled profligate in order thai the
van Buren lamily might be provided for out of Jesse's sub-treasury 1 If I am blameable fct
printing these secrets, as a warning for the convention, pray, Col. Young, is not Marc^^ %
thousand times more, censurable for telling stale secrets^ that our crown law^rs may make
fortunes- out of thejn 1 The Aigus and the Evening Post of 1834, like Marcy 's message^ tell
us of privati9i\, banlcruplcy, and public distress. As the contractor near Patrick Henry couM
only cry, " money, money, beef, beef," our Attorney General Van Buren could only think of
scrip, stocks, and hocus-pocus. If money, gain, avarice, were uppermost in his youthftd
mind, in 1834, how keen must hi^ scent be now after the dollars ! In 1836 he was borrowing
of the hanks and speculating with Hoyt a»a Cutting. See page 254. In June, 1836, iThomas
W. Olcott was re-elected President of the Mechanics' and Farmers' Bank, Albany 5 Elbeft
Olcott was its cashier, C. E. Dudley its Vice President. On the 5th of June, 1837, this tenk
which hail got, two millions of the deposites to use judiciously before the Presidentinl election^
but had found it profitable to stop payment, made J. Van Buren a director, and, I think, its
Attorney, "Revelations had recently come to light," said Mr. Wells of N. Y., in the Assem-
bly, at Albaiiy, Feb. 25, 1846, " ^hich let us into a side view of the piety, finance, andjwliti-
cal trickery of the Regency ; and couTd the curtain be entirely lifted, a siffht would bet witness-
ed which would increase a hundred fold the abhorrence with which the people now vifew
Albany and Albaiiy influence. He would kill the Argus in its old age as he would strangle
the Atksinitsbfrth."^ ' ..
1 don't nke these state loans and national loans to individuals and chartered concerns.
They are another word for gifts ; the couiitry rarely sees its cash again. " Of all creditors,
the State is the unluckiest." Good security and regular instalments to be paid with interest;
no loss to fall upon the public. It reads very well, but has a false quarter. If the security is
good there are lenders enough, without taxing the million to enable the party uppermost to
accommodate their friends, or John Van B urea's, or to earn jtheir thousands by future Marcys*
mcjssages and mortgages. "
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GreAeral'Van Baren^ impi'oper conduct ia this mortgage bu^tness i« pavtiy-
ubcitoak^d^l confess I felt some surpHve, but the following eorrcspoadener
sinc6 published fully explains^ evetything. The p€Urie€ who, while he mtm.
' «* GoLOMBL'SAMtttL Young has sooie YtlaaUe ^jualKies ; and if lie 14. not wbi^t I could WH%|r,
and.wha^ I onoe bdievcd tiim tu lie, 1st ii not be fgi^runen that the PaMnto^ier ask^ btaven lo
preserve erring Mukanity ihsatempiatmi ; anil, tba; Ssaiuel Young !>»&(, for abuut as k»n; fi
period as the ferastites took to travel^ the wilderness, op their way tu Gjinaaa, the Onf^on ot
thefr time, been a ptatceinan and a.putitician breathing 4he mephiitc ainio»$nhere of Albany.
He has been an el^ciiive and practical i'rtend of edueaiiun, and has not lor som^ ^^ve ana
tvfeniy yeartS voted lor fecial thactered banks. He would have been sopponed by Wrjght|
and elected Senator in Congress in place of the polite and pliant Dix, haJ nut a lear pr his,
an'tf-slavefy pphiciplfes, which mi^t.liaKe.mantii ike Texan annexation* iiiieFi'ejred. While
Wn^itt and Vaii Btusen, with- Webb, M^rcy, Croswell, Jones of N. V. ami others, were
actively employed in discouraojng the proposition lor a state convention to amend l)ie.consiitu*
tion of 18*^1^ Youhg came boldly forward in the foremost rank of its advocates. Wlvetlicrx his
good qualities are shaded over with &|lings and inconsistencies, which his ackamvleitgie^
abilities and great energy of character scarce alone for, 1 am not perhaps in a position to form
a correct judgment.
Colonel S. Young states that his ancestors, j[how fkr back, or whether on the father or mother**
side, or on both?) were from Ireland. In his youth, f am fold, he was emplo)"^! in farniing.
work, >Vhteh, IJke W. H. Cntwford, he exchanged lor the law.. In the Augiist tertn of l«Q7,
he was admitted an Attorney of the Sapreme Court of this State-^aml, being lavuralite to the
then admioiikratiQa, the cour^eit, of appointment, [Clintonian] in March, l^^, apiH^n^ him
a justice of the peace for BaMston, in Saratoga county, with John W. Taylor. On the same
months Van ^uren was prersented with th» ofiice of Surrogate of Coljumbis^. Young was thn<4 &'
oa« and the same time, an attorney to plead, and a judge in the primary court of his town, a
union of offices not to be commend^, any more than Van Bnren*s Attorne^'-generalshlp,
united with a seat on the bench of the Court of Errors, and the legal practice ol a counsellor,
pleading for hire before his own court.
On the 25th ofSept. 1814, a legislature, friendly to Madison's administration, and a' vigorous
prosecution of the war with Elngjand^ met at Albany; and the Assembly chose Samuel Young
for speaker, and Aaron Clark, since Mayor of N. Y., their clerk. Young was first chosen, m'
1812, as a 'republican' member olthe Assembly, for Saratoga, and gave a firm support to the
contest, voiing for Madisonian electors and against Clinton. Lately, in Senate, he «ai<i^chat
when he entered puWic life he had*a flourishing law business, with lour' students, two of
whom had become distinguished juc^s of the Stat^j' and that he had made no more by hf»
public services than he would have done if jie had refused office. He was the steady fViend of
Tympkin^, supported Clinton for Grovernor in 1817, and turned against him when Van
Biiren did.
In 1819, Col. S. Xonng was a candidate for the office of U. S. Senator, and recehred the
support of Van Buren, whpwell knew that^lie would not be elected. Both of them avowed
their opposition to Rufus King, the Senator' whose term was about to ^pire. whom thelif
Breas^^s denounced as a, federalist, though Van Buren or his friends had elected him in l8li
Naxt year, (1820,) Van Buren and Marcy wrote a pamphlet in Ikvor of King— Young disap-
peared as a candidate, wheeled into line with Ro^er Skinner, Benj. Butler, Yates; Van Buren and
Marcy, and assisted to elect King for anoiher six ^eare: and at the nsxt Vacancy, Van Buren,
through the caucus system, and the aid of King!s friends, was sent to* Sf Company King^ in the
Senate, at Washington.
Ait the State Convention, 1831, Young, whom Hamn^ond calls an ti|]dght, iltkhfi:^ man^
opposed the idea of giving the black population votes lor governor, senators, assemblymen,
&e., because they were ignorant, and therefore untit to judge of the conduct or character* of
public men, a degraded race, and, as yet, incapable of worthily exercising the duties whi^h an
ejector is in duty bound to dischwge.for the common welfare. He ooposed, in 1821, the elec-
tion by.the people of tlieir justices of the peace, and mayors of cities, W supported with ability
against Van Biiren, the present system o^ universal sunrage. In 1820, when Clinton broMg^t
these great measures a^in before the people. Young supported both. Young and Van Buren
now excuse their opposition in 1821 to several popular amendments, by saying that they were
proposed to induce the people to reject the whole consiitutiqn, as amended. Why then dkl the
party of Van Buren and Young^then oppose the common sense proposition of >udge Kent and
be Witt Clinton to allow the people to vote on the amentUnenis separately, and^ refuse or
accept according to the deliberate senti^neht of the community'? Even now, the question of
giving the unchecked rights of an elector to a man who can neither read;nor >vrite-^who is
unable to sign his own name, or pronounce the letters of ih? alphabet from a book— to a man
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mi YouK» FOR cum nm^M m kmwm im^ "» »^^*«*-
■fffciaglha piiWW ^pfmb^oa bf.the i»ost«ltirad#i>tt|ii|»tiaiis tf whailii <;i4)ed
a^MicnPFMt s)[»iemvMood a utaady beggar at ev<ery x^w bank door to SOUQIJ a.
ainva ol' tJMi ^^ upcl^aD drippings/' was not likely to favor s(2cb expoa^ as ouoe.
]f* k WAS Y^ Buren s^d. ButlK^r'^ turn lo-d^uy, it migbt be his own tP-morrow.
who cannot i:ead either our laws or oon8titations--wlio se^ in the recorded votes of o on^w e
nien, in print, onHv sneh smitehes as arhen and obickaaa might have imitfinlsd with tbeur IM
on the jonmnl before hltlH-ls a very ^vaveand eeriout one^whethar the man's ikin ia "vhala
^ black; or his birth«j^)aee. Aihda, taa CuoUnas, iMland, Geimany, or X^oaig I4aad« Wa
irant gOdd government will ignorayee, and thej>Mitdkea inherent to soc^ a flta^t ixan ibe
scale & our elections, and aectue that bletsinr? On tna contrary, is there not a nooie than
cemblaace of gambling and hazard gpren to thasystem whieh accepts Tom's mark at 2l, he
bein^ incapable of writing, and refuses Diek'fe signature at 90, though educated Wn a Clinton,
Calhotin, or Jefferson 1
Col. Yoong addreiMda lettarto Hon. Jesse Claxk, dated Balistoni Sept. S9» 1884^ aa iblk)^:
* pear I3ir-*I have rec^tved youn of the 20th tnst.,1u wUeh yon inquire vrhftber my opililos ia nfeieaiasis
the fleetoraf jaw ha« chaiiyed.
** 6liiee the tint aititattOfi vf the qtif^en at the laet elecUoiu I hnve fuufonnly entertained an4 eipreieed aa e^
Sfcw la fd vor 01 traufferiiiig the cljuice of Prf^iiientioJ eicctora from thb It^Ulature to the ballot bcncei. I !««▼« ea-
t^rtained and e^res!«ed ibis ottlniou, not only becautfe I believe thiit luch a law woald IM eorreet iu priooipl«, hut
hecauie I was satiefied that it was called for by. public srntiffieDi.
**1 have, within the last five or alx weeks, received many leitere fmm various parts of thesUte, makiiif the
eamehiqiiiry as yottrs, and aome of them a«lili(x mr opinion in reffreoce to the cwididates for the tirf^ideney. I
hava no objection that my semiraents on all political subjecU should be known ; but 1 have felt grmt rotuctanee
to by the organ of their pub! icity.
** The m^y preseiiiK sollcitatioii*, however, which I had tecelved, indiiceil sie ^Ight or ten daya iteee, to writ*
frietterto JEd ward Hudson, Esq., member of Assembly from Madison county, in answer to one (nm jUmiia
whmch tetate my apiuiott as above on the electoral law, and also that I prefer Mr. Clay amoB|^ the prtaiitential
afUDdidates, aad giving in short my Keasons for this preference. I have auUiorit^d liim to mtke sadh aae af my
letter as he may deem proper, and of course I expect he will iN'ocure iu puMievlltm.
^I am, 8ir,'with seatimenCB oftrespect and friendship, yours, 4cc SAIHUBL YOUlfO/*
. On the 29th of t)ct 1837, an ^ipeprican systejn county convention was held at Ballsfeon, near
Vonnji's residence, of wbi^ he was a Member, and chairman of its corresponding committee.
This convention adopted an addrfes^ vinachiinously, in which Adams and Clay's a£ninistration
was )ugbly )auded fbr its friendship towaixi domestic manufactures and internal zmprovesotnts.
''The Administration [Adams'] encourages with equal and impartial protection, th6 great
'* mteiest^ of the ^orth and the' South. The opposition strive to trample under foot the interests
•♦.of the North, and limit their encouragement to the- productions of southern states and slave
"JUtboT'-rpaiapering the pride land aristodracy of southern Nabobs and preferring the proraer-
"ity of old England and Scotland, to that of New England and the other fiee States, llie
Albany Argus i^ppke.of thi§ cdhventloij approvingty. "
Late discussions at Albany have discovered to the public more c^ Young's real character
than waa generally known before, bv a revielation of facts for which I dare say most peqpie
who had heard^his denunciations of oank and canal corruption were unprepared. So fer irom
bcdng a pure man hiwself, he, the terror of corrupt bankers^ trafficking brokers, and bribed,
^oirupt.le^felators— he. whose high sen^ of honour in refustng te sit with Van Buren's nro-
iigate^ iccmfederate^ Senators Bishc^ and Kemble, good men admired and respected— nad
£BUed in the stoelf of some ten. or twelve of the privileged banks of the state; taken hfe
share of the spoils like Croswdl, Marcy, Olcott and Corning; and bought and sold many
thousands of dollars worthj with all the keenness of a veteran Wall street stock-jobber.
YoungS exclamations of horror at the wickedness of bank craft, taken in this view, ^-emind
ono ivery forcibly of ihQ.pious butler lashing most vigorously the **greedy spaculators and aiji»-
gant monied aristocracies of the state," through the Sandy Hill Times [p. 160], said Butler
occvipying, at tiie same moinent, the President's chair of perhaps the most infamous of these
*arrpganr concerns that Van Buren had chartered. The cry of 'stop thief ' by a culprit
has,o£tener than oi^ saved the giUlty, and the exclamation ^f 'mad dog' condemned the
Colonel Young has not voted for a bank charter since .1883 or 1823. He hold^ or has hdd
a large amount of stock, hi the following banks, namely the WalervUet b&nk — Seneca county
banh^-Oity .Bank, ^bany— Saratoga county bank— Herkimer county bank— Rochester
banlj— Commercis^ Bank of Dswego — Steuben county bank — Ulica bank^Lockpoit bank.
It is possible that he may ^ve had an interest at Sandy Hill or Buffiilo in 1819. It appears
that he has voted for all sorfc^ of corrupt charter^— has held on to lucrative offices until he has
thereby;itjquired a large fortune— has speculated in lands, in legislation, in sciip, 14 every
thing— and now comes forward, late in life, to act the part of Cato, the censor, with a view, as
some say, to the occupancy oftlie seat now filled by Silas Wright. Methinks the discussions
of t^s.se/ssion of the ili^gislat^ure have desdx>yed his chance of thatprpmotion, among the honest,
piN^e minded, and patliotic electors: Such men a)s Butler, Van Buiten, and their nnezlNBCted
Digitized byCjOOQlC
*' My Ll^^s of Mc^l^na Butfep, thiJ<Slatb WJiti% 9iid the Texaa sl^vB qu«t-
?[6ri; are 'forking mir^cks at Aifeany. I^iiketbe d^ing fcmU to a. wrecked Ea«t
ndiaman,' thfey are' bringing^ to light- the Works of -©tber days. I'be k^aaves'
leaffue is broken ; the oW regency -are Mdoal»Qg^each other. CrosweJi^ in a 1at«
Angus, publishes the following noDe^addresMid to Lymaa Co^ell, &^^ , »n4, dated,
fOr"' Ballston, lOih May, 1833. Dear Sir : Without the pleasure of a personal acqiniat-
j:3r -in<^, permit an to taxe the liberty tQ solicU you to subscribe, in my name, for slock in the
f^ ij.naag Cinil Qxnx to the amjuat ot $2500, I wish to make a permanent investix^ent
IPr^ in the Bank to that amount ; and it has been suggested to me, by a mutual friend of eurs.
J3r that you would probably be wiUing to do tbe kind office of making the application to the
i:^ commissioners lor me. Shc^ulo ^^ (xmkeat to da this, A. B. Dickinson, Esq., will hand
yV yprj the moi^ey for the subscription deposit. Yours, &c, S* YOUNG.*
^ ^^ P. 8. I have acldsd a wanant.o^ attorjaey oatbs mexit pm^
— ^^l^imhy authorize LynianCov^ Esq.^ipr um aod inmy name to subscribe fof shai^ of
- ii»ik ia the Oljtomtf Canal Bank, amo'uating to two thousand fire hundred dtfPais. ^
aYOujTO."
-•^ ^ The Argus's correspondent writes Croswell, Ihat " Mr. ovelidid th« ' kind
O^j^' as i^icitad bv GoL Youag, Mr. A, B. DickiMon furnishing the money for
' sqpologlk in the SenW, win-, it is ^mdly h«p«d, soraKy find thi^ they have undervalued the
saffacitv and morality of modnm N. Y.
In 1832, Young was chairman of the Herkimer convention, which nominatMf toQie people
' tDSH patrioi governor, the eunniog and oorrupt W. L. Marcy. On the same year he pablisiied
• Jl Pf3uaiphiie| against the U, S, Bank, and in 1835 ^s^e Argus, Mjiv 11) signed' an address of the
HUOibeEs of the legislature to their constituents^ in which van Burcn's Safety Fund is called
an improvemant— 4hat that svstem and its vigilant commissioners had prot^'ted the baulks,
•bm* of which would hive failed «lse during thepanic caused, they tell us, by the U. S. Bank—
cad'thal ttos fhad woakd sooaJie As lai^ as to protect the people, in ca^e \hG losses were iiut
-■■7 Wida apsead, which was lo^pt ttpe^ted. He voted same ytear to allow ev-erybodv to ^^ up
^ jbajjk, but against the bill of 1839, which modified the restfaininif act. [See page 174 ti->
pag3 182.] Hammond thinks that ths excallcnt bill -to «*ve every school disuict a public
wrjury, would have bacn lost but for S. Young and L. Beardsley's efforts in its favor. Jq 1 83lJ,
.. Ybt^ig and Spraker were the minority opposing a repeal of the law prohibiting^ baiik notts
under S5,
In his Finance Report of 183^, he tells us that the bank note issues of the privileged corpo-
rations form a " stupendous system oi fraud; falsehood, crime and suflfering," and says much
ijaorc tp their injury-r-yet it appears he has been a very active builder of the system. Hi^
conduct and his language are strargely inconsistent.
fy 181 3^ in a bill to incorporate Thomas Storms, &e., with $600,000 capital, as a mapufac-
taring coni^pany. Young moved to make the capital two millions, but could not carry it— Van
Rensselaer movfi4 to allow the corporation to do BANKING business; and when another
member proposed to strike out banking, Young voted ta retain it ! In 1814, a bill to allow
the Merchants' Bank, Albany, a charter, for the city only, was attempted to be. improved by
Yqung, who moved to ^ive them power to bank also at Ballston Spa. Its charter was to be
a million, and Young vqted for a motion to oblige it to lend $2QO,000 to /manufacturers.
That saine Year an eflfbrt was made to moorporate ihe N. A. Mining and Ooal Company, as
a hank, and for this al^ did Young vote. So say his brother senators, &r. I have not
specially referred to the joumaL He voted against the bill in 1818.
Jn 1818, the New York Franklin Bank charter was carried forward by Young's vote one
step, yeas 13, nays 18, but at the finat passage^of the bill he voted against it. The Assembly
..leiect^d ai^d sent it back to the Senate, and ^en sent for it again, and Young, thougA lie had
'ofessedf to oppose it,' voted to send iJt back to tkemy but Van Buren dodged. Young supported,
f his votes, the Ch^ango Bank, as did Van Buren's brother-in-law and state printer ; but
an Buren. hlitis^f dbclg^ the last vote, as he knew the bill could be carried without him,
others assuniing the Responsibility. Young-dodged the two final votes on the Cherry Valley
Bank, Van Buren n^maining both times as a nay, there being enough to cany* it without
him, including, of cours^, his brother-in-law, Cantine, with the yeas, In 1*821, Young voted
for Jhe North lliver Bank charter. When, in 1818, it was proposed to enact, that if a person
should ask payment of its notes from- a bank, and it were to reftise, it should be liable to pay
interest oin said notes from the date of its refusal, with costs of suit, Bowne, Van ^uren,
Young, "Hbhets, and Roger Skjaner voted NO !
One of the corrupt banks ef 1Q36 ^^as the Watervliet, presided over by an Olcott, who dis-
appeared. Young, while denouncing the system, took ^,000 stock, and lost it. His conduct
Ia this was like John Raack^'s, who^alter doing his utmost agai^t^e U. S, Bank charter,
Digitized byVjOOQlC
llO folk's plbmu ; ywiii't 0mvn$4^fW^i * ^i* FosmoN.
fti^ 8tri30cripti«Qs and dttposjitef CM. Yootig beiog tbe fifili mlieant on tbe list,
hut the Co4oBel's apptication was not granted, by tke board dTcotomissioners. u
appears by the prated statemeat at .the time." Ciioawell sees nothiag wrotf
nn thus colteeting hit oid fnend's private, perianal lettexs, and publishing them
to big injuiy. How can he reconcile this with bis ^buse of me last Seft.
and Oct.? ....
CHAPTER XXVII.
FfiJk's Pledge9.^Verplanc^ ItesokHmi.'^Mkkaei Hogmm-^lke Naval OgUhr
-^ Sinecure — Duties Political — Luck in getHiM Places' — Votes im C^m^^tss—
Pet Bank Loans — Herkimer JBank Stock — B(^man and ybiin^i^Rtiaii^^l^^
ad vote for Barker, — Executive Patronage. — Naval Office no Check. — MilHom
Last. "--The Merchants* Entries,-^ Alderman Purdy — WoaJbttrtf mwA Swart-
wout. — PoWs Choice. — Bonds how lost. — Noah^s GHef. — Polk denewnties tk
* Sub Treasury.— WiUe, Oorhmn^ mdBmasg^ on ike Pets.-^PoUc j^m
BasA Inquiry,-^ Adams on Taney.— The General Siiramble. - "^
CoJU. Polk w^ one of the original supporters* of Jackson *r- and profoii^
hostility to a high tariff fpr protection^ to a national bank, to distributing ft surplai
of U. S. revenue monks among the states, and to internal improvemettts teatfe
with funds at the dist>osal of Congress. Ife is said to be frieik^^ t9 1^
amendment of the constitution so that the people themselves might directly ,^8ft
their presidents, and to the one term principle. He^was wartn in fayor ol Tem
annexation, wilh slavery ^ and the slavebolding interest of the south beHeve ^t
took shares, and explained his conduct thus— &at, if there were to be classes of slaves i0ii
masters, he would be found in the master class if he could. Yet it is to be tnferre^tlat
Young's legislation and general conduct would be somfiwhat affected by the heavy cmpifaHe
had invested in support of a system he publicly condemned. His anxiety to remoiht^ t^
Usury Law may have arisen partly from a desire to withdraw h\s means ijrom fclaSks, ted
lend them to farmers at a high rate of interest, upon mortgage. He purchased stx)e^ al 5
per cent, premium, in the Oswego bank. It failed. The lobby agents of that very ^niVocal
concern, the Seneca County Bank, says Senator Clark, awai-ded Young S2,MW of its sto^
Did he Sieil out, or holv 1 He had 900 shares awarded him of the old Rochester B^k. w^
S10,000, if at $50 a share. In the Saratoga (Waterfor^) Bank he had $5,000, his wife's po-
perty, at her control, and bought at 13 per cent, premium. This was sold out, in part ortiie
whole, at 64 premium. He took -$2,000 stock in the Lockport Bank— it broke down — he M
his stock at S) per cent, discount, and vot«d to repeal the charter. He was liot a borrpfw^ in
banks, but a real banker — and when the banks stopt payment in 1836, he was manly cBo^gh
to stand alone in the Senate, and record his vote against Marcy and the Vaft Buren dnQoe,
who were for giving their knavery a legitfative protection. Yet, from I8l3 to 19^, Vffle
be was voting for pet charters, when from party apnlicants, he h^ the suiEipension of Jfl4,
and the warning of Clinton, Tompkins, and the iamers of democracy daily bfeibre hisses,
but heeded them not.
Y'oung now owns $5,000 in the City Bank, Albany, and large amounts in the Utica, ^B^ in
three or four others. His connection with such a person as Halsey Rogers, whose ndk»
occupies no very high place in the code of bank morality, is a^nst hinci. So alW is his tiote
in favor of giving to a new incumbent the office . of state prjhter, which the patrons oC his
favorite have so long and so shamefuUv abused. The adherents- of Walker, Pdk, Crosvell
and Marcy, fearing that Cassidy's backers might be opposed to their declaration of d^ieini-
fence, are united in putting down the corrupt machinery they can no,longer control.
On the 26th -of May, 1883, Col. Y. defined his position in the Albany Atlas, in theser vlffBs:
*' The Demorratic P»My, with Mr. Van BrEKw at itn head, was oVerwkelmetl aiKl «ubmers«d by tlie «faiffm
** ribaldry, \h' Iog-« abin iiiuiliiii<fry, and the hard cidiT debHu«|i«ry of 1840 : 'ind b^ievio^ Uis c< ur^ to fiavn Ksi*a
^ c -rrect aiid lii:i Jirineiples qp>uiid, and nnttcliHUinf :i political rc»urrecU«>u, I Inive since t>iat period Imfii^ tl a*
^* lu) would lint bulea at Ui«' botioni, bu< would ris« wttli ihe |iafty fr m uiidvr the'fuuriua'v of WM mtibiali
•* wid iipprttoriuin. When asked my opinion, I have titilfdtrnily en^tMsAl mv nrtfiKTOBCv for Mr. Va« &Mmm ••
** the ntx\ Preildmitiai cadtfMattt : amtin my catipattoii ao ihu, vm be fimod llfll^r 4|ii«U&«d for lUe ow«
Digitized byVjOOQlC
:^^ ^V^^ in' hill) a steadj^ Irieodi- He prolessed to be friendly to eijuai c^ghtfi
&>r addpi(?d citiz«#s;* but ikaLtik/tMom^ other#, of hi& previous oplgionsy u^tty
t hair« hkten b^ld temporarily, ne was pledged at Biitimore, before his ei^liou^
to hokl to tb<^. whole of (>agqa, b>tt-he Q&md EngiaDd afterwards to dtMJuct
from that whole bl degrees of N. latitude. In Dec, 1S27, he was placed on
the cbmrnittee of toreiijn affairs in the House of Representatives, and five years
thereafter (Dec , 1832), judiciously chOwm by the Van Bureja pet hank and land
jobbing interest as thQir lt:ading advotCate on the commitfee of ways and means.
At that session^ the directors of the U. S. Bank were examined on oath by that
committee, and Verplanck, their cbairmai^t presented a majority report, iViar. It
1S33» with a. resolve, " That the gorerninent deposites may, in the opinion %t
ihi« House, be safely continued in the Bank of the U. 8." Polk presepted a
coaater report from tlu; minpri^, but all the members save 46, voted for VerV
plabck's resolutidn, in the teeth of which, Duane, «ix months after, was ix-
pect«Ki to have removed tbe public monie^ to peculiar institutions more ^vored
by those in p^ower. ' Of the 46 were W. G. Angel, S. Beardsley, Joseph Boock,
IMichael Hoffman, Henry Horn, Henry Hubbard, John Y. Mason, C. P. Wliite,
and J. K.Polk. - . - .
* >V I'^U liftd berni tent to fh^ H. of R. trem th« 8tn«t», for granting a township of land . to a body of poor
exflR from Poland, where they ha I stnigRted fbr frMdoiO' On the .'iSth of June, 1834, last day of leMion,
Pin^kney mo^<ed to bty tt on the table, that is, to enwh U. Amona tbe yeas were^ J»niea K. Polk, hie Attomey
Generdl, John Y. Mason* hie P. M. G., Cave Johnson, w^Ui 8. Beardsley, whom J. V. Boren ridicules. The
antficrat ^ncholas, had he had a vote, woutd hmre been on the same side.' Afoong the noee were J. Q. Adams,
B. Cverett, M. PHtmore, R. H. Giliett, Dodtoy Sblden, Aaron Ward, and C. C, Cambreleng. WhUe a«d lam-
rence did not vote.
i MltUhiif Hoffman of Herkimer, who is indebted to his ftiend James K. Polk, for the inflaential oflkse, I
may say^inecnre, of Naval Officer of the Port off New York.; a berth, which, like the ttutsiam, emteny, ma
been Ipag, useful (o the executive as a means of rewarding political services, without reference to the perform-
aaee of any pfarticalar duties ; is now fai* advanced^in yeats. His place has been worth, in fees, finea^ salary
and perquisites, over $16,000 a year, as was the Surveyor*s situntion, ndw held by Pnrdy. but it is peesible that
a MI> before Congress may effect a reduction. Yet it is truly nikrvellouK huw easily official tieople, in the chief
sittaUous, contrive to give a sort of mystical interprptation to laws apparently plain and simpte— their ol^ect
while in«^ js to fill their pockets— and Woodbury, Swnrtwout, Van Buren, Hoyt, &c., are proofk that no piMM-
skm of ultra democracy can ensure an eilbctive check on official pfofllgacy. I presume that it is well under-
stood that Boffuian holds on, conditioned that he shatr devote his polithcRl taSivts and^xperienee to the good
8^ the aeoency leaddrs, whose democracy consists in buying over and retaining prominent political Men, ihrobgh
*tlie spoils/ bountifiiily divided amonerst them fo^ their services in deceiving and deluding a people who, if
themselves belieVe in the doctrines orThomail Jefl^rsoo, have too often followed In the (betsteps of cwtidn
artAil and designing politicians who do not
Judge HoSrUau is Ik lawyer, by trade a politician, has the reputation of being very strict on ** eoMtitUtional
qn^UfWs "—very clever In getting them up— always looking In the direction <n ultra-democracy— ever rovHng
his boat towards Place, Power, and' Official Plunder. For two >*ears he "Wta a district ettorneV; and for
fioilir )ie dispeasted English law as a substitute for A^ierican Justice in the capacity of fifst judge of the Conty
of Hork^er. An additioha) Canal Commissioner was mid to be wanted, just in time to seenre to Judge ^Hoff-
man, for two years, a seat at the canal board, with a handsome Income, llie affairs of the natiou requbiBd
to be set to rights, and Congress could not get tA» JV*avy (/>rprpperly regulate^ withbut at least one Admiial ; in
doe time, therefore, * the party* sent Judge HoShian for six or eight years, to the House of Represeatatif^^,
in uie jmre an4 moral atmosphere of Washington, where eight dollars per day, with ndlenge honeitlf measured,
DaUae fqkshion, liberal presents voted from Jonatlian*s Exchequer, by patriots, to themselves, and aewet
promises, of ofllce thereafter, if they vote right, Jias reeoneiled many n, hot reformer to the discipline oTafiarty
Madef. His recorded votes tkm, present a droll contrast when taken into view with his vast anxiety neio for a
state convention, to aflbrd more checks on our money-borrowing, safety-(hnd-bank-chHrt«rtilg maJoritiM, for
biith o0 which, when at Albany, he entertained, a^he said, a truly virtuous abhorrence. ~ '
The nation, through Congress, hi 1816. solo lo the United States Bank, the rkiht to become the Treaeary
of the Union for twenty years— took $1,500,000 in cash firom stockholders, in payment for this privilege— and
tbd Supreme Court Judges of ^e Union declared the transactloif to be constitutional ; whether it ^asiio or sot,
Bothing could be a greater violation of the public faith than to take the U. S. Bank money as a con si i cra t l on
for a,privilege, and then lend out the whole national income to a batch of trading politlclane, under the pMtext
<^d9po»lting it in the more tavored chartered and unchecked banking monopolies of the Van Buren school for
better secitfity. In March, 1833, Mr. Polk joined Michael Hoffman and Campbell P. Whha in negativing Ver-
Sanck^s motion that the money of the nation was safe In the Baitk of the United Sutes. In that same year,
r Hotfhaai^ might also be found (as Mortiecai M. Noah told him) liberally partaking of the unclean drippings
of bank legislation add special charters. His county (Herkimer) had to be managei by a bunk In the hands of
the ^thful, Mr. Hi>ffinan had on» hundred :fhares (say $10,000) apportioned to him, with other 80 shttree to
htf 0'iend Col. Samuel Young— 100 more went to A. Loomls — 100 to A. Mann, M. C, and 100 to Dudley Bu^lll.
* Under cover (said Noah, in his Star of October, 1891,) of c^rging the U. S. Bank With bribery, the gfossesC
eorrupUons are carried on In this' state— tike very legisliator ^ho votes on a bank bill receives the asstmUMe of
Sy in advabce.** Honest Michael, It appears, was not forgotten. After doing his best to lend forty milUoits of
B Qioney of the Union to the pet banks of party leaden and gambling ba^ directors with no security at all—
alfer panaklne Ubemlly of chartered bank stock— after tfohitlng Oie obligation ef eonimcts to the U. S. Bank,
and aiding fn the anti-bank crycf BSarttn Van Buren and hk decoy-ducks, who, ^nder the'safety (! •) ted lys-
lehi, chartered, ftom Ite9 tol8^^, banks on the speeiai piivUage principle, with eoMe 30 nUllMis of mwafainl.
Digitized byCjOOQlC
Mm HoimcAiPs 8IMC VI*, nts4tfiM ahm m«icy.
^ PbNt eould he depended on^— Sterettion was Spericer, and lookioff op to
Jackldn for a more lucrative offiee — ^the ktfltfr pbc^d the fomer at the neaa of
tbe ^ays and means m Dec, 1833, to'tippose tlKs U. B. Bank and Snb Tfeasnrj,
and uphold Kendall and the political schenae ^ Ihe Tieasuiy bank^ Ail tius
Int fiur lA^ «r jnak dtnltal in Ikif.tttte^HUIw tJUK ^t^ ^affiuui fftt down ba Bfarsl^ lAO, to writo to Ck)I.
, Von^i, that he had jast heard of hU effort to save one ptank (torn the vrecJt of the boaatttation-^patiRBd hifit-
> self, ^rrnug, Lnomis and ethers for saving the stat^ ftam-behiii aMMtdiwd^tolfcori of felon debt, baakoutxcw-
jwiWsi the eonroyt action of the patt, the lobby, th^ chartetie4 liberties, and their unclean cooncels— held oi
with a death grip to * the spoils * and the party— fast clMchlng a two' years' regMetship of the lahd-oflies in
Mlehtann, nstioc for two or thiee sessions in the Uo«ie of ^esemUy* ^ Albany •"l^ ha* atienj|fh4lr»wB the
•10,0U&to ai6,(XM a year prize pf the Navai Ot^cOi in the lucky state lottery of Thorny Kitehie anif James K.
roik. Who can deny the flict; tffiit the Admiral has acteU ^ the pflaciple ef lii<ien te IrfQce t Oat ef Q»e
intrherth he g«es into another, tambting out. both Inenda anA^oei^ when in his way. i^nt ftlwurs piping loaw
democratic iigie, always riding some popular hobby. To-day corresponding wim Byrdsait *'as7i'e8Meat of
the asftoeiation tor Constitutional Reform 'U-toiiioiTow sancUoniog GfyrdMlTs ieaM»v»i ficom a aiB0||rsiaeean
la the CustoBi House, because he was too Calhoanish ! -
That the Anti-Rent jjkrty complained of ireal and serious wrdngsis now admitted by aimest all clnwei, bst
a«Aiaari, like SUas W^ht, was slow id peiteive tlvs pith of Hmt «w>pMQt»- He voted, in 1838. with Batl«r,
to renew the Ai^echanics and Farmers'^ and other unchecked i>ank cliarters, but they could not get enough to
Join tl^m. Van Bca^n, Olcott ind the party chfeft next year got up the Safety Itud ljapostuM» And fivjti
their parts so artfolly thai it took, i think that Unfflh^n voted- a^nat the Ulk to elect Canal Commissionen
by tha people, and against-the hill to destroy the Suae Prison Monopoly. In* the diiiributton of the patroaigs
oflrts department he takes his cue from IVashington, te suit the ^ty fntarests^ .
When Hofiman entered the Custom House, it was asserted that the pretended check on the CeUectot, thn'
the naval office, a very expensive and useless farce, as now and for many years past perAnned b^ weteni
actors, (this much the Evening Post admits,) would in his hands become a real one— but I donbted. .11m le09-
lator who Voted as Hoffman did, for Gebrge P* Backer 10 be «»ur AOoney Gtbonlralter the public exposure of tlw
frailds of the Buffald Qty Bank, (s«yiog nothing efhis votee in lavor of all that Hoffoian calls corrupt in the
aeseion of 18M,) was a n>eet yoke fellow to Comelins W. Lawrence, in theij official duties of checks upon lbs
money (kperatlons of the Custom. Honse of New Terk.
Mr. Polk ^showed the sincerity of his respect for his iriend Andrew ^ackspn*s memory and pi^ieiple, b;
ehooilng for odliector here, a pet^bank president, whose eendhct in ftiling to pay the public sash to the pnUlc
crediuirs, when his bank had been trusted with plenty of it, had disgraced the government which employed hii
lieil coneeifn. He showed equal conaisteo^.at ie^t^in selecting as our ^avai Officer, or comptrqliec, the
Hofiman who had voted against Major Oavezac's moaon hi Assembly, fbr refunding to the old herot before his
death, his New Orleans fine and the costs thereof. '
J'ar be it from me to undervalue a Convention or Boffmau's support of it— the people can ehooee fit n/pK-
seniatives to it, and check their ;action. tgo, if a maiority of them should ^rove indiscreet— tnr I dislike Evsoinf
Post homilies on state reform emanating iroipn the Custom House desk df a #10,000 sinetnrist, who leav^ bis
#Wn department there in as bad a condition as h» found it, wliile he has the power to render it Uaefoi and effi-
•eient^ the public service. He h^d no ear for a specie treasury in I833-'4, bat wa^ ready for the ca«h system
to 1838,- when there was nothing left to lend except depreciated bank paper. He denounces the ezpeoditores
en the £rie Canal. enlargemi^ but steadily upholds, the men who proposed that mensure. Id the great fefimn
meeting held in the Capitol, at Albany, Nov. S;l, 1843, Mr. Hoffman " haMly dared to trust kinidf to speak «/
' JE^mutivs Patronag^Stfor he covld never think of the siUgeet toithout ixeiting feelings pf Ihe most infennc htdigiu.-
turn*** Now, however, that President folk has discerned his |^erits, ahd given him Throop*s old place and in-
come. It may be hoped that nis " intense indignation " will cool down a little.
The Evening Ppst and Plebeian, whan Curtis was Golleaor, declared that the expensive mftchlnery of the
Nawil Office had proved no check at all on dishonest Collectors, from i829 and downwards, Tiiis was {kt-
fdcciy true.- It is trueu»tiil. Yet, including the Naval Officer's sinecure inco^ie,' casual expenses, defies* lure,
examiners at Washington, and deputies to do the business, it costs the nation $60,000 a year.
It has i^n shown, that in the two last months of Mr. floyt^s term, entries amounting to •6^,000 wtore stolea
dally as presented, from theCa^hier^s office, i>t;fore the clerks, had seen or entered them on Cqliector's books— that
the driplicates of these same edtrles were just as punctually stolen from the Naval Oncer's office befiiire he
and Jiis clerks had entered them on their record^ or check-books, and that, had not an accident caused inquiry,
and a whig secretary examined into the matter, Jesse Hoyt yvonld have been «63,000 richer by the frauds o(
January and Febrdary, 1841, be the thief who he may. I believe, that, -although |i63,ono were iu thk Way all
bat picked from Uncle Sam's pockets in thes^two months, nUllions have been lost in the same way of wkitk
' tse hame^yU heard nothing, the system remaining tli^ same — and If millions of dollars vanisliecl in varioai
. watys, under Hoyt, Bwartwout, Throop^ Coe it Co., may not millions more disappear alt some future time, vkick
the parties will omit to.menlion 7 I blame no one--j9rol'ess to suspect no one — but ob such jgames na I have de-
serwed there must be a check. How is it now? The eatry, in duplicate. Is handed to a Naval office ^mry
elf rk, Wtm examines it, another clerk folds it, & third clerk endorses it. The endorser hands the entry to the
Register, whose duty it is to enter it on his gfeat t»ook, and he does so, but not till next dtly, after ten o'clock;
and as the bundle of entries of any one day is not locked up, and ra^Q^ persons have access to the o£lce,
nethtag would be more easy, a&far as the Naval Office is concejcned, tluin to abstrapt any two, tea, or more
entries, according to the size and quality of the ^aily bundle ; and i^ nmtters should, |tt a nituro time, be made
te correspond in th^ Cashier's office, wholesale fraud;s are^is easy (^accompUshinent as It Is for ifte to fell hovr
they performed them ia Jesse's time. The- truth is, the day's record shQUld be codipleted day by day, signed
by Hoffmaa himself, after personal examination, befoir^ he leaves tlie office, and a copy that evehln|r dispatched
to the U. S. Treasury. The entry should be recorded on the book, immediately alter the mercnam or his clerk
hands it in— and this conld be done with ease.
What is the nse of two deputies and an Auditor in Hoffman's office T Or. if they are toamtedyjok^ is tAs %tt
hi han t What living oMtrif that knows what has to be done there, wiltsay that Hoffman ^hijutd be hUed at
9i>O0Q a yeas of salary, with perquisites which, even in Hoyt's time, wejrp equal to f(lQ,000 or^l^iMPO mofe.aad
theb other men hired atheavy incomes, some to loll about in idleness and read newspapers, had others to do
Hoffioan's work ? Electioneering committees, pufft. Letters, speeches, »nd caucuses at and' for the benefit of
tltt l^uuBiany Hall tavjern asseaiatipn, must all be paid for-*-thene is no real democracy theta nt>w— bdt why call
a{ftHi the United States to pay Hoffman and Purdy fon such work 1 W|iy seject or retain as chrk» ia the N&val
Cm«eunfikpe»«ms,'beci^ise they are serviceable tools as poUticiai^l And why miX U.0 ^amntany ox, itt
ckairmanshjp, with the duties of the snrveyorship of the Cttstomis ?
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• dU, wiA sfHf it and energy. I^et th« Democratic Review, io it$ confespi^dal
wa&ars alBter Van Buren's defeat, explain to the milUoqs the results of the ex*
rtioBS made in 1834, '5, and '6, by Kendall, Whitney, Van Buren, and J. K.
^oik. S{>eaking of Van Buren ^ Co.'s failure in 1S40, the Review says : ^
" N©r can Wi lay our hands on our hearts and say, on honor bright, that it was entirely un-
esenped on ow own part, after all. We had not been— no party could have been— ?o lon^ in
ion9mt^ aspedaily under all the existing circumstances, without having contracted sundry
fas/ botk of omission and commission — ^and with the same certainty ihat drags the shadow
iter the vubstance, does tji inevitable retribution, to parties as to men, follow every fault and
very folly they are ever guilty of. One great blunder, indeed, of the Pet Bank experirixent,
i&tailedV long series of consequences which made it eventually one of the heaviest of the
(reightflf^that bore us down*-a measure adopted at the express rejection of that very one which at a
ater dky we so justly hailed with delight, when brought forward under different party auspices.
We teeant well, to be sure, in that most ill-starred of experiments — and it was at any rate better
han tfee alternative of the other side, the re-charter of Mr. Biddle, b'lt good intent is no excuse,^
6 tlie inexoraWe justice of the providence of events, for great political errors, r^ And when
ive remember all the practical mischief we did, stimulating the expansion ofUte currency
hrou^h the distribution of the vast accumulated deposites among the banks— without eyen a
:hail^ of interest to ihem, and at one time an official encouragement to thejn to a][»ply them
libemlly tp the / relief of the community — when we remember the projphetic warning from
the oppo^tton of the very consequences which indeed w^e not slow to develope themselves —
what right have we to complain if we had ourselves to swallow a veny bitter dose of retribit-
doh. fcri-'our fatal error T'
I am persuaded that no impartial, well informed individual can he found who
would hesitate, after inquiry, to blan^e Levi Woodbury, Sec. of the f^eas., for
his neglect of duty in the case of* Swartwout, < who had embezzled ^ome
$1,250,000 from the New York Custom House, lopg before that lazy, or worse
thaA lazy, functionary thought lit to announce his knowledge of the delinquescy.
A brief account of S.'s defalcation may be seen by reference to the index of my
Lives of Hoyt and Butler — and it is worthy of remark that President Polk,
knowing Woodbury^s course in that and other matters, hastened to give him a
life lease on the bench of the Supreme Court — and followed up that Appointment
by the nomination of the most intolerant lawyer towards citizens by choice, and
not by chance, that he could find in Pennsylvania, or the Union, to a similar
high station. t Mr. Polk's clumsy interference with the deposites was the indi-
^ Until l$34, Swfirtwout had embezzled but little of the public money. When the deposits were seized, he
seems to have taken a leaf out ^f Van Biiren's book. On the 15ih of November, 1838, Woodbury wrote to
Ho^ Mnting that the clerks who knew and concealed Swartwoat*« misconduct, ought tp be lemoved. Two
days aflef^ Ogden the cashier, and Phillips [Noah's relative] the assistant, resigned their situations. Honest
Noah, in his fivening Star, grieved aloud at Swartwout's resignation and French tour.' ** There are few mea
who leave an important situation with mure of the public approbation than Mr. Swartwout''— eald Noah. Wood-
bury was 9iter^t/W to public pil^rers. For example, *'Har^s,' the reoeiver at ColnfntMis, Mississippi, was a
notorimis drunkard and defkulter, but kept in office two years, in flill knowledge of tiie departinent until ho
owed i^l60,000. So Wise tells us, through the Globe. In August, 1835, Woodbury tells Harris that he is a
defiQiier-— again in October— and so on till September, 1836, %vhen tho fellow proposes to resign after having
been two and a half years aheavy defaulter ! A Mr. 6. 1). Boyd succeeded Harris, and was " intemperate." a
land speculator, like Butler, and resigned a defhulter, many thousand dollars in arrear, ifi August, 1837. Jolin
Bavls applied next, as " a warm friend of the administration."
t Polk and the Banks. — When Polk reported, in March, 1834, from the majority of hift
committee of Ways and Means, for seizing the revenue, using it to corrupt the banks, influ-
ence the elections, and' uphold " the party," aminOTity' report was presented, on Ae 4th, by R,
, H, Wilde, Benj. Gorham, and Horace , Binney. They remirid Congress, that a partnership
of different corporations for profit and loss, or mutual guaranty, with independent boards of
direction, was a strange contrivance to s^sfcure the stockholder and regulate the currency— that
Polk, Wright, and Kendall's scheme had been tried and failed, and wotild fail again — that if
Polk and his friends were correct in quoting the maxim that " the borrower is servant to the
lender,'' the banks borrowing the public -money would be slaves to Jackson and his caWaet
-*that if theif other maxim, " that he who controls a bank, controls the debtors of the bank"
] held good, the' deposites had been placed in banks whom Jacksoh's advisers intended to con-
( trt)K &rotigh these slave banks of theirs— that the gchjeme would derange the currency, which
» is the measure of the value of every man'? property, of his contracts, of indemni^ for ^reak-
i ^*,*.^^ j^^r.i i.i.-_ ... .u^. . J :. 1__^ ]b,ws. verdicts, promi"
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* ing: tfcem, and of the public revenue— that a deranged currency makes laws, verdicts, promi-
se in^ decrees of courts speak the language of deceit and falsehood, giUes mud a fmOmxi^
' rM cause of the Yd<;s to the eourttry of -9646,754 }mid him^ Itf ths eaalhcn^
his choice, for bond^. When Potk, Kt»D(iall, Van Buren, and Lawrenct, niiil
f\ . _ ...
and 9tript honest labor of iu scanty earnings, payiot it in worthless pr depreciated rap,
der pretence that they are as good as gold---that douot and uncertainty were deeply injoiJ
the business of the merchant and manufactnrer^-that if the U. H. Bank ww not to bs leet
tered, some better pfan ought to be proposed to GonCTess, for lys lb Polk and Wrubtfi
scheme, it was the merest delusion, becanse the bank* selected, and tbe vaat number |
would arise like mtishrooms, would onl^ womote the disovder. The state banks wania
regxilator— a good currency was hopeless if the \J. 8. Bank, as a check, was removed, aol
other substituted than the party politician's orders whom circumstances might place at tbi
head of the treasury— th^t the bank had been accused of pa3ring money txiprinters, but, via
traduced by the executive power, by many presses, and by speculators in Congrees, was ii sot
the duty of her directors to appeal to facts, where' the public were so deeply interested in k\
result f--that the framers of tne constitution had provided the Supreme Court for the trial tf
aught done by the bank that was wrong, with the penalty of loss of charter if shown to be for-
feited, and that the attorney general might prosecute, and the bank be heard in defence befoR
the country, which wjuld be a better, more manly course, than continued slander and pam
abuse'to mystify the issues, delude the millions, and^end in making the fortunes of bad mo,!
to the injury and ruin of thousands who would be made to believe that they had been wron^
by those most deeply interested in the cause of eaual justice.
The Apostte Paul, had he been on earth, would not have convinced Polk, Wright, Van Bo-
ren, Butler, 'Kendall, Whitney, Lawrence, Cambreleng, Tallmadge, Marcy, Taney, and their
confederates, that anything less than the use of the public purse — its plund^—- could benefit tlie
pi;k)lic. The party were not yet ready for the Sub Treasury, and therefore it was that in thai
year, Polk denounced it in the following plain terms :
" Between the responsibility of a public recetpei^ and bank carpffnUiinu as banks do exist, and
*' are likety to exist under Stale authority, the laUer, upon, the growth ofsafily to the public, or; \»
** he preferred. Banks, when they^re saie, recomTiiend themselves to the service of ihe Treasurjifor
*i^tker reasons, Th^ increased facility they possess over individual collectors and receivers, in
' * making transfers of public mdn'ey to distant points, for disbursemenls, w thovi charge to i^pulh
" lie. Indeed, thisis a' service which individuals, to the extent of our large revenues, couM w<
" perfsrm. WhU^t tbe depqsite is in Uank^ the bank may use it, keeping itself at the same time
'^ ready to pay when ^en^^ded, and it. is not withdrawn frpm the general circulation— as k
*' much monej^ hoarded and withdrawn from the use of the community. In the hands of receixm,
" they must either hoard it by keeping it locked up in a strong box, or use ft at their own risk
*' in private ^ecul^tion or trade^ This tempoi^uy use of money on depo^ite in a bank, coosti-
" tutes the <ffiLty compensation wMch the bank receives for the risk of keeping it, and for the ser-
" vice it periprms. U receivers be employed, they can perform no other service than to keep the
•' money, and must be paid a compensation from the Treasury."
Blair, oi course, tpok the same ground in the Globe. He declared " that the IndepenM
Treasury is disorganizing and revolutionaiy, and subversive of the fundamental, principles of
our government, and of its entire practice nrom< 1798 down to this day; and that it is as palpa-
ble as the sun that the effect of die scheme wbUld be to lN*ing the public treasury much nearer
the actual . custody and control of the President, and expose it to be plundered by a hundred
hands, where one under the late system could not reach it. In such event we should feel tliai
the people had just cause for alarm, and oughtto give their most watchful attention to such an
effort to enlarge executive power, and put in its hand the means of corruption."
On the l3th of June^ 1834, the Senate seht for concurrence to the House of Representatives,
a resolution it had agreed to, in opposition to the treasury banks, that the public treasure oaght
to be left with the U. S. Bank ana its branches. Polk moved to give it the go-by. Yeas, Joel
B. Sutherland, R. H.'Gillet, J. Cramer, A. Vanderpoel, H. Hubbaiti, Polk, Cambreleng,
White, Ac. Nays, J. Ct. Adams, Dixon H. Lewis, Dudley SeWen, H. A. Wise> W. Slade,
M. Pillmorey E. Everett, Levi Lincoln, &c. Where was Collector Lawrence 1
April 4, 1834, Polk's resdve " that tjie state banks ought to be continued as ihe places of de-
posit for the pviblic money," Congress prescribing the mode of selection and ie securities
(never done), was carried in the H^use of Representatives, 117 to 112. . Yeas, Polk, CambP^
leng, Cramer, Beardsley, Bockee, Gillet, Hamer, liubbard, Richard M. and Cave Johnsoo,
C. W. Lawrei^ce, Mann, J. Y. Mason, Joel B. Sutherland, Vanderpoel, &c. Nays, Adams
(J. a), SeWfin, Slade, McDuffie, F. Whittlesey, Everett, Lincoln,. &c.
March 17, 1834, Gorham presented a memorial from many influential and highly respectable
inhabitants of Boston, for the incorporation of a national bank, and the res^ration of the depo-
sits. Polk, Bynum, Cave Johnson, Beardsley, Vanderpoel, Gillet, Mason, &c., argued m
▼Bled against allowing the names of the petitioners to be printed with the memorial., This
lime C. W.. Lawrence left his leader, and with Sutherland, Selden, Wise, Adams, &c^ vat
ior aUtfwing tl^e people to see who the petitioners were.
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driving the able and intrepid Duane, l^hom Jackson could neither bend nor
be, from the Treasury, Taney, four daya after bis appointment, ordered the
ssident of.the U. S. Bank to deliver up the bonds given by the merchants of
iladelphia, for duties, to the Collector there. It is presumed that a like order
Ls grfvlp in New Yoric ; ami th^ consequence yas, that instead Of the branch
nkThere belg^ a cbeclf:^ anc^a. saSe depository for the bonds, till p^id at the
nk, tney were placed in the Ju^ula oi Sw^Etwaut and hi% jiecklesa subellerw
niMiago «ith6y*^o«lgbt §ilt. Tlie result is matter of history. *"
^ it J[kAe eftea .boeo* &iiuid, on eTamywag the nS^dm of a^roken bank, that ovtaiaof lis
Lcec^.an4 directors p^e it f^ larger sums than the stock they hold. These debts they con-
ve to pay with the notes oT their insolvent institutioii, aZpar^ buying them in the market
• 25 to 5u cents pef dollar, and thus gaifiing by the fiiilar*. On the vlh of June, 1834, Mr.
Lams proponed a resolve raquegting the names of the Presidents, Cashiew, Directors, Stock-
ildev9y ai^- %)licitot9» of all the banks that had be^i selected by Roger Taney,, as treasury
nks, when the U. S. BaQk was discarded — the ^imount of stock h€;ld by each stockholder —
id the amount of debt due'by each director, cashier, and Resident of each pet* bank, to the
Lnlr," at the time when it gof the ptlhlii; treftsure,*ana at this tiihi. This would have shown
betlver the banks were in tha ha^ds of borrowing speeolatgrs, whether they had torrdwed
It th.^ publicmonies, .and whetli^r they haH power over the banks without having a real
iterest in thair good management. Nevins's letter to Hoyt, page 189, explains in part thieir
hemes. IVf r. Alams sho\^ed that it was npt unUsual for a fkvorite to be allowed to suWribe
)r S5<>,^0v) of stock, be elected 1i president or director, and never pay one cent into the bank
jffers ; but, wh3n he could, borrow the credit of the bank and otiiei men's deposits. Mr.
oik screened the pe^,jopposed all information, and for the. purpose of crushing inquiry,
loved an amendment about the U. S. Ban)c. which had no deposits at all to lend to any one.
Jambreleng, too, was opposed to inquiry, of course. Coulter said that secretary Taney had
lot forgotten his own interest in selecting the pets — that he, Taney, was the Attorney for one
f them (the Tlmimi Bank, Maryland} that he was also a large stockholder, and had moVal
tie deposits so ^, to give, new value to his own bank sbarc!^ and increase his dividenda—
hat this conduct was a violation of ttie law — and that Taney was not alone in such works,
^ the returns would show. Mr. Adams was very sarcastic. He suggestetl to Polk, &s
hairman of iXe ways and meemS^ to add to' the precedents with which he had bdbgged the
ilouaa, by proposing that it be . i
{fCr " ResQtved, that the thanks of this bowe be given to Roger B. Tnney, secrotaiT of the tieaqttry, Ibr his
)dr pure and disintb rested pntriotisni in transferriD;; the use of the pablic fUuds from the Bank of the
fCr United Stales, w^iere thev were profitable tp the people, to the Union Bank of Baltimore, where they
^^ were protitable to himaelf.^'
The guilty usurers were in the majority, ^ut all "was kept dark. Campbell P. White bot"-
rowed^y$l*y2,00(V-the Butlers $30,000— J. G. Coster $960,000— James M'Brfde j876,000; all
:his and much more out of the -Manhattan. Of course the patriot, While, wanted no inquiry.
Polk was the leader of the greedy Usurers in their "general scramble." Is it thtts
we are to account for his patronage of B. F. Butler? On the l3tb the resolution was •
again debated, and Mr. Miller moved to dispose of it, as delay would quash inquiry. Polk
said no— the usurers were in his majority, and inquiry was thus stifled till the general bank-
ruptcy of 1837-^, told a. sad tale, a day too late.
Horace Binney of Philadelphia, in his speech against Van Buren'sPet Banks, in the debal^ la
CongresS) January 9th, 1834, had clearly toretold these results. I quote his remarks verbatj|Mu
" Sir, the project astonishes me. It is to bring a aecontl time, upon this land, the curae of an
unregulated, uncontrolled. State Bank paper currency. We are again to«ee the drama, which
already, in the course of the present century, has passed before us, and closed in ruia. If the
project shall be saccessfuiy wc are again to see these paper-missiles shooting in every direction
through the countryj a derangement of all value ; a depreciated circulation ; a suspensiup of
specie r payments; then a further extension of the same detestable paper; a still grefiter depre-
ciation ; with failures of traders and failures of Banks, in its train ; to arrive, at last, at the same
point Irom whence we departed in 1817. Suffer me to recall to the recollection of the House a
few ot'the more striking events of that day. The first Bank of the U. Stales expired in Mai-cb.
1811. Beiween^he 1st of January, 1811, and-ihe close cfthevear 1814, more than one hundred
new Bai)ks were established to supply this more uniibrm and better currency. For ten millions
of capita^ called in by that Bank, twenty millions of capital, so called, was invested in these. In
the place of five-and-a-half millions, about the amount of circulation in notes of th^t Bank
withtlrawn. twenty-two millions were pushed out. Then came a suspension of specie pay-
ments, in August and September, 1814. As an Immediate consequence of this suspension,
\^ circujE^t|oi^ of the qouutry, in the coiuse of fiileen. months, increased fidy per oenJt.,
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ttB T8rf*(M> Mcntf lHH*tt OT 1997.
CHAPTER XXVUI.
' . ? : , - . "* •. ^
, T|ie ygry name p( a poUtidiaa or statesman, is <mrc lo cauge terror jawl haiptd ; itfaaialii
connected vfiik U ^e iue^ of ti-eacherjr, cruelty, iraud and tyranny; azid those wruosi
hare fakhfuliy unveiled the mysteries of sttite' lireemaa^iiry, hare erer betti JtekHngcM
^MMtttiOi fur eren Inowicg la pMWcUy a tlMory so deCMUhie.
Bvajuft't Viifttc4Ti4K or ^Avm^ So«gn<
7A^ Oatoitrophe, \H37 ,^Farinm'$Uf Law,^Th4 Ptli versui (hs SuHnam
' — i'Vct Bavking. — KsndaU and the Fost — Marcy^9 Rustrainimg JLaw.-^Oi
on the JSanh'-^The Brokety Banht^-^J^cktmi^ Blair^ Pa/k ^ui Md
cgain$i the &ubtreasury. — Calhoun /or a Baukj in i8M,*^Juck»on M^m
tiU hard.^^^oldy nil gold. — SUas iVright and the Soulless BxUtenm."
Harmon on Currency. — TebbeWs $8000 VauU^-^-Hoyt and Mien foorlai
out the Aci.-^Fiagg^s Fractice.^^Yan Barents Specie Mixture^-^Ful i
Faper. — Jgnqhsh Banking.^^The Knaves^ League.-^ Jloytj McNulty^ ift,
above all iaw.'^B&imeit Ezplufas.-^ Knowledge i$ Fotoer.'^Camlfr^
Webby fyg.-^Walker and his Fets. — Qorcoran 8( Bigqs. — Four HusM
StQckJobbere Sporting with Uncle Sam^s Strang Bax,'^McPuffie*e Notim.
E^GLiiND's repuUicaa poet, Jolin Milton, thus records in his ^ Paradise Loit,'
the lamentations of the eldest of hmnan kind :/^ Now 1 perceive Peace t<
corrupt, no less tbap War to waste." Addison^ one of b«r ablest whig stateii^
aoeo, frankly declares his ppinion, that *^ The waste of Winr h not, in its fiaal
ccmsequences, so injurious a^ the luxuries and corrupttotfls of Peace.'' Jobl
Quiocy Aditms, with still lajler experience, and c^tainly y^ry superior powen
Ojf observatiQa, approvingly quotes Miltoa ; and assigns ^^ihe abuse of credit,
and the UNRESTRAiNED pursuit of inordinate wealth, especially by the agencj
cyf baoksV as the proximate causes of the great catastrophe d 1837.*
or (torn forty-five to sixty-eight millions ofdoUars ; and th^ fruit of this mwe uniform cnnet
cy vfSA ike failure of innumerable iradersj mechanics^ even farfnerss of pn§ himdred andaitr-
ftlro bi^nlfs, with capitals amounting to $30,000^000 ; and a loss to the United States, alone, k
Uic negociation of her loans, and in the receipt of bankrupt paper, to an amount exceeding fooi
millions of dollars. * * * Does Kentucky wish to see the return of those days 1 I trust a
QiA it will he defeated, that' the poor men and laborers in the land may i;esist it, for itisi
scheme to get from every one. of them a dollar's worth of labor for fifty cents, and to^make fai
the currency of the country as fniich as paper." '
Martin Van Buren and his Iriend Butler saw it all just as clearly as Binney, but his foUoif-
m would leave if not gorged with plunder, and he satiated even avarice itself. As earljas
Iw^, Jackson and Van Buren feved appearances by abusing the >anks and thus weakeninj
Qicir credit ;^ tind in Holkftd'sX-ife; printed that year at Hartford, banks and paper ffione]
are unsparingly vilified. :When they leii with a crash, Van Buren started the snb-treasBn;
while his instruments denonnced the banks he himself bad endowed and madcL
♦ ^HE'CATASTkopHE.— As early as October, 1836, the Safety Fund Bank system was ready li
blow up. Vkn Buren and Jackson's pet banks, with the hundreds of other banks created aJ
over the Unioh, had increased the' cir-cuiation of paper as money ^beyond all precedent. Ei'ot-
thing tliat was for sale rose in price— everybody likes to sell in a dear market, and therefi
inany millions of dollars worth of foreign merchandize was imported in 1835 and 1836, beyocs
the average of more frugal year&-^vasjf imports brought a great revenue-t-the revenue va>
handed over to the pets lor safe keeping, and by them lent to their managers, to speculate it
lands and tots, or for the accoftimodation of the* merchants at 12 to 90 per cent, interest Tlit
public knd sales rose from one or two millions to 15 or 20 in a year— the states lent their citdi
to banlfs, in bonds payable. with inter^^, they began extensive canals, railroads and other iifr
provements^ often without system, and- with mean, dishonest parasites a^ their agents— die banb
disposed of their capitals for fancy stocks, Texas scrip, and unsaleable property— eve^^ todf
took credit, at home and abroad— provisions rose — ^millions wor,th of produce, potatoes, fe
were imported, fofiiIthoughw6lmd land, we had not leisure to cultir^ U 'Tfieoocm&yini
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nj^O iJID HU aAVSTY CVND AND FBEK EiVXf ^ . a 1^7
Km ft fieurity, Bot only to^wokeia^ but als^ tp v^rcfa^nts; pwiT^f^nrecl, »o4|
ihort, all person^ who go into pairtnersbip^ in ^fid6 or de)iliag% a,€Otnp^e^
ision liod consolidation of the partneryhip law$ V^uld be Invaluable Iq tjaiifk
omuDity. At present they are the crude provisioos pf the como^on.law^
I many capititlists are alarmed at the bare jdea of wa-unlimiud partnecabijp*
cted With an overstrained, distempered energy, ill directed; The national government was
of debt, and Congress had ordered many million* of its immense paper trtaswes to be diatri-
id or lent to the states— Jackson required specie a^ his laACksal^~S500,!Q00)Q0O were dtia.
a the public to the banks»-large sums from the so|i^ a;nd we^ to the se;p4)oard (^tie*— <an4
banks and commercial people were deeply in debt to Europe. The expenditure of the fede-
gov«mm«it was beyond its income, but it had the power of pledging public credit by placizig
reasury notes or due bills into the hands of favorite bankers to be sold for gold and sflver,
1 its> power was not too ^sely used. Some six or eight bankers and great trading house*
Sngland, allowsd eoi&m^rcial people of good and indifferent repute in these states t^ draw
them, for vast amounts, in payment of goods for the American markA; AaraCter was no
ger ei^ntial to success in liw; mercantile foms without capital or experience tom ambng^
Ske mushrooms, and the very nature of commerce was changed to speculative gaiiflbluig, on
ifUonary, unstable basis. The Ekiglish people did not understand the profligate game which
a Burcn and hia alKes wen^ pla3ring'. Their eonftdence in Am^can institutions and ' Am^
m honor was unbounded; and they believed that the Hoyts, Olcotts, Swartwouts, MaTC3rs,
phen Aliens, Wrights, FJaggs. Bidcjies^ Woodburys, Jaudons and Murrays of this new con-
mt, possessed great financial skill. In the end they tasted its quality, to their cost.
The Bank of England had been unusually liberal in 4835 and 1836, in its loans to joint stodr
iks, bill biokers, and especially to some seven or eight commercial houses largely interested
the North American trade. Suddenly, the iremittances- frcwi the United States began to
cken. The Bank, ^^ch now has sixty millions in gold in its cofi^s, found itself posseaaQd
less than twenty millions in December, 1836, whilst it owed one hundred and fitly millions.
le Directors felt that the vast financial machine entriJsted to their care was in danger by their '
n carelessness; they called i^ their loana.with unusual haste; and beiug privately advised,
intelligent correspondents on this side the ocean, of the tottering condition or our credit system,
tinkered by the politicians, discouraged the purchase of the bonds of nearly all the borrowiBr
les; raised the rate of interest to five "per cent.- depressed the vaUe of commodities o( au
ts many million^'; and thus recovered some thirty or forty millions of specie, deemed eaten*
1 to the saf|^(^the institixtion, and winch they had too heedlesriy parted with.
Early in 18SI7, many heavy failures took place in the city of New- York— and in May ^hai
ar our Safay Fund Banks, the Deposit Banks of New York, resolved to withhold paymehtoC
Hr just debts— the Dry Dock Bank Isd the way, and in a few days 950depoBitorie& of real or
taginary wealth were as bankrupt as* Van Buien's old Bufialo, or Buder and Hoyt's Wash*
poA and Warren. Marcy and his associates speedily legalized this monstrons 'fVand; aad
I state banks being relieved from all other checks than those of their paper exchanges and
i visitaof political commissioners, ss^d their specie for exportation, and paid the demanc»of th^
vemment on them, in part, in a currency worth 80 to 04 cents per dollar. The city -banks,
wcver, radticed their loans from 46 to 30 millions, and their notes in- circidation from 9 Mil-
lis to 2, being a withdrawal of credit equal to 53 millions. Of course, their brdkeia did
large business, with notes of every grade in value, from one cent to one >hundrfld-— and
Iglish creditors were very easy with their debtors. The Bank of England allowed Jtaies
t)wn of Liverpool to draw on them Yor eight or ten millions <jf dolliirs toiwhold credit berei
d of that sum I think he did draw forabout one half. On the 5th of Dec. 1837, Van Buren's
Mtage told the public, that of thirtv millions in the pet banks, s^ovemment c6uld not con*
ind one. Ten millions of Treasury notes were paid to the public creditors in lien «f- real
)ney, aod these notes were recoived by the Custom House in payment of ^vaimientdiilie«.
ink biUs were refhsed.
♦ Tm« Free BANKs!--.kThe reader, by referring to the coirespondence CT Mefesrs. IHa^, Cut-
ig, C. L. Livmgston, Marcy. Hqyt, and Phelps, will perceive, that when chartered banking had
en sold, and bartered, and baraalncd off to fevorites, to mike presidents and governors and
aia State. How hot Hoyt, Piagg, Cutting, &c., were for this new Safety Hind I It ended,
te the fim, by giving ns a sprinkling of broken free trade banks ; some of them gigantic
hemes of wholeaaiB knavery, like the North American Trust and Banking Company, J.
. Beers, President ; others equally desperate in character^ but on a mitaic scale. The peoplfl
», bjr the insolvent Ibaaks, from o to 45 per cent on the'potes they had taken, G'nd what b^
laieeflhosewtMtnitted funds with them may readily be $:uei8eRl. As to the gene^ Ml
Digitized by VjOOQLC
iSd fwn BlMKnccr. Mjntct MTtitn^^ van n'thikii^ cxo.
halkmgj %4!!h a rettitiy provicted Ibr neglect or disBonesty v^htAi is iS6 fefif^dW
it iU. Sach a law, preceded by a commission ot^' practical inquiry, ts muchi
Iraoted. Oa the 6th of March last, Mr. Hard, in Senate, expressed the opinion )
that *' tianks had cost this country, by their expansions, failures, and subsequent ^
revnfftions, frve hundred millions of dollars." Banks, fike merchants, are'very use-^
^1 to society ; bat as long aa the government shall continue to be a sort bf pate&t ,
moic manui'aciory, and the 4aws not be made for the public, benefit, 'we shall
bear ^ontiBuaiiy of the stoppi^es and explosions of our defective financial
machinery. What can be more insulting to the understanding of tb^ Anierican
people, than to behold a league or band of their hired and well paid officials
trade kiw, th^ Supreme Court have decided that the legislature cojitd not, ws> their oatiis, cm-
stitutioaally pass it, bat the Senate of N. Y., as a Ck>ujrt of Cirors, have doelat^ that as a
Si^nate they made no mistake at all. There was no other banking in this state fox the fir&i
twelve or fourteen years of its independehce than free banking under the Engli^ pakneiship
law. Levi M'Ke^i's was a free bank ; so was Jacc^ Barker's Exchange ; but they did not
solve th» grand seeret, stability and tyiif(»mity of value. Aaoaos Kendall, like Sir Rctot Feel,
declares that *'free banking is fjpee gambling." On the contrary,^!. Bryant, of the Post,
would make banking free to all. lie is a liberty boy in right earnest. He would throw the
reins over the horses' necks, and trust to their discretion not to upset the coach, ao he would.
Experience, on the contrary, wotild check the quadrupeds, and the editor of the Post, if he will
but look at the resuks of free-banking in N. Y. since last he reviewed Keudall^inay find that
his own opinion requires reviewing also. Van Buren's idea of free-ba«king needs onry to be
stated. In. March, 1817, he introduced a bill to Senate for a ney/ banking system, providiBg
that not more ^an five persons might associate as free-bankers, to be jointly and severally re-
sponsible^ and do. business only at ^ place speciiied. In faae the bank stop payment of iisi
notes it shall pay ten per cent interest on 'the amount to the holders ; its partners, must not,
while thus associated, buy grain, sell merchandize, or deal in securities or stocks, unless wheie
they have to take them for debt. The bank to^ report once a year to the comptroller. ' In cek
^y private banker or his cashier, clerk, or agent should be convicted of fraud in his business.
he might be fined from a cent to $1,000, and sent between one day and seven years to stales
priscm. Why did not this last clause apply to chartered banks?
-GoveruOT Marey denotmced the N, Y. ilestraining Law as a most odious monopoly in his
loessage of 1837. Of course Van Buren had been friendly to it. On reference to Senate
Journal, 1818, page 170, 1 fiud that the Restraining Law pzovided, that no ipdividtial, assoda-
Uon, or body carpOTata, " shall keep any office erf deposit for the purpose of difcounting promis-
" s^ notes ; or ibr canying on any banking business which incoi^rated banks are author-
*♦ iaed by law toeanry on ; or issue any bills or promissory Eiotes as private bankers, unlessespe-
" ciaUy author^ed by law." A clause in the biH exempted Jacob Barker's bank for three years
fifxoi the monopoly ; ai^d this was opposed by Col. Young, and Mei^srs. Bowne and Hamnund.
Nest ^y, March 24th, Van Buren, Young, everybody went for privilege, and the bill passed
la 1840, Jan. ^, in Senate, Mr. Clay assumed it as a fact, that with this ccaistituilioB; bank-
paper will exist, and cannot be put down. If it is stopped in one state, another will flood thai
stale with its paper and get the profit He instanced states which had opposed paper in overv
ghapei but finding that other states supplied it -to them, changed their policy, in order thetj
they might have some of the advantages of paperr " i
Jrhiers tell us that the French Republicans disliked bank notes, and were enraged at th<^
ttfaolltiaa ot^the aasignats. " The intention of having recourse to the financial compaxries i«-
vived aB i»ejudices. *The 'government,'^ they said, " was goin^to give itsdf up again to stock-
i9l(^iQrs ; it was about, by establishing a bank, to ruin the aasignats, end -to destroy ^e paper
money of the republic, in order to substitute for it a private paper created by jobbers.'* . v
The Senate's Qommittee on Banks, Albany, April, 1845, document 97, desoribe, ;in pait, the
operation of the igreneral banking law of 1838, thus :— There are institutions, '* called l»nks,
Principally bwn^ by brokers in New York, whose sole or chief business is," to obtain biUs firoBi
le comptroller and to ^pyX and continue them m circulation ; banks which do not lend money.
Among these they mention the 'Farmers and Mechanic^' Bank of Ogdensburgh,' wlpph had
$808 734 of their notes in circulation, and had not lent the public one cent ; the J^jve^'' ]Bai^-,
Amenia BanLFarmers &; Mechanics' Bank, Rochester, and two or three moM ; in. all/^^;
capital ^77 093; notes in circulation, S5f5 800'; loans and discounts .to -the jpuhlic oaly
^37,930. Would it not be as well for the repiiblie- to have the interest^On this circulation as
(he few brokers that now get it 1 Probably even the ^7,920 lent, is ehiefiy lent ».y these banks
to their 6wners." The committee consider, the y^hiie Plains Bank, and the "^V^arren (jbunjy
B^tak; and several others, tp be of like character. These )^ank^rare^.||pt }^<^ of 9»i»^%
lay the cOnmuaee--fhey are borrowers. -
Digitized byVjOOQlC
nS OBOUW JACKSON BBPOBH-*»WlU7 WA« »?. IM
aoadcmAJm importnnt measuvt, as vile, unpriQeijpied, iofrmo^id, tevoliitiMi^,
tymnnical, innately corrupt and bas^,- and an open viqlalioo of th^ coaatitaUoa ;
and when they hate tbos crushed and blackened it^ and left the country to be
pillaged for years by other m^anai of their providing, to see them all of a sudden
wheel quite round about, and begin to puff and laud the same old^ad repudiated
proposition, as if it were a voice from heaven 1 Was it not thus tl^al Polk^
Wright, Croswell, Van fiuren, and their interested allies acted in the matter of
the 8ub->treasury and the pet, state, local, or treasury banks 1
Secretary Duane replied to Gen. Jackson's recommendation of.chartered sta|e
banks (of our politics) as being the best sub-treasuries for the party : ^' Trea-
lary Department, July 10,. 1833;. // ts manifest thai the welfare of the people
demandij that nuieadof being a partner in eUhet^ they [t/te people y should be
independmi of both United States and loail banks.^^ To which Jackson res-
ponded, <' that he had himself Jisjced Coagre^, so to organize the treasury de-
partneat as to dispense with banks, but ^at he had not been attended to by
congress w the people." Sixteen months after that, the Globb, by Blair, thus,
officially expressed the deliberate opinion -of Jackson, Van Buren,* Wright and*
* Wrat was tbb SAampni Rbpo^ to consist in ?— It is to e^d, md Blair, for Vai;^ Burcjn, " in th^ siuv
pression of all paper money und»r S 100."— " I would iiiywlf bnnlsh 'all pn^»er money under StOO/' said T. H,
Beotoa, in a Iflfuer.— ^ RHSirict all issues ^f bank bills belov^ SIO. fo thwrtli/' qu<*th the Deniocmiic Reri^w.-^?
''Gold and silver euin is Jackson money; lUHes with pictures on th>m, proml^illg to pay, the biinl('*s money.'*
So said Blair, March 29, 1884. Did not the pl>ui oi' 1637 ph»erve 'he Jackson money exclusively lor the rich t
Wert n«itt)ie ctNitradirtory plans of Van Buren and Pol|b.trieii 7 Did ihcy do more orlegs than rob the iiune^
to enrich the baiie and anfnl ? Did not the Olohe pour forth hasuniiabs to the exclusive gold civrcncy of '^
Union, ending in Jesse Iloyt's knavery here, ani] national bankruptcy, repudiaitoil, sirin pl&ilera, and Sitan
Wright? In 18^, the Albany Regencv issued a manif«Hto; through the Argu9, denouncing toe loco focos, and
dixlaring that " thi-y neter entertained the visionary project of an exclusive metallic currency ;'* but the CHobe^
by Blalf, bad prophesied, in 1834, ttiat ** in seven montlw from thiM tiine^ bank rags will be aboUr^hed, aiul the
whiili* country will be overspread with gold.'* In 1834, Silas Wright abhorred tlie bank and state divorce, amd
" had the most entire confidence in the full and complete success of the [pet bank] experiment," by mean!* bf
which a few hundred gnmbting leaders |iillaged the useful classes of society to tiie extent of twenty nlillif tna of
dotlars. In 1837, we lind Wricht exclaiming, " What then, can Congr'-ss d<» 1 • We answer, try the vet Untried ex-
'* p^dlent. Pi^Mhice a perfeet and entire separation between the flnauces of the nation and all tliobanks of i^sae^
** or dlscoiinr, however^ or hv what authority exi>ttiitff ; between the national tmasorv and 'th .se artificial erea«
"tionsof lecislation npon which we bavesounfonunately attempted lo depend. We bav« tried the faitii Of
" these soulless existences, in all their forms of being, and that faiib has always failed us Id the bour of utmost
"need. Now let us try the faith of natarnl persons, of moral accountable agents, of freemen. LetCongrssk
"trust the safe keeping of the public treuore witb cilizenis a« such, nnd not as hank corporators: with mui r#-
" spiMibie to itself and iiQt lo UMuieyed institutions." At ttais hour. (March, 1846,) the state of NeW York, with
Wright at tb» head of it, and ihe Uniied Suites government, wiih Polk at the helm., ane trusting ten miUtomi ot
money, steadily, to the artificial creaiions, the 8<iulies4 exisieoces, which always l»il, while ibe HdmmisiraUon it,
holding up aa *' the great siilvatioa," the old subtreatury sciieme of 1840 Are not such men a blot .in the uatim-
ai eseuteheon % General Harrison, m bis inaugural, said, *' if there ix one measure better cal- ujated than a^-
" other ID produce tiiat state of things, by which tiie rich are daily adding to ttuir hoards, and the poor sinking
"deHp«r iato peaury, it is aq exclusive metallic currency. Or if there is a process by which the character of the
"country for genevosity and nobleness of feeiuig may be destroyed by the great increase a^id necessary toljeratii»u
" of usttsy, k to an«xclatfive metallk: currency.*' Now the state and U. S. govcrnmeni tonUnually art as if tbey
really believed this, while they continue, newnheless, lustily to vociferate in fayor uf a.change, in order that tbey
■av c«t popular favor and pick up votes.
When Van Burvn's Sub-Taasury came into operation, In New York, it made rare spprt to the Wnll street
wit«. Tebbeta. a conxervative biaclismith, hammered out an immense iron vault or safe, at a cost of $8,000, to
bold, not the qjecie, but the bank luites, while the specie was in the banks, or paying for American purcb<taes iif
ChiiUL or J.ipan. The ir<»n vault was all a deception to blind the real HAans till afte.r the re-elecUon of Van
Buren. la tlioaf days. Hoyt a;id bis cashiers received in payuient of liuties, iu li^ of specie, the merphaat'a
ckeck upon a bank, endorsed ''payable tn specie," witb bank notus of specie paying banks. The ciieci<« aqd Vie noiea
wera occatf' Bully kept iu the iron vault, but the coin remained in tiie biink vaults ; and if one went to Stej^hea
Allen, th« receiver general, to get money for a treasury note, be too paid tn pafier. The Collector made hia de-
posits in A bank, and then rep«irted to AJlen i^ rectiiver twice a week^tbe divt>rce of bank and state, therefore,
in Now York* consisted in placing the revenue in banks, and. receiving no > pecle, or as little of iias possible, for dtt<i
ties ; also' in passing the raper (Jollars tiirongh the hnnds of Hoyt and Aileh instead of only one qf tbepi* On the
Uth of September, 1837, Bennett said in his H^uld, thai Caihouii might be gointr ultra with, Van Bufon iu ord^
to break hlnf dtiwn One thing is clear, Butler, Hoyt Ac Co., so manage d the tarifl^ the sub treasnjty «nd.^»' colj
kciioti of the revenue, as to deceive the seuiii, by appearing to follow one line of ^Milicy wbilf l.i ^rutli ihey were
doing ihelr very utmost against it. A state ^ub treasury U talked of now ut Albany, but it's all ulk. FUgg does
But wHot it. Horace Greti^y says, " the Manhattan nnd Bank of ihe State liere, the Farmers nod &rechauU^* al
Albmy, and t^^o or three more pet ' monsters ' have the hnndling, keepmg, and unr s^ricti d leAdi^ig oi the Pouroc
Five allilli'>ns per annum, ci^llcrteda'id disbursed by ou-- State, on terms fa m>iru lax tiinn thi<se .accorded Iqr
the F' d*'ral Goverum* iiL A'l this vast ain nmi is reguiarly c<)liecte4 and disp rs d iq JB-i'-k ^o e*— not a faiver
of coin about the busineai— and our Coniptrorier and the Banks are always placing ii^io e<tch. otlier's bands, lor
aiiitiiul advantage."
Van Boren wrote OoverdbrR'-ynolds, M<«rctk. 6ih,' 1841, prais^ing '<a inised currency, coini>ose4of a wqII
hel»ntediaPd bariiipnioua co operatioi) of tl^c stanUard of vjilue aivl its pape'r repsesenta^ye.*' Bi-tttoo canvaHg^
fix V«t BuMB, Ja idIG, ai bctoi " « ie«i hocd »pttey jam.*' ^a«J(^»«ayf, U hi»luuer u» J/lom ^^"^Vms^^k
Digitized by V^OOQ IC
149 POliK iim t6. M Y«8 AND N^ B«»ISH BAtUt WOnVOL
ih»-.|NUrtf then hi powar, rriative^to a renewal of Daaii«% propotki»% vim
fomftiiy mide in Oongreis : ((^'^ The proposition of Mr Leigh ^ to dissolve <^
f(^ all connection between the treasury and banks,' is disorganizing, reroiii- <€$
99»tio«iaryi subversive of the fundamental' principles of our govenunent 4if
^9^ and its entire practice, from 1789 down to this day; it is as palpable*^
A9» as the Sun, that the effect of the scheme would be to bring the public <#)$
9^' treasury much nearer the actual custody and control of the President H^
^^ than it is now, and expose it to be plundered by a hundred liands^ 4)0
()9» where one cannot now reach it." «4j5 When I say that this is tb0 delibe-
rate statement of the Globe of Nov. 20, 1834, by authority — that the' J9unnls
of Congress show that thie proposition (and for the same reasons loo,) wa^ reject*
^d by the nearly unanimous rotes of Jackson and Vari Buren's frietidisi — i)a»i
the faithlessness of pet banks was as well known and tested in )8^ &s in 1837
-^hat Calhoun, in Senate, Ma^ch 21, 1834, when discussing the question of
excluding all but specie from the receipts of the government, said, "But there
is in my opinion a strong, if not an insuperable objection against resorting to
this measure, resulting from the fact that an exclusive receipt of specie intbe
Treasury would, to ^ive it efficacy and to prevent extensive speculation- and
fraud, require an entire disconnection on the part of the government, with the
banking system in all its forms, and a resort to the strong box as the means of
preserving and guarding its funds — a means, i£ practicable at all, in the present
state of things, liable to the objection of being far less safe, economical^ and '
efficient than the present," adding '^ my impression is, that a new bank jmT the
U. S., engrafted upon the old, would be found to combine the greatest advan-
tages, and to be liable to the fewest objections ;"* and that same year he remark-
am, and ever have been* opposed to all Kinds of government paper currency, let it be derived from the exchequer
or otherwise.'* Van Bur^n began his reign by the issue of a '^ government paper currency," in the fecm of tra-
SUIT notes. While Van Buren is for a veil btUalkied, mixed cwreney^ Jackson nsks Dawhon Where is ihe use of
a paper currency ? Neitb<*r the merchant nor laborer wants it. Ii is one of the greatest humbwga tn ny
that tiiere is not specie enough in the world to answer all the necessaiy wante of , the community. Look at Cuba.
There is uo paper there. Now here are conflicting opinions, and yet Van Burcn, in his inaugural, aaya thai h^
Iwd oompleteiy agieed with Jackson in sentiment, and had partaken largely of ius confidence. VViia will suppoec
that it waa olberwiae 1 Yet it is evident there is decided opposition here. Who was sincere 1
* WflAT IS Ekoland xboct ?— In Hoy, 1&14, Sir Robert Peel said, in parihiment, that ** there are a mmberof
people who thmk that the trade in bank notes should be as frbb as the trade in nnythhisr else ; and Hint no noi«
ikniser will arise from a free manufacture of paper money, rfsting on mutual credit and confidence, than from the
f^ee manufacture of any other article. But experience tdls against this opinion : and within the last half ceo-
tiny three nations have felt, in tremendous force, the evils arising from the abuse of pftpe^lnoney. Theee na-
tiena are France, Briuin. and the United States : France, during the first revolution, when the over fsun^ of tbe
■Mte paper money, called a»9ignata^ caused fearful havoc ; Britain, daring the war, when the Bank Sestriciioa
Act, though giving, in the first untance, an unnatural expiansion of trade, and n fictitious prosperity, entailed
evils on us under which we are sofifbring at the present moment ; and the United States at diflTerent periods, but
eapeeiaUy within the last eight or nine yH&rs. Their experience ought to teach every Commercinl narion the
lesson which has been taught the people of these countries through so much 8nfl!'ering>;-a lesson whicB proclaims i
emphatically that, though paper money may be, like fire, a necessary tigent and a useful servant,- it is aleo, like {
fire, a terilble maater^as a river carefully held within embankments, it may serve aii a convenient-medium of I
ttentit, but when it rises as a flood, it sweeps everything vafusble away, if exposed to its resistless fhry.** '
Sh^ Robert defined money to be British coin, and bank notes to be promissory not^s payable in that eohi oq
demand. The latter he defined to be a substitute for money, operating upon prices as mont:y does, and perfiinn-
ing similar functions; Bank notes economized the use of metallic money— if by them we dispensed with five ot
Mt milllohs of gold and sliver, we send the specie to other lands or uses. The Bank of Eii^iand had found, «
handted yeare ago, that when it lessened the quantity of its notes in circulation it rectified the e'xchaneesi. Paper
wmctf Bioat be convertible into coin at the will of the holder, and there must be some check to prevent the resuMs
which unlimited competition and the absence of control hod brought on the United States, througl^i excess of
ttihe*. When prices rise and spnulation is active the Country banker issues more notes. At such h. ijme hp
•oght to lessen his issues. Sir Robert tiiought that a single btak issuing bank notes for tlie tvhote fcint^doni
might be rtodered (hr more mischievous than useful, and lieM it to be good policy to Work with ti)^ tools we
have. He next procenled to state his plan relative to the Bank of England. It waa to retain its pritilegee, bat
itv departments of issuing nofes and banMng, were to be separated, ft might issnn pnpcr, based on the loans it
had made and would make to govemnient, including exchequer bills, namely f69,000 000 ; ftnd n weekly accoint
of its notes out, and siiecle on hand, must be published. Its cotes would-be a lawful tender, thus secured, ai aB
other places but the bank, where they most be always convertible iQto gold nf standard value on demaHd. No
vilm bank 10 be created, with the power to issue paper as mtrnt-y, biu exit-ting bhnks might issue notes equal to
the crarage of thefr previous dreuhition, subject to. a weekly publicaiion of all thdr liabilities, joint atock
hanks to be bound by the acts of tbehr directors, but their ahareholders are to be made free from heitig Hable
f^ the acta of hMtldmU ihareholdam, as iiow, under the English law of partnershfjp. All banks of laeue to
MCe a periodieal publleatlon cS the aamoi ef iD their partners, that the publie may kiiow who an t
dMAr ilf tlMr tniMiolKmt. Avmjf Mw httk move hawe the wmfkofa of ^oVemmeift, faitHd«n»^i^M»
Digitized by ^OOQ IC
VAN OTREll^ PENAL tAWB NOT M Aim 90lt CMtBAS* JtOOUM* 141
ed, that should th^ deposttes not be refltoped ti» the XT. S. Bank, he would, (as
lie aflterwards did,) go for a prohtbttioft of baak notea ia all the dealings qf tbe
governmex^, the reader will at once perceive that the leaders. of the demo<Stacy
of the north betrayed their trust — ^that, knowing that the pet bankd were unsafe,
irresponsible, they leagued themselves with them ; and that their after ccmduct
in endeavoring to give the people the inferior^currency, and the officeholders
the aap^ior ; Bufl^o Bank rap to the farmer^ golden espies to Wright, Polk,
Van Baren, and the^ rest of the lawmakers ; they betrayed the people, and
showed to all men, that sordid, selfish, and meanly ambitious motives had guided
their whole conduct. ^
General. Jackson condemned the sub-treasury in toto, and removed Duane
frovR hi* high office for advocating a bank and state divorce. " Jt is considered
agakist the genius of our free institutions," ^said Jackson, '^ tp lock up iq the
vaults the treasure of the nation : such a treasure would doubtless be employed
at aome.time, as it hsur been in other countries when opportunity tempted am-
bftioB." ** Individual agents would probably be found less responsible, safe,
convenient, and economical^ than the banks, quoth Woodbury; Swartwout,
and* Hoyt did all they Could to prove him in. the right. " If Gen. Jackson had
suggested sQch a,, system [the ^ub^Treasury] what peals of patriotic indigo
naiitin would have burst from eloqi^ent senators against the usurper and tyrant
tiou, with a defined form of -trust deed, vid a rcgulat audit of accounts. In case the Bank of Englflnd
should tbiak fit to circulate more bank notes than 69 millions. It must first get the consent of three members
of Uie cabinet, a'nd the profits of the excess of issue would iro to the state, tts new charter was to run for
21 years, with liberty to imrliaoient to interfere after 10 years should tlie public mind settle down in fkvor
ofoalyouebaiifcto lasae bank notes iu the kingdom. N^> notes to be Ltsued in England under jC5,ltay 24 dullan. I
received At)m He<iry-Warburten, an English M. P., the f<t]|i> report nf the secret confmitt(>e*8 intrestigaUoo of
the affairs of the Bank of Bncland ; it was very voluminous, but I have lost it Horace Binuf^ argued aWy
in 1874. !n Congress, thsfl a derang«Kl currency Is a plain violation of the constitutional pledge, that the ob)i-
gatkm io furffl a contract Huitt not be impaired, and so it is, for " What is the worth of anything ? Tts Jgst
aavttcivasH will bring;'* md if a promise to pay a dollar is not met by paying the dollar, any lew made,
Maccy like, to protect tl^e banker, or throw diflficulties in the way of collection, is a clear violation of tbe funda-
mental contract that binds society as, the U. S. The English 4aw betted provides for the fulfilment of the pvQutise
to pay than tbe law here, but ia susceptible of great improvement. .
* DwHONiST LAwaivER^.-^For a Collector of Customs to take a solemn oath to do hi* daty .
f^ithii]Uy» liis chief duty being to receive the revenue levied from the people by law, and pay
it over iot the national usps, for him to take this oath, and then rob the treasury of $290,4oO,
as Jesee Hoyt did, is foidperjury added to a worse crime than theft. The thief nungers, or is
in ragS) and he steals. We did not trust him. We take precautions against all such. But
Hbyt was trusted— made not less than S40,000 to 50,000 a year by his office— had his relations
ia place&.x)f emolument— and had therefore no temptation to betray his country as he did. Van
Barenj Wright, and their' friends either ffamed me sub-treasury act so that it would pinnisfr
YOgaek like fioyt, or they pretended to do so. I know, by a year of close imprisonment, that if
a stranger, true as steel to liberty and democracy, land on these shores to-day, ignorant ef your
laws^ some old act, that had never been enforced against a native, will be found, to punish him
severely if he goes a hair's breadth beyond the line of strict neutrality. Wh^n the whig di».
trict atusmey and the ^cretary of the treasury ordered Hbvt to be criminally prosecuted -iSr hi*
embeazlemeftt, his old friend Judge Befts found that tne law did not apply to -cases fike
Jesse's ! ! ! " So, too, Senator Breese, of Illinois, in Congress, Jan. 1844, moved for an incfuiry
into the law passed by the whig Congress, August 13, 1841, continuing the punishing clauses of
1840. He had witnessed a trial in Illinois, in June, 1 843, where a Receiver of the national Rete-
nue9 was charged with embezzling the people's cash. The fellow was guilhr^not a doobt of k
-^but the quibble that (Cleared him was,lie nad been removed from office. In McNulty'i^ case,
hia misconduct was evident. Would a House of Congrfess, the majority of the members of
whiph were composed of his political friends havo turned him off so discreditably, had not his
offence been more ** clear and unquestionable'* than Polk's 54*^ 40' ? Yet he got clear throi^
the dishonesty of the system. How did Pjrice, Swartwout, and hundreds like tiiem get clear 1
Bennett shall tell you. His eightve^ of intimacy with Van Buren qualifies him as a witness.
Ia the N. Y. Herald, Dec. 10, 1838 (long before Jesse's explosion), Bennet says : " When
will Jessa Heyt run awa)r 1 Defalcations are no crime. Mr.' Van Buren, in his Mefesage,
propooe9 to make defalcations of the public inoney fblony, and punishable in die State Prison.
Wonscnsa ! Neither party will agree to such an absurdity 1 Never." I am sorry to see such
thi^s* sai<i; still more so when I find that they cami«t be diepramL
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/
lift MLK K>t Tils F£T»«i»|f^K0.V. ANP WALKM S^^V^NG.
wlfo desired to ^et the millionft of the treaewj into the very hands of his par*
tisaias and parasites." This is from Van Bureaus echo, the VV^hington Globe,
Mr. Thomas Ritchie, too, chimed in with the. chorus of ^official indignation
against the sub-treasury. Listen- to Thomas as he talks to ^ Old Virginie '
throuj^h the columns of the Richmond Enquirer : '
" Wc have objected to the Sab-TreasoFy scheme, (so called,) that, in thjS fij^. place, it will
enlarge the Executive power, already too^ great tor a Republic ; 2dly, that it contributes to
endaiger tjie security of the public funds ; and thirdly, that'it is calculated to produce two cup.
roDcieft— a baser one for the people, and a l?etter one for the govfemm«nt. The more we inflect
upon the matter, the more we read the !$peeches of the ocators on both ute, th^^more firmly we
are satisfied of the strength of these objections." '*It is certainly subject to very strong objec-
tions, not the least of which i» the very great increase of patronage to which it must give rise,
and a patronage of the most dangerous influence, as being so immediately ccmneoted with the
public money. " But I can see no advantage, and on di6 contrary, a fruitfui source of mischief
m malcing government officers the keepers of the cash. Place about them what guards you
may, in the shape of cgmmisaioners, mspectors, or whatever else, pofulation wiu be endless.
There is ff>o security in it^ and it will involve heavy and unnecessary ej^pense. The chief and
overruling objection, however, is the endless source of patronage to which it wocrkt gvr^ rise.
Make the machinery as simple as you may, and opeh to view, wherever money is, tempti,tiaa
will creep in, and conupUon, in every fonn foliows a^ the keds.^*
In 1834', James K. Polk was the organ of the U. S. Treasury in the House
of ^Representatives. Listen for a moment to Mr. Ohattcellor Polfc :*
" A corporation may be safer than any individual agent, however responsible he may be,
because it consists of an association of individuals who have thrown together their aggregated
wfeaKh, and who ar§ bound in their corporate character to the extent of their whole capital
stock for deposits. In addition to this the Secretary of the Treasury inay require as heavy col-
lateral security, in addition to their capital stock paid in, from si^ch a corporation, as he could
from an individual collector or receiver, which makes the government deposit safer in the
hands w^ a bank, than it could be with an individual. It may be well Question^ whether the
heavjegt security the piost wealthy Individual, could give, could make the public deposits safe,
at the point of large collection. In the city <A New York, half the revenue is ooUecied. Seve-
ral milMons c^ public money may be in the hands of ^ receiver at one time, and, if he be ooT'
rupt, or shall engage in speculation or trade, and Aeet with a reverse of fortune, the loss
sustained by the government would be inevitable."
* Knowleooe is Power. — To show what chances there ^re, throtigh our gambling ^ticm
of politics, to defraiui the millions, I state the following case from the Courier and En§OT^rof
Dec. XO, 1833, where it appears, headed " Stockiobbi^g--Stupendous Fratid/' It is pl>sc$ihle
enough that John Van Buren may haye made money by his father's and Jackson's Messtt^,
as^well AS by Marcy's, but whether Webb -and Noah had good grounds- for what they affirm
as to Mumi^rd and Cambreleng I know not. They say, thatron Noy, 2y, the price of a share
of U. S. Bank stock at the board of brokers w^ 116 i— and tKai Jackson's message Jowered it
in two days to I04i— that 14,500 shares were sold on iime^ between Wed. Nov. $9,- and- next Wei
morning; equal to $1,635,000, Reaving a nett profit fo the Wall street stocifjbbbers, of '^90,600
nearly. The C. & E. asserts that Cambreleng and Mumford knew what would ^ said in the
message— that Mumford had boasted that Jackson gave him a cogy of his messflgis on Samr-
day .night at 11; and if so, two days were loft clear to the gamblers in the secret, for the raes-
sage'appeared on the Wednesday. What a melancholy thing it is, that men who are elevated
on the snoulders of the people to hifjh honor^ should sooll^ forget the noble path before them,
and tarn round to wallow in the mire of sordid, grovelling selfishness! ^The U". 8. Bank was
hatfd by the local institutions, because while they chargeB the heavy discount of $T off SMW,
the national institution exacted but $6.
Walker, the new Secretary of the Treasury, has groat influence With Polk, and Marcy
manages the one through the other. Buchanan is on l^ess familiar and intimate terms with the
piesidsnt. He hold? office, more on account of hjs ability and standing, and erf the state &t
Fennsvlvania, than any persjnal ieeling of friendship, when Van Buren ^ot 16 be president
in 183*7, 1 think he could have passed tne sub-treasury had he been'jn earnest— but hJs friends
had the whole reveaus in their liands as it was, they made much money by using it in fdvoriic
b. nks, and I daresay that good bonuses were tecretiy given in some form by dealers in it. lo
ISIO, whan the term was nearly oiit, and a re-eleciioa doiibtfal, Van Buren prcsid the new
scheme^ early enough to show that he meant to -hoax the .country in that too. Polk and
Walkftr uUt sub-treasury fa>)iioh also, but are in no haste to enforce the principle. Walker
tries it With Corcoran & Rigg^* Washington— has taken every ddUar of pubU<j money from
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THE Ht %j^t9. ttctci^tte OkBfl^^M A. MoWHtaN. . lit
OHAt^TER XXIX.
ffo/thatB PubUc Expendkure of Fbn Bwrtny ns Pregident-^OnstBsA. Brwonsai^
— jftrojidf Fr^Um BlAh^ mid the GHob&^Vim Bumi*s Handard for Political
Writers -National Debt'-^Tlte U0^00(> MilUia BkM-^Log RQlHng-^JBd&dn
€)fmm$'9nd Jal^ Vtm Bmm^ Veh Pmoer Suspetukd^ Wn^te of t^ B^e-
mm-^Pbst Ojfi^ Law-^SilBS Wright and Sknerg-^Eltclwneerifig in K^,^^
He^tng the P)reH'-^Cot>€tous$i€8S.
I HAVE already alkded to many parts of Van Buren's public conduct during
bis presidential terin, And there » much that ought to be noticed, for which
Fbtiv^eno room ra thi» roliwne. In his early life, and in matters ^hich related
to oafth, be was covetous and mean-Vbut in his rpanagement of the public finan-
ces there was none more profligate.^ Hi^ conduct In *the Canada troubles, tb-
tHe banks in ihat city, and given $600,000 to them, to speculate on, without interest ! Corcoran
i^as once .greatly emterrasii^ in money matters; his partner, Riggs^. is wealthy. The ques-
tkmi& asked here, ^whether they go^ this $500,000 to dabble in the stocks in Wall street with
iil Th«y might have information beforehand of changes by which vast sums might be saved
ot toin^d. A cabinet minister, or more than^ene, might divide the spoil with them. In Vol-
tfmfSB, tim6, one of the king's secreteCries toW him When to buy and sell stocks. Somebody may
teU Corcoran and Riggs also. Whstt a pity it is that crises must be created that knaves may
grow -rich! One of *he Baltimore resohitions was against sfUi-plus revenues. Why hare we
ten millions of a surplus lent ta400 bank directors who are chiefly cunningstockjobbers, and
pay no interest to as, while the nation is paying interest on debts that might be bought up and
paid with the money 1 1 begin to think that tlie Baltimore Convention of 1844, Walker, Bat-
Itrand aU, was a vile trick on society for the gain of a few. At present, 50 banks,, with a host
oj'^anibling managers, hold eight or tien millions of the public money, not to !end it to mprfght
iiVg)jC^B|s and manufacturers, but to sport with, like *my dear Jesse* and his man Johttv4A
betting, stockjobbing and electioneering. If Walkfer hold on to the Treasury for a yy9t.m
t^he'U clear old scores and may give way to some other victim of sp^ulation. . '
«la'l8$ and 1840, Senate- .Mcl)ufiie said that "the Sub-Treasury was the only remajning
alte|n^ive,, unless we returned to the notorious pet-bank system, whi^ gave to the Fedi^ral-
]&xecuuve' a more dangerous and corrupting influence than any other scheme «ver s
audr which had been condemned Jby experience, and f^ denounced by both ^parties in succes-
sifxgi. I auote McDuflie from Uie Saiith Carolinian, and bid the pjad^r remember that Brfk,
MaEpy and Walker, talk s^ub-tfea^ury how, butl^ve stuck to the dishonest treasury petf of 183^
att^ftEem knowing as well that their country will be plundered' wholesale through their H»aa»,
^yjToodbury did in a like case in 1838, or Dallas in 1815.
*,0a»8T«sA. Brown!«on.— Since writing the following letter, Mr. Brownspn,^ \Vt\\ ai myse^, Imi* lewi
grovmtlbr good hope, that the cause of national freedom might be promoted by fmmtft.* . EnglHtMl hsi mA
tht teMtory ^e cotreted, with the conseBt of Wright, TatlmHdge and Calhoun, the huter of wtMW^ vi<h Mc
Duflk^nUfh r^ady Cb e«t th^ «OiiiMctlon vtith the C. 8., to isot rid of taxation at the Chtirlestpn Custbm
ituiiA, mkI althnngta fHskoowledged in the London Tintca to be England's $rmest friend in thin repttbUc, nrfrad
iiilMxtftiqih becaase if English influence were to prevail in Texas jt would ihlerifbre whh our tanff'! M Enfl'
laoueis a proud aod'angry spirit in the western states which the political Mtscnlsln V|rHshifi§t(^ wtah'^to" tM6
Ihr electioneering purposes next election. I am sorry ttmt her'long misgovemmeR* of Canada, we wanton gmr
<l tte i i M c i ^ i>geiK8. pmetlteAoB sa mtMf #i«th]^ and tme-liearted.inein the manly sons of freedom w)|p were s«ii|
to tke ift)w8 ^y lM|-«oamwiid8„ have roiued feelhug* ka tha west which I could now desire to sM flayed, fhr
^l^%4|ii^ti«Mypnd recall. <
Orritis A. Brownion.'cf MUsackusettf, toW. L. Mnekeuziei tpkmi in Rocke$t^ Pristk.
BoBTOK, AprU 'ZS, 1840. Dear Sir : Though personally a stranger to you, I have, yet for soiii« tHiW beeo
KfiMng fe Mpiets to you my sympathy- With ymr attao^mieat to the ofuistf uf Freedom for Ihg Caoaitas, and
■7#Bcere legre) that your attfuihrnent to tbatcau^e sheiild'have ^let in this land of professed Fre.edOmr no
belter nward^an a Jail* I have a fell(»w feeling <(rith, I was about tp say, all Robe4« ; at least wilh allr mho
«^gle t^galttfl ptVwc^r and «eek to !««cnre for the people A portion of tlwir long Iwt . liberty. All envemmentti
whteh hftve faifherto existed fanve been Ibhmted in oppmision and naaintftixied by fraud and force.— I^liey have
J on lo^nst&ce, and oppositjoo^ to tbem.ia the cause otQod and ^n. Our own goverfimeat,Tn theory
!• iMsedon the r^hts of man, fonndMl cm justice ; but it faasliUherto been administered in all Us* d^rimentSt
^lUte too much in accordance with me maxtins of the 'goverjnments fitunded on' the opposite tho«>ry. In foinviM
obrtpvemment we acted fmnr mirMfves, and were ortginaV. bttt ia Buuwgtng itve. borrow from thepcacMce of
fte^d World. We read tta litiWtiue* atady kt pBUUet, its JurbfumcbBnce, it» philoaophy« and Ipse sight of
our own principles. Hence it is, that there is a striking discrepancy betweea^r titeory and our practice, be-
IMMI t^ mmo^mmmwu we holii oat to the friejidq of lihuty abroad and the actoal recefklon we give ikm,
^VtM is hot an. WiT Intve nevfr achiewd 9ur Ind^peiMeooe «i SsflaMd. We iM ^Mcciy livMiV^ilMtoa
Digitized by V^OOQ IC
warchs the Florida Indians, and the people of Mexico and Texas, is elsewbera
briefly noticed. It would be impossible for any candid writer to praise it. No
man could be more obsequious than Van Buren was to the south while in
power, yet they deserted him In 1840 ;*and in 1 8(44 {when his name came up for
a third tr^al^ they condescended to give him gfe twelve votes. In truth, they
^strusted hihi ; all parties hav^ done sd in tcin)^ No iMn'pFof«ss<d,to 9^9*
more coi^ially than he did wilh Jadkscm, in IS^^ in favor of a»» term ooly ^.hut
in that -also the result poured that ha. was insineene.
lackson left office with^ or 40 HuiHbna \% the fauik»«f Vat l^Of^n'l sel«4^n
-^^e ieft the cfountry out of debt. Although the bank^ jaisp^kKie^'Cish {My-
rhents, yet most of them paid in uncurrent paper^ The mveou^ ,wmi eoornxmiis,
but Van Buren expended it all* and left a public debt, March 4, 1841, ot
tM Brlttth Imiiire vow tliaii we virere hefore the retolatiom of 76. We dai? not UMune in Mganl to tbf Bii- ■
ticb Govennnent the tone of equals. We could menace France and obtain lasttce, bnt we dare ftoc d1*i«n «(•'
cept in an apolofrelTc tone, even' our rights of Bngland. 1'be treaty of '83 boa never been panM ieto sfltekMld
never will be. Oieat BriUin hHS claimed a pnrtUtn of our territory which she wapts for the nurpoee orVott-
nectlns her. North American Colonies, and which if obtained w«)tild give her, In case of war Wnh Ais neiof.
ah eqtciVHientfor thirty thitusHnd men. And. -sir, this territory she Will obtain unless 1 em ureatly d^cehwt.
fhe matter will be settled by a compromise, and we ahall surrender to her'the important advantage she deiifWL '
The reason of this is to be found in our close commercial relations with Great Britain. *i%e commercial taese-
est of this conntry is controlled by England, and We can have no eeatroversy wldi ber withent aRoivg (he
whole business part of our coinmonlty ag»h>st pur own government. This our governuMt feeU, wstd benoe lt»
tatne aabmtMion to British arrdgiince. Here, sir, is the secret of your imprisonment. It i« not, sir, that we dn
not love ffee4i>m, that we do not know how to appreciate its defenders, but that we are afraid of dA^mH^
England WjB barier national honor and make ourselves a bye-wenl In the Earth te pleAse the tmdiqg pnrtiea
of our community. I am sorry that It is so, but I aUnoei despairof iu befog otherwise. Otherwise it wilt tol
be withont a war With England, and which, as much as \ deprecate war, is the only thing which to me
cMHUe oC saving the republic, and the sooner it uoraes tlie better. For your efforts to secure the IndependeWi
or th^ CajtadHS, as one of the friendn of Freedom, I thank you. I do not think the time for their tndtpeih
deuce has come, but it will come. The colonial system must be alianioned, for pnblie opinion Ihnniglievt
the Worhl fs (hst verging to the point that one nation sliail exercise dominion ov«r another no lonmr thaa
tha othet iaeily con^tenu. With «ny prayers for the speedy arrival of the time when your countryman ^nafl be
fiM, and niy kope th^t you will find ere tliis reaches you your own freedotn, t im^ sir, with foekx rented,
yowi, O. A. Bno#Moli.
A Piiifcii PapiTON' Blair, Editor OF thb CrLOBE.-^Maftin Van Baren, presidcttt of the
Ufiitod States in 1840, has been spoken of with perfect freedom throughout this Toloni^. . Bcmf
soBOAwhai at a los^ ibr a suitable democratic standard of propriety, when speaking dT g^m
men, ot men who had held high situations, a friend advised me to take the Van Buren «lui4*
tr^Jhe Qlofoe, by Blair. In a letter dated Lindenwald, Apd]. S4, 1845, Van Buren writoi' J.
C. Bivts, " I thank you very kindly for your noble and manly letter upon the subject of tht
transfer of the G^ode establishment, and repeat with pleasure what ( h^ve lilready said td W,
Bta^, that tt*I approve of your course THROuaHOCT."Xl
Gi^iccal Harrison became president in 1841. tn 1840 his character was before ^ peqde
The Qloh9 ^id of him, March 5, 1840:, "Let them [the, South} beware how they p6oi
cofiifiienoe in the versatility or subserviency of a weak, vain old ^an, in the dotace d
expiring ambition. The combination of weakness and vanity with threescore and ten, la oo(
ip ea^sily governed Let Mr., Tyjer mount his old weather-beaten pony [Harrison], in the
^vgt^BXkxk ot giUding him uX will .'A weak old gentleman, -^hose vanity, always his
lading cbatacteristic, is every day pampered with flatteries, and whpse obstinacy is omj Ih-
creas3 b^r the imbecility of agfc.** A^ain <March 6), ** Goody Harrison, a gossipiii old
lady, and an available, who live^ on a sinecure clerkship in a city, but is pretended lo oa 4
fermtr living in a k?g cabin, and drinking hard cider." Once more, (March 17,) **H»
W^igs ate making great exertions for the old oranny, but ^ to, no eflfect.** This U Vkn
Btren's iSpROVED standard of delicacy, when speaking in the' name of a pieaident isk ^)ttoi»
about a general in ^e armies of the republic, then a candidate for the sacc«aioo, dirOMjh t
paid and jiao^^eied \^ the peopled agents. Apply Van, 3ui:en's standard to my SmMi,
pressi
and b&me me ifyoh can !
This sainc Cftobe^ approved by Van Brorei^ •* thwughont,** maksof^'Mr. CalhowLrWba
never told the truth when a falsehood would sery^ his tivn." Again, it describes Cawoa
^08 : *^ There was one, however, £Uprobaie J$pirU tjiat. coitld not bear to look on tjixt bright and
atispieiOtts day [of Van Burwi's installation, Mar^ 3, 1837J and k was a pleasure to fell Hat
the aeeOf i^tC^tilinb was not s^n on that oooasionl"^ Calhoim's relative, Pickasa^ thas
sketehrd Blair: '-'A galvanized corpse. . . . . , That hideous visaS^e whereon ettvy'^d mahg»
nity are blentdod in cadaverous union.'' k would seem th^t Calhoun and Pid^s liad aMO
approved ^ the .G^obe and its language, for without their aid Blair and Rives had ool ma
eiMtad public printers in l840.
BWrwFaQf hiOMtU; Utti befosa ke vlaSl, lie setup inij^.tritg^ alua^Xiteoffic^ & eltti
Digitized by^OOQlC
♦Z^^'^^^v^*"*^ Tj^lei incfeaied atbw teo and a half i^illions., Sinpe Palk
caiD^ jato power^ he h«ts faad an hafi4 a pcmtinual surplus of eight iniliioi^, t^t;
ins^ad.^r devetiifg it tp the.payi^^'f Qf th^ yubiic debt^ on wbiCsh, the co^ry
is jpfl^'ln^ ipteresty b^ l^nds k to a host ot ^l^tionet^iDg bask ^llriectof;^ wh9
use it chieny in stock speculationSt Th^ profllg^e ex|^dkures in Fiori4j|^ i)) .
in a court, a^ood wife, ii fortune with lijer. ThaX the speculatioiis of the'iinies ^wallowedj
his mean^, made him a Bankrupt, and Uikt he surrendered his propert/ fl) his credftors,j
up 4ili, asd etoig^ed to WaRhinglon. Van Btire^n gave him 'letters to LafwreUce,*
N(^ibi #cc. kese^ w\m ^xtpm iMb66ri|tt|pii, aadrboHgk^ a preis. and typn fof hxm m a i§^
With these he started the Globe on behalf of Van Buren, to try to cut out Green, who wasjiir ^
CaUumn. Jacksea a]»d Vavi Buren put a milUo^ of doUars, or moFe^ in Kis way, and Ji^iaaew •
verv wealthy; ta Kentoeky, Blair watf a Mron^ ^Ste^fiftaa ; but when be thicyught, Uke Ken*
dall. that Jaclnon would succeed, he, th )8^, wheel^ round to the winning side. H^i^tad -
been a.$p^uta|or, stockjobber,, &<:., and his t^^st office in !fCdntucky ^^^as that of a ^tate bar^
presidv^t, (ihe ComoitHi wealth Bank,] at FrUnkfort. ' A son otf his is or was aot long 6iace
Untied States IKstrict AKorney for Mfswnri. Tbeophfl'as Fisk, in the OW -Jhjimmtm of
Nor. 11, 1843, opposed Blair's claims to the {Public prinftng, thus : " He came I'rom, Kenttttffiy
reekirig with bank corruption, his hands, unwashed irom the iniamous transaction IhU cheated
GeaaraLiack«>noat &£ im election in 18d4. He' came to Washiigton poor and di^spised, teit
th;2 Mtfx}attded popularity of Jaekson, the dtfectton el' Doff ^reen, ana the 'RecfeBtiitf dt' an
orgda Rtiho seat of Qoverijraent^ brougf^t tSk^jnlicked cub into notjpe, an J gaire.hhn impoj^-
anci; and power, raising up a brutal parmw,, whose touch was <:ontaminaUon.'\ U^ ^iditi^g
attdteantnngaaald be aettled prmanetttly,^ ^ would be a blssfdng^o Am^riea, for mc^re tbaa
half the l^islation of the Uaitel States is «4etoteil exclusively^ these two snbject«r. ^bcd
pretoes and bribed agents were the mean^ ^ert^y Van Buren eompelled the people (o har-
ness themselves to his cur, and support moa, and acneasuies, they woui^ have noo^i^ii^
had the trutti b^en told. But waat'i«all^ tndepeadunt press t^oald 4ive in Wasiungttti?
WiRmct would it find support 1 Tfte Villainy of Blair, Ritchie, jCtoswell, and' these B&»ri^
burgh ras«?als, would nsjver have b^com^ knosvn to me, hitl they not fiillen out. Hill's kvpoak '
01* BLa^ was complete. The petty thief wh»m the Heeord£»- aen^s ta Blackwell's island 4e
brca^ stones or pick oakum is an asiifpel eonpared ta tke hived tool of « party* at Washingfcm.
No lawyer in tne Centre Street Sessions tvtt lied more for his fee than Blafr has done fbv .
his fortune His old master, Van Bui^eu, s^raves it all No doubt efU, Be it Umk, oc^
anti4»aak, subrtreasury or tceasary notss, war or peace, Texaaror Oregofn. tariff or aBti4anif,
land sales for cash, or land sale* iOr credit, good Cadhotm or bad Calhoun, -good Sirartwt>nt or
bad ^wartwont, anything or Bothing»^your hirelin'g fs ever ready. Aii he cares fai^U ^h^
tithe of the current plunder. Hill shewed that Blair and Rives .got enormous prices ; ai^
Blair smd Rives ' in the Globe, expended colmnns to prove that their predecessors Had cheats
still more steadily. Hill names one job that will "cdst fai^.OOO, or !i^4(Ky per volumfe, and .
affirms that Blair had got over $20(),IK)G since Van Bnren left Washington, for printing at "
|«ice» hi^er than was (Charged in any other city in th? tJnion ; as also SlOO lor every work-
ing day of the lour years that Van ^Bturen was president, or over $j50J,OI)0. I am but an
adopted citizen, and therefore Hable to be slighted here, tor the act of God in fixing my birth
place in ijJcotland. Besides, I am poor, with a iargip family struggling for a humbl^ livelihood,
and in the evening of Hfe— bUt were I young, a native, and possessed of the mc;^^ of making
myself heard, t would raise Sttch a dust about the ears of these mock/lemocrats as might ^nd
in imiMToving the ^hole .system. Blair may havte cleared $150,p08 of profits in one sinde
year oi' Van Buren's term— 1 meari 1838^ in which year his Receipts from the public excee&l
$300,000: . . \ ^
*Ti«K 900,000 MiuTU gcaniB.— In D^eemb^r. IW, Va« Bur«n, In his im««co to C<iBfrrcs«, tMQmm<>nd«l
Joet K. iVinseU'ii pktn tor a new tuliitia orfaoiautioD, io'tbe^ie words : ** The present comtititHi (>f the defence*
" uf <itir princitMil seaptirts and navy yardsi as represented by th^ aocumpanyinff report of the^ecretHry of war,
•* calU tnt the early and sertoas attention of Congress ; mid «« conndctit)g \Vien intliuHtely \*iib this sufject, I
** caoAoc feeuniniefld too Aronffly to jnur oonsidenuhm THE l>LAlf silbwitted by that oAcer Ibr the re-«irganl<
'* s^il^ of 4lM »Uttla «f the United Wtites,** The Ohm^ wa» ut divide llie United- Sta|en into eigftift HiiRiarj^ dis-
trict 4 W^ wbea on kervice ttie«e wen wefe to be *' ^ubjecf io tbe.saHW n|ie« and artVcieti ol WfMr4M tioaas-^
th0 U.^/* ThU plan was very nopopnlar. N, Y. aVxti was reqfiired u> furnish lauOft active uiea. and these
BiMi might httve been ordered to asswnble anywtiere— th^ 3,0(» actives lot the Slh district down at t}nca,ior
iiuOMKi, lust betore «n iniportant niection. Wkf mH lurn tMetn as the tflsio^OOO ixirps of ii>e N. Y. Unxt^his
are IWIam, kUn pplilical maehinM ? ^ This pAan the QU*b pmisoa-ahd .ftO^endenwd, pe^ordQl^ the oftposftioa
eircahMed ic far and wider^Van Buien Amnd th^t it waa haiie<W--Hitchie WM(» that It waa ipjuriog tb« caijM
hi Vtxglala ; he next Wrote Poinsett, thatit was called a " tyrimiical and oppressive " >tanding army of A-
9m,tSdMm Mm mxpmti ThUwHslkH teJtiir, tanioaritahhAiietrtooktfas»Ul,ahd hi a tr^
y Digitized by ^OOgie
gr^, fn 'pTW{iiTg,in the oustoip-hofises, 'and iii Hhfe''Pdst Oflj^e, W^te n^vtff-
eq6alle(i on this tonlirie<nt, under like ciitutris^^^ddies. * The t?me, in iSSdy
cd^ed to defend Ili6 a«th6rirtes In ihh partlc^faT, feu! oh the Irst cJf May^tixA
ne# ground, "say mg,' " We chiittengb' the" Who^B corps of federal [oppo^ittidft]
^ mepnhers to poipt out on the record of either hpuse of Coi gress, a ^RODiGAt^
" ^jidBu?T, J.pG-ppiu^'oapp^op^atiQn> which l;i|tp not derived .itjj principal sup- .
^^ pifirMroa>^ that, party k the iiause which in ^ow pait^jng t^e ci^mor #bi|ttt it in
^< tile country.''''^ Mr. Blsir t^ngive* hIs «ocoini| of i«kst^e jpstly cM^ *^4hiit -
leiter to' J. B. C^RVyj of Klitaltefll e\vy^ j^eiafled iHwt hiB •»lni«#te(J|c wfirtllluiry affiilfs wiia ♦•nr (imked.'^miki
itWH9^%nnJa$elfTtin\\fh9t!lfittituti hMli>eev«imw« t6 txbsiMijwi,'' thut l*oin««t(*« ptan wis ni»c«Mtiiu«
tinml, tin^orst^and if0ir»e U^i }^9 had nut JtH^^aved of^ft )« ii^s 4^c4»i|)ber iMMsn^i^f Hxtf-tui* }^ T^^^J
ingL _. ., - . „ — - , ^ ,- , — -,.
stattHWnts/xhHi [ hAd In Biy tttmtnl nicssHgt^ ex^!MJ«4 my H|HirdbMi(^ iiT if pAait. which, nM only h44 Aftftr
heeb^^tibiititttd t^iiic, ten whs- not eve« rmXtit^A miU iiiorv itiaa UtfeenifinURf irlMCthe iiRr««%0 VM-sestiQ-
tioBiilt «ntf4rors«.a7M2 i^»eU»^\.if.9 had nut JtHpraveU of^H la Jms 44(>c4»i|)ber wMMigi^f M*!rfttt«e 4U4 mui^]
" We hav^ U^n'.voyipe^Ied to see, nut I shoulil t^mk, wuUout sl)nt|)£^ rxntX iMortitipiUiuQ on tbe Mn itf ey^iv
ingf^nnous ihtfid, Wlintuver may l>* his jwUtic^ tir^^rerence:), the' names of rt^spectuble citizenii #uMi;r1l|eil in
itattHWnts/xhHi [ hAd In Biy ttimtnl nicssHgt^ ex^iWQ^ my H|HirdbMi(|a iiTd^pAait. which, nM only h44 Afti«r
Jieeb^^tibiititttd ti^inc, ten whs- not evetf muttirod miU uiorv itiaa UtfeenifinURf trlMCthe iiRr««dg0 VM-sestiQ-
CoiuimMJ' Lr»>K A( my. qi40tut|«m i'ruui bw niesxaga, wb9JF« Im^ays, '' ^C4um^/t re«:oM9iMM^ Uto «<raMntK tcNVour
wmSderation, T^E PLAN 'suhuiilted " M Poinseit. Thaf w»is in l)ec^»ul)er» 1839. Now— July, JWH^-WsJiyi
THE PLAN ^vtts not then nintuMf, fthd hud Tnot' heeh «iil^tnUted to hrai nt all I ! !
PKirtdtt, «& « tarfUory, whs uiMl«t V(t» BNVbn'if M|M«|/it cire. ' tfs^dt thw tftin^ foiiifltttt lo nenll 10 Cftbll, tt#
NMllioMdt, MAR auxUkryMUUi^ toiimitdp«|i tJie |iidittQtand#upr;l«rioni.^i;Bu«a v(iu>ai a|>^rm«iHi Jliri
JfMsl kT rofll»ett, Wnr ft'ecretirv% to Brie. Gcnetn.1 ^. 'faytor, commnndinjj Army of the South, f^i\ki. *
Nkn DK♦AR^^lKNT, JjAiu«rj^^. \f?40. Hit : It it-urid^rstrtod '4ry the J)e^»:ittiiic^i, nltJioo|h not (i(ttci;iH^ tm' '
Ftcirtdtt, «& « terrUory, whs uMlet V(t» BNVbn'if M|Mi«|/it tire. ' tfs^dithw tain^ foiiifltttt lo nenll 10 Cftbll, tt#
blofMllioMdt, ttaAR auxUkryMUiii^ toiimit4p«|i tJie |iidittQtand#upr;l«rioni.^i;Bu«a v(iu>ai a|>^rm«iHi Jliri
driven
" W4« bK^ARWKNT, JfftlU«rj^ S . . „ - .
forMed-iH'thet(K:t,«tbattheitfiti(>ri<loe«ftlieTairritn)ry4tf FterUivlmve im)>oKMlt pmelr uf bkaalbuiuiAs "^
the MttiMMrf' Cuba* and I tbiidc k^MpiraMu diNset« in ^be eweoi <k|' tbone ^aigf^ ijeliitf «iriii(i>^ by itty piftarov
officers und^rWur ^01^1^19 nd, that the^ u$f^ be| a>pl^fted {ilto^feth^f tP.lTiVckVDK V»» XndiaUJ»; im^Tin. VjMV ta
Inniire this, and preVent tr)e possibility <it their injnrfrrg'nny itersoti <vhAtsoevfe«, that they he muzzled iVhTeo la
the ftetii* and held witK a feusb while mtftiwih|t the t^ck l^ tlte ebeniy. '3. H. fOLNSISTT'*'
i\».-< l <hlil»ii . h» Q^ngmssv s«lHi|iltad th» foUpwinv f»«4uilne : Mm fk / OL Tbat tb* Se/eraur/.bf War bextiMCt-f
f^d tr) leptirt to tbit^ Umuc iim K^rinraU V^^i'.tic^'., au^t inrt:il..| hUtory «i|^be ItloiMUHiund, sbtMvi^tbo |^«a|«M(
flLncvf nf tbftt cituirf (Y vvjirriiir* Vi tiv iha H«L.dutLV^' lifilic ^ikntit ari^iy .o/the Cni^^d 8liile.s,«jieci^yln^jbep5ee .
dLAL-JritiilDMl^Nn (if hk-Tpfti lif-iwt^^i tli^ Umvi ui'thti fri^inni^ii imd the blood of ihe stare— between the blood IHT
ihL^ ariTifrd virtrriornnd Hint o) Mt^iei^ itnd chlJilrv^n— t]<^i wl^^'ii ttoo blo6d df the black. vvhit«, and eolcved ii i t fg - ' '
b^^LwEcm ihu btiMNt ot wiv^iacr tft'niifiid(v nntl thnt^pt'llifl An^4 -9<|i|0»piM«f Christiaik. Alsni « ebttetuent of tbe
tmriiberof ynodlHiLindgi uiid tbu^r fHanUiictofi, J114Hirit.1l ^ ilus^ovecradi^or by Ute autburiUas uf.Floric^
JjvJtEt ihe bliiud rif Cbki and Ibe to^t nf Mti^t UiLpnrLJUiDJt, Atso whetbfr a t'^ri^er importation uf t^^ saine
hfitiilc nw* Intn-th* Kli^iI;*? l^^^lr\tfn^, iJi iiwssST the tnialnLir*itry rtf lirohtwit^ Itortheastcrn bouitMry qtiestioa^
in r<:)iitef»plQi»d. i>r nqTf lo r<ci a& etiimpl^ (o bt' rL>ilnWf*d In hjHT posAHlId adtifsety in tbe event 6t n cotdUriV "
Wh^thet H;«a»<^r«4 hhv# Imihn mkeu ith veviire 4.'»i:lu«JV«]y ^) i«irselTe» the«»»f^y«<')BK^ot' ^>* tiuxiiiHry fpfee,,
jftnd wbrLhT lye defum U tv^K^Ltini to txLfHid itJ tbe ^iuud bLgpdhounds and thAir yostie^ty the heii^t of tjbe>
• (iDivis Cnos^^'ELL J^D Jojiii Van Bt:&£w.— AliJipughi "these two pupils of ihe elder ife^i .
Buren and Burkr liis MiXni,'r, a/t? ai yru&cat ai v arijmci?, they IjAve maay pmhts jotVre«ei»-i
blanpjc, aiid 1 Jmvie iluieLix^ ^^iVni a Itivi noticff (4 t^i^tqigetUej:... Edwui Cxosw^ll is neaSy
fifty V**^^^^^~l^V' i^'^^ ufau^^^vspafifli' i3(liit^r ni Catjikill, wlicro aj3oiie,iiimselJf, conduct^ ..
a ift';eekjj: papur, Oji*^ ot t^f* bruthifrsi Le^iji* a vi^ry pleaflQUthoUil there, and tUeJaiiiily,^
wt^iithv. Edwin lapkchar^ of LJi(; AlWuy Aiv'TU^ p l8*23, wa^s then elected sta,t^ printer,
and has kept his po^iiJaii, \niile tifl^or^img suikiiu-n h, office to others^ for Uveiaty-l wo years,
fXf^^X abjut a^ |Tian\ anMi^fJi?^, dujitiLr whitih ThiuJow Weod, who besie^ttl/aaXtook.hi;(^ ff>r-
i Tc^ by iUirJ3i , h l^J J jxf^s u vi^i^n i. M^d^'m C ru?* we 1 1 1 ixipried a d^ng^r oi Jjoim .^^arasw a J aw-
yer in Carj*ki|], wlio, h^js bt.^ja, la ^oii^^ri^Sf^ an^ hM various pflio^s.; Hw heplicw aid bu^r ,
Ti\:sB pa liner, bhormau Cro:*wcl|j m^rrkti ^tr sffc-U'C. r Fit>ai I8l8.^(? X838, CrosweU lpllo^y*4
Van Burt'n's lead impUoitty ia ail thiTig^. In tlie luatterof the suVtreasury, he suhmitt-^d^aft''
did Marcy — but the ill-luck of 1840 and 1844, the splitting up of parties, through the slavery
queetion, and the eiposuness^mwle in my Litt? of Ifeyt-wtid Btitwr, ha^e iifelpett io temrfnwe
an intimacy that ^ ' -.-*.. ' . . . . ^. ,. ,.^s.
X was fonnded $olMv cm" gain. There sjei^^d to be a chaircc of healing diffdir-
encf s, hy,^ving; Wri^it's editor, Cfassidy, half th^ profits^^ni Sherman CroisweJl tbe ofheav
but U; £[{ thr<>ugh 1^ February. / j^ described Ccosw^ in J#I3 as hts.po^itieal friends do
now. O'JSullivan, in the Ncwar of l^leb.iW, uays, ♦» #ial in 1837, ouf ^ny did Hot thtoWtJff all
of this conservatism.- Edwiix Crosw^n wa« as mu^ ij$. . i?ia.stec-spiiit ^hen as how,; a$ tinjiid
as any,, as unsound as any. Biit'the hiesto^^ in the Uni|Qn,wa^ fio&ting ainid tlie an^^- ;
waters ; ha clufi^ te it wit^ a death^ganjp, ^and wftnt^'with-itto the bottom.^ Bxit mlw, ffm^>^ U
repkii9%; bbcansie be can ^6^ no mow,^ he wwmnous Ms i^ol^ev luSsts of ConseirVati5}m"*ip^e
rally .*^ CrosVell's eni6inm0it<5, "i^heft h^ ^ d^e, as L^ak<^'k partner, in ,1B^^ i^ere.-sflaaU.* .
$1QJJ03 Si year &4^ced for priottfi^ ia tkos^ ^^-^r^ the e^pendsture graduail'y.j^9^^ti9.
$7(M)00 per aqnioft, «iH item* incki^. . His ro«e^ts,- fi«ni fit st t6 lasV, have4^een e^tktmtM fair
Flafjg jtnd oiherg at a milli<»n of doUaf». He1iad'all^fej^trfjg:t)f.tfie senate, th*.^9*^i5)lf,1^
«5®P^5».f¥ ft?>#9*I^?^^P^ Wl<*u4w Hi^F^ iQUffals, t^galft^tie^ ady«rt,isea*f nkiji^ H,
ot course, the private sale and advertising ofhis paper, and his business as a printer. He had
■^ Digitized by ^OOgie
EDWIN CBOSWEtL, OR THE PRINCE OF PRINTERS. 14/
enacm wu nwA iniquittoxis wmAt. of the ^lie money ;" but |be publio ^UI i:f I9tl^i|i^
be ,, that Vm Baren hid ms^ortliissmbetli hons^*^ he h^dtha mi^9Xi8.o('yivj^'^^
gating ^ety dishoneiit cbtvge^ bikI ^ h^^iworn befom God l6 \^i(^ i?v*»fy^1SIl ,f
wbich he cpuid not, on full inqjuiry, deliberately approve. When, in aq exptufcC
di.ure oi about 150 milHoQs, Congress 6fiered for Van Bunen's approval, mmief'*-*
the lio5'« sitftre of the plunder- levied by the ^e^ency, in the form of charters for tttnkSr itiWr, » .
ftCk ' He dM.U|n public lands.. he borrowed out the depositu, he sold hisdwelliB^-tAatiQi'Whi
onljr thr«e walla, to Mifcy, Flagg, Dix and Beardsky, fc^ the use of the goverao», at 1^9,M6 f
— theigoveraor would not set his foot into it, and itliadto be resold At a great los*»4it^ir4srs
all©wed enormous. prices for his printing work, and many docuoients have passed ihi^irp:^ ■
my hands wheve he.made 100 pages out oi what would not have been SOin the samvM^^'
fanrly a<id eoonomipally printed— from those ^vho had to givfi legal notiees, a tax was kfrfctp^ m
muydh aaort|han they c!mld have been as t\illy published for in dther ftewi^Mra.th«nf^«/>*
Arfus— «a^d the legislative rzpon says, " This monopoly was sp p?r(ict, that ff'aay a^jlnr
executive officers hsul a job of printing which a mechanic wOitV^ olTef to eatccut^ Wwluf |liin*«
price allowed in the contract, the wheels of retrenchment were ftrmly blocked by the preroga^* »
tive of the State printer, securad to him by a, law which cmiW no< be modified without the
concurrence of the three branches of the law-maktaj? poxi'er.'* Governors, judges, senators,
presidents, mayors, democrats and doorkeej[)ers changed p-aces— CiHjswell seemci the only
pe^Unent ]^?rsonal institution in the state. I hav« alwajrs eoan^red Wee^-9'\T^K)t^n%fk^ k
eqiilvalent at least of (he battle of New Orle^is^f^'n st'^tepmUlng, That eo^Qf fof i^gni^^ ,
Col. Vouti^, w IS loud an i earnest in Croswell's support, in 1839, in defiance of public oploj^q^'- ^
his own pHneipie of rotation, an<l 1^ perO^^ knowledge of Craeweli'a cuDnifigf<rkk|r, ^ou
did charaoier. Cromwell has paid Vouag off siilkce^ Xt ah«s« and exposure ), piblisheJ.l)W.(^;
b3ffging (etters for bank stock; and is now «iidearo«Hii^ to keep him out of u>« opnv^ntiM'^ •
Wnea the two stock-jobbiitg rascals, Senators Bishop and idaq^ble, were exposed as public,
cheats. Cro6#eil stuck to |iem like a brother4o the very last. Bishop,, has, 1 think, ^e^ ,
peartd oa the Stage. I am t<^ he was in the VanBureD state coiiv<»Btion at %racnse m. «.
1814. find went first fof Bouck, Wright being jpr his second choie^.
AmDn«^ the official returns and estimates orCrosweU's emolum^nLr^. ar-^* Jp^i^!:itivi? printing" ^
|^3,OOK)-»-printingfor caAals'and 6flieesS8l,000— puUishioi^ngiice^ Si 3*>,0i)J— printing \€^ ,f
vis^ statutes $I5,00v)-^l^al advertising f60,#00-^puMiriitag ooutri^ccs, &c, from pj^i-o^ice^
$10,0\Wl' (Benjamin P. Butler, besriJesms private pnroticc. ettjacied ifytn the mcrchaiiLi U
thif ciiy ani the executive, ftes-eqfflal to about t7d,eod in a little fir r iwo years !> ^
CfOsi^U is not very popular, aid tadlngr 1» eouicl'iiet keq> hl^ oilicu loii^Tf he joined Ebe
whigs and a part of the democrats, last March, in Teeommendin^ Lh , t evci ythin^ pr iuted olh^ .
ci£l^ niayl)? henceforth done by extracts. If those who ^^ utU the conir cta^ art' bont^
and cap^'le^ there will be a savfegf hf tkisj if not, not. Croswell h a huitkcr ia state pt^itj*;:* ;
gjes for Tex^s, slavery, Pdk, Marcy, and Canada, Ovemn, plunik r, w^ ; aaylhiii^ lo mali^ .^
money. A hard nfbney k>eo-foed is his detestation. He expran.^*d a de^p TiegreL th t wich *
ds^reditahte candidates as Slbmm. of the Globe, and R. Towna*^ -d, h:?d b^en n;jtiiinatfd by ,
Tammany Hall fjr the Assembly, in Oct 1837, a»d tHrn«L up hu ixii^l orgriu \xi " the fac-
tion," as he called sfome very woHhy, honest fHeads of equal nghts in this city.
** NewHpapera (says Hanimond) ate to politieal patties whet working tools ara to mechs^ . •
ics"— a.nd Col. l)uane, in 1810, asked, ♦• Why stemkl w^e ecnsure tlte Natioaal IntelUgenwi 'i
for adapting itself to the style and tem^ of its congressioiial patrons 1 Its exptenoe depeads i
npo^i its obedience to the temporising and tricking. schemes eC the iafiiMsntial. la^n^l^rs of
Congress. ' A paper puldished at Washington is as much dependent oa the ia^ueaee of the .
leading i^cmbers as the newspapers of London on the court ; and there are as throng incliaa,- .
tions to control and render the press subservient to views not pundy public at the capital, i»| ,
at St. Stephen's." . . ■....-
Some ftsfs ago, a de4MKnitie cwponUion of New York gave a $14,000 advertis.en\?nt, be- .
tween the £v6nmg Postand New Era. The saYne ii>formation eonld have been better ^pre^vd ,
for SI ,000, but it was a fefbi» So, too} the ptfblic adminii^tralor's three weeks' notice ktcly in
the Globe daily, at a laige^e^Qiense, and many more such.
The Custom-house herii'has its favoriie presses. Unclaimed goods aje'advertised dnce '
in nine months, a^ sold. The notice of sale, If published tbriee in the papers c^r largest cir»
cuKttion, might hejttefni. Hoyt lasic'- it pottticatty useiilt. In the fall of 1840, Mumfbrd's
Standard, B^rs New Era, the evemnr Post, and the Journal of eommercc, eadi advertised .
these onclalraedpiackagesfbrONii MONTH, and received for ^ doing over 61800^ Whfp '
he possible, permanent peace without overwhelming comiptlon, as its accompaiiymlentl
John Vau Buren is, like Croswell, fond of money, but he has ^«[j(^ o? tyfiiggi^^ftjf^.
^ JOHN VAN fiUREN, OR THE PRINCB OP Ij^^ POTHEA.
offt^iy-four miUipns which the executive had not regtiiredy his duty, his
«ll|l reqaln^d hfim to «kalntne onrefaHy, anci i£fardtdA«t «nr caus^ Ifl^-aj^f^^^.
to yeto thd profli^ee bi4^. Van *Bure<l'» eitimftira iDicMurryftaMWen^c^U fill-
]iuilfs — Cdngtess voted hint US milliona. Qn cac})i)Ul be wtele V ap|irovi^4i'.'*
ae^'«i4»HbcmU^ vhkh «i« tot reHl. I {lave nxacle my reaflers well e^qugV acqnainted with
him, ^ other descriptions in this volume. Respectable journals have nomlnktdd'Kimto the
pr^Mncj, md aAer what h^ been who can tell what may be 7 He visited Lotsdaa
soBt^ ff^Mrt^Q^Qnyfciffssionai business, and while there swore to the identity of J. W. Webb,
bjrte/iBiVtia^) «» wt throtu^h the sharp practice of Corning and others, he was arrested for
an Amcvican debt whfle in Bristol His language in private life may be judged of by his' Ict-
ter^ '«iM«b,tiMigh fuU of blasphemy against God, Vice Chancellor McCoun protected as lite-
rary pro|pari|r, sq far a^ to enjoin my lai>t pamphlet, and,. as far as he could, conceal from tKe
iKiiMt pisopk pf Ihe State hi* true character. He was o.pp(iihted Attorney General by that svs-'
tem of iMipuaatitiD which, as the Post admits, is corrupt to the cofe,and managed by " a- lew
compt jpoliliclaQs, who, like, a greenly pack of hduttd«, ^^ctiipoti any man who dares to tikpose
tMrffoAigacy." John Van Bureft is a rowdy, the associate of rowdies— matched, in motttll
with
." Mastiff, blood^hound, mt)ugrel grinj,
• ' - Qmt ana spaniel, hack and lym^
BcJbtaiUyke and trund^e-tail;"
aadtt^reift of that m^tky tamspit pack, that open in coacert most hideous, ^vheaevpr bur
staMt mmrMl pro^r^km the scent of a true reformeiv all of them r«ady to bear .him down,' if
Jdtm Vati Bavto Was nominated ^ atlocBey general^ by 93 members of the 'p^ty, assem-
bled In a -private Kxrni. Th6 vote was 47 to 4G, so he had but one of a majority.there, which,
if ad^ded to 44', Aot at that (SBucus, whd auppntod Noxou, in the official vote, shows 91 members
opposed to him, 4(7 for ^Im. - Yet by tjiis iaiiuiiotH, elraating i^stem this man got D^ rotes
andk salary, as first la^vyin' of New Yx>ik, and soon atler delivered a funeral eulogy on jack-
nos at the capitol. ' He ^Kterid into p^toev^hip witfai James ^^Kown, formerly ,and now
again Recorder of Albany— Went down to Hudson, to AsstfT tJ>e district attorn ev there to try
poor- Booghton and 'otRer*— failed to oottvict MiiV^made oat his Bill for $560, and Sila&
Wr^tbreeftd paymeni— went dowm next term ; assisted to try Boughlop over ^ain i hjul a
row and boiin^ mattb with' Ambfose J«flr<Jan, IM^tan's lawyey, vixK Rur^a fieing the ag-
gremor^ insulted theooUrr; beChicere ftent 94 hom^^jail with taepri<«oners; the jurors and
witnesses^ an4 case difeltreett^ Boughton wa» convicted f Van Burea asked the Judge (Edmonds)
what woaM'be a fa}r addlhonaleompeneatsoBs over aad above his salary and \hfi S500 he had
had befoHi-j^Bdiiioildft rolled, ^^ another thoosand dioltere; this shocked even a Van Buren,
or pe!rta>sGt)verno!<Wriflti*f*ftwed to isanctiorfsuch wholesale Butleriziag, so Van Bmen made
out hte bill foi* another S750, und got k. • He was the leai." big thunder" after all Wright
sent hhii tipto Ddhi feeatt, to assist tha 4i3tjict>iitl!orttey thereVand prdered Flagg to pay him
anot])er $5w forthat trip^ as nn extra;. Greene peisonea his wife, amd Wright sent h^m'tht re
alsor, 16 beljp the*gorentoi«nt lawyer, sM gave him.^aftO extra ibi^ihat' llicse dcuccurs are
all in addftion to ^^y Itictati^l? tl^es oi ii^ce fsotcL the people, with a sa^ry, ani his pA^atc
practicfe. The statutes define $$ a day*B» a leawnoWe eompensatiga if a man go alffoijd —
|8 a day are paid to 'a Senator at Washington, and ^to on« ht ^Ibai^y. . Wright ailpwcd Va n
Buren nearer fo'W0^or^$30 a day* Ctnite economicaJ ! A few days ago, in rij^sernbly, Mr.
Harris proposed a resolution for adbptian, storting ihat Vaa^Buten, Colvin, di^^'ct attorney, a
juchre, aind ottiers Weroat an .Albany €oupty Conrentioi^ on, Maseh 31 st^ hevwwliirr i0q
ruffians, wbe beat a n\«»ber of respectable fjersowi vigientlyanjl d^ijgerously, that,a coriimit-
tee of jliqniry shodld be appointed, for the sakeof Jthe impari^ial ftdmirjistration of juJstice.
NoAixig is as yet done. A late jHrodiictian on thqr attoBney general, ^titled," The Lash," con-
tains more truth than poetry : . ». . .
O, ' favmrlfe grand^ci^ of the Empire State !* tface beinff iiond, stUl leqgtfcaoiB eat thy days,.
O nitj oTmnek, vvaet^fdko Mit begrent \ - Pm*» tfree wtlth onp, a^(i *l ve» ^hee eviry |r<)od,
Wtnt f caa'tt tbov paiiw, end shall It th«n be tolU . Clothes tto lung bade, nmlU) tliy titi: Hiid^i wuod :
Thoa »re not worthy of thy father's fold 1 Nor a'tnp thou here, bnWrnftPitp ttie man
Forbid it, tall John, prove thy:«clf thy sire's, Who seorns to Ite. «>r W^% fhe floiii-tnf; CKfe. ^
The ivorld a tvKiniart, and her tfhild^n li.4n ; Thew urartliy faulie : and M»hsi l^uid, tlwil play
»hnW thKl the Whad 1^ great Magieian nwayi* Taluw U|) thy fiuie* anfl leads thee luuch asjruy 1
* Extra^'^gance," he said, ifratf n(ft otpectionabter WheA Jackpon vetja^ the t>anKj hfi
was, rejnmded that Madisdn had nof done «o. His. repl]p,wes, I thinli the hgaak uncoi^^rilt..
tional. Who had equal nfieans wlthVan Borea tovn^aireinto, ^^ipoee and cheek national pi o
fligacy 1 Nd one. He had the Whola arDof of oflaiale at hatid, 4o aid his inf ^iaatlops^ s^r
vx 8»BT m» iPYEs AMb MAD* KoNE. fa defianc* rf h» soleaHl ptedge 49 dqH Ld ili^ cci^|»JTjr
lion; he aaid, " I appfbve^'' to the ex|)enditttrer af msxf aulUoin^ imr .the mo^^h^iu^ui* ,
Digitized by ^OOQl-^ •'
VAN BURKN's profligate EXPENDITURE AND PENURI0USNE8S. 149
What says clause 2d of § 7, art. 1, of the constitution 1 That every bill " shall,
before it become a laW, be ppe.^entted to the president : if he approve, he shall
sign it ; but if not, he shall return it,. u^iM his objections.'*'* HE HAD NO OB^
JEfCTiONS. Every profligate vote had itis willing signature ; and, in his mes^
sage' of Dec. 1839, this faithless sentinel replied to the public murmurs against*
him, tjhai ^^ no instance has occurred since the establishment of the government,
in which the Executive, though a component part of the legislative power, has
interposed an object'rOn to an appropriation bill on the sole ground of ks extraca"
^cmce." Was not this calamniatiilg others to :^hielid his own misconduct ?
CHAPTER XXX.
A Bird to President Polk "how to stop the Speculators^ and settle the Public
JLands with hardy and happy Farmers,
Edmund Burke, in his work .on the French Revolution, condemned the
scheme by which a paper circulation of 250 millions of dollars, founded on the
confiicated lands of the church and nobility, had been substituted for the mo!iey
of the nation ; and. wisely foretold, that " drawing out at /discretion portions of
the Confiscated lands for sale, and carrying qn a process of continual transmu-
tation of paper into land, and land into paper, would produ<ie an oligarchy of the
worst )jind, and leave power in the hands of the nianagers of this unstable
circulation." Burke detested these Butlerizing adventurers, and most trulv re-
msirked, as many farmers in America have felt since his day, that " Usury is
NOT A TUTOR OF AGRiguLTtiRE." Heaveni save the Republic from such over-
shadowing Land Compaoies as that of 1835, by Wright, Butler and Van Buren!
poseS) and then turned round- and ofiered as an apology that less profligate presidents had
not b^en very particular in their inqiiries^ Thia is old British tory extravagance with a
vengoancfi. QeoT^i IV. Qould not have played his part mar« royally. When Van Buren
had be^n but one dxy govern Dr of New York, he wtoie Hoyt, " I cannot consent to confribute
by any aot of mine t j tiife prevalence of that great pjlitical vice, a desire to shan responsibi-
lity.'* W:i-3Q presidiut, h3 shaiajd off the obligation of an oath to scsj economy pr&ctisod, bv
th3 plea of," " it is not fashionable to pat that part of the constitution in force in a Iteral sense}*
It was fashioaable for the executive to wink at th3 profligate expenditare of Corgress, the
mjjttbjrs ot* which vote themselves $516 a day in place of $8, in various forms — and though
4 ) to t>) m^mbirs will be absent for months together, every man of them, in the teeth of the
law, gjts p ly from tiie Uist d ly of the session to the last, just as if they had been all in Wash-
ington attending to their diiy. Not long since, Mr. Bryant n^emioneil in the Evening Post,
th U half the captains and commanders of the navy were at home on their farms, or in other
bisiajss, and had been so fdr many years; which meant that some 70 m^n were receiv-
ing, 8.4JttJ ;$i63J and others S180J a- year each, foi- nothing, and getting unfit tor sea service,
in o.'der that government might have patronage, and be enabled to provide infl lential families
wita idle and ^Ifl lent livings at the public expense. This is far, far worse than even in Eng-
land— b It. Van Hu'-en sou^'ht not to provide a remedy. " Every p iblic defaulter is not only a
liar, b it.is punishable for perjury," saya Dr. j^layo of Va. Of the enormous em'oLZzlementa
m di k^J^a in Van B I'-^n's timj, was there even one rascal pUnishjd 1 Poin lexter tells us
th It Woo.lb iry was checlid by the Pr^jsident whan he ventured to threaten or interfere with the
shi "p pr ctice of Jei:.e ±1*4^1 ! ^ .
Com^xiri this sick inin| pablic profligacy with Ihat ingrained avarice and meanness which
CO Ud sLindjr iniivuluiTs, call them flogs aiii impostors, an J groan in spirit for the risk of los-
ing a So ^r $\0 lo-m ! [page 181], setting an attorney ardunning after a few shillings— and
[page 2J I J bidding Hoyt^s brod^er charge an account with ClT one cjntl John Van .Boren,
too, how iftfon hi looks aticr the smallest difference in money ! while S. T. Van Buren, W
othepsoa, Ui)vally bestows a S5 bill to set. the New Era afloat as a democratic journtl!
CooA^e tb«3e with tha violation of an oath, the approbation of wholesale pNfluacy and dXo
traTsganec!^ and acquit Van Buren if you can.
Digitized by V^OOQ LC
156*
POLK AND GREELEY, OR THE WaY t6 LAY OtJt NEW STATES.
■^ PfesideDt Polk, ia his message of last December, ackDOwledges tb^ eyilf of .,
the JaDd system. These are bU wocds ;< — .....
*^h has been foand by experteace that in «onaeqiienee.of combinations of purebasen(^&a4
othei;. causes, a very small quantity pi tha public, lands, wb^n sdd at put)Uc apction, cooiminds
a higher price than tiie minimum rate established by law. Tjie settlers oh the pul>Iic lands
are, however, but rarely, able to secure their homes and inipfovements at th6 puMic saT^ at ' '
that rale ) because these combinations, by means of the ca pita^ they command, and their ' \
superior atntity to purehas;, reiMier it impossible fcnr the settler to 'Compete' with them in tl»e ^<
market. By putting. dawn all competition, these combinations of oapit^st^ .^Qd fipecaisp^^,
are usually enabled to purchase the lands, including the improvements of the settlers, at the
minimum price of the Government, and either turn them out of their homes, or extort from
them, according to their ability to p ay, d» ubte i or - quadwipte the amount paid for them to
the Government. It is to the enterpriss and perseverance of the hardy pioneers of the West,
who penetrate the wilderness with^ their families, suflfer the dangers, the f)rivations and hard-
ships attending the settlement of a aew ceuntirv^^ria -prepsae the way for the body of emi-
grants who, in the course of a few vears, usually follow them, that we are, in a great degree,
indebted*4br the rapid, extension and ag^andixement of onr.country. Experience, has Brpwd •
that ho'p^rtion'of t?ar population are riiore patriotic than the hardy and brave miBn of fiie'ffon-
tier, or more ready to obey the^callof their country, and todeffend'ha* *rights and her honw,
whenever and by whatever enemy assailed. They should be protected trom the grasping spe-
culator, and sec^ured, at thenunimiim pripeV^f the pub.ic lands, in the h^ua^e Somes iKhidb
they have injpprovod by tjiieir labor."* ' m *«,.• ..
* FresiMent Polk, if he were since/e, would see that- a remedy was providod. * Congress fi '
with him. Qreeley tellsiis, in his Tribune, that " The difficulty is not that the Public Laads -
are (oo dear, but that, cheap as they are, thot-e who most need Lands camwt get IJkm, ic^iU ihse . .
7oho Jiave no moral right to qnij majf and do. obtain. JESa^e Tfumsaiid to Pifly Thov^md acres each.
There are tens of thousands of worthy, willing citizens now in the New Slates, whose worldly
godds are limited to a wife^nd three or fbur children, an axe and -two Or tlirce hoes^ k cow
and a pig, with rude and scanty anpard,. kitchen-ware, &c. These nfcji have not and cannot "^
raije the S2Q0 required to buy 160 acres of Public Land 4 they think they cannot mak? it by ..
hiring out or working oth^r pien's.land on shares, and though we think they might, with,
health, frugality and good hick, we.know the process' is at be&t a difficult and tedious one.^'"
Whetf shaE we find such patriots (!) as Benton, Calhbuni, Cass, Allen, Cdmbreleng and Polk, '
efiectually interfering with this rascally system 1 . ' " " "
There are thoasimds of cititens requesting Cengress ^^ " tha;t' the further sale otgtmUiTtff ,
§:j».of the Piaopi.E^B LaKds nfay be vmmediaJtehjtti/pped ; that portions iof the lands' maylae lam *
5:j»out in Farms and Lots; and that -any landless pelrson inay be allowed to take'j)o6sess!bn '
i::^*and live upon any one of the farms or lots so laid out, with theVight to transfer his of »•
i:|r her possession to any person Hot possessed ot odier land:'^ I am in favior of this plan, be-^ *^
cause it is a real remedy. 'A free pfeople, thus settled ih the west, would yidd a rich Return pr • ^'
prosperity, and their commette would strengthen the older states* andte a new bond of unidh.'
1 hanor- Messrs. Windt, Evans, Tread well. Devyr, and tilcir wortfiy cctoirades, for their perce-
verance in keeping this real remedy before the.people ; and deejdy regret that GovemorWright' •
andhis advisors did not, "at an early day, interpose their best'effjrts to redress the ^ocfi^sof ■
the anti-renters. 'Had they done that many months ago, the State prisons would have^had
fewer tenants, and Messrs. Wright aad Van Bul'en would not have Ibund if necessary to bb-"
ject' to a state convention on account of the agitated condition of the |mblie mind. • ■ ^
Horace Greeley thus sums np the principles of the friends of land reform :
"The Reformers demand that all monopoly of and 'speculation m Ihe Lands yet l^blfc
shall be stoj^d, henceforth and for ever; Theydo not ask'merely that landless men of l&6zy •
shall be provided with a Home, but that the best possible provision shall- be made fof ftiture
ganeratians^also. Now this pPo|>6sal to give every landless, man 18Q acres of Public Land *
outright, aad leave all the lands suWect to unlimited spedulation and monopoly, wotild, if suc^ *-
cesaful-, afford a little present gratincation and possibly relief at the expense of infinite mise-
rieaFand privation in fattae. Nearly alVthe Ltedless'are needy ; toAmf of tjiem are improvi* •
dent; not a few are dissipated. To pffer ^ach a quarter section of Pubjfc Land ds a free gift, -^
with -l^ity to sell'the fec'simple to any one, woul'd be simply enabli*g the speculator foob-'
tain at second-hand\for a few dollars what now costs him liundreds, £.nd thus to m<5nopdi2e
Counties instead of Townships. • Ail this grouhdixas been gone t)vep once in the case pi Mili-
tary Bounty Lands, which cost the sddiers an dmple consideration in fafigue^ privation 'and
bloody and were in good part soW by them for a twentieth part of their valte: Ten yeats*
after they were gramed p? (fra^, not bne of the sddieis in' t&n held an acre of . these* lafitte—
proteWy ^^^'tlHajji liiW^'ffli^ff ataUv ' To'give everybody who chooses a quarter 'feection xm^
. right ot the National Domain, with liberty to dispd^ ot it* aijjd'^eme a^tio^i^ iir tffieSC^Cd^"- .
squander that great Inheritance more wastefully than hitherto.'^
Digitized by ^OOQ IC
...U -:^Ai'
LETTERS AND CORRESPONDENCE
OF
.-.JaKD' HIS FRIENDS, FAMltt AIJD PUPILS.
Ttie*eAm0lcr has mhcTe me of GAPfTALS, smaxl' capitals, iini lialieg, to draw the reader's
mttetitioii tQ.pBrttcular words or passages ih *bis dufr^s^nd^oop, where the niauiistn-fpt was not'
so marltedr--fthd svhtrt tiitf oHgiilils Avere thua'dtttifl^uidhed', he has copie4 them Qteraily.
='■•■•■•• • • • • •' • • • '- i '_
Butler to Ht^ti'^Peuder^PMit^i^Frincipk; ■ -*
[t^o? i.l "" ' * Sandy Hill, March 17th, 1819.
To J. HoYT, Albany — Dear friend: <The sfsge td^'diiy wvsHooked for with great anxiety by
all the niemb^r».of iny hqiiseboM, as we entert«iQed>8trong hopes that Fencer, the Jbl^ck dpuisef,
would make hef'appedrance oil the **'Hill*' (as'tHe citizens defeorhinate this great* metropolis.)
I presume, however, that tA^. is^'eitter not to be had, or at least had not arrived ^t All^any w^eii
the4mge lefu ' I wish you to call at Levi^ the^arbev'sj hoige sireeti and Inquire Avhether mf
4Mag*haa be^ beard of herS or of the lett^tlMt was writlefi her. /^d if she should present her- ' ^
8ef!/-f>^ayieaeno'time'1n sendmg heron Mflpeejditf aBi^o0Sfi»(ei- ' -. ^
h^ee that fibthing of imporirfmee was done by ihe Council-^jvsitker Jad^ nor Attorney G»ene. '
ral baant-ded^ 'I dappdse^yna areoror-heftd'ftndears in the «c6an of* political controversy, and
I thought when I was with you 'last \N^eek ihtit it'Would give lae some pleasure te, lend a hand 'in
the wstrfote ; but apon better reibction, I think mysetfas well off wherr I an|, Leaving to rifher
and more ambitioas spirits the guHlance> of the atomi0 of party ^ I can look on, if ndt with perfect ' >
indi^raaoe^ at least with caini'seenrify. For the pro^pjcrityof the old Repablicaii Party, and of "•
my friends and patrons-^FOft THE SUCGESS QF-FRINCIPLB ANOTHE OVERTHROW
OF'INTIMSUB AND. <30RaUPTI0Wi my 4»ishe« wHl bo ardent and sinotfre, but the rittia.
tiun li which I am placed wiJ4 prevent me iram-eomwying tkem so fally irito^ctioo, a^, ander <
other oircumstftnces, 1 should probably da; - 1 have nothing to>ga»,ftnd' woaid'lose: much by be-*
conmig'an activb partieaa.'-^ > '^^ - ,• - .... - -
Ginnries wiU 4«ave betv on Friday or S«l«nfey. ' '- ■• . ^. ■ .
MrsL Biicler trtd^her aiater ar^m goad heahh arid tpinti^ ana aa well pleased asgloony weatiicr
and poor help will allow them to be. ,- . o i!
} I have teen fceraa fartniglft.'and hara Hot yet received a line from yov< Pray write^me, iT it is
•nly*t<>«ay thtt^you arc w«w. •. >Yoars truly, - BEl^i. F.' BUTLEft.
[In another JiandtoritiTig.] — Mr. Hoyt do try to get Pender f I an tired to death^of ' coajfcinif. "*
* I^oUtUa^I^dlndeiiee^th^Prea&idigbftheGos^ '
41^11: /: . dAWOTr Hiw. March 2:thv 1819. '
9 [Xo,9tLwtu\ ^I>99xFml^i,l.lJmym?mUA^^Wi^m tbai^Mett^«^alrfMidr«o.gahy^Mrv^l4K.^«
Ijoiop. and all of them pretty long ones ; yau may therefore suppo^ t|Mt^ J ^^^^i^ed about
152 BUTLER^S CALL TO THE TTNCONVEKlfED HOYT — SANDY HILL.
M much time on my correspondents, as the ordinary business of the day will permit. Yet I can-
not suffer him to go without bearing my thanks for your constant attention to my concerns, and
your endeavors to promote my interest and happiness. Your several letters were perused with
much pleasure. I shall expect them to be contigUKS but at the same time hope you will not im.
pose too great a tax upon your time for the sake of keeping me advised of the various occurrences
of the age. You know what I mean precisely. Men of business have not the leisure to be very
constant correspondents, nor can it be expected from them. "JTou have really a fine state of po-
Uticaf iofiftisicm at AjjaV- I tliink the iiliiat^Da*of ))ie €oveiiior [CiiiUDap i^lrfBy "t^ofbil^
mor^j^spirftc... '.' ' . j ' • " ^ / s ' • Y'-t.-f -• r*' J* *^
I think that I am not unmindful of the advantages of the situation in which I am placed, nor
altogether destitute of gratitude for the. blessings which Providence has conferred on me, I ac-
knowledge that the. Bounty is great and the return small — But i^uch is man— unworthy of any
thing, and owing all that he possesses to the goodness of his Creator; h^ despises while he enjoys,
and foruets while he receives. He expects the sun to rise and his wants to be supplied, but he
seldom asks fi)r either, much less frequently thanks HIM from whom proceeds |* eve i-y good and
every |
good,'
him, t ^ « .
I am more and more pleased with my duties. They require industry and attention, but they
give me more leisure than I had while in Albany, and furnish me more easily with sufficient to
provide for my household.
The only diffiwUf hm is THE- W^NT OF the stated PREAUaiNG. C* THE OOSPF L.
Had we a faithful and respectable mintsngfj and tberi the peopk mdre anxiotts for and bttthlive to
religion^ I nhould have nothing to ask for, but the continuance of healthy to make thiaphce delight'
fuL The contrast between Albany and Sandy Hill in this particular is great. You do not &taU
estimate as y.iu ought, the peculiar privileges you enjoy. They are remarkably great — they are
perhaps superior t(» thos« of any other place of its size— «o the Christian-^he .Scholar— -the Phi*
lanthropist, their value is inestimable. ^ But there are deeper and more soiemn considerations con*
hecred wiih them. The Gospel is eitlier a **. savor of life unto l^e," or of "dearth unto 4ea.th."
And how can those " escape who neglect so great salvation ?*'
Remember me to Mortoa and Birchard. Tell them I should like to hear from them.
What a bungling piece of work Mr. Loomis has made of my speech. It has mortified me ipx-
ccasively to see so many stupid blunders issued to the world with my name prefixed. Pray tell
my frieuds that I lay no claifns to ih« bantling in its present dicss.
Yours truly, BENJAMIN F, BUTLER-
dom asks for either, much less frequently thanks HIM from whom proceeds evei-y gooa ana
?ry perfect gift.'* And wer« it 4io» tba( he cause* th« sun tofhwie o^ the y e¥il as well as on the
[)d," gives to all " their peatfin due $ifa$on,** ai^d cares fifr ^oi|e wftoear* Jiot and think not ot
B, there would be nothing To cheer and sustain a great portion of the numan race.
(To J. Hoyi)--Banking'r^Mection9^Vaii Buren^Rural Life at Sandy Bill,
[No. 3 ] ^ • Sandy Hirx, May 4th,. I8ld.
De ir friend : I reeeived ytinrsof the Utto.day^and^izp this moment of writing you BECAUSE
I CAN DO IT IN MY PRIVATE CAPACfTV, and without reference to my cfficiideharticfer.
For the last fortnight I have bad variow coBcgms to attend to, which hare rendered it impossible*
for me to say more in my epistles ihrni necessity required— such as Crard^^niiifl: and Bnnkinjr—
w .rking about the d or-yard and Paying Specie— Mending Fences, and SIGNING NOTES*
&c., &c„ interspersed occasionally with Law and Poli'ics. ♦ .
Ill Ae meantime I liave received several communications from yeu for which you are entitled fo
my thanks, altho* some of them took me considerable time to decipher. Pray wrire more learibiy for
the future. Were it not that I have hm^ known- your •* pothooks afld trainmells," I sh6uld be
obliged lo send some of them to the Delphic Oracle for his learned investi^tinn.
The Election Returns are so far unfavorable to the hopei of Mr. Clinton and hi» friends, and
I presume his destiny isfxed. The federslisfs here put no Candidates of their /iwn in nomina.
tion ; and with the exception of «jme imelHgent men in the western part of this county, sup-
ported the Clinionian ticket and carried the election. I voted for Senators, and offered to vwtc
for members of Assembly^ but a^'tt^r a lonsr discussion of rty and various argument
an I opinions from hwyers and elections rets, the board very gravely decided that i was um$, yet '
naturalized ^\n which I think it probable they were right.
Tne Chancellir h la really assumed % great deal in deciding against me. Please obtain » copy
of the decretal order-<-notof his opinion, for I suppose that would take you a week to copy— *and
send by stime person nt your convenience.
Upon what ground did he admit you — as of right, or ex gratia ? I am glad that he has.done
it, and hope you may find it the ha«i)ingfer of good fortune-
What think you of the New Insolvent Law.? Do yo;^intetid to proceed ^jnder it? Qrhave
you not phil.»9«»phy enough to live poor all your life, with a millstone on your neck f , »
Did I understand yoti that A. H. ^. B. was to remove to Alhany? If so, when does be, *
come, and how will it affect you ? He ealh do ao business of consequence at Hudson, ntithir is
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WtttVi on BANKING AND WAAt tttfi. 153
he qtialified for that of ,tho Attoroe^ Genesa)> dep«ri»9lit. Hov does tbe badHMHret ftWsf , and
wii It is tbe atat^ ge^ierally, ot ypur ejectin«.it ismui ? ^n^ any ol\lbeai lo be iried wt iheai* Cir-
cnira or not ? 1 sonietinieii wisjjed aftpr luy jemovaI» th,at 1 lould lake a peep for a iijoiim m in
thp Reiifldifer.-*, and eiigage again in the .-erv^ce »«F the Sover^iga People-r-a/<d no lottg ha^ I bren
' ttecitstumed to the mnnagemeut of th*i Attorney General [M. Van Buren]> «#</«« pubUc^ priv4te,
and domestic, that I ufieu thVi»glH tliat no one could attend to ihf m but niyaelt. J^Iy new avocations,
hmeter^have noto hiconte famdiar and pleasant, ixad 1 can attend to them without troubUagmy.
sell aooul tiie borid£>, mortgages, or ejt- ctments of the State. •
1 Want very roach to Sf e yo i upiiere. Thfc wan& weather has brought on vegetation, and ren*
derad the country qui:e i^iviiiftg. Here we have
" Flowers in the valley, splendor in the beam.
Health in tbe gale, and freshness in Uie stream.**
' Hepp are pleasant walks and shady groves—rivers a^d cataracie — la^kfl, robins, and grasshop-
pers — tine blooming damsels and healthy yeomen.
Our place is delightfully romantic — you may stroU on the banks of the Hudson — view the
niounifiins- where it takes its rise — 'an^i listen to (he hice^sant roar oi Baket's Fall'?. In all the
Dionth ot June, I shall luok for you, and hope my expectations will not be Iruitlvs-'.
.There are a dozen or more of my young friend^, whom 1 should be happy to 8«»e in the course
of tha summer, and Jf anything on my part can induct) tbem to Hesert the aultry streets of Albany
iuf a wt^k or two, I tihail hope f ^r the pleasare ot' their society at Siiiidy Hill.
Tlitre is but little L^w business doing hure. If 1 wafr dependant on that I should have had
the horrors long ago. . Feihaps, however, it-uay be as goo^i here as at Albany, or at any other
place. 1 r^ad more than 1 did^while with you, and aliaU ctftitinue in the proleasi-Hieven if 1 neglect
the practice. [Here follow instructions about Mr. Van Buren and his mateenB.]
1 belie VH I have never told y«»u that Porter discharged Van Rensselare without my knowledge,
agenqy or interference, directly or indirectly, and 1 JLoew nothing of it until he told me what he
had done. You can't mi^y this if noUong enough. Yours uruly^ B. F. BUTi^ER.
To Jesse Hoyt, on Banking, Specie, Lav), h;c.
{No 4.] Wafibiogton and Wanren Bank, Samt Hill, May 8ih, r819. Dear Sir: Taend
by Mr Skinner a package and Ifiter tor Mr. Barker, which aend as asnal. I hear that he has
had a demonstration (as^ackenham and Co. wouM hai^ said,) made upon him this week, which
was manfully loept lied.. My wcrptary being ockerwiae engaged, deprives you of the pleasure of
receiving this itUerssting epistle in her ^ own proper handwriting."
Yours truly, B. F. BUTLER.
Waahington and Warren Bank, Sandy Hilt., May 15th 1819. Dear Sir: I pend by Mr.
Bairji, in current and unqurrent notes, ^ilOQr-^M F. Bairi'a check, $1 100— which latter please
'^Ci>llect, add to the c.ish, and send all to Mr. Jacob Barken I wrote yesterday per Mr. Baker,
and forw irded a package. Was it received ? The keg ot specie was left by accident at Water-
ford, but is expected to-day. I am in no want of it, fuid shall (filler no ioeonvenience froni
the delay. Vours truly, 3. F. BUTLER.'*
[No. 5.] " I aend you by Mr. Bliii, $3:500, ifteantiit notes, to be forwarded to Mr. Barker.
J have no time to write him by this conveyance. Please dro|i a line mentioning that I have re-
ceived the keg o( specie and placed the amount to the ciedtt of the £• Bank, and alsd advising
him of.ihis remittancec" ' '
[Uo, 6.) May 29 — ** I sued 'B. ^. L » * * by bill, sometime since. He persuaded me by
¥Ariou^» repeated, and pressing solicitations, to give him time till Ist of May. He has not paid,
and wlU not. Pleaek draw a cognovit for $63,50, the amount, obtain his signatuj«, and let the
jiid|pnent bo forthwith enttred* I aend narr. and note, and Charles will do the labor nnder your
«Uw«t»n. b. F. BUTLER."
To Jesse Ho$t, on Banking, and vartmJts kinis of Currency.
^. 7.1 . Washington and Warren Bank, Sandy Hill, June 2d, 1819— Dear Sir: I i^d
you by Mr. S. M. Hitchcock two sealed packages coatailung in the two, Current Notes $5150
—Do. checks on Bank of Albany $425— Uncarrent notca $1750:— $7325. Please collect
the checks, make np caA in a package, and 8»>nd all to Mr. Barker. Perhaps it would be best
to imt^he whole into one Envelope without disturWng the padtages that I have arranged. The
lairg^st, I bad oa hand ^ week ago, hot bavaiiM hfei»«We to seiM) it tJtl now. One of the checks
;ig iV^.payabU vmY th^Ml>4>ilt:pe|l|Qpib9oa aan fat Uiril»m«riilf thue for Ae-Btef whtcfi lerrvfes
^ 'Albany on that day. \ Yours very truly, B. F. BUTLER.
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154 r ttAVfi NO MONEY BtTT WttAT IS TOO GOOD PORmEM— JACOB BA<Sft«
[No. 8.] Sandt Hill, June Sd, 1819. —Bear Sir : I send you ^96»S5.to be j&ppUed as fbl*
» [Next he names. -**Sf«fford & Spencer, bal. of tftj^ ate. $40— L. & X. Vanklceck'^ C^.
' $40"''- which two last suras he erases, and remarks — ** These I believe I shall not send till nex'
' • week, as I have no monty but wh4t is TOO GOOD K)R THEM.*'] Draw accounts in full for
ever and ever from tbe be^nning of the worM to this day, and 1 wil^pay oo more debts oT its
' contraeting, 9^1. The Attorney General for costs received Sd May (capias not served) $43.
Please take receipts from ^1 the abore creditors of mine. B. F« 3.
To J. Hoyt, on LaWy Charles Butler, Col. Pitcher, Barker, the^Mttgttra Bdnk, midVan*BUf<m*
[No. 9.] • Sandy Hill, June 5th, 1819.
Dear Sir : I have yours of the 31st ult., 1st inst., and also one by Mr. Gifford. I shaJJ^ en-
r«toavo&a8 soon tES possible to send you some papers iii these Chancery feause^. t do regret that
I did not know that Mr. V. B. was about attending the June t«rm of the Ct>urt of Chancery.' 'I
mighf have badalUmy business in train for it. I wish yoo to tell Jvdge Beekntan that the loss
are nearly tall sawed, and wiH be probably carried off by Hitchcock next week. If hte. wishes
any thing done now it must be directed by the Tuesday mail, or there will be rio hold 'on the
vpTppeny. Is it^onr opinion that the writ de proprietate probanda cannot Issue until the alias
.piaint, or that it may issue upon the first wiit in replevin, or the first plaint '? 1 suppose, a» I
wrote you before, by my^BmhSy that it issues lorthwidi oo the plaint befor/e the plaint is retum'a-
.bte, but not until the aliaa writof Replevin? Please took at Firtherbert's Nat; Brev., Dalton^i
Sbentf, dtc.» 1 am safe yout libra rf will tett.- I shall send a witness and only one, for I can fiiid
jiu mow, in the. ' -. n n .csdise, vizt John (^eldon, next week, if they can examine' him itt^ MV.
Van Buren's absence. * * * « . ,
.1 have nut been in court but little^ etiher Common Picas, or Circnit^-having had a great 'deal
to do in the Bank, and in my4«8w Bueiiieis.*^ I waat a eierk very mutih, and aslsoon' as Charleys
campahy iH^ill bo. convenaeat ^taki send for him. If h« gets over his foolish, hair brtiint^d' '
projects, I shall keep him with me, for I think he ought to be under the eye of some person who
can manage him.
He has some talents, but is rather overcharged, with fal«t Pnd^e, ei|ucanlish sensibility and ill
guided ambition. I itave been obliged lb tell him' very pTaiply wliat I thought oi his style pf
wn|ting,^Bd rnoctef.^f -i^glit— -.the* fint> like the; latter, is frothy iind^*dinba8fi<5— -^ftdbed,
precisely like a boy of 18 of spn%o (peaius, but iliat untutosedaftd misdivvcfed. I hope y#u got Oiy
rickage by Hitchcock. I hiive 9PW 4|30OQ.ia.currpm notes, received since Wednesday, Avhidh
would send by Colo/iel Pitcheirr mhii.eoimeys this, but he starts-from heVe on. foot, and goes «n
' a raft from Fort MJler, arid though an jboacst fnan might be robbed of :^nock«d~oveiixMipdf* I-
shall keep it tiil next week. Send the .enclosed letter to Jacob Barker by first mail — to my
father put in the P. O., Monday evening. I forgot it touday. Jhat to. GQodenow.t«nd^by &
- private hand. •'•■-/ r>' ..-: r ^ •*-" ' ' \^^
lam vnable to sap anything ^riow ABOUT THEl«Tf AG AR4 B ANK— ow^ that i/Mr. B„
.[meaning Jaoob Barker], ixnld be sur6 of ^fe;he coiild make ii aprofitdhle con€em-^\^ni has,
in my opinion, ivons- enough in tbe ^fTre^ afrendy, for one iiiari. ^ut theij he's A HOST himself.
IJ he gets the st»ekj younmst stand teadjf to interpose d daim for the management of the luH.
nesi-^that is — ^if you would be willing to accept such a place. He would require some biie
that he could tepose confidence in to tafcechsige c(kr^ Though I have no idea that'be will get
it. 1<. Double, doubly— ^9il .and j(rooliie/' appears to be die -order of the day in the - comoiercial
and financial world-t-vtcber« it will landus lam unable to my^ f « *^* * ,-
Vou say my Chancery basiYieps is attended to. How? Can you tell irie wbether Mr!"-*--^*^
or Mr. has seen the Attorney Ge^ner^l. About the.F^t^iry «aupe, and what was ihe.iKttor-
iieyOenerars opinioi) as to their 'issuing execution ? . l^m so much perp^ed wJtb.anxieif.WMi
apprehension about my nfitimshe/J business, t^at; l^ould gUidjy resign i\ig wholes The Attotn^
-Oeneral^Mr. M. .Vanburen] is never at Hom^-^hd wiinn he is, I ^mjiq far from him, tl^t il
•'cannot bave that direct and constant comrhunication which the interests of our clientsdevnaaA.
One thhig 1 moSt earnestly desire of you, and that is. to forward tne all nqiices, papers*, &c.,
that may fc served dn Mr. V. B. [Van Buren] as my agent. He would never think of it him-
self, and my clients might be kicked Qut of court before Ucoewlt*^, I sbi»tl make no more com*
plaints about your bad writing*, thougli your scrawls are most infamous, after thii capers I bave
, c«!t ip thjf epistle. .... .. - .. i Yotirs traly, B. F! BBTLER.
y . , , ^ ■ , ■ I- 1^"' I ' " •' »>■ " ■ ' '■ ' ■■ ' •
Td JesH Jffoyty 4n 4 Bafiiefs Ways and Mt^ns,
[No. 10.] * W«?Hlw«TOW Ajro WikRMw BAi«,8ANfs^ fetL, June 9th, If^TS.
pear Sir: t am almoof wholly d«sil(i|tf. joC Warfi^tigtaii aad Warren notes, and fthall mt*
doubtfdJiy bava ocouMi for ^gim.Momil m^M ioiBi^Md^iliA u^ffy from N«w York br
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BITTLER. BAEKER, HOYT AND VAN BUREn's OLD BtTFFALO BANK. 166
Mr. Bftrkor. If yoij have authority from him to obtain from the Mechanics and Farmers' Bank
the packages frefirh fft'iSeBanfc^ wMett <>rtw»^og Wi*.- l l trii i l ',^ <riifth -I^pwrttntlis ihe case, for rhe
pQi^ldi* of''fi>r4Mrdin^ to Nrw York, you will please send me by first safe coi>y£yaiH^ One
4l>-/Lwarul five hindred dollars ill the /BonuxKJO nojts of th49 -B9iik«. which will answervine '%* ex-
thangJAg until ican heAr fr»m Mr. BL, of all which you v«ill advjs^ hiiB. , if/bp^^'^ver. J(#u
should receive from New YtM-k a snpply of oar notes^ iq shsets, or otht;r^ii^,.fQr this Bmi, you
will not interfere with the packages at the M* ^T. Bank
,, Youw truly, B,J^, BUTLEJEl.
P. 8. If I Bend/any .papers hy Mrs. ColSn and j;ier son, ,1 shall direct them, if they do not see
you, to be left u Wi' wall's st'MV. They will stop at Troy for the night and may not be at 4^-
bany but a few rainiites. I Jiear that ^ ,Mr. Clark froni this village starts for Albany today ; if
he does I shall send by him, and he would be a gooi^ person to send me the W. ancf W. notes
by. ' Upon rtflection, f enclose a bhecTc on the -M. & F> fiank, for* ^$0-, draw» by Abliiham
MartlihiT, endorsed by Uriah Marvirr and Jeremy ftockWetl, and also ihsRie payabln by me to
•ypur order. Please- present And toHect it,- and keep the amount until. 3rou recede a package
from me. when you will forward it to Mri Barker. - '
• ^^If the check is nor paid, please give liotice thereof by* mail wstanttr to all the pwrties. Mart-
lit^g I do not' know — ^neither can I tearn his residence. Marvin yon know —- RoekweH lives
atf Hlidtey; Saratoga CoilWy. - I ftttertded to -have sent the check loidayby a pirate handj but
to guard against accident, think it safest to /orward hy mail, being thb first post after its r^teipt.
B, F: B.
*r9 J€98t Hoyt\ at AlhiBnf,*on hisfitriBM to he CasMer of the Buffalo JBonk. '
. [No. IL] [per Mr. Thuni«in.Ti©m.8A»»y.Hiij.J Junis 11, 1819..
, Oear Sir : 1 have jreceived. a letter frjm Mr. B urker., m'>ntioniag the subject of the NlAQ-
ARA bank, and requestiag my opinios a/ a certmn, friand (i(f mw» for CASHIER, provi-
ded he should conclude to purchase the stock-*^ xoJtieh I have Fepli?d as fitUowa :-«
.. "A am happy to hear, by yoar letter, that in the. event of y.mr engaging in the Niagara Bank,
yott have thought i)f MY FRIfiND. I lOYT^for Cashier. IJcBomifnop^Mo mtkin thecircU
' e/ mv acqutUntance. wham I could recemmend udtht^uat confidence for thai, nttuation^ .HIS
lNTEGBlTy.ZEAL.AND INI>USTRY, would, Itara c<ii»ftdent, insure him your approbatiot:
. andeateera. There can be . no duubi of kis being. amply qualified, for the task. > His acquain.
tance with busine.-sis general, and extensive, and for perseverance and activity I know of iio one
who aorpasses him. His experience, in Mercantile basineaB,.WittiJdflJpne have, qualified him for
. the pLaee, hut in additition to that Ju ha8 the advuntage •/ wme c^imderahle acquaintance jwith
the busiaeag of hanking, front hio emplaifment tqet if tar in the Meahmtic* aad, Farmers' Maak.
I have known him for several years.;, intimately, for about three. . After ihe unfortunate 4tr.
mination of his Mercantile concerns, instead of spending his time in idleness, or giving wapUo
^d€Bpairor dissipation, vthick is tommotUff tk$ eaae ia BUCU CiRCUMSTANCfiS, he resolved
ibrthwith to.enter into employment of some kind.oc other ; and,, as nothing offered by jwhichiie
eoold do better, he comnisnced the study of the.law* All faas-Triende, (and I am tngst the rest,)
thought this avefy /orfem Aope, for iuch had been hia.previoasiuHiyQ life* and so long was ids
temk of study, that I considered it abs iluiely impossible for him to confine himself to so irksome
an er^pliiyment as a clerkship in a law office, without any prospect of a speedy admission either
t9 the' practice or the profits of the profession. He was for nearly three years in niy ofRc^, and
for fidelity and attention, perseverance ao^ sppUcatioh, the hdry best clerk I ever met witL I
consider kim perfectly competent to examine (a) into the d^ffairs of tte Bank of Buffalo, and gvie
you an accurate and judicious account of every, thing that relates to it- It is n.eedless for me to
say that I feel a deep interest ii^ hJ3 prosperity,. and tnaliiothing vjr'Outd give me greater pleasure
than tor see him placed in such a situation as would give hinfi a competent support ; but pei-haps
it ^ay be nec^^aQ^ to satisfy you that my opinion oftiis' merits Is hot (iverrated. I acknowledge
that I am his friend, and I know that friends, like lovers, are a little blind to the faults of ihbse
they esteem, but I believe I may safely refer you to any person acquainted with Mr. Hoyt, for a
confirmation of what I ha^e said.** • • '
.><«)« .: This is. in reply to a suggestum ebout aendine you uf» to inveetigtite thfe busineet, prppar«
•atery to a .decision on the subject. I have eent mybrlef in — •-*- eauae to New York last week
by mail. ... Your* truly, B. Fl BUTLER.
[No. 12.] ,June 14. T send you by J. L. Thurman, Esq.; a package for Mr. Barker; contahi-
ings in current notesi $2,200. 1 have received yours'by M!r.'Cl2U:k, with'«l,300;in' W. ^d W.
Qoiea.
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1^3
fttt IMMOttAt ItMftEKCtfiS 6f MOMSY CttA}f6t»d.
TV Ikvi, on L9W» StTMVfbejn^^ SturtevanU and Mn, OUoit.
[No. 13.] ?ANDY HitL. Juna I5ih, Itlft.
Dear Friend : I am very mncfar indebted to yon for yow eltborate and vtry learned opnuon
Upon the question in replevin. From the icquainunce with the subject which you display* )
doubt m»t that Sir Thomas Moore'a fameut question would have received a prompt answer £rom
you, aliho* it puzzled a very erudite profeasor in one of .the European Colleges. When are you
coming up to Sandy Hill 7 The cuuntry is very pleasant, and will continue so for some time ;
but in abuut a fortnight we shall have strawberries, &.C., in abundance ; and during that 8i*ason
ih mid like to see our friends. If Chtiiles is at Albany he c^an oome up with the bearer, Mr.
Smrtevani. Yours truly, B. F. BU PLEfU
P. S. If yon have any money to send me, 1 would not advise you to send it by Mr. S.
[Before Mr. Butler> postgrript I find a postscript by Mrs. Butler, wherein, among other things,
ebe says — '* I repeat the question • When are you coming up ?' ' We want to see you very much,
and hope for the pleasure befoie many weeks expire. If you ever have the honoY and pleasure
of seeing MTs. Olcott, I wish you would present my love to her. and tell her I often flatter my-
self with the hope that she will come up to Saijdy Hill, and see how country folks. live. We
have a plenty of pork, and soon ^all have new potatoes and green corn. H. B. *' Mn», -B's
anxiety to have the Albany Banker's wife up at Sandy Hill is explained by the subsequent run
by Oicou on Butler, and their angry correspondence. — W. I,. M.]
To HoyU shewing his plan of meeting a run for Specie.
[No. 14.J Waphington and Warren Bank^ Sanoy HaL, Jane 81, 1819.
De ir Sir: My letter of yepterday informed you tliat 1 wjh engaged in a running fight with a
squadron from -Commodore Wigwall'd flee^. I send you by Mr. B. Wing, $900 in Troy, Lan-
singburg, and Albany bills, which 1 wish yon if postUie to convert into specie. 1 do not know that
I shall need ii, but it will be sufBeient wiih whit I have, to teaae the enemy (or ibc whole week,
if he should maintain his ground for so long a time. Mr. Wing will wait for the specie.
1 should suppose that so small a sum could eafily be procured, especially if you divide the
amount, say 0oOO for Macbanics and Farmers' Bank and $200 for the otheis. ^ I do not wish it
linped that I am in want of it to meet a demand on the Bank. / wish you 1o say to ths bank
that you want SMALL CHANUK ; and for that you will give them current bills. If you can
obtain $600 it will answer the purpose, and if small money is not to be had anything elae will
an^wer.
// you are unable to obtain the amount of $600 in Albany, you will please select the noteaoS, the
two Banks of Troy, and direct Mr. Wing to pUat those Banks with their reapectivc notes, and«
request ihem to furnish him with small moi>ey for change, ^and if they refuse, to demand specie.
(Give him written directions.) The other money in the package 3FOU may keep to be sent to Mr.
Barker when I remit.
I shall write you by ^ Weilnekday mail, and shall #lso enclose a letter for Mr.' Barker, which
it would be desirable tp have cent by Thursday's boat. You Witt probably, ensure its croing theie
if yo«i call at the P. O. et^riy on Tbumday miiming and request them to- open the Northern MaU.
I bblieve that generally thtfy leave it until after the'boat has left, which is v«ry injuriou.*: to me.
Yours truly, B. F. BUTLER.^
[No. 15.] Sandy Hill, June 21st, 1819.
Dear ^ir : By the enclosed (which pkase read, and after tknt wafer and send by Wednesday's
boat,) y/m toiTZ Zearn the situation of affairs here. If Commodore W. reported anything disad-
vantageous, please correct it. I did not of!er> as before to Allen, to pay hint one bill at a time;
but on Saturday, offered him ^ large amount of specie, which he declined waiting for me tp count.
If you think that you can get the specie for my' notes, which wiU be chiefly Troy, Sec, please «o
inform Mr. Barker. Mr^ Bacon is the person who brought the $706.
Yourrf tnijy, B: F. BUTLftR.
On seeming to pay at a Bank — Gilchrist outwitted,
tNo# 16.} Washington amt Warren Baiii, Saiwt JpliLLy Wednesday morning, Juno ^, 1819.
[To JacobBarfcer* Esq., New York.] D»ar gif, * * » * * I have redeemed in the whote»j$7e0,
daring the two days past-^all in Urge bills. I have now on hand, about $300 in small-change,
$900 in dollars and five francs, and $200 in gojld. With this force I can with ^certainty sustain
myself imlil Saturday moiYiing, and ^y that time Iliavc no dou|;>t I shall haVe a fu^er supply ot
' specie from Mr. Hoyt. »*»>»**
I enclose you a copy of Mr. Olcott's letter. This is a new proof of the wavering policy 'b^'fftat
Bank, and of the little reliance lu b e y l B C Cti on Ml (Munt 's professions or engagements, for be
offered of his own accprd to me last spring, that I might at any time draw on you at a few dayt
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ji^Al, if 1 cfiosc to t6 do. '* *lt * * I hj^e thig morning had two small sums of our riotot
presented, the one for $75— -the otlier' lor '|[&1— both from Albany : and both encloaed to Mr.
^aird, with a request that he would present, ihem immediately, and that the credit of the Sank
ycKis etimptetety doftfn^ i&hich «jA» the cm^affHeir ^sending tkfim up. I sh^ll ptiy tftewe, J^^um
'the money will go down ty the 7k»0 t^^dtty andftM^ quiet the fippreht^Mbn of some neritmt wim
vmuld qthirwise s^nd ttp\'btttl shm reyueet Mr, B. MdHcHrie any further fiMma^if the
fcindj and if -any niort s«eh appti(^\ FSHALL f*trr THfiMON THE SAMlS aROUIf WITH
Tm OTHERS. 1
A3 the calls this week have as?(&twed the chiirtfcler of « run on the Bank, yon Will tfhdoulrt.
edfy" see the tiecessity of giving fc« a supply of specie as soon ai pfHsible.
^ ^ . ^ * • Totti^tftily, F. F.- BUTLfiR.
p. S.—Since writing the ibove; WttWHll hrf? Miovhi-me iHs mwney ; he bfts rt6# $4800. Oil-
dhrist has •demanded his 1)ill3.' I tol^ him I Uftts'reafd^ t0pay tn^gfftde, but comnihidt^^p^ng
TfiswUUt hepremdhrgkisiH^yhtt, ' Gilchrist iiast^lve^ ilot^^rait ahd retirfns in tMrWage.
; 4>hU^onfre^994iiIf§^k§^iH^;^nlwr9\, k '<-
[No. 17.] [Mr. Okott to l?re«idetH ^utl^er J^'* Mechanics' and Fanners' Btrdi^ At^ofty, Jmnf
.dl,.181».— D«w 3irt Wifr«nd by ii^9 (»G«rer, Mr^ Gi)ctjcwt, fi^ ihreft J»fndrod 4flWiDf the
JNlls.Of yCMir Baofc, for refieq^ptiOii. You are probably^aware oC.the ^Ai^i^i^oixof i^ Bffiks
in this pity to take yo drafts from country, banks on the city, of New York ; and least you may
think the mealsttre t^nfnendly of oppressive, 1 woijld Bftehtton that our object is fo pret#!t« cpuotry
feanks from placin^r fands in^. Y., t;* sffecqlate on t^^if oWn tJ€pre<sia1fti! paper. iThnfltiey do
operate in this way we have good reason id ^aspt^ct ; otherwise why do they pWce Amd* ^ to
Ati^, a distance htmlhe onhj^gpot whAre they fRETEflD TO REDEEM, ^ give »^cie
■ifetite to their bitfe. I ^'uld be glad to make ten eJtccpfibn of your'Bhnk, did trot ouf dlre^m*
stances require a prompt and epeedy return, and I tPufft I amiitft niistBlwn fh the t»^lirf thikc yo«
will give our agent every facility and acconini(SdafTon. With great regard, &c."
To Jesse Hoyt, in wkiehMf* Bptlsr 4mdAUs a little from the truth,
' [N%. 18.) fper IVfr: HitchWck.] * SlifDT Hltc,' J^e 22, 1819. Tueilay etining.
^ea r Sir : I haV* ffeisft^d my ^tmA 'day»* w«rk wirti H^i*wfcll. Have •te6 serttywi <io-day
^JWif^ ih current ndtefe ttf be coiiT^ed \m6 ape^He, l^ ^Mft' SeliJ. Wirtgr. I reqae^fei^ystt^firo-
tmre k penteably frcknnhe Banks thei^; tym f ri6w wish Chm ytmtwtTvld'^ttfveft Witktm Ilfiolftn-
to ahd Tiarm^'^ Bank notes, bnd demnrld ihe sfte^bs iNm^ 4iem if fheysfr tvwilHiit^ adMWice
i% iHromplly. ^ Mr; Olfeott has to-day ietit op lS^5)f een ff$9Q0^ and $M9% bf Mr. CM^rist.- ifftmr-
r9¥ei hel^e in the sfage a Kttle U«fo^ Cwb. ' Mh Olcott wrft^s int> utirijlfrumdi^mterf vMing
^at Ihey tvm tipt take iirtiffa o4f New Yoii^; "arid fhat they rt#*ft'td make tba c^mry Buiks
keep^ thei^ fuhdsr at home. His m^ssen^ef al8<t refuses M tii4w Q«t ^ote» pb^abtJEf iivH^ IGmrk
or those of the Exchange Bank. "Bv The h7;"f musTberhard pressed before ] part with the latter
for any one, friend or fp^. I ^ye $M M^ G^ch^it^^t I w-^s Jl^DY TO PAY SPECIE,
tftid would pay mecie at ALL drlMES DURmG eANKlJ^G ftOlTRS ; and that [vintUdpity
noihhigelse. . ^Het^cr he will remain or. not t do not Rnow. Ifk^ dtpes^Jie thiuf nfrtitJiU I
qm through with tViswalL I send ii350* in current ^ilts by Mr.'^itfchcock, to iifea'ddecMo the
't(l9(yO, and viahagedin theiarhe manhef,' 1 did ndt meat? to' callbh Mr. Olc6;t R:fr k>^^,^ut
siac? hi9 intsiAge %day I \x\tAiid to pay lym sitet^ie a^d to 'make hint fhrnlsh It b^piam,\ Won
need not te^ him so, hqweveif: I miislkave'SufpS'apecte hy iUD-. iVi/t^, and ^latf v^f 6k y«i
IbjT it, fivft pr iijt huridred doflaft e^a/ri^s mn sal^ly^.tlifou^h tfte Vreek.- * ^ '
You may send a copy oftlie fbrcg;oing by ThUrsda/s bo£t. " '' . J . .^
Let the f^jpens in Mf, j^itcticock^s c^r^ be sent up. ^ " .' "V
/cwc IT(fyl iAsttucted fo ptoclaM" That the Btmk coiM and iomiU'p^ ^ <'
. [Ifo. ^94 Washiugxon (fe WARRErr Bank,' Sandv Hill, June i^, 1^9. IV^d. ^, A.Kt.
Dear Sir : Read the, enclosed letter to Mjr. Barker, seal and s^nd it as soon as possible, a»d if
^c specie for the fllSO is nbt ilrefNly 6b' the way, hasftcVit as speedily fcs poislWt. *^Ii»
ALL PERSONS THAT THE BANK HAS NOT STOPPED, AND WILL NOT STW
'PAyMBNT, A^t> TH4T WB PAY tl<f SW!»». I preside ibe'ftimo«ro<^ii« fitfMre ©f
«u^ Bank in Albany must have .ariserj. frotp the repprtp of 'VVlswUll,^ Lititodnhfcii&0tke
, * His loiter \va«,written on Tiiesday evVfiinrt— fi>nr -davs of tlioiveekwtete'yct « ferti«»-M5irtl«» wA« mni9%tkMy
Cfitchrht sv«cie. and * ndUitnjr *1sq *— tho'-ft^lmd'»cwrceIy nny to |)Ay. hnrf tytis d8|KBli>lffj!f V trti Hf w i a f m fc< i» <i»Piirt
QfwualJ qhnn*e to cnrry nim safely through ttie Svoek. Ofcdurseu hjs'«tiit«mettt io Oflijbro^ iffi'«MMM^llM*JM •»••
ainl tb liay rind WoiiW do *A, was bntru^. Mr (^flchristis now in,Ket# Ywrk.-t" WftHrf>iht»4' '4 i i M lW fc.t H ii H t lK
that w fir was Mr Butler from paying that h? threatened t<y)ut fum out t»f his otiice. Of course, h« left ifcUMy
Hill. Whether the Wiswall protracted paymeiit wq» another pious, leg(\I aud financial t|icli, >• ■ «|«««t»<»a ^--i—
Mked thjin auswered.
Digitized byVjOOQlC
168 sutler's courage, cunning and CUBRENCT«-r(.EN'nr OP CHAMPAION.
^ umounl ^ my cats t W of my }unda. If any specie oomee from Mr. Barker, (Mun it by cjr.
^ |reef. , . ; , \ • i Yottjs tmly, B. F. ^U T/^ER,
^' ^ !, * . I^ JT' yf , shtwin^ the PresidtttVi nict $trise of htnor.
J ' U^SfOj Saitqy Bill, Jui^e 94, i8ia. ThuntUy momiii^, 10 ininQteit.bt>r6re l6.
( ^ ,Ptur tiuyt : Tl^e itf^Ugeace by Mi. Wing is ooezpeeted nnd unpleasant. I am »oriy yoa
. «4 Out,8ea4 ^he lyecie. in th« abatrnoo of all ijisTAUCTioirt horn Mr. Parker fot a fortnigHt, I
h t^^.^fW i^ i*T dviy to c^n^n^e ^fyiog. . if 1 ftop 1 may aa well stop mxt wc«*k ns thia<. 1 C9a
liMcl out tEroogh tnis week. . My courage is undaunted, spirits not [at] all deptesard, and if t die
^^yjl^jij^e Mith harness on my ba^V' fighting «• hmg oa possible.
(;f'avourerf hf Mr. Boyd.) , Yours truly,, B. F BUTLER.
,*d:f^P' '^rBjiTC th9^$an4» cf men and of paper here. Mr. Boyd had agreed to take my
..^ftrniji.vn ^ACPb Bafker, at 10 duy$* MgU. While he was gone to Baird's for the mo^iey, Wing
. am^d e:ivre^ I cqold have given it al'ierwards, but CONCEIVING It OiSHaNOtt ABV^.'
" ^%OUX> tilM in CONFiO^NCI^ WHAT 1 HAD KEA&D, 4md rrfuud ta givekim the dfiift.
To Hfit Myintr At W9IU4 ^6p if kU matters ordered.
•^-' (K0. ffl.] SAiiryT flaL. Jan^dS, 1W9, tO o'clock A. M.
'^'^^ • DMirHoyt? f Have not fM stopped payment, anA IhaU not (unleas Mr. Barker idtrects rae t# do
^ y^ Wnta / am aUlgttf io^givi tip the ehip. Youn tndy, B. f . BUTIifift.
».l. [No. 32.1 Washington and Warren Bank, Sandt Hjij., June 26. \B\ff.
, ^*S^ ^^^, ' ^ cndoae you a letter ior Mr. Barker, which plra^s read, and then copy. Send one
, Qopy to New York fpr M[r. Barker, and keep the other on h^d for him, as he may be ut Albany be-
,.M^^ the one Mmt ta jKe;ar York pan ntach tiioL Yoi^.wiy perceive from the withia what my f>itua.
lipn is. Would it not be folly ipr m^ to atop? Yours truly, B. F. 0UTLER.
/J, rf«k ^* I^^P ^ aituation aif my funds aeorec
The Banker borrowing — the Bank wiU pefp. < Preoident Butler to Mr. John Baird, Athany.
[Fkvoredhy^ Mr. Hoyt.j
, (No. 93.} ' Wtshingloo and. Warren Bank. S^dt Hil^ Junf 36, 1819.
' «i i>im Sit 1 Availing, myself of ytiur fripti|dly oder to loan me for thiuee of 'this Jhni^ four
' TbsuKand Dollars I send yMi by SesH Ihiyl, v^y private note for that aum, which he is aufhoi^d
« Ut M ufiwlcb «HQh ler IIS ol ptivmeot aaimay be agsee able to you, und alsp 'wenty^ix pramiatH)ry
) .Mass smoummg ii> iaor«i th^i Ton themo^nd PoUara, wbiuh J am able to aasi^ie you are a^ gyod
' pB)Apr as this state caA wBMs ti> be placed in your handa as coUaterid security for the pronfipt pay.
: aasnl of the loan. It ia dcair»ble to conclude thia arrangement without delay, which w the caji§e
aflny addrf ssins you si Ath«ny. You may rely vpon it that the Brmk can and wiU aontinue
* •» ftfi2>£;MFTia^S. I aoi» dfgr.slr, your friend and obedient aervanU B. F. BUTl^l^
•!» ■ !■ ■ " ■ * m » , m n il*
* ''j. ' . ■ TkBoytonaUgalltfidtrf^theMhapyVutth.
{■i'^ iN^ ^.] IFavofed bv Caleb Balder, Esq ] ' Si^DY HlU, Julie 29th, 1819.
,, , J)pJi^,Hoyi : — The eodpaed » iu show yp« how frt» •* world wags." ' One of those persqns that
.,^.1 i^,to wait ur^iil their tvrns^affie, was THE YOUN(J PATROQK, wh6 had 4 or JSOO t^eu
^r reni^ dpe hit father. ' , ' ' ' ' /
;» )|f X.OV knowhira— as J believe you do— 1 wfab yon wduld FALL IK WITH HIM, dfii aok
\ig opinion— I hnovo it will he faicorahle^ at*^6u£h f did not pay kirn, hf cause he 'sat within toy
gmi^^riad th^Hwire, ANP DHANIC WlNt: WITH ME FOR TWO OR'^TfiRtlE
](¥9URS BEFORE THE BANK CLOSGD« and aaw every man who had cume from « dis.
tsnee, or was poor and needy, paid in specie without a moment's delay. .
Now if his opinion is friendly, I dare siy h Wilt pjgs current, AND BE A LBOAL TEN-
DER in jrour.^TCH ipetr^kp^ and It would' anewer for CIRCULATION, Slc, Let me
hear hom f vefy t^iilg go^a tt iid what is said and done at Albany.
„.\.^^.- ^ Yours tnily, B. F. bUtLBR.
^ . i'y^al and send im •nelosc4 alterneading^ it. Jf the loan wi^ Baifd wi^ conqluded, and you
V'T I 'm '4 ■ ■ ■ ' . . . * . , . ,
) • f^P-m. mtler Hr4»<iM PrMldaat <if & Bayk cl^rteijid by the litKiflttute, a lawyer, t^ ttu,<leBt and par^ ^ A^'
.(^fooisy jGeMhil Van BurafK and tranraeted. the busmeM nvd knaw or pretend to know the cbnjTuion of die irf»ti-
ttttion, whose note* he uffrted Hiid proiiriieA to |my. If it Iras diikopomhle to decleire hU ftiend myA <m ThtHMbij,
ai above, wai it boaorable or honest to assure Baird on Satiinla? *' that the Bank can and will continue its re
■ ' JiiniaiaiT " Vyat^hu ff sa t t^ deceive the Yvune Patroon on Tuesday, or tii fet Mr. Hnyt to phiee in the Albany
9M^ ^bdvertiiar Ihe'tiaiue of artloj mttrliUw datM at flandjr flill pa that day. and yshich Mr. Butler apydauds Il#»yt
« tva leifci^afc as V>Nf ." ^><reU timed r* I cei^not e«tK^iTe the idea of rpoie direct, clear, systematic and tvell -Se-
. ' »iila uii 4»«4 tbaa io eahibllad asbltHiuiiyly byHteseai BuUer ad^ H(^'« transaetiens recorded 00 these pagp:
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Hmr^uM.n¥^A ¥>^V um^ ueit wJelT HEANPevBrY BOTY EL§B thinks I i
. '^ONS OF IT o»,&« »«»*/ ..;•.. f *'!. '
• ) >Mr; Hoystgot bis fntM Btttkr'*ktt«t9 p«Uiiii^.t« |miAi iHiiltony. " ViHir cj^ct waffrta
. .tknt^.V nyi^fiatl^, (July 3«|.) . fivaislhe eUAcCi .••?.;.,.•,, . > • . I . . -^^.i
[Watiliington and Warren B^vik*] — Wednesday, 3<-)th Jane, 1819. Messrs. Webeters Sc Skin-
ners : The foU«winB^ an imf^ct, froop a ktter d^ted jp* S^^n^y Hili, June 29, 1819 If you think
its ^blicatiqp will be of any service to q^mmunliy/you will plc'aselo giv^ it ti ^lace in your paper.
'[No. Qij' ' ', *' . ■ \ \"' ^ SANjiy Hill, June,- 29, 1^19.
The run. qpon tb^, Joif^k rill cvn^uc^,;, but the ^fytiq ih' thik'parf <if thie cotintty is wht>ify ^ub.
«i4ed. The Bhprarance of Tjr, Bari^ inj^ood heallh aud gpiritB amdng U9, antisfipd iAep^le
that the^ tra»V'nf^ ^4 Warren BagHioftd^gt^taik v^ toa^iijl kU temporary 8tt9penma$t. AU
, fire ^di$^t9jtiBiit^theitfs^ftiuffod^tinfi 4i«potuiipn of Mr, Bumr tlie Ptemdent, When thrre
^. ,W«f&/noie calls Jhan he G9u14 satisfy with his pwn'hands, hi', cj^^edinl^is neighbors to assist hii*
. io poyipg. And when tliere.were more t^u aif could htreWd to, hfe reqwestsd those p(tr^rf)» ^at
came with the bills, to lay theni dowii end tatie as ma"riy ddTlara in i^pode tm ihfy left irt Mils,
.3enoo/oiatioos,ior their 9W|i vfults may hive to aloue Tot the sms ol^ ftieir keepers.' SeU «{| tAe
goodt you can for thete notes! But yoil Uadheitef naf feend up uTrtilihe alarm has prove* gfoMhd.
iiss^ ai ycMi iiftv^y be tro4 un in ||ie ^rowd. When you do eenS, ^o^ever, ;^ofu wilf alVniys hive
t||94^feyii)nef q^e'r broijiew ifl heiii'g wdtecf upod, foi* we'^o not much itlnfh'e 'thowr IffcehiiM upon
the ' body politic * in iVis part of tlie cpuntrjj."
[Np.I25,a] 8tCTOlk«t||H%iM4itt«lJr«'i919^Sir:.I4<«ftSft^ The
Biall hM1i<itiHoj?j)e4«P»¥fP«9t--'«' *»»^^«o* *^<'Pi='«'y'»<'»'»* which please promul0;ate v» prevent
) 4lir .A»r()i(»rS' fr^ifA '80(^l»4^tip{5j(fY.U)e fgara o^<4he hgldej-sof the b&nk. of Wa£<hinj(|roif'a{)cl Warren.
I %h(iU.c<Kiwnenfe ^W^'Wog^gain (ai t^^e Exehamj^Bniik;) 'within (50 (♦Ays frcSvn the itfd of
: jm^^ .,..-.. , , . , . :^ 7 \. \ •; - •; -j^cdB BAttkfclJ
[f^. ^.] M, Aim,. I81».««ailc»r Bfiy^A If th^Pfifiinal apri'vl^B in'iime £^ the iivaii, t3^\M ir^d
'^oig*: >ls^ll#aMfthi»i!Pdm.^iLfifii9iQle^w}«^^md. Yq^o^til^t. KX- WThm,
-•^. -- •*» ' .. ^.,.,*i.i i i ' > ' Ji !f ,fU ' i mi ivA i .- , ^ ,• t . .*
President Butler deceives the People, and denounces Chartered /l/pniipi(i'ti ' -, w
.; * ti^b. rr,] • ■• ' - '^'•'^ - jl»ef«Mi-.fc.cfci*L}^ s*K»¥bfLi/.jit^^,iii9.
Ta teSftf ftoyr.— 0fexii Srit r'l'lTtt en^Metf^jHatt •WliiWid bjnhe fuMboat, aftei«i«Uif^lt« i^e.
'I s^Al yoti 25 TiMcs. Yoti'Mf^ h<iw ^^Idiy'^^i^ooiiie^but^ i> kave^d*iibe»aM leH^^Wfofto I
ventured it — bat, as it*8 a pnrt of my " budee( of way^ and means,*' have^ttt-WiH^ll nMvcMed
^i/tx rUn tlie ha% ird:*, tf th^ spel^iir f^r BcArfyl«^ii»^.(Miki im^tainea, y^m «m>44 sead it by
thebel^rer. S^nd the'pabeft bn Satintfftfi 'TeHMkWka* y«i#«IViiih'of my-MJeiiift. . v
■^-" ' -^ ^ .-:... ... ,..-..-u. . .., c f > . l&MMlMllyr- 3* R ^fLttl.
r OK lllfir subject of tKe Bank at tnu place, may l>e relied i
. t '
^Mi^(kN*#in^co*muni««Miiar at llhir'subject of tKe Bankattbu place, may l>e relied upon as conMOf FROM
AN OFFICIAL SOURCE.
.likriikt Tu>u$.] ,Wjam/f9rQ» 4110 W^RRk:* BAK^—The eiipitem^nt in relatioji to the pnner of iIm W|«b-
iiijetBB and. Wnrnm BanV ,peginninf to«uli«iJie, peth{ir>< k mny MftbeflrttiiidtftAier^fert ihemrnXon Aftfie fMUic
fe a WHS ^omiae^ TVMnU, connecteHi w!tb thl r)n&raiS«ni« nnd cAtimtifer frftlmt k^ituHon. Jht'i^iM^ *n4 iMex-
,.p«ct^ «ii||Hin«ion of paymerU at the l!:xRban?e ITrtrit, tQS«tHer'W1tliH>therisnttte8 |iroduc«((, VeiTWM»rt«H|!, 9i*mg
, suaiitciont ./ fli* tQlveuoy ^f ibe IVashirt^oiI and >\'arT*n ^nij^, wlif«h vt9t9 g'^itly lrtcr«*ec t>v tk« mfc|leift>n>
pi«[)be«ie« «n^ tlfiwIefftMM reports, iif -pQrjOiis who xiirajAait itsr^noceM ij^ith Jesitoasr niHl hntre<l.'' Ttm ctmitat^vnoB
w»», fiU r/i4»iand rexiitiftii* return ofit* mJfes, accfftijnaft*il *r<di ilem'amlffrir ftpeefc, orftf^vneh barvk IMMt a« i*
.-...-I.J-. Ti »_ rff_ M.._i..^ r, ^;. ..< Ai.fi. ..n^.u* *...«> <^ -' .".-.••.• •'.- - .* . ..J. . .
ompelted to aiisiMiid, ftr a ^6rt perind,
^teiiBUnt AAii djKrMtinv^ was i|an^etiiry, and that tie bank, ky resorting to its legiilrigkUt, ao Jar as it r^spttts
hrbktra aM*t*ker'lSawks. w<>uU (>e ■bW'ti? ride outihej|*i\to niM tint tmi iMt]MTnt>pre«sittf tlft>ie thkt ow« tke
.pliilBlint AAli
krbkera M Other Btmks. w.w ...... „ .^ . _^ , .- " — « 1 —
Dftnk. it has contixatd, and wift qnitin lU fLs rtiemjfihra, ttnd is nbandanu^ ablt (0 liny aft itt HefK9, <« % ** Wtmr-
mast farthinf^* The debts dlie to the haute, iUhonnt'e^t nmre-flinn 'dtMil>le f*rr> nnt^ ho ctrcfilntfnrt. yusi ll^e
dekif ^e f^rf4ctt$ ««cur0-*-tbei» U pttltajit se#Te»ly xafa thJtt wtlt if(A trH$tnately be c»t1eec*J. How thaa faH My
m Ve a iiiHr by Ike l^-iuk r " ' • ^ .
"^4 »» true Urnt tKe B'iiik hns^nol Atandeil In f'noeylntnTs and hknk n«t^.w. iltnt J»rimii«» nci»Amtnndntiofh «44i
ir fl4;imibiiii| cic«ui9&t^|eff , woa^t |^tobiMy hare fee^ affufult^j • iind H k uUl> ^fve t: i.v it It^^ {mh^ ^oMV'i %a^.
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* MO WnM BAOMw Monmi mtuu wr baiom, ijiir^isw mi«ii#
Dear Hott: All goes on well. Caleb airiTed last night wi^ the rein/brcemeAt ^ romr
" extract*' iroa well titned, I wi>b you would keep the Albany merchants back. iVa rather
. bad friendship to get Dur btlts together, ttid p«)0( them up hc^, my 30 days sooner than they
^l^^tifd t>Hic¥Vti<e comev • At'thn wm th^f woM fo Brto Brok«i«^ haiida, WHICH 16 THE
BEST PLACE IN THE WORLD FOR MR; 1 Uw i^^ived^a vary beggmg^ coaxiBf. tetter
ftom Mr. OiCott, but at WimMM mum <« m9* Mf pmdt J don't trouble nnftelf lAout it.
t \ . Your* truly, B. F. BUTLCR.
liTo Hoyt, at Albtinyr-^ught mt the TMie to went twMlel
. - (No. 29.] [Sent per Mr. Hand.] Sandy Hill, July 7, rtl9.
« frivate and Secret — Dk4.r Hoyt: I have paid since the Run commenced 9^0(90 •n4 ovrr.
Ypu know h.»w ranch I had ihen. I HAVE A GREAT DEAL iMORE NOW, and urn in
erery r^pect letter off The reinfijrcemtht from Jacob Barker puts me »»af [dfj d. nger. Skte
ml very libeially SiNCt IT ARRtVED, BUT SHALL NOW HOLD VT. The pttWic
W been paid over $6000— the Brokers $5000. OUGHT NOT THB TOBLIC TO WiflT
\ AWHILE? We have CROW ZD full ektfugh for the pre$^t, therefore had letter WtHe mo
mote fin; the papery I ehhll add a note to ** Equal Rights/' which Will gaU the Meckametf *mid
Surmers" Bankioihe auick.* ^ . ..
Finished last Saturday «ight by trying the replevin, at OJ^r's FiilTft— ^ot'bonte 1 o'dn^k,
Sunday nH>rning. Jury equally divided, 6 and S-Sheiifin our favor, Eniinner and me Both ,
piininied up; suited myoelf and eveiTbody ets^. Noticed anew fiT Tuesday, 13 — c'earcabe; '
frbaU certainly succeed — want the ieasa from Van Reiiflseli^ to Caldwell, as thef gave parol
. ^j|vid'eQc0 of iv Send it up in lime.
..i^ui Satufday. the 3il» SOl ; on Monday^ 37§ though the Bank woe ihui ; on Ttaepday, 617.
Youta truly. B. F. BUTLER.
To^9pttOnLaw,ChmtC€r9,*nddif$rki0tkeFoople'*toft<etmUttU:* •
^,. {No. 30.1 ,• ^ SaiiaT Hill, Jaly leth, 181«»
' . pfiar ^utj^ My t^resent^ buniU^ss is clMincery.^ The r ndoeed bift I drew in great hasie laat aieht
tM ^moT^\^gJ 1 want it presented on Intmday, «nd the moC^ made and iirg^d mtk Uie
pound' ortbe great injury to the Bank if thoee notes should be put in circulation. A ¥l » ti i tr
' ^^rker*8 as^igninent to this Bai^ is gtaod oi' flot, im dire gtOUkd to the iujmnctiOB, Whether
«ke biHa are his or ouks, the Farmers'^'Banli Iia«^ no ri^tio aM theao; and H they do, w« Buffer
as w ell n<< J. B. [Jacob Barker.] I W H W l ih g bU> Uin i lgd, mnd a copy sent to Mr. Barker for J\Lr.
WeWt* «jnMi»»»a|taR. ' i . . • .
i: il>oo get the tqitioetioii, show it dm toxh^ State Bank, and tell they follow naxt-^tban serve
M inh Fami^ra' BanK— tbtii show to Lanaingbu^AiKt tell them they aball have the ^m^ amd
^i i ^ed ar kmt^.iho hiU§^ That )^ if yuuthvik it hm ta iiUonn |he bthera beibre ( (i^ve made
Mt ktik «0UMMt the«i«
' . tim M'»*-«—-*h\;Mine8a I have Qfgle^ted^ and paver can attend to it. Serve thepetltfoii —
give the aoticce^fiU up \hop90fot iny-Mrumke t^ mqtion. Vou and the Attorney General £ Sir.
jII^^^MIi J dxaw the iotamgrtories and examine the witnesses. / cannot, and must rely
wh'»lly on you.
« V» Bunk is ftOe, and I qmn to kocp U aei, I WILL RATHER SUFFfIR THE PUB-
LIC TO FRET A LITTLE, than hazard the <^elf 5^x188 INSflTCTlOUN by jAy%,«it
TOO FAST. lh|i>paid<Jli#Wadkf8tO» »6W pC whiat^ waa Walker.
^ ^ Ymmwdy. B. f. WfhBtt.
$St ^ «^ »g*g^ in tkepaymtt^t •^mU MM»t. .^6 to mtimm «f ^ dMerfpUen ; but it mnit Hlvraytbe m-
9^vfMnA,$lmtlik Farwm*. M$dundc$. t^vtikreTmmd Tisoiethen. ^ko have presenud kt 6f7/<, ka9t iteh fmid
*»4i4 stMl prompt tmi Ulmut mdwMr, it nant »1m be bonia in mfud. tliot the presture of the times j^tmM of
iteSti ,t>e^ iufflCMt excuse for me,ny Uiingt, svtiieii, at a looM AropiU9uc moment would be d#mtf ibe oiirfteut
with tbe nilsf of fiur and honumble bnfinws ; aod ebore all, tbHt the course pursueld tn this n'trticulsr iii8t»nc«,
iff lakHited f«>r the esproM fmttiosf, aert o£ ij^iaia^, kit of indemnifying the public. TfHTBANK 19 ABLB tTO
J>AV«.iiMf iMtmda U pap m noUt, tee k swe»M tJUUaU iUmeet peomfint^, wHo ctm^n the '* b&ffe oitd grfSOe**
of Hke IomU tur$ fiUitled to ever^ eceomvtodt^wn^ in prrfermet to gruig tpiculatars aruturrogemt mtmiei ari^t^
WtHm* Tk000 to0 who km>e ''pmsomd tkfi tMiee,*^M^ w rmfoiLU *omplaitiy if iinth r^ttaMtiw jtutlct^ M im
, '.'pftfoUed to their iipt ;** nor fi9m iT the^ org t^mp^od ^ ta$te o portlim o/ it* einaen$».
.< % Aflfer the W. and W. Baak had shut iUdoM f«r seveiml jears and batu^ in IfM own tuufisl^ble paper, ft op a wi ^ d
^hpm arain-~-Jaeob Berker. ifsse ll«vt. Fitcffeene HalUpk. and ^. P.TBiftlef being ttfll Connecterf t|ri* ft On
Jjf 99th of ^cember 1890. m,Q.tL barker, eesfajer, vrote from the Bank l!b B|r. Ilotler,^ ihUows :-L-nesr m u ^
-TalJl?***^ .***•**•'* !**»» byJ. r. ShiriiU who mum toj Ajbaay for the purpose of pr«»cttrinff some specie. \ vr«nt
13000, and wnd you thnt amount in bills. Nrr[jQtobjBarker save fato his wHtten Mr. Ofeoll irt thevdMSfet.* I
9^4-***!!ii°'*^'* y^« ^^^ want th^ bosiasM dooesconreetlj.. and fear to trust H alone with Mr. Shtrrilfc 1 mwd a
dri^r 4pteO ; vhich. if Mr. O. prefers. yr>u will plasMiMod Jiim— but I shoqM pmferlifs takftag the (i«>t#t. if
yon Bave to giv« him the draft you wilt please depbsite the notes ia Ike M. and iT fccnlr, to euretetft, ^MsV^iU
make a specie deposit of that amount aa Albany. O. B. BA&K£E, OwAmv-
Digitized by^OOQlC
•tm«t S W8TY, USSION AND nRl^LWmP— KBITT AND CtfHtbN. 161
5^* ' ' ■ . . . ... - _.- ' , . .
r. 8.-'ir Sehayler*! note was pa^bU Acre, J would lake Watt^x^n md Want n «Ui(flf » bat
lil^Msown act be ^to made i( ptyable hi A^ny, Now; let him pay what thty will, take, ex-
«ppt I. will take it in ^ Platraburf and i curreilt<r--i B'lrliQgtoii, | current. If he has bur notes
imi hiM present them. U aot fv>l4, v^rke Bawd tl|at it must he cWoe /orthwiih, or he w^il he
•U£0— Bdird wiii moitc him pey it.
Chancellor Kent icMtd^^Unton declared to ^ raving ma^** i^air and Proper calls^
[^o.Z\.] , Sani>yHill> July 14. 1819.
To J. Hoyt.— Xtear Sir : Send the enelosed by the boat to-morrow— all goes well. The
' Chancellor's decision, in my^nidn is diagpneeftil, partial, uivu8tiliable^iot«r nes.) I pay frum
||7iM) to §1000 daiiy.-obiefly in speoie-^-^tiafyMf mil FA.Ift AND PROPER calle,
I yesterday tried the Iteptevin over again, and after a, prodtgious hard- conflict obtained ^he
ioqiU9i$ion« This secares the estate. The leaardhi not arrive in time for the trial, as I had it
mi lAke Qeorge; Got through summing up at 11 o'oloek— Jury oat till after 1, A. M.—- totmh
^siness 1 can assure you. After Bank houcs, rode through sun and dust to Lake George-^lfi
- aailes^tried the eause— up till 8. A. M.-*np usain at i past 4^honie before oonk houm.
CLiN TON IS RAVING MAO, Besi0£l BfiING A FOOL, Bat I have no time for niOT«.
Yours truly, B. F. BUTLER.
C«pt. Cofrm*s letter contains cash* Let me know whether the Comptroller found th« acccmnt
of pwMic monies received by die Attorney General (M. V. Buwn] during my agency, correct. I
fanidlied it last mail. (Sent by Mi. Bacon.)
I ■ 11 ill 1 1
•* JFVom Grave to Xxay-^from Lively ta Severe,**^" Orator Pag hid twi tones to kit t^fcs,"
[No. 32] Jesse Hoyt, Esq., care of Jacob Barker, Esq., New York.*
Sandy IIcll, July 21, 1819.
My Dear Sir: J condole with you most sincerely. I commend you to Him who is able to
l^d up the broken heart— wl^o alone can give you consolation in your distress — whose will is
righteous, and whose mercy is unbounded. 1 HAVE NO TIME FO^ MORE.
Yours most truly, B. F. BUTLER.
' .. IPtfttscsifTi I have of this date written to' Jftceb-BariiMv Eat.,stBtiof n»y Mtuatiou and pres-
«iBg1iiA to iumish me one tbeuaand doUars at^eatt in specie^to reach me by the 30th inat. Jf
toy tetien tie not reeeived, pkmae kiforra hmi of (his postseriipc, ttnd edd that it is abeUutelit
neeeeaary.
TBi Hotif on patfing in m ^mto ufoy i
[No. 33.] * > A Samtooa SFmrires, Aug. 24th, 1819.
DsAftSni: • • » • ♦ Your hrother.[LM«*nxo Hoyt,] has charge of the
B^nk during my ab8enoe---Mr.Bnrker left ua this morning for the south. « « « « » j'jy^
Bank will go on paying dai^y, IN A SLOW WAY, until Mr. a [Birker] \s^ able to give. me
some liberal assistance — and in the laeeatkne I ihall take it alow and easy for tlie ftttnre, without
lahDring ee I have done for thsr two months past, which have been in every respect the most la-
borious and perplexing of my life. I foli e k le nsy e slf i ho w ever, with the reflection, that I have
relievd AfAN Y HUNDREDS ofpermne who would have been almost ruined if we had stopt
M Mr. Barker advised me — that I have kept tv^ PARTIALLY the credit of the paper Qir in
^ the vicihity of the Etank, which in the event of stopping would have been at 50 or^O p»r cent
' discoijnt«-»and, that in all that I have dohe, I have b^en actiiateci by a sincere desire to promote
the interests of my employer^ and the welfare and pre^rvation of the comdiunity. » » » *
^ In haste, your friend, B. F. BUTLER.
J^ssfse the Bank t-^BttUefo ehairmeter toigertfl^Hoyt easherted to repentance — Sabbath
' Keeping^WiodoM's Waye.
[NV 34.] ITo Jesse Hoyf, Esq.] SiifDT Hill, Nov. 16. 18l#.
My Dear Sir : Ydursof the 11th is just leceived— I endbec a power of attorney which I pm-
eome will answer. Your letter of th^ 5th was received last week ; but being eelled away for
the two next days, and> considetably singftged since toy return, I bad not found k oonveoiem to
tteknowledge its reeeipt. I ^ail not pretend to deny yoUr right to com^tain of my silence, but
at the sani'e time, I must retort the charge ; ahd I pr^me y6u m ill admit thnt there 4s- foil as
much ground for it in one case as in the other. I have -no doitbl of the multiplicity of your esR.
terns, mpr of y<^r industry and 'perseveraaoe ; ifod I hope most sincerely they will br rewarded
bydiftt success to which they«M justly emitkd ; but I believe yoweattnot have had so perylesteg
and arduous a tour o/ duty as ipine has been for tho hntsix months. Indeed, I am certain that
w^ poor ^ht ever la^ixsd mote sihoerdy for ibt pnb^^oed,^0r Resetted ikon ofpubUc censure
' *«Wten it W»m« svldeot tlifttMr.BailtSi w m ^ & m M m pnreboinli* ^ihoi Wffl** <)f#h bmken Bmfe of Nhgam,
s ti Wl^iMi^O ^Wm\ngtm. tmMtt^ iMMr- Uoytnmo^ fronf Albany to N<^ York 1
tiee hiw, hsTiof takrn oat lieeoent, u ta attonMy-at-Iiw, and as a solicitor- in-chancerv.
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162 mt 6A»B OF TILLAGE GAIKED, BtnXBB I'&tAf ESS T6 BROTBEA JESiE.
mnd ahu€. For the last seven or eight weeks, however, we have had eompan^vely quiet tiAM^
«^id{W«ht4«Dn»4i»ii>^4br lew- fiBecftag anil hni'lsfaQiv^ i -r *fri'' ^ f
Yoa are righl in auppoaing'that the kte cataatrophe (for I qoneiJIer it thfe sudwd ti^tv4isvia)
. in .the . Ezehfiiige Bank, is a i^etnittiM Yn^fiirtuiie. T9 ma e9|wcial|v it js e gi«at eHe.^ i,i|(i^
-eheerfuUy tufered t/u dtitrtohti^ y 0\JK PAl'AR, that Mr. 3. (Barkar} might in thcitieih.
time bend all his efTorts to the Exchange Bnnk, and in the teeataifiiiuiXk df peytnent tfaers^Jio^d
for the most auspicious results. TheixiatteT is past mi^nding, and no doubt it is all ibr the best.
l^e continue pbfing dtt&y in, a emaHltay, mori fa relieve the tnffenft^e-af edHititUniift than for
a r^ ether purpose,.. Tic credit of the paper is very low in this country — hardly ao> ,oDe takes
.it- at par-— and were it not for .xhr email pasnnenta-nf v^h I api^ka^no o»e of my neigHbors
<wotild l^a^^e any coafidenee iaii3ie ultimaiR aplvencv q£ the.inatitu|ion. .8Qma£Bw,<infeningfteni
wh^t has been doneand whacia now ifeinjV, that ibc imeBtioa is TO PRE3EaV£;T0G; BAIflK,
.OferatAer dispoeed to think favorably of the conocm; but.tlieir.nnoibera are not giaat^ . Fortu-
nately, however, by our jwilemptions and collections, we have got^in nearly aU the paperiivcir-
dilation* in this part of the dtatfc, and there i» now bat little more than hatf as much «ut Jia-thare
mns when the trouUea oomraei|ced. The nraet interesting and gratifying pact of your ieitet, was
that in w6ioh you ga«e us wesen to l#ok for you here in Deaerober. ~ We shall nply with-oar-
feiinty on your coming up;i and -if a cordial reoepdon Uuli^ make your viait< a^pleaaa'nt one,- you
wiU ^nost assuredly find it ao. . ladeed, I can say most truly, there is no one of my qtumdam
^friends tjnat I ajn more anxious to see. than y9|ii8eU|t ..Qy the bye, jny character '}»^ d^pfo^iBtted
at* Albany (according to rep^ort) that but few of jny old acquaintances wofild acknowledge^ <Dtr,^-
ccive me. Some of.them^l H^r, have the kmdness and condescension rp oompaasionatc ^d
pity mc, while others consider me full as bad ms Jacob Barker, ^hich in these days is coiiaidered
a pretty severe specimen of invective and Kproach. ^ So be it« ^ % . . ^ . • . ^
They cannot rob ifie of free hatu're*ft grace,' ' " '''•
' • They cannot shut the windows of the sky.
They cannot bar mV constant feet lo tracfc ; ' 1 . i. .^.-f .'-» ^
,TV wou^sarid bwtig, by liyiiijgslreAni at'cve; ,- "* ^
. ^ , . ^ , Of fancy,' rea^n, virtue, nought can me bereave: * - . • ^ •
' I am sorry to ebaenr^ ahat ypv^are «bi%od t6 tttm •caaittBt itk. orctei^ to recotcile^yow JSkMay
labors toyour own sense -of duty. * Yoitmay remembef what -Sir Mathew Hale aaid ;tfr^that
•nbjec^,^ " That he tried both -plana) and from^xperieilceceuid^ay, that no man ever gained any-
thing in the end, or furthered his business, by attending to it on the Sabbath." .. »<^. . ...
I know that you hnve had many and sisV^re ftiisfortilties to contend with ; but I think there it
a better method of consolation to i)e-fbnnd^-than thft'orfc yotf hflhfe adopted. No doubt the poig-
nancy^ eftli^tKas 4s often lessened and destroyed by the hurry of business and the a^ive«ejnpioy.
ment of the mind, and therefore those ^em^dies shouM frequent!^ he adopted — but.no truei con-
eolation can ever be derived from ah]tthfflg that -reqjuire^s 'the neglect c£,a 'feJigioua duty. . The
ways of wisdom, and of wis«(om only, '< are ways of plea8a«)tn(«8"-^her, paths, and hcn» <miy,
** are paths of peac^." Mrs. Butler jeina in ifflaotionate remembrance.
> ■ ■ ' Tmljryouw, B..piB. '
Pious exhortations to Jesse Hoyt — trouble at the ^nJc-^Tke Attmmeg mahU his debut,
[No. 33] Sandy Hill, Dec. 1% lixb, Mv Dear Sir: » * [a private parfigraph omtJ-
ted.] * * I am sensiTble you bavf had many difficulties to contend With — many privations .to
endure^many afHictions to submit to-rbut that all has been fight and fust, however severe a*iki
painti^l it.may have seeniied, is no less the ackijowledgrnerit of REASON, than tjie dictate of
RE^^ELATION. The former assures us that the fiEIJjG who formed and upholds the natural
li«oiIdy.sofuU of order, regularity, aud e:tcel)enGi|-«<^wbq supports his; CnKatiir^ m^tbeueiygpod-^
life — " who inakes all nature beauty \o theeyeaiid music |o the ear," niust be }^ighteou8~and
Beneviileot ; while the . latter Depresents him as vindicating the ^fiysteriea of His,^|^yidence by
aaying," What I do now thou bvOowest not, hu^t, thou shfilt know hereafter.** .^ ;, .
.We have been niuch trouhfed by yis^qiaat the Qank forihe 10 daya past. The'Cooitol
Common Pleas, which sat in tbe village a part of two weeks, h^ just adjourned. Tou can |iar4«
ly conceive how mu^h I w^ ve^^d. and iBolealed. Every man who owned a dollar (^ our p!|par
made a^Ktintof bringing it: along. I .mBk^Mtxf debtU as an attoriiey-*-w9s employed iQ; \%o
cawKs which I tried and argued, and had very goodfucce^, .. Thare is but, little jaw buein^as
Being in this county. Such .complainta yoi| never heard fir^ia lawyeiip, o( the dollness of ,t^
tines and the acarcitr of mopoy. .. • . >J[^A Wy yoi|>«» . B. k JEfUfUgR^ ,
ISuH^s Pimt$ Syit^[>^ik9^Haileck if«^c4 int(K k I^* $nnking, !
[No. 36] . SANOTttiLL,Jan;d,JttMr.
D^ar Hoyt: We i«giftvecy.4ixuoh %n^ ])ir« AiJki^h hjaa made hla visit, and is returning inth.
o«t yw ;- ^ . e^ - a a .4 ^ 4i£«»i;^^^ Jb;^^'IM|mti]» Wisi t« te
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TM JtTLITTS CJESAR OF SAKDY HILL MIGHT BE COCK BOBIN ' IN NBW-YOX«. 163
your future l^«» more happy thm yoi^r fondeit wishes coujd aniicipate. Mr. Halleok baa be^a
%illl-tt« a- w^k,^«i^ rl: nni»t really Mty 4hal wt liavc^i«rti'gi»«tl)^ deHghted vHlh Wrh. His^gt
iflitttf «n(i ac(|0iiwficp(s rantier bia s mast agreetble and mstntctive companion. I envy yoii the
^^teaiuve' jrou niast derive rrom a ftiU and uaiatenrtipte^ intet^ourte with such a^rnnin. He cftn
4«U yoo^U ftboat our Banking eonceroa.* ]^08» tiruly yonn^ B.F.BUTLER.
7\t Je99e itoyU^BuUtr would be the Julius Caiar of Sandy WU^^ a Bvcktail^Self,
- [1^0.37.] Hudson. Feb. 7tb, 1820,'-
Dtar Friend i The releaae for Mr. Youle Is^^ncloeed/ We have no Commissioner at our rtf-
lageUhe men Jit for it behig chiefly BucktaiU,) aiid I therefore broughrit with me. » * « * *
*■**.* I am much obtiged to you for your letter and the pamphlets. One of the latter! saw at
itfr. VanBuren*8 laat week, Which he had irom ,y0U. '*For fhoughts that breathe and words
that bunf* it is'almost without a rival in modem political ptfblicaiions. I mi^t confess (hat, I
have been guHty of considerable rfegligence.lind frequent violations of punctuality. You are
^HE ONLY PEttSON to whom lever write, except on business topics, and perhaps I should
write Te3s frec^entiy than I now do were it not fbr the occa^bnal necessity o^ the correspondence.
'Nor that I dislike the employment, or have forgotten the friend— neither Is the casip.
I have a tolerable, prospect of getting a livelihood fa^ my profession at Sandy HiU, the appoint-
iil«ni of Mr. SkJnnef and his consequent desertion of the bar, having left room for some oth$jr
person. I have taken his office, but whefhetl shall fill his plac^ remains to be seen. 1 have
wen urged to hold'mghelf in reserte untU spring tnid then remove to New York with an old
IHend of ours, (M. Van Buren),'but I prefer remiiintng where I am. " A rolling stone gatheib
no moas,** and though I certainly would not have gone from Albany had I known what would
ibHoW, I hwe too much pride to keep always on the mova — and upon the whole do not regret
the removal. Besides, I doubt whether it woUld be advisable to locate mjrself in New York,
«ven with the aid of wealth and talents. The saving of C<BSafs, that he would rather bethf
;0f9t in a smaH villous tfuth the Si/cond at Some, is' a fair expression of the s^.ntiments of most
men. At New 'York I coutd never hope to he even the SECOND— where I am [Sandy Hilt]
peHutpa it may not' he too presumptuous 40 aspire to higher honors. 7 believe ]\|r. Van Buren
does not wish to have it known that he removes to New York in the Spring, therefore, if yom
htf«e not already heard of it, you will please consider what I say as inter nos. I am fearful (hat
Mr. Barker's misfortunes will prevent you from realizing all the prospects you indulged in when.I
last saw you; Pray inform me all about it. You know that my interest in your welfare Is verar
great, and that nothing wotdd give me more pleasure tdan to hear of your success. Do you med-
dle with politics? Or are you a silent spectator of the conflict t •
^ Since my resolution to get all the law busin(*88 I c^uld, Und to present myself before the pnh.
He in* that capacity, I have thrown off the restraints I had before preserved with regard to an in«
terference in County affairs, and have en^ged with sbme warmth, 6z£/pure intentions {as I hope^
jp^ the poHiical .warfare.
.Education, habit, inclination aind principle allcoMpire to make me A BUCKTAIL. I have no
sinittir' views to gratify — no resentnients to totiate — no other object but the. well being of the
jSKate— therefore my endeavors shall be to confine myHelf within the go^en rule, of " doing to
others what I would have them do to nje.*' -• , j o ?
^ f likve received d' letter from Mr. Barker, stating thi^'t the, bank was unable to pay me the sal-
ary I have hitherto received arty longer, which is what 1 have been compelled to look frjr for
sofiietme past, and which will render my prospects rather gloomy, owing to the large amount
I hav0 advanced for ■ Were! troubled with nobody's debts but my own I should care
less ahout \U Still T think \ can in time ^t 9 living^ by my profession:
-TMs letter is filled with nothing but "SELF from heghining to end— a lamentable proof of ego-
tism, than whieh nothing is more unsufferabte. Do jrou never ext>ect to vi%it us at Sandy Hifl?
Please present to Mr. Halle'ckmy best respects, and Iwlieve me, dear sir, yours 8in/*erely, ^
B/F. BUTLER. '
■'■-'■■ ■ - -
!n> J^9eHoyt — on iMW'-^itai^ Bmicet, Judge Ednmnds, Mr. Van Buren, the election ani
^ - • Jud^e Van Ness.
. (We. 38 j ' Albany, IVfarch 17, 1820.
My Dear Friend : I bate been herfe for three 6|;.four days. Mfy business was "to meet one of
tNftt drote of steers Which broke into Ae enclosure Of the Court of Chancery sonde time' before I
• '*Jft*. PHi OreeM Jfa^leck to ^Mr. L. ffojfi, at .9lionif* New Vork< May 1. 1829.— Deai Sir— I send by thf
]lteiiA>4At Vietnf y whmh leaves here this afternoon at 5 o'ckxik, a box eontahiing hank notes addressed to Georgvi
E. Igrker, Baofly Hill, which ave shalt,he mudi m ) iHig S i by yowr fiirwafdinf to fifm by the very first bppnrtun)^.
r wwh yo« to keep a iiMinioraii4aq(^ of «U dw bxjttnfiet voy aiQiSJI, &Qd,th«iiEarliDM transaotioo^ yon attend to, and
iMlke ||iititbl«'ehat^« thartfof. . It if all for account or eorpiiratioofi " whieb haw no so^Is,'* who^ ^teckb^llleFt '
aMMtaKptet soofidiotiar larvioet it tbit kind to be {lerformed without jioyioff. _ «
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J$i AlBiKY ?0tlTJClAN5— UW fe lAVf tAfttNtUSmfa— V)kN WnW k IfttTMyU^
U't f Qu. I hav« doM nediing since I h«ve b«9n Here but/liear and talk polkioi. Tbeji tfeai «»
enL'russ ihe whole apql of every perMB I meet wiUi^ For m>«(ifi though I M wmf ini^iefi aod
take flomething oi an active part at biine, yt I muat oo^feaa [ aai heanily. hkk oC<^ ^ttam^
din^ dt'tig which if kept up at t\^ plac;^ by the more noiay uf both parties, atid fchell g«( h<|iBe
aa soon as possible. Jt is bat seldom that 1 h«ar£rom our friend Mr. Baiker, for the very sub.
atantia^ reason, aa I suppose, that he has npth)ng;to coommnicate* Po you think he wtll bt dis.
charged in April 7 And can you form any sort of estimation as to the ultimate result of bis af-
fali-8 } Please ^ve me all the information yoji have on his cuucemsi, and yuur ovon as con"¥^td
with A/«, in which you knuw'I take a deep interest. . .
Since forming oiy connection with' Mr. Muteey, I have considered it injportant tha^ T iJiould
be admitted^ a Counsellor as soon as possible. Ihave been gone jill winter, while f ought to
have been preparing for ihe f xaminafion. If 1 ttxxi prepare niyeelf you may look for m^ in May,
I do not yei pr.-citely know' what are Mr. Van Buren's expeciations, nor do I ^lievc he does
himself. It is very prohable that he will spend part of the summer in setding.up his ufiuiraia
this part of the state and in Columbia. Mr. Edmonds,' who. is now with Jiim, has h:jd tome
Conversation with him on the puhject of business at New York; but I kubt no apprehenMutta
that he would form a connectiov with so youvg a practit^ner
I am sotry tor your sake to hear such poor accounts of professional buainess at ^ew York.
We htive sometliiiig to do at Sandy Hill, and I thinK our office has its share, if I can onc^ gt t
Jiiysiif into 8U( h a run ol business as to provide for my fiinily, I d »ubt whether I ever eng:ige in
any other pnisuit. The more I become acq(uainted with the law, the more my attachm<.ni to it
increases.' We ha-e a great many lawyers in oui* county — manjf of tjieni jgr^er/t spouters — amc
of them very r^spec^iaUle In point of talents. The popuia;: prejudice ag;*inst the pro(ie.-8ion.ie
afso very great among us. It is rarely ever that a lawyer is honiinated f(>r the pegisluture—hut
perhaps that may arise as much from the state of parties in our county, where buth have bein
'alxui equal in j-irength for many years — as from any other cau^. Siiil I think my pfospecui «•
go id there as they would be elsewhere ,i and as yet I am content with nr^y location.
I never knew party spirit so very warm as it now is In this quarter, ai^d pp»b.ibly the Clecxion
'will he a very phirp one. The accounts from all pjirts are very favorable Jo^he election of
Tompkins. I consider it very certain. The old Lieutenant Governor, as I understand, begins
to t egret that he has suffered himself, to be linked with Clinton, but cannot unbind the k »oi.
The Legi-lnture are doing nothing of any consequence, since the coir^mitiecs from the two
Ilou-ies have reported on the accounts of the Vice President. [Tompiiin>.]
The Ct'inmiitee of Inquiry intended to report next week, but as Judge Van N.eps has not yet
returned, I do not believe they will be ready. That concern looks very dark for his Honor. . If
"he is mnocent he has been very unwise in the course he has adopted. If he shall be convicted,
tiltiititftely, what a. degrading circumstance it will be for the judiciul character of cwr State ! It
was o/tce our piide and ornament— ^but how are the confidence and respect of the.public.to, be
preserved when its members are suspected, mnch less when they are arraigned for *'high
crimes and miBdemeanorsT'* In truth, your very sincere friend, . B. F. BUTLEE.
To J, Hoyt, Van Buren and Butler, Counsellors and Attomfys at Law^-^AUimy — Providers
— Worth^s Foems^Vander Hey den, ^
[No. 39] Amiant, May 57,1320.
My Dear Sir: I have been here two or three days for the purpose of seeing Mr. Van Boren*
You may have heard that it was my inlention to remove forthwith <o Albany; if not, I take
this occasion to inform you that / have agreed to resume ihe law business with Mr, Van Jlxtren,
^r\i. shnll locate myself in this place as. speedily as possible after the )5th of next r^onih. I
think I have every prospect I cou^d desire. Mr. V^n Buren aays )» wilt pot a.bandoii bis pco-
fessioo ; and if he remains in it he can get as much business as we can attend to. He effers
me one half of the Chancery, as well qs the o^her busiuess, which you will recollect is much
better than our former terma; and as our Chancery Sadts wUl be ihe most mmerou* aH4
profitable, it appears to me that I cannot but succeed. .My admission an Counsellor will alao
enable me to attend to small motions in term, inquests at circuits, &c. &c., whith, aa my
acqtiaintance is very general throughout the ?tafe, will be somcUiing towards' the cumfeut
expenses of (he year. With the assistarici of PROVIQENCfi, J Mm fully resolvtd-.nepe^
' again to abandon or withdraw from myprofession, and to pursue such a course of s^udy, industry
and perseverance as shall make me a lawyer in time, if it is possible to make a lawyer outof
such materials aa'I am composed of. It is Vifrth great reluctance that T leave Sandy Hillj
the situation of that most charming, village, the ^iindaesa of iie ishabitants, from whom I bav«
received every attention, «wi2 ABOVE ALL a sincste desbre to comply toith the wishes qf , our
friend Mr, Barker, all induced me to remain, h9t I am Satisfied ^Bat I.ought a^t te pasaVl^ *kt
g^je A^opoortgaity of e8tablla|)ipg hnyp etf i«Jib»eHPCI^ion. * 1 wrote Mr. Barker from Sandy
nin, but have not RatftHe pleasure of hearing from him. Please inform him that I wiek
Digitized by ^OOQ IC
mtmMfi T« timt ftiKMr ntit bavkimo avb mutu* bo* t4«r.
to teifgn m the \^h June, und t9 teaoe the itexi day ifi con, ' Ehr«T day I pMiei«#tidaM 4**
an injury. We httoe to little Lime aUotUd i^ in this worlds' Bndthit lilii* it «* «iitf*ii|l0^lft|»
it,i>eco'ne8 rmp&rlantiaiake it by tke**fai^tock.** ' - ^ r i
• I ha^ie ju^t seen a pdem by G. A. Worfft, entiled "A m<!ri6an Bar^^ wMch ilka^irillBiMi ^
over with deep regret THtre is iMt A Um^ t^ inerit in tU tthok imk, h wooM Wetm dttC
-i^enius declines and degenbrates in the woods, f<>r Worth, Hrken Hi New Y*rif» was i*6iM'
wiiter^—briHiaTit in pr6se; and mttt thalk tdleMble in ^oetiy. t&ve« ifr' the iMitM ttaiM It
iA>thing 0f that vivacity atkl ek^Dce whi«fh diatiAgaisheU' fife Cetr^txmL ' '
O^ friend Vai) Def Heydeii il lt>oltlAg ^wt-lof tlMe^rk's Offiot^^ fur the Mtt Jmtmklf, ^
give'hifi) ^11 the ke)p you calr. ' Hotoce Merchant is to be his deputy, so that the ot^ection cf
- Clark» that he is a raw hand, 8lc, &.c., is wholly obviated. Clark rrparls hi^ as n -feikMiiVi
PUate cauctadi^ that tkleehoud* Vita t^et JtiUydgtk k t in# fallow aiid a f^^ of viieM* Mrf
deserved eiicoiiragenieDt, not only. 9n that aoeoaaf bttt I^M |b« his iiiial and fratrnwl .4iSiie<i<Ni<
^^ ahall get to Albuny in time lo lalie the ** Uhorang^ onr** io tbtt Hnt oa«sr, aadl sW i« lb*
Piatver apit, in holh of whic^ I shall fmobaUy be stlisitOTr Aii4 as for poUttei# 1 g^ve {W«
iifrtice. ihat I iotend to ieaye you a«fl the vther thliBar^* ^ ^0^^ it ^** kaviof neiiliei.liMi
iHNP inclioativn to bttchlcon tfaa^ariDpr, thMigl^4 aaay poaaihly alv»ya cmrry a HM^rtmm^.
alioMtAM. - Pnasent ray hsstfaapects.to your aisler aiii^ hf^lhv. . . ^ .
^ Yoma ftxnipmtely, ^F.WtWfc,, ^
7b /. JToye. — ran ^Mfcn :^r'W» tlefkt-^Lorenxi Hoyt^Barkeft latt of en j .
[Ns.^j. '' Albany, JTuneH Wirt/
P<^r lF*nend : I thank you for your kmdness in attending to my Bo^ick oau^» The lelt«r cf-
clcWing the [wrong pr wing] bill and the decree, came, to me charged #111 PQst^^ I nyPtjiH
this for no other reason, than that you may^be inrormcd of tb*? carf^lrssness of the p^rrm by
■whgni you sent it. The letter to Judge Piatt I wiii ddivcr. He m on the lour tsf Uie ^torthem
circuit — holds the Washingtoa circuit this week — ihf; Troy cirouii ncit vseelt^ a^id I sh^il very
probjibly see him on bis return. J have beep her*- three or fyur djiya— found every tbtog in an
elegjjnt state of confusion, but havegot.pret^y muLiti arran^eii for bu^iisess. Takr: it all mgelhcTp
we fiave the pleasantest establishment in the city, if no l in th^ ^taie* We wocupy the wMb
lower floor of the Secretary*e house. Mr. Van Buren hns ibe frgni rowTCi^ with the lihmry. t
keeu fny office in the bujC^k room, which is cool and pkusnnt, besidea bein^ betEer adnjjl^d hr
ahidy than the other. We have twp students l>e8ides Lorenzo. A young maiii a braib^r of
Caldtvel] (GouHay*s son-in-law) who has been .1& montba in ok\r oiEctJ, and ifl a ectieit«,aiiciili»r,
and, 1 expect, useful clerk — and a son of the loud talkiog Fuf^ley, who La a wild fellow, api
whom r keep on condition pf good behaviour^. So far» he has not forfcitett his cnguirioentt* U
Lorenzo remains with Mr. Vap Buren, I will, wi th great iikaaure^ pay particular aUfiitian io
hthi. He is digging away at Blackstoqe, which I .shnll permit htm to coutinue imtjl I get Bjy
booksTrom Sandy (Jill ; then 1 8(hall set him about reading a coEir^e ol hi^iory, ssid studying thid
laiin grammar. At his age. a knowledge of ^QfTal hiatory nioy be easily ^quired. The tnetii-
o^, which is the principal faculty concerned in its acquisiiiaii, is ili^n vigorous aiul iinburdcnej
by th^ various* knowledge ahd the distracting carus of riper years. He ix a nt^ry ^ne hoy^ and I
think 'win do wdl. He has not the geoiua ddt the energy of his. hrother, but at the eame age in
much hia superior^ (You may think t^ up g(>eat tfonpUiDSiU to yptivssil^iMit ftBf .ffemerabar
that jupd, are oo^ of those whose talents were buried in bales of cotton and hogsheals Sif^nun,
uqt^l aragged (jiom obscurity by the *" strong arvi of the law.")
WTien j}£r. Bark'er loaa at Saad^ HiU^he tiered iff wxedt t» ik$ Urmt l^ph^pated mkm «l
J^efo Ynrk.or eipen to double them if ngeett^rth-^ut I itat •oi ml tAerig te racattw ihekm^^f
ki9 good xoiahe*. I now consMer niyself pretty ]»erma|}e|itlar fc^t^d ai Aiktmy ; mU^ titiikvttiv
aUeyeiUs, I atiaU'nsv^r leave theia^Mi} fpr Banking or any other pwrsaU. t^now M tbi *«• mik^
and loo^aefia for my, professian that . a lovcj^ does tovylirds his < qustr^ts, after havivg been ^fm
arated fcoo^ her society* C^y ^^ ^V^^ they a»^ yon pan uncWstaad the ioroa o^ tUs siaaifau fid
feel it too^when absent from New York. How is this?) Do let me see you this summer, \
, And JjuBliave n^itmost siiMs^aiy yatur iriand, ^ F. WTUUL'.
To HoyU Law-^Chancery Trdctice^^* Van Buren and his mortgtfie^the Atkftuy }ii^.
[No. 41.i « . Albamt^Mf id» jeM. . .
Pear FRiE?n>, * « * *- * W# ve boarding at Mr l^js,* lUaacidy oppo<i|U mi i^jli,
(Gilbart Styswart't house,) wliar^we havevafy pleasant lodgings. Our departure from Sandy
Hill was so sudden, that we left all our furmtura |n the house, ^d for the prai^nt a^U cootion*
to board out. . ' \ ^ • '
As to batlbess, I ha^a enough to keep me very btisy—^hiejy tti<Jh<nceiy— old atlif iii^. Ji
w^Ut bew^ JBiiDftgh wtr^ft tiot«o feng b0nR«'«e%i^'iMi^<MSiet; ^«t^rm A rb»<>i»i o <^6
day or other. I think ray expect?itions will not be disappointed. At all aventa, as I tohl you
before, I am for the Law and nothing el8a«->aQd I regret sow thai Mr. Van Bureii «Ter tbougfat
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166 THE AMERICAN EUSKIM-, MODEST LAWYKR, AND MILD Jl'DGE— ALBANY.
oftMring his pMUs^m Yhloh 91M kicdi¥ iMSKWliit pit It iM t«r<l«ii M r«r«Mp, I think
f sball make my debut at August term in tlie argument of some motions and cases. Though as
t«|tell«Pll'»M^r«tiiers<t«^n1isW |I^ V,0.«piiwnly fe|y4leiirsv«.t0'asfisfcBi«. Uf^kf^
fk^amset^ m wbicU I10 iusim on my spe«ki«g*
liko Albany about as little as you do— and, vUh th« 9X€^Minof a few persons who are lo«r-
tlMLMUfHtmjht^'fi vQcy iitlls if my to thfe goodly -inlmt¥tanu of this ranoMrnpd metropolifi. I
t^wTSi* taM^rojK^to ||M4iu>^4»s^feeahle <)f th^m. V^y 9^Q ^ncrally.bigbts in politics,
a^d>^pjHll qf pm^u4iee 0n<i «Pvy. ,..,...,.-
4^V0»^^^ voiy fi^ ifMfl^. «! I»«w fipt faii9 at Ui^ Lutiii Grapimar, ii> which he wpake^ toi-
erabie progress. I shall pax particuUir ^ttontioj^k t» ^im^ I bayepfidtli^ for the order to the
Ri#3i<iV#» ik*t XW.P^^ fl(W 25 «i«t».,. J^ty flpiipjimenlti« Mr, Barker. &c. , ^ /
4•w-v-^ . . Yws truly, p. f. ptJTLfcR.
;f.p|iK4^J T4>4he-»«me.- ^^ ^ * Albiity July fi«. 1820. '
apar^FVigiidit I^im about filinf a biH te f^cUist liltf mortgags kUd b» Mr^ Van Bnren-
agni«il4|M? Kamr pio^rty, to which ^uAge LiviofHon and M«l«pt. BlaekweU and McFarhioe^
wtmk Ite^vtlM. To«vo4d'iost8 itix&se tbeyt^sHotld discli^, it is neoeesury te tendec th«» re.
letfMB.' l.hiraipicWstnd ywi <t)ie reletttfcs^ ttfid if ItisMt t«oniueh trauhie muet eall bn yon ««^
pftfMl tlttra W the gentlemcii tbovt naoi^dy with «n ek^nation of the! ofai«et £B^wkieh^th•y
wfe T ^ wpt t^t. I i» not believe th«y imH exee«i«» them^ tho? thef wjovld save tr*uUe if .th«y >
should. They will never get anftWinf fk«a the inor^agffd pmiiits, nor irwA anyMlMrof
KanAV^p«^,^ailll mightat^wfli r^letw-it. Nothing new.
YoufrmostcoitiiaUy, B. F. BUTLER.
r(» %y<^ oil i^'UggUng at the Bar — Judges like to dine^-^Tan Btireh the Erelriue of Amerieeu
pw. ^] Albany, Auguit f, ItlO, .
Bfelf-Sh-— ^YouRf of the 5th' went ramid-by thierway of Troy, so tlial I did not rtceive if tifttil
tl#fe^y^*-bii4, sit 1 had no #p|9ortupity to ntake Uie motion on Mdnddy, no harm results.
tT t^iki^ pivc&in such a positioti da I stxppojsed would ensure me a hearing, but nnfdrtu^Stely
tlft*fr^re s^e^ tedious fcltews aftead of me who' took up so much lime that when m^neighbtiar
niit above lAe was reached it was just bn the strole of three ; and 900 knoio How eager out
J*<foftf uns, fchr the toinforts^tf a goH> dinner. If 1 had not received yours I should liave jiTo-
ca^ *if oi^er to stafy proceedings. I hope yon -iiHil not foil to stay with us at Jones's while ^t *
Afikmf, " 1 ^Unotbc able to accompany yoti to the Springs— nciiAer time nor funds would
pirmii, ■ ^e'triifK is, I am poor, and I mean to ^cohomize, and »*»***][ should like to
jcjircis^ ibnr^ amfwhete exf*eff€ to tfU ;^Sf¥itigs, of which I had enough test year. There 1^ a
grtJii(?^l of burtness^thJs term, but |i gfwit pait of it is a^all business such as Certioraris', &«.'
' YM Ijjew York cbsetmch *Ve a trotrbjlcteome race — perfect snarlers and marplots. Mr. Van
Afhen siind^ higher ' throughout the ^afethan he ener (fi(f— twi^ess the tddsts at the varloas
cetebrtffbns. ' ^jt if I were in his pjftce I wouM tipuble myself but' little about thecarpinga of
80*ih meet hs'yoa'hame-^ihey can do nothing without him. What would have become of t(ie
o|ipi6s»iV>'» if »t had not been ft>r him ? ! will say ttiore— if t wnsTan Bureh, 1 would let ^litics
aforte. He ifab be tmd will be the Erskine of the iState, which is an ambition more laudabW
thali^e d6sire of polWoal prefeyment. tte yesterday opened a cause in the Supreme Court in
tlii kndst c<jncise, elegant, 2\nd convincitig argument I almost ever heard^ Believe me^
^ •; ^ ■ ' . Yt mrs truly, B. F. ^inXEaU
: f ; w V M fb M^hr^Lsm tedi^us^-^'Judge Speneer iinc9urteomh^B^ler too forward,
.ip«J*. 44.J '^ • THtmsiiAY, !7th Angust, iB^a.
My Dear Friend : * * * » # - Xlie Court gets along vcty Blowly wtth
tl» iMndaiV Tilepe «m 400 causes, and>lhey beght thid morning at 7t\ I have done liothfUg^ .
ntpr^^baA tippeic n motiM, hi whi<^ 1 was saccessfiU— bnt to-morrow expect to make bonae
pM^iiftfit^I rtt fet « kooHng, t tittenpted it> la»t week, but His Honor, the (jhief, [meanings |c '
ijpi»piiwii» Amhros» &pkncef;] in his -anLD Way, told me to wait until my sBitlOKs hsd ^^ik
hetnl fmnd Ml was the yoongmt Goflinsc4torAt*the Bflr, perhtfps this waar right ; but it excitad 'a *
glM Aai^f «4»strvatUm among the bdtr, and is gen^Hy ^oktri of 98 not rerf }iberadSl«r
proper^ ' ! " ,
lMitHlfidhk*t%n^ how a is; h$i^f tm t(!ft»i4eredf by some perrnns, U9 possessed of a re*
mnr'^able de^ec of forwardness, tiq. ftjc, mecely J^c^use I ^m unwilling to remain f<^rc»«r at
the ftfc»i*of the profesaiomrt JaddeK. However, if ftiy me id spared,'! ahatl grow dd^revery da]^,
and tfyfttfomi, ap0ibtl0ia4»rather will be entitle^to a hearing. *.*
i^j^iMKa4ftfcCiyeirlcndii>#<>ifei»e tktc»>-i»tU4K>l4)*'it;ached this'tertn. ' ' . - T
^. --■ - ^ • ■ . , .■ . .^ . > 'Mbstnr»ly7o«», . p. F. BUTLER.' .
Ttfiy Dolhr Tees searte^^Judges woodworth ii spencer talked about. -
m%^'] . .T« J[t9«,)H<iy|^^«!l^.m St. ^ ^ ^ Ajlb4»t, Oct ift, mO..
' - ^~ X^pf^y t^J^lff^t^m Mkcm e ^ ' gj yi- hope at, may o<MMintta-<4^«od 9i9^
Digitized byCjOOQlC
l4$ ^i^ iengih lUaiig},;' • Ho ku fivftH very crii«ia^ 4ijM«UaAi«(iq» tlus Qo«rt. « « . ^ ,
* ^. » . * * Th« eiiy feM ^afiJiU oi fiKttcili &«x.i <baee t^ro dft3t0-r-at a eattie aiivr
M I Uw iOin jHMbkig ^ it. myaeif, ;ChieC J^)«iee, Spacer il«furer«4 a tpeaoh ao tha ooaa.
"M»r ^VMlib «(•/ atffvw0i;« c)/ j)r^«iX(4to» /or 1^ ;>«ioi( «)lkea j^ toi/Z H AMm^lM At r«ftiii |»
the shades of private Itfe. * * « . la hfm^^ youra* trul^t, B. F. 3l}TL£il. I
[Id imotk^ lattab AiyilicJ8\9,.Mi:. Btttlir uUa Mr. a<»yt».^at .** TJm iM^mtnfem ^.im4$e
WoodwortU is ui»«reiwUy. rai^faatafi hstn ; wiiboit^ any.eJbu^iofWb eicain tlie CJiaioiuaaa.'*} < a.
• , ^ . ' ' ' " "r >■ ■ " r;»-^ ' . . . .. i
[No. 4^ ,/. JToMoyf* w» iV;5«A ^ a|i Cnuom N^mmathn^. . A^m^jiy, Nov. 7, ISfla.. ^
Dear Sir : \l the ca*MJu3 lai^ «venirif, 6S RepiiWicaa mei&beraaf Aateigiblx \ ^
T#oirei;^,8iaaik]th^'publicBn8 absent— not yat arrivo^— hw that we ihaU jaat >p9e aaihi^jDiftiM.
Mr. Sharii agreed on for Speaker. Mr. iTandy rhpydffn fi»r C]adh45 — to 23 for A. [Aaron] Clark.
The votes to.diiy wiU ^ananimous, aiwi every thuig will g^ af it^ oa^iy^ 'T^^ Coaiii;il did
not in^et yestetclay. Mr. Noah Wnr attend to your letter---4ie takes great intere^ m il» I
hav#ili&t biefi able to see either Mr. B. ur Mr. D. ^
'^ ^ f n histe, most {mly, y5urt, B. F. BUTLfcj^l .
> , •* > <■ .1 .. lit ,. ii *. til*. ' - '
7b ^um HopU Jf entry if Campbell defeahd-^VaftBurenl^ Butler not very im^ih^CUnion'M
' ^ ' * ' abusive ^ssagu . ' \ .
^No. 47.] [per Counsellor Caines.] ' ; * Ai^anf, January 18,Jke5ji^, *
Dear Sir: * . * * « . * Wehavehada very tedious s5{asion, llheComt
bavi( V^n priilciutlly oecdpied with non-enumerated tu^nese, a^d irnv^ be^n^a to reaohvNf
N«. 99, Ofi ^hd VateAdaf. There Wd^ no business of ^(ert8( except soine pretty nmH^rY^nY IM<.
thma^8tri0tig^.othei^ a motion to quash all our 6ciri ia. proceeding in^Ots^igOi vti^ck waa fiiily
Vgaed by Mr. Campbell and Mr. Henry for, and myself agaii^st it. This waa the fiqM (Uima />f
^v l^nportanoe I exer argued in the Supreme' Court, and i2ii« w^as the moft inteifaeiag roattac
beK>f« i*Mf Cotitt. r made out tolerably we^. 1 believe, and wt^ heard very patieptly for geitf-
t4t6 hdur?. The piotion Wrfl n^t be deeded ^uitil ilext term.
- r was softy to^h^ar frbm you irt so sonibf'^ n strain ns t!ri* which porva4ed one oi^yg^f late Irt^.
ters. I hope, however, tJiat with ihe new year your prospects wiit reviv(*--and. I hVva no daqbt'
tkrit i^itstti and merit likeyouts wiUVotumnrnd, aa h cerialiilr destfrv^s, tuccefls. . ,
"► W^rViiri Burcn & Boiler] are doing hartlJv niiy buajnf ft3-.-whai w^? b«Ye is la CHJtNCEtiYi. •
iiilil t HEJ'EXPENBBS ARfi SO HEA V^ V^ AN D TfJ E PKOCEEDS SO, LQJJG iN COMJN^,
that myjpresent hop$$ are cor^fined to a bnire itubsUUuce. The only confolatian la, tl»t I am
niAing^ as I thihk, sbme progress in proft's^ioau] knuwkdgL, oi^ which uo^ day brother,! mw •
l%ete^is 6ve^y pTpsperf^ df*a starmy session'. The Goternor [Dc Witt pUnioR,} |m8 ^on^ ^Tt l L *'
caterf^tW fiocrtment^ relative to THE ORGANIl^ED CORPS, accdmpanfed WITH A VERY^
ABUSIVE MESSAGE. This Itusmess will 'in^^r^ htm greaii9>.thw^gltmtt,tke Unim^^ ^ :\ ,
'r doht thihk Tshiill he jm fipplicant Tor any thing this ^fixttert-ictrtAinly im il I can get a liv.
ing ^PJJi»J>»i^ which I tiope may be the case. Mr. Esleeck is the most prominent candidate for
t]^ (/^cd ofXHstrict Atxprney, and fi^els cpp^dent of success,. ftn4 wi4 fspbal^iy ^ m^CHMad.^
I hope td s^e yoti soon at ^lbany« woeh we slfaU expeipt you Watay with ua. \ « - « «
With sincere regajrd, yoursr . B» P. BUTLBR. -'
[To^L Hoy t\: The Bns^tail Council Ttr^^unptrpu^r'^All^^ \ -
• ti^Jo.^i] -'^ :'**,' Aj.lA»T,J?Vb>a(i,18Sl. t
My Dear FlRieiiD — * ^ '* * ^ I hope the Ctti^ncU w^l soon niith all theyiitt^ to d^
ad' the ex(^itement produced b)M)ieir labors is very gra^t, ^d tlie difi^oilky of fJeasinif everyb^y ■
very ttnkmgiy illustrated. ITou willVve seen byt})e>tmie this .iQeaaliiea yau, ihmttkeyhbvt
givkn me an office — withoi^t any trouble or ejtertion on ray pa«t-^ar macb on the pait €< my
friends. The (ninor appointments for this c^y have given great diasatisliKtiaa, and it is mmvilt^
as we can do to keep the peojfle frm open reheUim- Qf. nil this, Jlowm^, say nothin^-^ws I
hope a few days of reflection will ^051 potse-thaang^e le^peots.. To. jadge Jrom tk^ vialem-
expraaSions of those Who are disappoij^ed, one Wiould think ibatoiv pr«»p«i«s for next ^Bprin^
waff gather blanH:-^W you km\p it h ike 0*imsy»J lHnosrat9*alwim take impstnmis ^d
sometimes to l^e rash.\ } have only, lime ta.say ^t yau Ha ^wyiysont of llkisa fdr Mthobbf'
hOUh, happinpsi pnjj fuiure proep^^ity I ^1 |ji^ liveliest aolicHwiit, -&a; <S^. iu. <
•" . ,.\ \. . . _ ^.;- ^ >. . . -^ It.- •«. F^B4J.TLEBu.
A tlom Stec«i*nJ-»A« CfM^oes^^tAtt^pisoJ^ion to ifte Buffktails, " ^ '"
Drar Hoyt : HavMif b|a» #ng8std ira hJnf amntedinus Court of /Sessions, I have 6«en
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c ^rm^HtiiiimmmM9Wpamui$nm att> ^ i muw w j ^ ?
favorably— Ulster an* Sdtitan m^pctUpi W i^il by iki^ iK>ailii«tS«ii oC 8ii4dta^ TfaM» ill
a ^Q/kU pf9ap0ta ef soccMi ia dw n««r 00»iUm •rectod\Mir Ontarfoi The other countie* ma/
8tMi4-a* they dU iMt yetf, taoepi Montgomt^y andT- Quce^M. In ih* fenMr «« Iniv« atlvftg^
hiHi^C eiwtiB^ a«» wboia iieket. As N^fha iMler, yo* hat* better m0aiu«l infoniiwioa tbfo-
1 hultu. Toi* Iny o^a part I tfK it do^tn ar^j^ainst ua.
. jUaLiiM tcr be deviM that tft«0#«cliaii )>re«iiila In atsoM covtufM, im! indiflbreiiee in othef*-^
ascTas aAt AdnaMariai iviU afraW ^vorf n«f^ to -the utaoN, they «ii»y aeonf^ the a^ta. •
la the Eastern District we sbaii elect oar Senator, having; a most nobU iiekttr while the
CiiMAf^nl have a MrvMohcd one. ' ]Pft)beMy WtjmMt may b^ elected in the Heatevn; tho" there
is^osnaaiohltojia'cf ir.' The el^etion fffll be elose, ami «6m« of ourfHenda give it up/ though
tiithwita«»c*mrei»on. . • • « • Ift haste, truly yotup, ' S. F. Btf'f LEJR. '
• HI I IWilliri l>f<l>l I
' Ta /eMs llayf , on Low, Btfigton, Meho^ir, tki 'Omrt of Mrr&r$j 9ie\
(No: 50.] ' ^i^ANY, April 2»ia^
M^ D^^r friend : I am glad to hear of your sn^b return from Washington, and have to thank
yovraryotir letter from that plaae, I r^gfc; that you loat |he opportunity of arguing your cause
in the Supreme Court. It wuuld have be#n a oircaaistance equ|illy creditable to yoti^ at^gratK
fying^ to fotLf filends, to have bad you come forward so soon after your admission to the bar,
in the tirst court, and ogainst the highest law officer of the nation.
]| ii*tiot at all sorprizitii^^at you ahoyld know hew to appreciate our solicitude for ^ * *
♦ * * Our chief prayer is that she may be prepared far th$ elotk^ scene, tkrott$h
tk^ette •/ hi^ Creator and Jit&gi. My dear firiend, THIS, after all, IS fllJE. ONXiY IM-
P041TANT BUSttfESS OF OCR LlVflS-^nd every newinatant^ of mtrffllity admmhe*
vM$$'9et4imutiiindafi seaBon, ' '
I im mach InH^tftd to you for yotnr attention ^o the troubWme business of my releases, i
do «#t Care whei!ier they are executed or lk>t — il^ only «^ject is to save costs by tejidjiriagr thei^
Bii0(bsed Is a list of all the jud^ent creditors' of J« Rane who h<ive not relffsed. fW^m
mark opposite to each| the names of thdtie who are absent, $nd where, so that I may. bring them
io hy pnblieation. ''
Tlid Court of Srh>rs yesterday decided the cause I argued there (Mandian y^. Cihboas) ii^
favor of my cJiertts; (Defendants,) ^ to 4 — a great triumph to me, and. some lit^e marti^eati^B
to 1\fr.' Henry, who Was' nnqomioovly positive and san^tvs- I have argued two, and ^TS
several other causes toaYgue in the Court of fhanccry,
»Mi^ Btttler (^ndivs to be affectionately remembered by you and by l^r. Ward. Ko <^
standB*highkr kt her estitnatioii tHan yourself. She thinks you the most ardent fneod I have»
and therefore she feels for you as she ought to. I hope to see^oa ia Ma/j h^t may be dissp-
pelWiMis In haste, most inilyyoats, B-F-BUTLfiR/
[7b /. UoyH ^ •^<n* Yt9k.] JPolUieiil echemutg-^Inetructiaru how to he^ Povier from ti«
Pteipk-^Noe^ t0ld howtfthehine'^-^orie t6 tUet Cravtford.
. [No. fil) Albany, /any 29. I8d4. .
M.y dear iiend— Tl« Bteetora! Law was to have been taken tip in, the Assembty to day * ,»
J* # * sThere is no doubf whatever thltt a majority think it inexpedient to pass the hill,
and let they are so h'^mpered by prefM^re commitments, and many of then^ m goaded hy their
eonetituenta, as to render it altnos.^ morally certain that they pase it in tome fiha|« or other.
Our relisBoe Iscrn the Senate, and we still ehtertaia string hopes thist it will be rejected there
in whsf^ver ferm it may e6me. Still, this is by bo means certain, snd the grei^test caution
ao^ prudence, as weH as the gfreattft firmness,' are required in presentiitg the BObject to the
BanetoTM ' Wehave net beeA,iMid art not, idle ; eta the cofltrafy , if e^er men labored iodesssntly,
the ♦CoiiflpBmters» and tk% * Regency/ dte., detffcrve that pndse. » * * * » » Make
a euggeetion to Mr. Noah, whioh I trust wiR not be improperly received by him. ft is simply
t0( suggest that, fur the piftesent, the Adifo^tde shmild not press &ie claims nor descaftt oh the
meiita of Mr. GrawfeitU We hivW hiihe two branehM ef the liegisl. about lOS ihembers
who are tboroagh*going CeUcus men. Of these a msjarlty, beymid alt doubt, would prefer
the Bomination of Mk Cfawftird, the it^mainder are for Mr. Clay or Mr. Adams, the sms'llpst
neoiher bemg ft>r tho latter. Wkiie thete mn «r« wiUing to abide by a GONCKGSSTON AL
NOMii*7ATIOK, it ia«selesB t^ ai^oeBte the elaim^ of Mr. Crawford to such' a nomination,
it beittg CERTAIN ikAt if any ia yfmda •tmnef fiUt v» ktm. BHidM, by pi^iMlng' the cT&ims of
that gemlecfiU yen l&cur the risk of alarming the feelings and encountering the opposition of
' tho(ie4m> and honest men whp havAAone.^ltli ii» m>bly se kr^ sod «e wl^g to §0 with us to
the e^if hut who are yet unaceoimtahly wedded tQ Mr. CUqp (k€ }lb, Adams. And thBugfk | do
not believe they could be driven from the res<)li|^iona thejr hsm eoieoned. itt, H» ivor of a
Ctojcus at Wishingcott, i)»y ^ay yet hekdBce^tajpii^.jfaap ifiPP^M^/llft «i<iw«l Jlm^.
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j(tttif\0k»iit satiafied^ eid^er that iHiext eimd!da^9 ti^e tio chance of a C»ttCD9 KbmfnatMi^
^Ot' that we ire determined to fui-ce (be claimB of Mr. Crawford. Stick to principlts; adVooaMi
the necessity of adheringf to <A« aid Jfbrm^ an^ estoblUhed doiitrine^ of the party — and expreai
the utmost readiness to submit individual preferences to the decision uf the Onieus. It wiJl
bie time enough after the noinin&tioii, to defend and n^aintain the character and claims of the
sacpesaful candidate. * * * * * * J should' think it irtjudicioue to caU meetings oh
this tiekUsh sdbjeet, especially in the country^ where the meetings from necessity would be
moft general thaotfoUh ypu^ and tphere our opponents would inevitahkf outmaTim and tntt-
niimSf^r us. In your city^ however t'^ the line is so distinctly drawn, AND YOUK FORQ^
Altfi BO WELL OROANiZfiD, that you have nothing uf thU sort to apprehend.
if ihe meeting about to takfe piave stioutd not be more formidable tha'ii 1 \hiuk it wilt b^, ft
will not be' misunderstood here. Its proeeedings will be cunsitJered as the voice, not of 'ihe
reptAticah 'party, but of the supporteid of Mr. Wheaton and his-coHeagues, who are now veVy
well \inderstood by the country members — end Instead- of injuring I think it would render us' a
•efvice if it should stand alone. » * • * * Still it seems to me that we have nothsn^
to gain, a Ad much to hazard by giving to this subjecrany ferther excitement of a popular char*
iirtep-4>ot as Mr. Bo^n^ knows perfectly the state of things here, your Committee should con-
fer tvith him fully before they adopt tmy course. deHnitely. I
-> I omitted to make another suggestion for Mr; Noah. It is not very serviceable to talk hiuch
«f BmriteSt LewisUes, or the High minded. Several of the two former classes are her*! among
our bes^ friends ; and as to the tatter, Skidam, Brffns0n, and Wheelert are as true as steeT, in
tlM ifiHiato-i^^afid Whiting, Hosmer ftnd* several others in the Assembly are among our best
and most httpeful suppor-ters irtthiit House.
I have not wriflchn t&Mr. Barker about bis proposition as to voters fo^ Electors. It ha^been
men^Meil to^avefal, but we doubt the power of the Legislature to pas j it, and if they h«ive jt,
we are still more apprehensive ofils policy, for reaaoiiB which on refleciioi 1 think will occur to
yen. Y««r« truif, « B. F. 6UTL£B.
I «peiwd this iettor t«<«bow to Judge S. [Skinner.]
Young nominated — the Governors folly in going for the people — the Argus afloat — Barkei^k
Conspiracy 7}riaL
[No. 52J To Jesae Hoyt Albany, April 13, 1834.,
Dear Hoyt— Political affairs stand well. The nomination of Young has defeated the plans
of the oppositimn ood though I did what ItmUd TO PREVENT ITS NECESSITY, / am
yst psrsuadedt. that, under aU circumstances, it is the best thing that could be done. You
will see |he two addressea. To ours we have more than twe«-tbirds of both' H^dtes— rand though
U flpes not speak directly of th« presidential question, 1 mink its tendency, &&, can tiardty be
miflunderdtood. If matters go as we expect, there will be a large majonty for Mr. Crawford at
the next seaiion^ Indeed it i? ^ory certain that he haa received a majority of both branches.
Re]j[ anon it every thing will go well. Yours truly, B. F. BUTLER.
[No. 53.] To Jesse Hoyt. - Albany, June 5. 1624.
My Dear Sir— You hare by this time h\krrd the consummation of the Governor's folly by the
' isBinif of hia prockiination YbuwiH see that the .4rgti«- business has been at hat ac-
eonplished. I waa obliged to becoma responsible for tiie moderation of the New York paper, aind
t»wa«nita a Band of Indaranity, &c. 1 have mitten to Hamiitoti for it. Do see that it is ssm^
mm* Yaur»ever, B. F. B.
[No. 54.] To Lorenzo Hoyt, Esf^., Albany. ^ New York, Oct. 1, 1826.
0R8T Sb— Mr. Henry has gone home Mdth an intention of preparing himself in the case of the
B^nie of Plaltsburg against I^vi Piatt, Wells, and others, (the account cause.) I wish you would
i tiferefore ♦•**** I Itev^ but a moment and few details of the trial, [Jacob Barker and oth-
k ^rsfbr a -odnspifacy to defraud,] ttiHStrtferyomo the papers. TTiey bring down the details to'
^ j W Weidtfy ^t one o'clock. In the rfftemoon and evening we had >i fine time of it, and when the
«(|farr<acltJQnrhed taM night the causft was left remarkably well for us. I send a pap^r for Mrs.
Butter. Mr. Barker has done wonders. Truly yours, B. F. BUTLElt.
To Heyf, on the LaiD Eetisers — Dr. Hosack upset-^a successor to Talcoit,
t^To. SS'O Albany, Dec. 11., 18iJ7.
TMy^Dear Sir— I cannot send yoii copies of the chapters that ara to bommence on the first of
January, as pas^d, as there are but a few extra copies in print. ****** There is nothing
in tliem. However, that can interest or affect you, in New Yorfc> except Chap; 14, " Of PuWic
Heakh," which mitTg[atea the Quarantine ^aws and upsets Dr. Hosach Chap. 18 cutsuii some
orsRATioKS that vMsd ta beinwtgue, but it was so altared by the Legislature as to be entirely
confined to Corporations hereafter treated or renewed-
Incessant occupation has rendered it impossible fbr me to answer, your kind letter. My situa.
tiod asii member of &« Aate^ltb^wlll render mc ineligible to the ofike you speak of, in caae
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Talcott [Attoraey G(eneral1 should resign. [See the CoootUalkin '.J . ApA^SP^ ^
*tf-6y*maE cmminstd^de.l eh^uldtd^firfv^Amng' f6''wUhdVawiby 4UenWl(fem
dfthe'KeviaionTof thtf.lawA df N. Y.J whicfe wUl fe^'uire all ray effbrtB fiiiaome m
dfthe*Kevi3ion'[of thtf.lawA df N. Y.J whicfe wUl fe(j'uire all raV etlbrw fiiiaome moiuha
I mast get that concern off m^ hinds before 1 ^et up for any tnin^ efee, especially if it
hd>or.' There to, ho Wevep," tittle pfoba&ility that tht good* people will suffe'c/or want of
dates, :2ii a case so pTominent th«r6 are generally enough to' grasp lor It. In,baste
' ' Very sincerely yours, R. F. ^
' [No, 56.] To J, Hoyt, on his claims on him over Duer. Albany, March. 19th, 16^.
■ 'My Dear Sir — I have not beeo able to famish Chancellor Walworth wi(h a.cppy of; ■ * ; ** v f ^
gpswey, my^origioal copy having got into that celebrated receptacle of Chancery papeti, ^om
which nothing^is ever to be wiihdruwn---the draw or ^ushel basket, (I don't knawiwhii^,) of .)ip
venerable {predecessor. .... I wish I had time to 6a^ something of your laitiet(er^bf|t ^
the hour for closing the mail is at hand I must defes; and if I defer the whole matter wi}l tnii^
irao Liinbo, for 1 never can'uhdertalie to answer an old letter. You do jne H^juatiQe ia jfoiv
iflode of stating the case As between you ^nd Jo^i Duer I never can hetitate. You iipe imc
only the oldest friend, 6uiWi assured^/ HAVfi tHE STRONGEST POSSIBLE GtAU4S
UFON ME— c/aim» which I hope to convince fou I liave not forgotten, and can ^ever fof^U
. Mre. B. continues to think illy not only of ihe WarfiingJon people, but of y»ur argwiientf in
its favor. T shall submit the matter wholly to her deciaion, tbo^igh my judgineiu; not kas |b«?^
ifiy inclination, tells me she is wfong in some q( her ot^jf ctions-^it' not in all.
Moat truly ypurs, JB. F- BUTWBR,.
Maher^{like Marcy) to be^sav€dfrom,ruiji^, and nu^e respsctaUe, . ;
- [No. 57-1 . . Watemfokd, July 26, 1830.
^u iforenzu tfoyt, Esq., CounaeHor at Law,' State Street, Albany.
IVtr jiWr dir^When I left this morning, 1 could not ascertain whether Mr. Re^sieUs hadwr
tu-^ned or not. If he has nm returned, I mu»t get ray cause postpea^^ and ratum id apiii Mr.
Oetrander before the Vice Chancellor to-morrow. Let me know by the first stage or mail lor
B^Uatom « - ^ - *
Notice should be given at the Post office to send 'Mr. Van Buren's letters to Saratoga Springs.
Those 3k)U. sent jieaterday to my house are yet there. Will -yon see them sent baok to the Post
Oftae properly directtai?' •' , .. ^t
OQceiiiore. Just as we left this morning, I henrd thatoitr exceUent friend Mlhet wm-^etii.
It occurred to me. iiisi'antly tli^t f . H. Strong was very, weM qa?ilifi<Kl for the place t^ State Libttt^
rian. . IT WOUJU) SAVE HIM FROM RUIN, and make iiim a respectable living ; aad kmv-
iag Ihatt he would be a respectable man. I beg you to call yn» Mr. Flag^, ami tiauie hiitt ab ■
candidate fi>r wHi)m I feel a deep interest ; also speak to^Mr, Croswell and Mr. Phelps and' ocb-
ers* k* it can be dune, Uwill he a great ofair for Strong. Don't omit seeing Mr.»FI«ifgr
Yowrs, B. F. BUTLEK?. '^
l^oah-^adge Sutherland^ J), B. Tallmodge a Succsssor to fluer,
(J^O. 58 J [Mrs-.B. F. Butler to Mr. Jesse Hoyt] Albany, December 4tll^ 1W»« •
. My dear Sir i I aiii greatly obliged to you for seodips me the paper containing the s i j tM s
*" Albany lustitute." I ^m very much inclined to believe thatJhe aoijiof of the aiUness merited
the r#bi^e,nut bec^ise (m*^.' friend Croswell is mentioned in an honorable manner, but becswi
the whote ^ditorial corps w^e not ingrafted in the not?. • ., , , , .. .-* .
If r.^ad written ilie note, I should pot l\ive forgotten Noafi^-I woul^ havc^givwix bjni R I|%h
place," for he is ceriair^ly eft titled to rawAvbeing King ai|d Sigh Priest, &^. ic.^ «iC-tl|e J^?Mt
In his literary store-hnise, he has' ammunition pf all sorts ; and altho' he is too food oif anaoaiag
us with squibs, he can, and does occasionally, send up a sky.rocket. I wrii^ in great ^ate* a^fl
have <>nly time to add that I dm a lone widdow yet — and that the veYf elements seepv to- g^ft ^^^
to keep my loving lord aw4iy. Did you ever know suck, a continued ap^U of •mHlb'tafi^t
weat^xr?,^ Yours, very sincerely, HAS-RIf^T- fi .;
[Xo. 59.] [private.] ; [Mra. B. JT. Bjatler fo Mr. Jesa^ Hoyt.]
■ ^" ' Washington,' 18th Pebruajy, 1354.
My Dear Sir — You mtist either work for Judge S. [Sutherland] or yourself, if yo^ ^jaot
wish TaFlmadge to get tl^e ofljce of D. A. [Districl Attorney .J „ ^ ,
His brother works like a Cirt-H>>rs^ Tn th c^m alter, ahfl thingjs are working well for l>im* "•
Mr. 'B.[ Butter] jmly yreldied to Judge S'fScJ'iims over yoixrs; ona^pmU of his (the Jud^'j^'
peqMtdrly Hnpleamnt silitatifinHn a pecuniary p^uiiit ej view, , .
Do help the Judge. The decision of the matter is lo be left to the N. "t, Membere-s-B-epit-
sentfttivesi and Senators — and they are all pretty m icH to amnn, cpmraitjed to Tullmadge.
'" " ;^ ^ ' ' Great haste, ainw^y yQ'irsi . ' , H. 8.
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A 8B£ FED. IN THE CABINET— AN AETFTL PARASITE VNCLOAEID. 171
..^.. W. ,60.],; . Ulia. P, F, ^o^r to.Mr. Jew Hoj^tl Washijgtok. Feb. 24, 1834.
, My Ctear Sir— t caaQaljr say in relationVo the office wnicli wa6''fhe silbject'of trhriaetlttiati
W jrou have becon^e a candidate too late in th^ ^ay for any hopes of succeed. *
|f Tailma^ge and Sutherland are set aside, a? is very likely they will be, if the taatter ii re*<
iecreii lo the Delegation, I think Jl^» Bdmonds will 9ueceed. • ''
5!9'/<?r «s pAUPEfttSM is a qualification and recdmmendation to theffavbr of party ^ 8urtl$
yw wi/rffi»c in fo THE LAST N AWTED PER^N.
.But it 18 a. (N^y« ifyouri^aUy want the office, that you did not say so at the cottimeneedieat tt
Vhf session. Xou may as welU however, write to Cambrelen^, who I heat it donimitted for^yntf
BiM Jbe will he Me to tell, you ?3l the difficulties about the affair. " .
P^IQEi ii is thought b^ ^r.' B. ^Butler] wiH be the pei^n the delegation will unite upoRj tf
ihey^ cannot agVee not to disagree upon either of the first named persons — but I am of (pinion
Edmonds will be the man.
/ am happy thai you can talk to cheeffuUy of your mieforttmes. I hope that -you wiU yet tee
h-ighter days though. v
I'perceive by on^ of ydur letters you are getting to be quife an old mati. •
Mr. ButUr still cohtinaes strong in the faith (Jdcksonism) and thinks that all tht po^Hofl^
trottbtes of the day 'are necessary to the purification of the body politick. That lessons of wis.
dem will be learned now (and learned by heart) that wilhdo men good.
[Here four lines of the lady's MS» €r§ carefully erased. Sheadils — ] *
Don't be curious to know the-above-^tooiy showed < Httle^oif. the oSd Ufiwn of J^^d^ia^i^itm,
wlMf'wJ^'udmeeion^o- the Cakinei cannot ^or has not yet, covered.
The mail will etose and I must htote. Sincerely yours,. H.. B^ [HAREIST BUTI^IRJ
JOoum with the United StaUs Banh, hut we may wgnt another,
' fNo. 61.] PWvate. [To Jesse Hoyt, Esq.] February 94th, [IBM.J ^
My Dear Sir — I thank you for all the news rbad enough most of it) in your several Utters—fi
and most heartily concur with you in all the censures and three.fourth9 of the abstract notioos
you utter in them. As for supposing that Newbold, George Griswold, Stephen Whttoey, or aiiy-
«f the old federal commercial men, we're with us oil this occasion, for any other reaton than be-
cause they found it for their interest to go with us, I never for one single ittotant had sttchtaa
unwarrantable idea.
As for myself, / ttave NEVlER douhted that THE PRESENT Bank ought ITT BY ALI#
MEANS XD *o biput rfown— but, on the other hand, I Aave never been perfectly satisfied that
we eot^dget on with the buMness^of the country without SOME SUCH AGENT. Biit Miw^
Taney thinks we can, an* CfAe is the judge. Mr. Gallatin-also anee told me we C9^i^~ani
inkt desirous TO TRY IT j because if we can get on without any of this machineryy 1 thiak
it best to dispense with it, for it always has been, and always will be, abused, no matter wh»
cofrtMIs lt,^d^ or otfr enemies.
Come what will, we must adhere to the PresH policy FOR THE PRESENT, even if it sends
U8aU.into,*th« fhiaority. It <rould be better to go teor years into the minority than to jycharter
Ta^ 3f((Ui, nr vui^e a SS20 one ICTNOW. Truly yours^ B.F.BUTLER.
JdcksQjpk*^ Ppoclamation and JProtest—Anterican difficulties with Francv .
TNo, 8S.1— Extract of a letter, B. R Butler to Jesse HoyW^attd Albsfly,^ Dec; 14, IVSSLr^
"1%© FrtesMeiU's^Proclamation has electrified our jwhole community. Next to the (Teclaration '
of Independence, it is the most p state paper our country's have produced." [The
words left out are tor^ off the original.]
piN^i 0&.]4-B«trtctof a letterfrom Butler to Hoyt, dated Washington, June 69, W34
2* Mr. T«ney and myself were nominated thismorniftf ; Mr. Stevetison is al86 yet uniU;]«^.
>«t«tation. They' are very furious in their attacks on Srevifnsoti, am^ it is bv no m«>nn8 certnki
*ey >»«y Hot tall for infisirmetion about MY SUPPORT OF THE -PRESIDENT IN HUH
PROTBST, Ae., in winch *v*Ht J^r, Wright is authoriied by me to speak strongly.**
[No. ;64] QMBetoaame, Stuyvisaht, October' 1st. 1884.
• My .Dear Sir : I have jpat received your letter of the 27th, which I found at mv fatheF's, on
•1? temrn to^y frpm Hftt^M, wlifte I have been fbr the purpose of aiding oar fiiend Blunt itt
«• arbitratioifc. . .
' I'M n0^ced the inli»matk)H from Frnnoe, this,.morning at Hudson, pnd it had ocevrred tQ
^ mi Ukgi uMt^ m ih^ SHmum, was a judicious oomjaent upqp it. Icdeed I think it yery oertttUt
»^.4
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m tftMtut WITH tiAiff G^. ActudM mu Af^^ttiu (^ utnoia^
that the clamor which has existed in thit couDtry agaitatt the administmion, for the bmi ckte
nioiiths, hds really had its iiiHuence on the French Chamber, A^id ihere is as little rvaaoirio
d^abi, luut the uppobition will o^'puse &nj cocicive meaetares which the Prefridr^ may leeoQiBiclKli
aiid by tiieir tuciiuus couise possibly give this matter such a direction as to prooi»^ rery aerloufi
eu^b tCia.-Stiieiu» 4 have, however, lul( contidence that the sabject will Oe well ^t i^t4ed hy the
Pr^tfideiit and his adviseis : and that tbe'course he may dfteriyinv on will meet the apprufaittioa
audv Support of ihp coupir^.
1 iutve nvt umnked you as I ought to have done for your letter in relation to Patterson. 'On
receiving it, 1 wr<te him, telhng him where I wa^ and should be, and a few da^s a^o I received
(1500 f um jiim, with a yi^ry proper letter and a pruniise to send tlie balance fn a few week*.
ii wasuiy.iniention to have left this place to-day or to-morrow tor Washington, but ^iWf'd. ii
neither well enough to go wiih me, nor to be left behind. 1 shall theiefure remain till next w^dt,
witen. It s.te U sufficiently recovered, (as 1 hope she will be,) Mrs B. Will accmnpany me.. If
prui'ticahle, 1 sliull endeavor to see you on my nay down, and at all events on my r* tarn* abi>ut
the 22di vi Outotter. I'he Ut-mocracy o( your city have taken a comse which duet< them infioiie
hfiior> ^d must secure ihein success, With kindest legards to Mrs: H., I am, as always,
. t Veiy truly }o^, B. F. BU1%,ER,
Zaw^-OMce — Jackton^g escape.
- {Xo. 65] [To Lorenzo Uoyt, Ksq., Counsellor at Law, AlbaBy.]
Wajqiimoton, February 13, IS34,
My t>ear Sir: T oughi long dince to hive acknowledged the feoeQtf of yoor letiev fir^the
Kail Roiid case, &,c. Till ihe lOth.or 15th of March, I ^hnil be incessantly occupied — arMieven
if 1 had Mr. Van Vechien's opening, could not prepare the answering brief. But if you will
get and send me the poims and authorities on the other side, which ^e are entitled to, as they
demur, I will prepare the arguuient on our part, as soon as I^et out of the Suj>reme Cvftrl. I
piea^^ne i hh til be able to attend, the Albany Circuit, as it is altered to A^jiil.
Oar friend Chadden i^ rather hard on me. 1 told him expressly that Mr. Witbeck yv^vHd
9#peet to be re-appninted ; and, if not, that it would belong to Columbia county, as the othjer one
ha« alwnys been t^iven to Green«i county. 1 have also received a letter from him ; and, as soo^
as I can get time, ,will write him.
You may well say that the President's escape was providentiaL I was walking with Ma^or
Dbnnelson, aifd jti;»t behind Govem«>r Dickenson and Major Kayy,* who were next to the Presi-
dent and ]liilr. Woodbury — Forsyth and Cass being both absent— and though I heard both axpM.
■iops, did not see the po>Hr. wretdi till he was seized. My own impression, at -the moment, was,
^ttbe pistols had been discharged — the reports being quite loud-^and for an instant, I fearet
the President hiid been wounded, but soon discovered that to be a miMake. If. was, aa yoo loay
weii conceive, a moment of great excitement. We are all well.
Very truly, youia, B. F. BUTLER*
■I I ■ ■ ■ ■ I I ii I.
{No. 66.] To /. Hout, on Jackson' $ Caution and Forbearance. Washinotow , Nwr. 26i 183€
My Dear Sir : The President continues^ to improve, and by Monday hekt, f trust, Will be Me
to resume the transaction of business, though it fiMst be with great caution and forbearance —
qualities for which he^is not ret^arkable — and hence the real danger of his condition.
Though we have not the precise returns of any one of the missing States — yet there id no reason
to dc^ the election of Mr. Van Burefi. Have not Virginia a i>d North Cafrolioa don^ ne^yS
Truly yours, B. F. BUTL»t.
' "■' ' ■«- • t .
To . Hoytt on Banking and Barker — Opinions change*
{Nc. k^,j Washington, January 35, 183X
: My Dear Sir : I thank you for the loan of your pamphlets, and stiU mora lor not aipostng me
a» the public. The performance, according to my recollection of it-^or I have Hot yet loolMd
though it — ^was a very jejune one ; and besides, was so much mixed up with M?. Bark^a tsS-
fairs, as to prevent it from being regarded in any other light than as a plea fqr |A^;itBd %m it^
went by the board, the public will be apt to conclude that the doctrine of the writer must have
been bad. In some respects, also, I should no doubt find it necessary to mecify, and h/others,
^haps, to change altogether, the seiltiments expressed, ilir, ivtho is there thaMHi smeda of
i^ sort, (Wa^ington and Warren, Bnrker^s fixcbafige, and simikMr Banks, it 'A pr^tHatM;] dpm
not change his mind more or less in the course ^of nineteen years^-especially if tbey eotvM h^
tween twenty. two and forty-one? I mean to ejTamine the thin^-^n^ilh aeyme eare, and p a— iU y I
asajr ^ willing that some psssagea of it shootd he qQoted-<-hut my praeant imiiraMbn isy ^m
I had better leave it alone. [The rcat of the letter is about Colt's fire-arms.!
Yours, truly, B. F. BUTLER.
♦OrRUey
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Flngg to J. Hoyi, •n Speak tr Crttlitu, Gen l TaWmage^ and ikf JSUeim-al i^i». .
' {No. (».] Amajiy. January II th, 1834.
I^tfur 6ir: Yonr JeMer was banded to me the lAwn^g aftrr tti« CauciM. i had hoWtvet,
aimcipatetl its contents in the course taken in Caucuk. Your seven evil geniuses tancieu tiiey
wWe to talie the eiHintry demoirrats by ihe'h»|Ml and tettd on a title daiice^ bat we ffara them
an ^intimation, that inttsm'ach as they came from a seaport, th«>y mast hUow a regalar ctta^unee
from i|ie demo«rais of that port, or be regarded as political pirates, in the Caucus, Mr 'itflU
ina'ge, assuming the ground of an uM detiitx^Tat, saiu he cokild not War to see his aged, grey
beuiied Irientl, (Cioly,) turned oat. IHiey had walked ibgetlier in the ret«Tm path, 4tc. 1 re-
plied, that he tf^joke teehngly — if was naiural that he had a hympathy for biS old fnend, and
t-hould be sensitive on acQount of lii^ removal, tor tkejf both 0tmd tipoH ih* Jlmr u^fitn-ihe mme
fauiing. Mr. Tallniage corn cted lueas to the laet, and aaid he did not by any ineanii ettLhd a^un
the bume looting wiiii the geutlemuo irum New York. A pretty coinphment to liis irienua,
*• ibitiks I to myself."
Swg« THE PALSAl»E OF MY RESOLUTION, THE " PEOPLE** HAVE BEEN AS QUIET AS I^StBS.
Youre, &,€., A. C. tLAGG,
W.- 8; Drop as a few tender lines how and then.
Flagg to J. Huyt, on Young, Butter and the Bleeiume,
[Xo. 69 ] , ' Ar,BA.NY, 4 o'cI.Kjk, November 7, 1827. '
Sir ; The canvass of the 5ih ward gives Butler 75 majority, the other two of our Assembly
about 70. Warren n..i If-ss than 80.
A leittr from VVuiervliet ye^teiday, says 200 votes polled that day, and two to one for ouf
ticket.
A person who left Sam toga Springs yesterday, says it is pirobahle that the Jackson ticket
wtU be ehfcted ; Saiiiiiei Y<*ung opposing the i** guhir nomination, as he understood. '
Returns are nioniemly expected from the' other wards; if received the result will be given in
i^ letter; li' not y.>u mny rely upon several hundred majority in tbii* city tor the Re|»ubtiOHn
'SilBM. jpasi yeajt it w.is several hundred tlie other way. in the 2d ward Butler has 35d.
Haiuilt<^:^79. iSi'Venty -three niujonty over Hamilton, and 148 majofity over Dorniau. Vfr*
l^aiik, X^ep } has one majority ever U imilt«m, and Siams 60 over Doriaan. t
Ba(ler'$ minority in Ule city over 450-r~Wf<rren*s wHl be SOO* A. C. FLAQG.
,: . J^ffiUr to Hoyti on Selden, Van Buren and the Cknwention.
[No. 70] AlbaHy, March 26, 1889.
Dear Six; You will htve seen the proceedings of the ConT«htioQ, and will, I douht im4, be
gratified with the general results. Bowne had been the prominent man for a State <fi^legatt
before the N. Y. delegation arrived, and a majority of the delegation agreeing upon him, it set-
tled that matter at once. Your city delegation was kept back imiil nearly the hour of the meeu
iMg V the CfoMventioD— sfd Seiden and a few mischievous spirits among your members, of the
lloufe, induced yuur delegation to believe that some oomrivaDces adverse to the dty wf re
agreed upon here, and that they would have delegates forced upon tbem who vrvuld not b«
agreeable tq them — and 6elden did all in his power to throw tlie Cooventi«n into coniiiaioB,
Ue was rowakeii in his men, and only made himself appear factious f nd f«'Olifb « * « »
Th$ atr^ig vote of the C<mvention rebuked the faetioniets, and all things went off.wtik th» moti
•fitjre lui inimiiy, both in the Committees and the Convention.
The delegates to ^Baltimore, I have no doubt, form a unit in regard to any measure to proisiaia
the interests of Mr. V. B. and the Old Hero.
The political affaii^ of this State never looked fairerr-there is some diversity of opinion as to
a candidate for Gov., which will be settled at the Herkimer Convention — ^aud the naines of Jack-
0On and Van Buren ^ill get a triumphant vote and bear down all opposition.
Yours truly, A. C. FLAOG,
cmiiiders Caihoun the dupe of somebody behind the euft&in-^ChaneeUor HoCouvht
chances. ^
[No. 7 J. I Pudley Seiden, Esq., to Jewe Hoyt, Esq., N. Y. . ' '
My Dear Hfiyt: My friend's letters have not, perhaps, been answ^veil ait faon^ he thkikn
^ley oagrht, but I have* no* been able to read them yet, and a man |s oertainly antitled to b«
jaaised for his pnnctutdity who makes his return to a>ttelr as soon' as be has perused tt.
^' Y9tf ne£d not endorse " 6<^fi<lentiar' on- anf of the communicatieM toXiyingpton or Sdlwell ;
th»7 are boih in my room a£^su6n aa/hey break your seah for the purpose of obtaining a full
understanding of the contents. They cannot imagine how I cali unravel the mysterious marks
and signs with such rapidity : the truth is. I do not, but make a letter for you as I go albng, of
such capacity and merit as would seem suitable to come from a man of yaur understanding. If
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174 CALKdtm DYT^BD— m LOBBY— YLAGO k rHBL?8 OK nSX BANKIKft.
th« committee ; you shall have a report i( you will engage to re^d it ; and let me pay to you
that it is 9f»o4efi wary welJ of^ » ^v * * ^ •• •" .• • - / t : V > , . q
teiseading Ca^jioun's cuire^pondence, I made up my mind very soon that he.h^ b#Mi the
diipeof aume poor devil behind lhe.o«|tM9> and had exhib^tfd fiQoet egregioutf foily^in fifing
caught, Your Buccesafuleompetkor^for a hig^ plaoej aeema to have been the moat coitapicvoiif
man in brioging up this bygone transaction ; snd I am giad that Mr. Van JSuren, like the hi^h^
spirited hpjae, has shaken (he dewfrom his mane md exposed the rogue to be taken, N^ MWf
here. Yoar kinil ?(fort# in favor of D. D. & H. are duly appreciated. I felt satisfied that ii^
sending ipe the little pamphlet yoor whole object was the f)ublic good. So ia mine, and I will
if I can give the rascally speculators upon lime a thrust under the short ribhi.
Yours, truly DUDLEY SELPEN^
MeCom hangs heairy in i^ Senates I know not why. As soon, as
withdrew (and so 1 read his ktter to ihe Chancellor) I have aided him all I eontd.
Cutting to Hoyt, on Bank measures and the " Lobhy Whores,**
^0.72.^*'""'' * •' • ' ' *- AiiBAKV, January 5, I836r
My Dear Jesse : I send you [an] extract from tha Alb;jny A^gus. You- will perceive thf t tar
friend Charles.takes the true stand ; and, with bis invincible popularity, will add strength and
currency to Democratic jneaaures, in contradi»tinctifiri to the federal viev^s. of certain leaders at
014 Tammany. Get the Post to republish them ; andy ifyoii ean-t lei t\em say a word or two for
Chkrhy, * I suppose the Times will not republish^ but as it is a matter of general ilitecest- just
ntfw, tk^ Courier might copy. it, hi order to inform^ its renders that^ii ts prc^ably a useless ex-
pense to keep any Lobby Whores this winter. Yours, in haste, F. B. CUTTING. ' *
, Thad,. Phelps on Free Banking — Swearing on paper.
[No. 73.] Mr. Thaddeus Phelps; (of Park Place! New YorkJ at Albany, to Mr.'Jetoe
Hoyt, at New Yorli, [April 29, 1836.]
*-*DearHoyt: We arrived. this- morning and have already. accomplished wonders. Owr in;-'
jUtsnce has already nndesiX' Banks' in the House, (no fear of the Senate,) and by to-morrow
nigiit there is very little doubc we shall have rnnde twenty or thirty more. Yen felk>ws who arc
in favor of the Repealers, may all now go to Hell in your own way. Consider yoor refltraiiij0gi
lavi^rsfwaied. Consider me a paHner in a Banking Cojnpany — I put in 2,000j000-^-Cal) on
John Ward for the money. No more at present — ^your loving friend,
^ ' ^- * .«THADDEUS PHELPS.
Aritod oh Mondiif morning. . .39 Apfil.
. Jl/enrse has sent in hiMM^fLnce-*-anJ ^ ; the Native AniericiWipvty. Stay
gototheP— i Boat off. . ' . T. F." .
. Fhgg on Free Banking, addressed to /. Hoyt.
•' [No. 74.] - ALBAifY, July 87, 1836.' •
Deat Sir : I have received your letter of tTie 15th, and fully appreciate the importance trf taking
hold of the Restraining Law, aeyou mention. ^ Your letter came while I was attending a meec-
in^ of tV- Cannl Beard at Utica, and I have this afternoon Yeturned from a meeting of the True-
tees of Union College. I have 4#i«8 been prevented from answering your letter, or attending la
ite rfuggestiins; I» due .time I witt havB something done. The quarrels about <be Banks of
]ast session, will aid in pushing forward this jnst measure, if taken in proper time: The gteat
mtflS of the Demoeratife papers in the state ane seund on this point, and^cirill co-operate with
zeal and efTiciency. With much respect, your obedient servant, A. C. FLAGO. *-
Flagg to J, Hoyt, oh Baftksy Taper Dollars and Log SoUing. '
^X^S'-l^'L ' V ' ' Albany, October 3, i83'6. '"
Dear Sir: The repeal of the restraining law, so far as to^ allow offices of Discount and Dc-
|^Ui,^.iin^lfersally jsse^ted.to by: town,- cpurtty> district, and qtate,.«OBveiwia»s, Tfi this mwH
*0n reference to the N. Y. Svej^ing Vogt of Sept. 19. 1836, it will be seen, thi^t a puUic meeting wn? heU m New
York on the ^th of April, fhftr dfrys h^fRte the Bhte of Mr. Ph«rji«»s note, df wbi(5h flftephen Alie^ yvU iHe'^an-
«ifjJhs9e. FIa^tthi«eeretiiry, d«cl that ft Committee wAs «ip|ibint^to Addras^ the pMMiom.fnVor of vei^n
Mrrt of the ^trniBlng low. Tlw' cpmmittee ksued its address on the 13r.h ofSeptenyhv. aekbij; •' can thew b^ a
ttiore tyrnnmenl exprcise of power In any jrovernm^t, than is here>n:inJfestiHl in an act enianatiii* from a Republi-
can legiglalhi^V*^ The Hyr, Tir"<eM as it had been liy the part v ftir many rears, waa denttunced^as r"a barenee^
minMyV*on«t)«tAdd«ett»ig«e<tl}r ThaddeiM.PheliM, ft B. Taftnwttjre, BaSl Alley, W. B Lawieneei fUe-
HMn Alicft and Jes^e fleyt.aa tha Cotfimittee. That Hoyt aiMl AUwi's object was to try a naW sebedie toir-*"^
moofv dnt of the public u very evident
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1 78 ytAO«i ^orr as Mitcv wmsst tamt to a bank 5nrsTBM-»BAftD mokey.
ftUw can be passed with little opposition. If tbe iseoing of Bills is addfd, so as to Wfviilifkf
^iiybiir4if^tt(iii«indnuiacterir«^ of pw^Mnonty, a nev^Hepeet^wili b^ glveniAt* tbe whbh ftaii«|
9$id ili^&who are oppevM) t4>-any change mity l)e^ eimbled teiLeep4htngKaaihcy now ure. . If wf
«•* opip the way»«nd build up a claaaot daukfi vu^i^h not Iwue pnper, tKe>e will cb*.nperi^teitt<|ini'
IciHg'^tiioevrreiK'^ aiope^eetind than at- present; if thejr have outhipg to mftke by ibc isi^ue of
Btnali hills, they will not be aggrieved by setiiitf gold and silver talte the pkiee ol*. the smiall billsi
Mvmt Hte fetHfTAare Jinook^d olf, and the sew cUss »f money changers are **in the fuil *tde of
■aceoasliil experiment,'* sBchothef modifications may be made as experience may recammend^
whA aa ^ the Inisineas wants of the coaununity may ntrpjire.*? Reptml 4he re§trmining lawy reftia«
all ^i)lcs, unless their aiocli i»a«ild at a«etioi»v aad Mea^ wJU trade wpmn UgUUitum^ ^the lion'btv
tlie Ibbby) w^l be hUmn ** sky high :'* and ilm scenes of log rolling and corruption would ibe re.
y < — sd^ a decent -regard to moral and official pohty, and a reismiable attentiun tu tbe paUie
btMiatasaiid tfae.geneFal welfitre. Tnalyyoim, A. C. FLAC^O.
Marey to Hoyt, on lltumination in banking,
[No. 76.] (To Jesse Hoyt, Esq,, N. Y.] Albany. 24rh November, l^e. ,
, ,My Dear ^ir: Yon premised me oome Ultimination on tbe subject (|f the restraining law or
f^lher the repeal of it. I am infomhed that there is a probphiUty ih&tl am elected, and if so, U
wiirbe' expected that I send to the legislatare a message. If you have any pnblicatioua or other
matters too cumbersome for the mail, you can, if you choose, put them in the charge of one of
tEe elacWs. from your city. If .you are extra vagi^nt in your notions, tbey will not fa« adopted—*
jrou expect, as a matter of course, tbey will. b« modified.* I will not ask you to get what yoi
.irri^^jrouraelf copied, because it is possible that some one may be foond in this city or viciniiy
who will be able to decypher your hand wriiing.
l.m> wi^ cre§t n«pect, jrqitr to be obl^ed and hunibk aenritfit, W. L. MARCY.
FT&^'qn Free, PritMlej aUd Frivileged Banks—General Maison a^d the Restraining vIet— >
FCagg on the Usury Laws, ' ,
,,, [No. 77.1 AtBAiiT, Decembi;r.4th,. ISat
Xo ^i^si^lioyt, Esq^^My Dear Sir ; I have received jwur letter of tlv? 2d instant. J iu^y«
^ot seen the pampKiet oC Mr. Hammond, and tbereA>re eannot ftpealt of its contents. The re»
Ileal of that part of the Restraining Law which prohibits offices of discounts and deposites, f wi»)i
X» see achieved, and 1 believe vo make the object certain,, na private Banking System should b«
connected with this measure, . ^ .
, Af'er this is done, if there is g pcess for paper mannfaptnring Banka, then a system oi"^ f>rivata
Ikankiiig', t^ issite ^ dollars, ^and over, may be brotught forward and d|seu8iiBd as a aubaiitate (vc
tbe present mode of dealing out doners.
■* It has been pretty well settled, that k mould for running bank charters cannot be made «aii-
fti^ioaf4l:y{ that .there must be a distipct vote of the Legislature upon everj^ moneyed Cor.
'poratiob.^ A general law (or establishipg a system^ private hanking, and conferring corporaff
" "*Govembr Marey liad signed very many bonk charters, or contracts beitowtne specinl j>rivilefe« on tha shari^
bolfien of binks. an such — so had 6*vern<ir Throop. Mr. Von Buren had, in nif safety fund messnge. Tpcrttn-
toi«lidetf!iii^riuazed \»h«ilesHle rettraintir. Oovemor iMrcyi^'n his rhessage tiHhe Lejrislatura, Jaji. 3, liW, [whether
^f|>«Ch, |I>^ HoH'l jlUvnination or. not, I caAoa say,} advifes a psstial rapeal of Iha priviiagas of th« fba^l^^
banks, in iKe fiill^wing words : /» • i.
[Fronn Morcy's Message, Jan. 1837.]— "In every Obnntry where banks, wHh the exclusive privilege of farnUblnl
tba circulating tnedium. are nomeroas, and parlienlurly Whete tbe bysinessof Ibanfng money is embarrassei bv
re«|Q^^Mp»Md ou nU^r fslodutions, and on individbals. it \i reasonable to expect that pecuniary pressures will
be frequent and severe ; and if not more /requent, tbev wUl probably be more severe, and continue longer than in
countries where nil sources of relief are \eil entirely open, and competition ia permitted 4q operate ia adjusting the
relation of eqaaliiy betiveen demand und snpplv. In this r«.pec!, the operation of^estatote' usually called the
restariapg ;l9^'t soi^ir at lea^t jls it denies to individuals and associations tbe right of receiving depaaites aa^ roak-
iog msbounts^ is unquestionably injurious. ^^
'-* Is i« the essential cbaractefistic of private property, that the o^ner should not onV have the right cf a^cftfciva
posaeasion, but the liberty of free use, modified only bv the eqaal rights of others to enW thair own iiroficirtv^ asd
|bapid>Jic jri^t to j^rovi^a for >ba general welfare. 'JTbe-^MsAns. tharefor«» that .shouid induce tbe i|gish\t|ira to
ihlfct o'r contfnue any law circumscribing the rights of. individpnis in relation to tbeir 'private property, must arts*
froth a itfong an^f dear nMessitv of pruviding for the well-being of society. I have not been able to convince my-
^If tltotonyauah eoasi^araUon can he adduced in support of that part of the restraining law. which fntefdictt ta
the coatmuaity at lurgetbe right of neceiviag dep^sites and making discoants. If it originated, as is ganeraJly ba-
Heved. in a desire to give this kind of business exclus vely to incorporated banks, aud sit^nres Do batter purpofa
than to ctimr out this design, 1 anticipttte o rei'dy disposition on your part to repeal it.
"Tteve ikf notbinff, I believe. In the history of the times when this law was first enacted, which i^ calcalated UH%
Mra a hiab degree of rf«))fv:t fdr iu ar t>om wbfch sonnd nrgunwnts lor its continuance can be ftirW ^iladHi^. ,
■^The restraint in rfespect to depnsites and ilisconnts, betnff regarded as injurious to tiie imWic, and devised as a spe-
cial (avor-to the banks, the low that imposes it is nqt efficiently sustained by the moral sense oftWronimunity^tfnd
to ^oaiMMtW «*a#lad «s^ iMpH»tv« ^'haefSeaey bf kws depend, in a great decree, aprm the conoiirrf'nce of fiub-
|i«.«fiinio: ia ihair ^tvr ; M>(i when, fcttbe Want of lihis sasctioD* pa^icttlar HUtctmants me jn a grott dagrM-ian
^ntiiva, tbeyshiiuM be' repealed, *thnt tbe evil eximpla of disregarding tham may not weaken the force of the laK
Irtarv sentiment, wHI^h all shonM feai--tbat obediencdto lawp, wirhout re^uU to individual opinions ai totbsir M
r:^. t <^ *.''-! '♦M . • * - '
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»i
176 MAISON, LIVINGSTON, PLAOG & HTNTER ON FRBE BANKS— 'HOTTS Bttt.
^MfiiB. »Bot attiiAfilde. IT the fctteM are ksocked wff by tly r«pe«) of fh^ RMir^iiiw l4M%
fn\«te baHking aeaociations may b« formed, hti^ ib^av may be reguifttad by law, aad tlue Imi
b« gi^aral. The yaneral 4a w« ior incorporating manulactpnaa moi^ohurcb a«<oieti«8, «'cre pu md
^ef«re th« consiitndon waa adopUid : them lawa ware not reviaed aud i«-«iiact«d. but inawtftd
in the 3 1 volnme aa th<'y at< od.
The Senttie reft reed the matter or -the Reatraining Law 4o • comniitiae,. of whkb Gemtnk
MaiOitn i»CheKniao, and Mr. Hunter ia one of the manfbera. I auppoae Oenerai MaiMUi wdi
ba prepared with a bill. Mj*. GtfUiiig, I praaume, will renew hi&bill in the Aaaeiobiyf aDd iSm
pr«iv>ait>ii8 of A|« biU I am in lavor oif. Thia biU breaka tlie chaina, axce|»r as to i->auing bilU»
Ta allow all the world to laanufactura pap^r^cuiaaucy might do more evil than gtiod. AtsQ
exa»tf>, before thu in done* a well dev^i^ed ayatem of guarda should be mauired to prateefc b|lk
holderaJand other oreditora. The demolition of the Usury laws, in relutioo lo coBunefciaL paptrt
such as yuu mention, is probably deairuble ; and certainly worth an " experiment,'* But, aa yoi
mention, this tnt-asuie ahoqld stand by itself; and in the same way, the system of private bank-
ing, jl' one is presented, may as well be discusae^ and aettled separate fram the repeal of the
Reatraining Law.
" I do not think it poKtic or proper, to make apecial war upon exiating banka, as may be the
ea^e with Mr. Hammond. We have taxed the Safety Fund banka three per cent on their capi-
tal, for the protection uf their credit(rrs, and we hold them to strict regulations, which they some,
tiniea break over : yet eive them fuir plav evFn though they do not in all caaea extt nd it to the
buaineaa community. * Those who insist upon an unlimited repeal of the Restraining Law, ifth^
iccompli^h their object, will do enough towards disciplining the banks withoot bringinsr any
other artillery to bear upon them : Truly yours, A. C. FLAC^O.
' JBji^Spepker LivitigiUn to Je$9e Hoyf, on Ft €9 RankiHg-^Ymmg, M&kon, Ife.
jNp. 78.] ... Albany. Dec. 3|aih, 1836.
y Dear Sir: I have just rfecdvcd the draft of the law prepared under /he dii-eetiona df your
comivittee, acompanied with your private letter <if advice as to the mode of pmcedure.
The pr.^sed'atn>ndment9 tite well enough — but you muat not expect that the legialature will
adopt them in the haaty meaner angge^fed. In modifying so important a proviaion in oar lawa
a variety of thoughts will ne'betearily engage the mind, and no little time wiil be cOnsmned in
4i#0us(F!ing thcnf' before the Sentrte can arrive at a fimil decisiOM. This ia unavoidable, however
dto'afrabie it may be to hasten- the accomplishment of your objecta*. Geni Miiaon, th^ chairman
of the committeo which has this matter in charge, has, for the laat moiflh, been so c<»n«amly
Occupied in mattiring bpinh)hs for the Cdurt of Brrors, that we have not 3^t had ilie opportunity
«f comparing our view©'; aftid it woqld be indelicate in me, whatever ambition I might feel ••'Hi
become the father of the measure!* to press your sill without his aanction. Be ^tient and Itll
wHlgo well. * /
Yonng, I ffhi informed, iiitetida to urge ai^^unconditional repeal — to pennit theiasaing of bRli
if'ad^q^ate security ctfn be given, for their redemption. Such a meaaure can be austained ti|km
principle, and I f^hnll not hesitafe to give it my support — not, however, if 1 ahould think such a
coui^ would hazard the mnin cKance.
That )>art of ynur bill which contemplates an alteration in the uaury lawa I propose to amaa
altogether— not because I am hostile (aa at preaent advised) to the change, but 1 prefer fs^tirnnj
reaaona to consider the ufury laws a separate qu^sti^n.
8o soon as our commiiipe arrive at any definite conclusion I will inform you of it.
Yours truly, CHAS. L. LIVINGSTON.
Bx Speaker Livingston qn Free Banka — Hunfer*9 scheme to limit emntdL
!No. 79.] Albawy, Jan. 3d, 18ST.
Dear Hoyt : The anti-reatraint committee met this evening and ou^p chairman (Maison) Mb-
■uttfd his wV, the main provijiiona of which are aafollowa—-
** IH, Removes the prohibition agninst officeei of discount and deposit — restraina all aseocititiona
formed under the law from engaging in the purchase or aale of real eatatp, or dealing in mercliaB-
disA, bo !%atlK irises them tohgld real estate in payment of antecedent debts, and so much am rsay
be necesaary for the transaction of their husinesa^^prohibits the agenta or officers of foreigri cor-
poriitions tetnblisftin^ associations for the purpose of the act witWii this state—certificates to be
filed with couijty cjerka. setting forth the names of the co-partnership atid ammint of capital en-
ployed— prohibita all corporationa from entering into the buaineaa authorized by the act, exoeiN
rtfch *s are expreasly J)ermitted by law.** . '
Hunter will probably ofiec, w^h^n the bill cornea before the Senate, bia darliog amenAiiaatt,
limiting the amount of eapital. This I imagine will be offered mof« for the purpose of diapHiTing
tos jonsifetency than with the expec/arton of ita bemg adopted. Whciv tike bill sKalt bf priokS
I wffl s^nd you a copy, from Which you will be able to ju^ge more connetly of ite provkioiM
than you can from thia sketch of them. CHA6. L. LIVINGSTON.
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(No- Aft.] Albakt. JanijHry 6, 185T.
• Mjr {kar H«)]Q( ) PbaHef Idvingston has sent yoa a copy of the bill to repeal tb« restiaiiiing
.bw, rep<4r<«i^ by ^^iaisuii in tbe.S««a^. Tbe first se^tiim isall that ou«iit lo pafs, but I suppoae
thattwitiir in the hofld^of tbt riailisiinos we must bu ihankful for any favors, no matter how
aiMUk Jfidiy^rd Lixingtaa«i (KJ* 1 ajo nfraidbas tomed a sbnrp ongle, and will cume out Bank.
See his vote to-day. To-morrow he will be biouglit to the bull ring, and stamped as be deseryes,
if we'flbl>nM gii. imp Goai«iUe« of tbo wW^ 4ad he ab^Mld pariWip&Le in the debate. We beat
ibeiR tu.day^elegaiuly.
Qi>^y<Mi-8ce whacocnposft the coramittee on the repeal of the restraining Inw in our Housed
Ogikeii, Ch>^in»«p ! '. the viaieiH oppooest of. the meusure last year! thn aeent of the Farn}ers'
Tntf»t and Uoan Ciwipany^ iho^iAtimatu of John L. Graham, Seymour &, Go.! the euesr of the
immtr last spring in New Yodi, and his lobby friend ^t the Syracuse Cpnvention ! (O* But we
will defent the gang. The restraining law will be modified — the usury laws partially reped^ed,
•nd iKi fianbi vtiarterad. F. B, C.
Ex'Spcakcr Livingston on * Chartered Nuisances,^ Free Bankings the free use of Capital^ and
Young's Usury BilL Cutting^s queer jfosiscript.
[Mo. 81.] Albany, Jan., 9th, 1837.
Deai^ Qoyt : The mutil of Ust eve^jiing brought me two letters from you.. >ihce I last wrot#,
niMl^ing new has trim^'pired, except the introdiiiciioH of Majfoh's bill, a copy of which I forwarded
to y>>tt for critical eiamiontioQ. 1 am sensible that na>«ny of its provisions will be regarded aa
anneceHsarily severe-— indeed, it has already been characterised as a restraint ypon the restrain^
tng taw ; bat it should be understood as having been offered in its present form, now, for the pur«
pose of afibrding an opfiortunity to bring under consideration all the ndvantages an well as iu}u.
rioiis coiisequeoces of the prqposed i^e$trictioiis, rather than with any hope of their being i^dopted.
So far H8*I cAii 4,iscern.the legialiture have s >und views oti th'^ subject^ and before longi^yutt
will be in the enjoyinent of all ttie l»enefita whiph are expected ta flow from the free vse of a
aaturaj ri^ht to deal in money. But. after i|ll, and yoa mny rely ^p«>n it, th«? repeal wjtt bafO^A^d
lo-be of little importaoce, so. Lon^ as perstms are reatrained fro<ii issuing potes to Ibe ^JH^Q cif9ll<*:
lation as money. ,, ^ , ;'•'!.
Bank peiitipns begiii to ahew their o^ly faces from all qijarters"; and uqlefs tbeir fate
be ^ieoided at the thread'old ot the sessiprt, the friends of the$>e vHartered nuisances will struggle
desperately for $;ioiher shuttle of the paclu If they dartd^ they would put a. stop to all nscEiVT
legislaiiou till their monopolizing appetith were gorged with special pritilrge^. But there arc
aome good fellows in the apflombiy, with Cutting, Kii^ and Clinch to lead them, who will hold
on' t© their erraap without m^JTc^. ''.'"■.
Young Imii introdueed his promised bill ta repeal the usury \nw/ He goea the whmlft figure ;
but I doubt if he can persuade the Legislature to go with him. If we attCceed in exempting from
ita penalties all commercial paper "having six months tn rurt, an important point will he gained, and
peihujia it>i» better taatop here. lor the preaant. If this experiment worka^well in practi«e, the
law may then be* extended 'WaU 'Ooutracts. 'Cutting desires me to leave a space for him in thia
M««r. Yours, CHAS. L. UVANGSTON.
Ott the samt shee^^M a Postscript,,
Tkks cstrs how you tnrke too fnieiy to the j^eoiber*. Time will show whether he -goes
wirh The bank-men or n^t. As to his diAposition tn do sa, Ttnve a strong belief The asspm-
biy wm engaged this montiikg«h tlii!»>resoltttion to instruct the bank co(fnniftiee. To<.morrefW the
disctiMiorffWill be resumed. TNpftnal vpte will not shew the full atni-hafik strstigth. Hat I think
it wlH speak atron^ endugh to satisfy the moat sceptical, that all expectations for b»nki> thi<i vear
wm be disappeinted. ' F. B. CUTTING.
..,,, 4f .m, ■ .. i t ... I , ■ , '
Bt-Speaker Livingston om MaisonH BiU, Protection to Safety Fund Ban1c$, Fmrsfgn Corpora.
tiono^ Ottpital, Cmrrmsy.Freo Trade is Mwney, the United States Bank,Thdd4eusPkeipo*o
vio^Sf mud picking the fsmlhers from atfr Pilots,
[Wo. 88] • Albany, January 12rh, 1837.
Dear fioyt: Votir last, received ^ts evening, exprtoses astonishment thai I should have as-
santad to Maison'd bitl I have, in a former letter, attempted io explain the reasons for- thia
aaarsa. If these ivaaons are' feeble and unsatisfhctory, the^ I must submit to the eonsequ^ncea
of my error. I ceuld endare any pimishment, no matter- how severe, that the people should
choose to inflict upofime; but I confess it would make mT^^^rt bleed to think that I had by any
fam± ptti irfCufriNi yourdi^tekisitra. Bht in truth, tny i^ood friend, you aeem (o entertain groiind.
less fear of (he designt of tbe LeisrislatQra. Believe me, there iano serious intention ta H^nsfer
iIm gavarmnefnt el d^ Siaia ta banks'— eilr sym^ttffhiea are wifh the people, and their i%ki» wfli
* "^^w'arAXiviltgtion af .^^baoy.
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b« Mpec|Ml. ^.Lookat oi^ pro^e»4in0i for thA last ien^yth-thty will satiny yon of^ tralk
fif^piremVrk, a?l(l they may also indicate lhepfot«i>w*r€«trttwthi#ifhfol<? mlilttr> '
Ithiiik I sent you n eopy of the bill. The first section has been adopted in ci«lmiMt» of Urn
^ iihole, ThH second rejected, and we are now npoa th6-lhirct ' Tkia pi^idat tfaattAc fttu of
' the banks of this State only ekall he circulated ae moiist 6f frmmte hnnherw. Such a restnint
Is deemed necessary {and I concur in the opimon) to protect ottrcitlMne from anitiMouad and
' worthless currtjncy. To this extent, i am prepared to believt ymx wtrald ^o mt uMposias les.
* frictions. ... . .
If foreign corporations, afwhoee condition we MSMw nethkif, an^envr wlncb tb& LagiilalBre
has no contri»l, are not checked in their inconsiderate and dangerous issues of a aieklsr euncaey,
^ "(o be cfrculated aa money through lh©WState, the people \eoifid ^arae their ' reprcaantatifts for
' buffering sUCh an evil to be inflicted npon them^ The reguktidn of the ■earvener ^ua-tttways
' been a(miitted to be a stiltject of legialative control ; and the^e is, as the Ck>Teni«r [MareyJ-aajrs
* in his /nessAgc, a mailied difference between free trade in money fcnd free tmde in tba fictttitus
rdpresentativea of money. ' v •
There is no danger in confining private bankers to the bills of this State ; they iRrtll ai(w»)«4ave
, a aapply equal to the wants of the community. Tha great object to be accomplished is the free
use of capital. Invite capital, say 1, from all quarters ; but away with J'dhr worthtesa prdlldies
to nay.
' *^8o far as Mai8on*8 bill interferes with the free influx of capital, just so far I will t^ppose it ;
, ' and here lef me observe, that I regret to discern a disposition in some of thds« whi fpc*# most
* liberal last wlfVter, to hold up the Unitecf States Bank as a bugbear, and seek by appeilat^^i^a.
" dice, to drive away all agencies. There is a aeCtion in the bHI which, if adopted, wunld liave
'this efftfct ; but I think 1 can persuade Maison to abandon it. If he consents, ^11 will go welf.
, I had written thus far, when I received a letter from our mutual friend, Fhefps, on thia inb-
" Jfect, which contains sound views, and much good advice. I wotHd write to him this evemng , if
it were hot so late — have the go^ness to say to him that! wilt defend his rights agninst aH in-
' Vasi'ons. Hfe also has the Impression that the bill has been dictated by bank officers ibr t^e (Mir-
'pose oC protecting their irtstiiutions in the enjoyment of their exclusive prfvfleges. ' He ooi^t
' rather to rejofce at the appearance oC Ae bill, for it not oAly presents the opportmrftjr fairly of
' dlljcupsiftg^ the reatraimn'? law in all its bearings ; but it also serves to exhibit the odl«^ (^rac-
ier of that law more strikingly than could be d()ne in an elaborate essay upon the subject. " ^c-
' seiif my kiiid regards tq him', ahd say that I wiH acknowledge his letter to-morrow. *
; • Very/traly, CHAS. L. LIVINGSTOW.
' ^ 3y thia time you will think ma one of your moat stupid correspondents, t have just rrik4 P'ver
\ . wh^t t have written, and almost feel ashamed of my iiicohereiice : but you wil) pardon tJl)ia&iilt
in n public man overwhelmed with business. Don't laugh! I forgot to ask you t» ^J to
. Phflps, that as soon aii J re^ceive the necessary papers from New York^ / wtU bc^n iapiSi the
' '^ fiathers from our pilots, ,., ' • '
' E2>Speah€r' Ltvingeton on the Banic Bill-^Bank Charters wiU go, root and irw9^*mtJke
'• Senaie^Mwe the Press and tell JPkelf, ■■ [ ;
[No. 83] * To Jesse Hoyt, N. Y. Albany, Jan. 12, IWT.
My Dear Hoyt : I wrote yw* a k*tter hist eYsnini^ jui»t by way of filling up an interval bi4an
Jied time. The diacuaaion o«ithe reetraimng ia^v hag. been «OQtin«ed this momnvs mr»HLthe all
engr/iaaing Topic. The third aectipn of the bill has heeq rejected, f\nd an animated rlfbateisroae
,. fl«l the fourth. What disiMwition do you tiiink liae bean mad* of it ? can you believe «Wt it
. hat been ft<l«pted ? and, yet such is (he fact* ThisintoUtnejjie^ will he^receifed hy tv» ck^piia
,,. wtth indignation ami contempt. Jt aima a fatal blow at- the mtroduction and oae.of . oafital,
•and mav result in the ruin of many of dnr itierchnnts. What will be the ccatseiqiieiiea of firo.
hihiting agents of foreia;n corporatimiR from making lows of their capital ? The qnestion is
> 0!tm{y tmttwmred. All debtom msnf forthwith pay up^^nS the amonnt ^f psvm^nts tn fii^ Hfisrris
• ^Cnnal and United St^ttes Bank Agency, as I am informed^ weirid (»e about .<Qt 13,000.000^ Drive
awny their agrents and von wou'd produce a- pre.«fla]« avrh asliaaiieveehafihre bneo Irlt.. If [
JUiatakc fiot, the proceedings of to-day will awaken such a spirit amone the »»#-jf)'e on wiU n*tt
i(« apji*f^spd till fill bank ehorlero are destroyed root nod branch. THIS VOuCO BHi ,CAL-
.. AMITOUS, hut T would more qh'orfnuy endure auch a stiae of things than Irgiflat* (#• it
v>n{M seemy for »heir Fole ber^efit. I made what effort I coiild .pptmnand a»7i"M ^he <^eiion,
Its. Hid niso Young nnd Traoy. Th<»se g-ntlemen deserve the thanUs of our nity fNpw Y^ort) for
the^r aMe HndmtH'fv sitpporf of it$ ivferests .• see flint jusfie»^. is dme to th^m. h u>oitf4. h^ ^eU
TO STIR UP OUR PAPRH^. Let .hem ajjtatai-agitM|««^^itate— und the r^i^tcy* will
. • f.>lJow 'h ix exnmvle, F'w the prtf*f nt I despair, If an inteUigf ot ^^n^e of ihia State iCMi^Mjand
I * KBrtth'tjTeTnad*' asrwihJe o^ the ndwuuftgea <»f ^ free tride ii> papiti^l <#ome from wiiif <y«irter
it may) why then it ia waste of time to maintain ao evident a avgdm i|i political CMioiny.
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trSBFtJL SERVANTS MAY BECOME DANGEROtTS MASTEtS. 179
What advances have wc made in this science 7 But my mend, let me conclude with the ten-
^ J|rp(my ^Qi^gj-a/ulMtiMns upon.tA«|jtf-ri^re«»,o/yotf^ . .'
You iV«y'*coriim*uai(;aft i!i')»Jcrawl't6 Phelp^sl '-;--- C L. LtV-INGilSl'CJ'lft
Comptroller Fldgg to tluyt, on Free Bauking—the causes of HoyVs new born zeal for the r«-
peal fj restraints on dealers in Currency,
{No, 84 J ' ' AlbanV, Jan. 15, 1857.
"D^ar SJir r-I hihre m^iv^d your letter in relation to Malison's restraint of rfie RWralning^
Ii*w. By this time yoa wttl h^v« seen thtrt the Senate 4niTe cut the- Mil all'to ptecee. If there
hud been (wo or fhrefr vo(^» tnt/rtf 6n the free trade mde they Wfftfld have eui ost every se^nlon
hvtt thp 6r8t, which -wvm^n simple repeal of she resttoi nt upon offiees ef diaeoimt and def>aeite ; as it
is, they Htcre only retained the 4th, with modfficn>ion8, nnd <»ne> fKhet-. TAe biU rnno, in iny
o0iiii$oit« is tfbmit ri^ht, I think foreign chrpfrtiilians should not be allofced fl» esUfhlish offiees
here : w« have tniufil^ enetfgh with oHir nwj* monsters^ without legnliling a brood frrra J^ey
and ©onnecticut. M-ilsbn showed trie his bilf, and- 1 told him the be'twr way was to strike t)ff
the fe'tH^ npbn caprtnl, nnd ellew private Bankers to do every thing whtch incorporated Banks
TK)Wdo, *eseeptifrisstte hills. We all totd him his machinery wtnild not do ; bat he ht»d n*<Wed
' the Committee aran opponent of the repeal- of the restraint, and nothing better could have been
expt'Cted-^im an oppenenf of the nn^stire for relief Mr. Mack gtus the ithole hog agatsst
llfaiSK)n1 restraints; and sd do several others whose support he expt cted.
Trncy has offered, in comnhmication With the subject, a bill for private banking, allowing
MHi ft* ^ Isned t4 $5^) attd ibpwaNb. This ^ill wiH get only «* few vete» at this tim«« 'X^re
U 4tH « finnpeet of M/ Banks this winter, of any kind, to is#ne paper. > >
Truly yonra, A. C. FLA06.
■ I ,^ ■■ . ■
Sknafor Littng^tm on B^nk Bills and* the DeviP. John B. Yatss.f ^■
[Dlo. §5.] .1 Albany. Janunry .16th, 1837.
My i)ear Iloyt : The repeal of t"fie much tallied of law moy be disposed of this morning
without any material change of the tbrm in which it stojid when 1 Jast wrote. The propot^lHcn
pow under discuaiaion contemplates a removal of t^e restf^'iit upon individual issues; Mmitinff the
bills 'thi)^. mpy be issue^d, however, to $50. Thepropftsitfon has be**ri ably supported hy Tracy
and. Vj^ng — and if I mistnke not, I said in a former letter that T should support it, jKut 1 confess
aubsequen; reflecti«m has a^kei^' my opinion, and I am rather inclinfd tb go against it.^ SuA a
priviWgja might be extensively abused,. afid in voting against i\ I may possibly be influenced rather
. by fears than realities — but my object ip writing i^ to ejspiain what mny'seem to you to be an m-
cofisistencx in my vote with a former opjnion. In set-king to reform abuses or correcting evils,
it is always prudent to commence by gradual steps. Defeat firenelrally attends a reformer if' he
aims at too much ip the onset. The is^-uing, of bills to circulate as money is properly a matter'for
legislative control — and if we can preserve the cur^ncy from variableness or injurious deprecia-
*Mt Hoyt^s anxietv fiw.frve banking appMrs to bave nrtten in affreat meaxare from kis anticipntions of flfior-
aqoN* ^Otns to be made out of such vHIninmJs concerns nsJ^e'ers's Trust Co. tVillinm G. Rncknor one of Royt*i
Wnft street .acqunintnnces, on heinj? interro^ntet) by the United States CommiwioBers, in 1841, whetber H wn« W
- lievetf. At th« broker** board, th:«t Mr. Hovt wm fer^iv tnt«rw4«fl in piirebatinir the st rfc of the North Amertcan
Tnift and Hi|nkinseomiraoT«ai«»w«re«l that " itwaji the gensml im^irenrpn ainon^the ^rokerathat Mr.H >vt wai
largelr hiteresteil in opemtinir tin the stock of that institntioo. This impression prolmbly arose fVom the VnO\vle<1f?«
that he wn's stn-nsIV nildicted to stock sne'cotations, and fVo^^ the fhdt that certain persons dealt lar^ly tn that otock,
-who. from the connection and the confidenee afld' inctifinry Rulisisfinc between tltem ami Mr Hovt.'M-ere8(isp^9ed
to b»Qpsni^i^.fot.kiffl«orth(ith« was iafaretted it?, their oiKftratJons." And. fiirfher thnt he'*b«Ueve» theMopem*
tions wofi* ext.reme1y.improlitHl»lf.'' Mr Rarr. another Wall street broker, remnrkeil, ihiit "certificnte* of depMita
Jn that hnnk were rommonly sold in WaJI street at n discount, which lcon1mer>ced nt .1 1»> 5 percent., and tvetft rt^ in-
ercfishrfi^ titVHI certtflcatis on time were »"M in snme inrtafirts nt the rata oft ."S pir ^.ent. per aionth ditootint; I
ab»«kl«ot ha«e «no»i<|Brad it4i«ife Ivftitntioa in which t* make dep'*s-tp«.nf -fHihlic mmiey," Mr. Rarr added,
that U^Jims^y, Hovt's hrothtr iq-hiw. (also a Wail |trce' bniker,) wns a large operntor in the stock of thntlipnk,
and thai it wn» believed tlint Hovt wns "interested with him. At times when the Trensurv hf the' f ^Trioa va«<»oT-
rowiq? at high rrjtes of hiterest., Ihivt wns depos^ia? Httajhretlsttf l^ionsnnd* ef (kdlan of the pHt>)ie funils wtitJi Ihia
/Inslkmlit^!^ andireftisin? to remit Irt Wishinffton the bnlnnce in his hnnds. which he had incorrectly stated. If
the J'ub Treasury is t« be revived, so as to enable fv^ure Hovts to play over affnln the ffnme of this mininn Hf Vim
Btiren. throiiffhoiit the TTninn— and what iMhereto prevent it 1—1. for one. xvould dotibt its efficiency. Hoyt lent
Be^rs^s Bank, wtms fhelSnh IVeaeurv vh» hn open«imi.»#fl54P0. to t5»h 0f O^u 1840, wahout interest ! Hoyt*i
depo^|l|e« affl^ted tjie value of the stock, which fluctuated from ^5 till it got down to $3.
tin 1835.. John B, V^a}«j\' introduced into the Assembly of N. Y. a bill t<> repeal tlie restiietiona oh hanking,
nrvfer wVich' for many venrs, certain bra rWhes rTlrtisinexii had been confined tochartererlcompanfe*. pfitrHef^d by
law, and Ihw pHviferes sold l»v Hie te^slnt'ors atid executfve rtffiifieifc (Of cotirsa. Vn« Buren nnd hi» fri^dft.wiere on
Atb athftr sideUn aftev hi««l«ctinn as IHcNkltnt«ext v«»t tehen a new ffaaw ^'as to >j« pinyed } Mr. Preston }f inc.
who ahhr fide^ the friflti^ls of eilucatioii by hi* nnwenned eflforts in Congress to ^t ct^eap obstnse esttrbttihed,
■ toolc ihokame courie. as did Colonel Yoihi?. Mt. Vates w4is rich, nnjfious to "educate the people, and fond of (pter-
nin firtpfoTtements. t was a director fhr the co'lWt^v itr the WeMand *€nnoI Ootnpany, in which K0,.hla hM>th«t
««r»«f mir Yates, and others of his familv, had embarked 850.00(>, and had much conversation with him. If Oover-
M» Xjsm WM ^M t^nctn a £ciaad t»f fait aoooiry aUoha B. he wa« n^t vary jnW tiaated by hb Vaa BwaB ftiiadi.
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IflO CtTttfiN'CV TlNltMS—UVtNOStOlt AND JCtTTtlNG— IMITATIONS Of HtTTd.
lion It if oor duty to <b so. Tliope yoa will find nD lkn\t with me in chiingitt^ fa no sWt * ^
riod luy opiniup on an important bubject. If yuu du find fiialt, tden S7 Go To the Devil XS*
iToure. dtc. C. L. LIV1NG25TON.
F. B. Cutting^ Memter of Assembly, to Jesse ffoyt, N, T., on Banks.
[^•. 86.} . . AuBAtnt, iwuary 16, 1887.
My dear hoyt : The vole on. the resohition instructing thf Bank Commutee to report agiiifist
nU tfunit petiiioiM. wa» talcen tcday, fewetmy «gaiH8t,^iid i^iy in favor. This decides .the (ate
«f u^ these apiiitcaiions this year.\ The latter are gm^d men and uue, and will be coiutistent
UiMler all and every comingtncy. The seventy embrace twenty-nine whiga, a^Ml ono of our
men whi/ voted withttieui by mi^uike* Our fifty includes only ooe whig,. C. Rogers of
Wii>hington Comity, and two liK-o.foQos — Andrew, Fianklin, La^gb, Willes an4 Zabrtskie,
in fiiVitr of I3aiiks. Ail our purposes are accomplished. We have euoceeded in comnii.tiiog
lutire .than enough to render, all ht»pe on the {>art vf the Lobby perfectly de^^perate. Having de.
iiioustrateJ to those ^ho were charged with petitiyns that success is out of the question, I pre-
suiae that all will unite injfavor of thfi repeal of ike Jiestraimn^ /««tiU A|(a other imforxaxt
XATTESS. * Tte mail io just ciutting. U is admitted that we have gaped a triumph.
Yours. F. B. C,
Odrsing on Pcper^ UkeJokn Van Bwreu^Let BIfiod follow ike Ktdfsr^Missrissnf JUgislaim.
[No. 87] To Jesse Hoyt, (private.) AL64NTf iaawirf 9(H 1^7* '
My Dear H.>f t : / am so damnably pressed for time that I can scarcely send you a line. Judiciaiy
Committee ; referencts daily ; reports; drawirrg Bills; active debates in the H«use ; Bank inves-
tigutiuiis; consoltutions ^c., and iafernal letters from NewVorit from applicants for office,
all requesting answers of some kind.
Li.ik at my resolutions of to-day. Do they cover ground enough? fhc Speakerfvanted to
put Ogilen on the select committee^-I threatened (o refdgn as chairman, and state my reksons
before the House and the State — ^he yielded. I have had setlous work with him as to who f>ball
be associated with mfe up^n the committee to be appointed to investigate the Banks — have bad
thiee interviews — warm ones too ; But he will not give me the names of those he intends to sp-
pomt. 1 have ufgnd, that if I am to be Chairman 1 have a right to the best talent of 4ie Hoftse
to assidt me. Ni* bank directors, stockholders, or partlcitiants in the stock of last year, (169€,}
but all will not prevail upon him. So, to-morrow, I shall move to refer my resolutloii to die
select committee of invesiigation of which King is chairman. If defeated in this, wje wittfliake
open war,, and 1 shall rsign as chiirman, if appointed, stating my reasons. This is a most un*
pleasant duty, as it will necessarily wound the feelings of many gentlenien^ but theocCSision i
requires frairknea<t, and if necessary I will not shrink from what 1 beHeve to be calledfor.
DON'T BE SO DAMNED HOT in your way of writing and talking. Fight cooUy, des.
prraiely, nay savagely if any end is to be gained ; ride booted and spurred, as i have to do in |
the House s mietimes, to itiake milder spirits quail ; but make no threats — act, and' let blood
follow the kaife^ if surgery is required ; but let the blow" be felt before you give notice of your i
intention, " Charlie shall have his own again** in spite of sundry political brokers and sha-
vers that we wot of. I know of no way to success, but by bold) otraightforwavd, manly, uncotn-
promising opposition ; and to unfold to oor owh true apd sound Democracy the shtxffling and
trickery oPthe knaves who filch them. In haste yours.
Did ytfii see how the Whigs and Bank Men-joined Kinmy upon the resolution instructing the
'Baok Committee ? Let the votes be made public — undeceive the people ! If yoa would pay half
as much attention to dissect our votes, and put the Whigs in their true position, hand ia hand
with the Banks amd their adherents, ss yoa do to some other things, soeh as wntiiig eoitgroto-
latory epistles to Ned Livingston, &c., and advising with him [tfvs Speaker] as to committees,
4g., you would, according to my notioos* be doing more service. Do you take 1 •
Tiuly yours, F. B. CUTTING.
Senator lAtingstan dombt$ ,New York wisdom^ o»d with rsastm,
[No. 88.] •> . (To Jess* Hoyt.^
Albany, Jan. 21, 1837. — I any inclined to think, my good fellow, that you are more than half
right io the opinion expressed in youy last letterr-I hive glVcn the siibjem of private fssuew much
anxious thought, and I confess new light begins to dawn i^pon my darkened intellect — the cloiidi
ftre^fast breaking away and I should not be surprised if I finally dctennined to maiiuaki oven to
obstinacy that a noie of an incorporated bank was, no better than the bill Issned-byA pvltate sol-
vent Individ ual-^I may have beep delude by the charm which too commonly attadies to a.cor>
"^ >tYtie bHT ena1)1in? sp^nktort In |^neml to gcsoeiafv as ianlren In fnrHnf «todi<, inMUlifi, «#in(l|r%onAt.'lLe.
•nabled the Democmtic Review of Mnv, 1839, toulk about" some of tii«mMt|ound astneiationi of the city fof N. Y.^
Uke tJu JiTortk AmericoM, Trust and Bankinff G;.** R. H'Jimsey, Jen^ Hovt, J. D. Been, or e|t|i«r of thorn, m^f
Vavo dictated the patriotic article. •
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tm ttl»KAt 6f tX^t fttStfttCTt61^'-»A l»«tCtmt/)lt Of StTSHHStOK* l8l
I, km <fa0 iptll ir«tar)y )ir<iken. aod tnoHier iiifbt^B ^eieetiM ntf int>p i i |^hdit ma
ioi^NAtt Inflexible advoc9te.oi sl^in.plnsters. Some limitations and securities are indi«pe»Mblf to
^ard against abuses, for 1 caiHi*^ a<U*tt VAur theory^ te its full extent, that the people are under
ail circiniistanQea cap^ible of raannging their own affairs. In some cases th«y musi be protected
a^inst memselves. My distruni of their ihteiligence commenced when they elected such a poor
devil nsniyself. and urttil they choore agents who will respect their feelings abd their ioierests,
I will • dispute their capacity to govern ihemsn Ives. Don't diacl-.*^ this herc-y, and above aW
daA*t let me yee it in the Evening Post in the form of "an exirart from a letter from Albany."
Do you uhder!<tand ? In a few days we shall have under codsideratioli" a general plan for pri»
vate baiikmg, pryvldjd rhere is sense enough in Albany to mature one. It is designed to keep
thl-< subject distinct from the restraining liiw. Cutting has just called inr to say that he has're.
cefved so'n^ letters f-om you, and de-ires me to s<y that you must work hurdiT and ulk less.
Waal iinpertiueut language for a servant bf the People to hold to one (»f his masters !
' Yours, &c.. CHAS. L. LIVINGSTON.
All the World may becotne Stock-jubbgrs — even Beers's Truet Co,
[No. 83 ] The pame to ihe same. Af.BANr* January 2$, 1837.
My Dear Hoyt : A^er a well coiHsfcd fitrht we succe^ed this morning in rejecting the 4th
pection. 13 to I2^a su'istitute was wfierwards offered andadopted^ io which ^here c«n be no
vf ry serious objection. It simply r^-en icts the existing Law as ii is f iund. in P«ge 718, HP^ 6»
VaU i, R. S. which restrains incorporatiois in their corparnte capacity from establiebit^ them*
selves in out State, and circu'ating bills, ^.tc, but agencies may be established to loan frmds.
M'»rris Rpbinson, Louis McLan^, et id nmne genus, may now pursue iheir lawful bu.sinees with-
out subjecting iheniselvfes to a fme of SIOOO, or tKe fear of going to the StJite Pris n. I have
only time to congratulate you on this hippy resnlt. PhtLPs will participate with you in the jrra-
tificsiiv/B you experieace in witnes^ng the progress of reason and common sense in our Senate.*
All yet seems well ; and if it end so naeet,
I'he bitter past, more welcome is the sweet.
My toom is fuH cihafier9 tormenring me to death about a sixpenny Canal claim, and compel
Me ta etose this so abruptly. Cutting is in New York ; he will give yon s ime Intereerlrtu n#wi
from this place. Yours, C. L. LIVINGSTON.
'freedom to Banking — Arkknsat, Michigan, India, and Illinois Stocks, our next Surotiee !
[No. 90.] [To Jesse Hoyt] Albany, January 27th, 1837.
Pear Hnyt: Restraints are removed — the people inay walk abroad/ diaemb a rrassed of |he
chains they once hobbled with. The bill passed this morning with a unanimtms vote, after hav-
ing altered the character of the 4th section, as I pointed out in my last. If you want to snap
any other bolts, you had better indicate your wishes while we are in The humor. The bill wiU
doubtless pass the 4^sembfy ; and, if with any alteration, I trust it rony be, if pofi$«ible, for the
better. Yours. C. L. LIVINGSTON.
Comptrolter Flagg to /, Hoyt, on the Multiplication of Paper Credits,
(No. 90«.] Albajiy, January 20th, 1837.
Dfear Sir : The repeal t>f the Restraining Law, after substantially etriking out the 4th section,
haa received a unanimous vote of the Senate. The prohibition against non resident mooopo-
lies remains as in the Revised Statutes. The prospect is, that the tote will be eqnally unani-
mous in the House. Maison's bill, thert;fore, )ias been entirely demolished, except the first sec-
tion.- pificea of discouat and deposite can do every thing which Baaks now ^, except to ifsne
^illa. There were some phrases in Maison's 4th section, which I had not particularly noticed
when I wrote you, -and which caused its rejection. Maison's original bill was such a bill aa
tbe Banks would desire to have passed ; it tied up the free use of money with numerovs cards
which were not used iu the old Restraiifing Law. But the g^ood sense of -the Senate has set the
Daatter right.
There is considerable discussion going on in various sections of the State, in relation to a
eeneral Banking Ijaw. Onondaga has taken the fietd on this side. After the passage of the
Restraining Law repeal, there will be a fair field between the safety fund incorporationa, and a
law applying tbe Safety Fund restraints io simple banking associations. The multiplication of
l>aper credits in either mode, I apprehend, will produce more evil than good. But tbete mpat be
*the fnllowiog is a draft of a rasohition drawn up by Jeis« Hoyt at New YoHr, and tent toColoMi TAVae and
J. 0. Outtint at Alb«oy« ^ be nroiWMd ta tbe Legiilature.—" llMol^rad,.that th# Raaka ta the elCy of New Yurk
whTch dn bu&lnes$ under the Surety Fund fict. do report without delay the amount of money they raapectitelyftave
had oO'deiMMit'friim corporations out pf this State onthe 1st day of every month, viz : from the let of Dee 1835 to lit
of January, 1837, upon which depofito interest has been paid or agreed to be paid."
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182 BLBOT WRIGHT AND TirBN QrAMtEt— PEKNSYtVANIA ^^i^^lf*^
a change as to the mode of dinpensing stock, and perhapi a general law would do tki4 m fl i
£ef T£* *«Be M Quarreling' about Free Bunka, HU after Wttgktr SUtUon.
[No. 91.1 [To Jea.*e ti'^ryi.] Albany. Sunday . Evening, Feb. 2Uj$S7.
• My Dear Hoyt': I arrived this evening, and have been certain pi^Ucations in the A^^K ^' \
' gua, relating to myaelf anH my course in regard to the Committee ot liivcstigation. I am too ^
much fatigued to prepare an answer this evening ; but in tha course oiF to-morrow, vrill place the
' subject in its correct light, and will endeavor lo have it published on Tuesday, unlese U u
*' deemed adtieable tp avoid all collieiona until after the election of Silas \VftieHT, as to wjhao
there has beeA a strong opposition—indeed it is said, that on Friday lasU there was a nayontyot
the Legislature a^ainnt him. If, therefore, my observations do hot appear on Tuesday, they
WiU be inserted oh Wednesday.' Request Mr. Bryant to copy them, in case he has Inserted the I
articl«»Trom the Argia, ani sec that the Timet does me the same justice. ^,«^,^,«
Yours, F. B. CUTTING.
[No. 92.] • • ' ♦ ^ [Favored by Capt. Stocldard.-^Stmday.] * I
* My Dfear Hoyt : I-scnt you yesterday, a Bank Cotnmisstonert' Report. Howlii mcntey and
-' teal eataie i CouW a sa)e ac pibiic aubtion be effected at fair prices, of good property to the
amoani of $lOa,000. on Accommodating terms T Wiihont mentioning my narife, cail tifcn
* Blspckter, and Jenikina, and make ^he necessary mqulries, and write me. I aenrf yoa a Kttie
*. public opinion.* Thft stage is atarthag. Youra, F. B. CUTTING.
The true Van Buren School-^have principle in proportion to your interest-^ all for self
[No. 931. ^ Dr. Joel .0. Sutherland, to Joseph McCoy, New Market, 'Philadelphia, ,
.J4Varett:o, June 27, I8l6.— tUear M : When. I rcceiv^^d jour ktier (»•! jiight, I |
iinmediately took a chair to my front door, and commenced reading it — I waa much pleased
with your notions of buying oht Peacock, but the diflrculty that will have to be encoimtered,
will not, I think, be of a trivial nature; I maj^ perhaps make the arrangement with Boileaa, |
i pk j^ljUtjon to ih^ adjytunt-generalship, but whether he ,wpi|W ,be. willj|ig.4* ^i^lPFSf . ^ JW«< to
^'"'jjiiise the wind j^ another (juestioo. I am told he is ftvarioipti^. IJowpyeiicyi Vhia B»ift|. I.w^d
*Prom the Ononda^ Chief, a Van Buren Paper.— We are flad to we m many mand demncratie jonmak ia
different parU of the Stale, sneaking in terms of decided reprobtition of th« eonduct of 8|isak«r [ G^wanU Lhr-
irtgrton, W regard to the foffeation of the committee of fianklnvestlgiitlon. Wherever the jiidgwentof AeD »
■eH^jfiralyzed by bank influence, ar its ex(>ression restriMned by motives of interest, there is butMie acotiRient of
indignution In the mouths of the people. Even the Speaker himself has bowed before Um omnipotence of public
' ' opinion, ttncT hai felt hfmself Tom|)e1ted to attempt a vindication of his conduct, Over his ovn signature, in tile cul-
umns.of the, Acgus, but in our hunble opinion, he has sueoeedett miserably .-
tJudf e Sutherland is aa old^and a shrewd, cunfiiaff,.good oatufsd politician, of %oteh pareitaffs^ and Vaa Bn-
' ' ren principle. He is' a regular Democrat ; wns healtn o^cer at jifbihulelphia wiien he wrote the above letter ; mat
- 'for .iickMrti and tire pet hank scheme; rhn for Speaker tti Con|reiis, ' in Oppositfoh to Andrew StfeveKs^in, who fisd
the JVnl^fiuiaiLipnBFQs to aid him ; went into Congress in 1838, fur the Ist district of Pa., as a conwrvatK-«, or sn-
chnnged demucrnt ; supported Harrison in 1840; and in f84l was appointed Naval-Offi';er at the port of Philadel-
phia, by Tyler, from which jiost he has since been removed by FoTK. .He avows^jn the above letter, the system od
which Viui -Otiren «nd the regency forked the oM cotfneil '6f-appointmen(,the prSss, ptitMnagb. and the safttj
^an^/iuaks-^nainely : to blind, deceive, and plunder the millions, under any cloak, and by adopting whftfver wu
upjierm st in men's minds, (h.nt couhl |/e turned to nnrty account. The 8ub-treasu;v, as Jesse Hoyt, Stephen Ai-
'■ lefi,Jose|th D. Reers,06meli«s W.'IinWrenee, atid ttiefrbAnki*, caVried it out, would he a new metfns of ceniitetiiir
. ^«. pQwer&tJ.baiid of cunningpoJiticioas, hy giving them the'kpoiis to speculate 4m. Joel oppAaed that.; Sieve A^
leu kept, carefully nil the casi| Je^se j;ave b^nn ; (ut Jesse allowed no movp Ut posa into Stone's sul»-UeaBury t^
* "the surplus beyo'nd his own wants for speculation ; and as the Van Buren family went shares. Secretary Woodbury I
allowed 'him His own way.' Wben the flay of reekorrfng came, Jes^ Hoyt was 9930,00Q short, and the Jodjgef '
. 4wivl that the pa^bs and iienaltieB of the law ef 1840, did not apfily to the ease of Jeme ll«yt I I eomr t>r. S*s fet-
ter from Mr. Duane's Aurora, The Doctor, it appears, ezp49ctedio .b« appointed e^ivt^nt-general ofiPa., $k the
' ' purpose of becomitig. recruiting sergeant to the party leader most likely to succeed to power.
^ ** Very soon jtfter Mr SntAir tmme itlto the chair of thd execntive of this stnte. (continues Dnane,) ft was dis-
> ' ftoveflSd that. his eiewtion had been precared l>v a oofidented combioatien ef penont in the legfsIaCuie. wln> eeai-
, pri^mised the aitaijs of ,the [)eople, in a diyisi<i>i\|of the Qt)ic4s, power, and (latrpnege of ofiipe aaion| the conspin-
tors.' As })art of the compact, the press* was to be placed under the control of this secret combinutiun ; every &se
press wns to be proscribed, apd prostituted presses established, or purchased, in every part of the stiit^.'so that tRii
^ cbn^eatiiia abitutd not only diwct public eplnian. but excladcv from.th^ eyes-of the fi»oi>ie the knowleftoe nftruth,
. or the animadversions that are i|sual in. a state of freedom on publico. kneasnrea. Those wha opniideidil the |Mfe« a>
free nndvisrilAnt, did not perceive that it might be placed in corrupt l)ands» ur in the hands of ignorapce,; and that
- freedom frdzhtlie exercised «s amply inthe cause of vUluinv and fVaud, as in the cause of virtue and iu^ic'e ; that
. Htnvtwri^y and vigilance ef iaiq oily. might eoiploy it, with aa much zeal and tabor, at the fWendt or freedon^ of
^ ■ suciuJ hapuiaess/* , .».,..
" Who Will wonder that Colonel Duane died poor, or that his son was tinfit to be a member of a cabinet which
Tan Buren secretly conducted on the Satherland principle ? How can the press guard the American people
r. a ai tfft the dDngeih «d«inr from the aobstituf ion of seeret- corruption for the orintfiptot of free-eMetiun Trtha gani
.; of • rapaciooa band of midnight eoaspimtbn for public efllce, and the eontrol of the stirte, fer th4 walfar* of the
-' ' • . .
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iJP "I mUfjM^y < J'l jTiii ^ I'RIi !>( PQtJiiiig ^n be eftoted in relation tp our scheme till Mr. Boileaa
TGtnTJi^ iTs^ me stale orNe^^ York, wftfcti will 'b€ ifl ^feont 4' or i'l^^ls. T!w ni»tlH«i MlCi|^,
^,S^ileau i^but a child Jin poiitlos, he id riot half enough acquainted wtth tie HnderiNMMl woifc Mt
rt^rlcia the bold and (^ieceming politipianf. I will icli yon ^o I thinh will eniliraOe this echeme
iiiuch eobner tlian Buileau. I mean Wm. Findla^. tie ie so fall'df flditmed^aad lotiofes, tiMt .
He is literally running over wjth them. But there we cannot well go— -we )ttL'we unfti^e^ the flag
o/ discontent, and ii would look cowardly to furl it op again, unless it shouM bo thought better
t^ s!brrender at ^Ijiscretion. . - 'i
\^hile I write this about Flndlay, do not suppose that I doubt Boileau. No, I am far
from doubting tWs mai^s hon^ty, but, I frankly confess, I doubt his policy. When I see hun I
'Will nead his heart. Fihdlay at this time stands the best'chanclb of any man I kntfWj if *a iew
' or us w6uld become reerniting serg*eant8 in bis oauae. Moreover, be will be Ivietile t« BInns,
"^ho is going down fast. You may think me a damned strange creaure to be vaciUating bf -
t w%en Boileau and Pindlay^-BUt AS Y©U AND 1, AND ALL POLITICIANS, ARE MEl<f
Oh\ PRINCIPliE IN FROPORTION TO OUR INTEREST, I haire written to yoa ttBd»-
guisedly^po'n this matter. ' If you have time to come down with Hart in. the stage a6me after-
. noon, and have a long talk with me, you and I will nnderstand each other more fully. I want to
talk with ' ybil about ottr joining'with' Leib. I wish to ki|Mf whether the democrats aiight'Mc
come in this way in the city, 1 kuow they weukl^I wisb^9i to go on the ticket, at your leisure
you could then nUaker'aRnogeneats with Peacock«.wse.wou)4 then, bo on the spot to join the man
njc*t lik'elrto saooeed. ,-.... . .
I wtrultf^^ iiki^ to see you before I see Dr. Leib. I kn^W I sb.ftli see him before the etection-^I
see there is no chance for my weceas in the N« LiberUes, except it be through the assistance 'iof
old schoolism-^-BiiBsier, if he is rejeeied, will quit the party s but, by that time the opposition wjU
' have their candidate.. We ought to watch them well now, and be prepared for the wo^st ' ^'e-
mefhber toe 6» all our faoniy^^tell my dear parents that we are all well.
. ^. ,y . ., Your friend, .J. B. SUTHERLAND/
^ . J « " I ' y . ' ' ' ■ ■
' .' ..^ .i A Secreii Chapter in i^ew Jersey Special L^gUldtion,
. (Not 94.] ' Deor Sir : I wad too late to-day in my appjicatioii to Coui^il They met, acfd
inmiediatiMy a^umeil wUh^ut^loing anybusicess, so. as to get oiT in a coach that was waiting
• ftff tlkett^. But y«u need not despair. \ have seen Halstcd the member from Essei^— he would
bavdofl&iivd the retol«tion if a« opportunity had ocqurred^ He is opposed to the Morris Cankl
ami Banking' t:l)[««i Qpoo pr<iiiciple» and would have oftfTOSed iheir bilf, if he had Keen in his
seat ; init knowing^li^ aenuments, they watched the opportunity, and passed it in his absence.
Jemes L* Greeil says he thinks th^y h^ve done wrong in letting that bill, pass, and he wouhd
. «v»it faimsaif, 1 tbink»9f«njr^hanee of crippling tl;iera.
Halsted will ofTt-r the whole xfsultttton and support it, whether the return Is filed or not by
Tuesday ne^t»^nd I think .1 oa^ i|)duce Green to assist as a member of the committee. *
It Trqitires some little mana^ment^and trotible; but Wm. ijalsted and myself wHl engage to
get it imroduced notiDithstanding any return (heirmay make. Theforfeitttro^ of their bajSung
privileges has accrued^ and the return .fanttot restore it.
. We thereforip wjll introduce it; have it referred to Halsted as chairman bf conmifttee, wtth
sQi^erotber member (Greeti if we dan get htm appointed,) and will get a report ef an unftnar'
able character ; how far it will go we cannot tell-*-that depends upon the investigation and dis-
closure^ made. • . ,.
W« can faivB such « duat aboki it as will bfing the Fresident back to defend himself. IVf
propose to aakstbe committee togive us a fair hearing, which the chaiiman will rradidljr grant.
Aa thett arenmo two efua engagnd, ttnd tki^ia the Iqat plank upoH wk^ch we can mai^f # atond,
you must: tell yourfridnds TBsy mu3T provide accordingly in case we succeed in«ur operatiqgh.
I forgot to tell you to have the Evening Poat seat to me aa Editor^ immediately, and if y6u
think it necessary the Tt«««ft . ; YoiiA, 4&c»
[«* What affair is this ? Who besides Hoyt can wiplain it ?"--W. L, M.]
Send my chtKea to my Woaherwoman, hire my loffgingat and get Dver to eko^ae my TTwi^-
Oughi auch aervicea to have been paid with $50,000 a year, and a douceur of (280,0(90 o^jMrf-
ing ' Wherein doea tfie favoritiam of Louis JCIV, and of Martin f, differ ?
' Xo. 95 ] Martin Vaii Buren to Jesse Hoyt, Albany.
d skill, Jun^ 35. 1819. — Dear Sir: I arrived ht're la^t night from New Yivrh, uid^o to«>dMr
with General Root in his chnise [or chairj to Delhi. 1 hope to be in Albnny op Friday neai. I
send by the b<vit my vatice, containing aome clothed which f wiah y&u- wo^tdaandit^ my pual^,
woman. She iathe same vsho wabhes fur A|[r. Bleecker. Yours in haste, M. V. ByR£N«
[No. 96.] Same' to same. Nov. 17, ldl9.*«Dear iSir: 1 want about fifteen or t.wetity gaU
lend of table wine-~«ay prime Si0ily, Madeira, ur aooie oih«Mr plettsiat, hut iighl «mI kaw wint
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184 BAIsmS, ^TGS, ftft% Of WtKt, fMt wrtdtM, Am Vk^VtH.
n iritik witli HUiner. J;With you^ would get Mr. DtmH, who tak^ <hf^, to tefcttlt ttf ffi«, «i4
ktfy it v\d tend ix iip.t G^t me nlso n bo!( of g9'>d raisins and a bnsket of good fit^. md M»nd
them -with t\w urtDe* Th^rc i» yet $^4 (I believe tbat'is the sum) due me from Mr. G6m>ge Gris-
. w«ld mi my /w in ihf Washinietoo [ihaiseems to l',e tbe word] <^aiisH. which T wi-h you would get
* irom^im and pay foribe above aniilefi out of it, and remit the babnce to me by Mr. Dner. If
yottdoiitgrt it* Couimoduce Wiswnll will give you the ruoney, and receive it Here agnin fi^dm me.
Excuse liic trouble I give you. The report you mention of the t5i»mptro|ler hna not reached here.
^ Your friend, M. V. BUREN.
[No. 97] [Martin Van Bnreu to * Jt ise Hoight, E^q., Wall St. K. Y.»
ApH 29; [1820.] Dear Sir : I ahull leave here with Tu^j^day's bqat. and will stay in N. York
•r»me time, f wjsh you w uld get f«r me, from Mrs. Henderson, the use of her little parlor and
a bed-room— and if she cannot actoinm')d*ite ine, get it eUcwbere. I would, however^ prefer
altogether to stay with her, but can't do without a room other thui a bed room.
/ tkiuk the election ie eafe. Yours Iq haate, M.' V. BUREN.
^No .98.] Martin Van Buren le^ifb^ift M»npy by the $5 to the Poor, and huy$ Wine tjf the
X,.' Pip^ for the Kick,
Attorney General Van Bnivn to Mr. Je«ift Hovt, N. York.
June 21, 1820. — Dear Sir: JuBt as I wa«> p-ing from New York, Abraham P. Van S
• ^o is a c:Ierk m Jacob I. B:irk^*8 more, 456 9*«rl .Street, a neptiew of John C« H— -— . Elpq.,
borrowed ||10 of me. Under a'promi-e to send it up, which, he hai» not -dona ; and, from what Mr.
Hogeboom tells me, I apprehend lie did not intend to do it. I wi^h you>iroold see him and m'ike
him pay iVrd you. Ask the Secretary about the enclosed. I have never hearil any thing about
.it^Mc^^^ii^ayJlO. Your friend, M. VAN BUREN.
[fe. "SfKJ.y #- ^. M . . I ' . :ph|..ggme to the same. Date and place torn off.
" I am afrnifl you will bfpmt jo" think me' a v«*ry troublesome frjend — ^but I AM CON-
STANTLY THE VTCTfM OP iMreSITfON— that man Plimpton who o^^n the Aholiva,
BORROWED FIVE DOLLARSt of me, wWia^he went off, under d promise to^a^nd ft up.
If y<»u hnppeif tofatl in with him I wf^h.you woow'**^i faim-^he is a graoelipHi dog. It would
iDComrriotTe me v«*ry much if I should nol have my carriag*) next week. The Governor ia to-be
qualified t6 dny, but ATbnhy is ns qftiet as a church. It is said that efforts have heen mide to
Xoine the wind, but in vain/ Mr.'Clinton'ls unfversally censidered here as politically, defunct.
I wjll believe* that there is nothiner In the 6fory I heard in Philadelphia [a 'part is torn. off] out of
courtp'sy, and will want thi>m. I go fretn hence in a iew days. M V. BUREN.
p. S. Mr. Hoyt will oblige > me by presenting the 'above to Mr. Beekman, and transmitting
me the money,'* , . ^ '
,. [No. ion.) Martin VanBnren to Jesse Hbft, 40 Wall Street, N.Y.
A'lffuM 20, 1820.-*:~D. Sir: You will oblige me by prepenting the above draft to M» Kanfner,
and the within check at tho City Bank, who will, pf course, j/ivevou the m^ney for it, 'which
. pay to Dorainick Lynch, E^. /or a half pipe qf Wine Thought of him sometime mnce. I have
Bimlaid the bill, but I believewthis is about tlie amount. If there is a difference, pay it. f*i\<\ let
me koQW what it is., , * ' M. V. BUREN.
[Na 101 J August 23d. — D..Sir: T enclose yau a draft this moment received fr^m Mr, RanC
' ner ^or Kaufman)— be «) good ft* to n«<e h as before directed, and to call on Mr. Kaufmnn, and
.say fo him that I have rereived the ^V50— that hit cauee has not been reached on the Calendar
— and of course efoes off until the neit tertn. ' M9 praepecte of nteeeoe are gooi. Give Mr. K. j
She receipt 6n the other side. Your friend, M. V. BUREfN.
[No. 102.] § E, JUmngstOR fo /. TTeyU on Butler' e influence, Van BwFen^o -yonng trihe, and
• . . JYeia Leaders-r-'Jesee's Stock,
Albany, Feb. 24, 1821.— Dear Hoyt: The Notary bill will not pass, nor will any regulation
•vkB nfsde^onMining Commiaa^onejrs or Masters in Chancery. Do ffouwieh Ward appointed a
t'Mr. Hoyt wig at the Franklin Houte, New York.
% nennett declares in his Hemid (Oct. 3, 1845) that had he known that t5 or $10 were of so mnnh fmp«*rrftnee
to Mr. V. n., and that Mi*. V. B. reqiiirwJ' the ehdnnement of C. V. Cambrelenfr to enable him to bcvTow 94000
*.«MtM h9 mfO. th WAshiiigtoa u Jao)(son*8 teorttary of state, be would aever 4iav« attempted to bbirow gSSOO
th.ro? Im innutfi^e. . ^
, ^JBd^rd UriftvtM was elected Clerk of Aaseniblv in 1822, and held the office a lonjr time. Havinir removed
fnmi New.Yofk Ij Albany he was elected to the Je^islatnrA irowi that connty,' and succeeded Ohnrles HumpMey
g« Pivenker in 18S7, bv 80 votes. njrnin"h «7 f.»r Lather «rarf«.h. who was Speaker in the susion rf !838. He «•■ a
Jirotl^r-m-law. oCJiidfje Sutberho<l and was succeeded a^ ChfV bv Senate Seger, who hnd been his depntv. The
AlbnVjy BeTerrcyftre said to have been O^Wnxn to eT^t Mr. L. Cterk H. ofR., iirCoa^resit. DecY 183a '* Hie hfwd
Mn^f^w of MK^ ii(«iw>p«tt dMMMMMf :mM LnqpK) fo in tha eify. ofAtbffpy . and Edward Livingston, whose
iTwaf Vbefr mJSth^SiSlL'' ' " ®P****' ^^^^ Aesembly, earned for him tha leom of every true demoent,
Digitized by^OOQlC
ON BtARRIAGE— OFFICE-HUNTING — REGENCY POLITICS I\ 1P21. 186
Master 7 If you do, a lint to Butler would fix it. There appears to be some discontent in the
Camp— Mine Mf' th«t^i^ (»ui»'lri«r0ineit tetfdef^. batl bi)1iAe««U*i«^Mfe^. %iiAlt»^tAi^^oi0er
of the party ^iH'b€genm/fent*i^ o^dinaty tUscr^tiffnti^ Ufted, tP&ter\R. tuld nyt fbatif iho
coilisioQs which. ^ve taken pl^ce since h94 happ^ped before tbQ New Y«i:k aBpc|$oini^j^ts/tl|at
he would be d ■ . d if I should hoi have 4ad my appointment. '* Sijthe'riand md not 'want iny,
thing for himself, t)ut went away quite, in a huff. VaiJ Buren'a young tribe,, th4t he has been'
trainiog^ for the last 18 months, thought, they could rule the State, but he'is.too cunxiin^ fof th^m.,.
The party is in an unsettled state ; we want • firm leader, "^e must puff up some of our cLaii'
into a great man. Bowne is pressing toe bill to divide the ipayoralty -as fi^st as possible, to env
ble him to give us a mayor, &c. But who they will he he keeps to himself Hatch writes |ne
that he ^na much surprised at my sudden departure. I should likp to know whether Noa^i hat '
ai^ointed hia Att'y. I do not think he will giv^'it to us. I should be very glad t^ be in N^w .
York, for I am tiiipd of Albaj^; * * * * , Believe me, de^ir friend, . , ,,
Yours most sincerely, EDWARD LlVINp^ON.
[No. 103 ] Same lo the ssme— Nov. 32, 18&l.-<-vDeaF Hoyt^: I suppose you ifvill leara from
Mr. Van Buren and other friends every thing new and interesting * « » • QwvBtg to ibe fine
of wheat | ahi fearful that United States Stock is k>w^, bat God grant you a safe daUttrasoe^
« « * « » I (jijQj^ yon 1,^^ bettex try your hand at matriiMuny.
On MarriMge^-^dvice to ifyyt-r-Albaitif very duU.
[No. 104.} > Edward Livingston to Je^se Hoyt, at New York.
Albany, December 3, 1821. My Dear Jcfise : I presume that you have by this time retimed
from Rhode Island. ' Your visit to Hartford was, I guens, nbdut a certain libel suit, "which busi-
ness may possibly cost ytm sotnb rtioney. You are beg^rly poor ; granted ; pretty fentimra-
tal, dtc. Now, in my opinion, if yoo get married on the spur of the Qccftf^ion, yon stand d
email chance of being taken in«Hi8 you are as apt as other folks to be deceived by first finpres* '
Bions. Yoa are generous, and therefore tb^ more danger. Your standing in eocl^iy is very get^d,
be careful or else you may be worse off. As Noah says, Prithee good iVIr. Aoth^cary give me
an ounce, not of civet," but of common prudence : But you will ask * hdw the devil shall 1 take .
it ?• Taht is more than 1 know, I do a»jsurc you. h is a pity thni there is no shop where such
commodities can be bought, for I should like to take a pretty powerful dose, and would pre-
scribe the same to my friend Hoyt. ♦**•»#**
as you dont appear to care what you take by frequenting No. 55, &.c. If a womdn that y.ou
should esteem should have too much money, get me; to draw up the marrfa^e articles, and
I will rid )fdu of all difficulty upon the subject. You ask me to dispel the difficulties stated
in your letter, but in the first branch of yotir argument yoa explicitly admit thut^they are all ol
a «isionary character and complexion. My advice is, not to think of g.ettiftg' ntdrtied ; it ap-
pears iik,e d<?ing the business by the job Just kbep quiet and you wi^i be married sook ewuwjh.
Your poetry i liave no doubt w^s very fine, but I did not exactly, as Lord Byron suys, com-
prehend iL The why, &c. You need n.it apologize for your letters, for they are always re-
ceived with a cordial welcome. Sheriff Gan^evoort is going to muke a d^f of it they %iy. T.her^
are no persons here with whom I associate but Dennistou ^nd ICing, and Henry Davis, conse-
quently the town must be very dull to me. I think by present appearances that you will make
money by your stock contract if you hold on. » ♦ * * '
Yours most sincerely, E.. LIVINGSTON,
Speaker Livingston eanvassiug for the Clerkship of the Assembly f
fNo. 155.] Edward Livingston to Jesse Hoyi, New York.
Albany, Dee. SI, f 821.— Dear Hoyt.: lam fearfal thai Hatch is a snake rn the grass, so be
cautions. I have understood that Mai Davis is coming up to Albany with^ (he members. I'
want to ha*B hun engaged in my favor. Jud^e { VV . P ) Van Ness will do it for me, if you will
meution it tf» him. • « * Benjamin Knower says he will not interest himself abbut the
clerhship, bat is committed to aftpport Eelee^rk if he does an? thin?. Butler atid Knowe^ are
Es>»'ck*8 only fiiends, and [Judg^] Skinner is alone in backing [Ephraim] Storr. » * » John
Ciimcr has been very active in my behalf '# * * Jiimes Burt, and every other man who
respecra himself, will not vote for Vonderheydeo. • * I wi««h that G«irdiner would Bpenk to
Romainefor mfe, and explain how thing** stand. I hope Hateh has wrifteti to Boston, nnd spo*^
ken to Munson. 1 want vou to have every member of the N. Y. delegation spoken with oare
more, and espeeieHy Mr. Verpianck, (by you,"! who co*ild, and I doubt not, will, do me much ^f od, ,
* * 4r I #i«h you would nak Butler, when he thinks that E. has no chatlce, if He would g\ye
me It lift I was vert sorry to learn that Mr. Ulshoeffer was cleternuned to pupporr. Vonder*
heyden.. » * * . • R LIVINGSTON.
t Peter 1L livtnffat'nn of Dutchess. Co. was ftlectcd Bpeaker of the Aweiabiy, hy 117 •tit ef 133 votes, in Jan. ms.
He was the most ultra of Governor Clintnn^s oi)|>onenU In Jan. 18*28. Mr. Liv«uirst<in H'lU eiteted President nfiiW
flenat* of N. Y.. and has long been a most deeided paitisao of Henry Clay for the Presidsacy. Hammond dssccilM
him M "iflMfioative aadslw^usnu" Digitized by ^OOglC
isd
tint #AT til ^EHooUttQ tututto fkAni^ Aioot t^rticti.
• ' [Nb.l06.J Edward LWt^t«i(!8pftller/Ae.M«Je«i«Hi»yn'K«;*To^4^^ >' ^;;
Aliabtt, JtB, ♦!, 1^.1— D^ar Hoyt. * » » Our people all •♦ ♦nj di-^poied to'h* ji' foo(('
huiiiqr with tacft other, Hndribicttlo Noah^i attempt to interest the party in hia persoui^f S"?'?*
bUs^V^iid siiy that faA> makea an uitjustifiahle u»e vf his paper to gratify nip person iit,.mal|^nfiy.
•* * *' Utahi>eflrer is even more canning than I ^opposed him, before the accurate inVpeptioa^
I'hayp gfven him for rhe lasl three weelis. As to Fresident of the tJ. S. our peopje dpnt know*
what the devil to think. Tompkins drinks too ha.rd — so they say. t wish our people ^i>ul J
back {h^dfcretii^ of the Navy [sJmith Thompson], but be appears to have a Binall Body of.
fHleni|B. His conduct about the post office here has dune hii^ some 8crvice-~-and Ada uxflTjl letter,
together wi I h his 4th (if Jnly oration, la ' enough to I)-*— nany comoi^oii ipan. OaVernof;, 1
ahoold iik« t^ havo Yates chusen for it, hut they say he will keep Spencer on the bench, wfaicfi'
9ome people do not like. ' * * * I kteep my tounge as close as possible, and attend to my
oaw 4»iiKiii6S9. * « * I wUl get tfie Eltamiifef biMh for Ward if p JsdiMe-^if ffoe, I Hii'iit get
itibr fHKHr ^ell & Cambreleng that I tttn aatisfitid, and feo are the peopie herft; that eitt- ttieni- '
hanwf CoUff^m uftn tiumpped into signing for 8. V^an RAiaaeli^r [to be P; H/linx At^MV.]'
Crolius and Hale electioneared 6fr eacb^lier. Hal^^fts to make Col. Crdlitis 8peaker,^and the
favor was to be returned. Crolius is a * * * *, and I hope jrou will find ways and
means to keep him at home. Believe mt, as evtfr, yOttr true and nncere friend,
JB. LIVI^^GSTOK,
' ,^ [No, 107] Senator Van Buren to J^sse Hoit, Attem^y,ai-iiaW,,Nr Y, ' .,\ •; . - -
Qfi9i«r<»town» 0>Va, Jan.. 23, 1822. — Dear Sir: ^e so good as to 4JeU«en«the etmlfted.- We-^
h^V'BOfhing new here^- The'Bankruf»i Bill i»«nder dlacussioQ lia tJim Hiiuse^^-its fate is becmn-
ing ^aore donbtAil. Please to get and send me the American coatatnija^ the numb*ra «f %* the *
F«id««i»li0t of 1789 ' published laaft summer. • In baste, yo)ip fri«ttd, <M.v^« 3UREN# > *
^'[Np.. IQ^,] Senator Xan Bareh to Jesse ^oyt.— Wassinqton, Jan. 28, 18^2.— I jbave to^
m^m^iit r*>ceived. yoiirs, for which I thank you, and beg of .yoy as a ftYQi:.';© write nje ofte^i'on :
the sul^ct of th^ interesting concerns, that. agitate, you. , !^or thf present* I b{|ve,onIy ta a^^ .tbtt. .
1 nierer heard of the report that Mr. Sanford would not accept one qf tl^e vacant missions .uptij .tb« .
receipt of your letter. Mr. King, however, beard, such a s^^ges^ion. I ^m. how^yer entirely pon. ^
fi4ent that that repprt had no influence pn the question. . ,. r .., .....
',../.. . In jiaste,.yo^r8 truly, M, V,» BtJK^,. .
•••*-• ^^- — ~ ^....... .'v^^.. .
Np BacKiail no Office^ a lingular Chanttry iale-^* Stop m^ Ketbttpaper* " '
^t^o. T09:] Speaker Living8.ton, to Jesse Hoyt, N. York, i^X.BANr, Mafch 26, fiaS^j'^
O^r Hoyt: I was unrible to procure the appointment o( Ward as an Ejxamirier is Chancery
ttsthey thought here that ^Ef HAD NOT BEEN A BUCKTAIL LONG ENOppH, and..
tb»t would not let your merits count in his favor: I therefore cfianeed my ground a,n4 had you *
appointM.t I hope this will be grateful to you and my friend Ward. Vt War^ act a? your
s^n^ril d^rk. It is Supposed the legislature. Will ac^journ about the 1 0th of April : the sooner the
better,, Bvervthing in the political way goes on smoothly.' Younglooks W if he had bicn' bled ; "
I feel ^iff for unlsdcc^ssful candidates. T think in this state we ought to have a peculiar
praver for such people, and especially one in the common Prayer Book. I shall soon have the plea-
sure of seeing yoU,' Wrfte me «t long letter. ' ' Yours sincerely,'' E, LlVtwGSTOI^,
., . tNo. a 1 0.i aame to^^strae. Albiwt post itiark^ May W, MB—." I taie ahartdoiwt) att
idea of. «ettliag at Albapuy. Thor^hracellor has bee* so mu<di perpleited, hahvssed of 'latrthat
he tbi* day permits his furniture 49 be sold fit sheriff** tale and bought ia,t Thw WiH- be my
ap«WgK4o yoii for this abort letter ♦ * * Seymoo*, it is eiifi9>os<«d, fs elected in the" Wes-
tern Di^rict. M^ke m# «ne of the Gommitte^in the fint ward Fof N'. ¥.1 for nommntixM Tell
H^oh.to«tei|d toit." ..... ... ^T*..
t JlamaMRdldb |m, in pi«9 lieef ha ^hd tolome, that atiAertlie !ii# of ^rty, thten tttid wow »i«^lli}Mir, tht*
GoTernor must carry latp efiiwt the wi<he» of bis poliUctl frieods j-thut im h^%nm9 i^l^/^uS^otZ '
the Itot* bapk Albarfv. was recommended by the Dwctora fiy r^^^kppoiatmept. Ua was a moral man of hijrh char-
lTi7^^\£,^Z£^\LSS'y' '^^*^^,«^«^.^."t•Ha,^h^dTftSeaa'liV& nni^7^r^^/nt^^^^
^uz^o^:^;i ?t:fJrT's:'r^':::\:T::tsrknt, ?r.'tii^^^i;^hCr.?o^ i€ti'^ '
t1$iiii'iailaahiid;iodlwtteeaork«nt| "'■ ' * """^ ..^ . . ' ' ' ' ' :.""
Digitized Sy'VliODgr-^'*'-''-'^
'" ttAiib fWE§'WiTft VAN fetjAEN— Livingston "" f6f
't^^d/ rjl-l M. V. BimSD, to Jepse lloyt.— Ai.bany^ June 2d^ |;B22. . i>ear Sir : I wulh jovi,
would pay my old friend Mr. Carter,t wbai I owe him, and qak him to disoontiv^i^ his paper. It-.
i%tfNNStsssA|iY TO SAT that I aminfiuenced in this solely by a necessity tq curtqii nty f^enMesoC
ttat*»«wjrijtioh which arc too heavy.. _, Yo^r friend, M. V. .3URfi{i, ,
VtskstferyrtiiseA-^'OHbhons the Buteher^ir&yi-^Van Suren—Officcs-Saearin^,^ l^cr^Jacok,
" - ' " Barker, * ' - • •
, , -, . • . • » « . »•
[No. 1)2] Edward liiviogptQO, Albany, to Jesse Hrtyt, N.Y. . . . • . •
June 3,'!^^ Early in die m^>rnipg «nd .quit^ wjurm at Albany, aftef suiulry refre«hi»g
slidwerg. My dear Hoy t: » * « * * Y<>ur friend Qon Juaii> queer, ae ii may; svem^remjiodff.
me of Lord Coke: for he says, that it. 13 not frqpa meny books that a Eiaa.detivelh knuwledge* bu%,
fnim t6e well understanding of a tew.. « *^* .Mr. Van Bur^n is here, hot ioienda agoing »to.
Schoharie thi^ week with Judge ^c.kinner«. to ace. Sutherlaod. Q^w dees UlfihoefTer ecyue u^ 1 '
I'inlncerely'hope they will not be able to.breakhim down, aa I ihink huntheflowrer of the fl^iaq4.
indeed his frankness and steadiness must always commend him to the Republican party as one ofits
best men. About your beiog>cmKy,J,donoii«el alamiad,<ibv you haveairead^tliad the strength
of your nerves, tried, and they have not been found wantir.g.. * /* * Hgw would youJU^e Talcott *
for chief justice ? Gibbons the butc'her wan^s to be pnayor of Albany, q>nd 39uthwick gover'nor.
Ihztfl for tfniversal suffrage ; wh^n connected with iiniversal kqowledge anj[| honesty, you wou\d^
Ft'hapB «dd, to make it a little. safe, How does Judge \Y. \V. Van Nf^ CW^ on, and. is Wm.,
P. goiiig to 8outh*America 1 Amen» so be it,, says Jesse. **,*.*/ -^
, ' . i Yours sincerely, . BD. ilVINfeSTON. '
[No n3.] the ^me to tame. Albany, July 18,. 1882.-^ *.*.«« «., W« ba«l a fr«Jio»4th .
of July, aboat 12 miles i)e(ow. the city^ Judge Buel^ J. Sievenaon, Peter. Gaiiaevoort,.&e. W«»,
had a turtle feaat a^ Cruttenden's aboul eight or ten dayssinaa^ .when I pat between Mawne
Blcfcker and Mat. Van Buren, and received from the latter sundry protestations, &c. The For-
tunes of Nigel 1 shall wnvnenoe ^ia evening, and hope ihey tnay^be better than either yours or
mine. * » You will have warm work this foil in New York. If yiuiCHQ g«,on il^e ,[A8S«raibly)
ticket 3N)tt wiir(frankly) disappoint nie.as.moch aeypu have y©ur, Albany- friends^ i^Thicy aiVed,^
l>n«,* Who is this lloyt of New York that was engaged in ^ cause ioR^ge Island^ l«itii Web-. (
w<T, (keV * The store keeper,* said J. < TTie Store peeper 1' said they—* weJJ, wl^'s ihia woi^d .
acdmmgtd!» . , . . . .|.
Albant. July i^ l6'22.^My Dear Jetse» « .» « * The peoph? here afe 8iicht;arMdtniMB-i
thropes, in their disgoeitiona that lieel ooovinoed you gave the city v^^kUbK^T'^stixnt efateaaicr,^
while I labored ander an error.
{Noi4l4-] Aagnat 19. 1822i ALifAST.' (Weftse »?ime!ii6 letter.) T>4ri^dirt '*»'*» sidfje*'
mi-laat Utter I have heard ydufwonderftil penieveriinco and^variolis other' e'sttrtiable qnal'tl^s
^tolled by -jMiw friend Butler. 1 w6tild'fiiin tell the' reef, bu^ will hot rtiike you vain.'* * *
Beware pf a r^stleaa d^ie to koo# what ia^said of yours^f^ for SotoMtm «ayeth,*>'* Tate lleei ta
>U MT^rds that, ace spoken,, test thmi hen* thy servant quree diee."' * •^^ Court .i/Wia v^y jTull
this momiqg, Judge Van Nesa made aome nPKttiona-- Bael wiihtv^o be^natOr froifi this district ;'*
J>,dop8 Dudl^y^Taleott;, Suthoiand, and Wbodwortb are ijuwencly epoketo ofnis Judgitrof fhe *'
Supreme Qojirt. Ail in ; doubt about ChanceUor. How ;would yam IMte" 8i^v^ige for Attortiey ^.
General ti;^dJ)J4ex fotfiompttoUcr^. * * ^tt^ I have teft off Bwearitig, Chewing, and enioking',tiW •
l>nnl<ing. What a Devilo^A mixture! * * * The okl nile waa to-bring^your- mind to ytwr *
ntttatipQ.^the greatest misery io the world is povp'rty coupled whh -magnificent ''notlDiis. ■ *B^
njjjderate: b^gin.wiih cider .and get up to wtae—aor with wine and comatlawh 10 eid^f. * *"♦-♦
Who woi|ld mak^lhe best ChaDceUor.—HannaiiiiS'BIeeck^r^ Nathan Sanford, or 'aoob 6ttrk«rT
They, say Barker is. the. only man yiho wiU be abli" to keep np« with : In the" rapidity *
N.wildnesa of bis dec^sioas^but thay aay th^t aeither Vito Burnt nor Jaeob wiH leke it. ^
No..leJling'wJj!H would t^e place if -Southwick ahouU aocceed ! *« » « Jteti^e me, as e>^r, •<»
,,...!.. Your aincere friead^ B. iAVlHOSTOlf .
. A ..•♦••,. A- ^ - - < • '" ' " " ' • — ■ " ">" . >^' ••^'.'' ■ - «••-'•-■'-* ■•-'- •• **=■■'
E. Littngston to Jesse Hoyt — HoyVs appointment — the Elections. - • ;^
[No. H5.] . ......-* ALBktrt, Na^e^nbir rylBBSt, ' '
Djfur Hoyt ; I have just, jreceived your 1at^Gfr' stMliig ihmt ntg iewr friifrrdi Mf, €oaper, iUftf ^'^
wide a vacancy for you to fill up, Jo thapk him,beco,n]itJgIy# voijld bf luy jgrje^t joy.. Now,'
»n sober tWth, What could be b>ttpr than to have yon arfid Oardiaer both here ? You have ea- •<
<:c<uied my expectations, f^r .1 did not think that you codd get the noraliratton. Oardina*, I all
^•r« thought coiiM cwaa whro he pleased to make' the' effort. The ticket ip a. g.ihd one, and .^
^(^ f ht)iH« ^hat wiff be popular^ Alas I poor^ Junius has too roumotica nanit for a leeislatiff.
^ W PelWr 09 toa New England and gvt christMed afreshi Our people here were all m hope ■
thatyoa wottU>9aClii»fiamlnafion, and i'dou(^t"i»ot will liejoyM 09; tbp otjcasioft.. We calcd*
A
iBd HOYT A LEGISLATOR— SECRETARY YATES — S^SSELL O. IfSYUYS.
late to get in oar Senaton, and to elect Jese Buel, who is already epcjuitoina 8pea1f«r« in igaw
he shoald be elected ; bat this is inter vos. In Ontario, General Swift and bis ticktit wtll prevail..
Orange county is said to be in trouble— t^vaiis, it is said, will be elected to Coi;^resa in his dia»
tfict, by thjie CUntonian^and leaders. In Ontario, Dudley Marvin, a self-nominated geaU^Moaii,
together with "Rode, a regular candidate, it is stated, will be elected to Congress. Sanf ird is
spoken of pretty currently, for Chief Justice, and Sutherland apd Woodwonhma tjie sifk^ Justi- '
lices. Do not give me as the author of any political speculations of this, kind, or of any other \
kind. This is intended merely for your own information and amusement. Remember me to
Gardiner, Ward, &c., and believe me. Yours, sincerely, E. WVINdSTQN.
P. S. — Lorenzo has just been here, and ^lis eyes are as big as a tea saucer, and he appears to
ht rather glad, or m,' I saw Bowne at the Reading Room, and he say's he is glad you arc on
the ticket— likes the ticket, &c. He appears to be well pfeased to be out of the way, during
these troublesome times in New York. I shall he m«i8t happy to send you the Rules of the
House, as likewise the other Members after you shall have been duly elected. " The Honorable
Mr. Hoyf* — it looks well, and hope it will sound well. Amen.
Secretary /. V. N. Yatetfn Courteous Epistle to a Member elect,
[No. 116.] John Van Ness Yates, Albany, to Jesse Hoyt. N. Y.
Alban7, November 8th, 1822. — pear Sir : Permit me to congratulate you on your election to
the Asdembly. To find an Albanian afier so short a residence in ih^ metropolis of our Mate,
rising into notice, and securing the confidence of his republican brethren, is no small i>roof
of merit, and argues that those who hestovo and he that recew'es can equally penetrate into,
and justly appreciate tne character of a friend. Republicanism has triumphed in tl^is county!
Federalism has died in agonies. Mr. R. Ten Broeck of this city, a good, clever, poor M\qw\
and a good active republican, wishes to be a door-keeper of the house, &c.
I am, dear sir, sincerely yours, tJ. Vt N. YATES. i
Van Buren not fond of thi third heavens in the M. H, \
[Nor. 117.] [To J. Hoyt.]^Nov. 14, 1822. Dear Sir^Why did I not see more of you
at New York? Judge Skinner, General Marcy and myself will come dowij with Saturday's
boat, and wish you to engage rooms f »r us ut ihe Meghanlcs* Hall. If lie cnn giw us hia Utile
parli* for a sitting room and bed rooms, it will be well ; if not any other good rooms will €lt> so
that they be not too high. I would rather stay -on board a vessel th'jn go into his third heavt^ns
If you ea*i»t)t do beiier you may let Geceral Marcy's room he on high, and he cnn hav.. tbe use
of my/fiiom to do his bosinesa in, die. In haute, your fnendf, M. V. BUREN.
A well known WaU St, Broker's Instructions to a Represeniatite of Thiiunanp ffM, in IBSS^^
Nosimll nafes^PonH tax the Banks-^Danger from the U,S. B.'^faUy of jOonneeticut^^kt
%»ay Bank Qapilal is erpated in N, Y,^Our State SecurUies-^those of Pa.^Keep eooU
R. H. Nevins, Broker. Wall street, N. Y., to Jesse Hoyr. House bf Assembly., Albany
[Mo.ua] New York, J inuary 3:*? 1823. Dear Ifoyt : f did not mean to' be under-
•toodaa opposed to the paasnge of Mr, Raihbone's Bill, only mt far as it falls short of what I
thmk it.oug.it to be. i think the wcnUttim tif aU Bank Notes less th,nfiwi dollars, tthould be
prohitdUd, In mentioning the objeciicjpe to hia Bill, it w;»s rather to encourage a more extensive
probibiiion, than to recoAmend none at all. Perhaps his view of the matter is more correct than i
mine — and it might be attempting too much to ao further at thid thne. i
Aa to the alarming project of Taxation, it is'one which I hope may be Arrested, "When I I
reftect upon, the proud pre-eminence of our State; the high character of its public secnririea 1
the solidity and respectability of the most of our chartered Institutions ; when \ see New York
stand alone among her sister states, an Empire, as it were, surrounded by tributary Province*
all looking up to her for examples of sownd Wisdom, of magnanimoiis policy ; confiding in the' i
belief that, aa hidierto she has been the. great repository of Their wealth, so will she continnce to '
be. When I perceive rach a fi^ir fiibric of political grmdeur about to be overthrown, or at least
undermmed, I cannot forbear repeating the ?cntnnent so dfien in every man's mouth. '« Whom !
Qod, • a&c. &c. " "*
Do the Jn«n at Albany Qonsider how far the effects of such a measure may reach ? ft viU not
•imply touoh the ponUis of the -rich. The inhabitattt of the Log Houae will feel it too. Why
t *It. Vatw WM asnn of Chief 5ntX\t» Vatei. a distant relation of Joseph C. Yatw,V Uwvtr, had b«en Recor*
der of Alhanv, fiHe. th« office of Secretary of Srate m 1R22. itnd canva^ell ay .in,l Youn ennd far Z.\Tn ^^
«•• "/^ bifekuii! candidNte (or Governor. wUo mceeedad in Nov. 18-22, and had the dMtr.liuti.m *>f tli« Jua^x
office, of 3tnto, dider the new constitation In Feb. J82i. tji« bncktnil \^g\g\n\am se MiHiintnl J V. N V m
atecretary, and Mafjy ns Cunjitroller. «en. Talloiadffe win MHrcyV cimpetitvr ; b»it Vaa Biiren, thousb at
Wa«CitAftoti. did hn utmon to oppose Youn^ and Cmmer's influence, whi-.h they vainlv exerted f.»r Tallm-Mla'» "
^'' ^f^ IT"," ^T^ of Adam*, Md ofHMXwd to the Gnwvfurd. Van Butea p«iy*-nod in Peb. ISfif^, he wa^S^
moved by the legislature. 85 votes to 37, and A. C. Fla^g. elected Secretary of SUM; with Miiwy tiiate S*^!,!^
trollor, and Tulcirtt attorney-general. Yates is described by Hammond ns rather lax in his morals, •ociiihir^r.l^
of«Mta9*W fliaoaeia : he wu miwli •Moclied to CliiMoa, boI Um loud of TotiiHklnt, HIM i»otjMriiL luS W^ ^
A WALL ST. BROKER TTNFOLDING THE MYSTERIES OF STOCK- JOBBING. ISQ
ia it that a Fanner in the State of New York can borrow on his Land, and thus prevent frt-
quefrfty idm own mia, wbe« in aome of oar neighboring Stales, such a thing is too vain ever to
be attempted T Wtiat but our Laws, together with the great flow of capital that comes here to
be invested. When will the Canal Loans be taxed? When rhe State has no longer occasion
to borrow. Win ibe hofdera of iMr fiafik and Insurance Stocks have any confidence in the ex*
emption of the Canal Stock from taxation any longer than the State wants to borrow? Will
not the argument be among Men of Property, that it is better to place their property in Stock of
the United States, qr in the United States Bank ? Are not the friends of the latter locking on
now in high exultation at the [prospect of their prediction coming about sooper than their own
wishes had expected it ? « The United Statet Bank will rcnuh all the State Banks'* This has
been for i, long 4irae tlie cry. WiU our Legislatare do all they can to he|p on such a result ?
Will ihey not rather put a stop at once to the whole prqect, and by an overwhelming vote quiet
apprehensions wh}ch never ought to have been raised? . Harm enough has been done already.
Th^ States of Connecticut «n4 New Jersey have driven away Capital to a large amount by tax.
ing Bank Stock. Real Estate hasiallen in various parts of these States to half what it was ;.and
in sooae' instances the depreciation has been two-thirds. What has left them hns come to us.
The mext place it wilt go to if the tax pQpses, wiU be into United States Bank Stock, &c
1 understand it to be a very freqnent remark of those in &vor of taxing, that the personal pro-
perty texad in the city of New York, is yery small to what it ought to be ; and in proof of it, the
amount of Bank CapitaL &c., is cited.
Suppose we have a new bank in the Bowery, with a million capital — or let it be five millions
if you please. WiU any man ufidertake to say H would increase the amount of personal property
in the city? Hhat would be neoessary to make up such a bank? Only a few thousand dol-
lars of specie, and bank credits for the balance.
Suppoae, for-argument sake, a man is worth S1Q>(K)0, and it conitists of 100 United States
Bank shares. He would subscribe to a new Bank — he borrows $10,000 on his stocks— nnd as
likely as not may put down for four times that sum in the new concern, for probably 25 p«T
cent of the money may be all that is called for, and his notes for the balance. Or, if the
whole [nmount of stock at once] is to be paid in, it is only for him by a little management
to borrow df the Bank, or of A. B. and C. by a pledge of his'stock. Behold then how our cap-
itals are made up 1—^50,000 ! where. there is only in fact $10,000. Verily there is more per-
sonal property taxed man exists.
Contrast the character of our State securities with any arourfd us, or in any part of the Union.
Is there one of the whole number that has the least credit in a foreign Cduhtry ? There is a
Canal stock of the State of Pennsylvania, bearinEr an interest of 6 per cent, the payment of
which (interest) is guaranteed for twenty years by the State, and it now sells in Philadelphia at
97 p^r cent. Our Canal stock having twepty three years to run will bring 110| per cent : it
may "be said that the Pennsylvania does not g;iarantee the ultimnte payment of the principal,
there is force in the remark; but to make up for that there is every proppect that the Canal it. •
self will be very productive. Such a stock in our State 1 have not a doubt would be worth 107
or ids per cent.
Write me agaiii and often. 1 promise you I wilFnot again trouble you with anyldnglet.
terfe. Dont get out of patience when you see Men act like fools, remembering always that it is '
in every day matter, and would keep one always in a ferment, I make this remark beranaif
) ou speak of being tired of legislalioh. Keep cool and try to persuade mir eonnrrv friends
(f their error Yours in much (Viendship, tR/ H. X^fiVlNS.
■-^ -
The Sentinel to be the Netb York Patriot'-C: K. Gardner,
[No, 119.] W. Wiley, New York, fo'.Tes8e tToyt at Al^ony.
New York,' January ^.* 1823. fiear Sir: The bearer, Mr. Ketchum, proceeds to Albany
to-morrow morning, and 1 have availed mjrself of the opportunity of tenderir«g my tnanks for
your nitentiorvtothe S?ntinet.. . A prospectus is issued for the establishment of a daily news-
per under the title of the i" JVcir York PcUrifXt,** which we expect to be able to iaswe within a
fMr. nuMei H. Nevins was one oftbe Vfee Presidents of the £rreat Anti-Teicas-anneirtLtion imeting, at wiiicb Al-
bert Gnllatin presided in the Tlibernacle, Broadwny, New York.
t i>*l. Chnrles K. Gnwlner conducted the patriot, Mr, Henry WheAton nided in jrettins it vp. and Unitirtinnd
teiia IIS tlint Mr. Cteihoun very |irnbnb!v exerted him.««clf in s«tnrtins it. It took n decided stand nsraii^st Cr-tw^'
f«.Td. Vnn liiifen. an<| his Racencv. Gonlner had been nid to Genl. Rrnwn dnrinjr the wnr. nnd wns offerwnnts
an A«si»tniit P. M.i^enera). This nflicelie afroiu filled nnder B«rrv nnd Kendnll, nnd it is snid that he Is n«wp»st-
initst^r (4f Wn«hinfftf»ii. in |*«i«rence to K^ndnlK bv the express desire of Mr. P«»lk. Mr. (Iiirdne'- innrried n dnHjrh-
ler nf General John McLewl, of N. Y.. au officer who fin^ht side bv side with nerrse Clinton in the dnvs «'f the
Revi.l«tio.i, nnd i« naid t« he friendly te thnt excellent edncution'Rl measnre, pheap Postape. The New York Pn-
Iriottook thtf lead in ofipoMtriln to Van Raren's caucuft nomi.^tionH. and wraoil that the electors rf PjewHlent nnd
Vl»e P*tJ8idet»t •hottM not be chdMii bv the roembers of the liesinlattire-.hut l»v the peonle. If the people nre ff»t
Mr Crawford, said the Patriot, let them hnve the election. »md the minority will cheerfully afrfee to their derfared
wi-ihes. This proposal was resisted by Vnn Bnren. Flnjrjf, Wiijrht. Butler. Hovt, Marcy nnd other pt^etende*
friends of freedbm, tnit affienied to -hy Hnfrertnr Ciwton anri hi* supporters. Wri«ht, elerted'a sen«ti»r undex.A
pledge to sunpoit ^ bill giTillg ihe-pwipte th* cKoice «f elwton, wheeled into Un« under Vao Duiea, luid voted , ,
•iMiiH hi. i>WNi. ^ p.g.^.^^, ,^, K^oog le
190 THE ALBANV ARGltS A POLITICAL MACHINE, MOVED BY V. B0r£n ac CO.
riioH p^rf^^ The Setainei wilt then, of Cottise, be merged, ftnd^oar fabteriheim toenred -willl lll»
daifypipct/ » » * * * W.VfUMY.
■* •■ ' • • '" ' ' ■• *. , t - .
^ Ohtral Fri89,itnder Van Bureiit control, ^t^entiul to the ouoceujuiworking of his Faxtf
MAchinerit''^Tke Alhttny Argu$» . ......
^No. 120.] Senator Van Buren to his friend Jesse Hoyt. ^ Jan'y 8t,- 1623.
My Dear Sir: lam overwhelmed wfth the account of po6r Canfine's deatfa-. i know thai
nothing from me can.be necessary to secure your Zealous attention to Mrs. Canttoe's interest, if
anything can be done for fier. I haVe writt^ to Mr. Hoes ta be at Albany; fwi Willlitiel him
a most useful man. I have also written to Mr. Biiet, which letter I w&ift you to feee. Among
you all you must do the best you can. if inyihiftg can be <k>ne for Mrs. C. I hi»pe end ^•
lieve HO republican will oppoae it. MR* HOES AND WYSfiLF ARE RtfiSPONSlBLE ^TO
Ml^. 6Ui2Li FOR $1500 of the last payment. If nothing better ta* be -done, no person might
at Uast to be appointed who had not previously pureha^ed the eotdbliohmont ; and tttidef no'tircuM'
stances ought anyone to be ajypointed who is jwt a sohnd, praeticatde, and, ABOVi^ALtLt
DISCREET republican. WITHOUT A PAPBR THtJS EDITED AT ALBANY- WJ3
MAY HANG OUR HARPS ON THE WILLOlVS.t XVithU.the PARTYr.it wrr»btB
thousand such convulsions as those which now agitate and probably alarm fno9t of Ihooe a s nm n d
you, Muke my sincere thanks to Mr. Duer and Mr. Sutherland for their kind l^tt^rs, aiHi tcH
iheW I will write them soon. ' In haste, yourt truly, M. VAN BUR£N. -
Judge Bttls — Noah — LeaTce — the State Frintsr^^* Nolo Episcopari,* with tariat ion * * mf ^tf U wo
are humble*
[No. 121.] Extracts of letters, Judge Michael UlshoeflTer, to Jesse Hoyt, at Albany.
New York, Feb. 3, 1823.-Dpar Sir : * * * All eyetf are directed towards Albany, and
your proceedines hiTe been of such a character as to keep alive public interest and ejpectaLon.
Letmskiiow who is to be put in [Judge] Betts's placet — who will be comptroller — 9nd why the
app<»k>tments to be made by the legislature are delayed^-whp is to be our circuit and Hrst i^^&$
&C.7 I regret to learn by your letters, tbat in settling the salaries of the Judges, sotpe fe^g,
growing out of the nominations, may be experienced. It was a suiprise tg me that Govemot
Yaief nominated tl)e Judges before their salaries were fixed by. law. It was not good p^cy,
Wss the strong vote against Betts, evidence of the strength of the opposition to him, oc to t^
Exocuiwoe, or was it only evidence of Young and Talhnadge's strength ? Qr how was U t<^'be
accounted fort
I; presume tfaqct our city appointmenU) are to bo recommended by the mombers, al.Ieast Iliave
been informed that such is the wish of the Governor. Will yo\ir friend Nqah eonaent to this 7--4or
I peo by his pA^r that h« rules at Albany, and that those who offend him are to receive no quarter.
Prfyiinf>mn me whether be is authorized to^say, as h^ doef in his paper, that all who ar« opt
his friends had better stay at home or not offer their names at Albany this winter? What,^
you ilotng about state printer, will not Leake obtain it? I^et me also know w|)ether any op^
orioonoertfd oppooit4on is made, or making affaiqst the Governor. I npust again trouble yo9
res^ottnff a small appointment in this city. William A* Seely, Efiq. whpse business is much in
tho oollecting line, is anxious to be continued a notjiry, and desires to be remembered to you.
HeretafiKe, no consideration of politics has governed in these minor appointments, and for that
renjion I have withtiut hesitation written to you in behalf of several of the prr-Bent inci»mN»n»8
What is to be doneHn this respect heret^tety you must determine. I feel soniA nnxiety respect-
ing H. Westervelt, who wishes to he a notary, who has always bteu a republican and has a
laife fiimily. J)o not for^t him. You see. I have given you room to ¥rnte me a long-'lettei^ t^
your leisure. Yours truly, M. DLSHOKFFtjR; '
t'Os th4 95lh of Avf utt, in IflSO. .Tetro Buel jtmnsferred Im Jntereit in the Albnnv Atgus to Canting & T^"^ "f
ter beinir six years state printer. The Columbian of Mnrch 3d, 181tL 'states that Messrs. Ilosforri' of Albany dflilM
to dtf tl»e fniline ^n-inthi^ fiir one third less thaa the Legislature afrarwards agreed to (iny Cantine aiu) Leaiui.^fiyt
Mr. John C Spencer wa* (or leUing them have it ; but Ulshoeffer bad previously dril^tli^ pnrtv^ and 9?Op0^fitd>
dittonal pwift thus went into the pockets of C. and L. In Februarr 1821, says the Northern Whijr, '* Martin Tan
Buven having procured hhueJ/ to be nuuU Senator of the Vn^ed States by the legitltUite CAVrv»—^ fyr tke^mM/mr-
itw.wfit« against Arm)— then directed the fillnwins appointments to be made, viz : J. f. Van Alen. Xhk half brocker
of Martin, Surroirate, and to be the nssistant jud<re of the common pleas; Martin's brrither. Abraham Van ftored,
to be Clerk : a Mr. VVilQozon, who is the partner of Van Alen. who is the brother of Marttn. ta be Disti4ct Attor-
ney 1 Oornel us jHosrebo >m, who is the br >ther-in-la%v of Abraham, who fs t'le hfothi*r of Mivrtln. ie an affchnrit
eohnmistfioner ; Rarnet Hoes, who is the br >ther-in-law of Martin. Deputv Sheriff for KKnlerhook : and all those in
thoCouiinv nfColuiibia. Then nenr bv in Albnnv, Moses T. Cantine the"^ broth •*r-tti-l>iVr, k\st\, of Maittn, Ik Stato
Printer ; and Renjamui P. BAtler. the partner-iu-Zatp of Martin, is Dl»tri''t Attoriey.*' •• Wlien Rue! saMlho Atirm."
sai^ Ham tiond, " tKe contract was probably, in reality, made with the leaders of 'the demoeritis pony.** Ba»
troo this 4« the Above letter will show. - ..
tBamuel R. Betts. now TJ. S. 1). C. Jnd?ft. New York, was iMMMosled br Oovemor Yotea, io-JaiMwrv, 1820. «•
« soprefrie c6nrt JiidgdAiWdSr the-'new con«ltntioii, and ivfected bv*lhoJ^MlOv wMte 9uilMrbiQd,.no<niniited with
him, was confirmed. Betu was next nominated by Vates as a circuit judge, and the same Jeaatej4M4|Bj«c^ < .w. -^
itIitCAit rtinckxiiVt DtifotJiicfcD as a bAnI) or malignant' TitAifoksi lot
JJf©; liii}*-Nfw Yqwc, Feb. 18, 1883rf— WUh i|etpect to ttie C^mptrplUr«h!p..i Win onif. ..
tB^; that it WM iv>t deflired by me, cod that I had ao written btfore 1 received your Hind |i|tt«r. ..
I hav^ ][^ iHoh vifVB, 1 assure vou, Gven tiiat highly res^otable aiiuation wtmld iipt tttiniH
me to l$a?e ber^ and reeidc at Albany ; JUot do I ^Mirt to U vwdt fiut judQt in (iny ttfnt
Mt vietpo ere m»}re huvibUt and I have no intention at pEeseat to betome ^ eandidaie k>r any ...
office beyond lb«t df a Nouiy Pablic Accept, however, my grateiul ibanlis for ^oiir 6H»ndly
intenti^ifs, aad^f Lhave an opportunity, T wiU reciprocate. Do not make a State Printer, who
will transfer the feuds of New York to Albany, and tliroughoui tlie State. Dulneaa would be
profezaJMe ta iodiaci^tioik. Do loak to ijua* J regret that the appaaance of. things ie anpropi^
lioua at Albany. But is it necessary to oppose Governor Yates? Will not things go on
8nioot|ily jn fuipt^i If t^e menibers of A^serpbly haAre r^aommtneM the county Judges, h^w
coqnevU th'it the Governor nominated Baxfitovi, ^c.\ Has not the Governor com plied wltl^
the rQernhersI' wishes in this respect? But f mitftt conclucfe with my queries, in the c^-nfident
expectation c^ another, interesting letter from you whenever you. are at leisure, or in a humor to
write to your ob. St. and friend, * M. ULSHOEFFEft. "'
TAk -ST. Yi delegation puffed^^oift* 9 Orutory-^PuhUc Opinion wldamcal-^The MerchtmiM of- .
Neuk York deceptive, irmiiws in yoar^ and mt to he tmtted in peaco-^Getieral Brownr^Ueip ..
Jhake. to a pUce.
[No. Ifi).} James CanpbeU. SaArogate, New York, to Jeane Hoyt, Asastfibly Chamber, Albany.
New YfiRK, Feb; 15, i8a}.-«0eaT Sir: * -» * * Yoii wish to know in what estimation
the^N«w York delegation are held by their eonstfiuents. Aofir as I eak aoceiimin puHic opm- '
iofit 9#» otuitd teeii; indfed ] believe I kaxard nothing in asoerting that toe have knd no Eepre* '
eeatation from this City for eeven4 pearo ptiat that has gihen half the oaiisfetciion. Reoulieet, >'
however, that yoii have not aa yet ntone than half finished yiiur labors y that public opinion- is a >'
vei|r nnoertain and precarious thing — more easily lost thun ac()uired :- and altho* ikiags look fair •
at fMoaaem^ 1 would not be at ail surprised if, at tbd end tif the Sessions, some af> you should fin(^ ^
yoatselves as nnpopulur aarertam oSfsronr preclec^ssors. From the^tiebates which are pabii8bed,> •
I am.glnd to find that you frequently address the HouBeland, wichoat cteaigainc; tofkitler yoUf'-^
it affofda Hie pteasuK to observe that your eahibitions as aspeak<er; do you no discredit. I waa
much amused with that debate, where you had the courtige to enter the lists, and to break a lance .
wiih ihe great Dema^rgtm af oin^Siatfe. His attack on the wercttttntsvC^t minefee?«8dry^ahd
unreasonable ; at the same time, you must pardon me for telling you that, in my opinion, yoar
defeaoe of them displayft moie df the spirit of chivalry than sound judgment. Of the condact>of
this class of men In the Revolutionary war, I con say nothing} but during the late wan I iVel no
hesitatioB in suyin^r that the nation- is very litUe indebted to ihetr patriotiFni. The merebanti* -
by which denomination I mean the abipi^fs and importers, as a body, opposed the war, and by -
thifir greai weight and in^uence, -thoy w^ltf^hat too successful in embarassing the operatinna of •
the Goverameiit; Their conduct ia this memorable contest. Was the. more culpable- and itagi-
tious,. because it was in a great degree awing to their clamors, and ehieliy torproeeei th^r in. •
tei:e»ts^ that the Goverament was iuduccd lo take the ^rm stand which resulted in hosciiities. it
was. a ^)ly, .u sacred war, declared and waged to proteet Free Trade and Sailors^ Righta, and' ■
should haye enkindled into a blaze every latent feeling of pQtrioti»ii. At the coromentsemellt -
of the war, these votaries of the Counting Desks it is true, made some professions of puUie apfiit '
whilst the. Government heW over their heada their forfeited bonds ; but when their remisikin -was ■""
procured, they then dropped the mask, and how violently, malignantly, I may add Iraitoroikfdy *
they aubsequently acted, ia too strongly impressed on our leoollections to be easily or ppeedily <
obliterated. You. say that General Brown was a nnerchant. Do you thi^n ^dnsider airillage <■*
stornkeeper a raerchant ? . If I reufcmber right, this aan^e gentleman waa-once a school -masier* ^■>
According therefore to this mode of reasoning, we may yet expect to'see the gentlemen of the
birch and ferule also asaerting^&eir pretention3 to Patriotiam, beoause this same pereon wnsfarmerly
a member of their humble bu< useful fraiemity. The merchants, as a body, possessing great"]
weahir and intelligence, must necessarily exerdse a ^reat deal of influence in every co.mmunit/ : '
oor have they ever been l^iyiwn to be wanting in availing themselves .of the advantages of this
influenee,' or of lieing backward in urging their claims to superior considemtion. It is a dan-. '
gereus ihing, in my opinion, to flattera set of men already too inflated, and always" disposed to
be too arrogant j and attho* they are entitled to their share of weight in our National Cpuncila« \ '
should regard it as a moat unfortuaaie event to sea the destinies oi'ouf happy country conwnitted
to the guidance or conniol of mereantila power and policy.
•^ ' ■* ' .■
^'MichacltTIihoeirer ia a eunaiair poUliMnn, and |ria9sd the ^emafogue in tho lef?ii1ntUK!,4on; enoticrh tn tetftire a
jndee«htp. the reward of >nrty wvri^es. Whan Da WiU Gitnton }M«fr«0ne1tii]e(l hh anntml Brfeech kx. tite An«nM«
of the kgisluture wMtoo, iJiihattflet obtained • eomaiiUeaof liMitfiryc and r«fMMrte<l, in gtittainfice, thnt fhr ft Gover-
nor lo waak Xm the legMnUiEe wk«t hehav to rafr to thmo, imteiid of wriiinf k oflf-piiper and sending a as a met-
*i^V« AtiiJ ji>cihem pu fin) tt to4UG^ ju*|i»e«k no nAUerhow dMe^tec it vhmt })e, ^ » a remaant of PDyuity;*' *»ttnd ^aglil '
to oe abor»hed.^* Undonbtedly a ipeecb is tile mott respectful mode of tlie twp. .«r«»
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l£% T. BITTEN WITHHOLDS THE STATE PRINTING f HO>t AO^— ^4C0B ^BWE^.^^^
This tedious digresfdon about your speech has swi^Ied^thi^ beyond the ordinary dimexmonB.^f
a letter • art effect which I did not foresee, ot 1 sfiouldliave taken care lo^kve avoided it.*^' OtKer
matters that t inWndtd to comrnunfcate, must be deferred to <r future occasion, t woqld thank^
you to exert yourself for ray friend Mr. Draktf, who is art applicant for the office of Mastef in
Chancery. Drake is quite a fine fellow, and I' shotlld "be much gratified to hear of his obtaining
this situ&tiofi. Jle has not been a Clintonian for mrhe ^ears, and when be was one, he was' a
fair and moderate opponent. Give my respects to your colleagues, Mr. Hnthbone aud" Mr. Ver-
planck. Your Iriend, ^ ' t J AMES CAMPBELL.
Noah after the Printing-— Butf'9 fOHune — Peddhrtg SMe Brntonttge-^^^eing trw to KTedeh
' other. ~
JNo. 124.1 ' M. M. Noah to Jesse Hoyt, Albany. New Yobk, 23 J Feb. 1823^
pear Hoyt : * * * * * ' Mr. Phillips will hand you this, and explain fully thp object of
his visit. With reflect to the State Printing, I cannot but consider myself as unhanfitomel^
treated by those from whom I had a right fo expect a differeiii course; and am positive that ita
the death of Mr. Caniine there was but one voice in my favor. If management and intrigue
cou'd h ive bi en so successfully, exerted as to wean away my friends or impair my cLuims, then
theie id nothing to expect from theffistice of the Republican party. I cannot blame Mr. Bud
in wishing to bf securt* d in the pnymertis due him, but considering ike diJffiKutty we labor^^ i/a-
der in bringing the Argus in the republican frftm the Clintonian ranks — considering also tht
fortune which Mr. Bael has made out of tC—I think tkat opposiiibn does'not come with a good
ffraoe from hnn, and that any further survieUance over the Bitrte Printirtsr shMild erase. * » * «
1 atii nui 80 certain that lean be defeated — but if so, i am wilting to hazard a defeat, r^senrjug'
to mytelf the right nf spreading the fiicts beibrethe wttrli^ and exhibit the system sffteddHng
away the patronage of the State, * * * * Mr. PtiiHipe, gae« up to glit a eertion, outhori*
zing legal oottc* s tu be published in the advocate . . . it is NR^EasARv IN R^LAl'ION TO
THt!: PRGSIUGXTIAL QU^TION. . . . He has fuU powers from me to enter itito
any trrangetnent, or come u* any uncl^rstandinfr, which may trnd to kefep things harmoHtotOriy
and comfurtably afloat, and prevent schism and division in our ronks^^tkis can only be done by
actiitgJMtly and fairly towards ttTerrcA ether.
' Always, Dear H<iyt, ttnly yours, M. M. NOAH.
Jaeoh Barkef-s pro^sis^he likes ' the fun* of War in Europe, and desrres to see Young Nt^,
, crowned,
[Ko. 125.] Jacob Barker, at New York, to Jesse Hoyt, at Albany.^NKW YoRt,'1»th
March, 1823. My Dear Sir : I have this moment committed to the flann s. a sheet * » * # »
As toon as steam tJikes the pla'ce of ice, I perceive we are to ijave the pfenaure of seeing you — I
hope it will be soon, tin- mnny reas ms, ami particularly beciwsft Capt; Barker would be glfed lo
see yoa before he goes iduth. He has derived with the John Wells—she gi)es into Bymcsund
Tremble's Liverpool line, and Barker goes to Mobile to try his hand again at Merchanditfng,
having doclioed to domm-md a line ship. He left ftir Bostnn this day— Yetums in ten days, when
he ^ill be one of the tirm of Barker &, Co. Halleck is in great spirits. •• » « * I.havc
no news to tell you— am poor, out i>f business, with bad prospects, yet cannot but smile at the
freatM of fortune— money very s<-arce, stocks falling. I have sold my baltf [or coal]— lost §853 by
it— so we go. I thank my friend Davis for this favor— 1 hope the like will bescaret-. The Ex-
change laboBSfjof likely-to succeed; What think you of the application for the Tradesmen's
Baitk? 1 leei an interest in its favor on accouufof Mr. Worth — yet* ! cannot believe it Will
pass. Mr. Ros? sent his sliip Mary to Norfolk, where she loaded and sailed from Jamali;a— fri^m
theoike slie goes lo Mobile- from thence to Liverpool. She will probably make him a great voy-
age, white i, a poor devtfl; am not making anything. But, nevertheless, very'gliid of it. Th«
t *fr. Cavnnbell dislikec the merchants ; Hoyt, when in office, wn« wn wearied fn hh effoha to hftrrn»» and annov
ihe.n ; Bytler and Van Buren were hit mentors in that course ; Rtrehortl, from the Tnasury. vdvites the mnrshttl
u, disfninchise them on juries : and the fullowiiiir is aq extruoi (if a letter fruin Jacub Maiker to W. U Maekeaue.
dated Wew Orlerins* Oct. 21, I8i3:
♦♦ tt is true tftat Mr ^an »iir«)vfniid Snm-tel T^unj) did sopport Rufas KInjr for a seiit in the United Ftales
Senate, at a time wl.en the repnfai lean fiarty wn»<Iistnicfe<l %uth ditsensiims, and when the Kiitgi, the Hami!t..ns,
the Diiers. the Vet|danclw and the BuAners hud seceded from the Federal p utv, professing great fanh ia d^ Re-
miblicnn party, and. Uke qwirt new converts, were among the f iremost tfi support of the must uJtPi raen»uies. Mr.
Van Bnren considered nn nihnnre with these men the beit way to secure the supremacy of the pattv, and with
that Tiew *nw t.. Mr. Kin? hi« fiili»<t snp()iirl, and he was ap{Mitntetl. I differed wi h htm on the sultkct. and en-
de ivi.red t :» di^su ide him frnn his conrse. f did not think it jilct totvards the m«nhers of nur own partr tn>eieet
oneof the Field Mttmhals of the enemy on whom to confer the moit honcurable and elevated places within thepift
of the party. I considered Mr. Kin* an able, iwlite, gentt^manly man, fully worthy of the Presidency of the Uni-
Y^J?^^" ' L Y" J***^ '*•" *" *"" majority, but I had heard him, in a«i>6icli te the mwhants at the Tontine
Coffee House, while the jtleediag enr|Ne of Pehvoe wa« lymg an the deck of the Mail Boat, where he had been mui-
dered hv a eanitnn hall fnin a Btttieh ship of war. I h«*lieve the Le«rtd«r off ITarnegnt, dedare thni the hands of
Jef&Tson wera dved id tiie Mood of hit eouatryman. that uvfoftunate Pearee, for the reason that he had not Asisted
tbe^rlui oad B&daQ D^ne^utd thereby saved Britain the neeetsity «he was under of sefidiBf a Met to out
•^.
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lAiliarBwopt ftfi soiMwIiat ««iu»e4>*«>I FEAE thifunmUl be of^erfshmrt durmm» Kei
iFMbi- Mt fb)ipOfW JSpMi i vtne^iMiif and .witli ^l hsr miikt, iketi may ie i«i jMf»r-<Hr 4f^. »
BfMuii tfnliy tu« wor^ ti-t^pfnt^ they loU^ h^mh <xguma0d¥fnt\m* yenRff N^ eivyevtr*^!^ ^
yuM ft 4«g«RC]NMind, Mritii tbe^ akl of Sprnn ami {^omigaL, «ifiCMii tb# e9mf<^ Amm^ wtm i ^ jrat. . .
«p«r<t0^ und IttNiiBr ^(tuUI noit vaMt^ bit tumiwr itMentaoii towanli tV^iiwy, Z<^««l> itojib
[!!•» 196.} ' ^ JiiiiiM€tt«rt4»«fl, Sanogftte^N. Y.fa^Hpj^AIl^Mr^ ^'«
have b0iftikietMl«il ttieiY opcmtlscit 1o <f0«i^ eotneil. TbrMtiniMv t>f some ¥»f tl|» «^ias» ittiMr^
gift ^f€m ttni|0Mt|bnabl3i^' <oql ifigli. Tb» 6floB« of 'Distiid Attomt^ ttod^CJbrk! of (be ^ewimnt .
i6T imtmee; w«utd w»U ftdnic ^ mtak^ttbit miwdoim md stiU rtmnum gsoi •ffi<M» vi»
thtir «ftici)f zeftl 6r i^lv^^bAiPefit'i i camicjit but think tel' tlUy iitv* gfoetoo'ia?^ cMtiig^w»>
thtj om ytt—dwi of thrUittpr iMttet «Mfae fUny smn f^ ^H^ifiOl The oilowiulce, ^*flM|(^Qpiiiia»k^ ^
ought to kav« been at leaat $dOO0i tTo de^fiAok. "wttii yM» I think oar Ciirpoc»ti«(aiw i«i|rt»< ^
senlf Ui^d^iftkiiig tfl'do a great deal too much ; and if they are not restrained in their career they will
aefujf c||y destroy the.prepoaderaoce of the ^eptublica^ Party fn this city. Coijirts, PoUce, Jiis^.
tfdes, doiffectdrs of Taxe^ ancf I know not how many dther things, are kjr be chifn^^d' ;' rfhJ '^tffAk^
is moet singular, in all this business, severat of t}tesis atteratibhs instead of being agreeable to the
People, are very obnoxious. For nny pert, l-ionfmk tknf I atn mtry bf these incetwOf ck(if%ec,
aibdtll»t Ilwigfo^aeeeoiiletbiiiir likdi perman^oe ohce meeeesMbUAl^ In a«r ci^ AfidilAiB.
Am Idatlot irkih to<incur>tbeko8tiHfy oT^theCefptieatiDtt^ S^a«'iteiiff2 poinHder thU m^i onSf^
d&ntiml. I fervently pray, but I scane^^a^e h9pe,> th«t recent ecctirsetic«e at Albstoy tiAH'Mit
give rise to new divisions in our Party. The influence of this great State has s^jn9f^y mf^ttd-
iroKk iB'COiueqiieiioe (dovar^uma^mm, and I ani.afv^d that it ia dsenMid ta^ <p^i^n)e# 4<1hrl|i^r
^Mtoatieii from the sfme cauw.' -Oa tho vre-tlf the PrseideBlia^ clectioft, it is of the. laat •M»' .
ponaMe tiMEt the Eeppfadtstna of this 8t»ie wttfum va^iiei, that she m&y issiitnff that fUt^Vi^m^M.
the Union to which she is justly entitled from her superior population and reeottroeHf |n«hied^ <
am&ii6mdy e^fmaine ^epubtidan piiocipieflsthrougjhottt' 1^ Uoioi^ will io agrcat/degi«^,4p*
pcM ob the emane that shall be puisUed by this state in. the apprpaohing electic^B Saf Presiflsiil^ -
TwtRftiBi thAre appetM to be ne direet oc ofH^n •ppesitiqn id t^» jcontest to tb« Aepvl?m^ ,
Pir^, aH the candidates proietsing themselves to be pai:e republican^; but if we cxamiR^ q^
atoitUr coolly* 4tw;iil he fimnd nomrithstat^ding these app^wanoee, th^ the stability of the JEUpui^
Uam Party «aa never more seriooaly threaitned ex et^d^ngerpd than at pjesent. Our old fijeft
an still arrayed ftgainst us; the mode of warfare i« only changed > and they now hope te e£^
bjrinndiqiie wUee aad stntagf«}s.whtt they never cotuld achieve by open force. If the Rep^
liouil Party nhfiM ever be giUlty cifsaoh an «fit of d^poienuttion asrte support John Q. Adaatif iqir
FmaideBt, imwell in. that «;e»t M> Repuhlicai^sm ;. I ej(pect to «re the doctrines . of 'high^oof^.
fedtraUdnv ag»ia in ^^mtion. Of the cbfiTeie^t eandktatfs ipt this exalted office* 1 pse£&r Ui:»
GM0fleed» 1 believe thst be po^^es^ea distingui^hecl talents^ and that h^ i^ a-genilensan of great
primte jwd political pwrity ef ebaracte^^ What recpniinend^ him no^'.a little irith m'^. and it
oti^t with every u«e repu^iean^ is to find tliat he is so vtheit^ntly oppoeed Uy the t>bJ invt^iy^
Mte iipderaiiitti and the leieiy. etmm^t^d xtf^lUant^ jf, however, the Pnrry sljould not be,
dMpoaed te support Mr« Crawford^ why then ^take up .Mr* Ci^y, or some other person, but kuh^
Wittehword be **«ny Rspablican ag^uift Mr« Adams." {jet me kiiow your sentimeniE oq this
subjecc I hvpe we- don't differ on this jp^^diniil WW% »nd do not feU to avail your^i [f of cv(?fy
oMOftnnity |o di&se coitect notions-fni Uiia subjeet^aitnoag our republican brt rhren of thcr country.
•^^ JAMES CAMPBELL.
X. ffityfi feelings in favor of a tiitsmph of lam ot^ir ^d eonseience-^To let the FeifpU hkefilkhr
^rteidentM ^imUd be refiubiisan if g§od fw «ujr tid^-^A bad coMdiidie fojr the CUrk$fyb>^
Mt^t ready to take ojfiMnndw him.
rKo. 127.] . CounseUor horerm^ H^yt, Albany, to Counsellor Jesse Hcvt, H ]^fcw Tq^.
AtBaxr, Dee'n 34, I8d3i—D*ar Brothers « *- * * * McDonakl^ caose ia deciM
in his fcvor, and for which I think lie ma^y thank Ch^f Jutftc^ Shva^ev Botherlaiid tmd Wmi^
wtriht together with 11 Senators, wtze d^ai agaimt^im, and Snvage and 16 l^edators fbtrktn^. t.'
CONSIDBa IT A TRIUMPHOFTHELAW OVEli EQUitY A\:DG00t) CONSClfiMCfc.
Imtttt say I had but very ^Hght kepesbt^ofK the^rgiitnem; bm after the eaie» w«» aiyNedl»-
and the Jiwts so ably and .Icorireetly laid open' to the J^ftate, I thought McC>ofm>d*« pt^p^cW
brigbttfned. Messra, Van Vechten and Ijenq^t who argued the cause on the^x>tber siAe, wend,
gtdly isHippointed at the result. Fnm the tir emmta ncee of Mr.^ Bwtki^e k^ng «i|M8Pi W i
C^unael, m feelings were much eifMste^in Acthmatd^is fatmr., and I felt tcry wMl ismtrntf^ A
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u glHh lluH .-hmltftim -to the PfMidMHifti filectflrt. It waijiMted bf tUNi netaiiow fK>Uti|iaii
1 Wb», a«i^>Mii|]gf«f boooniiig gittftibf aiir
ojiifr^iiiailii tijtu^hrongh tkt me^tm of such ittwtiwgi, and wIm b«Te become mii>nrhra|pi
L i tilMi tlw ^rld a»4 if ptopie irili aot iwfcBoWikdge tbejt mfmotUf nbd gnxatit.. .T^MHift
a £tfM4ihmhi^ mit^foaed Ae BMftdng will supMledt tke ■ i e earily of «llf 6iiib«r fwmmiff^m^
toitt political ^ast— -P. T. Parker, £. Btiitwki, Will i am Jfw» J.Alexander, the Towmendi, P.
GMfetoon, thCr CasflMys, O. UtiM^y, Bpeneer, Staffi>fd, &«. I traiT flia« iU puMtau i a a^d ibe
Pl^^'ln ^l^ettj^al -Witt kAow^from whdka thfii pop«lar^iteftMn, of gMat tke dboiea o/g faei w n <«
<Ae People, emanates. TA« f}i«aaur« t^a«// / muet May, ue I alwuye have eaid, is a Rapmkiimm
one— ^t tke etm^ fte^ idUa/iit s^UgM'WiU remUt ii lumgmhr with ([7 RepqUicap*.
Mh U^mmniom'% ^eoHm to the eleikabip of ihc AaaemUy;! coQluler ,boj«ftd 4ort^t. His
iMH^pfonuiwiH vppaaent ia sjooa talM ia desecvodif n q p op ato r witJi tba. RepubUoan aa weH m
ttimti puif. He baa longr ainoo A>aitiCQd the oofldUooo^ of ^rety body. A man dovoMi ,cf
etal-y nrfaioi^o- of honoc,. wbo is wiUtoff to bacriieo: haa obaraateiv and orefy tbing-ekodiat a
rmmJm^t^jemeeOi, lotbo sfaiiBe of AVimidB, I tbink «riU;i«4 obuiA tbe aup^Qit of aJ^t^
iioaii4i^EMMiiR. i^ by any eaauraaUifttt, litinptoa aboold lose hia alootloft, I «iiaU wadaairor
lo«htaa a akuatioii andev hia auoceagor ; but I ihink ii. ia peiketly safey aa alaojinyael£
- ■ *LOILHayT
Bdwine*^ AntuJacJiMon Bepbrt ly SviUr — the NfiW Tork ]i}^emleri disliked^^ardiwer atiach
, , ^ Flagg-^T^rouhl^ brewing.
, fNo. MS.) LowuKKHoyt, to JoaKJ Hoyt, Jiew Yotk.
Ai^Ainr, /imtary 1 Itb, ISH Baaday. Dear Brother t I aond you by..lhia mail the REl^ORT
of Mr. Bowm ON TH« TJBNNE8Se£ R£iS(»4UTI0NS. Tho report ia a Yolnminooi^ and,
I4tli|dk, knowing from wiioie pan it came, ia a^ able one, aithou>i:b I hare not yet had UaM to
ghe ii ^ p^vmA.
Mr. BUTLER wnrte tk& report ; and I leave it ^ yoa la jadgo of ita maiita and tbe jaar-
ItO t c O a bf its prkioipMo } but I presaaio, fcom tbe oivcaiBifltance mi your poHtieal fiewa ooiaok
dtt|r<ao exaotiy witk Mk. Batler's, that the priaaipiea ooeiainod in tha^ report ara aadi aavili
BttMft yom* app^ba1ion.
*9h« Senate wont into' committee of the whole on the report, bat roee and ivpoMcd wiibaat
taifaig My de^iflive atop in relation thereto; it ia auppoaed it will be aliaoat aaanimouriy mp^
pfOVbd *otf hy the Seilate— bur I tMnk there witt be trouble whan it oomaa to-tho Aaaeiably, bat .
w4i^ undoabtedly r^eiye the sanction of a largfe majority of the membeia. . Noifainf of impar
tarieo has been done in the Aflsembly this tlffpe or Aliir daya paat, exoept the appointmeat of.4»
atnading cbmn^ittees, which yoa will aee published In the A4bariy p«peia. I chiak they.wace
very judksiovnly selected and tirranged, although aomeof the oppoeitioa genttenien mia hal^ ia-
clii^ to take umbrage at ther selectfons made by the Speaker : perhaps they ^hik hia honar the
ti^fce^ did HOC pay snfiioietit respect to thoir legislative experiodce. I apprthaad f i^nid Oar>
dmer is a little disappointed beeauoe h« waa not taade ehairavan ofvaome eomioitiaayWt I
tldnk hrwill tnif^t with many ihore serious disftppokltfRents before tho doao c/tha seaaoir. "tf pda>
i^:^i thfere is more d^ep rooted prejudice, exiatinv againai a part of the delogatiori aeht fiiaaryoar
cfl^this winter, among the coantry gentlemen, man" there exiated ajAinit the last m^aier deto-
gatioii. ' / tkink it wm f» in^foeeible for one of the Oppoeiiioh New York Taeiafr^ra to *ueteei m
mnff projeet let it he eter so reamnahle and juet, Tfe^re appears to i>e a son of aaspf ofon attached
10 evefy thing t^py have any connection i^ith ; and ui)leiBS they can do domeihing to ooftvhiiOe tho
cduntfy members of the unjustness and absurdity Of such a state of feelittg^ towards* them, you M^
relyupon it yodr city will flot be rmtch beni^tod by seftding the delegation >they1i«ve seniw
' "Mr. t}^iii\py^ the o^er day, while the resolution of Mr. Fl6gg in relation toeleeion waraa-
der dbcussion, made ah abusive and unjustifiable attack upon the editors of the Argus and Ad-
*W^;>^ J(^4>*«<*Hayt 7 I win tail yov. Wbeiv in 18:<8, Mn Vtn Buren rewf fded Jesse Qoyt's ^ecoliat sei^
icef with tiiApoliecto^hip of the Revenue al New York, he redoTred heavy security, itfore esfiecft^y on tMauM
inSlriirtwoars eW^enlement. fn Miirch, 1938, Jess* Kav» h» bfcAlMr, LoremM; his W<ithtr ia>laa%'>K4ert
nrWrkrt
McJimsey. the Wall Street Broker; L. M. Thurston, Thomas J. Oal^ (^ J«dceJ ami flafiM JqoM '(lU>x-
ehaottiMtta?) Wm. M Pfife certified that the securities were rwpjy sible for $150,000, the amount of tho(r bond.
Theil#iis a second, dnd^a third bond. I^end' dle'third b'fbr'ilPO,M0. YWby Yiet have made il fbr an amount
ekfle3t to «h« suki kit tht MUsll ff«tional debt ?) Th« same peoMt, lidth Thftddebsr Pbolpt oC Path nace< Nr Y.,
Mteaiaiaite aifetiNh-aiMl on tke lCth.I)6Q>. 1839, |«9iwiiia F. Butler, as U. 8. District Attorney. eertifi«a oo
l^that the- sureties wer? a5n())y su(fi(^n|^for the^2ni,000^ Beniuniiu had certified twenty years hefofe^te tKb
I aB(f wpi»ld itey. Rekiitewit. But k didn't aM
tbebond that the- sureties wer? a5nn)y su(fi(^ni for the $2nD,060. Beniuniiu had certified twenty years befofe^te Hit
AmiM of this Stote, that the Washrn<:fthn find Wiineh Bank could antf wpi»ld :hiy. Re knew it. But k didn't abH
wa C i Oyt a nd so 4re may idy of Lbi^fo Iloyt* Lewis M. ThtirMoa, Iliad. Phel(w, Jte. ; Jesae ot<ialbUBdid hav«em«
M f3BMB0M«ftfsB jnrv gvf thetf verdfUr^ihe jMNahal waa re^iv )o ^eijM--^«me« K. PauJc tstmld fiail aa
qft aUomey that wi.uU suit bina so wetl as E(utler a^ain— and to this hoar in 184Q, not an eSbrt is mt^% or
Dt to be, to recovet' a. dollar ofth'e monies embezzled, ^ither^from Lorenzo, Oakfey, Tfcursthn, jottes, Jentf. or
oAe eh^l ! This is Van -B urea democracy aa I fiad4t aathVonediAlheraaphol ofthe NawWorld ! i ! T WaiW so
'" M ii a i u ) it lioyt'a ^Nitfteriii-)ui^ «f wW^bft wiote to Stort* W^adbury io Mar. Vtt9, that ho' had «m-
0*^*B*i2*^*^'^***^\ii**^A°^'**^^'^*' '"■'^''' ^H«^7 wceives thif Qlerkjis Jesse's aucety far
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« ..... ....... *
ie, and by which he has incnrred the indignation and disgust of every aenaible man within
l <f iMr fi ng. Re'iUseiMd thtt Atgug of \iomciA inconsntency.. ih lint a4Toeathig an tftiW-*
tioV^^ilftf* iktttnA'h'Wt moA tkto in a ft^ weeka af^r repi^blitijig the meaaaxe as unwiM axi4
anti-iepubliean.
'ne'tipe^h, it Hth«L^¥km an extempore onfc, would have appeared much better,t!idn ft dW. ,
hmk Wfts peifeetf)' apparent to my ^vfn, and the mind of almodt every other pertton who faeaiv'
hin, that k w«ft a #titten and eotninftted speech; otu^CONSEQUENTLY i»ff« petfeHts Hs^
gwtamg^.^ The «)»fcii<m than I always heretofore entertained, that Gardiner was a ftian of verjr'
limited tal«nta, is now irrevoeablv confirmed.
Mf» Mr. Wfateton.t f ^Am not siJflfcitintly acqfiiahited With him to jndgejbf Ma ahililiei, hbt
if I eiit fdM) alt ojjhnbn ffdm what fkfle I hiave seen, 1 should soy he is nothing a'hove mecboetjtjr \
! aetoDTrfied, 1 _ .„ ,._.. .
•t prelnnie* they' are men'^of toi#rable good sense, with the exception of Crolius otid
0ai Of tiyo dthers^ but is Ibr theit' «bifitie^ they ftr^, in 'my opinion, contracted. 'L<;t them
be ft»^tiMy may, I- think they wiH wish themsefycs badk to New Yotlt again, 'before thi etWdf
the aeaaion ; for the Oppoaitioi^ aj^ agoing to experience not a little mortification this winter. I
can aee already that much-^ronble is brewhig'; and that thli'^ Opposition mtiit prepare themaelves
fer4>aa&aiBatfifleog»hofai»flgt id iag ; *-♦ * Y^Mtta'afleetidMrMty, U)ltEKaO ROTTb; ->
Crontell endotU9 Noah — Ihn*t almse 4.dfim»unm99ufmve n»edJM friends to hm yftft tr yM Uhe
ieisdm of thi Serpent-^^nH name Craviffrd, f9r:we can fock the CoM cm m i Tkfi ^tetftrei •
Imw — WlUaion* . ' , . - •
[|^o^^9.]^ Edwin CroaweU,8la(»P«lnter» to JeaeeHoyt, New York. ^
AtBAKY, Jianuaiy ^1, l8SM«-^M|r Ihvt 9ff:; ^^^ cmmt whidi ifte Aiiumte lia^taic^ I^m»>
the return of Major Noah, as well as duiiQg bia abaenqcj has received tha entire aMrpb^tmi of
wxt'rrpuhHean fritnde heife.- There* Is "One point of policy, however, which it.m^y be welfv^r- .
bf^, to vary. There are aevtral rejmfttitan friends of Mr. Adams in the legislatnre, who naV0
gdne broadly wiHl Ms so iar on every Question. It is quite important, THERf FOIUfi, iAat>no^ J*
tag parfieulmrlif harsh respfcihig' Mr,. A^ [Adams] or %is friends, should he puHi^ed, AT
LftAST 0UR!NO THE TBN&ENCTY-O^ THE itLECTORAI.. BILL, unless a plain die- '
tioction is made between liis federal frjendain your city, and'bis re|>tt6/tc^fifriendp in the coun^iy. '
Aa an ^xtiteme jealousy prevails a8n6ng the friends of all the candidates opi^osed to Mr. Craw-
ford, and as the Opposition make every nse of even the moat innocent suggestion to w^fy ihc
feelillgB of our feemls, ft is atso^fn^ffrtOfit thai fits FTVfr.. Crawford's] nawie, and espiciaUu Ws
prospects of obtaining the Cmicus tmAnation^ s^ili he.iceifit out rf xi$ui*\ Om poiiita> if ihjpjlc. \
t Hanry VVWtoa w«b tten At the htsA of Ihfr ^tidfAs^fM ^ Che Ailtiiibiy. n OMioUapa lo Vfta #ii«a>a«»
the 1te<:ency. Ne:(t year he joined Vao Biiren's Ailluweiv in .t^ anuist end unctatefvJ aer^f removMMT OoMraar
CUaCwi ffpn the'Cftna) boerd, and ii ntow the- representttiTe «f th« U. S. nt Berlin, tn 1617 he wrb editor .uf, tiie
NaUoiial-Ailvaoaw, ftllermiidaBeiMrttff M» tk* U. a 8upren\e Court, Ana' n by ptrtl^hxa a lawyet.
f Iirthete diryt, the A^s <tec1are<f, tbftt ''tlie feot ii clear, that iihXfix JbcI(4on has not q, ^insle ftelioi; i^ifa^r
mm irtlftthe BepsMiteR pnity, aadmtiEiSIlM mM^tef deMriifr tA^tntal exiiAction of it.** "Ilie Ndthvlfle JM-
net. «p Um «cber haiyi, eoyiiM (ha SaXiivoiBg htl«t>V«ii Moian'i OmwfttiCoiieHe ftom a OaHionD papea rxW^ '
pttMiean,] in Washin^n. ^. . • . . ' " •
WMd «Mi with the Rads to-night— Tis the tide of faction flovin;—
BiJityfite perchance they*11 muatei^^ Tit the noon of treason's reign—
TUrewiHbeaoneof laiQdoKioishH ^ ZMaf BferytHld, iee '
»at some threAscbfe in a Duster. * *"
. ZMaffiteryMl ie«4ng^
. I)tci(KR8|AN, aiHlBpuaesofMaiMi
Western Tiktmiu VotM/ng ennily —
irill be th<fre— Western nonuu kiokhig grimly
Tough as steel and bold as Hector — From New York, a h^f/firdfew,
Bwet, with Virginia air— IM by LUL QLurka, seeieg diidy,
VAStheJIlboMyDireetort , |lpectaclet and vapor thitwfb.
.i^^^Z^'uT'^yj&'V!?^"" , WheiaaM^ee WW gladly aSiyib-. •
Plottiagbfafosattddfrty facet. If you nrea p^lyte ^^
With the Wusl,es«ddeniag^tbroM , . , .S;*,y.otil\p4tt s>ng t» grwft y^a-
fallow knaves with forpis to laoef oi, Wtarettadwnmi of dSpair ^^
ftracglinj.dfte by one, t9 Caucus, <»ii|»,»he»iiintofthelK>er,
Wend yea with the R«de to-aight, And^venr dark intri|ruer tliete.
^TaU^advHwt— awlweikkaBdwiUy** Jrttles id the Mee for pmva^. >
li»nyaiieyetJMthatastha%M, Labortvs.eaiMdftM'tktffol).
Jkod laves eoafiisM«-«n«a^ath»pilfi WiltiKtheraateleiieofday;
Wend you with theRads to night— Barber^ Floyd, and fbQte,And Cblf—
C aaem in hjeegit peB>i<ee^ ' fc aa wi a i, reedy ferhtt pay—
fs^mimB and p*wnr {qvH»— 9elhih« B ar ht ur t, men mis^keh f
THiS9f^ fmtu, ^y^mdjiukaar v mii t i > iMft aMtAsMeety save hit tmeo^-
Weaii-yoii wHh the iUds to>aiiiit-»- Dallam ChcAel^omTetihessefr^ .
A.Bia|iaT «i«w, md had- the heel-^ ftonw ia f tooAi and sonoe iir gte»-r '
Wififiaff mom ihe Bdatk their flight, Shaltew laavee, with Ibrmi to mocl OL
1mitfepoor«lcaf8le*ftomthaWf«» g wggl h n , ana 1^ one, to Cfcaeas.*'
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i^& LIVINGSTON, CROSWELL k V. ItTREN TBLLmC WHAT PARTISANS WILL IK).
aT^^Qeiat«il,m«ir.bamqre c^r^ainly leQor^d ia this vaf, Ui$n bf gifioi «vf n ffir liciiMt Jimi*,
▼i^ipi^ wd bfMpea of tl^e uUimate mu^em of Qiaw&»i4» if bx it w# giv9 j^n««K7 tP tli^oQQt^n^
tiUceant which M« fnewiy promulgate so liberalljr against him.
Ji w di&i4t tQ cQi^eeuire w>at will.^ the ^-esuU of the Taripw propeaiUoQi nhich ^m wnm
h|lror«uth0 Hoj^ on the sul^lcci: of (he FElacton^] Jt4^. A connderahie divcinity of spuuoi
prcvftik as tp a vmQrity pr,tij>ltvaUi^; &it I have stroag hopei that our vspi^Zicas frieiHlp wiU
vbUc upon th^ fbrra^ri foui dei^at the scheme of TallmiMiga &. C^ tf gj^ye ^le elecmcil ^0Mm.kt ■
Tlii^ Hfiernoon, in cpmmitiee of the vhole* Mr. Watcnnan [of Broome Co. J ejpleined the ft»-
tuT^i of hU bill, and the praminem arguwcnits in fayor of amwilXfin acioee and cenjriflping
speech. The commiLLtfe rohf after bavitf| passed the first sfctioii ot Hi* Watermp^hiUi.willi
an anjendiiient p^oy Sding for th? cleciioa<)f 36 ipB^td wf 34 el^otow hjr the |)eo^ . . >
tcf haf)^! ihfTO Wrtfl never a more fubile scheme for the prostration of the ^fmecrfrtif ^artjr
th(tn« hidden under this plurality plan of t^lr. Wicaton, »nd ii will it<n«re the ^sjide Tigif.
lance and prudence of our r^pttbllQan friend*, to meet, exj^joac^ftod le^t the deajme of %ha U^r
lifl ^^t ia now bvcUhe ibdc riiln. In great hastei yov'tf ai\iQrv«ly, £. CKWWfiUU. .
.'. [thre^letterB,.E.*liviagsl9htoJ. HoftjJI. y^k.]
A^oZtcont detcribed hy Living9Um'^IfQmnmiik CUmimi right or torong /
' ''fTf*." ISQIJ AtBAirr, Nor. 14, 1B23.— D^ar Hoyt: » ♦ * * Aaron Clar^ is «^ can-
dUMtfwtthe dtfrMilp. Marey, Knower, PVwer, ic, will do 'everything for me j bitt. as Clai^k
js an indefatigable fellow, and will prove troublesome to me, I feel anxious to give him a signal
defeat * « « * RBmaine and UlshoHlbr cobM beof vendee to tne^MIl you usk' their aasis.
f t ♦. * * Wnw ite aa ^ntwertotfeit le«i*, nni Aiw* tU mtmau mxm atrndihc. B. L.
[^0. 131 .] [Fo^it mark, At.bawt. Dec. 5,J 1B23.— EsWck put the stories in j^ipoplftr.
tion ill New York that I was tinder Vijn Buren'a j^fluenef?, made a speech, Uc:, butyottrha»»
wi^bout my telling J' on, that be ia nn egfefjiaua liar. * * * * I have seen the Govfnm
[Tatts] »ifiee I \n^i wrote, fjr is dpcidodly in I'av^r of C^oeus nomina^on*, and CMfoMtufsdiif,,
pu3s.xUd ah&ht firing the chaiee d/ Elf c tan t& tif PetipU'^^Mt hf says t^at ^ R|ltt7BU0A|| .
P^rtjf m^ht mt id b^ ufrafd U po (& iKe People A .
He will recommend lU*^ measure. In my opinion^ Thli X wrote you before^but, if possible, 1
am f^ow iurpr of it ihfin I was Wfore* , ,
The Rejyuhlicsit meinhrr^ of the Ilouitf^^ it U thitiighLviiU hUd «. Caucus upon IhU que»timil
avd, afitr cotnitJg tn ft toncJ^s'tOff, all go one tt/ty or we ptk^rA IF CLINTON- IR VBRY -
DANGEROUS, THEY WILL 00 ONE WAT, AND IF IT IS THOUGHT HE CANNOT
MAKftA^YDIFFIGUL'TY.THBYWII.LtX^T'OTHERWAV. * • « • » M?^
hatf #dnie pHtn« smifv Stil well, wilt act firmly ^od a^ becomes a. kepubucan. / prtm^me.iau
widerstana vshkt I v^an h^. *firm7USMs,^ * * f I should like a ticket in the Southern itot- '
tery that has a $100,000 Prize in it9 wheels, Now, a3^a favor, I will take half of a ticket with
yov, If JFOU will purchase oiie-^ut recoHeci it is the iMt time, and that if [yots] ehoidd dww a
hlsMK«J.wiU ii^t veauire aniMnoce iDHh ymL If y<iu een^ent to tkkprepoiltioii, let me kn»w our
number, and then I shall have something j^tfful in antieipation.
Youre, amcerely, p. LIVlNerSTON,
[No. 132.] Al»akt, J«ii.«, 1894.-^1 rather think the AwepiAty Vfll p^ the,Elf|C- .
toral Law — the ^liafe ^Sl'^not passthe law. . I am dead against the law, or against anything
' ♦ *• .
t B«» VVheaton^g pl&o, Iflaf 9*i aih«n^ment, aitd the whole proceedings of a meeting of tl)e democrettc pitmben
of tbe legislature, on this ^itestlon, heM about a IbTtnisht before Croswell wrote— hi Hammond, page 144 to 14^ «{
volume second. Van Beiea, Flacff, CtesWeUr •mf WIttht wanted to pass no law at all. Many weoe a&aid of
Clinton, as matted steed, ^ee £. liriagsUMi^ jettea te J. Hoyt, No. 131, written three piopih^ previons.
t W. A. Thompson, in a Jattea to J. »ovt. dated Alban]!^ IGCh Feb., 1834, says— "7^ SfiuaU say they ace in fa-
ir uf the Fblks, and ^he AsMf^Mff say tbey skroin Uvtk of the People. *' ^ * \ lSud(im says that the ^«kz
...e can count 15 in favor of the Folks, who ettn h»ilet»endad upon, and who ate itot suchfooU a* to tuffer then^-
atlveo to he ievour$d by tko PgopU, * * * * N» one can tell what legislative bodies wHl 4<» ; IkK ^ram pre<-
sent appearancM, I do not ^bink ou? RSPUBLICANiriends have any reas«si to believe they are te be wteri^h»4,
They seem to ieel that if they mrriamior tkoif powoF ifimely, they are loot ; and iftlUykoU MU mtttufiOfy, ihey €m
hut loooe it at la»t. I shall itay heie a week-w tea days, until we hear the iMialu effow GaocM at WasMofMo**'
IT Hr. Van l^orea conhrnis this dt9eledi^bl• statanent of the unprinoipled character 6^ hit owe party, by s ii|i p h ^
ing that his adversariea |iw equally dishooaKt. 'lo hi* adiress to the eitiseas of Syraente, N. V., at I find it hrlM
Cnohe, Sept. 97, 1839,Jls aArini that he hat/haaa jiuivatiby his polKical c^ nM s n tt WiA ** hwmterate aia1ig«B«$:'*
bat, tay« he, ** when K fs quiu mani^ tM these by whom the eondaet of « trttbKcr t>Ae* is hivaigaid tmrk^-
solved to condemn hi) actjrin apy eveaV; wbtie thajr «aly desire to hnow whiei tide of a piAdie aonrtien W«-
■owes in order to take their own pysitiQa afainat biai ; when all eeasiderations of domikT and tff riiM aw SMtk*"
in aa absorbing d Are ta •jf^X him firom oftoe, «iid whet nothing so mifa^ taaHifiee ^eeil «nagei ttetn HI Ame
•boald devile or adopt measures that redound to the good of the eeontry ; in all suCb eases it appears to nse^n act
•f inexcusable weakness bu the part of the public functionary to tufier what such epponenU may tay or think of
bifli to give him a moment*t care or uneasiness "
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vor of
¥ee SANst Rttt itrooi^A MoM ct^s^ irt tan ivitEii. Idt
IHlit Vfl! tend lb raise Clintonlan or fedcrtt «tock. • *i * I think you may without dotibt.
My that our State is for Cra^iford [the mUfoe candidate of that <foyj but it won't do to say so
quite yet. ^ Youis, NEP.
Van Buren*$ *riend, Shihn^, interferet with tke State LegiskOnre and Judiciary, U prevent
the FeopU from eleeting their Presidents,
{No. 133.] Judge Skinner, U. S. District Court, to J. Hoyt, N. York.— Albany, llfh
January, 1824. Dear Sir: Mr. Latham A. Burrowst of the Senate, I understand, read law
w^ih Mr. Riker, the Recorder, (at any rate he is attached to Mr. Riker,) Burrows is considered
doubtful on the question of changing the laW for the appointment of electors. Now, Sir, if Mr.
Riker is in sentiment with us, his letter to Mr. Burrows on that subject voiU have great influ-
iHte', and you may bo assured that every fote is important to pteimit the change contemplated.
Cordidly, XR. SKINNER,
^ u^ ^
Livingston to Hoyt-^The Clerics Logic—Mat, L, !>«»»» kept out of Mistthief^A list for Mr
Van Buren^Zsake for Clay^The Cautus.
[No. 134.] Albany, Feb. 16, 1824.— * » * A majority of the legislature is a
tnajority of the people. We recognize the people as the' source of alt power-^this is a repre-
sentative government. Our old Democrats wish for the ol4 Council of Appointment. * » *
After you have read this letter, biir^ it, E. L.
[No. 135.] Albany, Feb/ 38, l834.-*>]>ttr Hoyt: I forward a list of the.roembi»ra of
the Senate and Assemhly, marked as they now feel upon the Presidential questiun. * « «
Crawford h^iS 88, Adams 36, Calhoun 11, Clay 6, Jackson 4. * * * I have forwarded lists
similar to those I now enclose you, to amuse your frieiDd,. Mr. Van Buren. Mat. Davi« is hei:e--
he does no particulir service; but as he is with us, it prevents him fr< m doing mischief. He
hates Van Buren — I know it. Leake will not l^t anything go into the Argud.lT — he is for Clay,
tharis, he wants to be Stale Printer, let tHings go as they may. * » * Let Noah see tlie
lists. But as you like. ' ' E. L.
[No. 136.] Albany, March 29, 1824.— » * * Our fofks all say that THEY con-
ceive themselves bound in honor to nominate Gov. Yates, but that the People will nut support
him. » * • » K n, 8— n, Jtc, want to pay ojf some debts of gratitude, which
they feel towards his e^icellency. I am ready, to support the nomination. » * * The[Stai9]
Caucus will be held to.morroW night, or Thursday. Marcy advises Thursday. * * E. L.
Van Buren on Clay and Adams^^he praises Maj. Noak^Nomh^s sketch of Van Buren,
[No 137] Martin Vari Buren to Jee.«»e Hoyt at New York*
[Washington] March 3, 1824. — Dear Sir: I have the greatest avereion to hsving my letters
extracted for the newspapers or much shown, and notwithstanding a laborious correspondrnce
dnrmg the wintef have hitherto escaped. The promulgatiali of my anticipatien na to Messrs.
Adiims and Clay's withdrawing, would, ygu know, not indace them to do so, if it had not the con.
trary effect. ' It is best to let those things take their course, and there is no ground for fear as to
the result. If they continue after New York has settled down it will be manifest to all that the
contest is prolonged by thehi to the great detriment of the pariy^ and of the public interest,
without the least prospect of success ; and it will be the business and duty of the press to make
•suitable animadversions on the subject.' To me the course of the Adtocate (or the last few weeks
has been entirely acceptable, as it has been moderate, but firm and rational, which coarse is, I
t Mr. L. A. Barrows, who was returned fVom the sixth distfietia place ef Gen. Hathaway, was an Adams man,
pto(i(|;od to the people's party ; and all the efforts of Judga Skionef, Jesse Uoyt, and.Reeorder Riker, (if he obeyed
them,) conM not cban^ his vote, or induce him to wheel niund with WiifiAaiid others, Burrows was strongly preju-
diced aj^insr Clinton, and much opposed to the eleetion of Jackson. Bkinoer, being a Judge of the U. 8. Court,
ac^ed a disgraceful and unbecoming part in interii*ring, as above with the fteedom of the Senate of N. Y.
t Reirei Skinner was at the bead of the old Van, Buren reffency; which appointed Noah Sheriff of New York,
He was a lawver of Sandy Hill ; and our present Governor, SiXasi Wright, was his law scholar and student— he also
Is a Sandy Hill lawyer. W>ight was admitted as a lawyer by Uie Supreme Court in January, 1819, and lefl Sandy
Hill some roofQths after Benjamin F. Butler, Van Buren*s partner, arrived there as President, Cashier, and Board
of DiiMtor* «f Barker's 'W. &/W. Bank, in wliich institution he may have been an occasional assistant. Skinner
sold out bis law office at Sandy Hill to Butler, who succeeded to-biS business— and Wright settled at Canton, near
the fiver St. Lawrence, in Oct. that same year. Wright went for Crawford— was one of the immortal seventeen
Senaton who voted to keep from the people the power of electing the electors o( the President of the U. S.— the
seventeen were defeated by 17,000 votes next election, and hung and burned in effigy— but Wright stuck to Van
Btlrea and the .eabal— they puilhd and uplMM him— and be i« Governor of N. Y.
IT l^atke had to resign, in jGivor Qf Croswell, whom Butler and hfai partner, TanBoTen, had confidence in, anc who
was willing to be their echo. Ajperusal of Van.Burea*! letter to^oyt, No. 19D>of this flsriet, will explain whers'
tbs real control of the ArgQi anditt opinioiu lAy.
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198 VAN BUREN S AIB-BOfLT CAftfliK AlU) SXS^*X.A]>D£RS^-^OFFICE.SS£KIIf6«
tbtnki the only one calculated to produoe much real e06Ot on public opinion.t , Such is not haw-
ever, the opinion, or rather the feeling of all ; on the contrary there are many who have been^
much pleased and.ao accustomed to the many good and pleasant things ^e Major has said as to
regret the deprivation of ihem — and they ^oMMonally complain to me that the Advocate has lost
its spiht. As the Major has depraved their appedtes^ he is, they think, under some sort of obli-
gation to feed them on such viands tis have becoqne most acceptable to them. Make my best
respects to him, and to our ijiends ; tell them that for obvious reasons, they may excuse me from
not writing as often as ;I could wish. Your friend, M. V. BUREN.
Van Buren prophecies succen to Crawforc^ and the Caucus ; t)tereby showing no political sagacity*
[No. 138.] Martin Van Buren to Jesse Hoyt, N. Y.--WASHiNaTON, March 6, 1834.—
Dear Sir : I have received yoars this moment. I cannot help what Messrs. Lynch and Kin^
may choose to infer from my looks, but the truth is that I have at no time doubted of our complete
success.t The great influence which was «x«reised here to prevent members from attending
the caucus, and the subserviency and ingraJttude of tome who have partaken largely of the fa*,
vor of the party, were calculated tOvexcite strong feeHng^ which were doubtless sometimes mani-
fest, but despondency is a weakness with which I am but little annoyed. On the assumption
that New York will be firm and projpoptly explicit, we here consider the question of the dection
substantially settled. Neither Mr* Adams or Mr. Clay can keep in the field after the course of
New York is possiiively known. The information on which this opinion rests and the reason*
in its support cannot be given in a letter. I will myself be easy on the subject, and so wilt our
friends here who never were in better spirits dr Mi stronger confidence. Make my best respects
to our friends. Youre cordially, M. V. BUREN..
I I I III!
[No. 139.] Lorenzo to Jesse Hoyt.^^Party ssmices on credit — Poverty — Office Hunting-^
the Morals of Van Burenism^^Private Crib — board 16».
Albany, March 7, 1824, Sunday evening. — Dear Brothel- : Yours of the 4th came duly to
hand. The substance of it I had anticipated, as I saw a letter that Mr. Thompson received from
you while here, in which you spoke very discouragingly as to the result of your application to
the Corporation, but as 1 had not heard from you since, I had not entirely despaired until I
received your last. It is now I suppose, kilown to a certainty that you cannot succ^^ed in get-
ting the office you sought. If a person has nothing else to depend upon for a livelihood than
offices, which nt all times depend upon the fiuctuanons of panypredominance, I think he will soon go
to pot, I thoughts however, your services fkr the party had been sufficient to raise a just and equ^'
table claim for some little office of the kind, that you have been endeavoring to obtain ; but it" ap-
pears that the of)inion of a majority o( the Hon. the Corporation and my own are at variance.
Well, I see we have got to contend with poverty and misfortunes as long as we remain in this
life, and what we shall have to " battle the v>auk* with in the next the Lord only knows. You
t This letter does not exhibit imieh fotecij^ht or sacacitY •n the part of Mr. Van Bureo. He expected that Clay
and Adams wwuld withdraw aAer the Caucui, but they didn't. He bad " no fenrus to the result** — that is, he was
quitesure that Crawford would be elected President. In his next letter to Hoyt be sayM : '* I have nt no time doubted
of our complete success.'* His candidate got 41 Totes ootof 361— «nd Adams, whom he describes [No. 13ftJ
as ** unable in keep the field,*' became President, and woold have b^n re-eleoted had he stooped to buy the tra-
ding politicians and prpstitute his ofllce to party purposes, avarice, ambition and iatriffue, as Van Buren afterwards
did. [n the above letter. Van -Buren praises Nooh. In July, 1838, Noah, thro' bis Evening $tar, amuaei his
*'Old Democratic Friends in Tammany,* with a sketch of his friend, in these words:
** You may remember when in 1817 we ran up the Bucktail flag we had but eighteen men with as in the LegMar
tore, and with only three presses in the State we eppmed Dewitt Clinton, on tiie grounds that he had opposed the
war, and run against James Madison fur the Presidency, and in three years we earned the State. Where was Martin
Van Buren at that time ? With the democracy — with the War iwrty — with the Madisonians ? No such thing. He
was hanging on the skirts of Mr. Clinton: and here let me leoniod you that hanging on the skirts of eminent men
has been the peculiar feotur^ and secret of Mr. Van Buren's advancement. ' He was elected to the Senate as a Clia-
tonian ; he m<^ed in the Convention to have Cliotan's nomination as Governor made unanimous; he hung closely
to his skirts until he saw the current setting against him, when be dropped off and tacked himself to the skirts of
Tompkins, and when Tompkins retired, he got hoM of the skirts of Roger Skinner. Perley Keyes and Silas Wright,
and clambered into the Senate of the U. States much to the annoyance of that disinterested politician, Col. Samuel
Young. In the Senate he held on to the skirts of Rufus KiAg, until he got introduced into ' good society.* He then
took hold of the skirts of Crawford, and when i>oor Crawford lost the election of President, and John Quiney Adams
succeeded he made two or three grabs at his skicts, but Adams wore a spencer and Van Buren missed his hoM, and
he settled down quietly in the Senate looking round to see whom he could next ride, like the old man in th#stpry Of
Sinbad the sailor. At length when it was reduced txf a certainty that Andrew Jackson would succeed, he ereeiied by
deoees near him. for the^pld Chief was afraid of Van Buren, and finally he succeeded in getting him by the batton,
and in this way got into t^e Cabinet ; he then crfught hold of the skirts of Eaton, Kendall and Blahr, and Anally,
through their, intercessions and efforts, he crawled into the otd Generars breeoh*s pocket and he made him his sue-
t Mr. Van Buren shows very little sagacity in this letter. His expectations as to Crawford wefe *nythin£ hot
alized. Tlie members of Congress at Washington, contrary to Butler*8 reports, fathered by Bowne. decided, 181 to
, _.. .i.- ...J. -*-«ei L._. . „. . .. «........._ .u- j^jjjjp Van Buren and r'"*-
o tne peeple ; but thipy numl
u many vote* •• that (onrtli.
Digitized by^OOQlC
68, emt of a body of 961 members, to attend no Caucus to dictate a President to the Republic. Van Buren and sixty
flra others held the Caucus, and pretended to speak for the Union, and dictate to the peeple ; but thfpy numbevM
pniy one-fourth of the whole Congressmen, and their candidate did not even get M many vote* m that lonrtli.
■ aration yrmr bBSineis is agaia inereftttiig m IHtky ifdiieh I hop* ii the case, for if it does not,
-^nim,^ «ii«l of J334 will find oa I should not^like to undettake to sa^.
I understood Mr. Thompson, I think, if the river opened soon, that he should be iipi again
beij^e the close of the session ; if he will not be up- again / *huU write him about what you
mentioned, and $hall aUo speak confidentially to one or two ^ my friends^ myself on the sub.
Jectrfor ANYTHING I CAN DO TO THE PREJUDICE OF [EDWaRDJ LIVINGSTON
AND BENEFIT OF MYSELF, I '?HXNK I.AM PEREECTLY JUSTIFIABLE IN DO-
ING, FROVIDED ALWAYS THAT HE^ DOES NOr FIND IT OUT.
I think, and have thought all winter, that it would be best for me, after the Legislature ad-
joums, or after I get my pay, and square the yards here, to go somewhere else and locate for
the summer, with a vievir to carry into efiect the special order of the day, to wit, economy.
Should you approve of .this suggestion, X will mention Utica at* a. pkee combining both the great
•objects I have in view, economy and improvement. Mr. liynch says I can get board there in
respectable boarding houses at the rate of from 16a, to 18s. per week, whereas I pay here
through all the summer 26s. I should regret yery mulch to leave Mr. Butler, but I know it is de-
cidedly for my interest to do so, and with y«ur consent and ai>probation, I feel very much in.
clined to do it ^his spring. Charles ia going to leave, and is going somewhere in the Western
eountry to settle, and I shall have no person to give me any instruction in my studies if I stay.
Me. Butler cannot do it, because he is eonstantly engaged in his own business. The Senate take
up the Electoral bill to-morrow, and no doubt will treat it as toe foo^ thik& deserves. * * *
L. HOYT.
Extracts from a letter — Lorenzo Hoyt, at Albany, to Jesse, at New York — dated June 20,
1824. — " 1 have commenced reporting regularly for the Mercantile. Charles and me do it together,
as we formed a parmership before the commencement of the session * * * You say you
are making a push^for the office of attorney to the -corporation, and I think your claims are good,
I hope you may succeed — ^but I presume it is doubtful, as yj>u undoubtedly have to contend with
powerful '(^ponents, I shall not be much disappointed if you feil-^but I would make a grand
sally to carry my point this time."
[No. 140.] Private, W, L, Marcy to J, Hoyt. Stop the American, A cure for Adamsism,
Albany, 22, March, 1824. Dear Sir: Fnow take the American, and wish to discontinue it.
I have presumed to trouble you to call or send to the office of that paper, pay the balance I owe,
and direct it discontinued. I owe for the country paper from the 9th September last. Enclosed
I send two dollars. The account may be a few snilHngs over. If you will have the goodness
to .pay it you will much oblige an old friend. The attack upon Mr. Malloryt is by every body
regarded as cmel and lavage, and has called forth an universal burst of indignation. ' I am gene,
rally very indifferent to these paper shots, but my long intimacy and sincere friendship for the
judge make me feel in a very lively manner this outrage upon as pure and spotless a character
as ever lived, I hope this proceeding will cure him of his Adamoitm,
, Yours sincerely, W. L. MARCY.
Senator Sudam feele grateful for Mr. HoyVs favorable opinion of his political conduct.
[No. 140a.] John Sudam, Seqate, N. Y. to Jesse Hoyt.
Albany, 11th April, 1824. — My Dear Sir: / thank you for your favorable opinion^ and for
four approbation of the course pursued by me during the present session. It has been an arduous
one, and all I can say is, that / have discharged my duty fearlessly y but conscientiously. Your
letter has been delivered to the Governor. Excuse me for not writing more at large — we are
upon the eve of breaking up, and are very full of businete of every description. The section
you sent mje has passed into a law. Yours oordiatly. t JOHN SUDAM.
I I presnine that Mr. Marcv refers to James Mallory, one of the 17 flehators who obeyed Van Buren*8 commands,
to vote down the bill froo) the Assembly giving the people the choice of electors of President and Vice President,
and for other measures in contempt of the democratic principle
I John Sudam, a dever lawyer, who resided at Kingston, Ulster county, N. Y., was elected to the Senate of the
■state, of which he soon became an active and popular n^ember. Hq had been an efficient and zealous federalist —
Jiad had a oolilical quarrel with Van Buren<-a cliallenm to fight a duel had passed beiween them, but it didn't take
place — and had been an ardent supporter of Clinton, but wheeled suddenly rouivl, in ISSO^ into ttie front ranks of
that great statesman's must active opponents. He was one of the 17 senators Who, in 1824, voted to prevent the peo-
ple from electing the electors of President and Vice-President, and to oust Clinton from the canal board — and that
same year he sat as chairioan of the important committee which very slightly inquired into and exposed the mon-
strous iniquity practiced on the people and the legislature, in obtaining a oharter for the Chemical Bank,' N. V.
The question was taken on the passage of the bill, March 3d— -yeas 18— -nays 13— lost. The same question was
again taken— yeas 19— nays 13— carried. Honest Jasper Ward was a yea, and when the vote come up next Nov.
for a repeal he and Bowman bolted. Sodam, Clark and Bronson, who had all voted yea (Sudam having voted
no twice, then wheeled round to the yeas,) were the committee of inquiry; Why was nut even one opponent rp-
pointed ? Clark, Bowne, Greei^ly and Keyes, voted wt to r^^da/.thecfa«ftei^Wri9ht, Earii, Bronaon and Dudley wetn
for repeal— but Lieut. Gov. Root decided Ibat a repeal required two-thirdi, and tbnbank stands. Mr. Sudam died in
Albany. April, 1835, a^d 54.years— and Hovt Was nctiag m ehsiacter wkea he oxpnved gratitude fot. J9ttd*in»s
reprehenuble eonduct in the spring »ei^«a «f 19!M«
Digitized by ^OOQIC
iHide Si^Utfmth M, Van. Arntti UJ.S^ff^'^wMlimmmmiiwrMkmwttfaT ^itpfmii'
giou8 fellnw*'-^n attask mi CM mn *^n lUtaek •» mlf eMpect§d-^elping tim r^feyN qiiw
wnderau^ JesWt papW'^Mmmir H^ifne.
[No. 141.] Washiwotow, Dec. 29, 1826.— My Dear Sir: I bought a aeenkin ve»t, at
the store on the corner of Broadway and Liberty street. Will you do my friend Mr. Rowan,
Senator from Kentucky, the favour of purchasing one for him, ,and sendit^ it down by ihe fii«8t
opportunity ? It must he the largnt in the ahopt as he is a prodigious fellow. If you can,
oblige him— wn7c Aim a civil /e^/er-^-he is a very worthy fellow.
• In great haste, your frieiid, M. V. BtFREN.
- [No. 142.] WaIhimtoit, Dec. 30, 1826.— Dear Sir: The attack on the Vice President
[J. C. Calhoun] hns produced very great excitement. The courae pursued will came it to recoil
with severity. There is of eourM not the slighteit pri^eoce for the allegation. Mr. Satteri«e
Clark of your city is the ♦• gentleman ffow New York." My friend Judge Rowan is 45 iaohas
round the ehesi. My quondam friend John A. King, whilst here, siayed with Mr. Webster;
and when ht* parted from me, I was so sensible ftvm his manner that he carried advices from
b«re which would induce the acmintitpation folksto come out againiitme that 1 wrote Confiden-
tial ly to Campbeii by. the same mail my jmf^ressions, and requested General Van Rensselaer to
look out for it in the American the momiag after they left ils. The result has, I think, verified my
conjectures. Say nothing of this as coming from me. In baste, ywxt friend,
M. V. BUREN.
[No. 143.] Washington, Feb. 3, 1827.— My Drtr Sir : This will be handed to yon by
Mr. Davis, agent of the editor of the National Telegraph,>ho visita our State to-obtnin snbscri.
hers for that paper. Any assistance you can give him in promoting his object will be gratefully
remembered 6y the editor ^ and oblige Your friend, M. V. BUKEN.
[No.> 144 ] Washington, Feb, a, 1897.— My .Dear Sir : Being entirely free from EN-
DORSEMENTS nouD, and my situation rendering it highly proper th»t I shnuld rrnntin so, I
did not mppose I could hate been again drawn into them. YOUR CASE, HOWEVER,
POES NOT ADMIT OF HESITATION. Wishing yOu all sorts of happmess,
I remain your sincere /nead, M. V. BUREN
[No. 145.] Washington, Feb. 7, 1827.— My Dear Sir: This, will h^ handed to you
by Master Hayne, son of my friend Colonel Haype of South Carolina. He wishes to come uH
to this place under the protection of some person travelling southward. Do me the favor to see
that t\\e wishes of his lather, in that particular, are attended to. My friend Thomas Ludlnwis
coining on. , Yours, sincerely, M. V. BUREN,
• Webster looks black, and Clay looks blue/
[No, M6.] C. C. Cambreleng, M. C, to Jesse Hoyt, New York.
Whshin&ton, 13th Feb., 1827. — Dear Hoyt: We are carrying all before us. Webster looks
BLACK, and Clay /ooi* BLUE. I have subscribed for twenty.five copies of the Weekly Tele-
graph, at $2 a year. I wish you would get that number of subscribers for me, and send the list
to me. It*a so cheap, you will have no difficulty in filling up the number. From the price of
the paper, you will see it is designed for the peopi.e.
Truly yours, C. C. CAMBRELENG.
Van Buren writes to Jesse from South Carolina^ to get Noahtls copy his ** concise andperspte
tutus'* speech ints his paper, and to get U into the Advocate,
[No. 147.] Senator Van Buien to Jesse Hoyt, at New York.
Columbia, S. Carolina, April 23, 1827. — My Dear Sir : When I left Washington, it was my
intention to have been back by this time : but the extreme hospitality of the Southrons, has ren-
dered itvabsolutely impossible. We shall leave here on Wednesday morning, and after stopping
a few days at Raleigh, — ,t and Richmond, make the best of our way home. I have looked
anxiously into the marriages and deaths for your name, but have not yet seen it in either. You
-will see my remarks on the Colonial Bill. 1 wish you would ask the Editor of the Advocate to
republish them-^neHf the Major [Noah] wished to present his readers with a concise and per.
t It wra« during this jonrney, that Van B. and Cambfelenf visited W. H. Crawford in Geoi^ia, atad learhin; from
him that Calhoun, while in Monroa^s cabinet, had not approfyed of Jackson's conduct in the Seminole w^; their
«onfed«rate» artfaily eoanmuaicated the pai^eulafs to General Jackson, and sricceeded in causing much ill-wlH be-
tween him and Mr. Calhoun. While at Baleigh, Van^Buten, htreply to a dinner invitation from the citizens, told
theut, oKumaat otker m-MoUar Myi«f»; tbat ^ The spirit of eeeroftchment hai atiamed a new and far more eeduc-
tive aspect, aod can only be lesuted by the ezorciM of uncoiaoMir viftUM.**
Digitized by^OOQlC
ipieu6U» tiew of that sutfject, AND J^ NOT' AWRUHBNBIVfl; 'THAT HE WOULD IN-
JURE HIS FRIEND MR. CLrNTON,t lie nfigh't do the •ame thmgt In hastd,
/ Youre, sincerely, M. V. BUREN.
\ ■ I 1 iw ■ Nil* ■ I ■■ I. ■ — II If « I Hill ^
ThomaijRUciU*8 J^arty Frttctiee^The JBoH Boom LeUer.
[No. 1470.] From NHes's Register, V9I. 17.^1839— 'aO.
Extract of a letter, dated January let, 1827, and addreased to, and pabliahed by, the Editor of
the Richmond Enquirer.
" Thii being the day on whidi the PreitdeBt's Honte w durown opcai lo all visitoni, I went,
tBiDBg others, to pay my respects to him, [Mr. Adams ;] or rather, I shoujd fairly confess, I
went to see the East Room, for the fumighing of which we had voted twenty five thousand dol-
lars at the last session of Congress. I was anxious to see how that amount of furniture could be
stowed away in a single ro9m, and my curiosity was fully satisfied. It was truly A GOR-
GEOUS SIGHT to behold ; but had too much the look of REGAL MAGNIFICENCE to be per-
fectly agreeable to my old republican feelings." — Bichwmd Enquirer, Jany, 4, 1827.
Remarks. — Mr. Ritchie was instantly charged by other pMsses with haying published a ma-
licious fokehood, there being no truth in the above. Did he ha«ten to make ameuds? So far
from doing so, it was four months (April 27, 18S7,) before he conid be induced even to try to
excuse himself by saying that " The aceount to which the writer refers was forwarded to us by
one of the most intelligent And distinguished members of Coogreas."
If a member of Congress really made hjm his dupe, by tailing him a wanton and malicious
lie, to injure another, why did he not expose him to his constituents, and why sUow the untruth
such a long circulation ? Is it thus that the Union is to be used to give the nignal to 500 servile
or uninformed party presses? Is this democrttcy? In August; 1839, the Editor of the Tele-
graph attacked Mr. Adams on *tother side. " ft (^ well known (said he) that thro' Mr. Adams's
aristocratic pride thla elegant room [the East Room] waa lefl tmfhmished,'* &c. What aA evil
it is to have editors in powet", and influencing the people, neho, Kke Ritchie, Noah, Croswell,
Blair, and their employers, say ".all's fiiir in politics," and act accordingly ! '
Exchanging a Catriage^^^m Apohgjf for one eeni of Footage,
[Nd» 148.1 Letters, Martin Vah Buren, at N. York, to Lorento Hoyt, at Albany.
New York, June 2, 1827. — My Dear Sir: Will yda do me thfe favor to get Dennis or some
one elsf! to clean up my harness and Phaeton, and send jtheib to me by one of the boats, with
direction^ to give me ilie earliest information of its arrival, t want toexchange it here. I cari'
not pay the postage of this [12^ cento] hut will repay it among your other expeneee, Kxcu?e me
for troubling you, and write me. Yoiir friend, M. V. BDREN.
[No. 149.] N. Y., June 6, 1827. — My Dear Sir: I have sent a copy of the enclosed
to Mr. Wilcoxtin. with directions to advertise anew. The Chancellor would not grant the order
B. sent by Mr. Butler. Consult Mr. B". as lo the form of making the amendment, and do it for
me forthwith. * / have no opjtortunity of paying the postage of this [it was one cent] but you
will, of course, keep an account Of your expences in this matter.
In haste, your frtend, M. V. BUREN.
t Bj a reference to Van Bdven.. Butler, «i|4 CwMweirt pitvious Iftteie to Hoyt. about Noah^ instructing hlin in
the course that would be«t aer^'e their purposes, and commending hit C4)nduct : and nlso to Van Buren's letter to
Hi.yt fn Nov.. 1838, fN» 156.J where he says " I sorely rejrfet the Toss of Noah's election ;" nnd by c^illiiv to mind
the'fnet thnt Van Buren set iiside the elnilhs iifOiddii^'|[^nn and man^ otSher*. in 1880. that, wi«h mnek difllcnity in
Washington, be niftht pmvide for Noah, by the t^urveyonbip, the c#ndid reader will perhaps arrive nt the same
conclusion as myself, that Hammond is wrong in bis opinion->-that V«n Buren. Marcy, Knowei. Cmswell & Co.
acted in f^o- d faith towards Mr. Rochester, when they nominated him at their Herkimer convention. Oct. 18%. as a
eanriidate for novernor. in oppuaition to Clinton. Clinton waa for JftokaofH-iA n^w was Van Buren ; (ill bit party
e:ipital was thus invested, Rochester . was tbe warm, personal, and political friend of Clay, and anxious for the
re-election of Adams— so Was Peter B. Porter of Blaek ttock. tfho addressed the electors in fnvor of the Van Bu-
ren nondidnte. reniindins tbem, and with very good reason too, that B«dMater*s eleotion would probably give Ad-
nm% the i>t9te of New York, wh le Clinton's might seeuie il to Jackson. Noah had tried to make hioney eight or
nine years before, by de^ertin^ the buckViila — ft would be a good trick in Van Buren to allow him tn appear to
come out. ofkta oton aee&rd. for Clinton, agaiaei Ma own fthv V. B.] paity, by which means the chances of defent
to the Adams candidate might be greatly inereaaed, whil^ Van Buren and his'lViends would make capiul on both
aides, and ieem to have 'kept their word. Van Buren write* from Booth Carolina to Hoyt. in 1827, to get Nuah to
insert his speeches, " if he is not apprehensive it would injure hisfrieid, Mr. Clinton.** There** something of the
sneer in this saving clause— ^roswell went for Rochester who was defeated : Noah for Clinton and Jackson — many
of Van Buren 's confidential friends, nt Albany "nd elsewhere, were against ]loohester>-and whea the tug came in
18^, Nonb, Van Bured, Croswell, Wdght, Flagg, and the anti-Adam* men* were found pulling steadily one way,
toitk S. SwoaiwovL for the apoiLf . Noah's bitterness toward* Van Byren, in 1634 to 1841, was probably ip a
f reat measure owing to the impression be hud, that his useful duplicity had not received a suitable reword. There
IS nt present, a very good understanding re-establisbed ; and Van Buren and Noah, as they deserve to be, are again
friends. Clinton, as Governor, had 36^ votes over Rochester ; and Pitcher, the buckta.il nominee, was returned
with him as Lieutenant-Governor. " Hoi Rochester (Van Btiren's pretended candidate) leen elected^ there it
soery rtnson to helicst (say* f^ammond) that the entire vols of the ^UUs titould have been given to Adams'*'' — and
Van Buren writes Hoyt, Feb. 8.M8^, [No. 165.] that Westetvelt, in 19IB, had savo^ their party from defeat by
preventing Pitcher's nomination at Herkimer-WAe veru man they pr«Undt4 to siqfport in 1836. The tuwthy dia-
Eiayed bv some of Van Bureri** men, and the ^po«}tiM of other*, to^N^arai Itoebeatft, having tame4 the scale tn
ivor of Clinton, the Clintonian^ in the legisfatuie rewiided t^ UeadMHyCif mtk We niay atlM it) by votiJiff to
|0-«lectVanBimtotiMy.8»SaDatt»inF«h.U97. , r^r-.r^i^
Digitized by VjOOQIC
Ml VAN BimBN, WRKUITf JEBtTMl'^^ XAmrFACTTTSES, KASONRV.
[No. 150.] Tnesdigr numvag, Jon* 19, 1827.— l.nust leave here oq Saturday morn-
ing, and if my caniage oaanot be aent down ao that I can have it by Friday moming» tt wiH not
be worth' if^bile to send it.
[No. 151.] New York, June 13, 18d7.— Dear Sir: lam detained here by nothing
save the carriage ; and, cont^ry to my tetter of yesterday, I wis^ you would send it down upon
the reeeipt of this, if I shouM have to wait trntil next Monday to exchange it.
In haste. Your friend, M. V. BURJS^*
[No. 152.] John Van Buten, [ Attorney Qeniral, &c.,] to Jesse Hoyt, Albany.
New Haven, Nov, 28, 1827. — Dear Sir: J wish very much to get my rifle here ; and I know
of no other person exQept you to whom Tcan write about if, I would be very much obliged to you
if you would have a leather covering made for it, and put it on board of the Constellation or
Const itutiqn« in charge of the Captain ; directed to me, care of Drake & Andrews, Tontine,
New Haven. ,The Captain will send it over to either of tlie New Haven boats, and so I will
get it. I want it very much, alid I don't think I shall be home in the winter or I would not
trouble you ; it is in my bed room. Whatever the expense is^Vou can get it of Mr. Butler, or if
you pay it I will pay you when I get home. The bullet-mould is in one of the draws of the
side board : if npt there, I wish you Would look for it. JOHN VAN BUEEN.
The Metaphysics of the Committee of Oongress on Manufactures, in 1828.
[No. 153.] Governor Wright, Washington, to Jesse Hoyt, Albany.
[Free, S. Wright, Jr. Rep. in Congress.] Washinoton City, 15 January, 1828.
My Dear Sir : A note from the Hon. G. C. Verplanck was received by me yesterday, enclos-
ing a letter from yourself, together with a particular reference to the Committee on Manufac-
tures, of which I am a member* of a subject very n^rly and deeply interesting to the Committee^
as well as to the farmeia a&d manufactufe9 of our b^oved country ; to wit, the subject of (2o-
mestic consumption. ,
You propose to him to refer it to me "jis one of perjofw and papers, properly belonging to the
Manufacmring Committee." It may do^ very weH as one of die ^^ papers properly belonging to
the Committee." But it wpuld seem. very dearly to me, that it is only the evidence of " one of
the persons** properly belonging, &.C., as you cannot have forgotten that the ** paper" had re-
ceived " an envious rent,'* which you say was ^ from an Adams Woman" Now this Adapts
Woman would appear to be more nearly ane of the ^persons, as possessing evidently the ability
of proving to the committee the facts in relation to this branch of consumption. But whether
or not this conclusion be strictly correct, another follows directly from a view of the " paper"
itself, and which it is passing strange you should have overlooked. The repair of this " envious
rent," you say, was immediatel/made *'bythe mostdeljcafe fingers that could be possibly en-
listed in the cause of the General l** This repair is manifest and presents of itself a delicate
specimen of domestic manui^cture, important to the comfort, economy, and independence of this
republican government. Now if it baa occurred to youj, that the object of the Committee is' not
only to procure useful specimens of domestic manufactures, but also the personal attendance he-
fore the Committee of the individual practical manufacturers themselves, that they may see and
learn at the same time, yoti dertainly would not have omitted to forward the names or name so
directly rendered materiaI,^to enable the Committee.^&^fully to discharge their important trust.
We have no news here. I shall at all times be extremely pleased to hear from -you by letter.
In much haste, I am very sincerely your friend, and humble servant, SILAS -WRIGHT, Jr.
Bketioneering^Mr. Clay a Mason of rank — Poinsetfs Mexican Masonry — Is L Q, Adrnns
a Masowf^-Martinddle on Slavery — Oulidn C, Verplanck,
[No. 154.] Gulian C Verplanck, M. C, to Jesse Hoyt, Albany. • ♦
Washingsojt, Jan. 2^, J^28. — Dea| Sir : I have just been told by a distiriguished Western
member that Mr. Clay is a Mason of rank. He has been in Lodges, Chapters, &.c., with him.
Cannot this be syusei With tJIhy's friends in our Western District, of'with the people, as to di-
vert that queatioii from^ mingling with the Presidential one ?*^
f •
* GuTian C. Verplanck shows no lack of tact in what is cabled electioneering. He,y^8 -theXvhig candidate for
Mayor of STew York in 1834, and came within 18rt voles of defeating C. W..Lavi:rence, thoiiffh the nrevioqs demo-
cratic majority had been 5000. He must be well advanded in years, fpr he was married by Bishop Hobatt in
1806. Many years since he was involyed in a dispute about Trinity Church whfeh did not increase his friendship
for Governor Clinton. As * Abiraeieck Coody,' iri 1514, he wrote powerful essays in defence of the war, and* at-
tacked Clinton wjth great severity— rfnd afterwards joined the bucktails against him. In 1898, at the Herkimer
Conventi<»n, he nominated Van Buren for Covemor-jHsuppo/ted Jackson for President— 6«d only joined the oppo-
sition when the bank veto and deposit questions came up, a^d the <?reat republican' party filed off to right and (eft
as whigs an^ democrats. He has be^ in Congress and a Slate Senator— is distinguished in the walks of litera-
ture—and, with Levi Beardsley ^ nd Ifainuel Young. Ka< proved himself a friend t6 his country bv his e%rt9 p) tx-
tepd the blessing of eauqiitton and ine^^M u«9fu2 ]MiQv/l9dg<e throug^^
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SLECTIONEERING WITH A VIEW TO THE CONTEOL OP THE SPOILS^-^LINTON. 209
Mr. Poinsett's masonic Inteifeif^ce in Me3d4»i| a0iw» ft miipAter appointed and supported bf
Adams, might also be used.*
I have written to Baylies to ascertain if J. Q. A. [John Quincy Adams] is not also of the pro-
scribed secret association.
i have not time to add mwe by diii mail. Suggest these matters to those who will use them
to advantage.
Mkrtindaie has made a singtilar display, reding » long senxAm against slavery, with great
emphasis and gestioalation. I am yours, G. (^ V.
JRegret9 Ciinton^s death-^What could we have done with kim ?^-^He might hine opp^ed Jack-
wn— Jlfy friend Lawrence»^Help Judge Hoffman,
[No. 155.] James Campbell, Sifrrogate, N". Y., to Jesse Hoyt, Albany^
Nbw York, February 22, 1828, — Dear Sir : I wab very much schocked when I heard ol Mr.
Clinton's death, and I confess to you, that I sincerely re^et it.
Important consequences are likely to follow from this event; but whether favorable or preju-
dicial is diffi(!tilt to determine. It was certainly a very embanrassing question to decide in what
way Mr. Clinton was to be disposed of at the ensuing election. He undoubtedly Mould have
been a candidate for Governor, and in this case could the Aepublican party .have been prevailed
on to support him 1 I am of opinion that they could not* Mr. Clinton then, finding himself
opposed by our party, would he or his friends cordially co-operate in the support of General
Jackson ? In such a state of things^ the probability is they would havje opposed Jackson, and
the intolerance manifested towards them would have been urged as an excu^ for their conduct.
By the death of Mr. Clinton this danger is avoided ; but then it may give rise to others not leqs
'serious and formidable. In the selection of a candidate for Governor, every kind of artifice^will
be resorted to by the Adams party,- to distract and to throw us into confusion : and it, is only
by effecting this that they have any chance of supceeding.t .
* Jo«I Poiniett of South Carolina wnt Consul General of tii« U. S; at Buoaot Ayccsf in 4813, and had hold official
•tation there for years " in the 84une h'ne of business (says the Baltimore Federaj Republicnn) as John Henry fol-
lowed in the U. S., viz ; sounding the disposition of the people, and ftoldin^ out encouraffement to disunion." Pfe
MHBs afterwards sent 'to Mexif o where he busied himself in the establishment of Masoitic Lodges, the chnrt«r8?er
Whieh ha obtained from the U. S. ''The Maxioana charged kim Vrith bein^ an artful disturber of their political sys-
tem.; and jn due time fia asaumedhis poperpMition as Martin Van Burettes war secretary,. .Poinsett began his
education in Connecticut, and finished it in London and Edinburgh. , , . .
t Mr. Clinton, whether in life cr death, was evidently a canse of'tmenslness to Van Buren and his followers. The
fbR«winf latter from Silas Wricfht to Martin Van Buien wns published in the Workioffman's Advocate, Albanjr,
Oct. 1830— and shows whal Weight's views were at the time he wrote it. Governor Clinton could not have nomi-
nated Heman J. Redfield as circuit judge of the western district, for he was one of the 17 senators who had set public
sentiment at defiance in 1834, to please VamButeil and elect the iatoleratit candidate. Crawfonl. It is one of Van
Baran's rales, that, as, by adherence to him, hia political friends may sometin^es have to act dishonestly and un-
justly t9wards the people, he (V. B.) will stand bv such partyiimlruments, if useful, and uphold them ngninstthe
people. It was on this monarchical prinei|;)le of Charles t and TT, that Wright spoke of Redfield. So, too, when the
people*s representatives removed Ftagg, Van Buren made him a P. M., aad ther»are hundred^ of similar cases.
LetttTy Silas Wright to Martin Fan Buren, Washington.
Albany, April 4th, 1828;
Mt DcAa SiK :~>The time for our adjournment is now fixed upon, and we shall .soon have done what shall at
all be done to prepare for our fiill contest. Much alarm and excitement is prevailing, not only here, but in New
York and elsewhere, from the course taken by 'Noah, and hy thtf allegations that some of us with yourself, are in-
elifdnif to join with Mr. Clipton against the Natiwiil AdiaimstratifNi. Tktfse allegations have been more or iasa
made for some time, but did not become loud or effective until the Advocate came out as you will have seen.
Many of our strong friends are fearful, and nearly all of them cannot under any terms be brought to join Mr. Clin-
ton, or to consent to cndenycrfYo sustain 'ouraelvto without running a oandtdate for GiayerhoT against Clinton . If
he aad nominated Redfield as Judge of the 8th Oireuit., Md taken any ground, the reault might have been diflfeieat.
but now I think it perfectly fixed. Mv object, therefore is to nifbrra yod truly what T think will be done; what
course I have myself consented to^ and what course will,''in aiy opinion, alone save us fVom an entire diyision and
failure at our next election. A caucul will be h^M by ««t friends in the Legiriatnre before oar adjournment ; the
time and place of holding a State Caucus will be fited niMn, to consist of delegates fraia the counties eqanl to
tbeK repi'esentation in the Assembly, dn addr^ recommending the holdings of so«k a aancas issued, and the de-
clared objects of the caucus stalted to be the nominstion of a 6«hrenior and Lieut. Oovemor. Thus, 1 expect we
shall leave this subject and this city. You will readily ask what man can we offn to such a convtention ? If
you should ask what men want to be offered, I eould answer you more eaailv. Tallmadge, Young, etc. But it is
much mori difllcul^ to say what maft we ought tvoflfer to such caucus, and through them to the electors. Your
colleague, [Nathan Sanford] howem, is mote talked of no^ by o«r friends than any other man. Tallmadge is the
candidate of a very few of the Adams men. but they would probably be pleased to exchange him for Sanford.
What may be the state of things next fiiH it is now impossible to predict, but if the feeling which we leave here
should remain; I think there is little doubt he will he nominated !>▼ oor .friends. We afe not unaware of the appear-
ail'ce which running him will give abroad, nor of the unpleasant skiiation in which you may suppose yourself
placed by this course. But my reflection and the appearaf»C6a in'^e State hare induced me to believe that no
other measures will he 'so likely to givef us the power of the Slate'when roost we sfaaH want it. I admit if we conld
hold our election without any leferenon to the question of Go«eraor,it wnutd prolH^bly be better (or us. But it is
perfectly sailed that if we do not get-up a candidate against Clinton, the Adams and Clay part of^ur friends will,
and such a candidate the great bedv of out political-frinnds t^roisghoQt the State would enfist themselves to^n-
' port affitnst Clinton. If then we-affreold fktnaCltnton, there wonld 1m «a nfieetnal split in our ranks which coali
not briiMled. H* we should not favor Clmton, our services would be Yecjuired for the opposite candidate, who-
ever he might be, or we should be equally luspected and opposed. Again, if we should not favor Clinton, his friendy
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ii04 ntSTSNDBl) ^ATEtOTS mTEMT ON l^tTBLIC mrnOSR.
My Friend Lawrence called on me to-day for the 6nt time since the receipt of the news of
Mr. Clinton's death : altho* pfevioiisly neareely a day elapsed wi^at his paying me a Visit; I
suspect he deferred his call until he had time to communicate with Washington. I was not Wag
before I inquired of him ^om we ahottld hate for Governor, when, as I expected, he promptly
answered, Nathan Sanford.
Whilst you are staying at Albany, may it not be in your power to make some interesi: with
the Lieut. Governor and Senate in favor of our friend Hoffman 1 Had Mr. Clinton survived,
there is good reason to beKevi», that he would have aonunated him for the office of Recorder ;
but under the present order of things, I suppose there is but little prospect of this. If, however,
the new Court should be established, mi^t not Mr. Hoffman have a fair chance of being ap-
pointed its Chief JtKtice, if proper exertione were made 1 Write me a leiter on the subject of
his prospects for this or any other situation, so that I may show it to him. If he could obtain
SOME coMFORTABU p^Aos, It would affotd me a great deal of satisfaction.
Let roe know when it is probable the Lieutenant-Governor will make his nominations. I en.
closed your last to Van Buren. Yours, respectfully, JAMES CAMPBELL,
AniuMtuonry^'^Sarmtoga doctdred to deatk-^Voie of the State — large Majoritie9 only UBeful
•^ the wore of Bete — Broome, a crazy County^Soutkuick &et up as a Decoy Duck — Sore re-
grete for the Iocs of Noah*9 SkcHon, as the Native candidate.
[No. 156.] Martm Van Buren, Govemor-elect of N. Y., to Jesse Hoyt, N. Y.
Albany, Nov. 8, 1828. — ^My Dear Sir : I thank you sincerely for your several communica-
tions. They have been a source of both pain and pleasure to me^-the latter on account of ibeir
contents, and the ibrmer on jiccount of the extreme difficulty I have had to make out what their
contents were. You would certainly correct this, if you knew how extremely painful it is to
your friends. I would have written io yon before, but have had no time to eat my meals* My
hou-'d has been run down by my friends, at one moment flushed with victory, and the next frig^-
ened out of their senses, and frequently without cause for either.
Laying the efforts of Anti-masonry out of view, and of which we have as yet not much be-
yond rumour, the Section has been a real old feshioned ninety^eight fight. Every where,.a8 far
as ascertained, we have succeeded in democratic counties by overwhelming votes, and lost m
counties that were formerly federal by small majorities. Saratoga was doctored to death if It is
lost, which is not- certain. The name of Adamo, and the character of the discussions, have brought
old feelings into entire and efficient operation. The result, according to my present knowledge
and belief, has been (under the circumstances) signally triumphant. The following vote upon
the electoral Ticket I regard as absolutely certain. If there are any mistakes in it, in your part
of the State, you can, of course, correct it. Queens and Suffolk, 1 ascertained. — Kin^ 1 do«-*~
New York 3 do. — Westchester and Putnam 1 do. — Dutchess 1 do.-^Orange 1 do. — Ulster and
SuUivnn 1 do.— Greene and Delaware 1 do.— -Schenectady and Sohoharie 1 do. — Herkimer 1
do. — Otsego 1 do.— Onondaga 1. We have otily partial returns, and they, are favorable. I can-
not think there is tbe slightest doubt of this County, Asqertaij^ed. Cdyuga 1 ascertained.'—
Chenanifo '>nd Broome 1 do.«-^Tompkins and Courdandt^ l, noi ascertained, but. without the
slightest doubt*— 17. . -
Now, I have not time to speak of the chances in the other districts; you must make them out
fronii the papers. For myself, I should think good, luck alone would ^ive us a few mora, «f)d I
shall be crgreeiously disappointed if.we do not get 20 at the very least. You need not belieVe
their stories, for they faavetnot the slightest respect for truth in most cases. We shall iherafure
woalrl net fnTor m in CmyTaw. Senate Mid AiMm bly ti«keter tke Mieoesy ia which woald be the onjv objeotln our
1 te h«v« a «a»dMa«r Sat Gmrntoor, 6kv»U w deeline to 8Uj>port ihe e:u)di(iatie run aguinst Clint^q be-
ooiiMB he MW8 friendty tu Adftms, thw wouU iMvHably iadoce the friendt of that cuudidate, two-thirds of wKttm,
M fiir at the BtnU it c«i«e«m«4. w*iildb« fri%nd», OAt only to run CongKess, Senat^ aod AssemMy tickeU. bat^
nin them pladj^ad to Afiamn. In may •vtot tHen, from thla iti^ of thingB, it dues appeur to me. that we should be
betweea twi» §i«a winliMt the least prasmctttf eaeRpio|r the flttmaa, mttead t^f bringing off the spoil. We should put
ouraalMs pveeisely wi tlpt ailnatioa tha maraiiata of thia State have Jbeen in for yean past, actin;; under colors not
ouMiwn, and lioiiif journey work. Hu| luppoae we take up your colleugue and make nim our own candidate.
He is here considered republieas ; by the Adatns nen he ia eoosiderwl an Adains man, and by us, in truth, not
much'xiifllereDt. Itiit %irouid not the very fact of taking l|iiii up, without reference to hiy feelings in regard to na-
tional polities^ and purely on th^groaodof deoMotaoy, draw aner it, as a necessary consequence, the acquisition
ofth« adminiaitrntioo sttength of this State, while tke auepUon of national politics would aU be drawn into a fbr-
mation of our Conneast Sen >it« and Assembly tieketsi * * * *.
Agiiin— I have tnoucht, and still think, taking the future prospecte for four years, of what wjll he the stAtaof
trntional politics, that (had rather have your eollMfiie fSanforaJ here a,s -Governor, than where, he now is, and
ahottld we have the power next winter, I thiak we oduld better fill that place for the future content. So much io
tbe most perfect hastes us my reason far eontenting and advising to the course I ha^e pointed out to you, ns to our
state election. If I am wrong, write me and tell me to*, a* frankly as I have given von this tedious, if I-(t[^ested de-
tail . [f you can [at J all concur in tfaeae views, pleaae endeavpr to influence your colleague to hold bimselrwillidg to
•erve his friends in the way here suggested. Bo Bok^ by this letter syspeot that any changes in iivy feelings, or
thuse with whom I have acted, has taken* placa favvfaMs to M«Hrs. Clay. Adams, & Co. It is not so. * * * *
You will consider this letter «» eatimlQr fmrriWestial * v * Withtevtinamaof the warmest friendship, I am, Me,
Digitized by ^OOQ IC
VAN BUPvElS S lOOS£ MptflL:»— SIlIS W&lGfiT A fiEFORMER . — NOAfT. 205
:.•..,.,-•,-• --..:-.. tX*''
have votes enough to put Jackson's election oat of all question, and WHAT IS OVER IS ONLY
1lflk)RTANTt>N tli«:WORl£€9a«TfiU» * ,...,«; .,
• ^ Ottr* €bv6moF ma4 ijWM. Ott«irf|or*s «ffvotitj» mI; '5c iwwiittmw TIm qa^ 4r.ta«iilift
Broomet (A^l^RAKY GW»TY) iiMv gi)i»»iM» > inwwittnimi^o<«^ yi>* hO%04.9»^ jJm^Jm*.
it i4 ktipfihMeA Witf ixk redace- tlrikb Sifery where I get the true party vote, and in many placet
Souihwick9 vote will be^large. W« sfasll.hsve nettrijr 3000 in Ulster and Sullivan, and be-
tween 1500 and 2000 in Gftf(igiP;>tliav« ctrtied otir SeQatirs ib 4 districts, and have a guod
chance to carry ^m -fi»-'tnait of iti^'etfteii.. 0«r x$t^na$jti in iw Afl^mblt «1|d|l W hs lai^ge
mJA dencabie. CmULem^o^ a^veJivwr^one; agtinit FmenAkxn, ntkwd jtnti^iBMMrff^, and
mntji (nmMtiffMwitb dM imtk. -i SOA^iLY B£GE&T Tli&LOSS OF^OAA'B KMC-
•TK)ii^J^S W«Ui A(» OH HIS €>WN ACOQUNT^-AS ON MCCOV^T OT TW^^MT
iil»£USCTION HAS BEBK TO. THK PARTY ; ^ut one p«int i> saided, viz : he mtmhe
'ntiiAA tint Aw frie^idit kmwr^tk^Ub^tfm^Vik matavatd a greai Mnm0^ ^td^f^mmmch
1tail^M>4 on ih utecmuit, I hope tken hiii yH 6e.«ir/tf tony fmwd mU pf Mtg, wvttHh^gtfor
JUmk I aliftH be down ob Twad«f. la^booicas tioc, 4how tiuv t» my fmadb 9$cMs^^Jfer-
planck, Hamilton, and Cambreleng. . Tell Verpknck I hav^aoddubCy^u Wa&ftacmclvAillit-
^iiiKi as be saysy and ^ qBite< cBi«lia'4hat grftii4HiV»aft inlich p!4ck m jmckmvg^ AcMfmber
'mJoMn.HDytk8aAteUevct»«4o^r • Yoiir% opnUally, Mk-V* aU&filfc
,, . [Jfo.vlS.?.] ♦ ^ JoVYanB\lu-ern t9^."Poyt,at Albe«?y.
,7 ^Ew Yoii«, Nov. 13, 'Io28'. — ^^Dear. Sir : YoU wjU confer a frvpr upon v^e,%ylidif\^^^tJuU
sinatl trunk in wftick Fa Reeps'TUs naluahle. papers, 2jc.,'.seht up to Mr. $utl6r's as soon ad .pos-
sible, i Jieglecte^ doing so when I le'ft.^ As far as returos^re rec^ive^i we I\ave\h]fee' Votes
certain in Bfary land,, with a clxance gf" another double dist^ct. Oiir 'friends here all cfaim C3^io,
, ^ith perfect^^conntlen«e. The returns firbm th^re af« very favqrable, JN6. TAN BV^ES^J
■♦. f. pf#.'«58.]-' ' • ••JMsrIdartirfrtotoftrHoyt.
Hm»dN, N«^r»mber 26, 16^.-*Dear Sir : I Urn anxiou* WMtii-Mr. Vvn Bwea C0«o«i tfche
*'• returns &om N^w Yorl^. WiU y<mi be.ao gfip^ as %o vpSDvp. me whether he has jts,i t^^prned ;
. aud iC not) d«>P i^ ^ ^ m aooi^ «» h^ fCU^ x^tivn. By sq doing, y 6a ^1 oblig^' '
' Your fuiezMj, Jl W. £DMpI)S;
^Prwidfnt Van Buren((pfM«K^tliifik «.U^peaMyor|»y ffUM pe^^S^a^lmllhvMNre of union on men and mmiuive,
..L- i„_^ ^_ i» Jafkwn M safe, and thp ehapce of the party to cltttch the plqfui^, t' * * *
of the least eonseqewtifie. If Jaf k«0n is safe, and thp ehapce of the party to cltttch the plqfu)^, thnuif k bim,
*' what is ovpr is eaty >in)i«itaiit left the loeA'df IMf/*' ObwlH^Hflift.'in bis message to tht fi«|is}Mftfi of New
(ftj M ily, il^ tJiQfft jivcifds i < : . «( , • f ,
"Another point of mndh mort seriens confplaint; i« IheAxtfl&isivfe a^d^pidly increasing pradf Ice of liUtiW'^non
4lMtioiM, niifftte iMeresled ahtf selfish, kod eottaptMlf MaAin«k<« Which It to'e^' iiftdo th^TelBetlAR HIeir. 'Tiese
''improlMe OBi^mcwinaH inflMMea bar* pui4e fbaoive^^imqilktt toi tbe yrhoia kMy ^ «ur ftaupmajiMl* ^sU-
» t9<#^ ^bapa (^almoit,untver»M comjilaiQt. upop^the {Ann^ to ^he ^9^^ l^ ar^ 4vU«ont«)UMU<y< ffpJiM,»nd
his ininS, Tjom'tbe moment his money is staked, aye closed agau^st aj-ffwivsnt, or reason, or examrnationf, iy^er as
to dhe onkstiMis mrolved. of the candtdotes presented fat his simrag^.^ Re must «> v(A«-Qnri to HfSt ii9fi>l9W his
* b«4; #«tt tka wsffare of the e«iu^l)r J^fl«Miiiu«aitaair«ly lamMnry eanshtenitioa. Hn AppealitiHiril^tf* ^HMMI be
r n9.y b«Mi t* enrt an infliipocp, lire t? s^ve hiiva^ finiK;i kiM, iumI h#]i» him to w^ii t|yi OMN^y of kit 4ipeMalt tMt
io ejamine and inijuire how thef may Ijcst servp their couiitry by their votes.'' ''"*•'
* ' ^t*b« snjgertfbh," cont'^nH^s Governor Wriglit. * fnokt HfceH'to «r1-e«€"f.he prtlcti*^ of bettm j, h ta i^'iAe Ir mn-
'^vMkki^eriiiiiitallr ; ta*iiN«^tl^ Pa^^ ^ ewrjr bMiiiMfe ofwi tk#nMi4t of Kireteetftm, to fodlMHMnt;«h«4)OB
k, opoa tlw fr«4«nd IMfitr «xer0M»dfth« kfeM«i#* fAnoiiistf : when its Mtoencato briu^tOl^ MMnier
.n4«Pftn«*jt*ire'Qf mowj- iata a W'tjs^' «<«v«*, «^ tp awijF it ttnd«rth^.4es|t«r<4te itii|>i|is#.aCa jMi)»ikitm>Mbiire
considered, I ci^nnut doubt tha^ the moral anjl poJiticiU juiiapt ofike ^vii \t\l\ £uU^,jv{sti^ its oiisfi^catkNiV a
cHnrte and its pohishmerttai such.'* ' ' f^ . -'■..■-.-%<^w
tlf Brppme %»!«» crazy, Peter RoUinsonj |f r represcptativp, was fluite 4i»creet, .He sat as 9p«akwoC tlMMs-
•embl^ in 18^. nnd ndver miraed a bunk division cTUrin^ th)S session, but uniformly voted against ev*ry sa^tv-Aind
' fcha»ter,intbe«MikofVanIlUf««'«»d*icew * ' ♦ -^ . ^
jTbava pttK^eJthis not* n^ of 1938, biit ft may be 1^2. orhny other ye'i/, after the N'j.vQmI>er jeamfifiin ia
"Ke^ Yoi*. Wiikthe AiictloiieeTs^wioitty, an e1«o(loiieerinfr lax lerrec^ b* the>i>iv In nower.' fr«m'fflfiY*8fiM of
; >]Mr$«ios« becoiMi priv'higidf HuotiiMn iffti»«etv'shRi|» and doMahfti* coah.cfetis. Mcc >W^ ihn 9t}()09«A to
Digitized byVjOOQlC
50C VAN BtJEEN TRUSTS IN 0^ PBOVIDBNCE !— HIS FUTEND BUTLEH.
iLC., the end of all which is, that I am niot to-UfBtUJi tn lh» OMnwf I mpp<mA, OltliB fiDO
»^I4WMUK^iM9<&iittJMraii^fttoBi«$ia6i««d ifr«i^li«ve tlie wM«,^ any part of that
/«iiMi^I«i8k]iMtotak»o&ttofai^aaft«,a»yoii«aa» Tilk wttlv Campbell. • . *
Yi^ura^Aic., J. A. HAj)m*5rc*J*
[N«. im.\ OulUtt e. Ve?pkiiM»k> M. €., l» Jmbo H<qrt, «t Kow Yak*
{taloMtffc, WMhiiigtoa Hoc. in,] IdSi^.^h^vmhm a oontoibiitNMi fix the Major [Uotk.i
^wkaktwrtke 6i Mr. Ifctbert I received tftis momiiif, and iMogMiethcriui ahand whii^iiritoc
: «riuioiitti« the Major's 4u» mtito woMLoiotet,' but tbnn is.a Wavnoi oi«lodar in> 5^ tfikie,
^ nMflh will txpUtin to jnhi. it ia not bxiy Vf^ tl»t Mn H. toied for the n/bolt^^ekmm
4Am in tiw 5<h vaffd, Uit he did it innoe nm«iiig, and the» observed that he waa no v gtimt ^ver
to ^UaMieii, tHt to-moirow he would v«t» in the first ward^ for all ^ Jackaoft raaihiktns
\ wkmft Aidenaao Obra» whom be coukl nef awaUow. Tht^IwiU wmear te. Pleaaa eonuiuuii-
irioaie it «> die National Advocate. / > •
Viha is te he Mayor 7 Poor ^AAanB [tmmifii Ae tbea Pfeaident vi the U. 8.] leoka'so
we fl 4 ega ne ^ and siclc th«t every body ptties him. He is wholly altered in peraon and appnr-
auce. . . Yours, G. C. V.
*■ ■ ■ m . ' ■ ■■ ' .
INo- IW.J Governor Van Buren to Jesstf Hoyt,^at New Y9rk, ALiAHf, Jan. 4, 1899.
l|Cy bear Sir : Vou need not, I think,, hove any apprehension about the message. The, earliest
aHow^b^e moment will be embraced to send yott a Copy ; but that canioot be tis soon as yoa de-
aiiie.' I thank you kindly for yonr letter, hfid teg you to write n^ alwuys with eqtal freedom. I
cannpt consent to contribute by any act of mine to the prevalence of fhat'gieat political vice, a
d^eire io shun responsibility, i shall do the best I dan in whatever relates to my office, md leawe
the result to PROVIDENCfi $nd the Pa«vl#» vgvQMtt^r me kindly to Mre. if. and believe
MB «• be very sinceidly yvuriaend* .^ '. Jil. V.,£yKfiN.
'Boes our IHcn* L. Smith know that Judge Swa|itoh Ifaii been re<?omTnenafed by the elite of
thp party, in N«w York ? I presutne it |s underitdod by him'imd alfour fnendt. I dv not H€
i»w / ccm Ofooid the appointmeiit,
[^Ne. 162.] Governor Van Baren to Jesse Hoy t» at l^ewYqdt.
HL^iiivTy Jati; 15, 18^9. Do me the fkvdr to find out the reshfent;^ ttMt. Forman* ftmfg^ the
' tndoB^d' to htm; You may ascertain it from Mr: Newbbld, or C«(tUn; or Chan6i^libr^nit
Btitler and the Attorney Genefalehip-^the Clinton BilU^Coddington^s adtico — WesUrveU^ Ha-
^ vtii9,M^k9r-^i>^tic9fiiVk4i/ifm^Pkfik^
[Ka 169] Govisfnor Van Borea t* Jesse Ueyt, N. York*
Auun^, Feb. 1, 1839- My Per Ski lMin- dia iW iB se d bylK>wngo^Baccomitaef yniraflhua
^ im New York. When will the Repuj^licran P^rly be mnidc sensible of the ^ndispci^able rteees-
' aity of^minating ^0Qe but^rue and tried ine«L,a».that iirh^ they succeed they g^ki son)ethiiig?
1?h»attaa flame that is plftyhis JWith yen wis in a iegnaephiydd hen on the nomiMttiiMi of At-
teVMBf ^tieral. The only peraonttl eiMecti&k that muo rtittdo io itfr. Bulter, tBa^ M# dondutl
Uti winter in regqtrd to the Clinton iill, and 1 believe th^tevery Clintooiin ia bQth hboaes
vnisd nflaii^ himi except ChaHea Uviagaton, of whose vote I am advked. Mr. B. depended
' i^tfft y«ar eky vote, and would httwt succeeded if he had got it. Cjrgttl, AnMrfd, AlBlttlfuai ind
Mr. JUlen* voted for blip— *beyond that nothing ia known. I must insist upon you not mawion-
itt(g my Jianie in connection with thiaaubgeet in any femu 3iaiee U n point, if you pbMOOr40.\M
iN^ii»M2 frknd COE«)INGTaN, md oaf to him that! hmi¬ keen abie ib ftUow fiivU'
•^ in rehtion to th$ Health apMtntmenie, and hope to aatis^ fiim when I see him that I have
dona lifht The dahns of l>r. WestwYelt w«re^ tnkinrlU things inw thn aoeount» decidedly
thn atvDiiflaat, and mveh was due to the rehttioi^ in v^hi6h he stood to Gchrernor ^sra^^Uns,
eipntilally fbom ^ne who knew so we^ what tbe latter has done and sneered for this State. I
ahoald fiwever have reproached myself if I couW have refused so small a tribute to his memory.
Tp^eahi^t il a gentteman and a man of talent; of a Whig Family, and a IfcmocrAt from Jris
eiradtel He was three years in the Hospital and five yeara Deputy Heiilth •Oflicer».vntil Ue wts
emelly removed through the instrumentality of Pr. garrison, who to |py knowledge, owed his
, ippfMlltBsentto the unwearied and Incessant persev4iaQce4if Governor Ton^^ Bavenskas
^a»n,*^ the.nlfttion'hat a ye^ and has never seen aoaee of yellow fever in his life. AH that I
nnnld 4# fisr Wm (and he hae not a better ^nd In the worldj was to satisfy myself Aat Dr.
Jg^^rvelt ai4 the Board of Health wonld retain him in his present station. J cannot disnUaa
Vff, SiN^*. His extraordinary capaeity is'ttniveraally admitted ; and his poverty, and misfor-
tane inn^ard to the new Medical College which he bronghk tnto-eaaieiMe %tft^led^ «l^ get i
olno^ in it, hae excited a sympathy for him with medical men in all parts of the State of impre.
Digitized by V^OOQIC
' TW GBEAT SALViTlON ' OF MAECY Tilt UOCTOR. y. BU.?EI^ U Cp. SJfT
Vdertted cieteikU Mc. Clint^ii wi^ «o seoflible of it that he oqce actually nomiaated. ymipr
Jkeakh^ffiem; vui wai upon^e pomt of doiiijt U a^affi the *ery week Yrhenlie Vlfe^, ; J(K/^-
jilAvai t/ ma<2ie cpu2(Z o»^ he .placed ^ political grounds, ai^iSt as^ 7l$^ tpat a tealoik Jaefewn wlM^
M« Imt ^lt>€titm thai C9uld «•< have been done without danger, ^ ■ ' i
Bwikr fc^to lew than a»y of his frien(|8. Yours truly, Iff, V. BURBK.
I hf4 pammJmd n»K to intficfere aacl did not.
The Time to atrih for VbctHington. ./ * *
(No«Ifl.} C,C. Camb«leivtoJ.Hoyt.-tWASBi»Gxoj!j,7i?'eb.,1829* Dear ft.— liiav*
yonricfSer for tlM Major [Noah J wba h^s not yet arrived— when ha doea he shall have it.
Wkmrtke Ifwa OMiea le alri^e. there w no vam for whom I would do mora than for our'fVieW
Mr. C. [Coddington J none deaervea more than, he d(>ej»«t You are mistake^ — Ohio is for it§tlf,
I ein^t nAonr tahear the. result of yuui haUoui^j[s. V^ ry truly yours,
C. C. CAMBRELENG.
Van Bureris Neutralitif — D^t^g placed on the hfuch tvt^axfi km from rUitir—A physician aif|?ef
Van Buren^e party, and is paid with an office! — Pitcher, how dangerous I-^Vr, 'liP'S'ever^^
Jacob Barker.
[No. 165.] CbveriMir Vtn Bum lo. J««ie. Heyt, ». Y. Au^vy, Feb. 8, 1829
Dear Sir — It is impossible to judgje oof|;ectly witl|oat>- vJQW ef the whole ground, ^ome two
,0f lhree«week8<befofe,the meeting^ of the Legislature, Sudam. by letter f^q\ie^ted my 1iei|t4^ltty.
Lahewed il te Mr. Butler, and, with his approbation^ replied, ^tbat, I would consider ^t rny duty,
under all circumatancea, not to ipteriere. Bropson*s friends bad the addr^sa.to push Dudt'ey into
tilt Senatei.aiid MARCY WAS SO SITUATED THAT I MUgT MAKE HIM A JUDOE
OR RUIN |1IM4. Theaa ciroumatancea g«ve coler to the clamour about Albany dictation, which
il beoama necessaxy to reapeat. Ifo one waa better aatisfied than Mr. Butler of the iii)p9licy and
yoaicive impropriety o( vtf iaterfereiioe, aa msttera stood. My friend' Campbell is certai^y
wrong if he blainea ipe. He yrtm aa aiuipoa tq have Manley retained as to have Hitchcock ap.
poialed, and the amount of bis advice, therefor^, was, thaLl should give the two most valuable
«0IQea to two old Federaliata Who never acted with us t,ill last fall^ and that to tbe exclusion of
n fovng mftn who, with all hia conn^^Bona^ jhaae been Republicans in the' worst of times — mHio
^a already been sorely Kersevate^, md whose firvmees SAVED US AT THE HERKIMER
CS0NVBNTION-r/ar, kaid iKnot httUrfor the fearless and prompt st^nd taken 6f Dr. Wes-
tstmelt aftv tks fimt informal halhin t^TCHElt WOUl^D UIjTDOUBTEDX'Y RAVE
ttSfiN' NOMlNAT£iD.$ After ^U it i» ^fi^y doubtful wheither be g^4s' through the Sen^ie.
t A frteno in Nevf Toi]c, who was well informs? on many points, at these times, t^lismi thkt Coddington-^ti^elkad
ten a gtotfer, besides being eoncerited in st)eeulttti<Mis with and fof (Jia pa>ty leader*, Mt admiacsd 4 kaiTy ffum
cMh, with certain pftmiisci, when, Ifcc. , •>
} trVan Buren saved Marey fK^tn rpin by ttialifi^^lnm cflepreiM OourCJn<t«e, Man;^^ g uli w al w l WtteWw<%a|wiie-
I tb have'been borfmlleM. On the Ijdh of Ooft iaR9.'Mff. N. f . TaUoittdge Mntmk • ieClar ^f^y^ ^
froM 9ott|hka«|Mia, aa foQowa<->"^: I.havf stated on difiereat^ «ccasiQl^, Uuii jfrevmie to tiie e^tr^ tefsion of
C^q^iess vn^ IS&i^ you adviied me, at Riy housa, to oppose the Sjib-T^surv scheme, if Mr. ytin'Bureh should
recommend it; that afUr the extra Session, oiA fcoani or tire iteamboat, yon apnrATed of My coarae le d^Npekinf it,
and condemned Mr. Van Buren^s in reeemBModiaa ik,..aa4kfaiil that yon would not endorse it in your messoge to
the L^slature. Such opmions I also andcntand you freely expressed to others. I wish you to say, wbeihar
Tou deny tfaa truth of thoahova itateoieet, or wliefliar, Ja the allele, ia tbo Al^J Aijrus of the 14th inst., tou
have authorised or intended a denial of it. N. P:,TALLJIi4lK3E.'^*
* Ifr. TaUma^go.also wrote to Levi Hnbbel), wtio had 1>een adiatant-geOeml,' by Marey's apboihtment,. to state
«7lmt he knew, ^a replied firom lihaea. Get. 19, "mar Sir • « * fw^a in NawYofk at rim «to«iof tho
oxtra aeasion ia 989f, and kfio«r that €k}y. M nm was thero, and letvraad #Doa i^ftor. ^ f^w 4l|y» afttr his fflfira
ao Alfraay,Jia udi me« at bis houiv, tbai^ be tkad ratoraed iii<the boat with yoa; and be then exj^ressed much cra-
tificatiaa at the course punned by youiseifand the Conservatives in'Congress. He at the same time, strongly ^nd
openly eondemnefl the Sub-Treasury »chefne reeommendsd by MV. Vt^n tturen, and exftraued biavHaiHaliwrtion
at' the eontse of the VfToshki^on Globe and iha laadin{t Loco Foeoa in this fitate During th«t #Stra aeai^ ^nd
' aftar it, I had sovrral oonvaraations with Ooy. Mnscy,, in ail of which he expressed the same views. Jtlu, opttionB
wero froely «»de known to any of hit poiiUcai friends who. were near him. I was not then a state oa<!er. otit I
know that a difference of opinion existed betwedn th^ state officers' in reference ^o the t^b-^Treamry SfthMhe, 'and
Gov. Marcy iecMe4 io me, tKai on file r^otfiwA ofUkM »pmaA McaMiv AaAsd^ m pnstn^e^ mfefi tf HwtafME-
■ " " '- t£VaiiyBB^L|^'^
. AoVr. Mareymade norsply; oMoUna hoadpitted^that M ^, . , ^ ^ . nm-c^-r^
conduct. Yet Marcy camis out strong in his next annual message the other Way, and the Argus abused Taffinadfe
for conduct which had privately received Mnrcy's high a * "" • •■ "
itate to do, to sectete powor and intfaMne/tnider Pbkk I
^Mark well Van Buren'i loaguaga. He tells hia creature, Hoyt tb»t VVesterveU'a "fir
pmventinff tho nomiaatioo of Pitcher as Ijeut. ffovernor. V^^9«ei was a buckUul, luid b^n
aad, as Batle»elsewharo writes, was a rigidly Aoi»««t mun« It was his hi^h i^hnracter, greul
firmness SAVED ITSV by
~ a member of Congress,
, tttfaaan«<
„ . ligh i;iinracter,greut kindness or disposition,
popolarity that had aohiavad aiiceas^ in 1836. .and inven to the pprtx Ute executive patrona|^ of
«oWsod hHtt of pnlitioal sin ; hia measures while .acUiig as gov9rD9r^ h^ pleased an ckiMtes; ^^ni
hii appoinliiienta (ai^ Hammond) had been snch as would have done hon/jr to any executive.^* £vea the (Wven
lieRv aa MQ0,. wbidt oheycrt Vaa BareB*a n«d to set tibia ablf, vjceU-tcie^, and patriotic atatesnuin trndfyrmSr aside,
and to name Lavver 1%|«ai|^ pfSjVm ■!>.l»H»PA»%«*'«f ».V4 m^^ ni)toiohn Vaa Buren ^iocaj "tQtXa any
body's dirty work," anafitmok«/y voted htm (Pitcber,^ the tSankb Vr (lie aeriiocrucy of the state, fb^Thctniegrity
Digitized by ^OOQIC
'SOB V. BITEEN REPOBM— GULL THE MANY ;'TUE SPOILS TO TllE FBW;
Mt, toencti is eo-operaliq^ with the opposition in the Senate, ani all the M cnemieg of
fM^fm, to ttt him rejected. About one-third of the Senate 'Art abeent, and the probabHiQr
kl that be will£iL If bo, I ahaH not nominate Ha vehi. I have been ^«ry friendly to him, and
higre dpM all th«c was necessary to secure him (with good' conduct on his part) in fats preMBC
place, and I can never lend myself to promote the views of those who coalesce wiA our«iidinies
to sacrifice Republicans, who stay at home, and trust to their 'friends that they BMy get their
places. 1 should not havi given ManUy the office originally if J could have found a competent
JSfepjubUfun ta take it. But being co;iipetent and poor I could not think in proper to re-
mote otie Clintottian Jackson man to put in another. Dn Meifeven waM his ofdif eampetiior.
Tarig^ee ' ha9 had as litde to ^o with the matter as you have, and less th&n Mr. Bloodg^od, or
about as much. J regret thd state of affairs with you. It will work itttlf elmr in tiM end.
The geaerfd remedy is an altahition of the time of your charter elections.
Believe me to be, ver^ sincerely yonr friend, M* V. BURSN.
Barker yesterday presented his formal complaint against the Recorder. He behaved with
^ gl^at poxpriety ; yon niu^ say nothing of my views in regttrd to Havena.
' ^ PbsitiUuterCoddihgUm^etUneoriMgfmriketifieeXfi^hgot.
' fPfo, 166.] Jonathan I. Coddingtdn to J. Hoyt.
, "New Vdrs, Feb. 13 th* 1829. — Dear Hoyt : I have seen Al. Coe, he hiis signed in yowr hrw,
'/locking fivQ innd he infarms me there is no doubt of your getting the eight that Voted for you
, in coucuft^aiid in addition I hav6 ho doubt you will get Lee, which is all that is required.
J You no d^iubt fPincTiiEjt^r what I told you three Weeks before ike election of Mayor, That
1 J^icnt musi/diid should be the Mayor — that I seldom failed in: tif hat I undertook in earnest
^ ^particularly fur other pr'ople— bow it wffl be wifh myarlf \ knov^ iiot)r in the tooy bf poHtict.
The result will b« thi^ iu the end. Tou'll be Diirtrict Attorney and Shermaii Clerk. Notk's
having gone to WuHhir^^tun, several of thb^e who voted for him in caucifs-haiv left him, trader
the iiiiprtssiort hp will get something there. Ais olaimsare certainly far-greater than Sherman's
end [ Hve not the ieitat doubt he wo\ild haye succeeded but for this impression. You mayrrst
Assureti 1 abi^il leav*: nathiag undone that can be d<me fifirly and honotabty to promote yoor tn-
ten^sL Gtneral DufTGrecn was elected Printer to the RoufleoQ T^inuday by' a majority of two
v^tes, and Geueral Jnckson was in the nei^boitiood and expected in Washington on Wednes.
day. I ob^rve thac ^ur friend Silas Wrtght, JK £st)., has reached Albany. I want ]nMi to
gi) with Cargilt and Arnold tO the Chancellot, to Judge Maray,-4he ComptTotWr, and Semiiry
of gt:ae. If thf^y du not like to sign my naked application, you'll please draw up a joint letter
for iketTi ta gig^ in my fa»or^ addressed to our two Senators in Congress, stating they, are per-
sOTudly acquainted with me, and recommending me as a suitable person to fill the office of Sar.
*n|f ^ni ImepscioT of the Port of New York, Thi^I want ypu to attend to without delay, as
' "tkff may gftt commiiced. Recoiled thatT. L. Smith (the Calhoun man,) is a candidate*— don't
l^vniin ifr his friends know that I am an applicant nmil after w« get all the signera w* can. If
any thing of interest occurs I will write you again. Your? truly, J. I, CODDINGTON
Sktnday Minting at St, Tammamy-^Nsw York Polities,
riTo. 167,1 Postmaster Cpddington, to Jesse Hoy t, at Albany.
SUNI>AV winning, New York, Feb. 16» I8i)9.— Dear Hoyt: We had afi^ meeting TmS
ittorning at Head Quarters-^Alderman C. of the first was theie^-^Lso Judge O. (I mean his
^brother Jesse,) Ci^pt, Cofflh, &c. &c. We ha^ ynder consideration the Major's letter fi«m
Waafauigton, which you'll see in ti^a morning's Enqhirer-^ahBo your fioihination for District Au
' tmey. -Alderman Gebra declines signing aAy paper, but says they know where to End him,
i nnd ia* willing to go into a ballot immediately, and >rould votf for you.> Cobnel Robert Arnold
of New. Jecser ditjed- with me to-day. £[e is j^^t arrived froin "Washington, and informs tne
' tiyitthepe 10 no d^ttbt of our friend Governor Van Buren's being Secretaiyof State.. I bnvt
availed myself to write thus much in titnc to «end yin 'Ihrongh my neighbour Gideon Tucksr,
¥^ leaves h*^ this morning, for ATbany,^ \^cry rfcspectfuMy, dfco. J. I. CODDINGTON.
and ability he had displayed as lieut. governor ; and whetf fbey Jiad napithrad Central Root** resolution to eon-
. ti/^Ufi ifi^oJB&ee the man who had thus f iver^ uniy^sal satisfaction, they v»ted for £nos T. Throon as his successor ! !
Is i( 1^ Evident Aat T^ri^op was secret!^ seleeled'by Van Rnren nnrd the regency as n conTonieftit instrsroent for
, n»gulatitiff fixture state election^ thrduyh a cBtfiii or banks, CotttrblWd by c<iunly Jitntds of greedy politieknt his
rreatnres, so that no one would be appotnted to office but thertoZ nohnfnees of the Van Buren, Rutler, Hovt,
. Wrifjbt atid Stephen Alhw cabal 1 Co). PHcher nerer forgot the tfeaHierr tind irtgratitnd* thut inaaile«t«4 by
VaiTBuren, whose steady and conscieWtious suppd^ be had Mtlierto been. Th« Morf &n •xeitonmt was fiuhied
hv V&n Buren, who was ft the bottom of SduthwielTIt noAHnatldn. Servet) as his deeoy, to dnw off tnm
ThWmpson fho^e we^ertk linH-mn»OBi8 roters wH* weald i»bt »bf>iK»rt bfm tV. *) H* fV. B.) bad "Jlaoe* vliotA
,W.^^lft to catch for iiiii»ifii«»^^i,^«i^^ijny|aara^ . ^^
Digitized by V^OOQ IC
.An Old Hunker #/ Tamnumif, ^Uetwnepring Jm- a f<U Qfice.
(Ntu 168.] Jonathan I. (Mdiagum* tp Utm Hoyt, at* Albany.
Ksw York, Feb. 20th, 1839.^D6ar Sir : I asi in laccipt «f your fitvon of tha 16th and 18th,
aad am pleased t^ leani that Mr. T. L. Smith la «ot aa appiicant*4)utxeally I dkm't underBtand
■ tba impropriety of getting the enpport of oor ftcpshlioaii F^iaods in Ibe Lrgielatura, whether
from. Town/>r Coontry. It is not a new thing. I ha've known it to be done both in this State,
«iid also in other States^ by persons applying for offices ander the General Gevenunent. I re-
member signing for the friende of several of the Cooatry Members the winter I was at Albany,
.bat if I recollect right I told yon my at^ect in getth»g the Country Members tcaa not eo
much with tl^e view of etrengihenpitg wte at, U wmt $o prevent othere from gelling Ihent* I
. ahill be perfectly satisfied with any course yen and my other friends may think proper to adopt.
Befoia4he receipt of your last letter I saw AL O. of the Ist on Change yesterday. He asserted
boldly that he would support you fer District Attoraey. He cannot nor dare not baek out. I
called to-day at Coe*8 to know if any more bad signed* bnt he bad net the paper, and informed
me that the Recorder had it — and I intend to sea it to-morrow, (would to-day, but for the vio-
lent snow 8torm^-^t least 12 inches hoe fallen since morning,) and endeavor to get the 9 to
sign, and I think there is no doubt of getting that number. I observe you wish it kept a secret,
that our friend the Governor is goin^ to Washington. Why even our opponents know it here.
. . . . As I have got Allen and Bogardus, would it not be we\\ enough to get our other
two Senatoi:8 from this district? — This I leave entirely to youio do or not to do. Muir (Gen-
eral) tells roe that Arnold told him that he had got the Chancellor on, but as you say nothiog
, about, tho't perhaps he was mistaken. If he has not signed should li^e you to get him. . .
1 have one more favor to ask you — let meknov^ the day that Mr. Van Buren will probably leave
Albany for Washington. Your friend* J. I. CODDINGTON.
[No. 169.] In a long letter of Feb, 23d, 1829^ J. L Coddington aays he baa had a eon-
fidential letter from Waslungton, announcing who the members of the Jackson Cabinet were,
. bids Hoyt take the list to Gov. V. B. — sthen winds ap-— ^' I have la renew ray request- in mine
of Satorday, which is» that you'll aasertain aa near aa you can what time Mr. Van Buren will
leave Albany."
' " F. 8. I open this to say that my Washington letter says that the general opinion was that
General Jackson meant to take [care] of his friends. J. I. C."
Jamei A. Hamilton declaree hinuelfa good and true SlpoiUman,
[No. 170.] James A. Hamilton, Actinffiec. of Stats, to Jesse Hoyt, at New Yoik.
Department of State, [WaahingtonJ March 10,^1889. Dear Sir: I have with Measure re-
ceived your letter. As to Mr. Duer, I will say to yoa, aa I said to his brother-in-law Mr. Ban-
ner— *< While I am not called upon to m&ka an efigrt to displaee Du6r, his conduct on an oc
casion ^f great ^Deling and delicacy, (the controversy with Mr. King about the * Hamilton Pa-
pers,*) was not such aa to ooeasion regret io ma if ha should tooce his office, or to induce tne to
turn a finger to retain him.** / agree with yon entirtiiif m the prepriety of making ehangee
FOR THE REASON YOU SUGGEST.
With very great regard, your friead and senraiu, JAMBS A. HAMILTON.
An Application for Off^e^^^ery tri^ answered,
[No. 171%] Mr. Sec. Ingham to Jesse Hoyt.— Washington, 11 March, '29.— Dear Sir: I
have received yours. The District Attorneys have nsaaUy been recommended by the Secretary
of the Treasury— but often the applications have been made direetly to the President. As to
ihe several particulars noticed in your favor, I oan only say that it becomes us to speak rather
in action than by words, lest the latter may be misunderstood — the former cannot be. Excuse
short letters— necessity Compels me to be very brief. Yonr> sincerely, S. D. INGHAM.
ShaU 1 « get aniftUng in the general eerwm^for phmder ?"-^* Fmh like a iltwr»— aiK with
the Adame nmn !
W[No. 178.], • Samuel SwartiMmfi sdirice to bis sQeceesok*. J. Hnyt.
a-hington, 14 Msrch, 18«9. My Dear Jeseika : Your very beautiful and intire interest-
ing letter of the 8'h was received in due eoarsaof law. I h^ldto pmr doctrine fnlly, that
NO J^ D RASCAL WHO MADE USE OF HIS OFFICE OR ITS PROHTS for the
purpose of keeping Mr. Adams in, and Gen. Jackson ont of i»ower, is entitled to the leaet Uuiiy
ef mercy, erne that of hanging. So we think both alike on thut bead.
WHETHER OR NOT, 1 SHALL GET ANY THING IN THE GENERAL SCRAM-
BiJi: FORr PLUNDER, remains to be proven ; but I rather gueee I shall. What it will be is
not yet soaertain; perhaps Keeper of the Bei«en light honsa. I rather think Massa Pomp
•tnidM iman chMce oTiEQiil aon^^
Digitized by V^OOQ IC
Your man, if you want a pUoe, is Col. Hamilton. He being now the aecowi officer in th«
Government of the Union, and in all profcaWitjr, our next Pjreaident. Make yeuf 8«it to him,
tften, and yoa will get what yon wmnU I know Mr. Ingham alightly, and wonld recommend
yon to PUSH LIKE A DEVIL, if yon expeet any thing from that quarter. I can da yon no
good in any quarter 4if the world, having nigifty little influence beyond Hoboken. The grant
goers are the new men ; the old troopao being all spanned and ringboned from previous
hard travel. I've got the hots, the fet-loak, hip.joint, gravel, halt and fonndeia ; and I aasnre
yon if I can only keep my own leggs, I shall do well ; but I'm darned if I can cany any wei^^t
with me. When I left home, I thought my nag sevnd and strong, bat the beast is rather hio.
ken down here. I'll tell you mere nbout it when I see yon in New Yosk.
In seriousness, my dear sir, your support taustoome from Mr. Van Beuren and Mr. Col. Km-
ilton ; I could not help yon any rnqre than ymir eleik ; if I had theability, rest assured I would do
it without prompting. Tell Robert Sands that I am olended with him ; he promised to write
to me and Mr. H. on business, and he has not done it.- My best respects to him. I shall be
home in two or three days. Till when, do all you can to improve your fortunes, afnd believe
sincerely Yours, SAM. SWARTWOUT.
[No. 173.] ' Senator Dudley, to J. Hoyt.
Washinoton City, March 14, 1829. My Dear Sir : I have been fiivored with your esteemed
letter, dated the 9th inst. In reply to your queslion, I will state, that from no other person ex-
cepting yourself have I received any commanica^ion touching the office of District Attorney.
Mr. Sanford tells me he has also received a letter from you, and that the office in question, the
bestowment of it, is with the 'Dcpartnicnt of State ; Mr. Van Buren will, of course, have much
to say in it, and to whom you observe that you have written. There will not be any removals
from oJB^ce before the Senate adjourns, at least from offices in your city, as I am informed. It
was expected that we should adjourn this day sine Hk; but we' meet again on Monday, when
there will, I have no doubt, be an absolute adjournment. The appointments are all announced
in the papers — ^the lew nominations leh to act on are of a military nature — Brevets, &c. With
great respect, I am, dear Si9» yoor faHhful and obed*t servk, CHAS. £. DUDLEY.
Suiler thinks Hofi maiy Htm Vtm Buren against ssfiee-seekers he cannot depend on, Ws bttwU
ed for Jackson token we meant the Spoils /-
[No. 174.] Lorenzo Hoyt to his brother Jesse. Albany, March 17, 1829. My Dear
Brother : I have received your letters of late — those on the subject 6f District Attorney among
the rest, and I have seen and read the one to Mrs. Butler, It seems to die to have b^en labor
lost, for At the last conversation I had with her about the Washington expedition, she seemed as
firm in her opposition as ever. What they will ultimately conclude about it, I don*t know ; they
will probably some to no determination at present, i also saw your letter to Mr. Butler. His
opinions and feelings had undergone a great change about the District Alftorney matter tsivike
he saw you. I met him in at Mr. V. Buren's ^turday iCfternoon, and the conversation be-
tween us thr^e, who were alone, Jtcciderttly turned upon that subject ; and Mr. Butler then ob-
served, that he began to think quite diflferently about it ;■ and he now says, what I could not but
think he would say, that he can do nothing for Dner, He thinks your last letter places the
suhject on a strong ground ; and thftt au<b a rgu menta, addressed to Mr. Van Buren, would be
very apt to kindle a proper feeling of resentment AGAINST A SET OF MEN WHO HAVE
NOT IT IN THEM TO BE HONEST AND TRUE TO H^M. Mr. Van Buren observed,
on the occasion that I have mentioned, that he had a letter firom you 'that morning, and that you
had set about the matter with a very determined spirit. I further understood him to say, that
he should not interfere, especially to save thier. 'Before much had been said oh the subject we
were interrupted by persons coming in. I am a good deal surprised that Mr. Van Buren can
be neutral in this, and that he wiU not lend the utmost weight of his influence to displace from
office such men as John Dusr, He' ought to be satisfied by this time, that that class of men can
never be his real or pretended friends, any fhrrher than i^ necessary to promote their own inter-
est ; but strange as it may seems I do beHeve that his feat of the effect of such a measure, is
the only motive that would prevent his conferring on W. A, Duet, any office within his disposal,*
You will probably see him when in New York, and you ought then to * preseht your ^ews to
him in the plainest manner. If we hture. been ttnif giuig'for the success of Jackson and the ac.
*Wilii«in A.Diier,^cseiitIy fvesi^ift ofCelambiti Cbll«ge, N. Y*., is ajpr&ndson of Lord Stirling, one of the
most eroinoot of tbo AnMricaii generals during the wapof the revoluUbn. Hi* father, Colonel William Daef/m&r-
ried Lady Catherine, Lord S's-daushter, and was a ipember of thaCongri^s of I77B, and a sigoer^if tiieJnt IMer-
al eenstitation. Witllam married the Hon. W. DenntD2*s younges^ daughter, at Beverley inDuicbew ceuiit|^in
Bept. 18U6; was a federalist, and one of the leaders in the gfeat anti-war meeting in tfi^t county, Oct. 7, ISlCat
which Philo fma^iUj William Sard, WiHIom A. Du#r, and Tlionias' X Oakley were elected as delegates * from the
friends of Peace^ to p. general anti war convention, and Mailifoo's admipiatratim censured for rashness and in«eipi-
taocv. Towards the close of the contest,' however, he routed the people to take part in the Btni0g'0''*^nd in 19SSi,
yn and him nonMaated fay the Albany Regeney, threap Van BnrSn's influence and exertions, as a buoktail ipdae
for th«3id circuit and vp^li^ hf aa j|ta»illffn96«|io t < >i ^ aia w >. M.e»p«stioa to Amb^oesL. Jonla)> of fittdMMi,
ww> bad always been an acnve msmbar of the republican party, and was a firm supporter of the war. Miv^Aui
9ano,M Hoyt Juftly states, waatttd to elevatAflMawhowoald be tros to him. John Oosr, to whom the Hoyt»AM4t»
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THE ttm^RY OWKje ttimTBR-i-tm foimtxL ^Ott. 211
tmiiition of poUtieal power, for the benefit of oar opponentsj, I wish to know it, ooihat I may
irtow how to act hereafter. From the manner in which the President has exercised his power
tlivis iar, I am inclined to think that he will go " the whole Hog."
Mr. Van Burei^ left this morning abou( 11 o'clock. Mr. Butler went with him as far as Kin-
darkook or Hudson. Write me. Tours affectionately, h. H.
[No. 175.] M. Van Buren to J. Hoyt. [Post rti'ark, Albany.]— March 17, 1829.— My
Bear Sk : I will be in 'New York on Friday, and wish you to tfUie lodgings for me at the City
Hotel. Yours, ' M. V. B.
It would seem that no Regency Governor could visit New York, until J^ase had prepared the
wi^. On May 9th he had anotherepistle firuD another Governor*-'' Dear ^ir, I shall take the
steam boat next Tuesday morning, .and reaeh New York in the ^ening. You will confer an-
otktr favor upon me, if yon will mention it to Mr. Jeoninga, that he may provide rooms for me. :
E. T. THROOP,"
lease pushes * like a devU * — Hires, for Van Buren, a cross grained valet — To the Victors * belong
the Spoils'-^* We the people '— * the blood qf ih« martyrs '—the P. M:s Set— put out John
JDuer — bold measures — Rudolph JSunner is faithless to us!
[No. 176.] . Jesse Hoyt to Martin Van Buren, Sec. of State, WASHiNeTpN.
Saturday, 11 o'ciocki A. M., March 21, 1829. Dear- Sir : I am under the necessity of leav-
ing this evening so as to be in Albany Monday morning at the opening of the Cojurt of Chancery,
and I presume 1 shall not be able to see you. The maa whom I had spoken to as yoar valet,
■ ha* called every day this week to see when yoa was to be in tewn^but 1 have not seen him
to-day, but 1 have left word at my office if he calls to eeod kim to the City Hotel. His name is
Bryan FarreUL He has good recommendations from Mr. W. B. Astor. He has lived with
Mr. Prime, from whom I have learned more particularly his character. He is very capable,
sober, honest—- his only fault is his bad tenper, for whi^ Mr. Prime discharged him — but a
man who would not suit Mr. Priine in this particular, would never have occasion to exhibit
that -failing to you, but of this you are to jttdge. Aa^a general rvle it is an objection to a
servant. He is married, but would leave his &mily here. This is all 1 have to say on domestic
cQocems, and what else I have to sayia not upon mlQects of leps importance, but which you may
(and as the world goes, perhaps Justly,; consider as partaking a little of setfishn«^8s — but as Mr.
Richie said the other day in a letter to Mr. Noah, " Mr. Van Beuren must tell the truth to Gene,
ral Jackson." So I ought to tell the truth to you, and I will do so, at the hazard of forfeiting
your confidence and good (pinion ; for, if. I have it now I am under serious apprehensions that
1 cannot retain it long without abandoning aU political honesty^consisteBcy, and ** straight for.
foardness,** 1 take^it for granted that all who do not aup^rt the present administration you will
not consider your friends ; and of coune will lose your confidence. I have said from the cem-
nanoement of the contest thfit I would not aupport anyadminiatration who would support men
in power that had^CK>ntributed to overthrow tfa« ctemocratie party, in this State. I have preached
this doctrine toe long, and it has taken too • fi footing here, to be easily got rid of.
This is not only the doctrine in theory, but we require! it to be reduced to practice by Uie servants
of the people to whom we have temporarily delegated the trust. I speak now the universal sen-
tiinents of the democracy of this city, and you may rely upon it no man can be sustained who
aids. and abets in the disappointment of the just espf^tions of the people on this subject— and
all personal considerations and private friendships must yield t6 political justice. The leading
politicians of this^oity (Mr. Targee and Mr. Bowne excepted) require ibe removal of Mr. Jona.
than Thompson ; awl Mr.. Bowne will put in jeopardy bis own situation by attempting to sus-
tain Mr. Thompson. Mr. Peter Stagg and the appraiser every body seems to take it for granted
will be removed. We have in this State fooght off the in&moua charges against General Jack-
son and yourself and gave the lie to the anth^ and publishers of them. To continue those in
power who contributed to sustainios^ those charges would but admit the truth of them, and throw
back a rebuke upon us for contradicting them. This rebuke is ut^ust and we will not receive it
with impunity from an adminislratim which WE THE PEOPLE havt created. Nor can
we aanction the doctrine of the administration, or any of it$ memherst buying up its enemies at
the expense of its friends. " The blood of the martyw is the w^d of the church/' and that blood
which we nobly shed in 1824 in defending our prineiples and mtr party, is still curdled by the
reepllection of OUR SUFFERINGS in that memorable fight* and we will not now permit it to
be Jianded over to the mercy or magnanimity of thosa-who were the cause of its being shed, but wa
ersioo, is W. A'l br(itbcih->-eam6 ronsd to tha'IniektaUi after the war— helped Van Baieo to injure
I set up eafly in IQ^i a^a buekiall caodjjdale for Genrress from Orange eonnty, received the noniiaa-
i deibated by a (>ipt. Selah Tattle of a Nortb river sloop, in whom Van Buren had more confidence.
•troQf an aversion,
CMBto*--aDda
tiAD, butwas <
Tattle died t^t fall, and Doer' was a^tn defeated, by C. Borland, bluer was in the state convention il^I, and
fenorally voted with Van Buren. He ii n fisaasiii: iiiM^Sjmnn.O||wdit and currency in London, ond has lectured
alMMittMm in New York ; he is also a lawyer, and wtt one ofthe revisen of the state laws. John Duer was ap-
i»oint«d, by Adams and Clay, U. 8. Attorney, N. Y-, in Feb. 1888. When the Baltimoro Lift and Trast Company
Ihilad, he wM iu president, and owed it $900,000, o? more, leoimd oa a pledfo oiitstUKk hold by hiai, JUttodt
was setasH y fua up to » pst est ptsaiow :
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aa^tbat retributive justice shaU be dealt out to those who from that titne to this have not^^^fthBd
their swords or ceased in their efbrt^ to prvstrdte us. tn calli ng upon our friends to act it thS tiat-
ter, we shall as we always have done, repudiate the doctrine of neutrality. 'We shall ex&ct
every man to take sides one way or the other, either far or against removals. The old mai^
of " those not for us are against tis/' you have so often recognized that its authority cannot be
denied. I have one word to say upon a particular case about which I am particularly excelled
• for various reasons — it -is the case of Mr. Duer. He was appointed by Mr. Charles King, and
his removalt)r retention is probably left with you» at least so says Mr. Sanford and Mr. Dftdley,
if I read the letter of the latter correctly. Mr. Bunner, I presume, has made his bargain ^th
some Southern Interest for Ms retention, I judge 86 from varidttB circunistanccs, one of which is
that Mr, Samuel L. Gouvemeur offered si bet •/ 0100 dap before yesterday that he would not be re-
moved. He has his advices dally from Mr. Calhoun ot some of his friends, I have not the slightest
doubt. The conversation I had with you dt Aibany Mtit^ied me that you would retain Mr Duer,
if youjcoUld find a satisfactory apology. Since which I have heard from Mr. Doer's friends that
you would s^upport him, and from yours that you would remain neutral. When I left Albany I was
' itot a cdndidaie, and I became so, 'as I wrote Mr Irigtiam, hf the advice' 6f my political friends,
who could insist upon Mr. D.'s removal. I told Mr. Bowne that I would not take the office of
District Attorney for this city if I could get it, till Mr. Duer was removed, and now repeat that
I will hold no office from any political party thaft will keep Mr. Duer in bis present station. The
very idea that you woiild by thought or deed cc^rithblite to such a result has given me more awful
feelings than X experienced when I b^d a convenation with you in your room over Crittenden's
ilining room, in the eventng of the day of the cholee of the Electors in 1824, when our v«ry senses
veere stunned by the shouts ef Mr. Duer and his friends over their champoigne in the rooiA b^w.
What yon told me in that cinnreraation 1 weU reeotiect, and I thought you were serious and would
not under any circumstances, f^get them £dr at least six years, the ordinary statute limitation for
parol promises : but if the statute had attached the fMromises and the Consideration have been re.
eeived by Mr; Duer*s connectioil with Judge Thompson, Anti*^ Masonry, and Grod knows what,
last fall ; and, if I reoellect right, Mr. D. was to be one of the body guard to give you an escort
. t» Kinderhook the Friday after the last -'November eleotien. I do not remind you of these things
to excite your prejudices, but as evidence of overt acts against the democracy of the State. » To
retain Mr. Duer would be to disappoint friends and enemies, for it-is considered by all upon g»ne-
t^\ principles that he is to be removed, and if he is retained yon get no credit for it even from
them. They will attribute it to your fears, and your party friends will charge you with bargain-
ing to buy up your enemies at the expense of the party who have labored to sustain yea. There
is a charm attending bdd measures extretnelv ftSMcindLting — ^it Imb given to General Jackson all
his glory, and it will give to Mr. Clihr bsreaner power and strength, and the speech he made at
the Washington dinner- is admhredfir its impudence, [independence ?] and the manly ppirit it
breathes. In regard to the ap^ieiSnts for Mr. Duct's place, I have nothing to say ffiirther than
^ that it IS not just to import a man from the ooantry — by this I mean Mr. Bunner, who i9fiotat
heat t with us, as you plainly discovsred on your visit two years ago to Oswego— hesides many
other objections that could be raised,- it would amount to a re-appointment of Mr. Diuer. i have
done nothing since I wrote to yon, in regard to myself. Many people have offered to interfere
• in my behalf but f have delayed talfing anymeasoies till I had seen you. My first and principal
•bject is the removal of Mr. O., and wt»n that is done I tm willing to leave my claims tfr the
justice and ytot to the policy nf ffaeappointipg' power. If Mr. D. is not removed by the lime l^te-
tum ^ofn Albany, I sball visit Washington, to hand, in persi)^, to every member of the Cabinet
** The Life and Adventures af John Z^ner"— for as long as God spares my life I shall not spare my
exertions to get him out of office as well as all tht>se who hove betrayed their friends, their pnrty,
and their principles. In doing this, howevet, I will not ^$s he and his friends hane done, violate
the sinctity of private friendship sad private eminence,, but the means I shall resort. to \#ill be
free from cmcealment, hut shall he open and manly, and upon the same principles that k»s aetBat<^d
me in opposing him during iWe late co^tesf. I shall therefore, if driven to an to Washingtnn to
prefer my cotnpl linis s^all go, nma« a candidate mysieif, fijr I should not then be listened to with
as much consideration as I otiierwise diould, becaimemen in p^iwer-^re-not prone to look wpon
office seekers in "So favomble'a light, i have written thie in the hurry of departure, and -subjsct
to the interruptions of office boeiiiefra. I have not time to read it 'over and prune it of utif tiWibt-
. ful expressions, if any such thspe be. I therefire send it, subject te sny explanations that may be
^ proper ta convey my true metfningi So'fef s« ! have taken a general or special view of the snb-
. jeer 8tK>ken of I am borne out by a vast Ria|odty of your political friends in the city, all of whom
feel thiH to be a critical ^int in your political fate. The theory of your address to theCommi'tee
of the Legislature we ail admire-^the praotiee undsr it, if -confiirmable to the theory^ is aH that
we require. In great haste, very truly, your friend, J". HQYT.
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PATRIOTS rO& RlRBj OtTR TfVfON^S LASTING SHAMS. 313
il^. 5Sti2tp<22 would like Off^s^-^ injured hy the iV. T, Laie Mmopoly-^has an itching f^rp^U'
•-''-' MM^Ae §emuU tr. & Mtt^iil - T . .r = *
[TTo. 17T.] SflasM. StilweUtoSarnuetSWVtWQUt, Hi)boken,lT. jr.' ' ^ ' ' "^
; O^EW, YoRic^ Mai-ch 24, 1829.— [Private.]— Dear Str: Aftet leaving you, on yiAsteWaj', ibi'
idea i)opped into tny head thai 1 woMUke a eitualign fn the poet office of thii chy, for one or^
two years, or until/ I can compiet'cly cotictemr^te my property hefe. 1 am now usfnk every
ftieans to turn rtiy we'stcm and aoiithe^ property into money, for the purpose of p^utcha8mg.j!feat
e^x^in New York— a»d miking tbia (myfnatiVe) city my peraianjent residence. ,WlirIe'my
M^e8» is'goibg on, I cnid tA weU tie employed in some buwpesa,' that will make me some Ve,
turn. My l^galprofeeeiM ie of no use to me'hehe, indemuek a» my lidence was, granted Inf thi
eourt9 of Virginia, f Ifeel 8tiH an itching desire fo' write on political eutyects, and take an active
part in political affairs, but I shall restrain my incUnation until/ a more convenient period shall
acjrive. . You aj-e no doubt, eurpriaed at the request I make, hiit I beiieve y^fi will eyentui^y
see i^at I have taken a proper course. . Yotf wijl be ^ppoiiited (beypnd all doubt) to the ofilei^
and I should be gratified if you are j)leased wjth my application., Pleasf drop a line in ^e poa^: .
oMce^ saying where and when I shall have tS^ plep^re of seeing you. Be pleased to fice^ Qjf
the assurance of my high iK>nsidera|toR anid ^re^pi^ct. S. M. STlj^W^LJ^.,-.
. General Prosper Mi WetnuyreUe Jhreeident referA phie frienft, Van ByrerL •■-■"'•
., [J^a, 178.] General B, -W* Spicer, exlPresident^ U. S. Ijombardj tp Samue^ Swiirtwajj;, ..,
if AW YoES, March 24th, 1829yr^Sif : I have.be^o informed that the Qfllce o^ Cbll^cUJir fOi.
this |*«rt )ras beeifi tesd^reil ipr your acceptanee. r Should this' inf«¥mati4>ii. }f)p Ki^hefitif , fod
abomid you conclude to SK^oept the app«^ntmeiii, I take the JUberty of offering, my.seryioe^ /qr,^|]jp|
acpep|an<^ in the situation of deputy. I fed acont>uUion that my MSRCiJixi(.£, eiperienc^ '^S^
e;»ble we to discharge t^e duties of the ooice to.youi: satisl«ctioo« and, with advantage ta tli9
public interests. . If you JM'e Qot -already commiUed on the subject of yourVi^jipoitntmem, I .«fn«
wiih confidentCe, jrefer to the members of the R&pub.i;icaj< party at large lA eur city and; ^iat^
fbf the claima I xnay be eoncic^red to pofiipeas to'your favotabie concidei|k.tian. I ^m AU'fHOfi.-
IZJEP I* refer ioiihfi Han, M Van M^ren and iJie, Bon] C C, Cambreleng' for MY t^Oi^lTL
G^L STANDING. I likewise fee) justified in a^^ding the names of toijamin Bailey i|pft
the Hon. C. P. White, who have assuret^ me of th«ir dispositioji to advance my viewal. J^'y j[
ask to be favored with aft interview when you convenience will permit, in relation to tliis bun.
ness. I have the honor to be, &c. P. W. SPIC£il.
A Tammmny Qgicf^Hw^et in the drnips^-^h^ PoetmvfUr of New YorkreAdy t9 raM vg^liM
Andrew JackeoHi and why^-He^ior Craig^^N^eA on Clay a^d Vftn £inr^^ t ., ^
' [No. 179.] Jonathan I. OoddiligtDn to Jesse H0yt..«-Conlldeiitlli1.
New Y{HtK« March 89ih, t62i.-^MyDear Sir: i hafo i«oeived y>oof fai^ »f Che 9Mb* M^
ItttefView with Mr. Van Buran was n^t qofit» aiaatisfiKtofy m8 I coM «H8h,>0r ifHi^d bii^
r^glM to eJKp«^ct, after bearinf what Silas Wri^ Jr., said td Arnold. I will ekplaliirvfiittlM^
when I see you. It may all end very welly but 1 am prepared to hear of Noah, or HttiNfr
drdigt feeeitine the appoihtinent. Yoll no ^k>«ibe hkra heanl*«m this tiiat Major 9Wai<t%«ut,
q# {|ob»>ken, is to be €oiteq*or of New York.§ R* tM me so faimaelfl fl^ G«r^ra1 htfd-fM-
lAiaM it to htm, phmded he ooold ma^ke certain amngemems. whidihe Mi^f hf v&f SMMi fUh
cdmpifehed, and ^nt on— and ezpeeta kiaOonamiMloh on TeasdairiAoming. But ftot^iHlhflfafid*
mg aU he snya, Alley, Fi^^ and others cbnt beh«va it, or rather, want hetieve it. 'Frank C^ii,
it fs flaid; will go to Liverpool. * YoA well tetittleet thalt CkimbreleUg^ expeeie ihitt appointmHuh
Thus (if lhie)art TWO OF THE VERY BEST OFFKJESin the gift of the Gtfvei
t Silas M. StilwelPs letters ta Tloyt aa<f S^vrartwoot; eopiaf Inta thiire«iTef|«bsOsnce, are renify <
^•ns. He fe from New York? went early In lTft> tb Virginia, sbvdted l»w there, hecame a Van Sur^n aaenAer e/the
Tf. T. liegMntvre, but voted in (aror of the U.S ilanlc. In 1834. he was on the whi'irside, ao(t nemiiifttMl bvtka't
jMirtv /with 6ewar(f) as lieHtenimVgnvenKiir He ho« been nit Alderman of New Tr rk. nr<I n tNirfcrflff. In ]|<l1^'he
professed a stroma nttachment to President Tylef, who gave him the hierative post of TJnite# 8tater Marshal in NtW
Vrttk, how held by EH Moore. Befers'fc Hank, or th« North Ainerienn Ttnst Co., wnt' planned by bfm, >ftnd « Ikw
otjieft of hft wa? ofthjnfcmtf ; he isehar^ with MrrhMn^ hennttfiil pnssages Irom Qr^gHnm, ft.c., aiHl iNMilSf
fhem off f<>r natttre nfi-nuficturesl nnd ik prohfebff a self e^lnentetf man. He stafted a bool and shoe itorelli
New York ; nnd in 1834, Vos, I believe, te^lator, alderman. larwyer, sfaeemnker, nndfc'ieefllator.
i Hector Craic succeeded Noah as surveyor t>f the pprtoT ]^ew York in 18 '3. Be w^s secretary to Tu^bpany
(MHrtlin^j's) in I8i)8. When n member of Conj^ess, nnd. friendly to Ue Witt Clinton, in ISS.'i, be vo^d (Sr Jaak-
mm and asninst Adams as Pre!>ident. His fn the r wis, from Scotlnnd, nnd a paper maker at NewhiwtJi, N*, x •«
JUk C. had been A merchant in New York, and in IBUI v/wt an ^nti sub-tretsurv- connervntive. Eli ^oora <utt-
e^ded Craig as Surveyor. W. F. liavemeyer, mayor of X*. Vv marries! ('raid's daughter. He (Cn^fr) if dead.
• ^Tho* enraged at Sw^rtwent-** sneceas, Cixldinfton wa« lus persdnafl ««d pblitiear friend, and wmMrlftOBwlMy
•. 1829. Dear SifwMr.-Tsaiic Warwn is «U OU DmmmrmHn JBifiMieaMin wb«i«»^Tor I aiwhe to y4»tt aostetiiaa
•idee. He has been trying to fat an appoitifeMSk fUtm Ur. Thomptonv th» lost aeveB y eatw 'end ho^ he Hehf aewr
euaoeed, Mf» White and Mr. UoDwm^m have afam re<(i]Mted ma to apealrto yna m ^r lamr jfof aeitrstiaa.
fkmt»4im U nmn*4kei io aUa^a* agsJsaiaaeJM* w Jfr>*M|<JU»fe/ Mknt moMmtte rs»ttad> > <
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il4 CODD. — AN OFFlcrOR A MUriNY ! — EITCHIB— OFFICE ; FIS FOR SHAME?
GIVEN TO PERSONAL FRJENDS, and, wi/A«mI wca camnlting his Cabinet. There k'
confide rablft dissfitklaciion bere ihj^t Mr., Va© fiurec was not at Washington sooner. Mesers.
Bailej^, XW^^i Blood gu&d ttud Fish, and otliers, called on (Jovemor Van Buren on Monday, ^d
e;cprea^cd to him tnhai the^ deeped the wishes bf tks party — th9t Thompson^ Vueff ^c. ottjfkt
Ut it mrti^ntd. Thti Governor told tbeju that he had received • Ixwelettpr from you respecti^
i'^mpviil&--ijut partiuuliirly uliout the tJistrict Attorney. It' is said C. D. Colden is » capdldftte
for Diit-r'a ijIhc^. If bo, there is another j^er«o^/ friend of thp, General's in yotur way,
IT IF THE PRESIDENT T^jRSUES THIS COUjtSE TOE PARTY I^ RlWEO*
O- AND THE SOONER WEBB^IN TO BUJ^) ftP,A NEW THE BETtER.
Let me heJir fro hi you again soon, and brieve rae $o be yoursi truly,
J. I. CODDINGTdK. '
' ItfiMA'^ifs, Bt Vt. L. M. — Th«" imfwression on my inind, from the mercenary character of
Nolih, tfDd the Ifttrigaing, politieian.buying ways cf Van Buren, and what I <ee in this Correi-
pondence, is, that Van Buren: had bargained fbr Noah*s support, payable by some fat office in
JAeliaoti's gift» if thjs attempt to get the Sheriffship for him failed. In Van Buren's letter to
Hoyt,!No. 156, he " sorely regrets" Noah*s failure ; and when Cbddington saw him, [as above,]
be found that N^ah was ahead of higii and was sb chagrined that he was ready to revolt. "Noah,
in hk Star of Aug.' 5, 1^34, says that he pleaded in 1829, to Jaclison,at Washington, " the.con-
Sttoh d'th^ [Noah*8j[ Enquirer, almost broken down, and $95,060 in debt, from a fierce politi-
\ ifionflict "— 4hat Ritchie opposed fainr-^that h« 'wrote Ritdrie, ^ho repKed, [see bis letters,
'Him, 17di</atid 179ft,l-~and that Hnrhen hfT ^NoehT fobk tidks with Webb^, againM l^n Biren,
ftitiBbie cttHed him ^ tM Swiss Mercenary," &.e. Ndah, again says, in iris Star of June 29, that
Wvh Buren got up a candidate against him (CocLdington ?) and pushed faim'with all hia force ;
btit, he adds, "I was stHl Van Buren*i fnehd.** He praised Clay to the skies ; but had prevt-
mtt^j'v^hen ordered by "that tyrannical and meraanary oligarphy known by the name of the Al-
bany Regency," dietcribed him as' " the man wbo had bargained away {he presidency," " Hkt
apostate politician,** •* the despicable denfagogue," " who. by a base bargain, brought into the
presidential cfcair the head ef the old ariAtochicy, the revHcr of j'efferson*' — adding [Eki<]fi^tf^,
|ll»y IT, 1828,] ** We shall ndt find feult with Mr. Clsy in turning reIigio«i9, arid renouncing
taraii dice, and women — it is time for him to do so," dbct ' ^ '
[No. 179, ff.] Thomas Ritchie, now Editor of the Union, to Mordecai M, Noah, Editor
«( llM &^r#r, N. Y.—RionnrpND, M«roh S5, 16S9 Dear Sir : I take blame to nvyself far
not meetinf , more directly, a miggeation ^kieh yeu made iii the letter you were to kind as to
address me a few days ago« But aiaee lefilying to H, I see so much to draw my attention to
lllir suiiieot ; ao tiiuch in what has been ^ooe^ in the <»se o£ <»dkeni, and so ninch in wh^t has
be»a rfunoped in your own case, that I cannot reooocile it to the regard I have Ua yoo, or
dbe iBfpect I wish to preserve for myself, to. pass it over, in the ^neral and delicate wayv 1 have
I wU not content myself by a^yini^ aa I then. did, thut I wish. lor n«thmg.from the Adfnink|«
tiBMieni hut I will take the liberty of ffping fafther, an€f in the meet jreapectful manner, i^ ask-
ii|g whether ye«, (at the heecl «f tfucU a press, ^e the N. Y. Enquirer,) shpuld accept of an ^-
^ at their han^ ? Thb 9i«^iirrT op the FMsg is luiSAoy u«JutiEi>> I «rbati4Y rEAB» bt t^
JiyN^eK OF EOlTOitS WHO BAVS OBTAINai>OFFlGC8-r'|s«JS TWO Gb^2I8» DJ^KFORT^, KSITDAU,, Hblli
MSm IF TOU ARE ADDED TO T|» LIST^ IT MAV B« TgniiY SAID^f'BAT TBE MOST ACTIVE AND ABItBST
UHTOBS m TKE ELECTION €»F QosL I. ^Aw ciTUNBn orncss. A BHod Uke youts wjii see «t
t hIh Nott Ji'i HtaT, J u » f 23, 1 831. hn tli us o;r jiUi ij* kU cooQjKtiott with- Vau^BunBn :
'*! wii ^ nnfurtnnoLe m r^i camniit Kir. \'u.n Bnreo in fkvor o^Wm. H. Cnwfbvd for the presldaney, and te
kfiM liini fut jn hii \^^\\iiK r^r tidelity, ^o far Kt Leatt ai to vote, for l)ian pn the tint ballot, after which it wa* \m
ifitBittiofl to tisTD vcviQfl fiir J»tin Uidniiy Mwma \ 4ib Mcora Ai« ^tleotion, asd to aeoept in return »tcb contipfent le-
.-war^ hi fi«r\ic«&uiiijl iii(iHiv'<«! nf ihi\\- naitiFe ha v« rendered uiKivoideble ; — For be it known tbatat that tkne, and
at rtc Ume, wa« Sir. Van Bticfln iiieirdly to G«n. Julueo, orki|d any owfi^^nc* >n his fitneu or elatms to the offlee
4ii liratideat. The colunmi ot^ tim \rj;ui will bi^fiT ne eut in thh naaarthHi. Mr. Clay, however, was too (^uick aad
too AAjfeicJoiri fiir the L lit hi M%f i^cnn^ t^nJ ^U, AiLams ifaa elected by Congress on the firit ballot. Ittf. Van ^
rea't ri^ elertinn fai tIeaELtnr t*ii,k rum^ cletiiiiH]^ in him, and he aQ.m at otioe that he could only succeed by ebtda-
iiiiif Ihfl votes ot'th<> rricr>(3»cir]ilr. AJains in ctiir Fincislature ; so \i% professed to be satisfied wit{i his admiqistration
attij^tooti no hostile nttitnil^ urjTij, by tl» vote*! of'iSe Adams men, he soccceded irt s^cujriijig hb seat in the Senate,
ne theo atteiiiulod ta csbtiiin niRue uni^ift Mr. Adnqas, and several ei&rts were matte to secure his cunfdenoe. Fiitd-
iDf thut .Blr. "Pun Bur«n wci* niteiniitiTje xn jell the dentocfatic party tp Bir. Adams, 1 fortbwfth ran up the Jack-
inn (Tfii under the hpcu! of thi? Xew Vork Rnfjuircr, fMd by this. act incnired Che severe displetistire of Mr. Van Be-
rcn anS flic B^ECQ^iy, fsn ^iTfftimiirijr to dtji-krf in iavor of Better Jackson, as they ciclled him, befbre they Med <1-
hnuiiedtliQir eft^irti t4 win £ivBr preaid^nr Adfim!.. er bad tinle to op^ M^iatitfm with €en. Jaeksofi'k friefids.
Mr. AtJLnTF, hnw^^ef , wm iletFrminecl fq Lr; his frtrtaoe> iwk h eet .Vto/BmeH^-and ke -deeMned t»OTcha«'iag MtaiaOi
wtien Mr. llufLi^ Kin« wus appoknted cii mister to Uagland^aiidGem JacJueii*s prospects itren^thaoed, Sfa; Van 9h-
len threw titniieif intn the curr^at, arid cninn out terthe General aftor tkebtMtksd^stn fomffM, and in.si§ki tf
vkurif. ;irivtn|^a« hi« rfiOKmh, ta ft Naw Vurk poliiiMai^,. Wtialee» Himjili wsBMSy»4hs» Clsagpl Ja^kaiMlf ^
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w» torn Tjm 9im»ut m iWuitY hmn i» wi^mm *bx 1 .- ^Ji^
mieto tll« ktndle whieh n^ be im^ of lh«ie:mMWMltte<lr aivpomtmeiitiv ««d- wid^ fHb«l Ate
they will be made to bear agtmvt tboM whte^iifef,tnd those who aece^, uflacmi. IT IS CALCU.
LATED TOBRINfi^OWN TBU LOFTY WDfiPJBN DEUCE OF THE PRESS, WHICH
LIKE THE SfiNSITAVB FLAliT. SHRU^IW FKOM TUE TOqCH OF. ^X^CUlUKP
POWER.' • » .
I etttreat you tp caeose thev hmty Ubm. lil ittpccted yo^ U^SrHif I €«|s^ lees fcrtfl^
•nd leas for the great oause in which we Immw iitight together, and i« which w^ mayAmv^i |o
oontend again, Lwould not ventwe to writs thevu Tke oftpaintnunt o/.per9onal frisfnU at^€4i.
torial partizans has already produced a fteUng iik Bqme of omr fri6^d9 tk0t I p^^r ^n^eUi
to iMnEM. In great ha8te,\your«, THOS. RITCHIK^
[No. 179i h.] The same to the ss«e.«r4lioii«oi«>« April U, 18^.— I\^y B«ar Sir * * *
I- eo«td smcerety wish yo^ not to accept of any appeintOMOt Jimter the A'dmiiiWg-ation. V^HAT
THE PEOPLE OR THE LEGISLATURE MIGHT GIVE YOU. WE WOULD NpT
QUARREL ABOUT. Had Ihe g«od p^le of N. Yorji thought proper to re-elect you their
Sheri6r, or the iegialature to invest you with one of their appoi^itmenia, I should be happy to g^et
your supccsB. But, I confess, that A/ier t)iu fuvuf^ which liu^r- ulmusc Utii showtmd upoa our
brvihieB, 1 should wish you neither to ask Dor acc^^pt iiii v^u^r.
There is great force in your remark that jf Ehc editor be kept poor, tJjf pr^^ita is mgrn^l if auger
of being i^epeiideiit. Yetl AM AFRAID WE SHALL SCARCELY MEND THG MATTER
BY MAKING THE EDITOR OWE HtS FORTUNES TO THE EXECrTiVE POWER.
SUALL^ WE NOT MERELY SHIFT THE DANGER, FROM A DEPENDJiINCE ON A
PARTY, OR THE PEOPLE, TO A DEPENDEiNCB ON THE ADMJN ISTRATION I
I thtrik, in this respect, we are, and sliuuJd U a pt'&xerihed clas^ — that is to say, we sIlgM
be shut out lifom the ordinary executive oflicep j buE 1 wotiid eqnniiy prti^Xibo a meinhr o/
Congre^f^eaving both of them, hQwever, m liberty to aeccpt die hi^hfijtf ^mthg of offict^, foi-
whtd) the field of selection ought to he aa wide na tho oaiion jt>elf: such as Secr^^tDrica of Dt-
pBnilier.fs, Judges of the Sapremo Court, and Ffir(?i§rti Minisiere l^ ihe hi^Thtst Courts. But I
won't at the same time, throw open every oiliei hougi !□ ihe Hepabiic to gentlemfJn gf pur
oki^. ' What I would m^ is, that, for otrdinary 9jgicB$, there, should be qs little conmxion as
p9Hfibls istvjsen the press ^d the Executive, I tD^tdd put editgrs end members of Congret^
uaidsr^e sams mis and exceptions; because the libsrfy of the press, an4 the freedom 9/ elfi}^'
tisn, are the wrsai safeguards of our likerUem; arid if the president can injure both, by eal^ng
editors and representatives into oJ^, ve shaU place 1»th of them at his f^et.f
I will net however, trouble you farther upon this sabject : mor do I wish to trouble the public.
It has excited gr«at clamor among tlie enemicts of tjae Administration here, and great censure
ameag its b^t friends: and I really wish that not laoie than one (4f one) ease .lut^ occurred'
Take office, howerer, or not, be aasored of my kind wished for yeiir health and happiness.
ResfiectfuUy yomrs, THOMAS Rn:CHlB.
t Our leftders wit) btf'pltased to tarn toDuiiel JuBkaim*9 letter* [No. 939 of thU enrnnpondmcp,} jn which itja
•hewn that Van Bnren** tritadt wt o)> Blair a* apon^r, (whieh was tlie same as if a b^nk had lent hhn cash to
buy his presses ami types.) — they may then be much Rifled by a perdsal of Blair^s dying speech, wheu Wlk had
killed his Olobe, and chosen lUtchfe, who hid soeh a imrror at office, as hfs sueeessoy. ^
[From the Globe.] WASHfiroToif, April 14, t84J>.-'Tbe Ohbe otfiee and ite fipfmrtswUiCSti,Jiin yutmb of .tke
aaroamaiit «rhith we anim fwt the information »*{ ils suhtcribsMt) passed, . oa SatuKlay ln*t« Into the hands of
lIiMrs. Ritchie 4b Heiss. THB ^Oei: HAD ITS ORIGIN IN THE WILL QF GEN. JACKSON, and uties to
him and Mr. Van Bqreii, and their jiolitical fiends, the success which has attended it thrott^h iAeeii year» of e«»-
llict. closed by the iat4 friumph of the democracy, whkh effiioed tbe 4i«Brtar o# 16^ It ha* been tho vieftfM
of the Olob&, in Aistaining the Atros^ adMialitratioo of Gen. Ja,fcJ»— the ua^ompremising administration of 1
Van Buren and in opposing the abuses of Mr. Tyler*B administration, to make enemies of some who united with
the deraocr^ in its last struggle. Tiie interest of the cause requires that all who contributed to the election of
the present Cnief Itfa^'strate sKOuM coAtfinw li> glsre Ch^ sappsrh tLis -ikt g«>od fertmia of 1|i» ««|iiiictor of the
new>officiaI organ, [Thomas Rilcl<ielnot to hipraoffbided any porti<Hi of those whose adiiesioo to the party is ne-
cessary to its safety aad success. We have hnbounded confidettos in ti.e aMftty, integrity, and fhtriAwa of the
man who is now to preside over the establiskmeftt, knd ehall eoniMSrmmelvoa' amiriy.^oaiiibAs^tod for th«4a||irifice
-ire atre now called on to nutke, if «iis«nticMMtiiMit o€ tko WS(iiafm(i ^Bion aad Micoess of (he.depuicracy shall be
NolRed Iqr tjbeofl^oial JoMmal, sndar iU| nfw Of me and. new auspice^ yi^e cannot e\nre5s our grafTlnde to the de-
aiQeracy, to which we owe eve;^. ihlag. '' F. F. Bli AfR, JOHN CRfWiL
Next day, tlie Olobe remarks, that t' Fortunately tl)ere is nothing of roqment at tliis thne to calf ihfo mmtidMlta
the eneriry of the organ of democracy at Washlnoton.** When, orfn what iilstanoe, tlwKigi^ ^ri,^i(l msk and
his or^ait display ntii^h energr, «kcept whanltauliaf Ibr tm sipaile, or ^kiog in M>« ca<na«f 4iM:tios, r^^wdls^
«>r ftmnly freedoin, 9r (Vee histitatiooa ? Ailebis, BlaV»»«ecfasor« viaa ouite aoimaled wlv^u abusing hie for jihew-
ing tbe people, on the best of evidence, the boUow-h«arted rottenness of von J^uren, Cambrelcng, Butte^ abd fheir
pluodering associates. ^ ■ . . .
President 'TyMiT'H theory was lllbe Ritetiie't; ht iSMriMftM Mr. iMkM«/8Spl. 9B, 1841, tl*U.Vt|NknnH»ntai«Qt lV>,
ahd cnrttintianee in the efllea eif ^mt^MnSSbtt of aay «Mi oUtim -^ PflitlBal tism»pspir,.i»^ in4he iMgh^t dci^ree. /^
IsetioaaUle. It ivvohres moet of the eonseqiyiieet ^ikfpf^ iiUte»— introdueei politics into' the post office — dirfiintshes
tte revenues and confers. privileges on one editor which all iarniot enjOv. 'In a WoMk h is wy'flxor'fcufpoii, as^iir
as fo inc lies, to sennrnte the PbBt Office D^ihartment from polittcr, «l#Mii(r dfeoutAal ifclbrtiuvwHtfta«gwiirr
ha« so lomily dtfimmded.** Mr Tywr^^Dfto'lfiv ]iiiiliii^.<M ii«tfii«|iMM|i>|wvM«>l M tfL.«(ml{m)|ctUi|/
*!^*^' « '-* * • •'-..«• W 1,- p4»4ft ft4*^ • ^<» • r ~' *jr «t.'-. <rf* ' Wgl i4|^ J^ Uh*# \J^ jWtfc hmn
Digitized by^OOQlC
^MY Dikri'\«Mur's.WBia:»3€M£«»-^rjccs«-iAK^«Hj^ bill.'
. '- ^tfUrtomrdi pr999eMUd for luking #eOO,000,^>r w,fr*m Unfile Sam's TUL
' (Ko. 160. J M. M:l^ak io' M:aj4r.tiw8r(Svdat, Haboken.^IfBW Yokk, Miucch 8l«
l099.-^My Detr Sir: I ratfntionei to fou th^^ Ittr. Josboa and Au-m N. Phillips Jisve beta
many yeaw in the Customs. THEY ARE AT IMPORTANT DESKS, and THEIR CAPA*
iGfTT and thoMaf h kiiowt«igi8 ^' tto twniBeto Is excelled ty none in tk$ department. la Sa-
Wo4tidn|t f^tn td'youf ftkadly notioa i can iml|r an^ie foa that their exptriance and alteatiMk
^tl^tlntivs, wUf Mi uefnl m yon aod setvicesble ta the revenoe, and that THEY MEHiT
aY^'HElR INTEGRITY YOUR ENTIRE CONFIDBNCB. ,
> > Truly yours, M. M. NOAH.
V0U Bitren eempUtin^Qf hk frieid Hityr^ AaraMeM tmd rwdemat^'be einil or I HI mt the
* cmntx^rC — take office and ask n9 qtM9hnt*^Mr, lMU*^Vmn ^Bnren and Im^kmn tnutcntocii
*acA aihtr, '
[Ho, 181. J Secretary Van S^ii to Jeise Hdyt,Kcw York." (PHvate.>
t¥ASHii»oTON, April 13, 1829. — Dear Sir: I ^ever expected to see the day when 1 should be
constrained, as I now am, to address ybn fh'the language of coraplakit. Nothing but mysttroiigr
conviction pf the ^extent and sintferiiy of y6urfriendship could sustain me in reflasting the belief
that you have a setded purpose to qparrel With me. Here I am engaged in the maat intricate
sod iitiportant affairs, which are jiew to nie, and ^on the successful conduct of wfaieh my retMl*
"^tion as well as the Interests of the country depend, gnd ^hich keep me occupied front eatly itf
the ^ming, until late at night, and cah yoii think it, land or just to harrass me under saoh cir-
cumstances' with letters, which nonian of CoAuiron "Hensibility can read without painT 'Your
ktter to meat New York Contained tnany^'thiths; for which I was thankfhl, and reAsetioos
which I thought just, hut the whole were expressed in^ terms so harsh,nst ts say rude, as f*
di^fress me Exceedingly. I have scarcely recovered frdm the efiect of so great an error in jadge-
ment, to say nothing els«, when I am favored witH^'iM^other epistle from you, still trarmeendlmg
its j^edecsssor in its most obfeetionahle features. I mast be plain with you. I |iavc aR vptf
life (at least since I have knorwn you,) cherished the kindest solicitude for your welfare^aod
have manifested at l^st my good will towards yem, and should be extremely sorry to have o«ca.
•ton to change those feelings, bin itas doe t6 u» tK)th that I ehoald say, that the terwis wfsm
l^kieh^ou hare seen fit to pUtce. our ifUercomrseare us inadmi$smHe' It grieves me eaceediiig)]r»
itiort than you imagme, to be obKged to say so. When I was ihvored with your epistle ia I*^ar
York, I had just returhed from an interview with Mr. Bowne, in which I had made fpurii^
mediate appointment as District Attorney, a point chat could be no longer delayed. I have iinee
had aii increased desire to' tee it done, have taken steps to effect it, and wi& the mail that
brings your accudatory letter, I have information that it ^11 he done ; but that you are beeit|Uhig
whether you will accept it ornot. • Let me advise ym withsut giving my reason why, todosa^
The stiny you tell [the word iU^gibie,] sm <;oniing from Mr. Hills (a man who, if I know him,
is without the slightest consideration in society) about the President's great confidence in Mr.
Berrien, ^nd Hftle in me, is the veriest staff thatseiild bs^xtnceived. The repetition of such
idle i^sip constrains roe to say,'>vhat I am almost a^amed to do, that I have found the Presi-
dent aflfeciionate, confidential, and kind ^o the last <iegree ; and Aat I am entire^ satisfied that
there is no degree of good fcfeling or oonfidence which bo does not entertain for roe. He has,
howevei^, his <^^n. wisl^es aqd favorite views upon points which it is not my piovinee to attempt
opatrottL Upojs.evepy matter {le wishes (o havd the truth and respects it ; and wiU in the iM
mMf all tif die purity of his views aad inteiUioBS. 1 havQ not time to add another word.
' Your friend and hmble servant in eztseBie haste> M. V. BUR^N.
^O0ise Beggars relmke^^^^^iints is Usyt ahsiu enhe^zUng fither foople's a»sh.
[No., 1^2,] Seorstary Inflfham po Jesse Hoyt, st New York.
WAsatnoToiv, I4th April, lS^««4)«Kr -Sir : Your favar.is duly ieceived> bu( yon must per.
mit me to say in great soberneas, itm an ezcitsNieQt withoat reason cannot b^eunded in sober
judgment, aQd 9agkt never to be m'adjtt ths eaa^ ef action &a the part of an adatiiiiistrstkMi, who
atS homd to ooniniltf in grea( sobenv^s, the gre^t interests of the country, and not the feveriA
leehag aveo ^^ the bast of fkieniK^^hMi a^ Veaspn oah>,b0 given. If there were an eaekny
mertscing yoar good city with dosoiatiAitti that would be a food reason for ezciteir^ent, or if it
WAS knewtt that your CoUfictpr wa$ en^JBlmgtks fukU^ ^i^» sr esrrupting the Commumty
by official abuses^ there would he good^ excuse^ hdi really for so ttnmy wise i^en as we'ekUn
anrancf^vrfriandsia Naw Yoi^*«p^aiifier tb^nsolveii V^^^ pui mta hysteric spasms hecann of
the cMinnanes sf Mr. f^ion^mn to ooUeei tks dtuis^ a fs» days sr waeks l»n$ert or shorter,
is rsaUy matter of surprise — hM if it Indicates, anythhtf hr consideration here, it is, tfasit it
weald be bctisr to let the Psvsr s^tr^^orate before we, th^ow in any mbth stimulants. I am sue
Aat sedati«<eas|Ea htiier sdap is d totsush la coaditwajibaikMiy other pr^rip^n^^t to ^mom
bB9 4siiiii.]otwtaiirs»t)nttfa«iaioaifiiitMiiof Mlfi^iMorestfttwoditl^ ,
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^mmBttieimlmahMBmottgmhMeymi piWu^ diiUacliMi, ^ wbicfa some way tiife iiit» •Ave
««i' one hpbby^ fMae ontoolher, while w« are enckavonagto stand unnoved by Iboso ruffliog
p^Mwnst and by harmonioiia ac(ioii^ to keep tbie «bip.»teady on her course— and I should hope
tfaiM wasysohiiniiw sQoogh among yoa to* lesist tha impounoe of expectants, until their yain
hop — tindl yield to reaaan and oaaMOoa lenas* Theif isi moreoYer» you a|u^ know 4m im-
lAeoaa maaaoCaavaie and oonaitnt lahor to ba perfonoad )xy t]^ officers of the govenmiem, and
■anoli mrsee savaro io diose who come newly into office. Thepe duties cannot be postponed, and •
Z de aiittia yau that / am e%mpeU%d 4oih to file away long list$ of recommendations, ^., with'
> 9ut rmimg tkein, 0Ukough J^um.k 18 kowr$ of thefU^ with all mjf diUgence* The appoint-
laattta^afi ba poscponad—- other Jnatters canmt-^^opA it was one of the prpminent errors of the
late administtation, .that they suffered maoy important public interests to be neglected, while
abay waie cmiaittc about to sacare.or bi^ up partiaans. This we must not do, and hence it is
only at intervals, ** £iw aiasl far bat#«en>" that we can find a moment's^ tinie to consider appoint-
jaenla. Then le( as come to New Yjodt. Our friends there haye settled down on about two of
the appMotmei^ti^ bat yoH &re wholly unsettled as to the Colia^torship ; and I believe as to D. A.,
and yai fuch irapatieope ! Why, sir, let me tell you, tl^at one of our ^t, and I haid almost aaid,
ablest friends in Baltimore, le^ hero on tho 6th March, leaving his imprecation behind him, be.
causa he was not appointed to an office, not tben vacant, and because we had not removed all
the Administration Inspectors, not one of whom could have been known here, and oi whom they
have not yet accurately informed me. He has since come to his senses-^A^ inop^ctors are
chufill re^mofoedi and matters are gettinff right there, Boston, too, has been in a fever, where our
Iriends wace a» etrongt th«it they have divined into two paj;ties. Providence, toe, has bad a (ou
^eot, where we had 7^ votea, ail told. There has also heen the same at Little Egg Harbonr,
vhar^ wp had Jitue votes ! Theae natters proceed frpm the morbid parts of our system— hot
nothing can sink dee^ which ia not founded in something rational and substantial. Are you not
wearied with my long letter ? I am. It is the most lengthy epistle I have written, since I was
duhb^ secretary — and despair of getting time to write such another, for this yeai: at lesat. .
Yours, truly*, S. D. INGHAM.
fh§t tdk VauButen kow he had rented him^-U annoyed at hawing As> ' Uterary property ' ajiaef.
ad wt aumdenem-'^ Van Bwrmifapiipil—'fMry di9intereated'''iiM sycophant or intriguor-^^^hc
Vice Chmu4kir*9aike pari of tha epaOa^Wky BuOgr att$ Uiyt were obnoxmu^Hoyt
pvgk kinmlf^^^-dawn with Dm^.
tNo. 183.]. Jesse Hoyt to Secretary Van Bnren» at Washington. New Yorkr April S4,
18!^. Dear Sir : I received yodr letter' of the 19, on Moi^^ay morning last at Albany, and
aollleient time has elapsed I think to enable me to answer it without indulging in those feelings
Its perusal liiitarany gave rise f o. I have not now and at no tiaie have I had any ** oeitled pur*
p69e to Quarrel with you!* for I have too often qnarmled for f»tt, to be at thiiT time witling to
quarrel wHh you. It would he extremely huwiWitingta be oblaectged to admit, that in all my
intercourse with you I had hot sufficient sagacity to understand your character ; and it woaU
be no less niortiryiirg td have cause to unsay all I have said for the laat 12 years, calculated to
a^Mnee your reputation as a man, and yOar INTEGRITir aa a politieian. When 1 first oam^
to this city to live, yohr democratic adherents were not- numerous — and without any vanity I
"may say that ray exertions tended to increasa ika nambe r andnntil 1 have bean found gnilty
ot some overt act in derogation of my former conduct,! qaeation with great raspoct your right to
make the insinuation Voar letter seems to convey. .
Aa I am not favored with a bill of pafticnlamof my^^ indiacratioM>'' ** error of jndgment," &c.
^c, I am deprived of the power of explanation, bOC if the plain truth, apoken in a plain way,
r^ndhB '* an intercourse kftiMntisBable,'' then am I content to be cot off from tha world and the
trienda I hnva hti!herto been ardently dttaehed ta. ^
Bjyery idea I conveyed in the letter you received fromymo while here wsus eonveyed more in
reference ta yainr interoet than my wwn, and the language in which they ware dothed I suppos-
ed would have been teffietently sofbned by the reservs/tiort I made at the olnae of the letter*— at
ieaat to sw6h an estefft aa would hare* pirofecte<d me fmlnthe charge **</( rudeness," which alwsys
detraota from the gmHeartanly department i am most anxioua to ^reaerve. Tha political aenti-
ment of thai leittet I still adhef« to. My political anntisaents I inherited from a " long line of
aneeato^*(!SwAi as they were.) MY POLITICAL EDUCATION I AM MAINLY INDEBT-
^D TO YOU FOR, and the pHif^ifdeo I imbibed from hirth aa well as education cannot he
4re^dicatedat thie tikie of life. 1 HAVE NOT MADE POLITICS A MATTER OF DOL-
LARB AND CENTS, NOR HAVE I ADHERED TO PARTY WITH THE HOPE OF
GAIN, but I have labored in theor under yvmr ioamediate auspicM for 12 years vnth the leading
imotitoto eefve yos, but agailisa the id^ce of many powerful basineaa friends During this
tiaia'yott have met wMi oeeaaional revefsea, and I belitfvo my fidelity «iul fai^fulness, snderen
rMna ^tfrat of Mloiaaey.toya«^ wm mvmt ^ u ^ts o asd bf oaf ono— 4ior am I^wara of haviag
• Digitized by ^OOQIC
petebsm^ I shooM now fail lo pocrr omr besffkw tdvlatlM bv cvpkmky tkaft •yei fb M H i- Md
intregtrs ^^ho have the good fortune'to surroiind'youlrpetion'at tMttinie,!^ iwijr 6e m jtiatgrowd
''for kiting rpe down th^ wind a prey to fortune." I have no MMUtion to be In tbs tfa&H'of
great men, if I ftm to 0aetifio« my hidependeriee ^f t6 be ,^fo M b i te4 in •iprtiaiBg wm knOBit
opinion. I frankly admit I Vrote the t^teer referred to trndiM* some -eseiceraeat. ^ wnM aanaad
by Mr. Duer^s friends that yoti bad promised to sustain l^im. My ootysrsMSMi whh yto at Al-
bany led me to the same conclusion. I had that mdming l«eei?ed itiCoitnatiiMi froat«AHwiqr
that yOu had spoken to Governor ThfOop^ at the reqctest and in behalf of Jo^o Duer, Ibr VU:^-
Chafncellor. If this was not enough to justify plain deaBng from one who had g(vea BO M c ppasfe
of devotion to you, and who felt the great interest yoa had at vtake, I am at a Icm to^saw
what woutd have beerf. 7' >notP tin aevae of your partizans in rtlatimi to ike9t wam^ KtA I
know a more indiscreet measure you could nothfitTie adt^pted, if yt»u deiired to itvtAxi jeras ^psm-
er and influence with the party to which you have acknowledged oMigations.
As I wrote that letter my confidential clerk copied th* ^eets (T kept a c*py without readittg
over the original or even the copy before I got to Albany) for the [^otpose of ea^Mtng m^ to sl^w
it (5 Mr. Butler! I did so, and he remarked thdt it was all right, and be wat ^l»d I ^rofe »t.
Ho said the ideas were Tery strongly expressed but the resetva^on I refer to rendered that harm-
less in point of language, and T mosft therefore confess I was surprised to find that the dmrae-
terof the language I tiaed had found its way to your " Sensibility ,»* or that you ooold for one
moment coniidfr me guilty of ** rudeness.** As to the other letter, I ant equally •orpriaiM tt
the exception. If these were^onsidered exceptionable, then I fear the one 1 wrote eoV^rihg oHelo
Mr. Hamilton would be deemed still more so. I had /eason \o be dissatisfied ihih Mr. I Bttrt g h m
foi^ having misled me in his letter early in March. I may have written the hst letter tftidei^ Ac
influence pf that feeling. When I tell yoii, however, that I meant nothing inconsistent with my
former relatioil to you, and that I shall not hereafter obtrude either my opinions or adifiee ajteu
you ih relation tb any siibject, I should hope 1 had made satisfactory atonement. I am per-.
fcQtly a\vare of the responsibility of ^ur situation, and God knows there is no'm^n Kringtfaht
wduld be' more gratified than I should to have you acquit yourself with reputation. I am very
much ohleedged to you for your interference With Mr. Downe. I shall not get that place, and
I esn tell yon^how I was kept out of it. Mr. Maxwell, when he got a)ana«^» f^oea to ^idge
Hoffrttaaand tells him he was to \ft removed, and that bia 8a«i,0gden,had bettef 4)e a candidate
for the^fBc^ Mr. Bowne t^l8<Rtker, confidentially, and he-teiiaan AMtenniUi tkat yoa would
be pleased to see me put there. This comes to the ear of Hofiaian^aad he goes to all tiia Qxn-
toniao A^^derraen, r. . . . o( the 4th and 8th wards,'- — ^ ^c. &ot, and insinnaiea this idea
to them, and with all ihe «droitn|e6 peculiar to that family., rakes vpold pregudioes, enlists J>i^,
who is at^ched to young Hofl&nan, wilh all thor coodiea, high minded, and Clintonians, ajad I
was defeated. Doer was in the thickest of fhis. No C^ntonian is^ the Legisla|ure Toied.fer
Bvitler, save one -or two ; not one of the corporation voted for mf . We had become ofnwxUma
fur our semices in the cause of another leader* Tl^ere is not old staujpch democracy enough in
the Common Council to elect me. It is not then surprising th^t my inveteracy to that concern,
ooodiea^ high minded and all, should be as strong aa ^t is. Mr..Duer is now playjpg the same
'game that Maxwell played on Wednesday (James Campbell aatbori^d ne to say so)-^e went
to Judge Hoflman and lold him that he had «uci^ information as. satisfied him that he would be
temoved, and that he did not know why his. son Og^en should not be^appbinted. Mr. Duer|&ad
then, been informed that Mr. Hamilton had the option to takeihe o6&qe. He told me on Tofs*
day that Mr. Hamilton could not take it, for on that subjeot he wa^" Committed on papei,"
Mr. Banner told me the same thing on Monday, at Albany. After th^ Mr. Duer goeato Jjidge
H<^man, and, with what motive it is not difficult to divine.
I dkl state to Mr. Bowne that, as things now stood^ I could not .fjEoeptthe office of Attomi^y lor
this County, nor can I if it could be given me, after wjwt t writa y^u^ wiith any dem*^ of Jbaior.
I iiifBnned the gentlemen' who were instrumental in gattiog VPka ca;m:us b^;fie on Satur^y and
Wednesday last, (whieh, by th& hye, were perfect.abortionfO that J had no expoctationa ait Mr.
Duet's ofHee, for I knew fit>m the beerinshig if you ¥>€ne nUfor m^fit Ipas idU io aoy «fry ihing
onthe $tibfm;i : and I need not sav that I <hnve- sot boesr proqiia^ any aid froi* ym^ tboagfa I
thought th6n and now think 1 bad strong clatais ^n you as a party man and a peroonal IHend-^
and sneh I undertake to say is the universal ae|itiment of everybody here, of all parties ti^ohjaye
witnessed my exertions to sustain you against ibt infemons attaoka of your eoamla^* Jio^
thati^O leading men here tenderted their names, and among the rest Mr. J. C. Hswiho Bi ; y oar
silence induced me to decline the proffer. I HAVE Nt) INHERENT hO^t^ OF OFFICK,
and r have not therefore sttidied diserotion or wlighed pronauns and adyerba in m^y letttmfo
" Constitutional advisers" and advisers not eonstitatioiia] at Waehington, / knno TK» iiptAr
ExTBirr of my j>refeti8fon8,^mf ser^eo9t claims, CAPACITY^ f^^ POWBR^-^hey are «P3IaU *»d
inoonsideraWe-i-Bat when all' or any^ef tfaera-*-«baU not be fMM^erly resjiectad by tboaa^bioi 1
liiink oaghr to regret then>,l shoaled be «iwiU«ig-to>aabaiit,iok ailenc^ iritlHMH tb^ng ^umt^
- ?it«y»i# <MeiH g|tyaiiPti ma. Jkm m l ^^mau^ v w mm mk im tJ '
Digitized by ^OOQ IC
'' I'yi GdT tHE BOVfS, HlpijOmT, (SfittAtiL, riAtT,\AN» PdTmbBBS.** SW
one day or otiier fin^ tbeir ytlue In the political n^arket. Tbew gMaUtiea I claim to p9$aeM^ aod
which I deem important ingredients in forming and which nearly make up a caj^ital, on which
4m^ ean-cMunaiMtt tealOMt qb kis owa^ccoimt. It woiilil grieva me as much and inftlitely
nei»tlHHiUpMiiUf «<Hild yoQ tokeuttdek^tbenecettity ^difieriBgaafaras tolead to aaetar-
«ftfie ofak«i^fldihi|ftwliiah-I lavom haa existed. Yo» hafe the power to make me Piitiiec
At UMW y, k«t I ooifM iiot saffieiently abher myself if I waa *'to quanai with you'* for ointting
to dia ill Tet if Mr. Daei ia not tamoTed w any but a demoerat is appoiated I should do vio-
ltno9 to4lM» prm^laa yoa ka^a taught me not to be dlisatiBfiad ; and 1 do not think year rnitma
ia 80 much changed as that you would le^idra me to withheld the axpresnon of that dissatiefae-
tk>a. Lorenzo tells me I had better abandon all ideas of political preferment till the coodies
and high'' minde4 have become extemlitmted; Feffaaps he is right. I have said aU I have to
aayv ^imI perhape niore than I ahaald have said, but the ground up^n which your letter places
iia aeeaed ta requira ei^ialoandoron my part.' I will not attempt to disguise the fiict that my
feelings were sucji toward f<m that 1 fkdcied I #ad entitled to know the principles upon whick
you waie to^disp^bee your political power, and to be informed frankly whether it wot expedient
to ask for the place of an obnoxious incumbent. The coitfidence I should have reposed in your
friendly advice, which I' thought myself entklad to, bat which vaa withheld, i^ould have satisfied
m^, whatever it might have been. Your total sdeace on this aulige^, with the apprehension at-
tending it»ied to the anxiety to be informed whether your friends and enemies were to be put
iB« hatch-potch, without any moca adbeeive qualities thafi oil and water, and which could never
be. redaaed to a reaaoaable oonsiaienee. ^ It was not inconsistent with my regard for yea to point
to iba danger qf sack a coius^ e wketker I have by so doing forfeited your cenfidence is a nmiiar
aooftQwhat lassetted in imptetanaa to bm^ from a opnvietion of the parity of my mattves:
. Yat,wlev«r have been. Your friend, t J. HOYT.
[No. 184.] Betenut Offices dispensed inpayment of FoUHcalservices-^for eteetioneering — to
uphold needy families^ h^c. — a Primitive Jackson-man !
New York, 28 April,' 1829.— To the Collector of the Port of New York.— Sir : The bearer,
Mr. Beni.C. Biirdett, WAS JEALOUSLY ENGAGED IN OUR LATE CONTEST and
deserves the appointment he soliciis, which I understand to be that of I'n Inspector.
I.am, &c, C. C. CAMBRELENG.
" New York, 36 April, 1829:— The collector of the Port of New York.— Sir : Mr. James
Manrice, AN OL^' AND ACTIVE POWTICIAN, desirea a station 'm our Custom HDuse,
and is worthy of THE PATRONAGE of the government. ^ C. C. CAMBRELENG.
Mr. Maurice .» a Repahiican of the old school, and a wann and devoted friehd to Gen.
; Jacknn. JEROlfUS JOHNSON-^OHN HILLYER-.M. M. NOAH.'*
' ■ Here is another wonderful document —
Haw York, April t9tk 1929. To 9. Swartwaat, Eso. Wb the anderaigned dsa reooanmend
', Abraham Meserole, as a eery liable person for one of the Custom House Inspectors, and would
' ffladlv. as him appointed, knowing hjm too aliwa^ having been a warm supporter of QenX
' Jackson. M. ML NOAH, H. ECKFORP, WM. S. COE, JEREMIAH DODGE, JEia
; MUS JOHNSON.*'
Immediately below ihis, ii the fallowing rare and curious request^ on the same sheet ^nd
■ page of paper* . ! - .
« Dei^r Sir-^When you have leo^re, and take up the numerous applications for offices in the
' Custom house department, T Aiafee this memoVandom FOR FEAR IT MAY ESCAPE YOUR
' MEMORY. THAT MR. ABRAHAM MESEROLE IS A NEPHEW OF MINE. His
^ brotl^r Bernard the Alderroaji of t{ie 10th Ward, was a candidate for the office T fill. Supported
by a strong petition of Jackson's friends — ^ould take ij as a particular favor, ITT IF THEllS
' IS A VACANCY AFTER REMEMBERING YOUR RELATIVES, XD if yo« Jfould uvte
him a coipmipsiop. Yours truly, JEROIJiUS JOHNSON.
I [No. 185.] C. C. Cambreleng to Collector Swartwout, New York, 28 April, 1829.— Sir:
f Mr Jacob L. Dickenson is.t understand, an applicant for the office of Inspector. Mr. D. has
( been me^of mr most uniform republicans, AND WAS DISTINGUISHED FOR HIS ZEAL
i AND ACTIVITY IN OUR LATE CONTEST. No man deserves mors than he does the
» TAtRCWAGKotmstABTY. C. C. CAMBRELENG.
i To Samuel Gouver^enr, Poetmaater, N. Y,— Dear ^ir : The bearer, Mr. Whaley, is the gen-
tleman I spoke. tt^y&a «h«Qt yeeterdajrw^-HE I» A VERY ACTIVE POLITICIAN, and WRnts
i an appointment in the Custom House. You will confer a particular favor on me by givfttfir hfm
; ft few lines pC Moommendation to Mr* Swutwaot. M. M. QUACKENBOSS,
Digitized by^OOQlC
Mem. (Uandwriting of S. Swattwout^— « Alezwidcr WWcy is ^^ngW recommc^#4 if
"Wltnil* M. ftaackcnbosg. Me is also oppoaed to fur4v.** pm^<^ ^1°* ^P^?'* ^ ^^-f
John MoKia, *•* an ardent wid capable poiiticsiio/' Appli«l fiw ^ •taw* «C «J» •poil^ ^ CoUe^ j
lor Sw^tPtwout. in laau imwodiatiiy tfi» tb^ closfr of ^'(Mottwio) poU^ ^erti» «^4k j
ikU tt^tion of lb«t year. He waa recowttiended by. tlM aigoMlirf a of J^biUC MM .C«klK»y Dmw i
jMkaon, C, P. Whitf,€haa. Henry HaU,.'WaUeF ftjwa^ an4 J9timm iobaaoB. A14«nii«»4^ii !
wrote hia friend Bwartwoui as foUow*: '^ li^rw York,.H«v. SU^ i831-r-Mr. Mowi^^fts fmmn-
r»l years been one of our most acUve and efficient. Jaekaon «f pnblicant m t^ fiwt itmii-Hntf
ia90«» ACTlVeX>Y AND ZEA LOUSLY eng#gHt t>><^ to ;" . , ^ i
INo. 186.] William M. PHce, to $«n«jl^S^ylartwo^^t. GoUector, ».* X-MmoIi 30j JiW^ i
Sy Dear Sir: Alderman Dickenson o( the l^dji WaMl^n one«/ i/$^fmui^^ Jmekfom. •wa.t
5 is an upright, worthy iellow, and is infhal veiy vppor.- Ha^it nn nppUoaat fW »n tnipoctoi'i j
blajc?} and I believe hia appointment would t;te geoftf^ly '^ell^oeived.
^ - . . Yoma truly, WIi.IJAMM.PmGE.
. [No. 187.] Bilaa M. Stilwell, So Cofleotor Swarcwont, N. Y.
New Yoek» ^ Aptil, ldQ9.^6ir : 1 applymt bohalf of iSrEi'mr 3t>l%«ij. for one of litt na-
der ^^fiioes in yojtr gi£t---d«8ignate the one yow aid pieper. I atand pesponaible for YmctipaMiigev.
He is one of the old resideniers of thi^city, and at deaerrmg asany In it^-ot thc^ongh Mcaecitt
of '98, and A JACKSON REFORMER from the begmmig of the coneeaa*-^ prisoaer' is tk
Revolution— ^eaitiiy in 1600' and 18H-^oW without preperty, but alwaya ho n D W^Ic -^- a aJ
eaqualto any butanes» attached to the datiea of a Cuatooi House ofipar. UntU yoitr ptsffrteiiflg
seaiKm in over I expect not to see yok^-bot rest aaaniady under all eircumetanees, of my una- i
bated devotion and esteem. S. M. STILWELL. j
[Rgmaks. — Stephen went mto office* at ^1095 a year^ in due course*}
_,— _j —
/. Oakley, Swartwoufs security, endorses the too notorious George Ji. Wa^soUf,
[No- 188.] t J. Oakley to S. Swartwodt, Cpllectpr pf G«stoms<, 2 Cedar St.
** April 28, 1829. — Dear Sir: There is a very deserving man by the name of,Geoi|5eA
Wi^syson a measurer attached to the public store. I do not know that be would, under any cir-
cumstances, be removed, as 1 understand he has been a JacksouTman, and was appointed
through the influence of Mr. Baldwin, of Pittsburg, who is t|^ friend. As it is a matler of great
importance to him« however, he iifts requemad me tp apeak fo you on the ai^bieet. I wish yea
would have the goodness, it his removal is contemplated, to let rao fee yott« ¥our« tru)y,
^ J. OAKpIY.
f*. S. ^ Permit me to saggflst, by way oi manifesting my regard for yi^ur^zomfort, 'that yovf bad
better make the removals ami appeintoients which you contemplate, at once. If you 4n net,
there will not be as much of you Ijeft in a few days as there was of the Kilkenny Cata.**
[IIq. ISQ,] Cammodors Isaac Cktmnce^ to Cottector Swartioout-^A vett go^d iailar end^net a
. «, tery had noie.
,.»^ ' Navy Yard, Bn^kFyn, May 1, l8^.-^Dfenr Sir :. Allow me to inttoducp to your notfee, Mr.
OeoFge A. Wasson, who wnaappoinied by Mr. [Jonathan] Thoraps^m as inspector of the Ci|i-
toms, last Summer, partly by my solicitation. Mr, Wasson is a worthy man, io whos^ wigihttt
I feel much interest; and is the individual that I spoke to you about some time sihce. fi[e will
ixhie to you his situation and wishes. If you can continue him in office you xmU wi\ onbj
Hrce a worthy man BUT RETAIN A GOOD OFFICER, and confer a perwnal &vor upon,
Dear Sir, your faithful iii^d,^ t CHAUNCfeY.
[No. J^O ] J'acob Barker, New York, to Lorenzo Hoyt, Alban^.
iNbw York» 1st May, IR3D. — Dear Sir : You have herewith recommendation of sundry^^.
fons' intoreared nn the Bank of Washington »n<l Warren.. If l6lr. Sherman sBoaJll boa^Ie^iad,
be will give Alderman Gideon Lee and JWin R. Hedley, iQsqs.. ns security — t^iey <rc highfy re-
spectable and responsible >nen. Alderman Lee is very rich. The names of some skidcjdidtikrs
t Dickenson's case is another illus^rfition of the disbonest system qf s^Ieotiiig mvenue officers beeaweof tlieir ^
TitieaT opfnions. and pnying^them fir their proTessinn of the principles, or their adherence to the men. tbatfMOfe
rfuccenful.' DfcfcenW \t*ite8 SwHttwout, Mnrcfc SO, 1^ v'^efoW* itwnsevefl kr^ewn pnWirly thki hefrMillItt
^oll0-t(vr,) ** Tn principle and WHit I nm, thank rind; Jarksnti, And take sAm« tittle credit fbY ^tang f^' ^HmKm
<)ne " Mntthew h Davis writes Swurtwout. three days after, " He is a demo«mt, and supported theeUM!tap|l^ktt
that vbt?d f ir (iener ilJackson.'* Alderman Cowan writes and tells Swartwout, that " on the score of JackM^M^
Uft^^itb'd'^" People." ^t. JMM Ciak^y e«ttlfi«B tfial S. ** b eaa tf the migtui \Jadtsmwuki^>^ ^ «
has stron? claims, ii.s he was one of the first Jackson Commttae e^r formed iti tj^is city." Mr. I^amuel Tjiwiiiiiil
aMorechim that i)fckensoii "Iim for a ToT»f tim^^n A^teflubus supportertjfttte manwhonow swtn^liiMoi«
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k|v» be#D mtJUiowtdf but ^ .a ^iMtioa of liability will arise from the peculiar phraseology of
m act of incof^oratioQ, I tmnH it would h4 very imwise tc^ appoint any party interdst^dj tiiete**
fore 2 hope that Mr. Lathrop or Mr.' Sherman will be appointed, or both of them.
^. ' ' . Yours sincerely, JACOB BARKER.
Cbl, Dedatur, a worthless official, justifies CUnibn*s eondemnation of his conduct,
. fNof 191.] Col. John Decatur ^ Collector Swaxtwout.
iPoRTSMOUTH, May 4, 1829. — Dear Sir : This will be handed to you by my particular friend,
Mr. John Blunt, lately a resident of this town. In making you acquainted lyith Mr. Blunti I
take much pleasure. Ht is a ffentleman who has been emensiveiy engaged in business in this
place, and in my official dudes, as late Naval Store Keeper, have been daily engaged with him
in mercantile transactions. For a number of years Mr. Blunt has supplied our Navy Yard, and
I have at all tigoes found h|m prompt, energetic, and faithful in the performance of bis contracts ;
and wAere It possibly for Mr. B. to reside with us, I )inow of no man whom I would sooner se-
lect to the first office 4n my gift. For the last four years he has actively and openly advocated
the claims of our present worthy chief magistrate ^ and the reputation maintained by Mr. Blunt
has been such in this section of the country, that we trust his talents have not been engaged un.
successfufty. Should it be necessary to have an assistant editor, to aid Mr. Noah in warding
off the malignant shafts of the coalition party, which will be made on you, in consequence of the
general sweep which I presume you intend to make insgfour office, I know of no more suitable
man than this said Cod of mine, and I therefore request that you will add one more obligation* I
am already under, by giving him an appointment in th^ Custom ilouse.
Yours with esteem and affection, ^ 'DECATUR. '
[Remarks. — Col. J^hn P. Decatur, whom Gov. Clinton had exhibited to the world, as very dis'*
graoefuUy inteffering m Stats elecUons some yaars before at Brooklyn, and who figured disrepu.
tably in the Chemical Bank trial, was appointed by General Jackson, CoUector of Portsmouth,
N. H., in April, 18^9. In May, he wrote to his friend Swartwout as above. Jackson and Van
Buren'a advent to pofcer, was fortunate for jockies, jugglers, gamblers and blacklegs.]
Wehb and the Courier — Flaggy Wright and CrostoeU—^n Editor in leading strings to the
Wire Pullers of Tammany — What am I to do? — Sutler and Tibbets — Making temts with
the Press,
, [Tbrae Ijetters-^amib Gordon Bennett to Jesse Hoyt, N. Y.]
[No. 193.] P^(.ADSLPHiA, 7th June, 1829.— Dear Sir : When 1 first contemplated leav
iDg New York a fpw days, X pronoiised to write you occasionally. Of course 1 consider the pro-
mise still good. I have been part of three days here, and have mixed a good deal with the lead*
ing Jackson men. They received the account of the Union of the Enquirer and the Courier with
< ntter astonishment.' So they told me in express terms. They cannot conceive how the party
in New York can repqse confidence in Mr. Webb. Such is the sentiment here. I shall write
yon again frvm Washington. In the meantime, will you do all you can about the paper ? Spur
up Batter f^r he wants it. I am, Dear ^ir, yours truly, JAMES G. BENNETT.
{No. 193.] -- WMHiNaraoN, 11 June,.]829.'^Dear sir: I arrived here the day before yi^fu
teidcy^ I called on Mr. Van Baren and Mr. Ingham. They are both in fiiv(»r of the new Dem-
ocratic paper or the old one renovated. The feeling •gainet the coalition runs about as strong
Herd as in New York* They knew it would be corrected by 4he public men in New. York.
Major MocHe of Kedtaeiiy ■■ here. He brings aoeonnta from the west that etome movements
are making of a ctirioua natur« between Judge McLica^ (late postmaster) and Mr. Clny. * *
J. G. BENNETT.
[No. 19i.] AiAANT, 30th July, 1889. — ^Dmut Sir : Sinee I arrived here 1 have seen our
friends in ther Argiis oCBce and State department — I mean Major Flagg, Mr. Wright, and Mr.
Croswel). They are very friendly, but -they say they have heard little of our local matter^ in
Nent York, eonseqnmt on the sals of the Enquirer, with the exception of a passing remark from
Mr. Camhreleng, at he passed ikro'igh her6 a few weeks ago. They speakrin the high«'8t terms
of Mr.'Baraum, and nssure me that he is every way capable for the petition in New York. I
' ftiki •ot«l3f punied to kaoWF what to do. Although our (riends here think it a very favorable op*
porttiniiy to start a-new piper, yet they think it a very hasardous experiment. They told me
to>'diy that if the party hail the oontrol of ^ the political coarse of the Courier and Enquirer, it
wwtd be mfiise eligible than a new paper. This they think could be done by placing an editor
there mnd^r the OMSpiee* of the General Committee — stu Editor who would take care of (he ^•
lerSfatB of tks party and its frisnds. They are afraid that the political patronage is not suifi-
dent fw the 8Uppor^of a new pirptnr, and they are of opinion that a j<iurnal whi^l? now enjoys all
Mtch patramigs 'aath«^~Conner and Bnqdirer ought tq give up its eoloHans to a political Editor
. appoiiiled ky the CiSencrfil Conuilitt«Sj 1 wish you oonld get me out of thes^ contradictory tIcwb
iwlofliMw. If y««ii Ms. OAKUKY^aad Ms. C0M)1N0T0^» aiul a ikw oitoot* fw
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i22 MNNETT, BtTRROWS, BUtLER, VaI^ Btni«N, ^PTfiBB k UlACMNZ!!!.
fiiende could gettle what Gnurse ttfuHi taJieprevunu tomf return, I DO NOT CAEE W^LiiT ff
IS — 2 shall adopt it— I know it will be a proper course. Which is th^^i>est and chei^peat mod^
of expreflsips^the views of the party! A new or an ola paper. 1 shall be impatient for action
when I rklum. Now is the time to sow the seed.* This is the spring of politics. The birds
are beginnrng to sing. I cannpt resist those ioflueoces, and if you set yourself to worki I know
yott can accomplish the matter to a T. Do not call me a heretic, and a trifjf ling fellow, because
1 have spoken thus much of C.^ and E. If it be heresy, then undoubtedly .must head-quarterjs be
in a bad way. • « *
On the evening before I left New York, f received a letter Informing me that the Herald in-
tended to publish on Saturday morning last this — ** The last rallying^ point of the Republican
Party has been surrendered, by the purchase by the Courier of the services and prospects of the
gentleman who was to have published the iJ, Y. State Enquirer, &c. &c. Ac.*' I went to the
office of the Herald and told them^t was untrue, and forbid its publication. Showden will tell
you the whole story. It appears that Mumford Went to the Herald and told them the story.
Vou can see in this the finger of our friend BUTLER and Elisha Tibhets probably, who ifnant to
make as much mischief as possible. I hope old King Caucus will remember them. I shall
write nothing for the C. and E. during my tour — that you requested to do. Tell Mr. Oakley
that my next letter I shall write to him probably fronri the Springs, j '
I am. Dear Sir, yours trul^r, JAMES G. j^BNNETT.
P. S. — If you have any thing to say particularly in the course of this week write to Buffalo to
me. Mr. Croswell thinks that under present circumstances the Republican General Commitlee
can 'make their own terms with Webb and Tyl^e. Would not a private meeting of our friends
on the subject be a good first step ?
Van Buren disclaims all knowledge of the revolutionary intentions ascribed td Maeksnxie.
. [No. 194a] Daniel Brent, to W. L. Mackenzie, York, U. C.
Department of State, Washington, 28th July, 1830.' Sir: Your letter of the first of this
month to the^ Secretary on the subject of an article which appeared some time ago in the columns
of the New York Courier and Enquirer, and has since been re-published in other public jour>
Bals, both of Canada and the United States, with additional inni^endos and particul^xs, wa« re-
ceived on thfe 18th instant at this office, during' his absence ; but I lost no tim6 in communica-
ting its contents to him. The object of the article or articles referred to is, to indiciate a visit to
the United States and to this capital during the last summer, as connected with sonie revolution-
ary tnovement in the Canadas, in relation to which your' agency was employed with the Fede-
ral Governm^t ; and you call upon the Secretary in bis official cilpacity positively" and decided-
ly to contradict it. . - . -
I have, accordingly, just received % lettei-from Mr. Van Buren, the Secretary, dated at Albany,
the 23d of this month, expressly authorising me to deny all knowledge of, or belief, on his part, in
the designs imputed to you, as I now have the honor of doing, and to statd moreover, tnat he has
not the smallest ground for believing, that your visit had anything poliliea-1 for its object. He
directs roe also to add, that if the President were nolt likewise absent frr»m the seat of Govern-
ment he is well persuaded he would readily .concur in the^^declaration wkk;fa I have tHoa had the ho*
Bor of making in his behalf. I am, &c, DANIEL BRENT^ Chief Clerk.
SOas B, Burrows and his schemesr^Swartuxmt puffs him to General JaeksdHt^f mhem he W09
long an adviser by the back stairs — Silas wants his Consul ai Panama^ l(e.
[No. 194, 6.] Collector Swartwont to treneral A'ndrew Jack*)n.
NE«r York, 15th August, 1829. Dear Sir: The accompanjring letter has just been handed
1o me by the enterprtBing and intelligent writer of itf with a roqnest that I.wonltt forwavdit to
ymi. Mr. Burrows has not his equal, in our City, for commercial enterprise. You* will readily
perceive on perusing his- communication, the extent and utility of the proposed'^iae of communi-
eation between different and very distant parts of South Ameriea, It is really surpnsiitl; that a
gentleman, single handed and without the aid of the Government, should have pro}«etPd fnd
actually carried into execution, such an extensive and very important o|>er&tion. Bat his teal is
• *of surpassed by his perfect independence of ehttracter. It wa&intiiiialod to him a year or two
ago, thai Government^elt so de^i an interest in this aflair, that they would be willing to confn-
bate largely towards its completion, but Mr. Burrows, being a genUeimin^f fortune and great
pride of feelings said NO. He preferred the whole expence and' the whole ciedit of it»«jp4.he
will Bot swerve from that determination. All the aid he TeqUires from Govwtmnent, is the- ap-
pointment of Mr. Bvenet as Consul at Panama, where there never was oae before, and -where
there arc no Americans residing at present. This tippointment is important to him, for the sin-
gle rea§oh, thothe knows that hisoommercial agent, if clothed with eoosulariUgnitf andaothofity,
win be^more respected, in thot country particularly^ than if he wetit liwrs as « meieKwiehattt.
-Thr-povsen sMeetorfy Mc»£v«i«t,4B.aoavo. and |n;liHigiihl^. tfn^tf i— n»^f wtf zeikm^kHiof
fhe present administration^
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Ind^endmtly of the merit of tbk Enterprjee^ Mr. Burrow U considered, univer$alk/ in ^ur
City as one of the most upright, honorable and gentlemanly men in the^community. I am persp n-
ally known to him, aiidi^»n assure your Excellency that no, man possesses more of my conft-
dence and esteem than Mr, Burrows, As this' gentleman has t^Iready done a great deal for ib at
cosntry which cannot fail to benefit his own^and which has, in fact already benefitted it e^cee d-
ifigly, he certainly merits the ooimtenance of Government. The steam vessel which he has se nt
tliither, and whic|i I visited in company with Mr. Moore, our minister, before his departure, can-
not fail to increase the facilities of communication to an extent certainly never before contemplati^d
by its inbabtants or 1)y strangers and whilst we have a oMnister there or an agent of Government of
inferior rank, this litde boat alone will be worth thousdjids of dollars annually to our Government
and its citizens. The request, therefore, of Mr. B., that Mr. Ev^et may be appointed a comiul
where there never was one before, and where it is important that Mr. B. should have an agent, and
where the Grovemment of the United States will also soon require one is a very small i;^que6t~-
aod I feel pereuaded, your Excellency will consi^ej* it so reasonable and pr(^r as to give it -
your imihediate sanction.t
The * Keform* Appraisers^ Coe fif Co, described by Swartwout — Justice to the Merchants, as
doled out by Bernard J. Messeroh, Jeromus Johnson, Ichabod FraU, and the Custom Houae
Politicians of {S'S& — Espionage boldly defended,
[Remarks. — I do not know whether the following letter, marked * Private,* is, or is not an
official document. If it is, it i^ perhaps the only one I have copied from Custom House mannseripts,
into this book. White I was copying it, Mr. Webber went down to Mr. Hunter, the assistaat-
auditor, and told him what I was doimr. Hunter went to the ai^ditor, Mr. Ogden, who said that
the Records were in charge of Mr. Bogardus— who, with Hunter, canife up, stopt about twenty
minutes, but made no remarks. The original is among the old letters, &c.
In May and June. 1830, Jeromus Johnson, William S. Coe, app'd April 1839, and A. 6.
Mead, went intb office as appraisers at New York, and Bernard J. Messerole, D. L. Dodge,
Ichabod Prall, and Bert. Brewster, as a^mtant-appraisers. They were, nearkf all, convenient,
plausible, serviceable party instruments ; pretenders to republican principles, of which they hnd
but little ; but grossly ignorant of the prices and qualities of goods which it was their ddty to ex-
amine and value. Mr. Swartwout's letter, v<rritien three months after, shows how they ocmdnbt-
ed business The Mr. Gardner he speaks of was, / suppose, the Samuel S. Gardner, who Bad
been a deputy-collector under Thompson, Stephen Alien, &c., and clerk to Receivers of the
Tradesmen's Btok in 1826. It could not have been p. Gardiner, the Inspector. By rewarding
worthless, artful, electioneering hacks to selfish party leaders, with very influential oifliees, the
duties of which are unconnected with politics, business suffers, honesty is punished^ undermined,
or crushed, and the public morals are deeply injured. — W. L." M.]
[No. 195.] Collector Swartwout to 'Secretary Ingham, Washington.
New York, Ist Sept. 1830. — Private, — Dear Sir : I am very sorry that the removal of Mr. Gar-
dner from the appraiser's office^ should be considered by yoa as an aet of personal hostility on
my part, or that of any other disinterested person. I have often informed you that Mr. Gard-
ner ASSUMED AT TlMES — OT had it granted to him — of a1»praisin» the merchandise, tbhidh was
tent to the appraiser's office for examination, and WHICH WAS CERTIFIED TO BY THE
APPRAISERS [sworn officers! !] WITHOUT THEIR HAVING SEEN THE GOODS. I
had even spoken to the appraisers about it. / saw it myself^ and so reported it to you. I did
consider it, and do now consider it, a piece of gross assurance on the part of Mr. (xardner, and
of most culpable neglect on the part of the appraisers, I could not remedy it, and wrote you that
it was so. Was I to blame for that? But further. — Many merchants did cbmplJiin to- me of
. Mr. Gardner's interference, while the appraisers were .examining goods — and of his saying to
them such and such gf^da are too high — and tusy adopted his judgment. This was com-
plained of. .
He was not a clerk, bu^t styled himself a^ assistant to the appraisers. His Constant occupa-
tion, to my knowledge, for I saw it daily, was to hand them goods, stating their value, and get-
t Bilas E. BurroM^^ (wn of Enoch) and his history are well Tsnnwn in New York. He appears to hove heeo ,
deeply concerned Mrith Collector Swartwout, and other deep speculatovs part of thntband who joined " in ihe gen-
eral scramble for plunder," which they so artfutly eirvered up, in )eQ8->9, with the cloak of patriotfcm. Bui rows •
got in debt, and failed, bat $10,000 oif his creditors* means expended on a tomb to the mother of Washington, a
sl>ow of patriqtism, with a world of i)uffs, from dwartwaut and others, hod helped him along. He went strong for
J'lcksAn — negotiated a loan for his very dear friend Noah— went with Swartwout as a conservative — and at the
Tallmndge dinner, New York, Way 98, '1841, when Van Bnren's successor had gone to his last rest, toasted " John
Tyler, the disciple of Jefierson, the bosoin friend of W. H. Harrison.*' In Sept. 1829 Qr 30, Swartwout enclosed to
Van Buren. then Sec'y of State, Burrow's corresMndence with the baron Krudener, and asked some high mark of
executive approbation for him. " Mr. B. (said Swartwout) b one of our boldest and most desmving nkerebottte, and
a gentleman of the noblest and most ehivalrick feeling9>-4iem!e this prompt and geaeroos cwidoct towteds kj» un •
forttfiistofttlowbdog* 3attfaS]«il«tevi9liase«Be*»bappi|vWsQ4fd/V4l^>
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S84 AKsfticiAir MsschCAimr ptmrxwiss at ns cirsrox Bovaa*
tiJif <;i«fii to mark them aeeordhtglff. If sach coadiict vna ri|^t; I wu wrong in ifinkm Toa
ioTonnttioii of it— not otherwise.
Again.— Mr. , a very respectable merchant, called upon me at my lodgingB, to inform
me eoiffiiUntially, (and merchants will not give infermation in any other way,) th^ good» had
passed the appraieere the day hefare; AT A LESS DUTY BY 50 P£R C£NT than ha had
paid for emilair goods m the same vessel : and to convinoe me gS it, he had bought a bale of the
very goods thus passed, and had them in his store, where he would shew me,< and satiafy me of
the truth of what he said, by marks and numbers. I did visit his store, and liwmd the faets, aa
Btatei by him, to be true. On enquiring at the appraitors, I faufid that U was Mr. Gardner
who had INFLUBNCED the appraisers in their c^ctaHm— and, so paramount was hia authority
or > that his opinion prevailed — and this is not all.
The Bbok in which a Clerk in the appraiser's office had recorded anatAer -decision, was taken
from his desk, in his absence, and altered so as to corre^pmid with his [Mr. (Gardner's] own de-
cision. This was done, too, with the entry, which was altered by the saifte person, to coKKea-
pond with the alterations in the Books. The Clerk in whose Books this was done, gave me
the information — secretly I admit, hut not feloniously nor improperly. They were no spies, but
honest clerka.
To show yon that I was disposed to hIo my duty, I SENT FOR ME. COB, one of the ap-
praisersy and informed him of it. He afpbaasd to he wry much shocked at the tAmgr* and
promised me he would probe it to the bottom, let ^bo would suffer. I told him I was convinced
it was Mr, Gardner irom all the circumstances, the h&nd- writing, the erasures, &,c. — lit' but I
smsir heard any thing more about it^from the appraisers. This is what \ meant by " infidelity
to hia trust.'*
It was not necessary that you should do this act upon the fiiith of what I stated. Mr. Gard-
ner is nothing to me, but / was obliged to notice his conduct, and what they said of it, but you
ware not compelled to believe me or them. I am willing to make oath to what I have stated,
but I amy not be able to get merchants to do the same. What took place in the appraiser's
office can be testified to by the clerks and others ; but they would do it with reluctance, I ap-
prehend, if the Treasury should attribute it to " improper passions."
I cannot give you the names of those who communicate Xo me confidentially. I obtain in.
formation, daily something of great importance — secretly, to be sure, but I cannot divulge the
•oucces of it. I would rather not act than compromit my honor in a matter of such importance.
Yoa appear to be surprised that Mr. Gardner is removed. I acted upon the authority of your
latter to iiemove him from the appfajsers' ofjiice, and give him employment somewhere else. I
wiota to Mr. Gardner a ven[ polite note, stating that I had the honor to enclose him a letter I
had t)iat dav (eceived from the Treasury Department, And I also sent the original to the apprais-
ers. Mr. d, never came near me from that day to this. He left the appraisehi, but did not ac-
cept the oflfer to be employed elsewhere, because he is rich, bein^ worth, it is supposed, sixty
thousand dollars — and does not want and would not accept a suboidinate situation elsewhere at
half bis fi>rmer aahuy. I am, <&c., S. 8.
[No. 196.] Churchill C. Cambreleng, M. C, to Jesse Hoyt, Albany. '
WasHiiraTON, 36th Dec, 1830.-^Dear Sic: See our Engineer, Mr. Jervis, and see etery man
who can aid our Branch Railway petition, or who will help lis to give the Turnpike Company
ita^ietas. There is a secret about Judge Peck's tridl^the federal minority in the Senate
mean to sustain him — the case is an outrageous violation of the rights of a citizen. The Planet,
a ^w locomotive of Stevenson's, has gone from Liverpool to Manchester and back again in 60
minutes, including two minutes stoppage ! See the members of the Committee in the two
Houaefr— and let me know to whom I^^an send of our charters. .,
Sincerely yours, €. C. pAMBRELBNG.
The Quartermaster Generalship — Prosper JtfT Wetmore and the iPUtsh Fire Oo's.-^Wetmore
and Webb candidates— 'the militia mixed up with party services — Webbs great miliMlff/^ex'
perience —Noah a candidate unknown to Webb — Wetmore dewmnced'by Webb aitd Nook —
Sandford goes for Wetmore.
[No. 197.] Col. James Watson Webb, N. Y., to Jease Hovt, Esq., Albany.
PritMte, New York, Jany. 8, 1831.
Dear Hoyt: A gentleman called upon me to-day and asked whether I Honid prefer being
Q'r. Master General to Lieut. Colonel of the Govemi»r's Guard ; and proceedefl to state that
BayfM-d being absent in Florida, Proifper M. Wetmore, was pushing very hard to be appointed
in his stead. He informnd me that Lawson had pledged liimaelf to set it for him, and made a
Visit to Albany last week, polelyand exclosivelv on th»»t account. He a'eo told me what I did
nfot heSote know, that in consequence o/ WETMORE*S connexion with the " Life and Fire*'
OS' soots other such company, the ^7th Regiment of Artillery compelled him to resign. He ia
conaequeatly obnoadoua to the Military, manf of tahom tnmtd thair ayes to ne^HBot for
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W£tMORE, WfiBBj AtfD NOAfi, &ACIIfO (6t A 0^ tmjt, MB
iMM^ 9pt€^n or respect, &u'f ^mply heetaut they ^dttgft/ e«tt2«^ db/ea< Wetmunt. I'Iqiow
.^^ipiord dnly as the author of Lexinfton and other poetic productions, and as the great gua of
^^artwdut and l^wsom I owe hittt )ao iU wilU mot 4o. I foei i| inemnlMsit up^ pia t* aak
whether ih seeking iny tiwa MlvaBoeYhsnt I tn%d upon hi* toes or not. to cut the
mutter short, I want to It OV. Matter Chnerah 14 timet me the rank of Brigadier^ and the
duty will be less than that or my present appointmefst. 'There ar« no emolamejits attached to
the office, and con^quentty even an Bditvrnoif be appeinled without the censure of the oppo-
sition. Ten years t)f my life spent in the arrays q«ahfy me for it, and. I mi^, without vanity,
say, make me more competent to the discharge of its duties than any other applicant. As an
evidence of hov» the Military estimate my amy serrices, I need only mentipn that in January
last I Was elected Lieut. Colonel of the Gnards, when in Albany, without knowing personally
|»)itone officer of the Regim^enl;, and thi8» too, without m^ having been consulted on xhtt subject.
You know what would have been the consequence of my having tome out for Root iQ8tea4 •f
Throop last Summer, and it will he someibhat strange if he refuses to grant so small a favor
as tp consider me as worthy of the officd as P. M. Wetmore, ^ do not wish to be knovm as an
applicant so long as there is a possibility of defeat, and have therefore determineil to write only
to, the following persons on, this subjject. From ydu I elpect all you can do, nor would I write
to ny persons on such a subject unless I felt that I would be pleased to render them a similar
ser ice. I wrote to Selden, C. L. Liidngston, the'Goveraor, Lt. Govtmor/Mesan. Dix, Tallmadge
ah4 Hubbard of the Senate, and Edmonds of the house. With any of these speak freely, .and to
mny other you choo9,e, but not to let it be known that I do ap{)ly unless I succeed. CatgyJ of our
delegation,, and also Ostrander, are very friendly. In short. Do as I would do by you — nothing
morel All well here, and I beg you to accept oai* thanks for your letters, although you did
iQitke me publish your bit at Monroe. Tour friend, in haste, JAS. WATSON WEBB.
^. B. You entirely misapprehended our remarks about Selden. Say it shall be attended
to.--W.
N. 9« I hfhve written to Edmos^ telling hi;n to call and ask to see this.— *W.<-<d8o to
.»eW#n^W.
. P, S. If I lun not appointed W. must not get it— it will injure the Governor if he gi«a|i it
IQ binw-^y^. I encloBd, you the letter to the Governor, which read and band to him. Noah
you jrUl peicei^ baa been named but he cares nothing about it. I do. Send all the ktten I
enclose to the persons to whom directed.
{N9. 198-] , Lieut. Col. Webb to Lieut. Govcmw Throop.
w Office of the CoumiER and Enquirer, New York, Jany. 8^ 1^31.
To His BxoeU«9cy»4bo.«— Dear Sir; I have learnt to day, for the first timf;, that in conse-
fOMce #f. Mr. Bayard's absence, application^ have b^en.made for the appointment of Qr. Mas.
tot Gieaejral. I am- noi'in possession of any facts which authorize me to say that Mr. Bayard
iioen mu iate»d to reiarn to the City ; on the> contrary, Jie suggested about eighteen months since
tbftt the ^ifeaatiAn would suit noe— rsaid he had aome'idea of leaving.the state ; and that, in'tbt
t«MU of bis <k>inf so, be would let me forward his resignation, and at the same time become an
i typlwant to fiicc^«d him* If, however, it is in con^mplation to appoint a succepsor, I beg tbat
' I ifety be ^eoosidered an api^icant. Of my iitn^ for the. situation, perhaps the best evidence is
.10 be fouad ianearly ten y«ai« service in the U . S. Army ; >fith what reputation your Adjutant
Gcaeral, M<uor Dix^ oaa inform you. Of the value placed upon those services here, I
htnt no other evidence than my being elected, ia January last, Lieutenant Colonel of the Go-
vernor's Guard, by the officers of that Regiment, without being known to but one of them ; and
riveted, to!0| iK^Mheut any previous cpiisuitaiion or information en the subject. It is not my wi»b to
be known as an applicant unless I succeed, and therefoi-e I have not applied to the officers of the
Military in this City ; but if theifreeommendation is o»ly necessary to ensure my sueccss, an
' itftlmatidfi to that effect to Mr. Hoyt, «h(» is now in Albany, or to Mr. Selden, or Livingston, will
betH*dmpt)jr a6ted upon. I beg, Sir, ^at my elainis may be considered, and that you will do
nk* tbe (bvor to inform some one of my friends of your determination.
I am. Sir, very respectftdly, your obedient aersant, JAS. WATSON WEBB.
SUNDAY MORKlNG — On showing this to Noah» a few minutes since, be informed me
that his name has been used for this appointment, but that he is indifferent about it. I coniider
Mr. Noah aa well qualified for the aituation, trn^ would be pleased to see him appointed if { do
do But speiwed myself. At all events his appointment Would be more popular than that of any
person t have heard named. Yours, ^c. J. W. WSBB.
* [Bfo. 189.} Dear Sk: YoU know well ^ Mioacy of theie military appotntments amang
military nsea. I am indifl^rent, as Mr. W. ai^s, abo^t it, but. there are many drcumstans—
which would render THE APPOINTMENT OF COL. WETMORE, both of a civil and mli-
tary nature, HIGHLY K^OEPTIONABLE. S^vena have spoken ^ me on this subject al-
ml$ . , you|»tru^Jr,
, •. . . Digitized by ^
TUB tticr, THjE juvifl^ in cAVAzzj^a^^MiD Tn$ sTocm.
" . [Ko.SOa] ^ . C- W. 89a4fard, taLuDnuCal J.. W. Webb.
TbompBon Street, Satvirday Et'c., Jdn."8. :
- BcaV Coltwwl • I hSV6 just received yo^m of ifeul »ii^9oon, «aid regret sincerely tbat I cahnftt
comply with ydur requeet to addrtw the Q^i^rj^or v^ hxar o£ yoi|r 'i^^pUcaiiqii for the appointment
' of Qr. Master General — simply beoaiii9e» before hearing of your bein^ a caiidldate,«t'(he request
of sdme friendf of Col. Wetmore, I wrot& toHia Excellency. i» his behaitw Hid J^nowil you were
an applicant I woald unqocsttonably ba^e advf>cAted your appoin«nent-7-y9ur practical militaiy
education and experience having given yon great advantages (which you have well used) in Ibc-
quiring information in military aflbin. But having already addressed the Gpvernor, I cannot
with any delicacy or propriety, intrude myaeif ^ain on this sul^est.
Yours very truly, C. W.* SA,NDFOfcp.
{Nq. 201.] R. H. Nevine, Broker, Wall Street, to Jesse H3yt, at Albany, dated New Yotk,
14th Jan'y. ;83l.
'* Dear Hoyt-— I must trouble you to let me fcAo^, whether oiir Banks, now beini; willing* to
take renewals of their Charters on the terms oi&red to'^them last wii^ter, will all be able to get
' them? It was predicted by aome parsons , that some oi them might not have another chance.
* And as to a new Trust Co. — do you think that an ftpplicatlon from a very respectable list df peti.
' tiofiiers will succeed in getting a Charter similar to the on^ granted at the last session ? 1 shall
' be much obliged for your apuiion on the above, or on any other subjects that may have to do
with Wall street. I am willing to run Xhe usk of your opinions, and I hereby bind myself not,
either by Word, deed, or io<]k, to manifest any mortification or disappointment should any bad
Ksolt come of your advices. I hold considerable Life and Ti^st Co. Stock, which will rise or
fall probably when the question is settled about other chaijters. ^ - •
Your& very sincerely, R. H. NEVIJrS^'*
. - (No. 202 ] Frederick A. Tracy to Jesse Ho3rt, Albany.
New York, Jan. 26, 1831.— Yours of the SSTdinsL did not readi ihey^terd^ iM kte in
' the- day, so that nothing could be done. To-day^ at the Board, it was not my ^ek'fo fet Md
* of any of this stock, altho* some sales were made at frbm 96| to 97 J-^bift I have sbme prospect
of .cottcludiog a bargain for ^00 shares. If I make any purchases it^wili ^e for roar '&e<5Hmt
solely, as I think the stock high. ^RED'K. A.* TRACY.
- [No. 203.] Chtfrchai C^XJamljreleng, M. C, to Jesse Hoyt, N. Y.
. <WASHiNGTON^10JFeb. 1831. — DearH— — : The Senate only wait for our slow Committee
; iin. Foreign delations to get up and pass' the- btti 'organizing the^ [Danish?] Commission-^-there
bt no other difficulty that I have heard of. Sampson's nomiiifltion^ maV ^it<MNtAteF iipp^tion,
.but Ilia ve heard of none. I diffeV in' opinion with oor Directors, about the great importmmm of
if. branch line, as it regards our own il*TERES'r-^that lies at the eaetetli • tormina tidn-^we wish,
,. however, to accommodate Albany, bu't ^f the two sectioYis df the town quarrel' among^ them,
selves and defeat our bill we cant help it. The noftherft part of the towii will suffer, and the
.. aouthepi part will be benefited by onr haviAg^o branch. We Utinll tjarry the busihecs .^fliare-
ver our, road goes. Combinations of fragments cant hurt os in- general poKtic8s<»-^ cariMmioa
n^cti^rs we shall eternally have local divisions. Ingen\eral divjaionfl we have none f ^s^ but
Clay's friends — ^d we have Old tlickory against him. Between ourselves, I don't «are
two and sixpence about havirtg a branch line passed-^we can^get atofig well enough witikMllt it
Next year the people of Albany will "^e'gUd enough to present the jpetitilm themsSfet^-iil^ in-
finitely more iniportant to them than to us. ' •'. ^ , ..
Very sihcerely your friehd, • G. C. CAMBRELBKO.
' [No. 204wl Silas M. Stilwell, AlbaǤr, to Jesse Hoyt, tfew York. ; .'
Albany, 15 Feb. l831.-^Dear Hoyt: Yow favors haye reached me, and I,.hftBtea,'io an9wer
them. The name of SrsrsEN difBREUUita has been sent ioia the Senate: I give you >h|a in.
formation because I know from your letter that it will pleaseryou, and because I Ijke^tq pjbaaa
3Mt — ^but I am bound to say that aUbough I have no obtjaetion to Cambreleng^ yet I gave van
^yek the preference-^and if I could have Jiad my way — ^if personal weight and.anxiety of feel-
iilflr-conld ,have givfen tbe-office .\q Van Wyck, so fiir as felates" to me' he woutd have had it.
Van Wyck is ray friend — I o^e him much friendship. This yoXi knOw-^ahd rtf doun-e hif' was
•my.ms^n., I)iave been defeated, and I have the consolation that you ^ilT be jalensfd, end that
CJ^rghreletng is a clever fellow. I am yOur, friend, S. M. OTILVELL.
ItKinks Calhoun somi'pwfr demTs dupe^—^tan^Bvfen likincd tS .tkslti^h^tpiriUd korse-^
Speculators to bepui down^Thro^'s n^mtnatlon gf Vice C^kne^tor ]\JkCotm^ hangs j^aoy
in the Seiinte. * ' , ' ' . • . ^.
* \ [No. 265.1 ' ' Dud'ley eaWAi. tt. C\ &c. to Jesse Hoyt, N.'Y^oi4k >, - ' v
ALBArft-, March 4, 18^1.— My Dear Hoyt: My friend's letters have not perhaps lllia «■*
fwered as soon as he thinks they ought— but I have not been able to read tHem yet— ani^a ma^
jvmctovn fvvfs to potost and thk politicuns. basswood. 22t
18 4;eriainty entitled to be praiaediir his pOQOtuiUHjr who makes his return to a letter as «oon m
lie hfft peruse^ it
YottJMed n^ embne 'confidentjar on anjr of ymu: communications to Livingston or StUwell
» « « JT * » ()n reuduig.CAjjmvv's'corre^lHmdence, J made up my mj^^
thuhsiiiid lejsn tM dvpe oj wme poor devil behind the curtain, and hmd exhibited most egre^
gio^a folly in bting caugkt- Your ai4it$s9ful competitor for a high place [J. A* Hamilton ?]
9€em9 to hone been ^he moet canepieuoue wian in, bringing vp this by-gone transaction — and I
a9» glad that Ms.. Van Bursn, like the high-t$^iritediorse, has shaken the dew from his mane,
emd eteposed. th» rogue to bo taken.
No Be^s here. Your kind efforts of the D. and H. ^re duly appreciated. I felt 'satisfied that
in sending me the little pamphlet, your whole object was the public good. So is mino— and /
W«^ if I can^give the rascally spei^daiors ypon time a thmst under the short fibs.
McCovn [Vice Chancellor] hangs hfovy in the Senate. I know not why. As aoon as Slae*
per .withdrew (and so I read his letter to the Chancellor; I have aided him all I could.
tours truly, DUDLEY SELDEN.
Selden a man of talent — First rate pemocratic timber a scarce commodity — * a judicious puff*
. — thanks the Courier and Enquirer. — f/tbbying fromwiijiin,
[Ho. 206.] Silas M. StilweW to Jesse Hoyt, New York.
Albany, 7 March 1831. Dear Hoyt: )[ should have written you before, but that busineta
begins to press upon us of the city, more and moie^^and again yon know we are in the midst
«f my Bill on Imprisonment. I hsve great hopes. You have donbtless seen Setden's report on
Uh Ftnancee, &c. Yoo may dep^»i there it an exhibition of talent and business habits about
tbat ffisport which is worthy of all codimendation— Seldett is a man of talent^^and I am 4e(er-
miB«d the world shall kfww it ; Nothing/ gives no greater pleasure than to back a clerer wpr-
tky MloWi I can look the woiU in t^ie Uioo and say he is honest, he is espable. You iprow
SaflK 18 m^ LITT(»B BOST li^tS'rOIBER Of TUDSNOCRATIC RANKS, THAT HAS Bl^CN msCOT^MlCD.
We aboikl ihevelQre ptize. what we hir^e the more. But I ata inelined to 'think that your bar
oftHnol present tans ^oe who (if backed by his ^nds) will be a greater ornament fo the party
thaa-Mdon* I will «iat speak more on thesu^ect, slthoV there is no topic which srieids me more
pleaMre* Now permit me' to say that nothing will help a politieal friend so much as a jodi-
aoas tBf r thromgh a party paper* Never ua^there a finer opporiunityt mid I esmmit out
firiemd^a tsptUation intkat respeti to you. Hoyt, nenvember, we never can do too nuich (a|id I
JaMw ytm think s») fbr'« w«rm. hearted, takoied. frifHid. Be judicioos, and let us see What we
esB da ibv him. I wae mn^ gmtifM on seeing in tbe Courier and Enquirer, a notice of my
i^apott. I must thM betlsp of thet «tabiiahment than I have done, and will take the first op«
prntonky^ of-astanhg those eonce^nod that I eannot be outdone in generous conduct. It is my
intoetionto'baick SeMan te tbrulmoB^ o{ ray ability Jn th« tax propoaed and yoa know T sel-
dool fill lit 'toy undertakings, for what eammt be dine by argument and conduct in the House
can be carried by activity and ciommtooa^omt doorst, I fee\ vpry anyious to get through land
rftemtr^Moiet ^hiabwsinasa is^agseatsaeriioe to-me ; anddtd I rMaupXefimf miad and bg^dy
B#astfMitly» I akottld'lleti^ able ta remi^ hers. Lat rae hear froi1| you. I write in great haste
..-4Ufld be asomd I remain^ wkfa gifat respect and esteem, yonrfriend, 8. M. 8TILWELL.
Mc^lli^^ af Geot^ia^ andTthe Gold Mir\e of New Poiosi. '
[No. 207.} Rr J, Aiuo^d apd M. H. McAllister to Jesse Hoyt, Wall street.
S^TANNAH^ May IS, 1831 — Dear Sir : Your favor of the 5th inst. i^ receiiwd. In replf, we
wonU; observe that ear Mr, Ari>old sails for New York on thiiSSd inat., and will be a^thorwed
'o qleee th^ business upon the lerms ha may think best. Tho' what part is sold, must be el a
mndeome profit, fqr every. day we are receiving more fayorable accounts from. the,3I<iMe*
^Otday McAllister reeeijlped a letter from the tjfold Region ; an extract from it will be given be-
ow. The report alluded to in your letter from the I^ootor, will no doubt come t9 hand i^ to-
lay's mail. We shall wait with i^iety until it is. received* In the meantime we note that
»art of your letter whi^h re^esta«s no{ to intere|9t any person ^ere. This hjSa not been done.
3n the contrary, every person here is ignorant of our being iiitorested in the Pgtosi mine. You
vill pereeive by the. extract from the letter above alluded to, that the (Mm .haa not, as yet, been
(xtinsrnished, although we so <^»nsidered it the last time, wq. wrpte Mr. Ward. U ia therefore
rery neeessary that this businaa% be kept an entire secret for the present* -McAMister wUk in
I fin» dayst at aoeo as the Court risoo^ start for the Gold JSegion. ,
R. J. ARNOLD, M. H. McAllister.
EacTEACT. — ** Witit regard to the daim on Poto^f tfae^r wish to hold on, on account that they
' have ewanmed <Atf fntna mere iJmr^ugkly^ tmd find it nnush better tlMtn they expect^. THAT
'PIPAGE IS TIfE WDpSy ASTpJtI§mNe JN ALJ* THE GOLD REGION ; and I hope
you will believe me when I say its prospects are very much tnM»flslH»iie(| thin wlMtt yon
' were liere,-i» the Un^nage of the writer, 50 per cent better.** ^.^.^.^^^ ^^ V^OOQ IC
228 OTO NAVY. $d3,500's wonta op Albany eegbncy bait.
;^. • • ' • • . .---.-.' '^ r .'. ■•
Futhing in the Naval Serviee^Swarttbout wants hit Nephew Ment ahead of hit Seniors. The
rr^o. 208.] Collector Swartwout to Levi Woodbury, Secretary of the NaVy, Wtritfo^ftn.
" Nj:w York, 28ih May, 1831 1—Slf: This letter Will fee hancted to ydu fiiy Skmtk4fl Smith
Sioartwouif, my nej^ew, at present a pawed imdshi^matt in the U. S. Navy. This young gen-
treqian entered as midshipmah the 10m May, 1830. Bt was entitled by Iaw, to an eitaftiiflstioa
in 1828, but being absent on duty, he did ^ot ofkt till January, 1889.' Ill health and extreme
diffidence lost him the opinion hfthe Board, ahd he waS rejected. This unfoftanate ntiahap pro-
duced so much distress; that, on a second trial, Itom m^re enibarrassraent alone, he iailed again ;
but the Board, as well as the Secretary of the Navy, from his known talents' as an officer, deter-
mined to encourage him to inaktB a manly effort to overcome k coilstitittional defect ; a^d he has
i^cently passed an excellent and tnost. creditable examination, ^nd now presents himself to the
ScQrete^ry in the expectatioh that he will be plftMd a» teeetat officer* similarly situated hettfto-
fore have been, upon active duty as a Lieutenant. It is also greatly to be desired, if contistent
wi$k ike regulations of the Navy, that Ids ^ommis^OB to Lieutenant, when issued, shdcrid- ttdie
date with those of the midshipmen wliose warrants bear date with his own, but who passed in
1828- The private character of Midshipman Swartwqut is irreproachable, and his honor unim-
peacli^d.' He Will explain more fufly to you, in person, the causes ot'hia failure to pass in 1828,
and give you such other information nis may be of eoiisequence for you to know. S. S.
--,■]' ■ ' '^
MaUroadth^TumpikeS'^floyt and Camhreleng. .
[No. 209.1 C. C. Cambveleng, M. C, to Jesse Hoyt, New York.
A^anv; 22d August, 1831. — Dear Sir : I am* informed about the turnpike movement. The
stock was a|>prai8ed at 20 per cent, and the charter was yatued at $ 10,000, making in- tft tbout
yS^iSOO^'^ttbotit a fair valuation. The distribution of the new stock not yet mide.> Thrff j^
tribmion will give offence. Some of the Dimctors aie mxious to pinh o»wiik ther r^stA^-^^^'aikttn
txt fdt oompromising with our company. The JatttM* hafvH ntott noiMyv but the restiir it^uncifer-
i«in. When they Me our loeomotiye in optratidlh they wiH abdHdon their plan ofa «bn>pa» ftid
rail.robd.' We should^ havo nor tro'uUe with it at itU ; hilt thers ttrt^mms^ ^^kiomt met^ to
make a BUBBLG vfitand take in hanMt'nun. I baVe a periect«md«maiidflh^ «4tli*Mt'.'Citfn-
iilg,mad if he can in the distribation get a m«)ority, or ft cdnttbnl qf 2t, wo iMi ocmpmtiaim the
ttlatUlr.^ Id ^e meantime we hav* adverisedfor a braiich Itae, and Mr. Fieanh'is pnytflely at
•worft, gluing the consent of owners of proj^cfftythroiigh wtaieb the Kim wtil^Ma. If t» o^mpro-
'litibe should be raitde, we wiH make them u, proposition wRifth^H give satisftietion to niw^tenths
^'the people bf Attmny, and send eA#'^dttlff«>r9<iti.th« 'neiw sttvpk ivith a fajld gttite tA-tkc le.
^iftlatuye-.. Bat after all, they must keep dp the tumpifc^, avd^ that kills ^eil* rail^road pi«>j<ec at
.oifeei Tlie- two never can be combined without siinkfH^ tke caipital tiJd ent inboihi We a4iall
have our locomotive at work by4he «nd of the ^rekk. Ilhtf hMter'w«RlU>»ek M the road>fOidBy.
^ Oors will be aniraffienM stack. I Imi certain wo shall tMSt-ycwr tteMgv about 800 iidsf. ■
• ' ' ^wwniJy yours, ' / €. ^. GA1tr6&B&EM€^.
•"•'■« ^' • I .III t i »iiii«wi i aM» m i V * ♦ .
'ih: McAUistar C9ndtmn8 phs Dmosratie^ Legi^atnrsvf 00MgUii m ^k^id, ptoitm^md ifno.
rant-^J. M. Berrien' r efforts fo tniight4» them^-^fiarft'U thiam tf^Uktlfrkatgrnfm^kfet
goldtniai, Neio Botosi-^Why shmttd oorpmrmtions pay %kHt dsiU^ Chs»^ am p^ri^ i^
lation— McAllister swears at 'em !^»Pargatory*^Tke asses who bray for the public.
[No. 210*.] M. H. McAllister, of Georgia, to W;ardf and THtoyt. Hew York.
MiLWJDOETiLLt, [Georgia,] Nov. S[7 l6.%.-iGentlemetts JltistyiterJ 1 havfe'juatxsbmp from
the B«ite House: After a stniggio of thrte days in the S^Kite,^ jWiereitt'nhunreMitfe'd «iid hot
debate lias been mHinfained from rtorri!ni| until wi|ht,fof twt^daysTwe hive Mei in our object
^f obtaining an Act of Incorporation. The intelRgjfefWe ortfte^hate has been beafen hy the
ignorant- wise', grass-fed members ^ho tprnpaee a largft ina^rit^ 9rVhe L^^ffi-'Iature. No elkn
lias bifen pretermitted, no exertion tjpared. Bewien in behalf of the Elrod, M<^rray in hAalf of
Bsefs, Booth, and St. John, and otkf^lves.'hftt^ all made united and tawiring exertions, but all in
vaill. Against US tbeprejiidice* id unsparing. They say that th'e Elrod people have btft the
Ieaf>e ftf one mine, wherdtte We ha«e monopolf^d a- greaf'and VhWjible mininff »nterf«t'; ond to
incorpor>»t» ns woald be td^fda^l an fndiicem<mt to northern iften to embark in It* and the
cfietit of th*€fir einbarkmg to work thu interest w<>ald be » create ah immense rooni^d i1fteh?st in
^ tbd Btate, which would revolutionise U6 poliilcs. T^he €turk mtn, with 4 few exceptions, Apposed
it with d«adly>hoJrtiUty. The htidy «f the oppose ptetty went for' thtf .charter. Fourteen flrgu-
mpnts were submitted tolhe 43e*at€i^, hy Vis many of th^ most" di-tingutehed tm^i In Aoffoosc,
Mnd atth9^ hti two ^f»kk a^airot'the Bill, such was the danger apprehended from our immense
- wealOi (that is to biO tipitthiisftiH wiaa voted dt>wii.. I cannot Nav^ pat^cfe to write W speak
' ,^WH>erajcly on ib« spbj^ei. , jRir lArsf ws4ks, day ^nd »«g*<, sur ^0efti^^ i^gsiker wkk the
Digitized by
);Kii'dog.
A atotau matBtATWif o& < tbs asscs who bsat for ths fmtic.* Z%9
^farU of fnany of the leading men in the.Senate, hacked by Berrien, have been unceasingly em"
frhygd^all in vain. THE BESOTTfeD IGNORANCE AND THE BLIND AND FOOIi-
ISH ENtTY OF THE MAJORITY have carried the day. I Have never laboured so severely
for the obtain'radnt of any object as of this, and am proportionably, disappointed. On Saturday
(th^Sthy our bill was taiien up by sections. On coming to the 2nd section an amendment
was proposed " to make the individual property of each Stockholder liable for the debt of the
corporation," On this motion the struggle took place, as the advocates of the Bill knew that if
it were sustained there was an end to the Bill, as THE ONLY OBJECT CONTEMPLATED
BY BEING ll^CORPORATED WOULD BE DEFEATED. The discussion continued all
Saturday — the excitement was greater than on any question which has arisen this session. The
advocates of the Bill urged every consideration that men could exj^ress ; but ^U to no pm^ose.
The arguments of the opponents to the Bill were, that we had an interest too valuable for any
set of men in this state, and to induce capitalists to work it by giving an act of incorporation
would be to make us dangerous to the State, &c. Such stuff never before issued from the mouth
of matu The yeas and nays on the motion were called, and it was sustained by a majority of
thfiee votes. This sm^ll majority (there being 76 Seniltors) inspired the friends of the BiU with
the hope of ultimate success — they moved for an immediate adjournmient, which was carried by
a majority of one. Saturday night and Sunday Were consumed by the ntintual efforts of the
friends and opponents of the Bill in canvassing for and against it. Monday morning we felt se-
cure, as many as SEVEN MEMBERS HAVING BEEN GAINED OVER; when behold!
letters were received by a number of the members of both Houses from tHUr constituents, pro.
toting hgainst their extending legislative protection to vs. By the rules of the Hous^, every
JBiU has to be published for a certain time previously to a third reading ; and thus our effort
was made known to the people, who instead of regarding the matter in its true light detelbinad '
ibai'wa were going to swallow. them alive. Thes6 letters determined the fate of our Bilk Toe
wix^of Mi>iiday (^his day) has been consumed by the. iDtelligent membars (about twenty out af
tl>e whole number) in contending against prejudieei ignorance, and the d 1 folly ever ex-
hibited in a Senate Chamber; but all in vain ; and I have just strength enough afteft the fatigue
of the day to write ypu ^)usnMM}b« Berrien is writing- the fate of the Bill to Mr. Bolton. * * * *
Il^« JBab^, one,of the n?ost. intelligent members of the Senate and pne of the mojpl active ad-
VQC^VB^ ol our Act, will write you from tfme to tim« as to any thing that may arise hereafter
U|ioo (1^ 's^Jtgect of our BUU / leave this infernal place to-mortow morning. Arnold left here
fot ^o3;o5i some few 4aya aince^ I wrote you about, the title to the Keith MinerWhat it was .
T^ra iano.didicgiUy ab^ut titU to any of oar lots, and thank God for this! for I believe
othvrv^ife. th^Ctlfis rasfioUy apology for a L^isl^ure would take them awa^ if they could,
» * « * # IF I can tiill yqnk that if any one of you had been in the situation I have been in
this worse Ikon Purgatory, you would express no such, surprise. I h^ve not written to niy
wi(9.^t my. partner.. * * * * A Mr. Dicl^on has submitted to me the plan the English have
adopted to work mines in ]\|ezico, where they kovfi no incorporations ; I will submit the same
wh^n I *ekt write you. XO INDUCE THB ASSES HERE WHO BRAY FOR THE
FUB^C at the expense of ^ per diem, to pass our Bill, everything was giben tip, "invd a
ta^ oftigo per centum on the iiett profits, nayflteper centum was offered.** We asked simply
to be a corporate body, and this they denied ! I should suppose that sympathy alone wouM ha^e
induced the majority to vote for corporations, inftamach as there is a marve)k>(is reaembts-nce
between them — tbieyare • bodies without 'sools.^ » # # # They can't touch us as individuals—
as sue!?, thank God ! we have the federal constitution to protect us. Write to the Hon.* Am-
brose Baber, thanking him^ &«., and state whether jpu will have an lict if the private property is
made liable. We think it would he worse than useless, &c.
(8 o'clock, A. M., 38 Nov., 1831) M. H. McALLISTER.
Yan Biiren in Lon^bn^Bvaporation of Anti-Masonry^tke Seform BHU^he Cholera,
[No. 1^1 1.1 . M. Van Buven, American Minister, to Jesse Hoyt, at N. York.
LoVDOir, DeCvU, 1881. — My Dear Sir : I thank you kindly for your attention in seodii^r me
the newspapers. The result in New Vork is. ^ruly gratifying, and cannot fail to have a decided
and aaapicioua afi^MSt upon the character of the ilext sewion of Congress. It is to be hoped that
iba atter hopeteflsneM of their cause will induce the opposition to withhold a portion at least of
tbair yontad oiKpasitiotl to the measnrsa of the general administration, and to give the Old Chibf
a fut ehanca in hib itetflaus labours to advance the intereat of the country.
I mih (Hit at aTl disapfiohited at the result in New York, AS THE TIME HAD OBVIOUS-
LY AiHinrfio roa the evaporation of anti-m asonr y.
Thn-e U nothing new here that you will not find in the papers. The Reform Bill wIlV with-
oat iaHhi, pkm hy or witbont a creatitMi of Paaia, aa euroumBtaBcaa may reqaire. We hava been
in tfotistant itread of the Cholara, but notwithstanding that the danger has incraaaed, habit bat
k«riie4 o«r lnufi Vm ^iM^l ten xniAwt^t^u ^aatire^ azexiipt Uoij^±^ mtifmtuai
'»■■■.'■• - Digitized by ^OOQIC
SdO f WEBB, CAHlBftBLSXa, TAB AsS, M^LA^IE AND tHfi BlSftdl^S.
imtal disorder. My healtbf and consequently my spirits, have not been better for many yeais.
Our situation is very comfortable (always saving its euonnous expenses) and the Town is full of
objeots of intense interest — ^animate and inanimate. Remember me kindly to lyira. Hoyt, aad
believe me to be. Very truly, yours, M. VAN. BUREN.
McLant^s Trenaury Report condemned — the Lords and Bishops*
[No. 212.] C. C, Cambreleng,. M. C, to Jesse Hoyt, New York.
Wasbinotoji, &9tb Dec<, 1831. — Dear Hoyt : I have yours with the papers. We bav<e strange
notions about such cases — I mean we Lawyers, What the committee may think about it, I doii't
know-<-I will get along as well as 1 can with it, and hope for the best. It's lucky you sent a
petition in a decent band-writing, or I should never have known what you wanted. Ten yean
ago the case woald have been rejected. I have hopes now, as we have reversed some of the old
principles.
The Treasury Reportt is as bad as it possibly can be — a new version of Alexander Hamil-
ton's two reports on a National Bank an4 manufactures, and totally unsuitedto this age of de-
mocracy aad reform* The battle un thepe grounds has not yet begun — it will go like Vfsjjh
rUlS WHEN WE COMMENCE OUR WAR ACUINST THE LoRDS AND BiSHOPS. >
Sincerely yours, C. C. CAMBRELENG.
The Friar's jump over the Ass — the Courier and Enquirer.
[No. 213.]* C. C. Cambreleng to J. Hoyt. Washutoton, 29th Dec, 183 1.— Dear H. :
I am quise amused with the new ^ank convert,^ the Courier and Euquirer^— it reminds me of
the Friar who was trying to mount an Ass. Attet jumping up two or three times without suc-
cess, he pift up a fervent prayer to the Virgin Mary^nmped again, and went entirely over to
the- other side — the Virgin was too kind. Sincerely yours, C. C. CAMBR£L£NG«
The Debenture case — Lawyer^ Justice,
[No. 214.] C. C. Cambreleng. M. C, te Jesse Hoyt,'N. Y.
Was^inctton, 3d January/ 1832. — Dear H-^-^ : 1 daresay you are nirprised that tkere should
bt any doubt about I and McJVcuse — but you'will cease to doubt when I tell yov that fortwen.
ty years the debentures were forfeited becattse the oath'wns not taken liDHhin the Itfti days'.
This was Lawyer^ justice — but men of comm<ih sense took up the subject about five years ago,
ftti'd reversed i^l the old decisions, and granted relief in all such paifes for tyny years back.
Yours is a new case, and I don't know what queer notions the Lail^yers mvy hbve'dboat. I
hope I shall get along with it. I may report a bill to-morrow morning, if I get the consent of
our committee. If 1 get it from Smith when I go home, I will send you the ^754.
Sincerely yours, C. C. CAMBRELENG.
[No. 215.] C. C.Canbreleng, to Jesse Hoyt. WASBmoTON 7, Jan., 1832.
Dear H — 1 have your letter— r^^i right — and will go right, - Why does not Qlovee hand over
the (2000 to Bucknor ? I thought it was paid a month ago. I wish you would sav to Mr, Cod-
^ingtan that Bueknor has not yet received one cent from Mrr ^acksofi^hfi. talksvof paying 1175
^K-but ilQthing was paid on the 5th unless on that day.
Sincerely yours^ C« C. CAMBRELENG.
Colonel J^ebb spurns Pa(nr Devils who sell themselves for Office-^is independent of Xackson and
the Regency— but ihe warmest 'friend of Jackson ai^d Van ^nren — A hint to ^lair — like* \
Jess^^^but away with Parasites \ \
[No. 216.] Colonel James Watson W^hb, tp Jesse Hoyt, at Washington.
Office of the Courier and Enquirer, New York, January 19th, 1832.
Dear Sir — Yours of the 16th has just been received, and has l>een takfen as it was meant;
yet, permit me fo add, it has not bad any influence upqn.the course 1 Intend to pursue*
// imy course has disgusted every honest friend of the President, tIUt i>, eyrry Pooa Devil
WaO is WILLINO TO SELL HIS IltDEf ENDJSNCE FOR AN OF)PICE, why" SO be it.
You know, as you ought to know, that Lam not to be driven from any coarse l^pnsder cer-
reet, even if the friends of. General Jaokson should attempt it, or professed friendi*«^f my own,
write, or pipcure to be writtMi, Articles in the Globe interferipg between us And the AiotTSU
If, as you say, my ** friends- are faat falling ofl*".tn Washington, and yea -have been made their
CQtt^am» please tell them that I do not value such friendship a. rush, and no matter what their
stations are, whether high or loW, they l»re most welcome to ^nrsue siieh a cosiliee as to diem
*eem4 pnoper. •
7hank God I am mdeisendettt of General Jaokson; and those who vnonUl fiuniiavetho wodd
T By Lo,ai9 M^Lane, who s^ceede^ >Ir. Jnghftm as Secretary/in Jun«, 1831. . ^ '
'\J ll t*t?*;^*K*''P' J;*^o '3S"*' l«^. ^t Is UaW^atd Cfodlt fiJr ^.tWf;..r Ap^rcB, hailUh Jiiwi to ifewn.
JIXLti, no'lL irVS Hi ®fl ®n "^ ?° "" "**'^ "' netei drawn by the former and •ndorwd bv the latter. Heyt W
y«ry early notice of thU U. S. Banik loan, and urged Cambreleng to probe it fai CongreM, whiek be diiL
VTBBB ON VAN BlTRBN-^iJCBRfiLSNG^ ON tHS BANK. 2^1
bfliwve Iha^r have the keeping of his confcience — and if I am not — if my daily bread for myself
and fiimiiy depended upon truckeZling to his friends— rto the Argus and its coterie of would be
great men, ytm should know enough of me .to believe that I would do what I thought correct.
I would like to- see an individual in the United States designated, WHO IS MOKE HON.
E8TLY and DISINTERESTEDLY ATTACHED TO VAN BUREN A^^D GENERAL
JACKSON THAN MYSELF.
SUCH AN ONE CANNOT BE FOUND— and yet I am to be told, that beeause I presume
to think for myself, and argue from appearances when factsrare withheld, I * disgust every honest
friend of the President' — that my friends * are fast falling off,' &c. &c. This is sheer nonsense,
and J must say you are the last man from whom I expected such idle and ridiculous threats.
In plain /terms, those who are offended with our [-Webb & Noah's] course, have only to get
pleased in the way that is most convenient to them — and so 1 udUI tell them PERSONALLY within
ttn days — and so you may tell them now if you please. Indeed, as you have been made the organ
of communicating the * disgust' I have inspired, and the * falling off' of their friendship, it may
be as well to show them this letter, which I would not have the slightest objection to publish in
our columns. It contains my true sentiments, and you are at liberty to use it as you please.
Four* has been BURNT.
By way of news I can inform you, that we have not yet done with the Akgus, and it nuy be
as well for Mr. Blair to let us row our own boat.
When we want his interference we will ask it — but until then, he had better not yield to tfao
requests of those who would sacrifice all personal independence to party subserviency.
Do not imagine roe offended at what you have written. Not so. I appreciate your motive,
and thank you for your kind intention, but I feel mortified to think you should know so h'ttle of
my true character as to suppose that such a letter as yours could have any other e^ct than to
make me despise more than I now do, THOSE WHOSE GOD IS OFFICE, and whose Inde-
pendence is the nod or heck of those in power.
Sincerely your Friend, JAS. WATSON WEBB.
The Workies, Camfn-ekng, and the friends of the Bank,
[No. 217.] [Private.] C. C. Cambreleng to Jesse Hoyt, at New York.
Washington, 5th Feb.'', 1832. — Dear H. : I received to-day ^the memorial in favor of the Bimk
of the United States — it is Signed by a host — said to be principally the friends of the Adminis-
tration, but / have looked over the list. Our friend^ should be up and doing. This is forward-
ed to our delegation in a letter signed by Gideon Lee, Meigs D. Benjamin, Dudley Selden and
William Neilsdn. It says the membrial originated with the Supporters of the present admhtis-
trition. Sincerely yours, C. C. CAMBRELENG.
P. S. I presume it is signed by every merchant who keeps an account at the Bank.
[No. 916.] [Private.] Wa8BI1t6tov, Feb. 6, 1832.— Dear H.: Get the Workies to bfrnp
and doing on the 17. S. B. question. They are democrats in principle. «
Very truly yours, C. C. CAMBRELENG.
Colonel Wsbbf the Champion of Van Buren and the United States Bank'—his Card — Hoffmant
Angel, Bergen, SoulCy Clementy Poindexter — Moore, a dirty fellow — Would Croswell fight
for Van Buren ? — Webb would — Webb gets a new light, like the Compiler of this book,
[No. 219.] Col. James Watson Webb, to Jesse Hoyt, New York.
City op Washitoton, Feb: 12, [1«32,] Sunday Night.— Dear Hoyt : I HAVE AN ITCH-
ING TO GET HOLD OF THE D D RASCALS THAT VOTED AGAINST VAN
BUREN ,t and you will perceive by MY * CARD* that I have a prospect ahead. Hoffman, An-
tln 1833, Col. Webb, the friend of Marcy and the United States Bank, is ready t« spill his )ife*s blood for V^n
Baren. Move than eleven yean elapali, mends become enemies, and Wjebb tlvi» describes bis old ulo)^ m the
Cnw. 4* £nf ., of 8(apt. 16, 1848. " United to the most implicit confidenee in the gullibility of th[^ people and the
knncess of political managemaU, Mr. Van Bdbkn unfortunately possesses gnat penonal vanity. He is vain of
iiis person, vain of his dness and address, vain of his influence with the ladies, vain of his aristocratic associations
tnd his elevation above what he oensiders the vulgar herd from which he uptnag-^wid abpve all^/vain of his po-
litical raaaagement and his ability *to obtain by intrifrue and finesse what others can onfy »ccompIi«h through
Kreatpablie services and an honest devotion tathe welfare of the public. And tfai« vanity, boa been the qaute of
an political destruction. y
We know Mr. Vah Bubkn quite as well as any other person in the United States. We understand precisely the
*xtent4>f his gratitude for services rendered, and his appreciation pf those who have literally made hUti what he is.
We know precisely how far he will go to court the friendship of those who have it in their power to serve hfm, and
the cold blooded deliberation with which he will fsive up those who have done more for him than he ever could do
fcr himself, if by the sacrifice he supposes it possible to increase his political capital. We know, because we have
^itneased his utter hearties sness, his disgusting selfishness, and his habitual sneering at gratitude for personal ofpo-
litical favors. We weH undeistand his theory that all mankind are selfish — that honor and magnanimity in men,
bnt partfcnlarly in politicians, is the dream of youth — ^and that be who would prosper either in prfvate or public
jift> must early arrive at the conclusion thot friend* are only to be a^ed. not cared f0r. We know that from the day
a* took Aabon Burr at his model for bis manners, and made every movement of his hands apd body— every ez-
pctttion of his iaoe and every intonation of his voice — cenfoimat f^r as possible tp those of his btau ideal, he 9.\ the
■wnetiiiiede^pii|ii^tPaMj»kiiMf^9^ " - . ...
ife coofonn in like manner tq hit great i^l." ' ' '
' • •Digitized by Vj&Ogie
WEBB, WITH HIS ARMOtm ON, O^T nSHTINa !>TOtS FOE VAN BTOEN^
S\, Berg«n and ^ale are thd memb«rt wfadse names PU give these fighting Senaton ; buUt po<
i same time, Til inform them that they are only responsible for the fact that Clenlenc did nub ^Z "^
the communication to tbem which I mentioned. Condequently, IF THEY WISH A FIGHT ; ^'^^
9r rather, if they do not wish to be the laughing stock of the nation, ONB OF THEM MUST -^Bai
CH A.LLEN6^ ME. Moore t» a dirty fetUmo, and if I can. III get hold of Foindexter r but u -^ecc
the sayins is, *,h{^f a loaf is better than no bread/ and I'll he content tbith eitfter. Yowirfrieid p^i
Croswell saya that Vm an enemy to Van Buren. Quere.— WOULD (pr-HE FIGHT FOR HIM ?
By the bye, have you written to Lyrin on the subject I mentioned ? ' -r
Your friend, JA'S WATSON WEBB. ;;; ,
P. S. Marcy, the President, and all his friends, think the people in Albany mad in talking ofei
of making V. B. [Van Buren] Governor, as if New York can make amends for an insult offvrti n-^
ly fovTtsen States of the Union! IVIarcy has written to them, and you should do so too. . ft
WEBB, ^u
Colonel Webb's Card, referred to above, abm
A CARD. M t
Washington City, Gadsby's Hotel, February 11, 1832. 21 0€
Itt " A Card** published in the National Intelligencer and United Stcites Telegraph this day, iiid
Gov. Poindezter of Mississippi, and Gov. Moore of Alal^ama — both men^^^.'S of the Senate of •
Ihe United State*— charge the SiJ/veyor of the Port of New York, [M. M. KoahJ with writing
the article which appeared in the editorial columns of the New York Courier and Enquirer on
the 7th inst., and of which the following is an ektract : [Here follows the extract.] vdii
The undersigned does not deem it necessary to comment upon the undignified character of
the >^Card" of the Honorable Senators, but begs leave respectfully to assure them, that the en< \
tirs article referred to, was written by him, and forwarded for publication from this city. The i^J
two material /ac^« alleged in that article, are— first, that the disclosures soid to have been made \
by Mr, Van Buren t6 Clement, were, according to Clement's own admission, made at his firal Lji
interview with Mr. Van 6uren, which was purely accidental and never but once repeated. &-| Jp
eond, that Clement had asserted that Gov. Poindeirter and Gov. Mpore offered to furni^ ^^^\vi
with funds for the establishment of a newspaper in the State pf Mis'sissippi. Xhese two charges L^
an now repeated — they are suscepiible of proof at any moment, and for their troth« as well as L^
fur whatever opinions or sentiments are contained in tl^e article alluded to, {he undersigoed |^
holds h'nn90\f person«Uiy responsible. He would further inform these honorable Senators, that vL!^
,the memb^B of Congress from New York referred to in the foregoing extract, do not seek con- ,J^'
e^ftlmeat " behind" a "- dark curtain," and that an application to the undersigned for their namfs, ,i\,
V fvr &ny other purpose, " will meet with the most prompt and respectful attention fronf their '
Ob-dient servant, JAMES WATSON WEBB. ^
ttaae HUVs Speech — how to make capUfdout of Clay^s quarrel — Tiibefs^ ver^-good pkm of a '.,
Biiak — Who shall we make G'tvernor ? — Tariffs — taking care of the Maimnoth-^FolUnvipg
the Bosionians for a new U. S. Bank.
[Three letters, C. C. Camb^eleng^to Jesse Hoyt at New York,]
[No. 219.] , ' , Wasuington, 12th Feb., 1832.
Bear H. — Mr. Hill's speech will go all over the Union — that notice?^ Clay*s attack upon Mr.
Gallatin in the best pb8>«ible manrier — it drives it home upon him. Hlsquarref, loo, with Gen*
eril Smith yoa will hiv^ seen — that ought to be noticed conspicuously. He i8<me of/)ur revo-
luti<Joary Heroes, upwards of 80 — one who gallantly defended what Was then called Mdd Forty-iii
on the D('l«ware, when attacked by a British squadron. v » >' ^\f^
With regard to the Brink it is not worth wh^e to have ariy public meeting ^rbouf— a remon* ^vj
■tranee against it iA t^nough-^I don't think th« debate will come up for a month — Mr. Tiibett
senfme A VERY GOOD PLAN GF A BANK— whujb I halve returned. Ask him 10 send me
a'Qopypfit.* Very sincerely yours, C. C. GAMBRELENG.
' " . ' f ...
* Wbfle this nnprnwiplad confederate of Van Rnren, thus seereHly ncknowledj^ed to Hovir his-deiire for a TTaited
Bttitet Bunk, (see atso hit letter of the 16th. with its nrtful hintu) he th,ii«« uimiicty refirobated it. to payopiuttetbe
party who had pras(ied the publie treainre m poKtfenl and penonol plunder:
[Extracts frpm his speech, in Cohgress, of Jim. 14, ISM.^
" Of.nlUhe currencies that were ever contrived by roan, the n*<>st vieious fn princi|T!e, the most cal^mftous in its
effeets upon trude, the most detrimental to the public interest, and the mosttinsafe, as it respects the preservation of a
metallic currency, is that which js f >unded on the credit uf a national bank, npt only connected with the finances
of a government, hut like burs, involved hi all the fluctuations of every speciesrof eonamercial credit end de«ling
in them upon a national scale.*'
'• It is a conjmon opinion, t.»o, that a national bank pfevent* the multiplication of State bnnks. It may be so. sir;
hat if ft is. It is contrary to principle, and in this country and In Kngland eoetVadicted bv'experience. It if traetktt
fmmediately upon a dissolution 'ojr a nntional bunk, there mhII be, as the gentleman from Penhsvlvania has showa.
aa unusual number of applications for State institutirtns ; but in a lortg series of vetirs? the tendencv of a natlon&i
hank np^ currency is morf ppwerful than all our local circnlntibni, in constantly impelling trade, banking and
JSfiSTi?' *? ^u *"*•* »l*fcuJatlon beyond thoaebrudent limits, which, without «ke agency of such an inattu*
Digitized bf^OOgie^
Ait Ht A X^E^ NATtONAI. BANK ! DOVT * MOAB BBLPIVO BLAIft. 2^8
rNo. 290.] VfAsmmtojUj 14th Feb., 1832. De^dft^The knowing ones at Albany
merely wish to manceuvre a little aliout the GxjveraoT tg^gflflT change. That is as I Mu§pecL
I hqve written Wright, Edwards, and Fiagg — Croswell, 1 wrote him also. We shall' not get at
THE BtiT\k for 4 weeks — at least I should think not. The more we discuss it the stronger wfe
fihall become, McDuffie's, alias Calhoun's, Tariff, is on one extrenie — Clay's on t'other. The
Gentleman who wrote Mr. Mumford is not our frien3— He is of the Sut^erhmd school. •
Sincerely yours, C. C, CAMBRELENG.
[No. 221.] ... Wabhihoton, 16th Feb., 1882.
Drtir H.— I return you the letter— Judge Clayton of Georgia has a resolution prepared and
will offer it as soon as he can — it will ctiver the object in view — 1 nhall see the Prrsid»nt to-
night-— who has a confidential director on the spot. You need not feai- hut what we shaJt take
care nf the Mammoth in some wny or other— /MinA: ON REFLECTION tkatitwovldhe well
enough to let the plan Mr. Tiblets had in view aloJte for the present. Let them feUnto the
Bostonians and Port'and perple in asking for a new bank from the federal governv>ent —
but na the plan they propose — this is on the whole better than to set up for ourselves, which
mfght be made use of by the Pennsylvsnians against us, here and elsewhere— IFe can bnug
forward a State bank next year — mention this to Mr. Tibhets.
Sincerely yours, C. C. CAMBRELENG.
1 dia not know before why that paper was so bitter against Van Buren.
Suhsidixing the Prexs in earnest — Francis P. BUtir of the Globe, set up as an Editor for Vsoi
^ureny by Ojficert of the Custom House and Post Office of New York,
[No. 222 1 New Yofk, Saturday. IBth February. 1832*
To Jeese Hoyt— -M. M. Nonh—Samnel Gonverneur— Waiter Bowne— William P. HaHett-*^
Samuel Swartwont— Cornelius W. Lawrf-nce — Jamep A. Hamilton, and others.
Gentlemen— When F. P. Blair, Esq. was in thiscitv, you edch su4>scribed a certain amonat,
for the purpose of furnishing him with a Printing Press.
At the meeting of hia friends on that occiasion, the subscription waa short of the ammjnt r^.
quired — biit I well recollect ih^. Pledge you biade — which was — that the Press should he fur.
nlBhed and paid for — and' that he might rest assured of its being forwarded as soon as it could
be procured. The prei^s has been sent to Mr. Blair, under the direction of pome of the subseti.
bera — and $1370 paid on account of it — thebalanc^ due the'maker is $65^ 50 cents, for which
he has commenced Suit agqinst me. As I did not either contract with, or have any thing to do
with Mr. Hoe, the maker of the Press, except my exertions in collecting the subscriptions, and
paying them over, I f»hall of course resist the payment of^it. It appears to me that this matter
ought mot to be subjected to an investigation in a Court of Justice. Mr. Hoe shi'uld he paid for
the Press— an<l T think the gentlenicn who ple^getf themselves to Mr. Blair, are in h**nor bounds
to pay irii mediate attention to the subject. I therefore susrgcst that yon meet for the purpfose,
at the Bank Coflfee House, on Tuesday evening at 7 <^ clock.
Yours very respectfully, DANIEL JACKSON.t
Tie concluded by layftig— " in not. entail upon posterity the enlamitiesof a national bank note cnrrency, and lay
the fnundrrtinn of nnother revolution in your Rovemment."
We fin4intfaa New York Advertiser, ttie fol lowing acceant of TibbeU*s ^ vmit eoo9 plan op a bakx," wbick
CambrttLenffseRretly desired and puMicly denounced:
" Splendid Bank Prt^ect — We observe a{i ndvertisement in the paners signed by " Elibha Tibikts, for him-
self and Associates.** givinjr notice of on nppHration to be made to the LecfTslatnre of this State at Its present sea-
rioR, fur a bank with a xsapitai ni thirty five milliens, to be loenteil in this city, and to- b0 known by the name of the
" Natioaail Union ilank.** As the plan is somewhat new, and may, perhaps, if adopted, save Congress the trouble
of re-chartering the present Bank of the Cnited States, by presenting an institution to which there are no cbnsfitu-
tiooa) objections, we hasten to make our reljiders acquamted with the project. It will be seen that it runs on all
fonra widi^he Bank of the United States.
A'rs<— The charter is to take effect on the termination of the present charter of the U. S. Bank, and to last thirty-,
five yenrs. 5m4»iu2— Branches shall be established in each State of the Union, with the consent of its Legishiture,
and the citizen* of soeh State shall foe exeldsively entitled to subscribe for the stock. T^kirir^hW notes Ibr eifcnla-
tioo shnH b« issued bv the Mother Bankat New York, and made payable there. They are liottnexeeed tbe.amo»nt
ef capital JihyrtA-^Tbe Bank is to collect and transmit the &nda and revenue of the general government en the
requisition of the Secretary of the Treasury, and allow three per cerit. on all government deposits, t>n condition that
the notes of the Bank be received ip payments to the United Slates. AytJk— The <^pital of this Bank Is to he Har
ble io taxes in the Statea whore the bmnches are located. .^'xtA— The States which shall autherise branchea may
pat an end to the same on three veim notice, and oa aatborisi|Mr the Mother Bank to make bb arri^gemeat wita
the State Banks for transacting the business of tl^s United States.
*See No. 93, page 18S, Dr. Joel B. Sutherland.
t Daniel Jackson, chief-beggar for Blair, and one of Van BoBen's greedy spoilsmen, is thus described by L^gett
m hit PInindealer, Jan. IKfT. — ^' There is at this very moment, a stifking speefmert of this class ef poHtleel Ofmim-
eater* standing at tbe countor of the Albany manniacturars of the drug: and begging fbr one more dose of the stim-
utating nareoUck. Thia unfortunate political oninm-eater is Mr. Z)ant>< JacAr«0il; who bastong bm
of taking thia species of nervous excitement. The drug which lie is petitioning for, with 93\ the humi
of a beggar at a bolted do<Mr, is known by the name of Speoia} Charter."
Again Leggett says, page 592 j—" These are the leading apirita—the amooth, sly, and supple, and pk
Lee, and theloud-mouthed Daniel Jacksan-rof ^h* menopiqly.cUoae'of Jefaiobr Iko Timss it but H»
Daniel had dedarad peraiBptorily, '* We matt and will hav^woationai bank.^' y
M4 boot, ptia, sttriBitAi^D; ^ebb^s ttrt ate LEttfiiis i tAi BAiic.
CanAreUng lk JToffi ovFUK, Soot, Ai^el and the Batik,
[No. 223.] Washington, 14th March, 1832. Dear H.— You ought not to appoint any
representative in Congress. We shall be in the midst of Tariff, Bank, &.C., and cAn't go— take
good, hooest, and staunch men — send such men as Mr. [Preacrved] Fish. Our Friend S ,
Svhose' letter you read ^hen here, is in a great fidget because he did not see his memorial in
favof of the Bank of the U. S. announced in the paper. I had that important event regularly
announced ! Root will not trouble us much longer. Angel [of N. Y.] hammered him with-
out gloves— he had nobody to defend him but an anti-mason.
Sincerely yours, C. C. CAMBRELEN6.
To Hogt on Webb and Noah*9 " oineere attachment to the cause of Mr, Van Buren** — they put
forward a had candidate — Boot goeofor the pewter mug — Wicklife and Daniels, enemies of
■Jaekaon-^he Bank,
[No. 224.] Private. Washington, 15th March, 1832.
Dear H. — I n^ver doubted the sincere attachment of the Editors of the Courier and Enquirer
to the cause of Mr. Van Buren, the President and our party generally — ^but the course the^ pur-
sue in relation to General Root, is calculated to injure the cause of the administration, I care
not for the quarrel with the Argu8~-or who may be our next Governor — that matter will be no
doubt amicably adjusted — but I do care about putting forward a candidate who is aa much
opposed to this administration as Joel B. Sutherland t and his votes will prove it, as they have
done already. He and Pitcher yote uniformly with the opposition — and Root yesterday denounced
Tammany Hall, and went openly for the Pewter Mug, Another course is pursued which they
'wil^ find in the end will be highly injurious to the President — that is, pressing the Bank bill upon
liim at this session with a moral certainty that if it reaches him the obligation of public duty
will compel him to return it — as entirely premature — four years before the charter expires. The
charter of the Bank of England expires next year and has not yet. been renewed — the charter of
the East India Company was not renewed till one year before it expired — three-fourths of the
President's fnends are opposed to the Bank^— and he can never under suoh circumstances, do '
otherwise than to s^nd the bill back — ^if he had no other motive, the adjustment of the tariff and
the extinguishment of the public debt — both occurring before the charter expires — are alone suf-
ficijcnt. It is the enemies of the President, such as Branch, WicklifTe, DanieJ^ &c., ^c, united
with the friends of the Bank, who are determined to send this bill to him, expecting to do him an
^yury, and kill the bank too — whith ite friends are certainly doing by pressing it. now.
. Sincerely yours, C. C. CAMBRELENG.
IfSSSons On the proper use of Corf{jidentiaI Letters on Politics,
[No. 33S.] Mr. Cambreleng's views of the sanctity pf conlidential eciihespondenoe, may be
roadily inferred from the contents of the following letter, marked ** private,'* addressed to his
friend, Mr. Jesse Hoj% at Neyr York, from Washington, and dated ||[ajr 19th, 1B32« ^
" DSAR H^-r-: J have seen a cpiiy of, W 's PRIVATE letter to Clayton. It is a de-
liberate BUT CONFIPENTIAI^ attack on me, and was designed to coax the Judge to favor
him, which was of course repelled. . W — asked to have the letter returned — it was so~6uf what
W-r does not know^the Judge took a copy of it. IT*S A ROD IN PICKLE, and will ex-
pose some small contradictions of his present statements, and show some little duplici|y. The
Judge can tell him that he found my statement of the Webb and Noah case too moderate, and
that he wrote it. over himself. Don't mention shout the letter to Clayton — he will probably pvh.
lish it. The Btmk wfll come up in the Senate next week — ^it won't disturb us before the Bviddle
of June. . Sincerely yours, C. C. CAMBRELENG."
Private Arrangements for Nominating a Party Governor, four months before a Conoeniion «/
the People iDos called.
. [No. 236.] Senator Marcy to Jesse Hoyt at New York. — Washington, Senate Chamber,
ll|ay S6, 1833. — Mr Dear Sm: I have received your several letters, and feel much obliged to
you ^r the interest you have taken in the matter. Our friends from Albany are here now, and
I am to have a full conversation with some of them on the matter to which our correspondence
relates. I have no doubt they have cooled a great deal since they left home. I will give yoa
shortly the result of our interview, which will take place to.morrow.t
Yours sincerely, W. L. MAUCY
t S«e mnt» iwrticulan about the redoubtabis t)r. Sutherland in No. d3 of tiiii correspondeocS.
{Colonel Totiii^, wbo was for Henry Clay in 18^. presided at the Herkimsr Cenvention, which oetninatM
Marey A% Ooternor, I3ept. lO, 1833. Who did the Colonel support for the PreeMency in 1898 ? In 1832 he wrote
a panrrphlst to prove that state banlc charters are eonstutional, and a nattopal bank charter noteo; next bought
the stuck of state banks on speculation, And thus became once more an active eonfoderate of Tan Bum. One giesi
4jfllcuKy in the way of asnecevifol Demeorattc govern ment is improper system of jt01llltATI«Wb lam pit-
'pacedtopiove'thateVeirtiiatDf Bn9latMlbmaclimgi«I>Ma«enKticthaaettnr
Digitized by ^OOQIC
TB8 MTSTERY OP MANTTFACTURING A DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR. 235
How the JPurtif Prest prepares the Party to nominate a Candidate who has settled certain quet^
^ • -^ thnM with the^arty Leaders and Tradvns Politicians.
\^b: 927.] Senator Marcy to Jesse Hoyt, at ^. Y.— .Washington, 3d June, [183?.]
My Dear Sir : I Have be^n shamefully negligent of my promise to you in relation to the re-
rolt of the iilterview with my Aloany friends. I hoped to be able to convince them that it was
right and proper for me to adhere to the determination .which I had communicated to CrosweU;
but I failed in doing so. They convinced me that there were more difficulties Attending the se-
lection of a proper candidate than had presented themselves to me. The result was that I am
not to persist in declining now, but am to b^ let alone if i^ can be done — as I think it may with.
out injury to the party .t It would seem to imply (if it cannot be) that I am a mighty consequen-
tial f^ow; You or any body else may think so if you will, but 1 do not.
Wehh has not modified and published your articles. 86 long time has now elapsed, and the
fever of those who called for rae to come out has so much subsided, that probably nothing mora
will be said by him. How stand affairs in N. Y.7 '
There is a great effort making we learn by the manufacturing interest to get up an e:ceitement
on the Tariff — our friends from Albany and elsewhere thought it would not succeed. Bodies of
manufacturers are flocking in here, and they appear about AS CRAZY AS THE NULLI-
FlERS— I think the extremes will unite and defeM Hiratt^mpts at compromise.
Yours, &c. W. L. MARCY.
Noi. 228.] Senator Marcy to Jess^ Hoyt, at New York. — Washington, Saturday,
[1832.] (The date, signature, and a few words of the conclusion, torn off.)— Dear Sir: I have
this morning received a note from Webb, and I learn from the tenor of it that you had written
tfffatm on the subject which engaged us in two or three conversations. I £od that our opinions
of him were -perfectly correct. Attacked as he is on all sides he is willing to attend to otheisatf
Well'ae himself. I find my intimation to you is well founded that Bennett had been too sanguine
in the matter referred to and had understood from me mare than I intended to convey. Webb
kas andonbtediy every disposition to put things right and he ought to be permitted to do. ea to a
cettain ^inent in his own way—I have had full conversations with you and from them you:caiy
make to him sudh saggestions as mU apprise him of my viewS.t He may think I eught to write
nel Webb remarks on tfaeM letters, that ** beinj; the friend o€ W. L. Marc^, and entertaining the moat
I eOBtMBptjof the^Albiittr Regency, he placed "Mr. Marcy's name at the bead of Ms columns fot Goveroor.
iccof the inttiguesof the Regeoey to defeat bis nomination. The Editor of the Argus (Croswell) and
tCdenel
lOrmifne*]
io defianccof t ^ _ , ~ , - ,
liailat u>oli», urged upon Senator Marpy to authorise th,em to declare that he bad not connived at or sanctioned
••r eooYM. He refused to do so. . . . . • The personal relations between Governor MnrCy and us (Mr. Webb)
kive neverbeen interrupted, otthoogh the Argas did abuse htm for dining with us immediately after bis electioa
in 1838.
Leggett joined Oroswell in denouncing Marcy for dining with Webb. I cony his remarks from the Plaindealtrt
vol. I. page 450. June 17, 1637. omitting Leggftfs harsh epithets^ as uncalled for here.
" About the time it became known that the United States Bank had purchased [Colonel Webb*s influence, as
editor of the C. k. E.] and wbiJe^the newspapers yrere stiU rin«in^ with the story, it was duly chronicled ihat Uov*
ernor Miarcy had been entertained at a private dinner by [the CpVo^Ij •^- • •Ho (Murcy) is a Weak, clinging iode*
cisive man .... the mere tool of a moaop^lyjunto* their conveaifeot instraroent : a^d while hegivf>« hi« sanction
tu their unworthy nusauires. we survey him viUTcootempt, and can oder no better excuse for his conduct than that
* his poverty nnd not his wilt cunse^its.' » -
X On t^ 18lh of August, ISSSS, Colonel Webb dissolved partnership with M. M. Noah, and became sole owner
of the Canr. and fiaq« On the 6tb of Oct. that year, he addressed the public thro* bis journal, sUi^ng tJiet in Nov.
1^, on ailieleafaifistrecharte^iog.the U'S. Bank had been surreptitiously pubtisbed ia his paper— that next
month J«tfksuii came out-'With a similar paragraph in his mcessage— that, beneving the U. S. B. t«i be a political
machine, he aaaeated Uf the attacks made on it in the .Courier and Enqpiirer, from Nov 1839, ^ntM March I83l->
Itf aMietht—eiler which he advocated a modified reoharter. believing that the Bank had not meddled io f overs-
nmot alikin. 'The loaO'ObUined bv Siias £. Burrows from the U. S. Bank, of fiS.OOO. for Noah, Webb,'or some
one of them, was in March 1831, the month in which the Courier and Bnquirer citaBced its otmijm. I nresumethe
banks which were struggling for the depontes aud the |K|wer, would have lent Webb and Noah, with 9500 sub-
scribers, a large sum to continue to advocate the Safety Fund, the Deposites, and no r^-charter — and ifto, Webb,
as an advocate, chose his side. Marcy could not have been very strong on th? other tack, for the above lettcrt
show that he was In close political alliance with Webb till the fuUof thnt year- Jamqs Gordon Bennett, who was,
in 1832, the Washington correspondent of Webb and Noah's press, gives, in bis Herald, (Sept, 36, 1845,) the fol-
lowing version of his intercourse with Marcy about bis nonfination as Governor :
" In 1^, during the session of Congress, ) was at Washington as one of the editors of the Courier mid Zn-
qwrery eiyoyinig the confidence of the party and all coli^erned, and correspoTiding with that joumaU Mr. Marcv
was then a member of the Senate, I had frequent personal intercourse with him on politics alone. * t * * *
During that session 1 used to see Mr. Marcy almost, every day. In the course of conversation, one day, durfn^^ «
walk up Pennsylvania Avenue, to which lie invited me, T found that the Benator had something heavy on nis
mind, which he wished to disclose. I discovered that (he heavy business on the heart of the Senator wot a desire
to be brought forth in the columns of the Cofirier and fiaqnirer as % candidate for the gubernatorial chair of iVew
York in anticipation of the Convention of the pnrty, to be iield in Herkimer in the fal|. We disc^ssed the matter
in all its aspects for several weelrs. I conclude^ .that it would Le a famous movement for the Courier and En-
guircr, and particularly for my friend Webb to take up, ns he was in rather nn awkw^^d predicumeDt in relation
to the party, growing ont of the disclosures about the $52,000 affair of the United States Bank, which had been
previously brought out bv Cambreieng. In this view of t-he case, I commenced a series of nrfvatb letters, addtessed
to Mr. tVebb, stating all the views of the case—Senator Mercy's opmions— the position of Webb himself, add the admi-
rable movement it would be in enitblinr th^ Courier at^ Enquirer to checkmate the Jtrgue and *the regency* on
t&eir OWQ |T«imd* Tl^ms bttert tontained a ramty ortlia Tiewa commvDicatcd to ma fir thilt tpeci^ poipoia b|
Digitized by ^OOQ IC
hZi WXBB, BBimiTT, KATITBIStf , VAN BtJBSN AND BOTT.
t
to him— and flo I ihould i)erlui{>»-*4Nit I have two reAson* for not doing ■o— the ono is thit if I
ahould go ofer the whole matter as I did with yoa in conveiMtiDn it would mak« a jptodSigmif
\ojis Utter, and I am too much engaged to afford the time to write it, but the ptcood li Ikn
declined to write to all Editors on the subject (except one [Croswell } ] which I explained to yoB^
This resolution was early taken to preserve my position — to keep eifent He will apprceillf ay
motives and I hope approve of the course. ... *
Col, Wehb*8 notione about Private Letters.
[No. 229] James Monroe, Esq., to Jesse Hoyt, Wall street, N. Y.
Bloomingdale, August 9, 1832. — Dear Hoyt : * » » l enclose you a letter received ffq«
friend Gait. You will see that it contains the last accounts from the Army. You may, If you
think proper, give the facts therein contained to some Editor, hut not topvMUhiMUi'
ter, at Wehh did fnine the other day, much to my annoyance I had written a letter to Gocf*
erneur and given certain facts, and he sent my Utter to Webb to take the facts— «ii({ ke jnd-
lished most of the letter — and you have seen it, you may Judge it was not written fbr fubb
lication. # * * * How is Bremner ? Yours truly, J. MONROE.
' Deadly hostility* of the Van By.ren native faction to our brethren from other lands^ffov
long Bennett would stand up for Van Buren^^Col. Webb — Bennett suepected-^^ m tk
Big, Out. ,
[No. 230.] James Gprdon Bennett to J. ftoyi, N. York.— Philadixphia, 16th An»^,
ISS^.t— rUear Hoyt : Your letter amuses me. The only point of consequence is that convening
the rei'usal. This 14 the best evidence of the deadly hostility which you aU hone enterUi^m
towards me. It explain^*, 190^ tlie course of the Standard and Post, in their aggressions upon me
ever since I came to Philadelphia. .The name for su9h a feeling in the breasts of those I btvi
only 'Served and aided at my own cost and my own sa4:rifice, puzzles me bi^ond -example. Icaa
aceount for it in no other way (ban the simple fact t^at J hofrpen to have been bom in^amUkir
tountry. I must put up with it as well as 1 can. As to your doubts and surmisos about fHypt.
iure pourse, rest perfectly easy — / shall never abandon my party or my friends. Plk go ttihe
bottom sooner. The assaults of the Post and Standard, I shall put down like the grass that
grows. I shall carry the wnr into Africa, and " curst be be who cries hold, enough." .NeHbcr
Mr. Van Buren and the Argus nor any of their true friends, wiU or can hiive any feKoiw'iMlinf
with the men— the stobkjobbers — who, for the last two years have been trying tb destrsf mf
character and reputation. I know Mr. Van Buren better — and I wiU stand up in his it/tnii^
AS LONG AS HE FEELS FRIBNDLY TO ME. I will endeavour to do the best I«ia«
get along^ I will go among my personal friends who are unshackled «s to politics orbaiiki;4M
who wilt leave me free to act as a man of honor and principle. So my dear Huyt^do n^llit
Senator ItfarcyliinMelf. I deny that T haci understood and communicated more to Wr. Weblrthan MarejrhtipliritB
convey. Indeed, almost every day, or every other day at that time. Senator Marcy Used to meet m« in the es^fM. sal
at his^uwn ruom, and there he would disclose (o me all the information Wji.cii he had received from tfa^' ii e w ic r
campfat Albany, in oitterthat I might be erlabled to apprise Mr. Webb of the fkcta, and (jualify b>9i to e uiyt*
the checkmate which we intended to give them. In all this business, Senator Marcy wished to stand ttill Mnmi
the two contending cHqiiUy wiiile I was to wrxrk the wires in Washington^ and Mr. Webb wis «a ffire i^ilwlf
gun in New York. Senator Marcv and I in Washington, \ised to laugh and ahuekle most aAusJagly>««iBr dis
inov«ments by which, throagh the Courier and Enquirer, we accompliiBhed ultimately JiistKMiiiiatta»«NciM|teMlfe'
his iiersonal n^es at Albany — and elected him triumphantly Go^emor of this State for tlie fint tkmt, Be fe e a lia
summer was over, however,Mf. W^bb bolted from the demeeratic party on th» Uoitiid Stated Bank aiMetioa.aad caae
oat against the re-election of General Jackson, ineludiog also tne election of the vary maa« WillMitt L. Hav^Tri
whom he had so moch contributed to bring before the pablic^ j^ stuck to the liaovemant, and left tke GMVto* aM
jBikfutrer on account of this bolting."
t Mr. Boonett republished this letter ia the % Y. Herald, but ^ated it n T«aT iat^r (ISSa,) and tried tauLj
that the $200 in S]>ecie was not a bribe from the Tammany Hunkers f&c attairk jr,£ the U. S Uank, bj ref^rriAi
lejtter of Hoyt's written twelve months after, about 8200,000. The explanui jun i^i lannen cfLtmByt and botlt ua ^
fUundatioii. The following (extroei. from a letter of Hoyt to Bennett, in Anjgust, 1^33^ Mtll show tJial Vb*
and his men believed that Bennett, like Webb and Noah, was retained agiuia^i tlieif piutiiible phinder s^
I see no evidence of it. . .
*' Youliavfr heard me talk to Webb, by the hour (says Hoyt] of the foil v of hts befng oti the far 5 of tie.
friend of Mr. Van Buren's, and at the s- me time attacking HIS MOST I^IJtM AND COSSlfiTENT lUl
viz. the editor of the ^rgus; and you stand in almost the same attitude, and ihera nrc? many h&xo wha iidifl
your friendship will end as Mr. Webb's has. I will do you tl^e justice to say xht-A [ b^li^re no »uch thing. ^ut
same time I will exercise the frankne^s'to say, that the course of your paper ]li> * > ijii ofwn to ihc eue picion. I_
enough of affairs to know that you had high authority for' the grounoyou \\.\\b inken vtt the (leposjte quHtiofi.
I th9ught you managed the subject well for the meridian yon are in. I was uM bv n p^nun a day or two ustat, .
you would be aided from another quarter ; I could pot learn liow. But ydn c^u^tit not ici txpe^i my iVfeod al -
north to do any thing, not that ne has an indispositioA to do wh^t is right, or tljat he would not terve 3 /riend, l»i
he is in the attitude that rfltiair^ the most fiisti^ous reserve. The people nrg jealous of the ouIjJ Ic pi«i5, moA 'I
moment it is attem|,ted to be controlled, its usefulness is not only destroys ^. but he who would gtiin puttlic: ii*J
through iU columns is qatite sure to fail. , I am satisfied the press has l6st a.-ine portioci o* its bald upoEi putli^ ~
fidence; recent developements have had a tendency to satisfy the people* tfuit its conductura. or many of '
***''^».,?J®'^i*^8°V*'*l® asHiproroUsory i»*e. This impression can only l*e renjoved by a firm adb^
Hove toeiJ who^Jene^ u*^ J?''^"^®"'^' ^ 'W* »y ^^ar sir, only »ay, at I Iiave b^fow said to y o«, be
Digitized by V^OOQ IC
LOBiviNG, DGSt^ONJ^ING, ELeCTIONEERINGy BRIBING AND BARGAlNIIfG. 237
yoTir deep on My account. I am certain of r&^m fi*fenctehip irhatever the othters mar skv c/t do.
I fear nomfiife in the shape Gf man, defvH, or newspaper ; lean rcw my pwn boat, and, if tJ^e Poet
and Standarddon't get out of nw way, they must smk me— ^that is all. If I adhere to the same
principles ana rut! hereafter as I ha:ve done heretofore, mnd wUdA I rtuam to d4t, recollect it is
not 00 m ich that " I love .my MovQeii^ni" as that / r^gwei my own hgrnor and r^mtatien.
Yoariighting up poor Webb Uks e fiit tallow candle at one end, and holding him out a9 a
beaecmJijsht to. frighten me, oalr makes me sniile. Webb is a gentleman in private life, a good
heaiti^ fellow, honopable.in all his private transactions as I have found him, out in politics and
newspapers a perfect child — a boy. You will never find the Peimsylvanian going tne career of
tho C«. o& E. That suspicion ^swers as a good excuse to those who have resolved before hand
to do me all the injury they can,l>ut it will answer for nothing else. I am. Dear Hoyt,
, . Your? truly,, J. & B-
f, g. The S200 in Specie rUputi^ my big Gun andjive the U. S. San^ and, BtmjottferB
ahroadudfi. I wi^ you wo'jld let me know an/ oth« u. S. Bank movement in jfotfr dty.
This is' the Battle ground of Bank contest—here h tke ik)d of Waterl9o. i^g^Tork 9firw ik
onlj the Pyrrenies.
■''■'. .'■ > n* . '^
Hayi on Concessional taih^ng^ at WasJii^ngpru .
[So, 231.] Lorenzo Hoyt to Jesse, hi« hrcfdnet, in New York.
Af.)iAirr,'Sept. 10, 1^2, Sunday.-^I should Ibe verjr much pieased toaecoittptliy fm to
Washington this month ; b it aft I shall not be th)« to gotitmtmm- Anee^ believe I shall «ikk
till wlnte-, or early in the spring Perhavs I ^all fume attae of QONGRESSIONAL LOSk
BY13yG, % vThick lean mcAe U a jaiffnt t^^^tcsmt tmd proJU, ' , »^
-:• t-_
Mttrcy desponding^is terrified eif the' effect of ban^ doUafs—hids Hoyt meet th£ BcBtikwUk Xkujno*
••" ' - .. ^oiif. Dollars if he can.
Twp letters— William $. Marcy to J. Hoyt, New York,
rNo. 236.] Private. Albakv, 1 Oct 1832»--Mt,Dear Str: I did not receive your letter
of Tkursday till last eveniM. i hasten to reply to it-^thougli the answer will give you no plc^
sure. I think our chance of saceess doubtfuL Although otheiis are-full of courage^ I ato not*.
I have looked criiUcaUy over the St^, and have come tathe conclusion ihaiprobablaj weshaU bd
beat. I would not j5^y this to you were I not perfectly confident that it will remain a profound,
secret. All reports from New York are. that we shall do better than you represent : yet Tliave
distrusted tljem- Tie U. S. S«^k is inUe field, and 1 cannot but ffear the effect of 50 or. 100;
thousand dollars expended in cpnd»<:ting the elpction in such a city as New York. I have grejU
conj&dence in the honesty of thepeople^but it will not withstand all temptations. The corruption..
OP sQME i.EAi» TO THE DECEPTION OP MANY. You ought to loolc tp the Upper Wr.rcb, J fear
you will find defections attjong the active electioneerers. Though! sjpeak so discouragingly of.
the result, t do not doubt, if money .could be kept out of use, we should beat th^m. ' But it wilj
not. Yet ^eat efiorts without money may save us. 1 hope these efforts "will be made in. New
York. If.l thought that N. Y. would do as others say it will, I should say ^e chalice is in tm
favor, but I feared such a result jis you predict, ^y advice is^don^t J?£?^ YOUR MONEY,
BUT SPENI3 IT, as far as you legally can, to promote the EtficTiON. We are all determin-
ed ta4eserve success, and do not despair of gettjing it. Yours sincerely^ W. L. M^BOY.
Van Buren edn'dassing' the infecteddistrtct^-ihe factions in Washingim Co.- split up — U Coali-
Hon or Wti'gain in Westekester'^Mattheiff L. Davis calctuaies the votes.
[No. 5^3.J Albany' 4th^ Oct.^ 1832. My Dear Sir : Yours of yesterday is received.
Before it came to Hand I had determined to write you in order to relieve the ^2«m, which my
former letter was calctilated tp cast over your mind.' Information received since Wlting to you
has considerably raised my hopes. V. Biu'eri. writes from the infected District that we shalf
gdin there as much as we can lose in the other parts of the Statfe. That we shall gkin (speakiig
with reference to the last.Oovemor'^ election) 1 do not donbt-^but the extent of that gam cannot
be ctonjecmred; I think it will be 3000 in the 8th District— and about 2000 in the 6th. Our
recent news from Washington County is very flattering. ' The FACTIONS there do Tuft coalesce.
Tbeipt » a reasoa^tble hope that we shall be better off by IQOO Votes than has. been calcnUted.
Tfcfe ^fibeeedinga In Westchester hav© ^ssipated the gloom that Hung ov^r ^t county. We
UQMiteTid'that botk the Wiard4ind Hmt^. pturtks wiU support. our j:iectoraI Ticket and S^te
candidate. The charter election here has nerved our friend* and inspired a determination to
Tneet efforts by efforts. Upon the whole Qjir affaij-gi^look pretty well, and success ifi.in our own
hand?, but we must labor to keep it. I fear more for you ia K. Y. thim any other place. Your
vigilance" and vigorous efforts can alone save .yoa<from a disappointments Davis's calcttlation
in ^sterday's C. & En. is, in many particulars, v6ry "MUl: 1 hai^e'ruh over that calculation anA
jooade a note of deductions and additione which I think may be reasonably depended on by
.S^ Digitized by V^jOOQ IC
229 MARCy's ADVICK TAKEN. GENERAL WARB REPORTS PROOtt^SS.
which I vary the results. About 20,000 a pretty material variation. I do not wish it ex.
hiMled. Indeed I Mie\e it is mtber an idle eJopJiofiBeiit to be making estimiitef. The hm
rUh 18 to do the wock and see the remit. I am, wiih g#eat respest,, youjs, W. L. MARCY.
Suxrrtwout, Hatftb; Or.kekfiitg ike Dailp Ssntiml ait4, the Truth TdUr, N, X-
[No. 284.] The fo!H>wing it one way ill which party imuitgMrs tas^Bsed tihemaelves in obe-
dience to Governor Marey'a letter of Oct. 1, to carry the electioii in N<jw Yorkljy the nse ui
money in 1832. Theirs is a perfectly fair mode. They paid frTetidty editors for circ«lstia<(
papers containing opinions favorable to their views, Baide^Ktors having jlrevioasly been with them,
and not having apostatized for a consideration !
*« We ih^ undersigned agree to pay the sums set opposite our names, towards giving a moie
ext<vjde44rtmWon tt) the Daily^ Sentiner, and the * Troth Teller.' Oct. 6, 1892.— J. 'H«yt
. fWr-'^^lWtB mr—B. iwartwout $20— Thad's Phelps 020— C. W. L. [LawrenCe] g20-
J. Cl p|S^P:\Fish f 20— S. $20-U:. C. Cambreleng $20— C. L. Livingston $20— J. A.
HaraiUon $30-^0. P. White $20— H.' Hohc $20— M. Van Schaick $20— D. Jackson $20-
J. rwy»fti^ia*i%20^AUch!nclo6S$^, &C.** ''
[Editors when poor should take all the cash they can get from men of all parties, but continse
to speak independently or not at all", 'l^henl published tKe Gazette at Rochester, and the Ei-
amiuer at New York, no nSan was more witliilg lo receive and thankfully acknowledge, pecu.
niary aid from whig, democrat, nativf, loyahst, and conservative — and, to the best of my reeol<
i^^iiMi^ h]^ donations from them all., If attftckiog a fortress and scarce of powder would it
l&e wise iki iJh« besiaging o^cer to refiose the gKt of one or a hundred barrels ?]
Westminster politics — the Young men BkffrUd-^Aaien t^ a unis^, with Hunter^-H^ Bank
bugaboo — help us to $300— TTtfrrf electioneers Jpr Ward day and night.
[Nq. 235.] General Aaron Ward, M. C.) to Jesse Hoyt, N. Y.
Sing Sing, Oct. 12, 1832. — My Dear Sir: Your letter of tt« llth inst. has been received,
and in reply, I have to say thatevery honorable exertion will be made by oar party to carry the
election in the Courrty. 1 did not expect the nomination this year, but my friends considered
that theitt wns no xither way of securing olur election, and the Himteronen said tliey would not
go for Mr. Kemble becaose he wkis [my] frvend. Our opponents, beyond all doubt, wouU have
earried a large majority against us. But i have very tmlny petvonal friends who->will make a«
of their best endeavors to carry my election, of this I am assured ; and yon know thalt no man in
the county can calculate with more certainty, as regafrde the election, than I can. Our party in
this county [Westchester] has but a small majority. When VAn Buren ran we got but 150
majority, and we -only got SO majority for an elector when Jaokson was elected— but I think I
can liow promise you at least 1000 majority. We have started the young men — *hey are now
actively pngnged — and they will hold a meetitig upon foiy recommendation An Tuesdajr — and they
will present us with one candidate for the Assembly. This will bring themout in their strength.
We shall give our ticket 400 mfljority in this town. When I was'lttst u^ T received' 525, the
lai^est majority given in any other Town in the State* As rcigards a union with our
Hunter friends, I say with all my heart, Amen to ir — ^my friends have always been in favor of
it. The Young Men's meeting will do much to bring it abcJUt. If they come in they, will agree
to give me their support, for ^h^y know that there Was not a 6rmer friend of the Administraxion
in Congre^ than I was.
I fear THE BANK influence more than any thing else.* I have no doubt di|it the Bank
Manaffers will expend a large sum of money in thi»c6«niy. If our friends in town could help as,
at this particular crisis, to about THRBG HUNDRED l>0liI^AR3, we will make good useofitA
We have but few men who are able to h^lp us to means. rYo|i must supply us with 10,000
tickets at. least — ^you can have them sterepty|)ed. Send them^^o me by soi]fie- safe h^nd, and 1 1
lyill see them distributed in every town. I have not vested a mooteni since- the contest com-
menced, and if my health and life is spared I shall devote all my time to- it. I have been twice
about the county, and our prospects are cheering. I have met With friends where I least
'igqpe&ted them, and strong friends too. I wish you to look into the act, and see whether Coa-
gce^ axid Electon go on one ticket^ Look well into this, f^rom the last act t should think not
Truly, A. WARD.
• , - « , :
Jtess^s help thankfully-acknovoieS^id^Ward will meet the iMnk in its own eoim — ha9 speai
much money "^ Bank ogeftl— «n office fw a friend is a debt to be paut-^tverf num hti
his priee^seoret sertfiee-^ Wafd ready to expose rognes oni^^iher side, ^{Mnkenzia fa wk itn ,)
— expects to turn # 1400 majotity.
[No. 236.] ' Th6 same to the same. . • \
SiMG Smo, Oct. 29, 1832. — My Dear Friend : 1 return you many fhanks for yoturkind letter—
and for the assuis^nce you have given me that JL shtll have aid from your good city, if not befoRi
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^A^b itA iiJE Bliri/ RiLL^ viriy ANb^iiiAR^'ir ^syt6nifc. isdiil
certaii^y a(br the close of the election. Abjovl concluclecl by requesting ni#to f«ini iftthe
good Work, I hay^jo say ia reply, that I wHigo dn; and I d^ubt much whether there is as^gfcs
iadividiuil' in the State, that is, or that has been hiore active io. promoting the cause tiMn in5^--^
self, i do not allow myself to sleep hdlf a^muck as heretofore. I am either writing letters or riding
about i)^e county half the night as longf as I can find a man stirring with whom I can converse,
i* THE BANK has its agent^ here, it has beOme necessary f&r me TO MEET IT IN THE
SAMB coin* — arid / Have leen constrained' in %elf-defeiice id expefid a great deal of mon<y—
piuch more than I can afford — and I shall be obliged stift to *<pend more. I am not in a sita-
ation to bear the Whole expense of the election, and yet alt the expenses comie upon my shoitldeFs'
— and a« matter^ now stand, it will not do for me to otop to infuire the cogts.
Ttie last everting Major Sing and myself had a conversation with one of those [tj, S. Bank]
agents, and he informed us that he Moot, sm ng t i tio WnHeif, care a single pin how the election
wsniHtHtt. he sfl^, ctiery man ba4t his price, and fyo hgid Atf^^nd l^e had i^ceived money from
s<Ha^ fei^kfueQ i^^e^pr Yoxk^ iut bef^e it wm put-in his hands, he iotfk an oath iiot^io tStl the
name of the men from whom he received it. If I can find out the name of the man who holds
the purse strings in this County, his name shall be brought before the p^lic be it whom it
may, #
%#eeni« that yon turn all your attention to Long IstiEind. Allow me to tell you that this is
onelbf the most important counties in the state. Recollect, the mi^jbrity against «s last year waa
MWt—and we are now Engaged in^ endenvo^g to carry a majority fer our entioe ticket^-and
I sincerely believe that we shall give you a good accouat of this democrattet county. 1 rely,
vpon yoiir giving me some ftid hereafter, iod will ge on in the good work most cheerfully. • I-
Eihal! havb the retumsW this and Putnam Gounties on the 8th — and will come to l^ew York
with tliera in person. If I am not ^m down by my labors.
In haste, lam, trvly, A.WARD.
Governor Hnfof New nampshire,.like his friend Wright at Albany, nday have denounced
betting on elections, in his public messages; but he did not do sO ill hfa private ones. For exam-
ple : —
[No, 237.]' Concord, N. H. Oct. 15, 1832. [Franked, Concord, Oct.18— ." Isaac Hill, S. U. S."]
To Jnsse Hoyt — My dear Sir — Yours of the 12th WaS last evening received. TO MEET
Tff]BBRA(5GAR*rS OP THE OPPOSITION I ADVISE MY FRIENDS THAT ANY
StM WitL BE'SAFB Oif THE ELECTORAL VOTE OF Pennsylvania and New York.
In this Stnte weare^so strong, that should every other desert him, we mily be relied on as giving
a decisive majority for Andrew Jackson. Yet the Bank is scattering its thousands here to affect
tis. t am, Sir, re^cffally, Your friend and obedient SerV't, ISAAC HILL.
The Valiant Wtmior, Marcy, an his Bravery and his Breeches — The Barber^s Bill-^Frauds
- . . an4 Peculations.
fN<K.2»d.] «ehat«r M^cy to Jesse Hoyt, New York. Aibaijy^ 16th Ott., 1838.
[Private.] My Dear Sir — Your letter of Monday evening I received this morning, and with
it a bt#««e from the SoHfh; that gives some of our folks a chili. The opposition pretend to have
peKam informatian that Ritner is elected* Though ^etlonot yet yield to. this belief, ^U we nte
less confident than we Were yesterday of WolP# Election. As to the Fantuhons qfair, perhaps
1 att not the peison best qualified to advise. Th«»Hgl^ the^<;harge was right in itself, yet it must
t>e legM'dod iu ait unfoffitunate one, because so easily turned into ridicule. I showed your pro-
iuction to Flagg— he thought it very well, but seemed to think it was a little too formal. The
enemy will have theit laugh, but I hope it will not do much mischief. The true explanation is sim-
ply this— When Comptrc*ler, I had always made war on Itwwpwg' charges, because I was satisfied
m»nf frauds against the State had been jperpetrated by them. The law provided the payment
ofth»JiadgeVexpenoes wMdlngthe Special Circuit. I kept a particular account of them
winch was handed to the Comptroller. While on this businesarsome work was done on Paota-
ioofisi for Which -the Tailor charged Fifty cents ; it was^ entered on the account, and went into
dM» Comptroller's hands without a particular reflection bow it would appear in print. J feared
no Jsi^g^er /<to^ I hniw no sin. lacm not advise. how it is best to treat the subject. The article
* Aftron W«fA, M. C, to Gen. Samud Swartwout, 110 Chambers «t.-t-City Hotel [H. Y.J Nor. 27, 1834.
—My I^r Genenii, I ealM at your bouse tfat^e^niDg, with a ftersonal friend Mr. Deveau, in order io make you,
leaaaMited with hhn. He it a genttecMHi of sterling worth and fetegrity, and he is desirous Af getting the situntion
»f IiieT»«<^t«T. r tnow how tom are pressed, b»t IN THJS IN8TANCE I fed a deqr inttreet, IN FACT I AM IN
BARNEST r and iffou wUl oMfvu hygimimK him the tituation, J wMl in return 4o ye« a service at somefu
iure dajf which shn41 more than requite.you. Do not say no, if it is now coovement. Do. I entreat you. bear his
mse irt your remembrance. I an truly, A* WARD. .
t Westchester County was one of the rery few wttich gave a majority of votes, in November, 1845, against a I-
owin^ the people of New York St<rte to mfcet in ConventfaMi, in 1846, for the revision and improvement of the
Constitution. •
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ift,lJie ilffcii«« li««4edy < 4 very ^«vt itfSttr. 't ^ perhaps ^s full an earplanation a« te tnuttc*
tian will admit of. But it will be well to connect ir, if muc^ must be ^aid on it, with tlw great
ftiioda and p?euUitSona of UoUey, Van Tuyl. John V. N. Yates^(who I believe fof lovts of me
writM manf of tbe.acurriloua arj(ielei in our papers,) in appropriating about $$pO of Pedleifl*
Liflenae Fees, &e./dta. Now as to my War Services, (a more agreeable subject,) I was out
two i;ampaign9— in 18lS^ on the northern frontier-^belonged to tbe party which to6k from th«
enemy at St; Regis the fait stand of colors taken in the late war, on land, and thp first priioD-
en (Hbottt 40 in number.) These prisoners were ip a house built of square timber. J perioiiafly
hi^Ui>d^ the party th^t t^ok them-^myself broke open the hou^e, entered it, and took from the
hands i<f the soldiers theif arma« ^c« I c&r« not how much this matter is handled, but rather
they would let my paniaJLoofM ah/ie, I return your remarks* Yours, JSpc/W. L. M ARCY.
Eitchie prodigiously 9en$itwe-^W't}ib attaeki him^ttkkt impuienee f^^WM SenmtneiM at an
0poHat4!^Mumfor8,'f help invokid^MitekU het9tn JaeHon, m Butler pe^ «< ^<iniy
HiU,"iaa8maliway**'
[No. sips.] ' Thomas Ritchie, Editor of the Enqufrer, to J.'Hoyt, N. Y.
RicltiioKis Oct. 30, 1833.<^My dear Sir: 1 have been preveiitfd by several pr#8^ng engage-
atents ^m presenting you my sincere acknowledgements for the kindness you have rendered
me. Ininith, I "wished to^end you tjie notjoe in tEeJ^o^tftrer which I intended to have talisa
tdf WeW« illiberal and tmwamintable attack4
His attack by the Cholera deUyed ny article, and then I was etigaged in assisting in pkepar.
ing the Address (xF the Jackson Central <)<»mmittee-^nd I really had ne time then to write you.
-ri}ave taken the liberty (if sending y<m the two. last Enquireni. The one containing the a<>>
drnfe, and »e.<lrrday^ pafter. giving Duff Green's recantation on the subject of Mr. Jefiersoo's
fetter and Webb's article.
Permit me naW, mc*^ to- thank you most^Bordinlly fpr the service yoa have done we. It em«
bleti me to put that calumny agnini^t me at reaL for ever»^ E^en Webb has not had the andacily
to justify his misreprfesentatiun, or to rebut my answer, but by trumping vp other calunmies and
aVfite'ii gainst me. . , •
. Beiwei*n ourselves, the lettter which closes my article, is from the gentleman who naarrieJ
Mr. Jeffer»oii*s grand- daughter-»lived in his family — and copied his manuscript for the press
after he was dead. He deserves the high character I have given Mm« . Indeed nothing ey«r
did surprise me more, than that Webb had the impudtn^e to about Mr. .Jefferson's
opinions.
There are hundreds in Virginia who would , to the favorable flentimcnts of that dis,
tin(;ui4hed man towards myself.
Will you add to the favor you have done me by asking of Mr, Mumford the kindness to re-
publish in the Sfandardy rny reply to J. W. Webb. The apostate will never do me ^he justice,
which T have lately done him in a case into which I was thrown into some mi!«t8ke about him.
Will Mr. M. do me the favOf to spread my defence before ihe l^cople of New Ydrfe^aasoon as
he cin find spare space for it? ' >, ' ^
I think ever^ thine is working right for A. .Tnckwwi. I AM BETTTNO THREE TO ONB
ON HIS RG.EL^CTION, IN A SMALL WAY. As io VirginUi.she wiU hef^tmd rightom
the day of kleetion next Mondav fortnight, TMk legislative Tickeft witt prevail.
Present me vftmt kindly, with my thanks to Mr. -Bowne, and my respects, thovffh personally
nnktiown, to Mr. Livingston. Gratefully yonrs> THOMAS RITCfilE.
S. JIX Ingham, Sec. Trtas^ t(hj€9§e Hoytt N' York^.
[No. d40.] WASttiifftTON, 10th Nov. 183S^Dear Sir n I thank you^ for th^infertnatiott
in your letter of the 8th. This Eleetionj together with that of P«., must kill Anti-masoiirv.
They win not again raise that fl!tg iti the natittrtt and Bcarcely in a State. It will b« driven
back into a few coutities— but Mr. Clay is also done^ howef>etde^>eratelyhemttyfiigkt-4»if^*
lorn hopet that ian/ot the eharOrCter of his friends. They eannot again be brongbt up to the
charge. Yours with gveat respect. B. D.. INGHABC
t .Tudi^e MaTcy wns poor, and placed in nf^th tosare Mm fW>m min. Tit 18M, the l«fhlitiire»f Kew York
parted a lattr reqofrirtff one orthegapremef^ourt-JvdjfMto hoM af'irCnitin Nift|rKra Countv.to trvthelndietmants
for kilKnt; Mor^n fnf writinif about masonrr. nnd directed thnt hia expend*** ihniild be patd. Manor wb« selected,
and he kept an nceonnt Of eve^ry cent expended, «mon«? wWeh he enumerated 35' cents to a Raflklo barber, *>nd
50 cents to ataiferf.ir iewittf ap a rery tmsi^htly rent in hn bree^ies. AbAOt this extta-jndginff, «xtra>|ie,T. «nd
his lailnrs and barbers* bills, a Ina^h Was raised, whfch he ^as nve^-k enoUj^h or wise enough to treat aa above. If
•snch carefulness in details had been his worst fault, I would have been among his wannest admirers. His war
paff appeared in doe form in the Argus and Evening Post, ind doubtless aided his elecp'on. He had eaid io the
tJnitod States Senate, that" To the Viotors.belong the Spoils,*' and on that principle did he administer tbc govern-
ment of N, Y. Marcy is over fifty years of age. I have heard, but am not sure that it is so, that he is from Mas*.
and came to Troy, opened a shoe store there, and then turned lawyer, like Hoyt.
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5 J*4^'*^
" VaK BUkil^ISli UNMASKED. ALLEN^S TAMMAOT BANk. '^41
hmd0tifd i»rn ^ ibut I-^^Slt^h^n Men's Tammc^y Hall bank, to hring'xhe D^^mcracg
Mriir m4iU^jmJlwm4P^4Xcli*siv€ privUegu^ iRApeAmackery of their prmcipU^, .
p|Q4JMl.}-49Mwf^^4>ii9<B^^^^^^^^^^^
AL»AifT Nov. 38, 1832.— bear Sir : Nothing m more true th«a t^ alwf¥aM«l «w4p
WMf.Vift B«w* kt t^ Bwwj«w»i#^i«i«l5 Uwt the 4«««i3ttic.pftrty, in * gmt.ffrw- . ;
m ^m iMit *r«*nt«irf !>«««•» vic»riw<o 7«MlR«fif UaU, die Waoe «f efl»ic«tmi«| o«n- '^^
itAi'^iriM) tetfui. a«d 4 AliyiDi potet of'Oii dwMcracy of tlieeity.or wwdf UMlialeiiect Tbefe
^^TlwadiiU Wtllktthe Witogvf t^^ lM,wid tba»lwpiwnriBgU«»ai?*rt|f ^-
IsHttiiiiM, iMd B i^l^kii M^ 1M ftU •enwiAps for Ow lUpubtieasa of i|i6 Citjf ti«4 mK^wsA-
inff Countte».ha8 been one of the means oT our triumphs. , ,
^'^vtti^Hlfr of 4|M«GdiiKiutMk wl»6 piildbaMd the fi^f nck^ndA Om cqatiaKta ib^ buUdwg—
«Nri^Bedlti0«i«itte|rM'payforit< ' ,. . ' ' , \.''p^ . J_
Tfee ^dftftfiiu of t£Ait CMwnUBe «r^ii« «||d iiflpoiischi», •• dvFiiig itie progpesf 4yf «e
ivv«l1Ctill!y^i^i^««atlr<oaipatt^<tor«MB9 €MI»iiioMbIe sums op tk^ leepoosabUny pf ^^r
#WII BlMi». i^ Wbob eitkbliBlwMit >«oM i^«t 4(54,00» ; allof w^ieh. sup waa sabsBcriM
hf iwU^dmiterf the party i?i»cp» ii\%m^ (if lte<wUect rigJ|$,> and /Qr.,wWeh Uet sam ^
•If ^^flrty propcrly.estimatcd tiie benefit it Ims received from the. establishment, thia dejl
wouW have been cleare'd off by subscripUon long since ; but such a PMult, perhaps, is not to be
*'TtSightlia»theiH^fdie<*imiliati»«e,n»#wfcfc^ it- ktJie object rfthie fetter to communi- ^
Gate : wSther the eitinctiott Qf tWa «cbt n|ay not be effected-by obiammg the CHARTER
ftbif* €Mmt he m 919910 fuvveMe period thmn the present for iuch an ^micaUon. .
^nm \mm *««ity w« ^a*e i« betb Hewwe and the good feeling evinctd by the Country to-
VM^fUBwieemicnt on the l%r«e vote given by the CUy lo t^ democratic candidates, together
Z^^ka^iK^mm^ olQeet ef wliewng Ol4 Tammany fppm itr emhwiaaamemi, WITH OTHER "
e&t&M^BLATlOHBp J 4|0nl# presiune wiMild Miry th«. bill through triua^phaotly.
• .TkM rrtllMMiiw alati of « fiatik. I think would efleet the object.
4fce^MS?te SeFlYE RUNDRBD THOUSAND DOLUARS AT LBAST. The Society
di T^immArtr hi B&IVIUMfW to ^becribe.for tlOO,000,of the Stock. Thp Bank to be
tohanii
jmI Ihe «aioam on their bon^, at an -interest of three per «ent per annum the loan
^lh0 MJd0«» or fottt yeer^, If the Bank divide^ six per cent on its stock, the SOCIETY
*wc»uM reiaive THRBB THQU^SABfO DOLUARS anftnaUy^ over and a1m>e ihe interest on the
to*«.«hidl.iiilhrteye*s,wfmWanioont to $9,000. ^ .^ ^^ ^ \, r v. r -T
In itei^an time the stock would advance in value, and tf sold at the end of three or four ye^s,
would probably be worth ten per cent above l«ir, ncttittg a clear gain of $10,000,*)y which ep-
vJSS^Laiciety^iparidbe iw ihta i^eteaeitn of #19,000. a tod more th^ eufficient to
cksar (^ the incumbrance. T>rnrf-
Afa AMMttntMtt TM dimU kvMm is in opposition to an increase of these Banking jMont^oues tn
-xj^TIS^ make them^w^i tlierefore IF WEmiw/ have them, there
-eaS^ be. a in«H.e legitimate ol«ectt(> be effected, both i/^ « party point o/ cteiiy, as well aethe
ekantnbU attributes of the.Society, than the one alluded to. i ,, ^.^ -r
If vouthink well of the matter, I wish you wodd consult some of our leading men—flilid if,
M due «oiiwleiatio». the project should be deemed proper, it will be nji^ssary that a notice
3»»ldbepubU8^,of the intenti,on to ipfiy, which you know may be published wphout the
^UMh ittttfe dUtiiuUly uwhrstosd that t cannot serve in any «/ the tfces created by such an
^^^^JLnt any aawetauce % C4n giye in advancing ^be interests of Old Tammany will be
; '*V^iul^^^ let the matter drop if, upon a view of the ^-bjecUt shalt be deented in-
•js^dient. . lamwithduere^pe ct^yourob^tserv't,. STEPHEN ALLEN.
Uoatdsmna C. £. Uvimgston to be re-elecUd Spiahr of AssevMy-y^tet fumrentiumehii pHn-
^^^^^^^^ ' %les^we mst U h>m^ to the desert bank of the U. S.
fNo 242l' Lorenzo Hoyt. Albany, to his broihef Jesse, at New Yo^
A^BAWV Dec'r 19 1832.— Dear Bkothee: In one of your lata letters you wished me to do
w^tTouid to m;ke ^^^^^^^ Livingston, t Speaker; this I will cheerfully do; but Ms course
ttAM^ dUiiu»t kbmiT io valnrfor the Old Hunkew of Taipra:u?y, at the reqaest of their ">"> ^^ ^" ^^'^ Jf**
SS^^^rtiwSi Syi vrUhci Uvi»9»t«« ^ •«»» ^ tomewund to the pet..
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d42 THE PKESBNT (!) BANK. AN ANCHOR ABBAD. J^LAtE bsnAtj^D, ilf» HoW.
laat month, in reUtion to the. United Stttes B^nk resolution, I fear will defeat him, mleti hit
Inind^on^Aiat subject.. Kai undergone a change.' and ne Sa willlnf \o ftvt^^lL' 'MtvUrMOHft
cuoot advoctlte of the Morehouse reaolutiim, \b orifinaKy: lntcodiiee«l» eiHt I thinit ilM»«iitaili-
stai&ces will give him a decided fttfyantase in the contCBtibr BpMifc^, m^maj liMi Ik^t took
the eoifiM tbte liivtogstoa did.
Ithhik the[U. S.] ^Ba»k mnikj it wriU^otCT» tmam or lota, iato emtf oAer potilical voe that m
«gHate<l bers this wiimtw^md 1 think md iMpe tiMt mt fiieoik wiU^i. np 4kBpadtkm* to »-
tract, in ihiy d^tree, thcrtr 8l«fpe ta^t wimev. A* A pattf in dM Skate, i think w« «r«iii^ con-
imtt»d^o a ctmr^ t^^nfmprmiMhf kBtmUf fti TBE. ABSENT Jbnik-*H»4 if OU iijickory
iMMBolKnvd himself to he dnpod-^'wiiei / IAsi»ik wK S}i2<A«V««^ UnM^toftrwid JHc^Imo, he
mnst take the consequences. ' ' . ' s ^ -
' In tidditt«m to Otia and Li¥ifigetoii» iii«w hmrd m Itfv. Litehfiekl» a nWHthtr ^rom oa^of the
western counties, named as a candidate for Speaker ; and if- bo wiH- eonieiit ^4o-|nin» whooh is
<toubtfttl, be witi pibhably \A ffOiAilkat^' *R« i» ftfi>(rid«iMiber of the Haaa»» and har ^een
'm member of Congiseia; and fh«Te ^mra mntig diapafelrtdtt amanir the xSoviiiigF qaembfi* to
ttin him last year, but he deeltned: V ton knoir «nyilMif akmt Livit|g8teii*B ffMmml pimu
' 196 the Bfmk question, I wifliv yoa to ^rvite^me flirtbwith. * If he ia rne^ ind wiahiM to aeqain
and maintain a standing with the Democracy of this state, h» moat reaounaa^be principle hf
WmaTo^d last winter. * •♦«*•» ^ li, HOYT.
Jdoak JDtmaermtt mtcmm U htetme UniieA SUUm Baittjs J^irfiotnt'^
W[N<). 248.] C. C. Catnbreteng to Jesse Hoyt, N. Y.
ASHiNGTON, Jan. 10, 1833. — Pear ISik: Yon are surprised atthe tppaSntmeatof Kr. A&y
aa Bank Diredtor^ instead oT Mr. Jackson. I wad hegtfgcnt iti net wi4cing' to Mr* Jaakion a
'Seeond time. The dav Mr. White left here he ttate^ that Mr. MeLane ^eairad mint aaf ^ho
"khoold be Appointed, tfiat he; Mr. White; had named Mr. Atl^. i to4d Inn I waa edmmitiad
to Mr. Jackson, and should recommend hfm**-MY. White then «aM that he imqW doiiear miith
me in supporting Mr. Jackson, andbe^jafaed me to write to Mr. McLana thaVheidhliAH9aae«r.
I wrote him in. behalf of Mr^ White '^nd mj^Sielf, and lilao wrc^te hiai that I andaraiMid Dfr. Ver-
planck to be also ifavc^ahle to Mr. Jack^^ After thia I ptesadied the matter avt^^^aed so
'wrote to Mr. Jackson. Some 'daysilf^l learhed'lo tny oarprlae, frrmi' Mt Mnlianiv ftiniin
consequence of Mr. White's having nahied Mr. Alley, whoiti he pf sa aiwed wmtd^ be. aatjafactaiy
to the Delegation, he had gone too far to repede, t^re he received my latter. I oaghir ta liive
written this to Mr. Jackson, but omitted to do so. -Yon win oblige me hy ^iplaiiriDf at to him.
^ ' Tety truljr yonra, ' • O. C. C4MBftGL£Nfi.
' Very secret reaeans fat ttpp^inting Mey. f^a tMy ourfrUmd <Mdii9gim gwfta be ^
\ . ter of New York. *, -
, . ' [No. 244.] Same to Samp. , .WisnlKOTOir. ItNih Jai^; 1833.
Sri^U' . Dear H.^1 wish you to show the enclosed letter to Mr. Jackson. Mr. MeLane,
' besides which that letter contains (which is a true stt^tement) had other rMsmts itMeh eskn&tU
ms^f^ned on pe^er. There was no deception— ^no vfoxA of iolKieiTce^ abont if-^tl^ ^liestioa
rested on other grounds altogether. . ' ^
Say to oui; friend C. [Coddingtpnj in ahswer' lb his enquiries, thu I h^d thia fnafritiit(^ a
frank and full conversation with Mr. Barry, who tella m6 thai he ttev^ anthoriz^d Mr. ^nM ta
heUeve that he would appoint him* and thitt ^he^ hAd , no idea of doin^Anyaach thin^« Vbt.
Smith's going on to New York has done* him injury— ^Ae Vfill n&t get the office. It la well
understood by the President, Mr. Barry, and by all who have any itHluence hete, titat ti^lftni a
. change takjea place Mr. p. will undoubtedly be the man.^ Although }. cannot atid WtM Hot be
inatrumeotal in the removal of Mr. Gouvertieijir, I will take care that t»te repuhtiean fHends
shall not be disappdnted for the last tmie. WKen a change takerj^ce, Mr. CodHiij/hM'mill
ke iho choieo of ike Fre$idelft aad the i^, M- Q* _ _
' Sincerely younu €. C. CAl^BRKClflVtf.
\XT Your Utter ie deotfoyed^^q ihey,k^ ^ith this. Gov. Throop and Mr. Craig were nomi-
nated io-daj-
One excellent voti hy Gulian C. Verplanck-'^ pair of canting hypocrites nut-generaled.
[No. ^.] * Same tq Same. Wjteiiii«»tQfir, t5th F«h.'1^3. '
Dear Hi.— Yesterday Mr. Verplanek'a vote teouU hofpe eiecUi Mr* ^(tfir— to-df y ike Bmh
have ^lecttd* printer f^ps by one vote,
. I nsdenitand Wr, V, P'a. ^ The value of aladgQs niay nwf be undierttood.
1ii«wmly youa, , C. p. CA««8I;LW(0.
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ttt GOLD liliiB, IT. 8. tokSAEil TlAltS^tB, AlfO UtOtKttft WStMOKE. '24i
, GoU Mint^--^ IK^JOW prize.
No,' 24^.]' . , X. 1 Amoid,.i6 Jesacfloyt, Kewy<irk.
yfyan^ Haia*^ [^avannali, Cal,] March 14, 183^.— -DsaH I^ ; JSmee I last wr6te ftn I hilre
not received a' line from Boyd ; and the only <mfciu\ inteSUgenca that I have of bis proeevdimrs,
I rect'ived jj^H^h vMr iattvr «f thf 18th ult. which c%a» to hand a kw days aince ; and also a
ooriilVoate of one share of the |^, A.* Mining; Go's, stof^k, the one due me out &f the six skaree
. remittad to pay the het of Jlte Mr^a Uit ilf me oH the ri.eUtetum «/ Gtmerul Jtekdou, fit ia
^t^aqge time^ in the political world, aaclt revolutjbns I nrv^r beftfir witnessed, and «sf) fimfUhe
Jlfld^ I should lie soptewhat at a tyss on i/6hat ^de tofiht^ /aekson has oertacialy men in-^y
^stiuiatien sincfe I saw you, and oEf Clay's proctjedlngs Ido mit know what tothHA orWKft bvt I
suppose we shajl luiow more ere long. Nullificafion bein^ dead, it will iMk be long^.
lore something else will be gotten up to create a political e.xcitbinenC : what that may ba tiine
i^one will develope. You ask me hoio the Gold Lottery is getting sin ? iind what sflict it will
have on our stock T fu answer to the first, 1 know but little respecting it, azoepttog that I im-
dc.rptand the drawing ia nearly f&iished ; and with respect fo the last, 1 shMild praauma it woald
jdecrease the market vafue ofall tnhies, S9 iqany liein^ o^cd fbr sale. As yet , hotoever^ J A'tve
not heard of any ch'ingiag h^nda, thoQ^ f s^ufd. preaome some sales had bten eflbstr4' I
kNpy that many persons did spebtilat^ in the <!h«ne«8 before the dmwinc. The besi sjMooltfi^Q
X liave heard of late was by h. neighboar of mine who went into Savannah last week, bought a
ticket in one of the; nofthem latMnpa» A»r ]|$, and the ibtlowing day received tlte intelligence of
itf(^)uif ing drawn $^0,000---took #17,000, and came home. Tonrs, 4c. %. J. ARNOLD.
General ftaiif^ T^hmmejtttyer to ^JeUeeUHf 9iis m % mm U for afimO^admis^m inUMs^f^*
Uticdl l^or Xlbtesf — d pieer ttrgument^ haeksd fry OsfnsMm W. LnorwK ^niu% i^ Mv^9
^nd other Wife PulUts efprstended Dew i r rpsf.
[iJo. }246a.J General Prosper M. W«imi>rc to Crflcctor 8#artwoat.
Kkw Tout, April 18» It^SJ.-^DKAR Sir :* I was sd uirw^ithe day I called 09 y4«4lnt>H»r
X did not sucoeed in impressing ycta with the interest, the deep tftlerett I fact in A« 1
the, ai^Ucation I thrn made to you. ' - -
I have refrained from troabl^g^'you agtin ftetsonally in the matter from two 1
because these 'solicitings are, t i;ioW, aa un^feiaadt to you as th^y ^k mortHyiRg to me. A
fufiliaf pfim far^ioy r^UeVing you th«s Ibng from this tmpor^anity, b«» ttiiweM ia 4b ^mMi)-
icy, that, while there was at) Uncertainty aboui! Mr* Craven'a contionaace in office, yoii might
^liMl ^ k'ivyi <iH|| 9^r eppeiptaMil^ iipeo*
. S^fiml mf9f you, Qiaet^i^pwei^hm^n vioited Washington, atid is now titttmed. Ve
expects to be provided for to his f^afa^iyen. anfl 4a anxaons that Mr. Ogibiit^ may hm the
beQo$t^ his vsaca.n(^. Under theae eircumsunces, I must again throw myself opoti year iiir
4utgfnee tot permission to aay how veiy .inucb.1 4n>ald feel oUfged by year coiniplsBiMe with
tjae reguest. , . , ' , - '
Apart from the connection existing bet^^een ns^-tie is my wMb> IMet^I cm be«Ml ip Wm
, hr many favours received in his days of prosperity, and whiA I iMvs' m m ea n s ef retmalNg.
, Bis charae^er— boain^ess ^ilenU— industry— integrity— gener&l^popiiterity'-4i{B would eensi^iNr to
mn^ li^ appointment acceptable to the merehahts and eitixene. if individual r teamm sa ia ^
tioQB were pecessary, they could hfi furnished fir tfag given' munften I <su imrdiy think Itam
to be so fbr one so Well known. a'
^ ^ I can b^ suppose4 to haw tfie ^slightest pnAjBg in/hteHee ^Mk Vmi> ^ dBslmren CAf •dndme^
tratioA-^nd 1 4s nt^ pretend* 1a titker—'Iheif^St Whnutyhe tr9nsfetr0i fo Mr. Ofrim^k if
they can in any way advance his interi^^t !n this application. ' .
, There ii one view of this aulgect in w)nch {)erhaps b6th !M[^ Ogabary and ufyaatiT mighr he
/'uatified in this application. He has' been (At many yea^ engaged in die imfMtattes ef Cloads.
Aove also informer years csntrihuted to the revenue — My brother, with whom I now am, and
my broth^-in^w, 0^Qr^ 'freadwefl, «A(f take$ a largi iHtere^ in thist^ir^^ax^ ^ih
•ztenalvely engaged in foreign import%lieas. U lulght li^'omsidered that individuala so sitnglBd
' kavf fto^^sr filattn ^ntkose^ha hmo^ wiHr oomrikmUd t^4ke renmie.
£xbuse me for saying so moch ; I dSd not 4ntend it when I cbfilm«need than letter. If yMi 9an
^ ^KHnnMf floMidei « tlia efpUcatioA, I meet amoereiy h^pe you will do so. ^ Of bnf tfaEil^'f im
sure, you will never regret having ooofiliivd the atMmment en the iedi«idiial nanH* .
. WhhgnpAtesbaet, I am y«nr^be4ient servant, <«f&OftP£R M. WfiXlfOlLK.
2bme of applkaat, Fnmds Qd^o^, 391 Bnmdway.
^* Ca n i^ »iottyw«g It fesolat ^a^^Me^^t"^^f^^ii^^llll■ i»reff«a attkeCMeei Bouse. |Ii» abUt^apMae
ji q i l ie nai m 1m owe baltaUrmagr h* iaftnei Awi^Mf «pp«el Ibt Ms fklbw-ia-Jaw l9«o««««d !»» oM P'^Hr >»
^J?^*?* ^^'^^ UvilMidi GMamI Spibbr. wImm aiedaiS %ims\ te te^ eslghHw fiersrtwout for a %Un flftlM
tmi aeiw the 4^«re) SQvera
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Mbliapliuetor, MriM by Bit. ¥«e«kMli, feoM 31^ 17Ko# ttSTjeritt. laiSMtlisr latiar to fiwartwout, aatad
|ikai,lSM|,hataliahimtli«t*«lfr.1I«ltemMii«ak»«it»ain>1yfii9 • tileatimi aeiw tbai^ore) yQveraiiisnt,
[No. '247.] A^inejj Gen^i»l ^ohn Van Biu^n ta Jc«le Hoyt, N. Y.— D»a» Sni i Fleait
,4tF<Woffic«,gat«rdfly,S|^F,W.^May; 16350 '. ^ ^ 1^. VAN Btmm
i Rational Cbii|tJ«n*/ortr-f 40;W> ifwm !« /<rAi| Jtflir7rt/(»rtI--3Vi4rrW««*
[No- Waj J,.GLJBeiipett to J.Hoyt,N,,Yoxk, Postjnoatk, PBfLADEX.FHiA, 13th J^ pBSfJ
Pftui Hȴt:. You will see Igr the papers W(bat we ^re about here.. My object is to make die
^artyfiopie on^ fof a Natiopal Conveni^oii. . It c^nbe done by prudence, skill, 9nd addreta! In
tiiatioft to v^li^i I talked to yo» in New York, I bave an eam^^t word to say. I really wiah tint
Vkj frieittit tliftre would try to aid me i|i the matter I formerly mentioned. Morrison I fear will
ib> nothing, ifthx^ Mumford has been aided to the extent of (40,000. With a fourth of ^t
wm I ^vdold have done t^ice as much-*-8obedy and, w|th some decency too. I should be so^ry
te jbt eoraypielled \% beUfve that my frieods in New York should bestow their friendship mote
.' laff^tsaUy upon a dy ' ■ g n fellow th^n me, who certainly hM some pretensions to decency.
I mn mtfyto spe^ harshly of any bo^, but |:eally 1 thliik there is something like ingratitude m
th* wmfLhfi.s% been treated. I want no favor; t^iat I cannot repay. I w^nt nd aid that is not
'^ sMfoctIr m£»> X 0hould \}k^ to hear {ram. y<>vu i thare.is any likelihood of my succeela. "
,^ ^ r.yom, &.C,, J. GORDON BENKETT.
' , ^Sei^nett fjf the fteral'd trying' to bdrfw ifUfiOf^froni Van Bwen.
[No. 249.] Same to same. J^hiladeuphia, 27th July, 1833.— DIpar Hoyt : I bile
' Wrftten fo Vm 9sreR t*»4ty aboufdna •Uidiair. I MUST Ime «>fip of $2^ fyr-^j^m^
of yiei^' fr6Ni »oHi» qoMev. I m^i-jvl em m^u^ ^t-cand if thei, comq^fia ^ijafda .<4'<^
cause — those I have been working for 8 yww>T<-««^aotdQ it> I ipustWk ft>r it samiiei^iiec^ else.
My business here 14 i9^^^ ¥ef7 w^-rand the niqpey Would be perfectly safe in two yeac^ Yo«
iSieltlsiadf Ihi^jeieetpipdiu^edin Pennsylvania — we can have the Stat^-^Butif <mr*&u»idt wont
uftayvjMde '|||ie9heartieaiM)a9^>¥hy« we'll ^0 to the devil>-that is all. ' tiiere » no matt Wbo^wjU
I will — who will isaerifice lAore— who will work haraer. "TooTOq^
go further with friends than J
. Awgr a«tUi r,I^in4Wt-bft pojiifctly independent <^ thp, Uttl«? sections in thia city, who wtmUhdkj
yjneimo^thficiDnMLU cci^ae^at the ri^ of th^ main object. Kendall leaves Washit^rton to-
tim0BtNfrmhj^Jiow.^,$^nkla^<s!ction.T Let me hear iroftij^ou. ^ ' "" ' ' "
;, .. ^ ; . 1 , , ' '\ Yoms, ^. JA'S GORfiojr BEHHIff T.
, ijl Stalfikm^'^, tianhjpr '*v>prkin^mght and dayfor-^tsHtm^ ifr.¥mt 9l^m i^ » il^ itfrt,
, 4$8appfii$fJhHenii liefpair 'f—^spected, 8la.n€ei4€,tHfihd t^lkmn^afiUhm^ In WM^^HiKimg
'J xiifffe^(^ld,heartljs88f chreieii Van M^enf^WhaieA J ■ ' ' • -•
r • [N«.^J 3»nir to sawie.' Philapblphia, "S/d Aug*t 18^.—:^^ SoStt :'' I am ex-
tremely Sony at the result of your efibrts. The' effect is ihevifable : I musl hteat: dovbn M d^
. im$ iiMieoifilBLof H^ ^icp^, important contests which VAN BURBN'S CAUSE' ever ga
.temiilNtliii^iM^ i, i^.fxk j^ how I oCm avoid it/ ^ith every' advantage' in tny ^tfci—
'ytathttmntf pmtm^n ivi%de#^vei;y thing, in the finest trim to bheck.mate ^nd C6nler kk ^
«> bpyjwtiiiftto yim Buscipi and k) force them to come dut in his favor — 9s t know the^ rniuCio
«^ia»nH-ln^iUrt^vf >ira^ to^tl^ cou^sela of thoge* who have most* hostile fcfelings t^tftecftirae;—
and on what ground ? Because neither Mr. Vah Bureh^or his frient^s will iho¥e t J^'S^'f^ *7
. aid. I m}$^^^M*M» i$fii^ikfifi in tJm e^tr^^, I dQ not wi^ to ute any bth<^ipiii^a^ tlkn
t:i^M ^ om^^!( |A4dlr t^t ^irigvish, ihe U^^dintvient^ th ieapgir I ntaj^ $ii$fttfhieh htoodt
over me» If I had been a stranger |o Mr. Vaii Buren and hia ftiends — if I had be^ tt& ki f uW
' ii\ (Jitdiictii., bhes^ ip. bfiog a blpckhead-^r might not have gbt into my presieht poAitt9^»lior
yt^nid I hftVQ ewecied any aidfrom your, quarter, , But after NMcRLY TEN YI&AIt& ^ipeiU
*'■"■■■ ^- •. • '. - '' *- . ..;;■:,. ^ . ■';*•.•-'»
%$d it if tbtr^e m act^f jofticelo him to si^ tlmiin^thA jmst contest /» ikts eitf, «o mun k^s nk$re 9irm^
M^ntmi 4 dtUrminaiion to sustain ^e ni^tsurefpf 146 aAministfatton at the expenc* onfimatb iBlensCa^-— ftii& Ipit-
fore he (WeXmoie) tofreg that lie (ltcPeTrtiOt)>ai<y fc^^epaMfcjf IhWiiilii/I ^ *** ^^ • ^
ImmediateW after- «lie-fiiil «lM;i<« <tf I^Bi. HMmHOam^m ^.'l^iHmiM..W|pR. If. Pr<% fhqH
'«.'mitftig,4» fttlfVt Ihiniel Jftd^soo, aiOft^a jOsjtnmdei, ^Ideoi^I^eetfaM Yf . P, Hallett addrM^ a
', nfi4p*mnfl SwMiwout, requqsting ih6t F. C%sburt idts«i be uppoirttea aft Inspector, ai fwowt': '
aC KoV., laft.— Mr. Wbury Is an ol^ ifiltabitant ST tM» ein^ fiMta impliiiWI <C Uie-giii>>iirtr
tin lbiMi«4f#K>«elietoCattilM>»)if| ftpen, Bto.S, WiR»» ^I a » >fi» |A ^^mmi^^yflm i km' mwt r but W h«a
stated in hU Pennsylvanian, July 20, 1833, th«t iiMoi^eilto Wn ni^>aU9ihM Dotkiiig woQld H^Jone jtiU nj^fisii
met ; and for this the New York Van Buren editors, wh^ose speditlatuig u'tvlMifders watatatf thfe W&iajphiri dsiyw w ajuae -
, ed biip, whil^ Van Buren himself [No. 253] disliked « the evident teA<fency of his paper." Kendall wrote kin Amb
Kwataote that he was *owry lia t<i %afci * <hat ^e.<toyto#Be vma)^ iwt»»<fcBMMB#-?'-^aMMH, '* i iMkm i»i yow
''S&J2^*1** *'!!^' ^* ?•*?*-:*' «b»«i«isfc«*» tetter fnm jawd<IUii«nstetMjik«f *! *5>Sj^
grdistrast i»T and wMe/' ^amUeUiiig hi« tint Wd4«)iC ^' aafae-Mra maCiMMSr !• fwiiiftikti Itum*
"iSr '^i'** *?f^?'''?^'* P'^P*" *« ^'^ ^*»**»''- Mr. Bennett next applied to Van Bu!en, tW 1^ &?T1Sm,
IJm^li^'^^^K ^ have got it had not the regency been afraid that a trap was set for them, seeing ther had aaid
*o much about boymg up the prws-moieoyer, Bennett had X»t woiked will ia party huiuu^to tS^ wSL
/**
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l^|£S9£s Bo^T FOR ei:.aii£ jkiia stkmbAib. i. g. b. bif^ KBsf ttosrlssT t 24S
in JVewr Y9rh, WOJRKING NIGHT AND DAY FOR THE CAUSE OF MR. VAN
• BUREN AND HIS FRIENDS, eurroundrfd.Hoo, as I have been, with liiua^ who wpre con-
tinually talking ^gainst him, and poisoning mp to his prejudice, the treflEiiicn: wjiich I have re-
ceived from him and his friends during this last year, and up to this moment, i^ aa superlatively
heartless — and if I could use any other ^ord more expressive of niy seraimeniB I wuiitd — &b it
is possible to conceive or imagine. By many of those whom 1 have suppiirted for years Ihove
been suspected, slandered, and revMed as if I had ^^^n in bitter hcBiiiiiy to Mr, Van Huren for
years, instead of supporting him through every weather, and even sacrificing myeelf that I might
retain the same feelings towards him — (pr I assure you I might have coDtlniied my conneciioii
with the C. and E. last year, very much to my advantage — retained my ehare in the printing
office of that establishment, if I had not differed with Mr. Webb on the points that jou know ao
well of. I sold out however to Hoskin — saved a small pittance from the wr^ck of rbe Globe^^
came here and invested it in the Pennsylvanian, wlych is now entirely undt;r my control, provided
I could find a friend anywhere between heaven aiiS earth to help me along, and enablg me is tan-tf
•ut MY FIXED PURPOSE IN FAVOR QF, YAJSf BURE.N and Msfnaid^, But ikat friend
God has not yet tnade, though several o{ the^ppposite cl^aracter the other genilemqn has put his
brand U{U)n, and fondly says '' this is mine.".-
/ except you, DEAR HOYT — I am sure you. would help the cause if yo^ cpuld. I fiod no
fault with you, although what fauU vn«' .end wifh me about the deposits is nonsense, and cn^f a
clamour raised in W^all street by a lew of the jealpus blockheads hostile to me, who have not
brains to sea that in this city we can use the deposit question very efficiently in the October
election. I do not blame even the jealous bloeklieads 6r any others ift New York-— I hSune
only one, and that is the Vice President himsetf He has treated me in this matter as if I had
been a boy-^a child— cold, heartless, careless and God kilWd ^hat not. By a word to any of his
fHends in Albaay he could do the friendehip- I want a» easily as rise and drink a glass of Sara-
toga water at the Springs. He chooses to sit still — to sacrifice those whs have supporied him in
every weather — and even hardly to treat me. as one gentleman would treat another.
/ scarcely know what course I shall pursue, or what I shall do.. I amMset on all.side9 with
importunities to cut him — to abandon him — VO^t can I do? What shall I do ? i, know not.
You will excuse this letter — you can easily aju^reciat^ the situation of a man confident of suc-
cess if properly supported — but nothing beforehim but the abandonment of his deliberate pur-
poses or a shameful surrender of honor tind purpose and principle and all. .
; Yours truly, J. G. BEIjTNJJTT.
I do not know whether it is worth the while to write to Van Buren or not — nor do X core if
you were tq send him this letter.
The past and the future placed before Jesse Hoyt*
■^ [No. 251.] Same to same. — ^Philadelj^hia, 15th Aug't» 1833. — ^Dsar Hoyt t I have not
lieard from you for a week. I hope that my old friends — if I ever had any-— which I begin to
doubt — will not forget what I have heretofore done or what I May do. Do let me heiir from you
again for good and all at least. I am, Dear Sir, Yours, ^. ; JAS G. BENNETT.
Van Buren will not lend his friend Bennett one cent — but wiU bestow his good wishes upon hhn
as long as he keeps honest ! ! ! — Van Buren dare not venture to trust himself on paper to>kis
^fiend — Cannot Philadelphia uphold one Van Buren Press ? .
[No. 252.] Vice President Van Buren, to Jesse Hoyt at New York.
Sarato&a Sprin&Si7 August 19, 1833. — {Free^ M. Van Buren.) — Dear Sir : I cetum your Mr.
B's letters, [t. e. No. 250. &c.] / have ntver doubted his personal friendship for me, I would tfZ-
ways have been happy to do him. good, but I eannot directly or iildirectly afford pecuniarjraid to
his press, and more particularly so as I am situated at the present moment. If he eannot con-
tinue friendly to me on public grounds and witb perfect independence, I can only regret it, but I
desire no other support. Whatever course he may pursue, as long as it is an honest Snev I shall
wjph him welL He does not understand (be relation between the Editors he quarrels vtritb and
myself, or he would not complain of me for their i\cts. They are as independent of me in the
management of their papers, as J wi^h him to be, and remain. I had intended to have ^id ^bus
mueh to him, but the ' , your letter, and the evident tendency of his paper, render it
preferable that 1 should not. I did suppose that he would have foufid no difficulty in obtaining
money in New York as ethers get it, if our friends in Philadelphia could not all-together make
(mt to sustain one press. If you happen to meet him I wish you would make these explanations
to him, BUT KEEP THIS. I am, in haste, your fiieijd, M. VAN ^UREN.
[No. 253.] Vice President Van Buren, to Jesse Hoyt, N. York.
ALBANt, Sept. 7, 1883, — Dear Sir: General Vance, with whose good character and respect-
ability yon afe well acquaiiited, goes to New" Y^rk on business in which our State i^ desip^ ip.
terested, and in respect to which you may perhaps be of service to him. If you can do so, I hope
yon will— ftndiim very cordially youiBi MjVANBUJWBN,
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dM 8ILA8 WHIGBT INTRIGltlira — JGOtf TAN BtTDBN CtfUBTtt(^.
Stoekst Chetkat Shirts, and Drawen^Smtwing, SpdUng, and tht letter '8»
[No. 254] Attorney General John Van Buren, to Jease Hoyt> N, Y.
' Albany, Dec. 19, 1833. — • My Dear' Hoyt (As some rascal writea jo * Webb')^ enclose
you your check, for your comfort — it was deposited in the Bank for collection, and, of course, is
i«rumed to you without inconvenience. As for money, I don't know tha# 1 shall be peculiar
riiort (not physically but pecuniarily) unless Bostonand Providence should go down to a mere
anatomy. In that event I fear the ex-Danish Commissioner and myself will be a 'below-par
noSile' of sufTerera ' . ' ' "
I^lease to let Willard of the City Hote) be apprised that I wanf two flannel shirts, knd as many
j^ira of drawers, to be had of Tryon fer i. trine aliaa, credit.
I am not a » Councellor* and b*e d-i-^d to you — and if I were I should spell it with an * S* in
• Ihe middle. '' .» Yours * to sarve,' J. VAN BUREN.
^ P. 8. dince the fore^oin^ effuslpn was pour^ forth, I'have enquired at the Bank, and find
your check has been sent to New York. I suppose the easiest way • io work it/ is to enclose
you, as 1 do, my check on this bai)k fdr'the^ame amount, payable at the same time. J. V. B,
, [No. S5.5.] J. A. Hamilton, xJb jF«tee Hoyi, op supporting" the Standard.'
New York, Pec. 30, iSSJ.-^Dear^Siri'Iri-liPply to- your enquiry whether I am willing to
unite with other friends in raisisii; money tcr sustain the ^Standard, I have to say — that if 30
persons will agree to advance ^250 eilch^' the repayment to be satisfactorily secured upon the
paper, I will agree to advance |^50 'whenever the arrangement is completed.
Witfe very .great respect, &c." . JAMES A. HAMILTON.
* 'ii. it ' ,ja: ,. ' •.
Qm>emor Silae setting the wheeU in nOftMn^Qntraets to.le kept bg Farmers vtith Patroons,
but fnay he broken at will Vfith NdtHmal jbofiika^o fktgnder {rofti the dty ^Plunder's our
game, and * our state leadtf^-tk^h^^hUuiriiii a party ongant- lef it play t^ * Juda^s mareV—
InHrUctiona frvm*Wa9hington imp to manufacfure\ptihlie opinion at Albany, far egeet at
Washiflgton-^^ha for country use ! ••*»•.• .'^.
[No. 256.] Silas Wrigh>, V. S. Scnaiei Jo tTtsSe Hoyt,' New York.
"Washington, 3d Jan'y, 1834.— My Dear' Sir: X*"Jr J«"«' wti j the enclosure came to me this
day, and I have this eyenin^ sen^ bat^ td:Mr.'Plagg/witti^uch bugp^estio'ns aff occurred to me.
Nothing can be tjlearer, in.iri^'mind*, than'tMpcth^ friendlix>f the Administration in your City
should not attempt td get' up a ^jfi#far meeting apbn Ijiis subject. The legislature is the proper
organ to speak Jsr the people upTon this 'importent sybj^et', and there is not a doubt that they
should act witiiout one moment's dejay. It^is fob late .td fear any effect from the allegation
that our State leads, The.jrabjeet is now before' the .Vii;ginia legislature, and I think it quite
' likely they will recommend a restoration of the deposits. The legislature of Ohio have acted,
and go strong against 2A« Bank — -in favor of the r,emovaI of the depo8iteB--^nd against the land
bill. I say they, have acted. The mail to.day has* brought a. copy of their resolutions, which
had passed the Senkte,.*ai¥i which Mr. Morris, the Jack^n Senator from that State, says will
pass the House .3 to I4 Evefty legislature in the Uftion Will act tipon this subject, and oars will
not be behind.
If the friends* of tA« Bank |> yotir city attempt to get up a popular meetinfg, the subject will be
pfie which the friends of the Administration on the ground will best know how to dispose of—
hut In any other way I do not think the mass of your somewhat excited population should be
called tQ act.
The state of feeling here is very violent, apd popular meetings either way can have little effect.
Still I should dislike to see a meeting in New York seeming to embody an undivided expression,
given to our opponents— /or the political effect in the eountry wouid be bad^ I have no time to
write farther — but shall be happy to hear from you oftfn and freely.
I think the IcgUlattfj^e should-^in the shortest possible (angnage—
1st. Expfcss an opinion against the re-charter.«f the Bank in any foitn.
Sad. Approve cf the communication read to the Cabinet on' the l8th Sept. latt.
3rd. Approve of the change of rhe <depo8it8. <
4th. Approve of the^rsaaons given by the Secretary for that change,* both on the groxssA of
*6«vempr Wright well knew that he was adrmiif a violation at % contract #ith the bank, andr of c.oiua«« of
the United Stale^consUtutioo, Hebids Hoyt to get the party fuglemen in the legislature to cause it to nppT< ve of
Attorney General Taney's reasons. What world this is! Had W. .f. Duane consented to the pjunderof the
United States Bank, and theei*chin? of the Van Buren pet banks with the Spoils, he mfarht have reinnfVwd in oMea
aa Secretary of the Treasury, 'gone to ftirtstn on an tlS.OM bonire as a siBerureJministef. or recefwed the nw^td
obtained by the funple p-irasite Taney, the Chief Jj»8tice*hip of the rrni ed State*. HiVinp acted hdneetly, he vaa
tlSrust fnim office, hfs bnsmess ns a lawyer hnd gone into other hnndi on his removMto Wnshingt<»n. and from that
d«y le this, the hired presses of the Van "Bnren school have slandered- him without the slightest regard for truth, h
It thus thi.t American freedom can be upheld 1 Wright in the Album' Penate. voted for batiks, and took stock in
them~-m Wa«hiogH)n he pnfTed them, got the pwhjie monev placed in the*, borrowed out that monev next with
SS!ri*'**^"ii^'"'.'** '•"?«'>• Pri«« »f t»» public »*nde to the people-^h* nntional tT«««ftfe wai used to blind and
2I2!I « J!!f] i«" Vr«ii®^* ^.?Pv.^"!7" ??^ "P*»"^<* ^^ party-Md, that done, Wright in 1837, lenpunced hie own
|MlM**Mi>ttUeMexi«iencei/*irver faithless in time tff need. » "• .
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dOftmSLtlTS W. LAWRIKCS, Oft TM Cktvia CONGABSSttAN. 24Y
>
^e star expiration of the Charter, and on the ground that the Bank has abused its chartered
powers and privileges, and ^ has become a political imHt^ttian,
These points will cover the whole case in a form and mt^nner mo9t appUcctble to tke^HOt of
thing* here. « Most truly youis, SILAS WRIGHT, JR.
[No. 2$7.] Cornelias W. Lawrence, M. C, to a Friend in New York.
Washinuton, 24th January; 1834. — My Dear Rir : Your favor of the 2l8t was redeived late
last evening. Jam incline^ to think we shall have a prejeet introduced FOR A NATIONAL
BANK, 08 well ae a renewal of the old one, upon principles some«vhut difierent than [froQEi?]
the bill rejected by the President [Jacksun.] Perhaps new propositions, not either attacking or
sustaining the administration, would receive the approbation of the country.
The mution to return the Deposites is justly considered an attack upon the President, and it
is resisted on, that ground — but nothing is yet matured, Ibelieve«
Respectfully your ob't servant, CORNELIUS W. LAWRENCE.
[Rekabks. — It was Mr. Van Buren's rule, and it appears to be Mr. Pplk*s, to reward with
offices, contracts, early information^ or in some sure and e&cttial way, those congressmen,
•(•te-legislators, or other persons holding ofiicial station by popular suffrage, who h^ in any
wmy injured their characters and standing by violating principle to serve party, right or wrong.
It ia in this way that Mr. Lawrence has obtained the N. Y. Custom House,' with ita patronage,
and vast influence and emoluments. >
A few months after writing the letters of Ae 24th, 36th, and 31st of January, 1834, here gfmn,
the name of C. W. Lawrence was put up by the Van Buren Safety Fund' Bank men, in opposi.
tion to the friends of the U. S. Bank, for Mayor of New York. Mr* Lawrence had been elec-
ted to Congress in Nov. 1838, by 5895 ^otes oveV Mr. Ogden,the highest whig candidate. Whten
now opposed to G. C. Verplanck for Mayor his 5895 majority dwindled down to 180 ; obtained,
too, by a sacrifice of principle for the love of gain. At the great celebration, by the whigg of
N. Y., April 15, 1834, the 5th regular toast was " Cornelius W. Lawrencb, whose HEART iaa#
with us, but whose NECK was with his party. ^* That it was tightly in the collar there is abon-
dant testimony. The reader, on perusing Mr. Lawrence's three letters, will perceive that tiiis
tONftst told the simple truth. His judgment was avowedly on one side and his votes were on the
other. His prospects of adding to his wealth by the sacri^ce of his opinions were in ^ha one
scale — ^honor and honesty were in the other — '' in private (says the Cour. k, Enq. of April 9,
1834) he admitted that the removal (of the public treasure) was inexpedient. To those who
conversed with him on the subject he admitted that this removal was^ncalled for and impoUtie.''
Yet he voted for the removal, on a pledge, well kept, that he would get the fingering of two
millions of dollars of these deposites himself, for a bank to be started in Wall street, with spe-
cial privileges, and called the Bank of the State of N&wv York, of which bank he and his crtfnies
should have the control, the jugglery of dispoeing of its shares, 4&c. The baigain was fulfilled
by Van Buren-^Lawrence had the two millions — ^had the two million bank charter — and
had Jesse Hoyt's Custom House pioniesto boot— finally, he has the N. Y. Custom House, its
Tast power and influence, with his bank as a treaairy pet, and his bro^r serving by way of a
stool pigeon, as its president, till he fComelius) is again ready to resume that luerative ofiice.
•• As for supposing diat NewboLd, George Griswold, Stephen Whitney, or any of the old federal
commercial men were with us on this occasion, for any other, reason, than because they fsundit
for their interest to go with us, I never for one single instant had such an unwarrantable iden."
These, were Sutler's remarks to Hoyt, Feb. 24, 1834— and he might have included C. W,
Lawrence, Morgan Lewis, Saul Alley, Preserved Fish, Ab'm Bloodgood, and several other
rich men, who only went with Van Buren for the love of a share of the plunder, hi the Gonr.
ier &, Enquirer of April 8, 1834, we are told (and the fact ia neither explained away nor con.
tiadicted) that several merchants of IVf r.'C. W. Lawrence's aeqnainttnce called on him wh»n
on a visit to New York, a few weeks previous, when he ** frankly avowed his conviction of the
necessity of a Bank of the United States, and his disapproval of the conduct of the Executive
^Jackson) in reference to the deposites ; but added, that Ae had h&umd htmtself BY A
WRITTEN PLEDGE to uphold the party^ Such was his sense of the embarrassments of his
ntnation that HE ACTUALLY WEPT.'* The crying congressman, the weeping, stock-jobber
C0X7LD HAVE RESIGNED had he disliked the party drill— but it brought him plunder, and he blub-
Ibered and held on, and afterwards lent hia name as a candidate for the mayoralty to uphold
the gamblers he voted with in public, and whos6 dishonest measures and greediness of gain be
had secretly condemned to Jesse Hoyt and others. The above letter (Jan. 24) was first pub-
lished in the Metcantite Advertiser, which also gave paragraphs from another letter by Law.
Tence, written after * the party* had resolved not to go for \ x^ bank, as Daniel JBckfon and
Canibreleng had privately urged them, nor to re^harter the old' one modified, as he (Lawrence)
lioped they would — in which he had begged of the gentleman to whom he had written, t^girt
llim hit letter back again — he dresded exposure and puBhc shame.
The JSvening Poff, by Bryant, denoiumd the bill imrodactd Imo the N. Yeik I<agi|hif»|
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bj recommendation of Marcf'sefx mfliilm measage, which J^hn Van Buren had speeplated on,
dtelaiing that it would make ** Lawrence run Hke the Cholera," for mayor. According to the
Poet, it diottld have been entitled *' An Act to loan the credit of this Stale to the SpeCnlaton,
Monopolists^ and Rag.rooney dealers thereof." The trading politicians of the state, then, as
now, went any and every way for gain — ^Avarice was their god. " If the United States Bank is
dangerous to the liberties of the country (asked the Cour. & Enq. of Jan. 28, 1832,) hoto came
Ootemor Throop to vote for it t How is it that all this danger, all this unconstitutionality, has
been discovered by the Argus within the last twehe months ! ! I ! ."' When George D. Strong
was not an applicant for a Khnk cbaner at Albany, he opposed C. W. Lawrence, got up a nom-
ination opposed to him for Alderman, and beat him too — but in April 1834, when he was peti-
tioning the Regency for their sanction to his Commercial Bank (which soon failed) he (Strong)
went it strong for Lawrelice as the only true democratic candidate fot Mayor. In Jan.
1834, Lawrence wrote Hoyt, " that a national bank would be useful to the government and the
cmaktrf^^-^m April, same year, he voted with Canibreleng to keep the public revenue in the
vAuits ef the pets, tW the U. S. Bank had paid the republic 91,500,000 for the vM of it, and
alap that it was onsa^ to rccharter the National Bank. Three years after this, Lawrence's own
btok was bankrupt, with two millions of dollars of the public plunder clutched in its grip, and
he at the head of it On Sept. SSth, 1843, Lawrence was one of Van IBuren's Svb Treaewni
Vioe Presidents at the meeting in the Park — and his bank keeps the deposites to this day,
«hi^, if the stfb-treasury scene shall bercenaeted he will share the -plunder there also, under
\ new and plaisible form. — W. L. M.] .
CsUector Lawrence sf N. F. on the Removal of the Depa^tes^^Calhoun, Preston, Claiff
McDuffie, Rives, and the NiUHfiers, their views.
[No. 257.] Cornelius W. Lawrence, M. C, to Jesse Hoyt, N^ Y.
WASHlNttTOF, 19ih Jan. 1834* — My Dear Sir : Your favor of the 8th (returned from Fayette-
^He, N. C.) was received this morning, and I notice in the Courier &, Inquirer of Friday the
■ I7th, another letter to me, signed Jacob, referring to the deposites.
You will no doubt have tead Mr. Calhoun's speech^ he admits the right of removal (rom
eiEce by the President, and says ** nor can I doubt that the power of removal from office, where-
ver it exists, does, from necessity, involve the power of general supervision ; nor can I doubt
that it might be constitutionally exercised in reference to the deposites." Then he goes on to
■ay, that to prevent the removal of the deposites it Would haVe been his [the President's] right
and his duty to have lemoved the Secretary.
In conversation yesterday with the other Senator from South Carolina, Mr. Preston, he ad.
mitted the giving tfp the charge of a violation of the Constitution by the President — ^but the re-
moval of the deposites was a violation of Contract with the Bank, &c.
I think Mr. Clay and Mr. McDuffie's position, of a usurpation of power by the president, is
gone— and the 6nly( question is as to the sufficiency of the reasons. Mr. Seaborn Jones of Oeor-
gia,.a Nullifier, will speak next in our House-*4ind he^will maintain that tHe reasons given by
3ie Secretary of the Treasury [Taney] arc satisfactory and sufficient.
If the NuUifieis give up the question of usurpation of power in the act in question, that point
may as well be aband<nied by the opposition wiih us, and Mr. Clay's first resolution cannot even
pass the Senate.
Mr. Rives of Virginia is mid to have niade a very able speech in the Senatte on Friday — and I
hkve hearf that a distingHished Senator from the east sai(ftifterWards, that on the constitutional
firgumentlie had demolished Mri CTay.
However I dt> not say these' wor<ib were used, and do not wish to be quoted as reporting
what any ctoe says. My lettetHtilte'onlf intended for my friends to whom they are addressed.
Respec^lly, your friend aftd obedient servant, CORNELIUS W, LAWRENCE.
-Cornelius tke friend «/ a National ^anh tsken behind the screen — The quaJter on bath sides «/
" ■ - the fenc\ at once.
[No. 258.] ColIectorLawrencetohis'assuredfriend* J. Hoyt.
Washinqton, 26th Jan'y, 1^4.^My Dear Sir : 1 am much obliged to you for your letter of
the 9l8t,and I AM APPREHENSIVE OUR POLITICAL FRIENDS MAKE A MISTAKE
IN GOING TOO FAft AGAINST A NATIONAL BANK; but I will Have the pleasure ot
writing a few days hence. Respectfiilly, your assured friend, CORN'S W. LAWRENCE.
Hoyt introduced Kerhochan to Van Burenon behalf of the Wnited States Bank.
[No. 259.] t6 rice^Prieaident Van Buren. New YpRK, January 28,1834.
Dear Sir: This Mil be Wdedyou by my friend JTopeph Kernochap,.Esquire, one of Aei del-
egates from the merchgnis of this City, charged with a memorial to Congress in r^latiop to the
'%inbarrasiPed condition' of bur tJommercial af&iisi He' has now retired, but Has recently been
eztennvely engaged in bunneae, and his gre»t experience eaaUes him to know all the Ywicty
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BANK ADVOCATBS INO BANK SNYOTS. 349
ol flbrms of Mercantile operations, and would seem to qualify him to express accurate opinioiM
on this sabject. He has been, ever jsince I have known iatOf aqyd that is for many years, a i^
fona supporter of the democratic a»dminisiration of the Country, and continues that support to
the .measures of the preseut one, in all save its views in relation to tbe Bank of the United
States, and on this subject he says, as Mr. Jefferson once said, *' differences of opinion are to be -
tolerated where reason is left free to combat them." His object in going to Washington is purely
with the hope of rendering a public service ; and if he should have a desire to state his views to
you, I have no doubt you will give him the opportunity. His great integrity of character wfli
authorize you to place the utmost reliajice upon hia statements as to tbe true condition ofbttsi*.
neas an4 bufiineaa men in this city. Respectfully your friend and ob*t serv't. J. HOTT.
Haut introduces *a Bank Missionary* to Taney and Van Bureru
[No. 260.] Jesse Hoyi, N. Y., to Vice President Van Buren, Washington.
Nkw: Yore, Jan. 28, 1834. — Dear Sir : My friend and neighbor, Elbert J. Anderson, Eaqvdre,
who will deliver you this, visits Washington as one of a Committee of Merchants, charged with
a memorfal from a portion of that class of our citizens, in relation to the present embarrassed
state of trade. He is extensively and actively engaged in business, and is &miiiarly acquainted'
with the difficulties that seem, and no doubt actually do. exist with all commercial and mercan-
tile men. He is one of the fern intelligent and ardent supporters of the present administration,
who differ in opinion with it in 'relation to its views poncerning the Bank of the United States;
He n^akes a personal sacrifice in this mission, with no other motive than a desire to promote th^
inxerests of his fellow-citizens, and theHnformation that he will be able to impart concerning this
interesting subject, to those whose motives are in common with his own, commends him to your
favourable -notice. Though I do not agree with'him in all his views, yet I take pleasure in bear-
ing testimony to his great sincerity, and purity of charact#r ; and his intelligence upon this sub-
ject you will diaoover without any intimation from me. With great respect and consideration,
I remain your friend and obedient servant. J. HOYT.f
Jjawrence firmly believes in the utility of a National Bank, tohile exerting all Ast pewtrs to
aid in crushing it I
W [No. 261.] Collector Lawrence of N. Y., to his friend J. Hoyt.
ASEmaTOiT, 31st January, 1834. — My Dear Sir : I can scarcely suppose it possible that 1
covAd liave written any letter to authorize the paper you have encloaed to me, and 2 feel deeply
mortified that uiy one should have amhorized a publication in a newspaper. May I beg the fa-
yor of you to request the person to whom it was directed to return it to me, or at least not to
circulate it, and if any one should speak of the contents of my letters, please mention that I hkd
repeated to you, that my letters V'ere only intended for those to whom they were directed. I
can not imagine who could have received the letter alluded to. I have no idea any compromaas
is thought of by either political party.
It is ray individual opinion that A NATION AJj BANK mth proper restrictions and sulffeet
to^ State Taxes, «{c., WOUI.D BE USEFUL TO THE GOVERNMENT AND COUNTRY,
and I know there are other individuals in Congress of that opinion, and that is almost as ftmdk
as Ida know,X * Respectfully, your friend, CORN'S W. LAWRENCE,
The Missionary addresses Jesse as a friend to ^OT the Bank,
[No. 962.] Elbert J^ Anderaon to Jesse Hoyt, New York.
Washington, February 1st, 1834.-^Dear Sir : I have only to say that Mr. Wrigfct's speech in
tke Senate, seems to preclude any hope of success from our mission ; nothing but the action of
thie people in their primary assemblies can operate upon Congress, and you know better than I
can, what is to be hoped from that source. The deposit queation will be settled, to confirm tbe a
where they are. The sooner that is settled, the better for all parties. Forty vot^s qannot be ob-
tained in both houses of Congress in favor of [a] n^w bank, at present ; and the chance of a m*
niswal of the old charter, under any modifications, depends solely upon the contingency men-
tioned above, a decided expression from the people. A metallic currency seems the' present bob-
by ; I conceive it utterly impracticable. If I aeo any hope of a change, { shall write ; you will
pl^aea receive this only as my individual opinion. Your friend,
ELBERT J. ANDERSON, j
t A •Irailar lettsr wai lent with Mr. Andenon to Mr. Taney, Mr. Duane*B ^eeaswni in the Tnamuf Dapaftment,
baviiif the fbIlowtif|f words sdded : — ** He has a gteat desire for an opportunity of conversing with yod upon tlw
*' matters referred to, and I have taken the liberty to haind hihi this letter, Md I beg yon will lnd«^ me for tha
"liberty, And believe me to be, &c. JESSE HOYT."
• t Oil tbe 9eth of Mareh, 1831, Mr. Lawrence wrote Mr. H. Dnrell, in reply to an enquiry of the workinr mm of
the 0th Ward, New Yotk, as follewi : " In reference to the ' abolition <^all' licennd monopolies.' Oh the hroaA
Soad, 1 admit the justice of the general propisitfoa, that it is obJBctionable to give ai*y maa or set of »«i, nrivi*
IS which interfere with the inst rights «nd lil)erUM of others." Be added, that as to ** a diUltot lysleaL qfalsa*
fcy'^^mWh Umo i^i h-a "ameh disc— i<m, \m had »»iHbotsi n<lk>lsaily.y ^
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dso
lOHN VAN BUIBN 0UK8INO, BXTTINO AND BTOCKJOBimo.
• Van Bwren ^md SuHtrtwout, v^ken Mt nxa wkd stvens,
flJTo. 363.] Vice President Van Buren to Abraham Miller, White Plains, West
Chester county, N. Y. Washington, Feb. 1, 1831— My dear sir: There is certainly nothing
that 1 could do for you with propriety and effect that 1 would omit. / cannot^ however ^ write
to Mr, Sw^rtwovi.* On ^Is su^tcty J have doTie so so often vnt/umt success^ thai setf-resp^Jias
comptUed me to desist. I presume, howerer, that he has his hands full. If the expression of
my wishes in behalf of your son can be of use, he may show this letter to the Collects.
Wiahiofi: continued health and happiness, I am, dear sir, very truly yoors.
. ^^ \ l!l. VAN BUREN.
Bu/^ng $90,000 in Stocks^ on (he strength of a confidential peep at Moray's Mortgage Message,
Before its delivery.
[No. 264.] Attorney General Van Buren to ' My Dear Jesse' Hoyt. Albany, March 32,
]^.-.Mt 01SAR Jesse: Please let Nevins and Townsend buy me 100 shares of Moh. and
Hud. R. R. for cash at 96, and Bost and Pror. 100 shares at 92^ ca^h; drawing on me at 3
days sight for the amount. If better terms can be had by taking the stocks two weeks hence
(buying on time) I should like it better. I fear stocks will rise after Monday, and therefore I
want these purchases made Monday, but leave it open after. Let the beggars deal honesUy by
Tne for I lose a deal of Ttumey anyhow.i There ^ will be something done hire Monday that wiU
charm you, Yorkers. Lawrence wiU run like the Cholera.
Please ask Bucknor to hand you the amount of dl^lereSees at which my fifty shares Man*
hattan stock were settled, and send it to me. Yours very truly, and muoh better.
•^ ^ Jd TAN BUREN.
^-, , ^^ VMy-
AJttomey General {John) Van Bwren asks Omwip<;tence to curse his friend Jesse Hoyt — touAes his
Bail-road slock sent) with Jesse, to Tophet—and gntmUes at the Neib York officials for notfinT'
mshing fmds for hu stock gamUingtrai^^ obtains stated preaching at $26 per
annum, at the Ascension Ckurch-^Barke Godwin's opinion of the Leaders of ^ the Democracy.^
[No. 265.] John Van Buren to Jesse Hoyt, Wall street, N. Y. Albany, March 25,
1©4.— Why God d— n you, Jesse ! buy my stock and draw upon me at sight You must be
poor bitches down there, if you cannot raise thi3 two penny sum. If the stock has gone up^
let U go to H—U.t The Bank will come up againsf the Safety Fund Banks, and depress
st06ks--4he Grovemor's measure will eventually relieve the country .$ Yours truly,
, ' ' « , J. VAN BUREN.
* There was evklently the best possible understanding established between ^fr. Swartwout and the Albany
ReRency as early as 1835, for in that year and l^M, Marcy, Wright, Croswell, J. Van Euren, Curning, Ac. are
nberal in their letters to him, recommending eandidates for. his Hospital. Heymour and tnany others thin got
plttces. On the 23d; of March, 18136, Edwin Croswell recommKnds Banium Whipple to his '' most favorable coii-
8ldefmtioo'*—a«ures him that his (W.*8) '' pecuniary circumstances render it peculiarly desirable as this time,"
that he should be admitted into Swartwoiit's Poor House— and thus sums up his character— ''Jlis political guali-
keatiotu a e equally unquesiionabls ; fafeing a uniform Republican of the Old School." Mr. Atiornt^ Qen^raJ J.
Van Buren thus endorses Whipple on the same nheet: " Samuel Swartwout, Esq.— Dear Sir— I fully concur in
the foregoing [Crosweirs] rKCommendattoa of Capt Wttipple, and as he is a very clever fellow, to bciot, 1 hope
you will be able to do what he asks. Yours truly, J. VAN BUREN."
« Albany, Ma«ch 23d, 1836." «^**,«.
t Mr. Hoyt got along more quietly with Tan Buren's knavery than with that of some other persons. On the
a$th of Februnry, 1839, he wroi« to Levi Woodbury from the Custom House— ^' Mr. Price's son ban published n
tiM Cdurier of this morning, a letter from his father, which I tiave not read aiid do not mean to re^d. I an
qfiKe tired of * the rogues and roguery.' "
On the 8th of November, 1839, he wrote as follows : " B. P. Butler, Esq., V. S. Attorney— 9ir: Do not fail to
pilt the case of Harvey & Slan in a position for a new trial. Several merchants Aave ^een to me, vha art per-
fmUy outragenu at snek a violcuion of all law and sense. I think I could safely swear to uewly discovered le^
ii|(«iy, ao as to get a new trial on that ground. Mr. Russel has stated some fncts to me that ;ir4 iibw. Think of
tbjspomt. I am so mortified and upset at the result. I WILL LEAVE NO STONE UNTURNED TO PUN-
ISH the party who wouid attempt to overtum ail law and morals. Resply. J. HOYT, Collector."
t Mrs. Jameson tells ns In her Summer Rambles, that a Baptist Preacher, whom ehureh she attendt d In Dimmit,
and who evidently wanted to steer ck^r of offending hot and foolish panieans, made an acute prayer for Mini
fkthar, va : that '' if Mr. Van Buren were a good man he might be made better, and if a bad man, that lie mieht be
speedilv regenerated." Perhaps if he had been favored with a peep at John's correspon«<ence, he would have
oiiiittcdthM tf altogether, as applied to the junior. Mr. J. V. B.'s monstrous impiety appears to h.tve shocked
&nm the impeaitent Hoyt abgut Uw time, and partially effected that which even the Pious B. F. Butler's calls
iKve Wed in— as wimi-w the followina receipt—" Mr. Jesse Hoyt—Tp the Church of the Ascension. Dr To
Rant of Pew, No. 38» 1 May, 1834, to 1 May, 1885, 928. Received Payment, fcc. * *
WILLIAM DONALDSON."
LA^^f^t "" <V>uirrwr.— The juniof Van Buren refens here to Marcy's Mennge of the previous day. rMareh
ifr3j*fi!l^?,mfv'^*' ioori*a«e their farm-, and Ij^nd ihe safety fund and pet hanks the oihw six millibBi, to re-
2^^S3S?L»i?»/?'**^i^'''*"'^'***It^«^?'^^^^^ an hoi.e«t opini<^n nbout relieviiv S
SSf 'iriS*Jid?y2J^ 2SJ;£l"23ffKl' .^ P«<AA»^, of AprU 23, iS^a. Elecion ofNeyr York, toft noC
Digitized by ^OOQIC
BDWm CROBWELL PARKS GODWIN. DEMOCRACY. 25|
Jh»9 the Standard of Hone for ^20,000 — OrosweU puff's Marcos Six Million Loan MetMgf^
talks of bank patriots and sdfisk Tfionied men — ir/u^nary distress, and stock not to besoltLl-^^hvi
vrill do U ifidk about — Jackson 4* Co.'sten miUion banji scheme smoihered as impolitic at- the time,
" fNo. 266.] Edwin CrosweH of the Argus to Jesse Hoyt, New York. Ai^bany, March
23, iSJt.— M/ D ur Sir : If the Stzn iard can 1x3 purchasei of Mr. Hone, unincambercd, tior
S20,030, our friends ou^ht not to hesitate to ^et possession of it. Aside from the importance
of tii'e step, politically, it could scarcely fail, if managed with reasoiiLble tact and economy,
to prove a matter of pecuniary profit. I do not think of Any one precisely qualified loi^tbfl
charge of the paper, wha& at this moment tree txom engagements of another sort, but I hare
no doubt ihe. man may be found, and soon, if our friends will take the refusal of it for a
given period. "
You have undoubtedly read the Governor's message. Allow me to ask your opinion of it 1
7%e Bank and opposition preto grossly minepresent the proposition. That was expected of
course. Th>e Bank has nroduced the " distress'* and its incendiaries have contribute to it in
all postibVe ways. Real of imaginary, it is their oitly hope. Hence any proposition, calcu-
latea to produce relief either by inspiring confidence, or by providing means, is their bane.
and w'mhQ fought and lied down, if possible. But I am satisfied the project will be approved
by the legislature, and by the people, and that it will result advantageously to the pecuniary
and political' interests of the state. Atten^)ts will be made by the bank {Mtriots and by selfish
monied men to decry the stock in the foreign market But rely upon it, IF ANY SHALL
B& EVER ISSUED, it will find a iale without difliculty.
8orr< >W8 of the poorest of his countrymto. He is the von-in-law of Wm. Cnllen Bryant, and were all the offices
ill Ltiwrence's dji artmi;tiK DS xvell bestOMTcd na iiis was, by Vhn Ness, who is there that could Cfimplaili 1
[Frnm tite Pathfinder, hj^ Parke Oodwhi.]— '* It fineatihig the democratic party] has talked until it has not only
ezl»auf<te<l its heath, but its tile. What is it dutng to carry out iis prfncl|il«'8 1 What leal viialiiy is there in
any of lis pn>niiiient measures 1 W^int genuine manh(N)d in any of its pmniiient men 1 Is it not, at this uiO'
nietit, e i^rand imp<iaition and falsehood ? Is it nut a'va.'^t cnlltciive death's head, an illu«-l(>n^a deceivei, and
aiiti-chrisi ? We ourselves answer these quesiioiis Jn the nflirniutive. We dn iio, liecanse we enilsciei«tioasly
believe that our poHtlcii and our political parties are stupendous and cruel humbugs. The di mocratie patty, pug*
tiowlarly, is liable to this ci.arge, because it profefrsea to be guided by loiiy aims, lut ends are rijilit^ buvits nwaat
are Ikilurive. JNotthat the mass of its nienihers are aware of this — not that a wlioU; peo|le woold voluntarily
agrr e to mislead and cheat tl)enie>eive9->bul that the leaders of the party are filled eittier with Ignorance or
bjrpocrisy and seltishncss. They are either grosslv Ignorant of their duties, or they kmiw that they are bt ti aylng
the multitude whom they pntfeas ta serve., we impeach tlurm with ttie fiict. .We charge them wnb Unfi^
with . the happiness of mil Itons. We accuse them of an utter want of hnmaii sympattiy . We denounce tliem m
cheats nnd pretenders.
This is strong language, but not too strdBg to be verified. Let w see. What have the mass of the pbpulatiea
gained by the recent election ? Why, they have dismissed one set of magistrates to adopt anotlier, who may or
ma? not M better. Beyond the few Who will get oflice by the intolefant profcrtptkMi of tlieir oppouentn, what
class is benefited 1 Has any i^rinriple beeu sdttled? Has any real, positive advancement been wrought in the
condition of the people, or even in'^nblic opinion 1 AAer all the wasteful expenditure of time and money, aAer
a 1 the patedes, junketiinge^snd speechee, after the declamations of the newspapers and the vociferations of the
bar-ro(>nis, alter sociity IBis been stirred to its deptlir by a fierce exoilement, is thure i| single man who can hon-
estly sny that his lot has been improved by the resut, even so much as one jot or tittle T Does any democrat,
in the wildest flight of his expectations, believe that either pro:<perity; comlbrt, or elevation has been secured to
the pi'oplel Are they more sure of employment, more ea^y in their pecuniary circumstances, better lodged, er
clothed, or fed, enlai^ in Intellect and expanded in sympathv, In cftneeqaenoe of the political rev<iluik»a, 10
whirh they have been mai'e to contribute ? No ! No ! The poor deluded creatures are as miserable and debased
as ever they Were— iu Uie face of all the lying flatteriea of political addreaies, and all the heartlcMi mockings of
politiCHl l( aders.
Nay, we go further than this. We will suppose that the democratic party has been succ^ful In its pn»
Jec s, not only in this city, hut throughout the tJnion : we will suppose that Mr. Calhoun or Mr. pan Buren baa
been ehot^eo to the Presidency, along, wrth triumphant majorities in both houses ot. Cimgress : We will supoiise
that all the measures for whxh it contedcls are carried into practical exicution: we will suppose all this, anil
yet say; that it will not benefit the mass of the i eople ijt any perceptible degree ! It will hardly secure them «
single one of their primary and most important rights! li will leave them as far from the point ol uu,e social
happiness and indivklual development as they are now ! They willVsontinue to be as debased, ignorant, and
squalid a.4 they are now ! They will be exposed to as much sufiTering aitd os roiiny disasters a« they are now !
They will still live in nasty and iiestiferous houses, in crowded and dirty streets : ihey will still work in sIiom
that are little better ihnn styes : they will still feed upon the worst pmdncts of the worst markets : they will stHl
be cut ofi'from mniiy of the necessaries, and oil the refltienieius aa4 elegances of lite : thi y will stilt be visited tij
want, 8ickn«'88, destitution, and hastened-death : their children will still givw up in idienoBj ignuranci^MQd vice:
they will s.ill be denied the right to Ubor, the rtgbt to edueatkin, the right to social iniercoursr : ihey will still be
the slaves of the capitalist and the dupes of the politician : etill foi^ver raijiiing the same dreary round of die-
agreeable and monotonous labor, unsatistied desires, artificial disease, debasing contpnnionhhipe, ch^eriess livef •
and llo|lele^s deaths ! Political changes may have brought th^ii a biief political improvement; but ab ! I« ell
the essentials of happiness, they will be lut meagre and helpless as ever. Politidatni ! have you tiiought of this t
If >ou have niit, what criminal blind gu def> yon ai-e 1 If you have, what iniaiuoup hypocrites yourint^iosturee
Svove ynu to have been 1 We suggest the question, in the utmost ffcriousnesj:, to the higher niimls among the
eniocra*s ; wbeth' r for tlie lastt a enty years, they have accomplished aught worth ^peakipg of for the mJlllons t
Wtt ask them, whether they are likely to 'to anything more, for the next fif y years 1 We ctiH up«>n Mt. VlUr
Bnnn, upon Silas Wright, lj:imuel Voung, Tiimmuny Hall, the Democratic Review, the Pitbeian, and Evening;
Post, or any organ or advocate of the demoernilc party, to declare in what respr-ct they hoptr to improve ih*- eoQ-*
dlUnii of the mass' s— to what de«ree and by whai m 'nms ibey propoee to advatice the public bappinfss 1 Yfttm
and how and where they are to furntsh even a fiartial exeniplilicatlon of the working t.f their boast d i rinciptet ?
Th-y must do this, or M content to receive the withering curses which the long misled and abused mnlittude wUI
•ooft r or later heap up.n their eUiay heads.'*
Digitized by ^OOQ IC
9S2 CROSWELL, VANDBRPOBL, MONROE, ftO. FINANCIERING.
So far as we hear from the country, the effect of the message has be^n fkvorable, beyond
ourjnost sangoine expectations. Such is the case here. Moderate men of the opposition see
and admit the value of the propofsition as a measure of relief, and although the party 7uw&-
papers in the service of the bank will deride and assail it, they will not carry by any means all
their friends with them. Aside from its intrinsic worth, as the best proposition that, under the
cifeumstances, could be presented to the legislature, it imll serve to give coTifidtnce to owrfriends,
so FAR AS THAT IS NEC£88ART, and Will put aigumeuts and weapons into their hands. 3.
<e» miUion bank toas received toUh Uttie favor here, in or out of tfie kgidaUire, and if proposed
cmdd not kave succeeded. Defeat would have given to the whole maUer a far worse aspect than if
ne^ng had beeikjUlem/pted, With great regard — sincerely your friend, £. CROsWEIX.
QambUng in the Stocks.
[No..2e7.1 Attorney Gteneral (John) Van Buren to Jesse Hoyt, New York. Albany,
Maich, 98, 1834.— Mr Dbar Jbsss— The purchase by N. and T. of 100 Mohawk at 96, is
very good. I understand it to be payable in all next week. I shall be in N. Y. next Monaay .
(31jM inst) and then shall arrange it. Pleajse countermand the order for Boston and Provi-
aeaoe ; I should prefer not to buv it ; and if it is purchased and can be resold without loss,
let it be done — any how, ^ Lord Grey said, I shall stand by my ' order.'
Yours very truly, J. VAN BUREN.
[No. 268.] Attorney Genercd J. Van Buren ashamed to app6ar publicly as a Stock-jobber.
Albany, April 17, 1834. — My Dear Jesss — Nevins andTownsend write me that they have
bought my iTtica Stock. Please get the money for the.enclosed, and pay them. I do not wish
to Qorrespond with them directly. Let the oertificafe be made out in my name, and send it to
me by some private conveyance or keep it till I come down, which will be shortly.
Youis very truly, J. VAN BUREN.
THe Postscript shows thefiUure FH,nancier.
[No. 369.] Attorney General J. Van Buren to Jesse Hoyt, at New York. Albany, '
JiBW 18^ 1834.— 'My Dear JB8SB--With the slender assistance oi the above [a draft isx ^780]
fortified by the enclosed [a check for S3l 10], you will, I think, be able (if you will do me the
fkvor),to satisfy the following demands— Nevins & Townsend S391,46— Chester Jennings $360
—** Young** Wilson $100— Minthome Tompkins $70. If it falls short, parcel it out to the
Ooimorajits, in such bits as you may deem most meet to subserve their several necessities. I
kitend to walk into the Mohawk soon. J. VAN BUREN. .
, P. S. I tho't my stOQk was bought at 109, was it not 1 The receipt says 109^.
Ttfwli^ Vatn Bwren's father^ynrlaWi and HoyVs brother, Lorensio, getUng rid of less profitable
Baink'Stockj through Jesse's agency,
[No. 370.] Judge James Vanderpoel, Albany, to Jesse. Hoyt, New York. Albaky,
June 30, 1834.— Dear Sir— I thank you for the services you have rendered your brother and
myself in procuring stock for us in the Lafayette Bank. Our portion to be sure is not laree,
but we console ourselves with the truth of the old adage, that " half a loaf is better than no bread. "
Yon will coirfcr another obligatiott upon me toprocure the residue of the deposit money, and
dther send me your check, or deposit it in the Fhcenix Bank in my name to the credit of the
Canal Bank. I send you a draft on the Commissioners for the amount. ' If it ispresented on
Monday the Conunissioncrs will nay it, otherwise it must be drawn through the Butchers and
Drovers' Bank. ' itespectfidly yours, j. VANDERPOEL.
Mem. by J. Hoyt June 33. Received $350 from Commissioners and sent my check to
Judge Vanderpoel for it. ' ' J. H.
fNo. 371.] Lorenzo Hoyt, Albany, to Jesse Hoyt, New York. July 18, 1834.— Dear
Brother: The Judge rVanderpoel] and myself THINK WE SHALL MAKE NOTHING
BY HOLDING OUR LA FAYETTE STOCK, and therefore, annexed, send a power of
attorney to sell it. Please have it done, and send your check to the Judge for the amount*
Yours affectionately, L. HOYT.
" July 21, 1834. Sold for account of Jesse Hoyt, Esq. By Nevins A Townsend, 25 shares
Xa Fayette Bank stock at lOU S2537,70— less commission i per cent, $6,34— $2531.16— Less
90 per eent, unpaid, 2250=:$281,16."
A sUk stocking Dmaocrai. — " We haste to be a litUe vulgar these Jackson times.^^
(No. 272.1 James Monroe, B8q.,-to Jesse Hoyt, 42 Wall street, N. Y. Ballston Spa,
JWy 24, *S4.— Dear Hoyt: A Virginia friend, like all the rest of them who have not played a
part in Wall street, do not know and wtU rhot learn that when a note or drajft is due, that it
either has to be paid or (»x>te8ted, When I lelt N. Y, I made no provision for the payment oC
Digitized byVjOOQlC
J. VAN BURisK. DUTEE J. PIERCE AND R* I. POLITICS. 393
. <* ' 'W? ^.: a.. .- Aii^ 'M;\ ly :'• h;' y ' I ' . .r ' '
a draft on me for $1550, drawn by a Virginian, thi^ing that he would think ana o^^ so far as
tojmt tjie Ji^ney in hank to jjieet,t^ie jM,vj»fint.. Not so—the draft had to be pid, and like
Ward's notes, or rather my notes in hw hvovtf sUf^iMy oveMrawn my bank accomrt which my
a^ent made goad by loan from my/riend H. Qgdeh at the Custom House. No'<f, if yok can-
conveniently, and if you cannot conveniently, then you must ptit in baftk Ibr my account ^
$1000 as early as the nwHuine erf the 37th inst., as f shall send^ check to Ogdon for feat day.
Jfe is a good Jackson rtpauj and perhsms -v^ants no money, tmt this jisxx. can ask him. If ray
frjiend fropi^Yirginia puts my money In Bank, 1 \*^ill send you a check fot' Ae $1000 at ooee— '
this he may write me to-day^at he lias done, ^ou can have the money agfein in a %sw ^tgj
at any raie. / know it is mlgarto attend to money matters this hot weMer^ BUT WE Mikity
TO BE A LITTLE VULGAH THESE JACKSON^ TIMES,
Mo news heie. Let me hear from you. If you woiitd Uk6 to make a liMlk money out^ofSjMi^
TOQA, let me in>aw it. I tell you it must go down. I may join you. Wben does Glover WOA
V^ come up] In haste, yours truly, J. MONROE.
A Beggar — Can you g^ bets7—Perish C -P* C. Dearddey.
iNd. 2T3.] Attorney General John Van Buren td. J. Hoyt, N. Y. Albany, Aug. 39, 1834.
)ear Jesse : For G — d's sake send me my over coat — my underclothes are all worn oufj
and I'm a beggar. Let ^ beijakem to^ WfaeOler's,x^bo witt'semd it to me; Can you get anv
bets o4 ©evomor, evea^ Vfe . «haJl * ^ick the dog» si^in this State that tho • Great We«t\will
tMiffllio bowling. Yom^tndy. , \ \ X VAN BUt|^. ;
Bf. B. '0«r bre&WAiia Onwa V» ftU * with one accom united'— look out for a tall maioHjy
iff 0. (1) •♦Perish C* B. G. »«Msley^(8) will bf n^elected by 1500 majoritjc, . ^ , :
/tmiMhmea.shij^iat^tkeib»^--^.S»(ff;^ff^f^^pi9lh^-'- " ' . % /.
^ INo. ?74.1 Attorney Oecfena'Tdhn VkA Wufetf ib J. Hoyt, (AftiUtyA «c(»t. 5^ iea4.--^lir
IWa jEsste— n^ease letwfevins ib Townsend -buy ibe l$f^ ahares of ^tterson^Rt IU8im|p
dU^'r in 60 ds, afs clreap as tK)flti$bfe; ^^I tnoftt^ hteve*«p$^ at fh^b^. K«e^ tite idii'i/liiiiirtMWt
O&l ^ yoh. ;!^hall go west th£^ allei1«pon,uaf r^wn in9 0iM^#ek!ks. ifaiiyttiinf^MlBM
ill 2ny49^P t) dem^^Usdk^n^^j^^'^ftMs^
sav«&eih)m'W. Yours truly, J. ViBV^tttfiNU
Pearceon1hemMUIdaM^Xeci)i9Hr^f%tiikt^0^ iM Bofnk Men^
$owUk€^ ^ ■ '- . - •. K .'i \ . ^ '.*.-,.-'•;<
' fNo. 275J t Xy%miX I%h^, M.X^., JRhOde Island, to Je««e Hoyt, N. Y. N»nr#t»T; R.
r. Sept. 18, 1834.— iVircJJe.— Beat 9¥: Yoifrs of yesterday I have. If -our me& do toot aet Kk«
ft)oIs, we cAn elect our Senator by a cteciddl Majority, say a maj^rky <rf five w six. In k^sto
between Pmtei' and , Brirgess, the vote w«uid pftjt>ably stand 41 to 41, thus ^^ivi!^ to the Qoa».
Aor ^ casting vote in iltvor of Mr. PoiH^^butto give Mr. Potter 41 votefl, he mnfilfpeirihBMi
vqtes in , and tMs three we are afraid he will not be able to do— and it is moreotrer
yyi miderstooftfhffltif ^jere tWMiidtpnidprd^iltt^ havi»|f d majority of mm Xfs^x
ijr. Bi,Mr* ft will be ^jrfthdrawn and th^Atto. General, €!reene;,talfen lA, trtio W)dld Ifljf
doobtedly beit^Mr. P. toee opfour votes. . I thlnkjit.will not do to jun Mr. Potter, ^ho is. nfii
|» kaolc^fge and tto * ^ giww w # /jyyrt to cai^ iMfcxai^wa <?/" fcderalism^ mid.Martford.Gomt
i^sn^AUsm, ft Is hw for (he£tfitopi&n to change his *rin. Mr. P. wiH be the cause of wif
4e^feat^, if defeated we sljoulSf be ; aj^, of dispgs^ ^n pnt pur success "beyond a (k6bl— in otf ^
words, if he will give up "his pretensions where his friends tell him there is no chaftce fbr,,liiiji —
«ad lhi» we jw»at #, »n4 ^imfort Ae9ther m^i^ witii t)ie (^ame z^a) we;^ox:dd suppprt ^iiu. Jf
we could sftifpori Mm mtk ike i^of mccess, toe wouMgiije the imi^ men ojevexe wMpping^ aivl
seAd to th^ Senate ^ best mast ire Imi^, i% m^r^g^^Bicp, in our state, GkuvepBor [John B.]
jiorter of tbe Safety J
toA^tr^pwUb cfe^it— perisli t
t DMA J. FsMve, ma iaAoMtM liaryer of Abode Masai, wai appointeil by M(iM«ei la la!^ its U. % MsHkl
AttonMf . He e irtM W i the IMi Ooqgiii«vin<OeeenM'„ 1835, with tVisHiOn Bwf e« ; wt4 John Uubicy iidaiM
thofieoDsratnhilet Mm oil % i»gl 6M ott lothv MthCMgt^iM, t«i yenrs «ftcs»itkj» letter elated Oubicy, 6e»t»
7, MSI.' *' I heariUv eonyMtiilftae fmi inoa your ■^eleetiOD to Congress* -fO^hoafh apoa B»ii|r tmiioitiint puMif
tMomns, I dMfend wiMy la a^ io ji n ^roM yatf in the hm <;ongie«8 ; wd HkbeHf b 1 4io iiot«iutwr.«pyaelf \tmi
'wvvhnll cffreo noctKhetter in tiio4MaC 1 tt»?el eoMiiowl that the pony whldk tei» betn those two youo
vftvggUnf te break yopi Aowiti the liase compdMof fiartfenieosvonttei IMemlisni^d royal arch masoMv. It
•o iMlen wtih Hm eomiptio« ofimih its eloMMts, Iteit I teU jvilh ^ tho^yi^torv which you )»ve a^biovod
•*wjt; I reJoteoatM that tho aoao|ieopte iuun^iemiKAitm ii|Nt««H<im by thoMiuft party tijAlr-Spwif^f,
«n« h«*r« returneA Wn to Cwiip n g ag yovrcoUeofoo. ^. thM patty, timWy Is ao fiivodte an, iiMtruioeM;
ttaC I hm heard Bte. Bin*eo» emAp^iln that tft«y hav^Modtit evoo. wiih him. U is theiir jiatitfD and their
TieMkip. Iw^te<mwtj|eMiitKof>i»» r t lfT<l itoaiapiedgothot#ek^liceUi»tMro)»g .
Digitized byCjOOQlC
3S4 butler's wanton amsb or thb lUYoa of raiLAPSLPHiA.
Frapods. He can certa^ly be elected against any man fke bank party can name, by a nitiijcjqfh-
ity of ^ve, yesiirmg his cnm vote as ttte presidmg officer of both houses.
Mr.Pran^U is mf ^(nhfidenUal friend ^/iiid wotdd supp&rt the admini^raHon. -Kft is mfire tt^
Tokd to Mr. Vav. Bftren Uuin any oUi£r vian in Rhode IsLattd: He was my classmate, vnd the
clasBnate of Groveraof Francis in College, and $s also your Governor [Marcy]'s personal friend.
Mr. Francis is not anxioqci fi^ the place, but / know wouM run if he would i^ceive the support
G|f our pa^. With these prQ^)ects befhre tys, it will be too bad to have them blasted—rand
blasted they :|riU be, by Mr. Pptter^speiKtinacity and obstinacy. What can we ^6l f hardly
know. I have written lately to Mr. Woodbury fully, in regard to our difficidtiei, and ha^ al*
tiqwip thought I wouid write Mr. Van Buren, and Mr. Wrighf your Senator, ^n relation M
them. X:^Mr. P. [Potter] is uji4er great obligaii&ns to. Mr. 'Wnght. If Mr. "Wright Would,
fi^withont bringing my name into Question, or in an^ way referring to it, urge Mr. P. to wiih-
Hjrdraw when he finds success hopeless, and throucH all his weight into the scale of Mr. Pran*
Jl^is, our victory would b^ a glorious one. Mr. P. would raise himself in the estimation of
Ijrthe administration, and if he on eari would not receive hid ifewaH, sl^me of his friends and
l^iimily cdnnexions ma5'. Truly youit, - DUTB£ J. PEARCE.
. ^^ .M ^ , /.
Pifiah C. JP. C. BagrdMty no ' Dmik iUM* onljf « Va% Uuren Mam, 1 1
(No. Sr78.1 Samuel Beardi^, litC. to JTetM Hoyt, N. Y'. I^»fe«fe;— »WAii»NiawMi,
Sl^mb^f 94, 18^.— Dear Sir : Your favour of the I6U1, reached me here to4fty. i am nxell
aware of the ibel!jD|^ of yoor b^k* me»chaat»„ and tdl <thef bank woNihif)|iNrs loint]^ myd^f.
That is of little mom^ to me. and )esd still to the pulilic. I ^Uu% Aot Veotim any oj^^don la
you about inv district, althougn I believe ottr political IMends hope that it will be f<x the -country
rather thidi for the Baayr. Pwnikid IMiacr aiid^, I maal «iy tiiiat I htope such may be the
itiiU: tti^Cher )|i!«eds» I wmid ptdir be«^ Idqnatgii^any
QfMon&ra^rsdf about the Difltrkt Ihoivover fcetieve.Uiat otir fiiend^ Qot o^fhope hcj,
^Hmmmh iBaj<;>city in Onei4a and Qa«n(go> b«tl tbay amct one oTfrom 9l0 lO hiip^dred. 'Kv
apMttft i%.that Ge^^ral Root «i«y kare 400 nuiiority in Qi'jckxb^, bnt that in Delaware he Wft
fto^^ad aeiaodOOi | prMOtte Q&^rttwx Mm j 1^ )k re-elisted 1^ more than|pi ti^^ugadd.
V4mmir^*$Pr9ifmtlf.ttt4ipMvU^
mo. S77.} Attmoy fikail 1 V. Bofeii to J. Hc^rt, K. V. ri^k---<'ATaii,.N. Y. ftot
99" fl834}-lranked by "M. Van Buren." My Dear Jessb,— I make use of a frattk. ik^ M
nan leA with xa% to let yoti kaow.that lam ai^n^^ai ui^jmfi^ 4-'^^ m yoH iswv^ mik to
mtt^frmi^ ike fear ikaiwu^ have purchased me seme Patkrtati % B. Block, on whiikfqm ^ dpi 4
Aaryr 9Mia of money, 1 see that on Wednesday it jeftotf at $li, which is 6 or 9 per icent*, lower
ttoi it was wtol I authoriaed yon to buy for me. X know nothing of tt»e d—-^ atoek^ etcep(
tte firtRiner was dealing in lt,t and it nad been nain^ ^ ^ momih, ftnd| I hafdly thought my
* WlMft SatnoBl BeHdiaey wn» ielectcKl la Coiikh«<« fnm Oiie^iu Im Jiyiipied t)pe oice of C, S. IN^ict it-
tmcY, WMjiiiecMded by Iff. a Bentom ^rm SecrelRry of Smte fof If. Y,^ and Mi TS3R, t^pp0lii(ed by Oovcmdr
aUscy Attoit)«y Qenemf. He whs a Ann ■t^pporter of the safety fVnid banic system, opposed to* Yonnf, aM «it»
iM fbur tu buy Ctatw^h's thi^Be-Walled lioase, oat of ftkteh job tb* tM/tiim iottittal cxuacttfA wuSi^smmb^
WM»t at^«xpM«B ortlw kniVM who owiie Hw Mii«aiiu ■rtwWeyt miwj tha swMrt^of N^ Y^ in 3fliza, wm
a rigid pMttau, tftanmi^ Ihr Cta«(<brd, iMid, as HaM»otid laiaksr ^ly honest. I\fatcy nomlnnled ^im tn be
▲tmey OMffWl, lata lo 183S ; and wliaa a sanatar, ht could sot brlnf his cMMclenee to eopsent to tha tending
oTBlfllal) luid Kboible baek fo theU Miulituanti. LUct Wftglit, In 1831, he f bought that popnlnr anptai* aitfy
be liMde too often< ' ^
'tR(TTLsK*s t^nrr.-^olia Van Biifen > said lo liav« reaMttkot, when 1«i Ifew Toric, ioow Unieatao*, duMia
Mibied less for his ftroTaaito^ thaa Bntlar dM <br ids irielqr. laMexanollMrsyeelnMfli^ih* lanac '
It in ««U knoMi that J. 6. B^twtt tpok pirt witb Van BauoiMUirrMise, Butter. BMvIs, Edoaonds Md ««•«
tenion, in the Glentworth afelr of 1846. In the N. Y. Herfcld, of Oct. SBth, we find the report of a H. T. In-
to<itipaaieac|iia, hold, at noon of the 24th. iii the. Park. David Baivks being ijs president, and Wright HaWKefs,
«i)W of Pmis, the mover of resolves. Vb. B« F. Sutler wad Oie o^<or of th« d«iy ; and, had \ie raiilly boen a
uoQs man, ^ pathetic anpeals lo'God and Providence would have been t)as8ed over byiiie Withouf renHnrk-^
Bat look at the knpiidence, eovetousness, and hypocrisy ^own in nis Tetters; whibh eotniKm; ^ith Mte ^levorip*
tfon of his opponents, and the then mnyor of Philadelphia He said, ** th^t fmudi extensive aint tmrnHmn'mm
nmetlteirby tha WMgs la 1838 and 1898, \s now aboli^aafly pravtea* ThMfe ^«ds wera «wms«AiI U» l^ftni
iwt«i(9e,«adno«tly«»ttttlMlasL The reason that IfaeyvaHieabt so ia.iha laittr ittslmfla, |s not fiKM» tte
want of exertions en thih-pftlt. but fi!on9::>-th«dfne»li»terparttiao of Ml overn^^ . * »
I stetl do att I can, iHid»terred by thieats of preaeicatlmi, iadictaw|il«i«ii-aaBnssnlnttaHi« whieh. ki^ beeaJtoU
•«t,»|oiittiiadMngfhwapermtmlontaj«istic»,<^fMlfaiylM^fhHiQ.ii»^B^ I|oako»lh1saaaJM4ttl
iM^rpnsmon of (hat provMfeBen-Hiha»i<aleif of inrth aad jositee, wIm> fuln^nNfre^as over stt* and ifveft'iiithte
life pantebes the mA\9fs and brtngs ftands to Bght artt pJinlshasswt. . . . Wtuit a fripEhtfal epl«i>'4f^MHt
*»» wft alt iMs ifevetope, on the pturt of «w oppwiealB^ Moosa^MM ki ther extaawi. And tMollf coaMetsd
>a ami thrnst npon ns ftom« aeipWmrtageHr, tHe eealNa«8atxir HiemoaiMr priiincr,aa4 wdiiob i4 atsadM
tend qaaitefs of Che UaHed States lank, flondhwaoldiigkofii «Ml«r its bHcMag InfluMc*. Y«s,1!ni« ftaK
«IJV caiiie <heHe(Mhin« wh^
<il™»»» 1»^ A^ *>•« S*»!\. its mayor. teR»ro«a»rTO tl* eM«r«inals«Mte.o(ilMUcoai ett
_ _ „ . .J maytir. ^pnnroirtbvyO rtw eM«r«nfls«iate<o( Ikt nacoai elty it thaflttilnd
$»• StatM, was the wicked and williag agent and participator in forwarding these stupendous frauds, and Irf^
^ connivmg at the contemplated fjauds of 1840. (TBeailhdoi|s oatcry.) And b^ his control ove* his poik»
Digitized by ^OOQ IC
kO'ti AND Van BOREN-S DEMOCRAtIC BfetTlffC. 2Si^
baying would knock it down fortliwith. Perhaps it will go still lower, and may be worth
npttM^g for aU I knqw. If so, vui, if J own any, s^U il' you think best, and let mo lose the
Mfsept difierence. if I gel ott of this j6by you may consider me '^ discharged cured" as the
QWera itgporta re^i Yours ever tn^, J. VAN BUREN.
Jfesse Bojfts <md Jo^ Van Buren's Bds, Sept, and OcLf 1834.
[Ko. 998.] I httve comjpUed An faUowing stalemeftt from Mr. Hoyt's memovaada of
hlibirt% oahis 0wn aad John van Burea'aaoooiBit, prtviousto t3|e &U eleotton in New York,
WI& Jamts Watsdn H%d^.*-«^(gOO on Qovemcm (Marcy vs. Seward), r^r»*^$50(^ 09 7000
Air ^foRy^>-4t00 to 985 againit Ver^aack'r nomination tor goremor--%50 on Cambrelcng
— $S50 on Members of Congress in N, Jersey— $250 on Gbvemor of Ohio— $956 on Goveroot
of New York— $100 each, on 3. 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8000 majorities lor Marcy— $50 against 900
iafti«tit]r tst wftRl, N. Y.-HIIOOO on 7a0 inajority for Congress in city Of N. YMIIOOO on
196$ «Hliarity ftkr gofveanor, in do-H(otal $4500.
Wtti- Q€o, F, TaZwi<m.~$IOOlo $SOQ on Marcvu-$50 on Beardalcy— $50 that Marey doea
m w«Q ^ MoBtgtmeiy as in 1832^$50 that the whigs Wjoiild hafve I2*250>in Washington Co.—*
$900 that YoQDff a&d Cramer would^beeleetcdr-$200 that the whigs woukl not elect M.C.'s in
N. Y. alty--$lQO.oii ^diitrict«-$lO oa Marcy--$100 ag'(>t $200 on Lucas as governor, in
Ohio— $100 each on 6, 7*, and 8000 maiorities to Marcy in N. Y.— $100 each «i 6, 7, and 800
maj^ties fiat Marcy, ia city oi N. Y.-*-$10 oh majority in Ulster Co.— $50 on 250 for Gover-
nor in 14th ward — $50 on New Jersey Congvess ticket-*<»total $1570.
With .A^rctfTMie? £ram»2^0», OD Gk)veni)Or, $819.
Yfiii^ M ■ Bremner -^on Governor $^00— on Members of Coagress $25— $100 on SOOO
am'odty for Lucas ia Ohio— a hatX^O) on govemor~$500 on 5000 maj. for Maicy— totaL
With Z>. jS, Jowpr-^lOO m 15,000 tok gov.--$lQO on gov. even— $25 on each lOOOup to
6000 on whig majority in N. Y. city— $26 6n each 1000 whig maj. in state of N. <Y.— $900 to:
$100 thatScw, i wouW tiol have 5000 iruijoj iiv— ,^700,
With^iei ll Grimi^a, SlflO on 500O m^ij/ibr Marcy— wilii Jvkfi A, Kin^, glOO thai tlje,
told^era woul(^ beat Stilwi-ll 750 Im N. V. Suie— with BmtQrih cti Beardsley It'^S— wiih G, IK
Bruen, a hat ($10) on Marty — {Jostph ?] Kcnwikan ^50 on Beardslcy — with H^ K. Sogeri
JMon §ov«a3ior, and Shales of cation f;;&0) on ciiy M. C';^ &c.— with E. Ctirtis that Geti'I
Itoot gclB no majority in Broome Co, SiS— with same tm gtjverncirj $100 agaiiiRT $300— with
JEhtdley SeltkfiQtLBeaxihlGy *S£c. i^lOO-^with JiM Wnt: gl50— uDh Thfrdtien^ Phdps, 3 cssesj
oCehaJaapaigne, and cafeJi ;i50 on Berj^n— \^ Uh T. Carp€tiia\ wkeitt, wood, hanis and ajipleii
$i^— rwith M. Ketckvm^ boott S7 — wiili J^hi C. CfH^i^r $150 on fall elet-tion^wiih J. L, Xscpk*
$900 on Lucas of Ohio and oti Corigrt^sj^with Draper i^lOO to S^OG on majorily of Congress,'
Uom. Ohio, and $100 on assembly in Jo-^mth J. G. pEiirstfU $100 on legislature of Ohio- with*
George ^S. Doughty on 750 averpge maj. on Con^iets ikket in N. Y. eliy tSOO—^ith John
DutTj a suit of dothes, SSO, on 1 0th h, aid— with O. JMoriHi $tOO on Con^jrcss maj. in N. V.—
with Jiaco* Li^ $100 im 5000 maj. for Governor Marcy— wftli Chnrks L. Lm n^rft^m, thnt
Alleghany and Orleans wuuld not both be against V. Bureii and Co, ibr governor iflOO, Cku.
6th— :increased to $250, Ck t. 2iilh — nnother bet $100— wirh Cltrfdjit^v, a bam $3—2 eases of
chamipaigne with G — -, on Ohio eledisjn— .\( Ith Cffrwc/m^ Bt-gtrt ^50 on Beardsky.
^ith J. — r- Blunt— %'\m Oil Gov. of Maine— $100 un Gov. of Ohio— gilOO m Gov, '
MsLTcf agfeinst Seward— $100 on W. Jersey Congressmen— ^100 on aggregate majoritiea 6t'
oftcers, concocted and marsliafled a system whiefi Wiis tnccbmffoTih «na)inrtg nMa t§ cftme^li«w and ^efrfill
IMa^tf voiM In onr tallvt boxes. What U dua to tliete oAcefB of juittcei nien tivfora to praaerv^ the coiicm
•f jMttee D«it^ M0d to da aU to 4^ct «tU o^nders a|t»iMt justice, and u> prevent the "perversion of the
coarse 1 9:^ These police officers and ihis John Swift, one of the sworn vicegerents of the God of jnstiai
{fy^ on ioarta. alt sending on men to vote, and «oitne comfAg <^ to vote themselves, and giving to these smM
S):^ the character of the greatest de:<peradoes their city contained, sending them here to be dresMd U|^ !»<«
the cmnmltiee-moms, and to vote at ali the ward polls, impossible ! I ask >oii, I ask our opponents, I ask all
h<MMst men, wh^thir t(ies« officora, uljo^tioe #ver seat ^ the state prion, the' penitentiary, or gallows, or took
to prison or the gallows, any wen no cqliKible, so criminal, or so deserviii<; (he {thIIow^, as they were them-
siAves 1 (Loud amf continued cheers aAd cries olT *' No^ i^o.*') MK Butler denied hHTt«g,as8ei!lcd that M' Oct.
l5At he w*H)ld mafBe diacloMiret t^at would settle Mr. Va^ Buren's election^" yet, [sai4J be,] strange to teti. oa
that very day, Mr. fiteven^on walked into my office and told me of nit these Irands. I then rem^ibered It*
WMf the 15ih of October. XCbecrt.) JGT Who, then,^hall charge mc -with fhn»tlcl>m, or siiper^atioB^ whea'
fS^ I say that I can see In this the flng#r of the Ood of tmth and Jnstice. wImv orders all thimfM well ;
fa^ wh» will nra«eet the virtness anil ponish the guilty 1 And strong in thi.i l>elie|', and omlismayed by
^^T threats, 1 shrtll continue to go on, and honestly do my duty to him and ii}y country.'*
V>n (his same fttr-famed ]&th ofOcUtber, at a, great National 1|h11 meeting; Mr Prescntt Hall thus dtssected
the- demerits of Butler. " This incllvidurtl, with -no merit of his own, hni What he derives from shadowinx
forth Mr. Van Bureaus oplnibns. whilst he was docrytng the credit »y^tem, wae himself a korrowar igf
f9%4nO fVoOi thf MahhiKttan Bank, without nny security. He expended it hII in speculations. The com-
nltiee called 00 him for security. What did he give ? Why Chicago U>ts (Roafs of laughter^ all of which
only cost him 9^00. and thai was as fhneh as ih^y warier aft worth ! (Cheers,) and 7et tt6 talks about the
ajrlstocratic borrowers and speculators on the credit system."
Digitized by V^OOQ IC
2S& ANOTHER VI|:W pF A t^I>EMOCBATIC ATTORNEy GENERAL OP M. Y.
democratic Congressmen from N. Y. S.— SHW oil 6000 majority for Marcy— -j^SO on Con-
gfenf^ ticket in • '
Mr. Hon's handwriting: being bad, I may harre mide somemififtakes, bat thiiili ii<l^. It ap^
pears to me that the?e bets, amounting from ^l!d,<XW to ^15,000, are but a part of his wagers
un tiie election of 1B34 — but his other memoranda are iM clear. H« seems to ht^ve iMimi
bettinjsj early in September, and to have kept on daily till iJie elections were all over. A reve-
nue officer told me one day at the ctistbm hoiise here, that Mr. Ho3rt'sbet» tm \he fall elections
of I84d were enough ta hive ntiiied a daaea' oCncii vhq had not cztraottMDary fosoilro^s; bat
he gave me no fii^ so I4o not vcoehfer his stateontnt^ tkangh verv lowbtU^. Jklr. JioFt^a
betting did not enrich him, as witness Warren's letters of Dec. and Jan. next. John Van.
^fcu^en tiaf have cleared through Hoyf abiie, ob. tiUt ^^etioA) S9000. He ^ ae^asa to ^e
\«liole coirespondence of the central junto. a^ Albany, tad the retttrns by vhieli their paiUag
oitte etectiotis was regulated.
fr . - • '
fl7. 979] « John C. Cniger to Jesse H«yt.^Char1estown, Nov. 27, 1834. ' My 0ttt
Sir^On my arrival here I uTote to my brother-in*law Mr. Pall requesting UmtoM^yoa
thre^ hundred dollars 150 for yourself and the same eum for Mr. Wilson. I aend thiaXettbr by
the steam packet as it will prdbat^y be in New York as se^ aa that When youireoeisre te
$060, please pay the 150 to Mr. Wilson whose bat ie the same aa yours. Altliapgh the landv
of this election most be very agreeable to you, I oannot congratulate yoU, lor f tiust that yon
\fiti look upon it a.s a source of re^et before many years.
'I am truly yours. JOHN O. ORUGEIt
Sneers at the poor Wkig^-'Bet up to $50ea*-.Afeni^s ,^Mt0» " ^ swre 0$ G^-d,"
[No. 280.] AttomSy General J . Vaii Buren to *' My Dear Hoyt," N. Y. Albant, Oct.
T, iS^. [Tuesday.]— My DHar Hofr—Thev say " th6 Wood of tijie •martyrs is tiie aeed of the
Church, and heaven kno^-s I have been freely tapped in the good cause. THE REM. [re*.
moval] OP THE DEP. [deposits] cost me a fortune, and now I donH see bm ! must lose another
hunk of my little earnings.
My impression is that Stocks will go up till Election, and fUl immedinfely after, If the poor
Whigs could carry a Constable somewhere and get up ^ Jubilee, stocks wouid rise. New Jer-
sey may go for them, and give them '^ filip^but t^enna. will knock them stiff neit week^^Ho
wiU Ohio— and so wijl N. Y. C •
If you could get the difference bet on Marc}-, I shouM sar^* Sell by all mfeans," and anyhow 1
don't know but you had bjetter sell. Do exacdv as you see $t. Ttrtiaa be down before it fhfis due
prcfeably ; meaiitimc I should be mo6t partwiuarbt obliged to yon. Uyou can get me an even bei
agaimt Marcy to any aviount kss than FIVE TfJOtrSAND- DOLLARS. fthink'I would b«
0100 on each lOOO majority up to 5000. I would bet tl,500 against $1,000 on an even election.
I consider Marcy's election, by lirom 7,500 to 15,000 majority, AS SURE A? GOD.
Tou know b^t how much the Patterson is worth, and you must doexftclly as if it vn(a your
own, and I shall be satisfied. Make me some bets if possible. Yours, truly, J. V. B.
P..S, The Whigs ihay gather pluck after some meetings or ^me thingji.
Wagers^ Utling^ speculation — Boston and Prcfvidenee^-Ned Lmngston.
[No. 281.] Attorney Gen'l J. Van Buren to J. Hoyt, N. Y. Albany, Oct. 13, 11834.--
Mjr Dear Jesse— 4 should think you right about selling the Patterspn, if it will not do to
houi. By the looks of ^ebb's paper, (although it is intended no douH to operate on New_M^
sey,) the opposition gained confiaence. Can you iempt them with A WAGER on 3, 4, and
5090 Majorities-, S800 on each or %$00 on 940001 If neither of these ean be got to.
zftortow, BEI*' them $500 on 5000 maijority. There wiil be no letting after Uhmorrom, Save
the order for Bost. and Prov. open ; the Moh. is aB ri^ht. We have tiomiaated a strong
ti^t, tho' Livingston (Ned) is the Assembly man, contrary to all expectation. Youxs
ever truly, J. VAN BUREN.
[OonHbeuneasy^' Jessejgoaheadl Bets on Marcy and t/ueas of Ohto. >
[No. 383.J Same to sante^ Albany, Oct. 14, 1834. D<»*t be * uneasy' Jesse; co
ahead. I wrote you by Sunday's boat: but I suppose as there was no mail 1^ letter n&
oarried. I think stocks will ^fall this week. Sell if you think best.
Can yefueet BETS on -three, four, and five thousand majority for Marcy, twp hundred dol-
iars on each 1 if not, I will bet five hundred doUara on four tnousand; perhapis, if welose
Naw Jersey, you can get this.
Ifyffu. can't do better, 1 should like a bet of three huindred doUars on fife thousand maj&fH/y fa*
Marcy ; unless we lose N. J. : in that event J wiH wait to get better t^nns. Yours truhr,
' - J. VAN BUR6N,
.P. S. X WU^ BET dn fite thousand ro^qAt^ f(Mr ]Lttca» in Ohio. '" ^ -
Digitized byCjOOQlC
MORS MOCKINft'OF THfi THtTE DEMOCRACT. 309^
. . • j • . - » • 'f '^■'■,
[No. 283.] Senator Tallmadge to Jesse Hoyt, at New York. Po'keepsie, Oct 14^
1834.— My Dear Sir : I reeeiyed yojor letter of the 11th, and had a^ interview with Judge
Roop^es, who holds the Putnam circuit this week. He will t<iUc with the genUcmei} referod to
(m the subject mentioned. Such an interview vriU have mare effect than any thing else. Every
thing looks well with us. We have renominated the " POKER" for Congress. Otir whde
ticket is a strong one; we anticipate a greater vote than in 1832.
Yours truly, N, P. TALUSlADaE.
Patterson RaUroad, T^ Bdtift^ Ring, $500 mi Mrtcij.
[No. 284.] Attorney General John Van Bufea to J. Uoyt, N. Y. Albany, Oct, 15
1834.— My Dear Hoyt— You have worked tlic PEitteritOj; Rail Road very well. 1 am shitcked
at the shares only being $50, having become reconciled to at least doiible the toss. Teil Wil-
flOD that I h^ye an impression that he promised to invest ^500 or eo, lor me, provided I kep%
out of the * betting ring,' so as to cul outrage ike enemy i - . iiju\ a fair elj^Dce If I am
rijght^ and even if I am not. I count upon ms nobHity to ^^are me $500 even on Marcy, out of
his big investment. I shall be in New York the last of the month— let me know n^at W,
ssLYs, Yours truly. J. V. B.
P. S. I dont care to bet oi^ 5000 majority for Marcy just now ; if it is not too late to back *
out "
Vem Bur en pities (he poor Whigs — thinks they wUl change their names,
g^o. 285.] Martin Van Buren to Jesse Hoyt, New York. Kinderhook, Oct. 21. 1834.-^
ear Sir : I send you with the greatest pleasure the letter you desire for our friend Phelps.
I liave been here for a few days where the Enemy is using very desperate efforts. I ahmost
begin to pity the poor "Whigs. Their next cognomen will be Democrats — remember what I
say. L think you ought at some of your meetings, to call upon them, as our friends have done
in Philadelphia, to give notice by what name they mean to pass next year. In haste, very
truly yours, M. VAN BUREN.
Van Buren introduces his friend Clay to his friend Hoit,
JNo. 286.1 Vice President Van Buren to Jesse Hoit, New York. WAsmNOTON, Nov.
23, '34. — My Dear Sir: I take much pleasure in making you acquainted with my friend th^
Hon*ble Mr. Clay of Alabama [Clement C. of U. S. Senate,] Who makes a short visit to New
York before the meeting of Congress. I know it wiH give you pleasure to do^hatyou can
to make his stay in New York agreeable. I am, dear sir, very truly yours,
M. VAN BUREN.
' ' I ■ ■
iM he Fof^ the Auctumeer^ nomvnates Governor Marcy direct from the N. Y. Custom HoukI
[No. 287.] In a letter signed by Cornelius W. Lawrence, Thomas Herttell, John Lori-
naer Graham, and George D. Strong, addressed to S! Swartwout, dated 8th Dec. 1834, at N.
Y. — they say : " Mr. Le Foy from that time to the present has been an active, zealous, and
efficient advocate of democratic principles, and has very materially aided in sustaining the pre-
sent administration, and we believe that no individual who has been selected as an In^ctor
of Customs has presented stronger personal or political claims to your fevourable notice."
That konesi and steady patriot, Wm. M. Price, thus adds his testimony (Dec. 10, 1834). " I
am not acquainted with any individual who presents stronger personal and political claims
to foKr consideration thaai Mr. Le Foy. His ajppointment would afford great gratification to a
ereat number of your personal and political niendi^, and confer an especial favor on yours
tttily, WILLIAM M. PRICE."
I^ Foy, an old auctioneer, was installed as a Custom House officer, proved himself a use-
fill toolr-and, as a pretended representative of New York democracy, nominated Wm. L.
Marey as Governor, at the S3rracuse Convention, Sept. 1836. New York therefore had a gov-
ernor dictated by the Custom House— and when Throop was no logger endurable as a ruler,
the Custom House i;^ned its doors to him.
^Samuel Swartwout, Esq. — Dear Sir— Mr. George S. Messervd of the 11th Ward is an appli-
cant for the appointment of Inspector of Customs. Mr. M. has been A STRONG PARTY
JIdAN, and is at present am, ardent supporter of the General and ^ate Administrations^ Bad I
hafe no doubt his appointment would give general satisfkction.
New York, April 30, 1835. . . WALTER BOWNE. >
Selling R. R. Stocks and buying High Reeled Boots.
[Na 288.] "' Attorney Gen. John Van Buren to J. Hoyt, New York. Albany, Dec. IX
1834. — ^My Dkar Jesse — ^Please sell me 100 shares Boston & Providence^^ deliverable in w
day& at 107i or I07i. I shall be in New York this week. Can you send an wder to — —
and Kimbad, No. 3 Wall sL, to make me forthwith a nair of neat winter Bodts with heels an
indi higki I wimt them to wear when I shall come to r^ew York, and that will, be by Thurso
,-digr. Yours truly, XVlNBUiREN.
Digitized by ^OOQ IC
I
teS MUNTINO nt 0OITPLE8. LOBBYING. CLUTCH INO THE SPOILS*
Bayfs De$rskiki'-^€Kkstn eseaptM Amaainatidn,
[No. 289.] Vice President Van Buren to Jesse Hoyt at New York. Washinoton, Dec.
Si) l03i-— Mf DsAE Sta : I am obliged bj your attention to my small concerns, and upon men-
tioain^ the circa nstancs ia the presenca of the President, he has rs^qaasted me to ask you to send
himiOsoapair^rUieskias. I will pay aU. Yours, truly, M. VAN BUREN.
[No. 990.] Vice PrasiolMit Van Buren to Jesse Hoyt, New York. No date (1834.>*
DsAtL dia: I Drg^t to say to yoa that tha Prisiiaat ch^erf lUv accepted your present of the
Bkias, and ta onake you my acknowled^nants f jr your attention. The President is in &;«
health and spirits. His escape waft p.arfjctly miraclious.
Pr&oiimcelugged i% vntk Providence R. R. gambling. -^M^Kow^ ^ Van Buren^shafpmess u^^t§
do anyhdfs dirty ieork.**
[No. 291.1 Albany, Dec. 30, 1834. — Dear Jesse: Enclosed is your note, ffttie order
to'Nevins ana Townsend to sell ma lOD shares Boston and Providence at I07i to | at 60 days
aad Interest should not, providenliaUij^ have been countermanded in season, I take it they have
eSjcted the sale : if so, let them close it at the present prices, so that I may recuperate a small
portion of my losses.
Is Leggett wicked or crazy 1 Yours truly, J. VAN BUREN.
. P; S. i have formed a parmership in law with Col. McfConu : one of us will attend all the
(Jwrts, and we shall be HAPPY T6 DO ANYBODY'S ' DlRtY WORK.' J. V. B.
Speaker Livingston invites Bx^Commissumer Hoyt to join the LMy.
[Na 893.] My Dbar Hoyt : The U. and Schenectady rail-road passed our House this
looming. I have j ust inquired of De Graff ius opinion of its ^ate in the Senate— he is not con-
fident of success, bat thinks, with a full Senate, it may pass. As i\is is a matter of some impar*
tance to yourself ^ I would advise that you come up atid tend a helping hand to those -edready en^ag"
ed in carrying it through. Yours, C. L. L.
(No. 293.] Van JOuren's Pet Pinancur^ Collector and Stockjobber ^ atfauU.
* Two Notes— John Warren, Broker, Wall street, to Jesse Hoyt. " New York, Dec. 27, 1834.
-••^Dear Hoyt: You will find by the enclosed account, made up to 21st inst., a balance due us
of S2997.24 cts. Will you do us the favor to have it settled r*— " New York, Jan'y 12, 1835.
—-Sir : Not hSiving received the balance due our late firm, I feel myself bound by the regula-
tiqn.s of our Board to hand in your name unless settled by lOl o'clock, to-morrow."
[Thus stood the successor of Swartwout in 1835. In a few months thereafter, through Van
Buren's influenoe, he, his fViend Butler, and their comrade W. S. Coe, were, the board of Com-
missioners to examine into and settle all claims relative to duties, arising out of the great fiie
in New York!! I]
Vie Madness cfthe Merchants a/nd Auctioneers-'-the Victims of the Paidor-To the Victors bdong
theSpoilsi
[No. 294.] Gov'r. Marcy.to Jesse Hoyt, N. Y. Albany, 26th JanV, 1836. Prvoaie.-^
My Dear Sir— I received your letter this morning on the subject of L. M. M. It is proper that
Mr. M. and all other office holders in N. Y. whose feelings or whose conduct has gone with
the Wigs should be fully apprised of my situation in re&tion to their appointmenis, and that
they should be made sensible that they have contributed to bring about a state of things which
prevent me firom doing towards them as I have done heretofore and should under other circum-
stances do now. The principal auctioneers partook of the madness and infatuation which last
year seized the great mass of the Merchants— they aided in giving success to our opponents in
the Common Council— <h«y countenanced and some practised the proscriptive policy erf* that
body— turned away their clerks, carmen, &c. — upheld the course pursued by the Wig papers —
and cheered on the Qommon*Council in sweeping the decks of all our p^itical friends. The
very msn who have been proscribed in N. Y., with the expressed or im^ied approbation of
^()se who wish reappointments, now surround me in great numbers^ astdng the places and
commissions of the proscrijbers. What shall I say — ^i^at ought I say to^ these applicantB 1
Shall I send these victims gf proscription, and victims of the panic^ home, empty handed, to
beg employment of those who have deprived them of it, and give commissions to those who
are the authors or even the silent approvers of the course, pursued by the Common Council
and the vanic makers ? If I had but one hour of oflicial life to live I should consider it my
solemn duty to employ it diligently in protecting my political friends firom p^l^cution. My
friends in N. Y. ou^ht to look at both sides o£ this question before they advise a course of
liberality which would be injtHCice to ftiends, aiid,«s past experience shows, returned wiik w»>^
grMfude. Ypgi»,4c, W. L. MAUlOY-
Digitized byVjOOQlC
AARON BURR N0MINATB8 ANDREW JACKttON. 260
5008 Wight appoints a hery suitable Z^w-Agent.
[No. 295.] Governor Silas Wright to J-orenzo Hoyt, Lawyer, Albany. Canton, 11 AmU,
1836.— My Deajf Sir: I believe I some time since appointed you MY LAW AGENT in
Albany. I cannot say now that I shall have any thing for an agent to do, as I have little
expectation of doing any thing as an Attorney while my annual absences are so Icmg. I wish
you, howev^, to present the enclosed papers to one of the Justices of the Supreme Court, and
get an order allowing to the clerk therein named the time shown to hav^ been employed in
classical studies, and then that yon would file the papers, and send me copyof die order. I
a^ very truly, ^. SILAS WRIGHT, J«.
* - - 1
A^hdrew JackumCsfint ntminaiicm as President^ by his Old AssociaUt Aaron Burr,
[No. 996.1 From the Memoirs of Aaron Bnrr, vol 3, page 433. Extract from Bunr't
letter to Joiepn Alston, governor of South Carolina:
New York, November 80, 18U.
'A eoncreasicmal caucus will, in the course of the eiusuing month, nominate James Monroe
for President of the United States, and will eall on all good repubUewns to support the nominal
tkm. WheUier we consider the measure itself^ the character amd talents oj the ina/Hy or the
sUdi whence he comes, this nominatum is equaXby eoccwti^mubie amd odious. 1 have oiten heard
your opinion of these congremonal nomiruUions. They are hostile to ail freedom amt inde-
pendence of suffrage. A certain junto of actual and foctitious Virginians, Mving had posses-
sion of the ffovemmeni for twenty-four 3rears. consider the United States as their property,
and, by bawling ^support the Administration,* have too long succeeded in duping the R£puii.i-
CAN Public. ♦ ♦ The moment is extremely auspicious for breaking down this degrading
system. The best citizens of our country acKnowledge the feebleness of our Administrff^oft,
'they acknowledge that offices are bestowed merely to preserve power and toHhout (he smalka
regard to fitness. If, then, there be a man in the United States of firmness and decision, and
having standing enough to afford even a hope of success, it is your duty to hold him up to the
public view: that man is Andrew Jackson. Nothing is wantmg but a respectable nomina-
tion, made before the proclamation of the Virginia caucus, and Jackson's success is inevitable.
If this project should accord with yourviews, I could wish to see you prominent in the execu*
tion of At. It must be known to be your work. Whether a formal and 0{)en nomination should
now be made, or whether you should, for the present, content yourself with barely derwuneing,
l^ajoint resolution of both houses of your legislature, congressional caucuses and iUfminaHons,
you only can judge. One consideration inclines me to hesitate about the policy of a present
maminatUm — ^it is this : that Jackson ought /rs^ to be admonished to \ie passive; for, the mpment
lie shaU be announced as a candidate, he will be assailed by the Virginia junto, with menaces
and with insidious promises of boons and favors. There is danger that Jackson might bs
WROUGHT UPON BY SUCH PRACTICES. If au opcu nomination be made, an express should be in-
sUmtty sent to him; &c. AARON BURR,
Young JHenmerhassett hastens from Montreal to ask an office from S^ ^artwouty his father^s coU
league in the Burr Movement.
[No. 297.1 Harman Blennerhassett, to Collector Swartwout. New York, April 15,
1889. — Dear Sir: I respectfully take this liberty to remind you that I am a candidate for aa
appointment to any situation in the Custom House which your goodness and circumstances
will allow you to offer me. As reference to my character or abilities, I beg to mention the Ib^
lowing gentlemen from whom I can submit a written recommendation, should that be neces-
sary, and will offer any further testimonials you require.
Robert Emmett, T. A. Emmet, Jr., David Codwise, William H. Harrison, William H.
Maxwell, Cadwallader D. Colden, counsellors at law; Doctor M'Neven, Broadway ; Doctor
Jjtidlow. Hudson street ; B. M*Evers, Walter Odie, John Griswold, merchants ; Gerard Beek-
man, Bleeck^ street ; Robert Stewart, Benjamin Romaine, Hudson street, gentlemen, ^
I was bom on my father's island in the Ohio, and have spent the principal part of my life in
the United States, with the exception of a fewvears that I lived in Canada, where I completed
my education; AND CHERISHING THE HIGHEST SENSE OP YOUR FRIEND-
SHIP FOR MYSELF AND FAMILY, and with the ardent hope that you may find some
post in your department in which I can be useful, I have the honour, &c.
HARMAN BLENNERHASSETT.
T%e dtd BuTTTtf aid-de<amp in direct cotrespondence with the chief manufacturer of revolt in
Texas,
[No. 298.1 Collector Swartwout to General Sainnel Houston, Texa^. New York, It
May, 1835. — My dear Geneial. I am most h^ppy to make ygu acquainted with the bearer,
Jd r. Fortune, my very good and highly esteemed friend. Mr. Fortune has business on hand
of MOM inqtomnoeJA respect to the Fclaiola gramin jonr txsamj. Give him all the «J4
Digitized by V^OOQ IC
dSO BWARTWOVT, BOVftTON, NEVILLE AND TEXAS.
ilV. •..,-.,
you can in his honorable and praiseworthy efforts to settle your delightful Texas. Mr7 For-
tune is intimately acquainted with the details of the Cartiajal piu^hase^ He was a witness to
the whole transaction, and will give you all the particulars, i/nite with kirn to get me my
gt^i^y and, as in duty bound, I will ever way. I remain yours, my dear general,-
S. SWARTWOUT.
* / ■ ,. . ■ .
[No. 99Sa] Major Morgan Neville, to Collector Swartwout, K. Y. Cincinnati, Jan,
15, 1830. MvDeair S^yjartwout: * ♦ ♦ I thank you for the pledge you give me, of inter-
esting yourself for me at WasHington, * ♦ * My wife, who is a niece of Capt. lieth of
Richmond, one of Burr's securities, * ♦ * I would have gone to Mexico, W not as
ChfMTge* I know I am better qualified for the station than any man of our party in the west
* ♦ * 1 would prefer going to Texas, if that province be ceded. Under the administra-
tion of Jackson I can accept of no minor office — 1 know too well my own claims and my own
standing. At the time Clay's feelings were the most bitter against me, a Senator high in his
confidence pressed me to accept the Charge-ship to Sweden at Somerville's death. Of colirse
I declined. There is something preposterous in the offer of a similar oflftoe under jtn admin*
istration, for the success of which I have done as much, at least, as any man in Ohio. A
Caucus is now holding at Columbus. An officious devil of the name of Watsoil-is getting
recommendations from every source he can. * ♦ * Since the election, abstract. Jackaon-
iim (the true spirit of reformj has not been sufficiently cherished in our state; faction and im-
pudence have pushed themselves into office. Those among us whom public opinion placed
in the front rank of the party, have not been consulted, and the state of Ohio has been degraded
to make room for- the glorification of Kentucky. * • ♦ I have been told that THE OLD
BURR BUSINESS has been %sed against me. Believe me, as in boyhood, sincerely your •
frieftd, MORGAN NEVIlii:.
Siearkoout pays court to Jackson by carrying out Van BurevDs views — so far.
[299.] Samuel Swartwout to Col. Frost Thome, Nacogdoches, Texas. New York.
18 May, 1835. — My Dear Colonel: I take the greatest pleasure in making you acquainted
with my friend Mr. Fortune^ who goes to T^xas^ in company with Mr, Bossie, and young Mr.
Zavala* on buwi£ss for a Company in which I hm>e am, interest. Both these gentlemen are en-
titled to your perfect confidence and respect ; and I shall esteem it a great favor if you will
receive them all as my confidential friends. Mr. Fortune was a witness to the Cuabojal affair,
and. will give you such information as will enable you to press the justice of my claims. I Wish
you to insist upon the precise tract surveyed by Newton and Strode, as I consider that a valua-
ble traot. Do all you can for me, and oblige Yours, most truly, SAMUEL SWARTWOUT.
A queer and curious Epistle^ considering its date. ^
[No. 300.] Collector Swartwout to Collector Breedlove, New Orleans.
(Private.) New York, 6 Nov. 1835.— Dear Sir: This letter will be handed to you by
James Morgan, Esq., who is on his way to Galveston Bay, Texas. Mr. Morgan is deeply
interested in the cargoes of two vessels which have lately sailed from this port for Galreston,
with large and valuable cargoes on board. These vessels have been ordered to rendezvous at
the southwest pass of the Mississippi, and there wait for convoy. The war between Mexico
and Texas renders the passage from the Mississippi to Galveston a very hazardous one. Mr.
Morgan is therefore desirous of procuring the protection of the U. S. Revenue Cutter as far
atfthe mouth ctf Galveston Bay. As his vessels have na contraband goods on board, I have
thought it possible that you might be able to grant him this favor. Should it be in your poirar
to do so, you will renaer the parties concerned a most acceptable service, and personally
oWigc SAMUEL SWARTWOUT.
Swartwout*s intefests very large in T^exas — Neutrality Practised.
[Na 301.1 Collector Swartwout, New York, to Col. Frost Thorn, Nacogdoches, Texas.
Nbw York, November 11, 1835. — ^Dear Sir : General John T. Mason has been requested, by
me, to deposit with you a certificate or grant of eleven leagues of land in texas, which I
purchased from him, and which he has kindly agreed to procure to be recorded at Nacogdo-
ches, and get the commissioner to name a surveyor fpr. I have also given James Morgan a
letter or order to receive the ssune, which order 1 will thank you to honor on presentaUon, as
Mr. Morgan is to locate the saine for me, and is a citizen of Texa.^.t
* Was this the son of Zavala who had so steadily supported .Poinsett, when in trouble in Mtezico, and
whom Santalina finally subdued ? Yes. He was a kind contractor.
t This note was printed in the Lives of Hoyt and Butler, with the words John Y. for John T. Mamn, and so I
lead Mr. Swartwout's manuscript. Having been since assured that it wa«» Mr. Mason the father of a Gownor
of Michigan, and not Mir. Maaon the cabinet minister, that speculated in Texas lands, 1 offer this exfrianation oC
the alteration now made. Can Mr. Swartwout alienate his Texas lands ? Has he done so 1 A)« they atratlable
Ibr bi«i defalcations, or n payment in such cases not exftected 1 VtTby did General Jackson allow or encourage
Ma chief jrevenue ufficer to interfere in the imernalconeeras of Texas, raise tettlers, ahd speculate in lands th^ere 1
Waa this ne]|^trality.towardfl Mexico 1 Certainly not after the Canada fbahion. Who got the 1860.000 nrhich
%riitwoat leported to Woodbury as being in the U. S. Bank to meet contingencies 1
Digitized byCjOOQlC
, tlEXAN B8¥ATSS. BEERS, VAN BVREN AND WETMORC. 261
) •
(No. 302. 1 The Same to the Same. New York, 1 1 Febraaiy , 1836.— My Dear Sir :
I i*«!Vfdfakdla:&fe)tt|Fq^Min^«E:]AM preo^ aceeptod^
bot there iMiafio loiter of adviBiiaedQnipaftyinlf it This I regi«t, as I do not knMr "trhat it'i# -
for, allliQ^hi {itf^snnie it is for the T^xan cause. If so, please to inform me by the letnm
poot— General Mason leaves this for Nacogdoehesto^a^MTOw morning. He goes on for the
purpose 0f locating kfa grants, I have tequested him to speak to yon about Car&OI'stmiteOBs/.
about TVhich I will thank yoa to write jne ; I hsnre paid your third draft, or rather my third
note due..28th January. My interests are now very large in Te^as, and 1 pray yoa. to do a)t
you .can' to sustain A&son.* l^pu must not £orget that we w^ho have hitherto pan^hased and .
paid. for ^ur land^ were in a great degree the cause of your -getting so many gallant men '
mto your country. I received a newspaji^ of your |daoc of the Sd January, this mom- •
ing, and thank you for it. We all feel that Tijjcaf is now Independent. But> my dear Sir, do i"
not let your ne]2r government run into ext):avagances,.Iet themcon&rm all the land grants^
and ii will give confidence to tl^ose who mav become purcl^sers, or residents hereafter. \^^
them ^0exee>ti^ holers in the stat«f ^U nave their rights preserved, and they will increase"
the vauue of tneir public domain. Let them also authorize foreigners or people in the states
and in i^urofei to Sold real estate as if -they' wei^ on the soil. .Nothing would so ^ give cha-
racter to your country^: j^ you are an old and respected citizen, your advice ought to have
weight. Therefore speak. Po, my dear friend', let me hear from you what is my Atogu^ •mtw .
wo^ that is when you shall, have made and maintained your independence! "V^ite m^
all a\)out that and other matters, Believe me very sincerely youre, »
SAM-ITEL SWARTWOtrr.
-. , ■ ■• ". ., '* : — ' — : \ — '
WUTOore.and, ike Bmrd q} Brokers, Jbs^ D. Beers tAe diiMansUd (/) reUred Phumderm
.(N«,4N8.j GeiMial Prosper M. Wetmore to H«nry G. Stebbine, Esq., Wall str«et|
Nmw Ymk, ^J^smsMy Chamber, Mmmky, Fsbvuftry 6, 1836. My Dter Sir: Abmrasiin
pr«M«re of huatneM, areMdtJng ts&m my veoent abseaee, has prevented an earlier reply ir-
ydiy lettttT; TiM>af the refiiesta containied iff your Jsst letter cannot ifeHl be eom|»iM •
with m OBOMqQeBDa oC «iy distancii hoot, itut «». I ahould hare beeii most hjnyoy to
vifllMtitir beaid, aad to dosmbs myself ofMch &etsr as wotdd enable me suceeasluUy tv •
deftfta theai. A«' to tha &rm of the memorial, it is nsMally tho better course to makeii ' *
brief aAd wderale in tone. Show no Wflonnth of feeting— Mek to convince by the f(xe» t
of itMon-r^avald -iFntifioa This is'the heat adTroe I cm give voa. It might be well to >
set ^mh some pvoBitaieiit faels «Giinoettd with &e positive good done by the Exchange
BottPd; snoh as te JOtradion of Onstai to«oar city, the confidence given to Capi»afi)M» :
abntad BY Tlffi P]iRM;A2fSNT AND STABL£ CHARACTER <^IV£N TO OGK*
LOBAI. STOCKS tmtUing fagm^fumr Mif quaktHom, &c, I wodld certainly advise the
presenee here of some discreet, hHiiBlgant 'imd. respectable meudter of the board, at an «arl)P
day. ^Mieh'banefit will ensue from compliance wnh this ssggestifin. I would fmthar lecom-
mend the early transmission of your memorial. Could you not send up a Committee of
three, AND L£T J. D.'BBKRB BE* ONB? JF name Mm. m one Hb^ ie ^giv»' weiskt to
mck^^ iisguMm^jn well froorfhis general siding, 04 faom^ pteja^ tM he kfis .H^flBS^
from ike dusinesff. e^ mof^ tierrfare ciaun ie ^ duinjienufed. in kif ^0rt$. J viite in 4i^ \
tremeh«#,w th&nyidat of the most urgent -enfa^QSments. '', * . «
«k It wUr aw^ me {)leas«ze tq K#e(r you ai^ service in my power^ coaaisteiU with other
aMOciations. With respect and regard, 1 am very truly yours,
PROSPER M. WETMORE.
. '*
Pai^ CfUimg iein^ Jaa^ a^ Jokik V. Jk^ in^uteculattng «ut€^JJu: DeposUes^Van Burets
pttU vnJSfT detile jn-efits,.
(Na-9t4.] Attom^ 'Geiierai<' John Van Bi»entD Jesse Hoyt, New York. Albant,
Aug. J9,> 1836. Mr Djeaa HaHS^ ' Ont inquiry I find that I can get one of tho Batdcs in thill
city to deposit,- snbjoet to ttieir own oifder, such«inn as may be require to make the aiv
rangemeat of wUch we anoke, in any Bank in New Yc»*k(Sfi^ the Fulton), that you may
chooao! &i0 will answer the pnrpow provided you can get thte Bank selected to 4oftn you the
money on-vour &ote. AU imt BBiika'are neatly up to their limit, and! cannot borrow the
money. liieBhttk here will charge ^'fiank there tf per cent. int. on the Depoait, and yoa- •
wUl pay 7 probaUy. If thia moets your vleii^ you will please advise me by return mail. If
yon agree^'ta fWs me %alftke profits ofikf mterpixe- prr making this anangtmeni; please send
me a sHpuUUton to that effect] sigmd hif ^f9urte^elnd CutHfUgy i»ken 'you write.
• JotiB T. MasborSt in earty a^Isfl Vkglate for1Cisnta*k|'— «nd,*aitif77An siiice, reawved from tfienoe to
MIeliifRn. His son. John T., becaioe secretiqry of the territoty of Michigan ; and when it became a state the ^eor
^^mdUbAhSm their govemof. VLk waff^fond of speculating hi laiids, was v«ry de^troUs to see Cnn^a annexM
to ttiift-lfniDa, rtiairneda dtii«litsi^ttf Tfasddeiur VliBlpa, of N«w Yoric, iii wM<ih city he eofmaeaeed business as n
taf^ei^ And died a0v«st yeois ago^ Hta (sUmt a»aila s«vMnil visits larTeiaa, ai«l Pforident TylDr Sfipotaifeed hlA
a comii^i^iBiqaerMAderpoive Indian treaty. , . , v ,
Digitized by CjOC5Q 1(5'
963 VAN BtftKK dEGS JBS9E TO HBLP UiU t7P ^POft 00^8 SAKe!!
vb«k o«r Bs&k c$Us on the N. Y. Bank for the Deponit, wUdbtom m€ bt m vew^M.
. Yonrstrvl^ JI VAN BUIUS2A.
''BfUm\hT^trf&ti9f^ft:^'P9r Gail's $ake' mure me 1J^ Pmidm^p, said MtHm VmtBm$wni
(No. 305.] Attorney GJeneral J. Van Btiren to Ex^Comml*«loiicr Hoyt.
AfiBAfiY, Not'. 11, 1636.*-^My Df.ar Hott ; 111 do tJie jnstice to say (ana so does my fit-
th«},that^ • ' '— . _^>._,
inN.Y. :
besite« Reflates
thin State oar majority wiU railge from 15 to MM^. Bets on 15 on* perfeetfy v^.
For Q — d's sawe let onr fri^»ds tnm all their attention to New Jcwey, and net be dld^t
napping there, as in Connecticut. Mufaihcr iciskes me tvMij s^ta ymt. '
Yonwtrul}', J. VANBUIKRJf.
Ap^ir of 4S4^mhlers hetUthft on RhNion^^ke Peltier Mng'^Comdku pui in CMtmeerv.
^TNo 306.1 Collector Ho>'t lo Coltectdr Lawtenfce. [n6t sent/] New Tobk, Nov, 21,
1B?6: Deai: Sir : As the excitement of the election has in a ^at degree passed away, it is
proper that 1 should pay attention to those incidents In whick lam concertied, connected trtti
it ; thqugh perhaps I ought to apologize to you for not having done this sooner. You trfll re-
collect thiat ti^h^Ti f WHS reproached by you for having voted a " split ticket," that / proposed to
bet if<ni SI 00, M/i/ yoti rotrd ithat icfix gene r any cuUed " tJie Prwler Mug Tifiket^^^ fina that I
wouM t*ke <ipon myself the burthen rf proofto establfiti the flict Tour teply ^as tiiat jren '
*' wo^ take' the bet, if I took itptHi mytMlf ibff bwrttoi^df piPot;ibr you had mrver tflM«B3r<|ie
hov yon hadYot«KL" 1 answered that It shoald b^cooiidefid a boC. lUiere aM^Vtuiottirajv
reogpktzad in leml pnxiMdtugs ot^ oAkixvp pMypfand compemit pRnf too in ccMttto «f l»w$ m*
fbmnbi of eoik8cfleneer>^ which perhAM did »ot oocor to yo« wtai y4« fl^wtr na yos ^hatk
lMV«r told any cme how yoahad voied.^ Aller «Kh a rewiirlr, the ijfhl more MMMrly taa-^
lolled to me to teleet my own tribunal, thvoigli whkh.1 wosid imUw the f&ooO- iwtnntowtid
to «ake. Thai tribiuial is a cocirt oi £<|Aity, or ui other woids Aoowt of dOniciitit. in
En|to»^, the country irom whkh u-e have derivad mostof o«r l^gal ibnu, certain hi^ <UfD^
taites aaawcr bills in Equity upon konot aad mottip^ oatk, I am )wimly wlNiaf to flmm
yo« oQ Che same Iboting, and I tfaorelare desire y^n to aoasider this my h^ ^ Ejwiti,
cbcrgifi^ that you voted the ticket referred to, i ask yaa to aiisww the ehargie, aftd whAMT
the answer may be I 'Shall be perieeUy satined with. I-eacldseyiMiiikytheckibr tfielPOQ^it
ya«r order, which you will use, if mnder the eiicuBMitaaees yaia are entitled m,9MS^ntt'
yon triU jpliune to return it, wi^ your own iat an equal mammd.
With great respect, your obedient servt. J. HOTT.
Mr. Van Mwwi, having secured tke Preskdentfi ofdmt ike plmktdmUr.
' |Na S(r7.'] President Van Buren to Jesse Hoyt, N. X D«tr Mr^Pleftse 1d aslt Af^.
LeggtU to sead me his paper. Please also ask the editors ^ the BveningPoet to send their
paper here. It now goes to Albany. Yours truhr, M. v AN BTJltSK.
fThe abov« was written on a sheet of gilt pdlst^ irom Warirington, Dec., iBKi]
REMAaas.
Mr. Leggett was Me and honest* but although he censured Van Huren severely for his
sycd^umtie conduct to the south In nls Insngtiral ahout ifiavery at Washington^ Y^a Bora
and Butler persuaded him that they were sincere in Aeir eflbrts to divorce bank and state. I
think it was to get him out of the wav, as mach as toplease hie nnmeronsin^ds; lltat Tan
Buren a^ppointod him to a commercial mission In one of the South American states^ JLqMl
died soon alter, on iiong Island, ii^ l»sapthyear. V anderpoel pciorod htnwelf a bittar opno-
ncnt of the right of the sovereign people to petttk)n their hired servants in Cofigrees ngilx
slavery. Vanderpoel came into the A^ssembly of New Yock a Clintoaian-'-*his fiunily were
opposed to the war of 1813->one of Van Buren'a sons marriaik his nieee. Ue waa for Yaa
Bu9en in Congress, and is now a city judge in New Ymh. When ho asotnded tho'sap^kr
' coim bench, a son of Clinton was clerk. Him ho caused to he rooioved immedihtely, mA
gavo the situation to his brother4n-law, Oaklev. Owing to the snonAis 'etyle of his ^
quence, he was named when in Coagreso, " the KindeihocJc loarer."
Aaron the Judge no propk et -^^aektonf ike Uturtrs, amd ttr Treasun^ Cifetdmr*
[No. 308.] Judge Aaron VaiiderpoeJ to Jesse HoyL N. Y. Washington, Tiieaday, (tti
Dec., 1836. My dear Sir^Vours came to hand day before yester^y. and had I fieaa man
of a "AMtM^JBoiter," so that i conld have ^^imma^ mtet course the opposfticm woiria «te,I
would have answered it more promptly ; but all here among Us Is dom and tmeerthftlCr as
to the tack our adversaries are now going upon. ^
Digitized by^OOQlC
.26i^
L4N0 SALltS T6 ACTtTAL SETTLERS. VANDKKPOhU VAN BOttEN.
Hiey ^H seem to be verT goocUaattttvd as^d wry glad to see as. but whether t2)e " treasui;
ord«r » will bo ixnwaved-aa a meafiiof gettioff «P aa^Qther cungr^ssioDoi panic remains yet
to be jttdleafied. Tfa6 message speaks for itseU. ft strikes me, that those who are now under
tbapdweror the screws of usurers and shaveis tajmot deriye much consolation fiom thai
d oammi t Tba M €&irf Is uawilUi^to admit, tiiat ^ goyermneni has by any m:t cofitri.
bufed td the. pmaant pMsauir in ^ mQ»rf market. His dootrine is, that it has Us oiigin in
th« silBelMa^!3t espansion of Um papier ayatem, and th« mad speculationa and overtrading of
the laateightaanvmontjia. You know too that the Presidentvis in (m£ respet^Uki RevokUitn^l
H9 iwtwNrt)eri«GlMwrri«.^ l.will not hazard evesa a conjec^re as to the main point of your
letter, we lunre as vet no more ftclUtles for accurate guei»sing here as to^the future move-
menta^f tiM oooo$mkm ikuk yen hare at New Y^k, and I cannot therefoie do more than
aubaaiiba a^a4df yom friend, A. VANDKRPOEJU
Tke Special Order, Benfjm, Talking a Session out
S^o.309.J t. O. Cambbdcng, M. C, to J^pmS Hoyt, Wall street, N. Y. Washino-pon,
Dec'r, 1836. Dear H.—I cannot tell »ou what will be the fate of the Special Order-
though it is not a favorite meaaujre "With eitner Hous^. Benton will, however, make a strong
spfecn about it, and h^ has besides, strong ground. Thai question^ and no other, vnU be soon
decided. We shall coiisonje the session in battles i^bout the Tariff and Public t«ands.
, Very truly yours, O. C. CAMBRELENG.
A Democratic^ (/ /) Congress encourage the Pet Bank PotUicians to buy the Public Lands wjth the
Public Money ^ and refuse to check specvlaUon at the setUefs' expense. Van JBufen supposed to
bep^Uriotic, A UM about seUing tie natumaZ lands to settlers only.
[No. 310.J WiUiam L. ]\£ay, M. C, to Jesse Hoyt, N. Y. Washington, Dec. 9.
18064 My dear sir: lamineUned to believe that a v^y general disposition exists on the
pajt (kT W friends of 4he Administration t(f limit the Mies of ,ih€ Public Lands to actual set-
tlers :. should this be accomplished (and i see no reason at present to doubt it) the necessity of
keeping, the • Treasury Order in, force w^ould no longer exist, and the President [General
Jackflon] would thi^ be supj^ied with th« best possible reason for its immediate repeal. All .
partieSf so iar as my know&dg^ extends, deprtcaie ihe oard£.r^ not only as injurious to ^-^eiy ,
branch <^ trade, but 04 tending greatly to .lessen tJie number of/mr pditicial friends. A few more
changes in Pennaylvaflia and our party wUl be in the minority. How important^ then, not
only aa it regards the wel£»re of the .country, but also as it segards our existence as a party, ,
that some. speedy measures ^ould be ad(^ted to qwet the public mind, and restore confidence
to the trading part of the community. As yet I have had no opportunity ol conversing with
Mr. Van Boren on these subjeots, ^uid am of course ignorant of his views. I am credibly
in&rmedi however, that HR IS OPPOSED TO THE OHDER; and it m^ fisurly be pre-
sumed tt)iit his firiends will adopt any course not lively to wound the sensibility of the Presi-
dent, to get rid of it. The plans of the Opposition are not yet developed; I cannot even
boaiectttb the cour^ they iwill be most likely to puwue. * * * ♦. * 1 remain your friend,
^ WILUAM L, JVIAY.
[No. 341. J The same to same. Washington, Dec. 22, 1836. Dear sir; The Treaairy
Order will not, in my opinion, be re|>ealed( but I think that a law, Umiting t^ sales of land
to the aobual settler, v^ill be passed. Since I saw you I disposed of a pojrtion of the land I
sold to yom at $1000 per acre, in Philndelphia. I am still inclined to sell five or ten acres
more; but I -^ould be unwilling to take a cent less than $1^ per acre, for the whole, or .
any piaat of the iracU In haste, I remain your friend, WILLIAM L. MAY.
Solomon S&uthmek's tm Characters of his friend Van Buren.
[No. 312.1 Solomon Southwick to W- L- Mackenzie. Jlochester, N. V. Ai^bany, Dec.
8th, 1838.^ hope, my dear sir, that you are now convinced of what I told you in August last,
that Van Buren was heartless, liypocritical, sdfish and unprincipled. He is the tool or slave
of a foul heart and a false ambition, ^and never possessed a particle of true greatness. I .speak
not from prejudice— I knew iiim intimately— very intimately, fb? seventeen<years--anii n^ver
knew him to act from a. noble and disinterested motive ; always full of low cui|Biiig, dark in- .
trigue, and base selfishness. When I told you this in August, you seemed to be siu:pri|ed— ,
but are yon not now satisfied 1 I fisar that the leaders of both parties, with but few excepUbns, '
are agamst the freedom of Canada. This is a eensual, selfish, money-making age. It seems
to me you might have known-better than to go to Washington, that sink of iniquity, corrup-
tion, and BritiBh influence I Van Buren and his tools are the slaves of Victoria.
Yours truly, • $. SOUTHWICK.
, [Prm thAJSmiy Hegistsr tf Ap-ii, 1812.]
|a the li^iddte Ojstrlct^ we rejoice ii^ tl^e n^inatwp of }4x, Va^ Buren. Wel^velciu^
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264. JIECCMMENDATI0N8 TO OFFICE IN THE V, 8. CUSTOMS*
known and esteemed him. He possesses genius, intelligence, and eloquence— has long been
one of the firmest props of the Republican metm, and trttti a^rpirtt wWch wiH not bend twaer^
vility or sycophancy, cannot foil to beeeifee a ^fet|«gttflhed ■»'»'s«^^"«^ of^^fjIIS^
_j - r— . ■■ ■ ■ .1.
,Mse Bfftft as Van Buren's CoUector of CMbtms^^^^Skwnf UWmp» i {Wat^ ^ a»f0^ Im0 St*-
Stiit, hrffa'nts paHrver {»r editor) fi)¥ tks Etenmg Pm^^lerk mtke Ctukm. Umm, mU-br^*
iker. to mrfir^ ctmnOy ji^ge,) Cusiom Mmse S^p^nd Seandal-immger^^h^matmtg Hlm^ftfrm 0f
Wfd^^erf-^lmfi to get nHted in the famiUf esteems^tkt CrocbtrMian's CM^ M^r$tui4 JOtd
myi^f'-'Bo^gs pki democraHt^^Wkstervelty ' tkmtvjgB^ loco^Btco^^Depei/tter dmmm Vim Bvk-
fen 1/0 hi$ cosi^* Who the depU is Mr. S^f--* the rtmbeSt WMg'^eiOkmg'^^a nere irorie^
^€fe6. A. Wasson gets a comrade-^Lormze BmfVs rule ef$Bcret d^mation^ piU t» sk^idf ^ptrm-
ium^My Tiep^evf Rose-^Dan. Winskip and »?t— ' MybrotkerikeJmdge^'^'^kthim imfewmed^
^how to secure a large family iiiterest,
: {No. 313.} Henry Ulshoeffer to Collector Hoyt. [N^W Yoik,] 17th Mareb, ]^8a
MEMORANDUM.
" Georqe W. Rosi: has laid before' you an application Ibr Ckrkship in doors, or ftxe office
o{' Inspector^ whichever shall appear to be at your disposal. I hare already stated to you (and
Inow repeat it for your rememDrance) that he is telafed td me as nephew (by a sister). He
has mostly resided in the Seventh Ward, where he kept a ship-chandler's store, as successor to
my el^st brother, George Ulshoeffer. .(Th«y were partners at his death.) My brother^ in his
wiU, directed Mr. Kose to go on with the business and pay to my fatW and mother, the fuH
value of the stock at the time of his decease, for their future comfort. Before he accom-
plished this he became iTtsdvent, but acted with good faith to his grand-parents, and paid them
for the i&tock (the balance due at his failure being small). He then prociii^ a t^lea^efrom his
creditors by great exertions, arid with Ihe aid of sonw friends went into the grocery businew
in Cherry street, which made ' both ends meet,' apparently. Last May he removed his stofft
into Goenties SHp, and took a partner, and attempted to do a better bttsinee^; but the change
that came over me business community overset all his calculations, and he has43een wastiiig:
hi!5 means ever since in necessary expenses. To crown all \\vi misfortunes, his ston totrit
fire the early part of March, ^d his whole stoclt was lost. Though liie slock Ura« covered
by insurance, it had been procured mostly upon credit, and must be paid iot\ dibd even if it
had been otnerwise, tiie prospect of doing business ibr a long wMle is but a hopelest one.
Trade is not likely to revive for a considerable period, and Mr. Rose thinklK he must finally
give up. Under these circumstances, Mr. Rose wisheer to withdrew fVom kis buBiaess^ and
take such an appointment as will afford him a livelihood for a few years. 'ilei$ a demacral
qfffur stamp — is pertinacious in argument, and of ^ood edncatioa. In the ScvwaA Ward, A#
breasted ^ storm of Wki^s^ery in 1834, and suffered in his business s5me on that account. As
to his qualifications, I will assure you be is fit for any of the Clerkships in doors— he writes a
good hand— is good at figures and calculations. As to an out*4oor appointment, he is far
superior to many vfhia are now in ofiice. This* I well know. Mr. Rose has a wife and one
child, and is about 3& years of ase. As I have before said to you personally, this is an affiur
which I feel an interest in — and if you can appoint him you will confer another favor
(among <Hhers)on me, as well as him. ii wia also raise me in the esteem of onrfamSi^^ who
affect to believe there is no chance for him. My brother the Judge, Mr. Jordan and otheis,
have doubtless spoken to you on this subject.
Joseph Garnisb, with whom I have been acquainted for years, is a^ying ffk the (^fifie
of Inspector. He is about 33 years oi age, and was formerly a c!erk of Uwemar the crockery
dealer in Broadway, where your wife has purchased Chftia-ware frequenfly. Qamias
boards with my motiefi-in-law, ami has for several years. He boards in John street (2d
Ward). I know him well — hu politics are of the right kind. Every day at dinner Gamiss
-and I have a regular conversatitm with the Whigs at table, and f have found him firmly
and enthusiastically attached to the administration. Although I h%ve no personal interesi
in Ms application, I know of no young man I could 'more cordially recommeBd to your
notice, both on account of his pohtics and capacity. I pl^toe him oidy next to Mr. Rose
in the interest I feel in his application. Owing to change ia trade and the neoe96lty'X)f
economizing, Mr. Colemar was oHiged to dismiss Mr. Oamiss, and every departmtent-sdenis
to be filled in, dther places where he has sotighf for employment. He is a single aan.
James Monroe Winship, a young man 19 years of age, applies for a Clerkship He-
is son of Daniel Winship, butcher of Fulton Market, and resides "in the ITtti WAnJ. fl&^
of course a Demofrat^ as 1 know from repeated coavensatioiM. You have sden him at your
house, and can judge somewhat of his merits. As to my own knowledge Of 'his eapacity,4tan
say no more th^n that I believe himi to be qualified for some situation of small salary. Bis
father has contribTUed UberaUy in pumey to the Democratic party ^ and it would be securing a
large family interest for the administrmonj if the appointment could be made.
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VAN BUREN DEMOORACT REGULATING THE POLITICAL MACHINE. 265,
r:
George W. Shourt wants the place of Carimian to the Public ^tore in Nassau street '
As he has seen you on, the subject, and you Imow his politics, you can form an opinion of
hisjnerit, and the expediency of doing whi^.^e wi^cjs. He |ias for some time been tke Cart-
vian of the Evening Post^ carrying daily the Adil paper* to the Post Office. He is a 15th
"Warder, and you can take care of him without any urging* from me.
Edmund J. Gross is an applicant for the place of Inspector. He is of the 10th Ward. Of
coarse he is a Democrat. I introduced him to you one day in your office in Wall street.
He is a married man of about 45 years of age, judging from his appearance. He is a
resp^table xnan^aAd Fouldj have no dgubt, fill the, place creditably. He relies much on my
innuaice inttiisbtisinei^ Iffu I have/no pinTiicidar fkterestHik his (t^tUcc^bH, , ' ■ ,«. "^' /
William J. Boggs is an applfcAnt for flie appointment'bf Ins^ctor. ' I nto. 'kell %cquiBlnt^
with him— -know his politics to be thoroughly Democratic — and as he depends a great deal on
what I say to you, I will be candid enough to say that the letters he has laid before you,
signed by Mr. Cambreleng, Colonel Johnson and others, although entitled to great weight,
ought not to be conclusive. He tX)ok great interest in Mr. Coe's application for the CoUect-
orship, and wrote letters to Washing|on iji his beh3Jf, an^ with Ely Moore and others, en-
deavored to defeat your appointment. He is at present a le^ter-earrif r in the Post Office,
an<f though / at one time felt dispose to do -eU I c&uld for him^ some things have induced
me not to urge you strongly in his faxox. He is in ^e lOth Word, and has a family.
Mr. Coddington can tell you about him.
The above applicants are all new ones.
Oi those who are at-^ already in the, Custom, House \ will- speak as foUows :
James Westervelt is .a Weigher^ and has spoken to me about his situation. He is
tharof^hlyf locd-foco^ and ought ikot to be removed. There is fao dbjection to his beJ»t eor
taiaca tluit Tkiiowot He has been in office about eighteen months. Peter Coutant is
9J\ Jn^pectoTj and has been in office about a year and an half I J^ow him well. He is
one of the firmest of our party. Old Gilbert Coutant is h[s uncle. He has been persecuted
fonneilr by the Whigs, and had to abandon his business in consequence. He ought to \m
reSftinea by all m^eans. He is >3on-inrlaw oi Daniel Winship,
XiiOMAs KiHK is a Weigher f and now in office. He has not spoken. a word to me on
the subject of his being retained, but I cannot omit the oppoVtunfty, while I am making
tKese memorandums, of recommending, cordially, his reappomtment. He is a fine oid gen-
tleman, of our politics ; and has been a constant visitor at the office of the Ewning JP0U,
where he frequently discourses on poHtjcs — and, of course, his (pinions are weU known to
Bryant and myself He was once of the firm -of Kirk & Mercein, booksellers of this city.
JosfiPH DrtETWJtfs is now as fetspector, and wishes to be transferred to the French Jkor
in tbe PubiicSMK^ in MttiiKitM street, where the pay is the same as ha now gets, and whioh
change would enah^ lpun,(on account of greater convenience in the hours of business) to
pay some attention to oth^r matterSy and make his incoTtie better — or rather enable him to in-
struct his children in some branches of education. In this store he would be attendantiiuxm
the appraisers. Knowing his politics to be decidedly Democratic^ 1 would recommend^ if
nothing interfered in your opinion, his transfer to the Public Store. He is a good jxidgQ
of French articles, and might be of service in that department.
Among those who are opposed to the adihinistration, and in office, there-is A. S. Devetster
(weig^her). He is a thorough Whig, but has urged some Democrats to speak to you for him. -
Look out for him ! He told ^ Mr. Daniel Witiship that " Mr. Van Buren was a damned little
rascal," or woi^ to that effect — and this too very recently. Samuel B. Fleming is a Con-
servative jycmxxdX of the rankest sort. He was a strenuous advocate for Coe*s appoint-
ment to tiietJollectorship^and said before yon was nominated, " Who the devil is Mr. Hoytl
Who ever heard of himi" &c. Henry K. Frost, a Clerk, I know to be the rankest Whig
breathing, and ought to be removed without scrapie. George Aicabd, aa Inspector, has
been in office several years, and is, I understand, in good pecuniary circumstances, and could
live withoiit the office. He i» from the lOth Ward. He stSarcely ever attends our meeting,
and is,, in apolitical point of view, a mere drone. Let him be removed 1 ,
Henry W*****t, an Inspectof, is a drunken beast, and notwithstanding his politics, he
ought to be removed. This is public sentiment wherever he is Imown. Any one in th©'
m W^rd will say so."
Rb^abkvbt W. L. M.— The original letter. is in the possession of C. S. Bogardus— the au-
thor is de«d-»-his remarks ase on pablic mfttters^ and beWg to history. Some people say, you
mast not tell any bad things done by the dead. Does the Bible say so % Are the histories of
Ameiiea, Prance; England, and Iseland silent about bad men and bad actions in cases where
flie parties are dead 1 The Yesrf Jgrst act of the London Times, when the prolate George
IV. had gone to iris last account,^ was to review his life,, and hold h,im up to thie example of
posterity Tas a monster, scarcely lei^ wicked than Henry VTII., or any others of the worst of
England's kings.' It is wrong tt)«peak falsely of the departed} very wrong' to erect marble
matrac^eums to meanly amhitioos am avad^ieiiftXQ^a.
'■r^m^-^it^^ «'
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i06 ^ WAtL WtTM BNaLANO WOULO STOP KkPORM THfeRB.
THOUGHTS
ON.
WAR, TEXAS, SLAVERY. AND OREGON.
t wAuld not hat« « iliive tn tSti my groaadi
To carry rm, io dm m« while I vlee|i
And tTMU^e wbfn I wake, for all tbe w«alt.h
TAU aiotwa bouf^t ao<i auld ^a ve over aamad.
CovrsR*f Task.
A^ffts ^<Ae Tmes.^War to cruA Reform and uphold Oppression^-^EnglaiuPs C&n^kdiU in
l8li--^4iKene«'« t« \9lb.'^Bradfard Woo£s aocwrak Vievft.-^U TruOment of AMeriomk
Merchant$.-^Ofers to tetOe ^ Oregon Boundary. — Why U ought to U setUed Peauf^^
T^txoi Const9t/iUion.-^0'ConneU on Polky War, and Slavery.'^JrUeUectudl Powers and Broioerif
^ tke Negro Bace.-^Andenon on the IndiAns,^Watkingtonf Jegerson^ amd Jfiaeulolfk on
SUEPery.^T%e Synod of Kentucky on Negro Bondage. — Van BureiCt Bargain vfUh the
Smth, for his Oj/ice. — Bis Apology for Outrage^ Mobs, and Biots; noticed by heggett. — New
Ytrk for Prtedom^ io eU,vn l9l9.^The Missmri Vote.-^The Virginia Slave Trade.-'Poin^
lett made War MintsXer, and why. -^ Van Buren*s Efirts io prevent EmandpaHen ian Cuba.
— Polk and Van Buren for, and not for, European Colonisation, in America.— ,Cass and
ABen.^Qmjgot.-^Polk's Treatment of Mesevco.-^Van Jfuren's Canadian Proclamation.-^
planning on CaXheun.'^Col. Ycuugon Taas and MotUion.'^WH^s I4afiimtvring.-^Van
Bureau's Nevtralit/y in 1839.— 0» Slavery in Iowa and Wisconsin.-^Cfreeleff on fforida Ai-
waxUian, — [NotoL] Bankrupt Laws and Repudiation of Pebts. ,
Tbs oocorrence of var between the United Stat^ and Great Britain, is spoken of at pfeiK&t
as if it were an^vent neither improbable nor perhaps remote ; and the questions of, peace, may
it be preaenred 1 or ahaU we see two great nations at enmity, contenoing with each other in
armed strife 1 are.of such vast importance, that I think the occasion an opportune one to oflb:
some observations and to state some iacta, both as to the risk the country runs of being involved
in war^ and as to the chances of success, and other results should s^ straggle take place. I
know, by experience, that when men get angry, and act under the influence of passion, it is
too kUe to reason with them for the preveatipn of mischief Both parties are yet cool and
calm, on ^s question ; and having inflected on the matter carefully, I add here to the opinion
expressed in my widely circulated pamphlet of last September, that peace may and ought to be
serared^ and that the great interests ot society requite, that no stop be put to those bloodless
trimmihs which oqr brethren in the United Kingdom are effecting, under prudent and patriotic
leaders, whose memories will be sweet in the remembrance of generations y^et unborn. If
it were a^ust and necessary war waged against a proud and un&ympathizing aristocracy
who had trampled to the groimd a patient people, by their enormous taxations, military rule, .
and proud monopolies, in favor of tbe oppressed, and with good cause of offence, old as I am,
I would travel from Maine to Michigan, to rouse the people as far as one man could. But
when monopoly in England lies prostrate ; when its ancient ehamplonft now noige tbeatteivAs
in the ranks of its deadliest enemies ; when the cause of the Piople, that cause for whi<^
methodist and presb3rVeriftn, catholic and protestant^ have so tbng petitioned the favor €i
heaven, is gainmg new and glorious triumphs ; whto I see the defeated vonopcdists com^rt-
log thems^es -v^th the hope of high rents and more d^, expenditure and taxation, thioagh
a war with America, I cannot range myself oa the side ei£ the ultra tones and bigots pf tioe
old world, against the efforts of the Humes, the O'Coanells, the Cobdens, the Greys, the Mor-
peths, and the Macanleyii; and altlKingh personally speaking, Imigfat have a &r gteflfifeer
mterest in fanning the dame than in endia,T<ariag to throw water on it, yet I caa aee a(» veiy
Uttk 0Qod, wd ioch a Moaovw or Waterloo^ M ^ WCf«» of iiMwh^
Digitized by V^OOQ IC
............ T - r^-
StGNd OP THE TIMES — BANKRUPTCY— REPUDIATION. 267
ai things now stand, that I gladly avail myself d* thi* medium, to state my views to those
^om Qus volume may^ reach.
The signs of the times are not very pacific, certainly, Mexico, it is said, will have a
monaitjh from Europe ; Paredes is in power there already ; the annexation of Texas is npt
the settlement qf that act for the perpetuation of slavery ; England^is arming to the teeth j si
military officer, and not a civilian, is permanently placed over Canada ; preparations for an
onslaught are openly acknowledged there ; the lanaed interest talk as if war was their only
refuge from total defeat, in England and Ireland; President Polk bids America prepare for
the worst ; the gambling sections of our numerous banking establishments look to a deranged
currency, with usurious interest, baseless paper, a new national debt, and heavy taxes to meet it
during the next twenty years, as a na^onal blessing ; others besides R. J. Walker's constituents
are r6ady to repudiate j* many want Canada; not a few have bright visions of Oregon |
•Bankhott Banks. Eepodiatiok or DfcBTa.— On the 13th of Januaiy, 1843, a meetine was held at th»
Merchants' Elchanf?e, N. Y-, to opjw»o the repeal of the bankrupt law, John I. Morjjan tn the chair. Mfi«n.
F^meot^HaQ, Selden, Tilcten, McYean,'JohM W. Edmonds, and Batler upokl?. EiMMoitDs eaid* that the laws
aw lamntabiy deficient in not afibrding due.relief to the unformndte debtor, ondguantiitf §ganut fi^tuh-m^i
no ciTiliSed community ever invented »uch a wretched plan as our executions, judgments, creditors* bills, «Cv
to drain from the pocket of the unfortunate their last dollar— that, as our laws stand, a man had better o* <
thief and steal, than be a poor debtor. The thief m»ty start afresh in life, the debtor never can. Ht was for
indudinf banJU, and upholdhig the bankrupt taws, but ft>r the law whether or not, ^VThV. wof oppcmn Ip
the repeal of the bankrupt law of July, 1841. We had got, he said, the English insolvent law system, with* ,
out its general bankrupt law system, but with 28 laws, all varying. In as many states. The insolvent law of
England took all a man's propertyj stopped his busine<i<i. Itnpfi^oneLl nn.! trien lunt u Lliii ^ u£ I'isT^Ota, npd pn^
claimed to be unworthy df credit,, ami yet expected hi in Uf uhn CfinrnRe ;*thj rn iJte inrnt'y u^r im trediior*.
Switch a syfftem was bad and had bad results. It was Tn:iLly dligmccfiil ihiTt uur laws nil uattied to op^irew ib*
honesC ana tinfortunate debtor, and yet do no good fotlit^ ^'redltmr. Anuihrr iiiccrVnE wt^r hpUlon ihe iSili njjHlnal
the law, N|d mncb Jiiid on the other ^ide. The grmi evlJ s^ermiii to be, that ^yvteiiiattc^ bonpflrUl legis)«tian. bf
Congress, on this and many other subjects, especial Iv pt gencrnt pjirinvr^hip jciw, sepnr!» hopctoss. Whether
t«ttina»y llv»hf Itttrigne— orthereis careleaness'^'r ihftl opjioi'tnjic Intpninti hmva mnrrAd ttsefttl Jmprfwi^
ments« i know not— On June 2d, 1840, when it Wits prn{^ni< d m give to the U. ^, goveranrieot tbe power to
fHm! ttprthe concerns ©f every bank, or Insurance, mapyrn<nuriTiig. or imrfjnj! eorfinration, Thtt[ siijp]»e*i pa^TiieiiC
of Ite. debts, kj including such banks, Ac£., in the bankrti^t law. then nadnt iliicuMion In the is^nnLe, (.^lhoeit
opposed it, but proposed no remedy for bank suspensinci'^ by [h# liundrcd, doEciii or single. The bi|[ finihorlied
aayeriditer vriio had asked payment of $500, or apwnrd^, due hltn, m take out si coinmls^on o( bs pkni|]t€y, if
not paid withi^ 15 days, so that the affairs of the bank, ^c^ Diigh( be placed In the h^udi Df prop<Rr tm^tnei*
and iK^onttd hp; There were t/kcn, nearly 500 suspenil^d hRnks, anci he wonld nm cornjjel thetn lo p*iy, or be
placed imder the care ofJiederal officers, to be Wound up. It would pinu t^^o much ijower in the baJtdfl of ilm
government, and bring about a political alliance betw^i^n Uftml Oae iuinka, Mr. Calhuun projMi'ed no remedy
fiv t^ bajikniptcy of cwporatirnw, and seemed to Bu^n^'^fl iliat Cnn£re» ouRbt not to or cnnki not apply nne ;
It would surely follow, of right, that if the banks aiR Ui Jte privlltgisd fumj piiyifiE ibeir dehts. ihay ^Imit h*™
DO poW6r, whilt that inivllege lasts, to coerce their dthtflr-^^huTr to nic, \M Ecv. Sidney Smith's remnntng. In
his mtmoiial tu Coagress is conclusive. He says ; " Vuur piUUlnner lenl to the St^Ee of PenaKyivimiA. a turn
of toOncy,'ft)r the ptirpiose of some public ImprovenKn t. The (Liootint, thniifh smnW, b tii him hiiptrtunt, and
is a «avkig llrom a life income* ma^e with di^cnlty an J privHtlGti. 1l their rufusitl w pny (fh>m which u very
large nnnnber of Enelish ftimilies are suffering^ had br ^ n tJje result ofis'ttr, nmdnced Ly the tinjiisi fi^r^^tSun fif
powivftit enemtes; if it had arisen fVom civil disocntl: iflt had pniceeded tr«ni an Impri'vldent application of
means in the first years of self-government; if it weie thi^ RCt of a |KM>r Rtme s^tr't^lsni; Kiptt^'n^i iht bFirfenneas
of nature— every friend of America would have been C4ffivdrii,cu u> waU iu.- ^^im: i.met,, Lui (hi. U^ml is com-
mitted in the profound peace of Penneyivania, by the richest State in the Union, after the wise invesinient of
the borrowed money in roads and canals, of which the repvdiators are every dav reaping the advantage. It If
aa ikct &t bad fbith which (all its circumstances considered) has no parallel, and no excuse. Nor Is Uonly tfa^
loss of inroperty which your petitioner laments ; he laments, still more that immense power whicjb the bad fikitb •>
of America has given to ailstooratical opinions, and to the enemies of firee institntlons in the ofd wot Id. It is
in valD any longer to appeal to history, and to point out the wrongs which the many have received ftnm thf
few. The Americans, who boast to have improved the institutions of the old world, have at least equalled in
crime*. A great Datica, after trampling under foot all earthly tyranny, has been guilty of a fraud ae eneniM^
as ever disgraced the worst king of the most degraded nation of Europe." . ^
I think &«t the dishonest pctfty leaders, In Pennsylvania, Mississippi, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and other
defhpUing states, led on by the early example of Van Buren's confederates, and eucouraged by the TiAeq«alled .
profWgacy of his government, had lost all sense of shame. Tn Piennsylvania, the lust of money, and of office in
order to get money, Is as scaiidakms as here ; while the feelings of fnanly piide, and thfe desire to riierit -tkm
;ood opinion of the human race seems to be little felt. Each party appears to dread to impose taxea, oreni^fCfi .
their cmlection for the payotent of jnst debts, lest the other party should make politicai capftai* out of such a
measure ! I must say that Hume's views of the British National Debt— punctual payments of the interest, _.
^reat economy and retrenchment, and a sound currency, with good laws and Independent jndees to do justice **
lo all, comes nearer to my views of republicanism than borrowing on your honor, and beggaring thoiM^ ww> leal .'
what your wants required. Without a sound currency and a comprehensive partnership law, and a differeott
inaiii|gapMtMti'»f coatiacta and leventie than I now witnese, very little good will he effected.
The Butch remonstrance against American Renudiation, was handed t^ C. Hughes, the agent, of the U. & i^
Elollaild. T«'its doctrinee, as contained in the following extract, every true American will subscribe.
** We».the undersigned* bondholders, of North American 1<muib, negotiated of late yeafs, or seemed qpoift *
itocks isehed by several States of the Union, confidently take tne liberty to invoke your kind intercession in our
i^^lf. Yeia ale well aware that the engagements entered into on issuing these loans have not been AilfiHed ;
hat tbe payment of Interest has been suspended ; that resolutions passed by some of the States have rendered
Jiese seeuritlee almost valueless ; that severe losses have been sustained ; whilst every endeavor to effl^ct a
emedy to this deplorable state of things has hitherto proved fruitless. I'he doetrlM of repudiatipiw althoagh
(mfarfevced in some quarters, has excited the just indignation of the majority of the population. Men in elevated
itations have openly declared, that whatever the calamity of the times or the mal^cCteeft and dilaptdatiotls tiT
he banks and public ofilcers, or whatever the disappointments attendant on too sanguine expectations, nothing
" " • •"• ' • ofe '"
;an sanction auch a doctrine. The inviolability of engagements, which having no tribunal to enforce them,
ire to ke considered the more sacred as being placed m ' ' ' ' ' •^•.
Utb. lias b«M WanDlY adv9e«tsd in yow cowli^ UmK "
ire ^to^ke considered Uie^ more f^^^red^s teinjj>laoBd~uiutor the pcoCectloB of the Mttooal^hoiuii aad^i^lk
S98 AN BN«LIftB OPINION OF AMBRICAN BRAVEEY*
/ . < • ■ . '
thm aire vet those whom an unfeeling colonial government wantonly and wickedW* wronged,
wl)o bj(le their time ; the Indians are on hand: O'Connell and Ireland will not ^o for ^laveiy ;
Prance fe considered in the intcre^ of Wellington; and peaceful conventions, lyhetSsr
6[ this state or (^ the Union, to improve the condition of the peoj^e, and afibrd a bright ezam«
pie to leta fkvored lands, are h&telnl to those who desire to see' the speedy down^ of le-
publican govemmeftt
Many say here—" War would be a' most effective tariff, to protect our manufactures/' So
it would ; Irat may not peace and an koTiest currency supply that, without war 1 Many of our
manufcujtnres depend on our commerce, and would be injuriously affected by war. "War,
say some, " would put down slavery in the south and give us Canada on the north, and secure
Oregon on the west." I am anxious to see slavety put down everywhere, but not to risk Ac
peace of the world to effect it sooner by a few years ; and railroads, canals, national proeperity,
upright government and universal education will settle tjic Canada question more to our
satiSaAtion in the long run than seven years of strife and butchery. Yes, but it is said again,
" War would humble England." Are yoa sure of that 1 England is far more powerful,
unite(L enlightened, free, prosperous, and populous nt this day than she Vas when she trith^
stood rar « s«rie8 of years, the combined esbrts of many nations, led by Napoleon, and backed
for tluw yearn, nearly, b^ the United States. Besides, when the war was over, b^ puties
woa)d begin to count the cost, and wish they h^ waited a little.
As John BuH is older, bj^ some ihofosands of years dian Brother JofHa&an, we wifl take
hii evidence first
[From the hoodm Times of December ^, 1814.}
TaEATT OF Ghent. **Jf any of the pow^i^ who have received our subsidieB, or
have been rescuM from destruction by our courage and examj^, havB had the baseness
to tncn against iis, it is morally certain, that the treaty of Ghent will confiim them in
thdr resolation. They will reflect, that w.e have attempted to foroe our princi-
plec <m Americii, and have failed. Nay, that we have retired ftom the eom)mt with
tiie stripes yet bleeding on our backs^with the recent defeats of Plattabnrgh, and cm Lake
Ghiunplaiii unavenged. To make peace at such a moment, they will thiifk, betrays a dead-
nes8 to the feelings of houor, and i^ows a timidity of disposition inviting further insult. If
we could have pointed to America overthrown, we should surely have stood on m«eh higher
ground at Vioma, and everywhere else, than we possibly can do now. Even yet, however,
if we could but close the war "with some great naval triumph, the reputation of our maritime
greatness might be partially restored ; but to say, that it has not hitherto suffered in dK estf-
maiion of all Europe, and what is worse, of America herself^ is but to belie common soue
andimiversid experience. 'Two or three of our ships have struck to a fofce vastly supe-
rior V No, not two or three, but many on the acean, and whole squadrons on the laJses; and
the numbers are to be viewed with relation to the comparative magnitude of the two navies.
Sc^ffcely is there me American ship of war, which has not to boast a victory over the fintxsh
flag; scarcely one British fidp in thirty or forty, that has beaten an American. Our seamen, it
is viged, have on all occasions, fought bravely. Who denies it % Our complaint is,
thgt wi^ the bravest, seamen, and the most powerful navy in the world, we retire fi:om
the contest when the balance of defeat is so heavily against us. B^ it accidenf, or be it
miwoiiduct, we inquire not now into the cause; the certain, the inevitable consequences
are what we look to, and these may be summed up in few words-^the speedy growth of
an Ameriean navy, and the recurrence of a new and much more formidable America
war. Prom Uiat fatal moment, when the flag of the Guerri^ was struck, there has been
quite a rage for building ship» pf war in the iJnited States. Their navy has been aesily
doobfed, and their vessels are of extraorditiary magnitude. The people, natttrally vai&i
boMtftd and insolent, have been filled with an absolute ' contejnpt of our twiiHt jTr^ :pawet,
and a ftirious eagerness to beat down our maritime pretensions. Those paasioBS, wludi
have been inflamed by success, could only have been cocded by what, in vulgar, bnt em-
phatic language, has been termed * a sound flogging;' but, unfortunately, our Christian meek*
ness has induced u» rather to kiss the rod, than to retaUate its exereise. Such falpe and
Digrti2ed*by Google
ASfBRICANS REVIBWINft A THREE' TfiAKS' WAR.
feeble humanity is not calcnlated for the guidance of nations. Wax is, indeed, a tremendous
engine oCioaliee; Im»| /wh^ juBtice wielda the sword, she must be inflexible. Lookiq^nei-
thertP ^ right nor to the lettg she must pursue her Uow, until the evil is clean roote^,.
out.. ThiA U not bliad rage, or blind revenge; but it is a discriminating, a c^, and
even a tender caloulatipn of consequences. Better is it, that we should grapple with thjB
young lioOi when, he is first fleshed with the taste of our flock, than wait until, in the
maturity of lus strength, he bears away at once both sheep and shepherd."
Now for the Yankee version. Make way for the witness, Mr. William Cdcman.
Silence in court! .
(Prom tke New York Evening Post of February 13, 1815.]
Trbaty op Ghent. *,' Fot ourselves, the people, who shall tell us, at the conclusion of
this war, how we are recompensed for the death of thousands and the expense of millions *)
Who dbtH lell the saorifioes, the losses, we have sustained, the sufleringB we have undttt
g(^e and the deprivations we have endured and must endure for y^rs to come j and uot
w& alone, but our children aud grandchildren after us. When the accounts of this way
shaU be sU^ wdund up; wh^ in ad^tion to the necessary expenses of it, the squanderings,
Jhe waste, the innumerable frauds that have been practised, the losses that have accrued front
the abuses of public trust, are taken i|Lto consideration ; (and let us consider that fifty thou-
sand doQars lavished upon a single scoundrel to bribe . him to forge a miaerable ^aiuaotyf
fohos an item and but an item in the account ;) when we reflect upon the multitude of pay-
mast^^ and agents, coutraqtors and commissaries, with all the.hosts of jobbers for the a,rji^,r
from his^excellency, the governor of a state, who haggles and chaffers for a lot <^ cailoach«
boxes, down to the petty rascal who crimps recruits at eight dollars a-piece, men, who without
vktue, labor or hazard, are growing rich, as their country is impoverished, when these aii4
a host more, who have battened upon the di^esses of their country, shall have their accounts^
adjusted and allowed by the proper officers, what think you will be the melancholy result pre-
sented to us 1 I will tell you what, and if I am wrong, let my words be remembered and the
public confidence be withdrawn from one for eVe r ■ I t will be nothing less than a Amdet
debt, of more than one hundred and fifty millions of dollars^ bearing an interest of six per
cen$. Still, vast as the amount is, it is within the ability of the country, if we can stop here, to
dischai^ it Let us then meet the, evil since it is inevitable, with firmness and i^solution, a^
cheerfldly resolve, jiince it has now come to a conclusion, to provide for the debt, to the best of
our abilily. Let the nation rejoice, for though we have been compelled to make vast sacrifi/ooa
without any adequate cause, for it: though we have suflered calami^ and distress wantonly
l»rought.upon.us by. a weak and profligate administration ; though we have been compei)edr4o
submit k), losses which can never be repaired, and to sufler golden advantages la pa«s tty^
which will never again return, yet let the nation rejoice, we have escape ruin."
Gd<xiel Duane, a veteran of opposite politics, and a warm friend of the war, did not difi^
trom his federal neighbor.
IFrran the Philadeli^a Auriwa, by W. Duane, July 34, 1816.]
" Never wara peace concluded more timely or fortunately ; the inconsistency tod want oi
system, the niter incapacity which had been f<hawn in the management of the war ^md the*
finances, and the want of energy to.repress revolt and put down those who conspired agailMl <
thefr country in league wifli tiie enemy, had made a deep imfaressicMi otfthe country : but iftw f
peace came so suddenly, the people were so surprised and amazed af their good fortune, Uutf '
all the imbecility and incapacity, aH the waste and extravagance, flie disasters and ehasziie,
wMdi beloUgedt* &e puWie measures firom the beginning to <the close of the war, were, in *•
extacy of dilsappointed despondency, forgotten and forgiven— the squandering of treasure ahd
stores in the west, misconduct, which would, under any other government, have sent generals
to the common hut, were overlooked j the most futile ^ans of campaignsj and the most l«ar-
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270 CANDID BBrtSOTIONS OH WAR. BRADFOED WOOD
cnmft iHd tometimes Uu most barbcrocaaad wantte sa^eriftces of hnauui l^,forM«llur 9«rr«
potes on eaith, tiian to aggrandize t^e vanity of a profligate fkirwite; merit poiweuted and
slandered, and baseness and profligacy rewarded wUh the honors which, hsMtofera, it had
been alleged were to be the meed of genius, yirtae and patriotie services."
The stripes at Plattsbuigh, and the jroung lion of the west— that's Ihe lanirniige of Epgland'^
leading jonrnal for I8l4, ana as to the victory hoped for, to close the scnttgle dsomtiy, tlia;^
came also— a< New Orleam. The cost— eternity alone can tell the tears, the^ gon y, the woe,
the wretchedness, which were the result of that fierce and unnatural contest. When the ill*
fated Lexington was burning ofi* Long Island, and her 160 passengers and crew were crowded
in the bow and stem, till compelled to leap into the ocean to be drowned, to escape being burnt
alive 't when the boats were swamped, and all nearly perished by fire, water, firbst and cold, la
that terrible hour, how gladly would thousands of generous Americans and Britons have joined
in rislchig their lives to save these unhappy nsen, wcxnen and children ! Yet their horrible
dialhs are as nothing in the account of woe and misery that must result from a deadly enmity
between two peoples, of one origin, one religion, one kmdred, and spealpng the same langiuige.
Tie man who will interfere, in aught, effectually to prevent the slaughter of another 100,000
cftristian men : tiie grief <rf parents, brothers, sons, sisters and lovers; die destruotion of pro-
perty, of frienoship, and of commerce; the reteidment of repuhUean promts; and the immo-
rali^ ^d hardness of heart which such a war would generate, wouM deserve well of man-
War will bring again upon us, heavy direct taxes— hig^h pri c e s * a wretched, fraudulent enr-
-tVflyv-loans, perhaps, as beibre, at S& per cent discount ; and it will delight the Bntiah to-
rfes J it is just what they want. .The gpople of England, Ireland, and ScoUand, have united
andWessed the landlords to the wall. Free trade with America, in Com, in Pork, in Cotton,
ia Flour, in everything, is now the popular cry, the honest ciy of a nation. (yConnell echoes
it,. the aristoeracy are appalled, the iron duke gives way— when h> ! a new, obstacle is fiyund.
Th^ freemen of the west and the north are ready to battle— not for freedom, like their eallant
sires ; not for aidinff an oppressed colony, but for slavery in Texas, and for a band of heart-
less 8lavi'K)wners, wno have joined with the pretended, stockjobbing democrats of the north to
gamble the nation into a 200 million debt, for a strip of f^ Oregon !
I have met with the speech erf Mr. Bradford Wood, member of Congress frcrni this State,
delivered in the H. of R., Jan. 31, 1846, in the Albany Evening Journal. Though late in life,
I thantofnllv receive lessons of wisdom from this son of a revolutiona^ sire. If permitted to
call mys^a democrat, Mr. Wood's creed, afi given bek>w, wotdd best indicate mine.
•K3tant, if you choose," said he, "that England diould be worsted in every t:onflict, and that
your plans for conquest and victory, like Captain Bobadil*s, were perfectly feasible, it would
sifU be dea^-bought victory. You would have inflicted greater evils on your own comitry dian
on yotfir enemy's. ' You will haVe demoralized your country, centraUteed its government, swept
away its democracy, and erected on its ruins a military aristocracy, and thrown back for years
the civilization of mankind. 'Not woo'kl this be all. You will have arrested die progress of
liberal opinions dxronghout the world, and especially in that very country where the principles
Qrjfre»4iade (the best of all peace societies) are spreading rapidly, widely and triumphantly,
benefiting alike that comitry and this, and which can be arrested only by a war between the
tp9i aattons. Genflemyen were very much. inclined to denounce England,; but tiie England of
1775 or 181S was not the England of 1846. The only effectual way tq attack England was by
peace, not by war. It was the only way you could reach.her iN:oud unfiBeling aristobmey, who
JM been built up by war, and whom a continuance of peace would ere long put«down. . With
tliat aristocracy,<none of us had any sympathy; but he trui|liMl^aU had with a down-trodden
pfK>pie, stiiiggling to andasp their grasp, ajpd who had been demoralised, plundered, b^gaied
mad reduced to starvation by glorious war. .... Why was this deadljc hate manifesited
agatinst England 1 Say what you would, with all her injustiee to Ireland and to a porticm <£
YfftT own citizens, she still had more of civil and religions liberty than any oth^ country in
Karope. There the liber^ of speech and of the press were invi<4ate, and the blush came some-
tinges tingling to his own cheek when it occurred to him that in this respect it was more invio-
lable in England than in some portions of his own country^ The first aspirations of civil and
Tsligio|is libeijy that ever dawned on this^ world arose in England--the same sforit that sent
forth the pilgrims of New England, inspired Hainpden, M ' l*ffn , and Vane, w d brooght the
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LAT| 49^-— THE AMERICAN MERCHANT.--JEFFER80N. 2?1
finr Chai1«B to the block. Asd now at this day, among th^ noddle clas8^ of England, and
among thosd whose names are great without titles, were many who were manfully battling tht
(Ause of the poople and of human progress, and who would deprecate a war with this country as
a disgrace to ciyilization. The arrogance of ihe British government was as little to bis taste as
the proflig^y and insidious tyranny of Frbnce, or the despotism of Russia. Ail three were
hostile to republican institutions ; and it b3came us to see to it that no unjust act of ours stiould
furnish them a pretext for an increased hostility."
In the able and temperate qpee^ of Mr. Winthrc^on Or^on^ as I find it in the Im^Higencci-,
hereteiTedu) Mr. Preston King's rouark that Mr. Polk had offered iht:^49Lh puraileito tirltaiti
last summ^j knowing it t^oulct be rejected; and in Mr. Polk's message oi JJececaber lasi, lie
aftjrms, " thsit the British plenipotentiary, without submitting any oiIilf proj osition, suffered
the negotiation on his part to drop." Let the reader turn to the corrcfipondejjcii ol Bucbani^n^
and it will there be found that the negotiation was abruptly closed by ih^ withdrawal of all pro-
posals of compronuse, bv the president's own order ! In Jefferson's letter lo Mcmroe, Oci. 24^
18^ r Works, vol. 4, p. j60], he tells him, that " Great Britain is the Q;iiion which can do us the
most nairm of any one or all on earth ; and with her on our side we need In:^ fear the whole
world. With her then we should most sedulously cherish a cordial iriend&iup/'
An honorable and dignified body of merchants are a blessing to any country. Their ealling
IS among the most us^ul, respectable, and necessar}' of any in thew? United Slates ; and ihey
ought to stand with a perfect equalitjr before the law. I'hat they do not so ^tand i^ a fact
wWch none will deny. That many of our laws are made, o^adminiEte^at, eo as to tantalize
and pillage them, is daily made manifest. That gross favoritism lowaidii fcomi% ii-jl bitter
enmity towards others, was the practice in Van Buren's time, the journals of Congress too
clearly testify ; and when we see B. F. Butler again district attorney, malgrd his extortions
from 1^36 to 1841, we do not anticipate too kind treatment now.* Add to all this, that they
are kept month after month in absolute uncertainty as to the continuance of peace, their adven-
turous spirit checked^ their calculations made doubly doubtful, and the impit^nt subjects of a
tariff, and the cutren6y, left unsettled — and then let the Congressmen and tneir constituents ask
themselves, if the bold, fearless, intelligent, upright, and industrious American merchant re-
eeives from his government fair play, or anything like it 1
The London Times thinks " that every purpose both of honor and interest would be answered,
if the British Minister, on whom now devolves the duty of making fresh prc4)osals to the Gov-
ernment of the United States, were to renew on his part the offer made to Ksgland by Mr. Gal-
latin in the presidency and under the direction of Mr. Adams. That proposal was to take the
49th degree of North latitude as &t as the sea, as the boundary line, reserving to Great Britain
.* Cam. Mbrcbai«ts not bb TRusTfD as Jukors 7~Mr. Hpyt, coUeetor of customs, N. Y., infanned Matthew
Birchard, Solicitor o^the Treasury, Washington, by letter dated Feb. S3, 1840— that " the arrogance of the com-
**mereial classes, exhibited within the last lew )ears, in their eflbrts to satisfy the people that this class alude
*' were eaMtled to control the govemnient, as well as the destinies of all other classes, has had its icflaeiMe
" even * in the judgment seat ;' and, from a sympathetic feeling, has controlled jvdges in aJhfices and admemi-
" tions tfi jurors ; which has been tidverse to the interest of the United Slates. H^e have been heretofore unffT"
•• tvnate tn the Selection of jurors in the courts of the United States. They are not drawn, as is the practice in
" other courts, bat are selected by the marshal from what sources he pleases ; and hitherto large numbers of
'jurors have been taken from the mercantile classes, against which course I have remonstrated," kjc, Mr.
Hoyt went on to state that there should be ''instructions ;'' and, five days afterwards, M. Bhxhard, Solicitor of
the Treasury at Washington, thus instructed the Marshal, A. d. Bleerk«^r :
** Feb. 27, 1840.— There are few persons who have not often seen he .. e i,; n enr In jtidgtiii'nt In cDiiFeqtieni.^
*^ of influences from which they, at the time, believed themselves entir«H> Ij-pe. ti Impuiei nnthlpg o^hiniiUhe
" li«ior of New York merchants to suMose that, in this respect, th<y wre mlijett to ihe like (Jn|Je/ft^cti.]JlB
" wbich belong to other men. I have therefore to request you to beai Linf^eEenejiil atiservsiinDfl In iiitinJ- tfAiiH
'^ selecting jurors for the trial of revenue cases, ti\i6. endeavor to SEIKlT luipurUsti, ^ajuilhlff MF.I^, wlmur*
"TOTALLY DISCONNECTED WITH TRADE and all its influtm**^ — tbft whole nailoa
''knows thai CONPIDBNCB > A Y WELL BE PLACKD IN THE IM lilf^RITY AND JtiQCJM tlWTOP WON-
" EST FARMERS AND MECHANICS. ANI. THAT IT IB not less ViKt ,pJiR b'oU lUE O. e. TO SE£K A
" FAIR TRIAL than for a private ciiizen."--M. BIRCHARD, SoliciU-, 4t,
In Decenjber, 1839, we find Henry D. Cilpin takins Hoyt and Butli^r lo ln:»k rorcoihrirnmtslng heavy law-
suits instituted for allefed fraudulent entries, Without Authority ftum the Tien Miry i3pprirliiiBi»i^h)i1f the
amoont ttina recovered went to Hoyt, Coe and Craig— half to the I nitnj ^b*%p9 — with rnoiigh \xt Buli^jt. la
January, 1840 (next month), the coaventmt Matthew Birchard hnd t^keji the |)iicu ut liie iijore tevei^ anil
rigid Gilpin. The Hoyt, Van Buren and Batler private correspondence' . uiay help ^njiie ui niy ^-cufferu lo pueti'
ing why and how this sniiden cliange came to pass. On the 23d of Jaiuitiry, i]ie pl^Hnt Hlrch;*rJ vvroti* lo Hoyt
thaf the reasons given ^are such as itould have induced this office to dinise the caurtB taktn Tt^ptcung thxm^ Md
it < been eon^uited^*
In December, 1838, [Rep. 669, p. 331], Hoyt writes to Bancroft, Collector at Boston (now Secretary of the
Navy), as follows :
•♦ y«»u may, however, be able to succeed fin condemning the good?] better in your district than we can here :
^fmOVR COURT 18 VERY MUCH OF A MERCANTILE COURT— andthe jtlrles, AS A MA1TER O]^
**.C'OUES^ o/tMyt go againH the govemmenL aiul will eontiaae to do sees Iftog as ii is the faskioD of th« day
*' to consider the government as oppossed to the merchants, lo other words, when the meichaats are the inian
** ftnd witDeaies, 6od help ihe fovemmMit HJkaai floyr."
Digitized by ^OOQ IC
272 WALKER^S TVTT. WHAT WOtTL© IRELAND BO ?
Yanconver's Island, the harbor of St Juan de Faca, and the free navigaticm of the Colmnfaia.'*
I lUnk t lat i America madethat offx to Enckod 9& y«BM aiaoe— if Polk aaSd Ifl^' fttnr
months since— if 49*' was t^^e word in Monroe's time^in Adams's time— in. Tyler's a»d Cal-
houn's days — auid if, as is " clear and unquestionable,'' the 54*^ 10' was a merepu^, written by
Walker, and put forth in the conclave of office-seekers and office-holders at Battfanore, by Bm^
ler, Sa»}y Hul fashion, to secure the election from the whufs-^tf Pteaideot P(^ knew of aJI
these 49^ offers, and yet professed to beUeve in the 54^ 40' till his election was carried by a trick
— if Vau Buren, Marcy and all the rest had approved of the 49's and vet sung the new song
of 54^ 40' to secure the man they deemed available ; and the speech of Haywood, Polk's co&
lege chum, indicates all this ; the sooner the thing is sectted, ami the Ic^ we aay about it^ the
better. I do not pretend to judge of the merits of the several parallels, but surely, a few acres
of desert are not worth quarrelling about. Reform progreMA-wHii giant strid^ in England,
and Grod forbid that the noble sons of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio, shovhl ^^nonp its
onward course, to please the British tories, and to gain for us here a life-lease aC Polk, Wa&er,
lyfoircy, Texas, Houston, and more slavery ! My private omnion is, that Oregon belonfB to
the people there, natives and immigrants ; and mat if England and America woukL bestow a
tentn part of the money a war would cost, in settling it on the Natiiimal Reform principle, of
160 acres to each family ; jsettlers to be entitled to 160 acres each, and no man to hold moEe;
the result would be more pleasing than that of a war, conquer who may : a war, too, for a nar-
row strip of desert we have thrice freely offered to give away 1
John Uuincy Adams thinks that a war tafree me slave, to give liberty to the captive, to
complete the glorious work of ^76, and make the great declaration a truth, would be popular in
England. So it would. Who there would sympathise with Polk, Marcy, WaJker, Cave
Johnson, and the slave monopolists 1 Who ought to sympathise with them here 1 No one.
" The occupation of Texas will Convert the old slaveholdin? part of the United States into a
disgusting nursery for young slaves, becau^ a Idack crop will produce more money to the pro-
prietors than any other crop they can cuhivate." O'Connell, in his dilute with Stevenson,
published as his opinion, that the slaveholdei? abolished the foreign slave-trade, " that by such
abolition they enhanced the price of the slaves then in America by stopping the competiticm.
Why otherwise was not the home trade stopt as well as the foreign V*
Tlie N. Y. Evening Post of Feb. 14, 1815, says that the news of a peace^thougb not rati-
fied, lowered prices. Sugar fell at once from $26 to 91S|,50 ; Tea, from S3,25 to §1 ; Specie,
fr(»nSSS3 premium to $3^ Tin was $80 per box on Saturday, and only $^ on Monday; U.S.
six per cent, stock advanced from 76 to 86, and Treasury notes to within 9 of par. " In no
place has the war been more feh or proved more disastrous," Yet I do not think that priva-
tion would enter into the American mind in the event of a new straggle. Of tiie bravery ot
this people no one can entertain a doubt.
I Imow it will be said that it is to free Ireland that we would fight, iiT part Will Iiiahmcn,
who saw Polk struggle to get a judge put upon the bench of the Supreme Court, by mettns of
a senatorial approval of his nomination, whose chief merit consisted in his unceasing, rooted
hatred to adopted citizens, believe this 1 Would Ireland join Engliind in snc6 a case 1 I
have not a doubt of it Our natiu majorities, our slavery, our PhUadelphia riots and church
bonungs, to put down the Catholics, are not very politic, if Ireland is to be won. England, if
she go to war, will come to a full understanding with Ireland, as she has already with France.
If ^ere is noAing to apprehend from the French republicans, and I hear that there is not, it
would be a lair tight, between two very brave countries ; but it ought not to be, and I hope
will not be. Our case, as far as Texas is involved, is about as unjust a one as England's
efibrt to subdue the Aflfehans, who had never owed her any allegiance.
You were told, free Americans, thai to add Texas to the Union was t^ extend the area of
freedom. Here is an extract from its constitution :
" All persons of color, who were slaves for life previous to their emigration to Texas, and
v^o are tww held in bondage^ shall remain in the like state of servitude, provided the said slave
shall be the bon& fide property of the person so holding said slave as aforesaid. Congress
shsU pass no lavfs ioprokiMt emigraaUsfrom the United States of America from briaging their Sueoes
into the republic with them^ and holding them by the same tenure by which slaves were held in
the United States ; lun- shall congress havethepovxrto evtaTicipate slaves i norshaU any slaveholder
be aUotoed to emancipaJte his or her slaves^ wiUumt the consent of congress, unless he or she shall
send his or her slave or slaves without the limits of the republic. No free person of Afrw^atn
descent, either in whole or in part, shall be permitted to reside permanenUy in the repubUc^ wi^
out the consent of congress."
This was what Polk was for annexing immediately— this was what the shrewd and far-
seeing Calhoun was ready to involve the whole Union in war for, had it been necessary. I
now begin to think, that with him and McDuffiethe principle is, nullification or negro slavery
uppermost. Even Van Buren, who knew his case was hopeless in the north w^out aboil-
tm votes, had to admit, that " Nbthing is either more true or more extensively known, than
than Texas was wrested from Mezieo, and her Independence established thioogh the instra-
Digitized byCjOOQlC
., ^O^^fpt^JSm^U ^{J. PO;-K, WARj 8LAVE|IY AND TEXAS. 278
nnu^aHilS^ of dtizeoA of the Uiuted States. Equally true is it that this was done not only
against the wishes,' but in direct contradiction bf tlie cest' ^Sbm cff onr fOtepaniMl l^ mTenLr
our cltizeiis irom eng^aging in the en^rprise.*' HbQston, Jadcson, SwaxtniQiit and Polk con^
have contradicted the latter assertion, but it was useless. Th&langQa|r^ of Mr. Clay wa« "J.
am decidadly opposed to the immediate annexation orTexas to the lliuted States. I tbiAlc it '
would be diSionorable, i^iiffht involve them in war, would be dangerons to the iutefirity aj^
harmony of tlie tTnion, ?na, if all tiiese objections were removed, <taM net be elSectea accord-
ing to any information I posi^, upon just and admisail^e cooditiona." Atfl Jackson, on the
brink of eternity, exclaimed, ." Let Polk, Dallas, and Texas, be 'the watcbwosd ^(1 counter-
stgiki^soA Clay and hSe frieiid Frelinghuysen, the friend also of abolition, for which he spiims
8t Texas, wiU be oyerwbelmi^ bj^ the unanimous, voice of the south.'* Vet when Fafeenbata
was iBirading Loui^Biaaa, Jacjtson, on December 18, 1814, address^ hi» black doldiers in aii-«
ochsr strttin; He ^aid : "'Soldiers 1 When 6n the banks of the Mobile, I (Jalkd yoii tA take
up Arms, inviting you to partake the perils and glory of your white feHow citizens, I expected >
iBiKh.l2Dm you ; for I was not ^orant that you possessed qualities most f^^naidabte to a& in/*
madisg enemy. I knew with what fortitude you could endure' hunger and tbint, and all tk»,
fittigaes of a campaign. I knew well liow you loved your native countiy, and that yoxk had,
m well as ourselves, to defend what man holds most dear— his parents, relations, wife, childror
and psoperty. You h^ve done more than I expected. In admtion to the previous cnialitiee I-
beixe new you.to pooseas, I fonnd, moreover, among you a noble enthusiasm, which leads ttr
te nerfbkmanoe of gi:eat things."
Shall such men as these be denied the right of voting, dv the Convention, next Junel
The two moat influential men in Ireland are Daniel O'Connell and Theobald Mathev;.
they have united in an invitation to the Irish here to oppose slavery. In the ojficial publica-
tion of O'Connell's speech in Conciliation Hall, MawA Sflth, 1846, he tl^ns warned our pre-
tended democrats where Ireland would be found wticnever an attempt might be made to real-
iae Calhoun's idea of adding all Mexico to the republic.
From the Dublin Preehian's Jommal.
* Ma. 0'CoimBLi,.--i-" I regard with hontr the annexation of another slave state to the Ame-
rican Union. Btj no good is to be bought by the slightest admixture of evil, and I condemn,
and I dejflore, and I denounce the augmentation of human misery that must result by the
annexation of another slarve slate. They talk about the boldness of Mr. Polk's message—in
one point it betrays arrant cowardice— I will not condescend to mince the word. &) talk-
ing of slavery In' the States, Mr. Pdk has not the courage to call it by its proper name:
1^ ^s not speak of ^e Americans upholding slav^ and possessing slaves, but he
g;losses over the infamous traffic by styling it by the delicate expression of a 'domestic
insfituliDn.' Domestic (hstitution! Mr. Polk, it is Slavery! Mr. Polk, it is hucksterfng
in bumaa flesh (loud cheers). It is a loathsome, an execrable system that stakes man the pro-
pen^ of h^ fellow ; it is buying and selling man created after the image of God, redeemed
by the Mood ctf hw Son,, and bearing upon his brow the impress of the Eternal seal, it is
raying and selling him, I say, as though he were the beast of the field fliat graaes, aOll
not a deathless being markea out for an immortal redemption, the heir of a heavenly i&-
ny coxmtry, but I would aroept i
vantage to my country through the medium of such a crime. I want no American aid if it
eomes across the Atlantic stained with negro blood, and from my soul I despise any govem^
ment, whiph, while it boasts of liberty, is guil^ of slavery, the greatest crime that can be
conmaitted by humanity against humanity. The right to fi-eedom depends not on the hqe
of the diin ; if it did, who shaU decide upon what hue is the favored one (hear, hear)
•^Hseeing that all eyes do not delight in the same colonrl No matter under what specious
term it may disguise itself, slavery is still hideous.' It has a natural, an inevitable tendeofsy
to brutaliae every noble faculty of, man. Let not America imagine diat this boasting q^
libesty makes her name respected. No, for as the assertion of virtue is a proof of liyp^e*
crisy, if Uie virtue be not practised, so the attempt to proclaim liberty bedomes btasphemoii^
wHen we see three millions of human beinj?s stimulated and torn by the lashr-the nnsband
separated from the wife, and the c^dren from the parents, and sent into distant and remote
plantations never more to behold the face of a ^ther or the smiles of a mother [hear, heair,
and loud cheering.] And yet those w^ are ready to uphold that system are the peojue that
daw talk to me of liberty. * * * * We tell them from this spot that they can have wst^
,that the throne of Yictopa can be made perfectly secure— ^the honor of the British Empire
maintained, and the American Eagle, in its highest pride, brought down. Let them but
ooDCiliate us and do us justice, and they will have us enlisted under the banner of Victorian-
let them but give us the Psurliament in College-green, and Oregon shall be theirs and T«J^
shall foe hazmless (chders). While England was not threatened by America, as losff an lA^
Vis ifi ft ftate to compel submissicm, so long we heard not a wmd of cotiettialiag Irehm^
Digitized by'^OOQlC f
S^i UMBO VdTlM aM t^AttiOn$U. •tTKKXE AM tMty|U
hm tte ttomrat tht Ontm territory ^Mtme a Irane of eoQ|»nti<m, that war was thiMittH
and tiuit tbert a))|ieared ao solatton bac the sword Ibr the tangled weh ofailkiiv, then H Ire-
land raeoUeetckl, then eonccssions are spoken of (cheers.) I repeat, when they warn vd they
tithW have as (ooatinned cheers.) i have i'elt it my duty to oflTer these remarks, agtin to
pRiRonnce my detestation of hmaan slavery, and my assurance to En^rland that she cannot
dUain us by fntfarmk concessions, that ibe can however obtain the beating heart and the
itady hand of Ireland, bm she must pay tht price that all rational men will assent to, liberty
and justice, (great cheering.)"
I mmhand, that, in case of war, Ireland wfll be less in the way of Britain than the sontii-
artt staves in that of their owners, who are already so terrified and unhappy that everything
tet can be done is done lo keep the whites in in^norance less the blacks also become eallgiit-
CMd. If not so, bow is it that we find in North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Vifgmia,
4e^ favodnds of thousands as uoeducateU as Uouemots 1 If such as fhey can vote for slavery
ortr OS and their blacks. also, much as I dislike tu see the safhige extended to any cIms who
are na edueated, I shall vote fur those delegates to the convention who are believed to bt the
' most willing to raise the oppressed African to the full dignriy of northern ft«edom. There ia
a risk, 1 admit, but it is on the honest side, and good mav come oat of it. Black men are aa
ktnd-bearted, as skilful, as ingenious, as faithful, and as deserving of encouragement as
white men. When Charles Sumner of Boston, and R. W. Emerson were asked to lecnue
before the New Bedlbrd Lyceum, they refused because negroes were excluded from eq^oal
rights. Suamar's refusal contained the following remarks :
^ It is well known that the prejudk^ of cobr, whkrh is akin to the stem and selfish spirit that
holds a Ibllow-man in slavery, is peculiar to our country. All will remember the two putht
of African blood, who gained the highest honors in the College at Pans in the winter of fti38,
and dined the same day with the Kingof France, the descendant of St. Louis, and of Louis
the Great, at the palace of the Tuikries. < In Paris, I have sat for weeks, at the School cxf
Law, on the same benches with colored persons, lisieninier, lik^ myself, to the learned lectures
of Degerando, and of Rossi; nor do I retnember observing in the throng ol' sensitive yu^g
men J^ whom they were surrounded, any feeling toward them except of companionship and
respect. In Italy, at the Convent of Palozzuola, on the shores of the Alban Lake, and on
the aius of the ^ncient Alba Ir^nga, I have seen Ibr several days a native of Abyssinia, only
recently conducted from his torrid home, and ignorant of the language thai was spukea
about him, /et mingling with the Francfscan Friars, whose guest he was, in daUgbtfal and
affiectionate familiarity. In these examples may be discerned the proper influence of the
Christian spirit.'' ,
I intend to su)if)ort native Americans in their right to self-government, whatever be their
color, aKhongh some of them were a little too bitter against Europeans who live here. The
oonduet of colored people in Canada, and a careful perusal of the reports from the Britbh
West Indies, which show the good results that have arisen from educating, libetating, and
tnisling the blacks, have £prtified me in this resolution. A colored man, who had been In the
state's prison, committed a few days since a dreadi'ui murder in this slate. Had^ he been caiei
ibr in yoothj educated, treated as a fellow creature, and not degraded, such acrime would
have been terrible to him, even to think of The English speak in higti terms of some of
their black troops.. Washington confided in arrhed n^roes; so did Jackson, and he gave
them very high praise too ; I&mmond says that General Root and Colonel Young, ^ daring
the most perilous period of the late war," voted for a law for raising a regiment of Macks.
Why then hhider them from voting 1 Because t^ey are not so well informed as the whitest
How do we know that ? And if we did know it, shall the black man who cannot write be
tirfven from tiie polK and whites who have oppressed his racd allowed to vote, thongh eqfiMilly
ignorant 1 On the 22d of August, 1814, the' darkest days of the last war, the N. Y. ffivening
PgM, under the caption of " Patriotism of the Africans,^' says : " This morning, between 800
and 1000 of the hardy and patriotic sons pf Africa, accompanied by a delightful band of mosic
and appropriate fla^, crossed the ferry at Catharine slip, to work on the fortificationa at
Brooklyn faeighta. These men, koowip^ the value of iVeedom, are anxious to defend it, and
too much praise cannot be bestowed on them for their voluntary exertions." How are their
race rewarded 1 Marcy proposed to crush abolition by penal enactments; Congrtes spams
Sidtions ; Van Buren had the Grampus stationed ofi* New Haven, to cMteh and deliver to
stant death in Cuba, the innocent negroes of the Amistead; and in Virginia, if IVee n^roes
or their chiklren, assemble at a school to learn reading and writing, any justkse may disnriss
them with twemy stripes on each scholar's back. Yet judge Upshur, the 17. S. Secretary of
State, in his will, made free his black slave, David Rich, with the following certificate of
eharaeter : " I recommend him in the strongest manner to the respect, esteem, and confidenee
ofafty community is which he may happen to live. He has been my slave Ibr twenty-foor
yfcw. daring all whieh time h^ has been trusted to every extent, and in every respect. My
confidence in him has been unbounded; his relation to myself and family has fdwayahaen
such aa to aiford him daily oppoitonities to deceive and injure us, and yet hahaa^neyer been
(mECX9 ON VOTING. INDIAN FBELINQ9. JEPfE,R90N ON 8LAVERY. 275
def^ted in any serious fauit, nor even-iiMin iatezitional Inreach of the decorums of hi^ station.
Sfis iTtteUi^eTux is of a high order, kis iniegriiy abav/aU siispicitm, and his sense of right ^;id,
propriety correct and even refined. It is due to his long and fki'thful services, and to thef sin-
cere and steady friendship which I bear him. In the uninterrupted and confidential intercourse
of twenty-four years, 1 hftVe never given, nor had occasion to give liim an unpleasant >s:cird.
I know no man who has- fewCF faults or more excellencies than he."
Napoleon said of Toussaint L'Ouverture of bi. Domingo: "The black leader possessed'
energy^ courage, and great skill." Thirty-two ediiors of public journals in t£e West Indies, *
are miJlatto^s, and not a few o|! th^ legislators there are black.
The Copvention of 1831 declared that Senators of N.'Y. must be freeholders, but that As-
i^emblysien need not be. ■ If Iwo separate Houses are requisite, especially for appointments
and executive bdsinfess, why not mate a distinction, and give us aft aristocracy of intellect %
To do this, it is* only necessary to provide that none shall vote for Governor and Senate who
cAnnot read and write, leaving the Assembly, &g. as at present. This would b« a republican
check of .the true sort. Why should one class among us try to esp:ange the Indian, another
the- negro, another the catholic, and another the European emigrants' 1 Is not our strerigt|i in
union 1 Better the memory of ancient kindness than of ancient fraud and deceit. Mr. An*
dewon.of Tenaessee, in Senate, Jan. 8^ 1841, told of the effects of Butler, Van Buren, Cass,
aakl Jackson's Indian diplomacy, with the Creeks and Cherokees, whose memorials Congress
eoaiemned. Hesaid^
"Peace! Peace! Security with the Indian t It is but a dream! He but jjeposcs for*
season in the Enjoyment of your favors until that day shall arrive when he flushes witli the
hope of blood and revenge. The recollection of the injuries you have inflicted; the lands
you have "taken, the wounded pride you have humWed, the very tribute un4er which you have
placed him, keeps the fire of hatred unquenched, and fiercely burning^ in his bosom ! He will
receive your gifts, extend^his hand for your annuities, but instead of tumitig bis face upon the
bleak passes of the Rocky Mouiitains, and descending upon the coast of California, ne will
patiently await the pericxf when events, guided by the potent hand of his old ally,.snall call
him to the war-path and the battle field. He will Uien remember, not your bounties, but your
triumphs, and he will prepare, in ^ more fbrmidable shape than at any former period, ibr unuing
his kindred tribes in one solid leagde against your frontier brethren."
Ace we to make the negroes our deadly enemies also ? Calhotm tells vs (Jam. Ii837), thai
" A Biy^rious Providence has brought two races of men together Into this counti*y frotii d^
ferent pants of the earth ; the European to. be the master, and the African the slave. That
relations cannot be overthrown ; and every society founded on the principle of separating
thcra. is acting on a basis of error." Polk lugged in Providence into his pro-slavery ioMXh^
gural, Van Buren borrowed it for .his epistles to Jesse, and even Calhoun cwiaeseends to iBstdl
heaven by pretending that it is a party to a dairing violation of Christ's commandment to leva
your.ne\ghbor as yourself! . ,
"I jjever mean, unless some particular cil"cumstances shall compel me to it, to fKXitoBB
lin«tlker slave by purchase, it being ^;^ among my first wishes, 4:f f^ to see some plan adopted
by yirhich slavery in this country may be abolished by law." ThUs wrote the great Wash-
ington, the father of his country, to Sir John Sinclair ; and although the darling wish of hit
soul, to remove the blot of slavery from his beloved country, was not fulfilled, he lell his example^
as a precept to posterity.^ The* slaves of George Washington were made free ; and the nmn«>
tie 01 Elijah may have fallen on the chosen £]isha, whose power and'eneiigy in a glorioai
cause, will yet give a universal reality to the declaratien of independence, so. that our great
abol&tiQn leader's prayers may ha^' a speedy^ peaceful, and glorious accomplishment. The
memorable contemporary of Waspington, Thomas Jefferson, felt the same detestation of this
horrible syste^i/, ^ind, having beMeld its effects, from his youth upward, stated in a' letter !•
M. Ware vi lie, Paris, February, 1788, that ■ ^
" The whole corameBce between Master and Slave is a perpetr^al exercise of the most boi^
terous passions ; the most unremittipg despotism on the one part and degrading submission
on the other. The parent stoj^AS^ the child looks on, catches the lineaments of ^rath, puts oh
the same airs in trie circle of smaller slaves," gives loose to his worst pasMons, and thus
ntirsed, educate and daily extVQ\se& in tyranny, cannot but be stamped by it with odiuus
peiculiarlties. The m^n.must be a prodigy who can retaiii his manners and mors Is nnde-
praved by such cireumstances* What an incomprehensible machine is man ! Who can
endure toil, famine, stripes, imprisonment, and death itself, in vindication of his own liberty,
and the next moment be deaf to all those motive^ whose po\v^er supported him through his
trial, and inflict on his fellow men a bondage, one hour of which is fraught with more misery
than ages of that which he rose in rebellion to oppose." - . '
And when writing, in 18?l, the memoir prefixed to his [Jefferson's] cpcrespcmdencjo, he
declared, that " nothing is more; certainly written in the book of 1^, thalh that these people
[the slaves of the U. S.J are to be free ; nor is it more certain that the two races, equally free.
cannot live in the same governmeot. Nature, habit, opinion, have ^^w^ b^^^^^^^^^^ -
S76 SLAVE OWmU DBSCUBIN^ SLAVBBT. MB €XNAOA BBVOLf .
distmction between them." 'He fan abolitionist of 50 Vears standing] adds his opfaiioa, HbMlf
gradual emancipatioa and deportation are not resorted to, the terrible example of the deletion
of the Moors in Spain win hk fkr exceeded here. He oalls the slaves his '' sufiering
brethren,^ and invokes heaven for their deliverance. How justlv and liberally the Methodist
cleify are aotinf in this matter, and what a pow^ul impress dia John Weslev make of his
free spirit upon his successors! John Randolph of Roanoke, said in his will, " I give and
bequ^Uh to all my slaves their freedom, f^ heartily r^retting that I have ever been me owner
of one."jO He bequeathed $8000, in trust, for the removal of his slaves to some other state,
to aetde^m there comfortably. Thomas Jefferson fland^i^ in the legislature of Virginia,
in 1833, declared that Virginia had been converted into f^ " one grand mena^rie, where
men are reared for the market like oxen for the shambles."^^ The same gentkn^An thus
compared the African with the Virginia, or domestic, slave trade : " 1^ The .[African]
1^ trader receives the slave, a stranger in aspect, language, and manner, from the meichant
f;^ who brought him from the interior. But here, sir, [in frjbib Virginia,] individuals whom
1^ the master has known from infancy — whom he has seen spoitisg in the innocei^ gam-
|;jr hols of childhood-— who have been accustomed to look to lam for protection, he tears from
IQr the mother's arms, and sells into a strange country, among a strange people, subject to
f^ cruel taskmasters. In my opinion it is much woise.^ In the same session, Mr. Moore
declared that slavery Krafi destroying morality and virtue in the commonwealth—tiiat the de-
sire of freedom being the inevitable consequence of intelligence, the ocwners c^ i^ves, frcmi
policy, kept them in profound igncN*anee — that such ignorance foevented the nixre from
judginf between right and wrong, and brought into action all the vicious prc^iensities of op-
pressed human nature— that the slave looked on the whites as leagued in mflicting the many
wrongs endured by his race, and thus became revengefcd^that " the indiscriminate inter-
course of the sexes," among the slaves was very demoralizing^-that at no distant day slaveiy
wotdd " end in a servile war which woukl continue till the land was red with human hlood,
and either the whites or the blacks wholly exterminated" — ^and that this war would be com-
menced the moment the blacks should beck»ne so nuj^erous as to give rise to a hope that
they cduld bors^ the bands that bound tnem to the soil. The Presbyterian Synod of Kentucky
thus officially describes slavery, as it is daily passing under their eyes; " This systeod li-
censes and produces mat cruelty. Mangling, imprisonment, starvation, every species of
torture may w inflicted upon the slave and he has no redresik There, are now in our whole
land two millipns of human beings, exposed, defenceless, te every insult and every injury
ihort of maiming or death, which their fellow men may choose to inflict I'hey suffer aD ^at
ean be inflicted by wanton caprice, by grasping avarice, by brutal lust, by maligna&t spile,
tad by insane anger. Their happiness is the sport of every whim, and the prey Of ermj'
nesion that may, occasionally, or habitually, infest th^ master's bosom, if we could cjiletf-
late the sunount of woe endured by ill-treated slaves, it would overwhelm every cbmptts^on-
ilBrheait-^t would move even the obdurate to sympathy." By the Texas constitution, all
free blacks are to be banished for the crime of not bemg bondsmen. On the 13th of February,
1837, the H. of R. of our free Congress, voted " that slaves do not possess the right of petition
•eoured to the people by the U. S. constitution ;" thus denying millions of poor, ^ipressed
WNftehes a rig^t which from infknc^ to old ajge is given by tbe God of H^aren to the jEioerest
of his creatujfes, the right of the sufierer, in his pain, to entreat for succor and aid fntm the
handof wisdom, justice, and mercy. Millions of poor slaves are represented byi^elended
southem friends on the floor of Congress — this slave representation gives presraents to the
iBpublic, controls its patronage, protects southern oppression bv its power over the army and
navy, bargains with northern cupidity to degrade tree institutions, and make them a mock-
«cy and a repr^^ch throughout Europe. It contracted with, hired, and duly paid as a gilded
pnnpet, that ^' northern man with southern inrinciples," Marti^ Van Buren.
I eadmestly desired to see Canaxla free from British power, in 1838. Had tny wishes hetii
^filled she would now have been ruled by the l^olks and the Marcys, the HoUstons tatd &e
Cambrelengs, the South Carolina and Virginia slave breeders and slave owners, the union
of Tammany Hall stock and office brokers, with Mississippi blacklegs and Tennessee patriaiSi
while the poor slaves whom they would tear from the arms of liberty at the &rthest ccHmersof
the earth, would have had their chains again riveted. Few weve more ardent than myadf in
their wishes that " Van Buren and freedom " might be successfril in 183&. I have since foand
out that there may be more faithful mirrors of his democracy found than HoUand's X«ile» and
should be sorrv to see the freeman's arm lifted against Canada while the pow^r cf the tejffih-
lie in the south is wielded by hypocrisy, and the avarice of dealers in hmnan flesh nriniafiiiwi
to, in order that both whites and blaclra may remain in degraded igosmtuse,
"Ah ! little thought I when in youth's warm hour, glowing indignant at tyrattile power,
I torned in fancy to that happy land, whose milder lawe victorioiu patrints fiiMaMd,
That I should ever see a region these, wbeee durfc (wpieesioa urgee to deuMJ^ ;
And freedoro's clamcNr, and the negro's cries, in wildeet dissonance cQmnuojgling rise."
Three weeks after Congress had resolved that the injured African was unwOTthy'and unfit
'^ ba listened to, if he complaint of oppjfes«io|i— aud ?iear to ^e time ^ which Judge Law-
Digitized byVjOOQlC
TAN BUREN^fl DEFSNCB OF SLAVERY AND MOB VIOLENCE. S77
less advised a Missouri grand jury not even to notice the atrocious facts, tkat Mcintosh, a black
man, had been dragged from prison, chained to a tree, and consumed near St. Louis by aslow fire^
not by a few fiends, but in presenc^J of an assembled neiehborhood — did Martin Van Burien come*
forth, on the 3d of Marcn, 1837, to take a solemn oam to protect and defend, as the chief of the
republic, the star-spangled banner, the flag of the free. O, what a modcery of heaven that
was ! . Polkas more recent ministrations, as the high priest of Texan tortures, were decent and
becoming when compared to Van Buren's.
" It would seem, (says William Leggett) that we have elevated Mr. Van Buren to the office
of Preaident for the mere purpose that he may be slave-master-in'<:hief and a negro-overaeer.
He pledged himself to ezerc&e his veto power against anything which Congreas might do -.
toward the alxdit^on of slavery for the next four years, without even pretending that it was be-
yond the constitutional competency of that body to act on the subject. This threatened use
of the veto, .by a man standing on the very threshold of the executive office, is the most inde-
cent abuse ofpower, of which any American President was ever guilty."
" For Mr. Van Buren, standing on the threshold of his administration to announce to the
wwld that he will veto any bill which Congress may pass upon a particular subject, is as gross
a breach of public decorum, and as violent a stretch of his {>roper duties, as it would be for the
Supreme Court to pass a soleigm resolution, declaring that if Congress enacted such and such
a law. they wopild pronounce it unconstitutional, and set it ajside the moment it should come be<
fore tnem. fbt adjudication."
" Virginia and Maryland may, m the meanwhile, [i.e. during V. B.'s 4 years,] abolish slavery,,
leaving the District of Columbia, like a plague spot, in their midst ; hut this will not release
Mr. Van Buren from his pledge. He can never consent to strike off the fetters of the slave in
the ten miles.sqUare, placed by the Constitution under the exclusive control of the federal gov*.
ernment„ until every state where slavery exists has accorded its approbation of the measure.''.
"Mr. Van Buren-s indecent haste to avow his predeterminations an the subject of slavery,,
(continues Liggett,) has not even the merit of boldness. It is made in a cringing spirit of
propitiation to the south." Again, page 291, Vol. I of Plalndealer : " We wish we could be.
convinced that it j^the inaugural address] is not a cautious, timid, time-serving docimient,
composed at the mstance of a cringing spirit, willing to propitiate the slaveholders at the.
expense of justice and humanity."
The recent disgraceful riots in Lexington, Kentucky, the object of which was to put down
freedom of discussion, and prevent the white peculation from knowing what could be said
against slavery, had very nearly ended iijn the mmder of Cassius M. Clay, a relative of Henry
Claj, who had established the " True American" there. I was threatened, but not to the like
extent, when I exposed Van Buxen's confederates in the Butler pamphlet. One of Morris's
post-office letter earners went round vowing vengeance, and other officials talked foolishl|^.
When the pampUet reached Charleston, the bookseller to whom it was sent feared to offer it
for sale, for fi^there was a foot note somewhere in it against slavery., But the American peo*
pie love order : they 8howed4tiat in the case of Morgan, and unless where instigated by such-
lalse guides as Van Buren, all classes glory in sustaining the laws of their countrv.
Wa;dungton and Jefferson have sUicere disciples vet. Some of these, in 1836 and 1837,
lecturedonbehalf of the poor negroes, others published newspapers to instruct the millions
about slavery. One editor was shot dead— several presses were trampled to the ground, and
bomines and violent riots had intimidated some very sinc^e friends of equal rights. To the
astonhmment of liCggett, Van Buren, in his inaugural, defended the guilty as a hired partisan
would have done. In the Plaindeal^ of 1837, pages 226 to 290, Leggett thus reproves him.
" * I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United
States, and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the coifstitution of the
United States.' 'This was the momentous obligation Mr. Van Buren had taken upon him><
self, when we find him almost in the same breath, uttering words of semi-approval of tlic
most audacious and brutal conduct, having for Its avowed object, to destroy the freedom of
the press, and silence free discussion. . . . The violent outrages of ferocious ruffians he chose
to designate as mere outbreaks of ' popular indignation,' a phrase which implies approval,
since iNDiGNi.TioN conveys the sense ol righteous angbr. Not satisfied with describing the
brutality and fierceness oi the mobs by so commendatory a term, he alluded to the conduct of dieir
victims in language cakulated to convey the impression that they il^justly provoked, knd fully
deserved theirfate, deserved all sorts of indignities and injuries for exercising, temperately and
decorously, the commonest privilege of fireedom, the mere privilege of spee6h. . . . Alluding to the
pro-slavery mobs and riots m various parts of the country, he [Van Buren] says, * a reckless dis-
regard of the consequences of their conduct has exposed individuals to popular indignation.'
This is an admirable version of the matter. The issuing of a temperate and decorous news-
paper, in which a question of great uuUic moment was gravely discussed, showed beyond aU
(Hiestion, a most * reckless disregara for conseqnences,' deserving the harshest rebukes; and
me conduct of the mob that broke up the presis, demolished the house which contained it nd
shockingly maltreated the peisou of ^ ecKt(«^ was merely lira natural and justinab|9
Digitized by V^OOQ LC
378 CLINTON, KINO, MARCY, VAN BUR£N, JAY AND IRVING, IN 1620«
expression of ' popular indignation.' " These are the opinionB of Leggett, a true Tammany
deoiocrat, on the conduct and language of Van Buren, a p)?etended one. Joshua Leavitt A
Boston took the same view. He said:
** The new President has delivered his inaugural address, and taken on him the oath and
responsibilities of odice. In the face of heaven and earth, the President stands fcarth, avow-
edly, the enemy of fireedom, the opponent of equal lights, the defender of slavery, the slaii>
derer of freedom's friends, and the mstigator and patron of mobs, ^boutto assume the re-
sponsibilities of the highest office in the gift of a professedly free people, he st^ fordh, and
declares the effort to give treedom to the enslaved, '* injurious to every interest, that of liaman<
ity indudfld."
Van B'uren did not thus act from principle. It was his bargain with the tyrants of the
south. He was their delegate; their a^ent, their hired attorney— just as Fita»ibbon (Clare),
Scolt (Oldnm^U), Plunkett, and Toler (Norbury), were the creatures of bad Engush administra-
tions for the oppression of Ireland. In 1810, when he thoaght that the friends of freed£«n would
triaraph, he was the deadly foe of slavery's extension. Why? It was popular to be so, and
popalarity was the stepping-stone to power. On the 20ih of January, 1820, the Senate of
this state unanimously agreed with the Assembly in a resolition declaring, that, " Whereas
"tie iiih.lbUing the further extension of slaoery in these United States, is a SfibjfJ of deep concern
** t-} the people ^ this State; and whereas, we consider slavery as an evU muck to be depkiNd^ and
^^tiat even/ constUntlpnal barrier should be interposed to prevent itsfitrther extension: and that
"the Constitution of the United States cl?aHy gives Congress the right to require from new states
" Tiot comprised within the origins boundaries of these United Stales ike prohibition <^ ^avery,
"as a condition of their admission irUo the Union — Therefore^ Resolved, TkiU ow Senators be
*.* instructed, and our R^preseniatvoes in Confess be requested, to oppose the admission^ ae a stale,
"into the Union, of any territory not comprised as aforesaid^ withoiu making the prohibition of
" slavery therein an iiidlspensabls condition of admission." General Root was, in those dayi,
an Ajaz in freedom's army— De Witt Clinton was ultra in favcur of spreading freedom and
not tyranny over America— and among the votes recorded for the above principles, and in
opposition to slavery in Missouri, were those of Martin Van Buren, Samuel Young, C. E.
Dudley, W^er Bowne, Roger Skinner, Livingston, Hammond, Hart, Barstow, Mallory, and
Dayton. Not contented with voting, Marcy and Van Buren wrote!, a pamphlet, and travelled
throagh the state, canvassing for Rufus King, as the anti-slavery canmdate for the U. S. Sen-
ate, to be sent there to oppose receiving Missouri as an extension of the area of the whip and
the torture. IfCt the reader look into Ritchie's files of the Richmond Enquirer for the early
part of 1820, and he will there see P(dk's confederate menacing Rufus King for his northern
anaticism, and inveterate hostility to the * peculiar institution.' On the 16th of November,
1819, aajrs the Evening Post, a general meeting of the citizenSj^t least 8000 being present,
met in the City Hotel, New York, and "Resolved, that theTbdstence of slavery in the
United States, bein^, in the opinion of this meeting, a great political as well as moral evil,
derogatory to the cnarncter ox the nation, dangerous to the safety of its inhabitants, and op-
posed, to the benign spirit and principles of the Christian religion, they consider It the flolemn
duty of the national government, presiding over a people professing a high regard for free-
dom and the just rights of men, to prevent, by all constitutional means, the further ezten^on
bf such an evil in the United States ;" tod that Jonathan ThompscHi, John T. Irving, Henry
Rutgers, Walter Bowne, T. Addis Emmet, John Griscom, Abm. Bloodgood, Matthew Clark-
•Ottj Archibald Gracie, George Newbold, &c., be a committee to check the prqgpress of slaveijr,
&c. In their address, written by the brother of Washington Irving, speaking of Missouri,
they say, "It is no less a question, than whether, jn this enligEtened and philanthropic age, a
mighty empire of slaves shall be pei*mitted to be formed on ike soil and under the sanction of
xepublican America, and admitted into her Union ; or, whether that new empire is to be com-
posed of men who shall have a constitutional, as well as national, right ' to life, liberty, and
the pursuit of happiness ;' '* and fully maintained the humane doctrine, that -Congress, afler
1808, could have stopt at once the horrid barbarities, both of the ^rican and doiSbestic, or Vir-
ginian slave trade. Van Buren and the Regency have since changed for the worse. ^
William Jay shows, in hi^ " View of the Action of the Federal Government," that the laws
against tlie slave-trade, were in a great measure nullified, because the slave poWer appointed
the officials. And when Van Buten had been rejected in 1840, he concluded his naessage to
" Congress thus : " I submit to your judgments whether this government, having been the first
" to prohibit, by adequate penalties, the slave-trade— the first to declare it piracy— should not be
" the first, also, to forbid to its citizens all trade with the slave factories on the coast of Africa;
^* giving an example to aU nations in tMs respect, which, if fairly followed, cannot fail to pro-
*'duce the most effective results in breaking up those dens of iniquity." This contrasts queerly
with his inaugural, and the affair of the Amistead ; and I would now ask Van Buren tniether
the slave-breeding factories in Virginia, and the slave coasters she employs in the Texan
traffic in flesh and Wood, are less " dens of iniquitv" than those of Aflica 1 " Is it moie
wicked, more base, more erael, to traffic in African savages [asks William JayJ than in
Digitized by ^OOQ IC
Vll»mti KAttl^EtSM ! V. B. OK CVHa. MfiXtCO, POLK AND M^LAfnC. 3^9
NATiTi-bora Aiiierica»«-*ixi whits men, and women, and children—^ the offspring of our
own citizens, and not imfi-equently^ ^ very distinguished citizezisl Yet it is this aSDmiaa-
ble cononerce that our government fosters and protects." " The government ol' the U. B^"
said Van Bmren to the British minister, Feb. 25, 1832, "protects by reasonable laws, the
rights of the ewnc^ of that species of property in the States where it exists, and permits its
transfer coastwi^ from one of these States to another [Virginia to Texas, for example], un-
der suitable restrictions to prevent the firaudulent introduction of foreign slaves." That is, to
seoore to the home, or Virginia breeder, a sure monopoly of the detestable traffic ! Texas
bribed the southern slave-trader, by providing in her constitution to give the XJ. S. a mono-
poly of the supply 1 1 !
There are many persons who do not fWy comprehend the reasons why Polk, Van Buren,
and others who have giown rich by abandoning the principles of seventy-six, went dead
against Adama, when he pn^osed commissions to the Panama Congress, and now lustily
advocate the o^qposite principle when they fear that their non-interference policy may a Sect
Mexico. We will try to explain. In 1826, Mexico and Columbia meditated the invasion
of Cuba, and intended to e:ive the slaves there that freedom which they were conferring on
their owft. The siave-holiung south was alarmed-^the project was abandoned at the instance
of this Union— but it mig^t be renewed. Accordingly the Van "Buren, who, in 1820, had
instimcted Cemgress not to receive Missouri with slavery, addressed Cornelius P. Van Ness^
the U. 8. minister at ike Spanish court Oct. 22, 1829, bidding him urge on Spain to make
peace with the Southern r^ublics oi America lest they should aid in freeing Cuba rrom
slavery I " Considerations (said Van Buren) connected with a certain class of our popula-
tion, make it the interest of the southern secuon of the Union that no attempt should be made
in that island [Cuba] to throw off the yoke of Spanish dependence: the nrst effect of which
would be i:^ the emancipation of a numerous slave population, which result could not but
be very sensibly felt upon the adjacent shores of the United Slates." In the tl. of |l. Mr.
Floyd of Va. said, " I would rather take up arms to prevent than to accelerate such an occur-
rence" as freedom to Cuba ; and Van Buren, when writing to A. Butler, the U. S. agent in
Mexico, cautioned him to expose '' the baneful spirit [of emancipation] designed to be intro-
duced and propagated in the island of Cuba."
Van Buren^s letter to Poinsett, Oct. 16, 1829, freely admits that the people of Mexico were
filled with prejudices of the most incurable character against that minister. He was accused
jf " intermeddling in the domestic affairs of the republic," of setting up a political sort of free-
masonry, of denouncing the established religion, and of being me enem3r of the Mexican
people. Was it friendly, was it wise in Van Buren and Jackson to recall this man, when the
sister republic wpuld no longer endure his presence, and hastily promote hfm to the head of
thp department of war 1 The state legislaturea of Mexico had expressed an abhorrence cif his
conduct, and insisted on ^s removal. Jackson recalled him wl^en he became intolerable to
Mexico, to exhibit, as Van Buren's secretary, his scheme of a 200,000 standing army, which
certainly was no help towards Van Buren's reelection in 1840.
In Mr. Polk's message |o Congress. Dec. 1845, he rebuke^ those European nations who
wanted, as he ^id, to check the extension of the republic, thus : " The United States, sincerely
desirous of preserving relations c^ good understanding with all nations, |;;^cannot in silence,
permit anv EuaoPEAN interference on the North American Continent \ and should any such
interference be attempted, will be ready to resist it at any and all hazards.«|;3 O"^^'
isting rights of every European nation should be respected ; but it is due alike to our safety
and our interests, that the efficient protection of our laws should be extended over our whole
territorial liHxits, and that it should be distinctly announced to the world as our settled policy,
that no foture European colony or dominion shall, with our consent, be planted or established
on any part of the North American continent."^:!
Here, Messrs. Polk and Marcy have dared any European power to aid in placing a mon-
arch in Mexico on a constitutional throne, and negotiating a treaty with him, offensive and
defensive, as this country did with France 68 years ago. How did they talk twenty years
since 1 As to Marcy, look into the Argus.
In 1825, Messrs. Clay and Adams had proposed to send W. B. Rochester and others
to represent tie U. States in a Congress of Aioerican republics at Panama. To this, in the
Senate, Van Bo^enled the opposition ; and the burden of his song, as usual, was, that it wag
unconstitutional. <^ We are, (said Van Buren) at tliat Congress, to stipulate in sbine form,
and I care not in what, that we will resist any attempt at ^lonizatiwi by the powers of Europe,
in this hemisphere, or within our own borders, if you please; and that, in the event of any in-
terference on their part, in the struggle between Spain and the Spanish American States, we
will make common cause with the latter in resisting it." Such a course be denounced [see his
Life by Holland], and laid it down as a principle (p. 264), that if we confederate to maintain
governments like our own, by fgirce of arms, we imitate the Boly Alliance of Europe ;' and he
was " against all alliances, against all armed confederacies, qr confederacies of any sort*"
Thus much for Van Buren — now for Polk :
In the house of Representatives^ April, 1826, Louis McLane gave it as his view that in Oi*
Digitized by ^OOQIC
TOhK^ ALLEN, CASS,. ANP VAN BURJSN's FOWEIGN POLICY.
tending our commercial relations with foreign nations, we should keep clear of entonrfing
alHances, and moved a re^lution, as the " opinion of this house thaft thetjJwemmewof tfae^lTni-
ted States ought not to be represented at the Congress of Panama, except in a idi|riomatic cha-
racter, nor ought they to form any alliance, oflfensiveor defensive, or negotiate TespectiUjg such
alliance with all or any of the South American republics; nor (tught they to becdmeparUawWi
tktnij or either qfthem, to any joint dedaration for the purpose of preventing theintefferemx efany
of the Bwrop^an powers with Aeir independence or form of government, or to any compact f&r the
pwpose of preventing colonization upon the continent of America^*
The democratic party all voted for McLane's resolution ; and amonjg the moflt decided fiicnds
to McLane's principle, not to oppose European colonization in America, were fett&d James K.
Polk, ajxd ^ foreign secretary, James Buchanan. Their votes are on record.
Mr. Polk's creed was democratic then, and it is democratic now, and it was ttien jtist the
opposite of what it is now— and that is true, pure, unadulterated Van Buren democracy,
which like O'Gimlet's finger-post, or the city weathercock, may be turned any way you
please, or say yes and no in the same breath. In 1896, Mr. Polk saidj that by voting
for M'Lane's resolve, we [the house] have declared, that our policy, now as ever, is
neutrality; ** that we will form no alliance with the South American republics;' nor shall
we '* become parties with them, or either of them, to any joint declaration, for Ac pur-
pose of preventing the interference of any of the European powers with their independ-
ence or form of government,* or 'to any compact for the purpose of preventing coloniza-
tion on the continent of America.' These are sentiments, said Mr. Polk, to which I most
heartily subscribe." No doubt he did— but Cuba might become free, and it was ndt then
ftiUy resolved upon to have Cuba annexed, Texas annexed, California annexed, Mexico
annexed, aH to the south, and with slavery in each of them. Missouri had got through
with difficulty, as a negro-importing slate— and these American republics, iSor wMch Polk,
Buchanan, M^Laue, and Van Buren would do nothing were all anti-slavery, heretical,
not of the true church. Now, however, when the ' peculiar institution* is to be strength-
ened, O'Gimlet turns round, and Polk democracy, like Sir Francis Head to the Yankees,
some nine years since, cries aloud, "Come if ye aare !"
Last January, Senator AUon of Ohio, who, like Cass, imderstands electioneering in the
west, moved a strong resolve, in favor of the Polk Van Buren democracy, and warning
the folks in Europe to look out for breakers, if they approached this coast with any more
of their c6lonies. Senator Cass supported Allen as a matter of course. If we go behind
Folk and Van Buren's * colonize ir you please' principle of 1826, we soon arrive at Mr.
Monroe's views. In his message of 1823, he declared " that we should consider any attempt
on their phe powers of Europe's] part, to extend their system [colonization dr monarchy] to
any portion of this hemisphere, as dangerous to our peace.'* Was not this in sQict accord-
ance with the views of Adams and Clay in 1836, and of Pojk now, though he opposed it
Aen 1 The N. Y. Sun took Polk's latest view six months in advance of his message, and
sd did its editor, Noah, in his other paper, the Messenger of June last. When P<dk was
proposed for President, Noah spoke of him with contempt; as a third rate sort of person ; but
Ifoah, Marcy, Webb and Polk go hand in hand now for " more slave territory. We can't
have too much."
Mr. Guizot, minister of Prance, by a late speech, and the French legislature by a vote, have
shown, that in case of war betweeii England and this country, France, would remain neutral,
unless some convulsion were to change the essence of its government. Mr. Guizot is a friend
of education, science, the continuance of peace, and the mental and moral elevation of man.
The correspondence of the National Intelligencer of Sept. 13, 1836, tdls us, that " not a
solitary step has been taken to meet the just expectations of the Mexican minister. Men
aafe openly recruited, armed, and marched flirough our country, not (as in the case (rf* the Eng-
lish auxiliaries in Spain) to sustain the actualgovemment of Mexico, but to aid a few thou-
sand American citizens and adventurers from Europe in making war against th at g ovem-
ment ! Professions, therefore, are a mockery of the common sense of mankind.** We have
seen that the Polk — ^Van Buren democracy had no sympathy with Mexico, Columbia, and the
South American republics, which really sought freedom — ^we have seen Jackson and Van
Btlren intriguing in Spain to keep the yoke around the necks of the immense black^pulation of
Cuba. So too in Canada, secret encouragement was given at first, and from rfov. 6, when
the revolt broke out in and near Montreal, to January, when the Caroline had been sent over
the Niagara Falls, Van Buren did nothing ; but no sooner was it made apparent that the
struggle might be a protracted one, or a feilure, than Van Buren and Marcy Were found
among the persecutors of the poor exiles. On Nov. 21, 1838, Van Buren issued a proclama-
^n against the second Canada revolt, witii a
"Whereas disturbances have actually broken out anew in diiferent parts of the two
Canadas : And whereas, a hostile invasion has been made by citizens of me United States,
in: conjunction with Canadians, and others, who, after forcibly seizing upon the property of
Iheir peaceful neighbor, for the purpose of effecting their unlawftil designs, are uow fn arms
Digitized by ^OOQ IC
VaK ttJia^U Aki) CaHaI^a. VotN6 an1> oaLHoun on slavery. 2^1
aeainst tbe authorities^ Canada, inperfect disregard of their own obligations as American
citizens, and of the obligatioBS of the Gtovemment of the country to foreign nations: N«rv,
^erelbre, 1 hare thought it neoessaiy and proper to issue this prodaination, callizig u^n
every citizen of the United States neither to give countenance nor encouragement of any cind
to those who have thus forfeited their claim to the protection of their country ; upon those nds-
^ded or deluded persons who are engaged in them to abandon projects dangerous to their
own country, fatal to those whom they profess a desire to relieve, impracticable of execution
-without foreign aid, which they cannot rationally expect to obtain, &c And 1
hereby warn all those who have engaged in these criminal enterprises, if persisted in, that,
whatever may be the condition to which they may be reduced, they must not expect the In-
terference of this government, in any form, on their behalf; but will be left reproached by
every virtuous fellow-citizen, to be dealt with according to the policy and justice of that Gtov-
emment whose dominions ikey have, in defiAce of the known wishes and effort of their own
Government, and without the shadow of justification or excuse, nefariously invaded."
Compare this xsoclamatian against the comrades of Von Shoultze, Woodruffe, Abb^,
GeOfge, Lount, Matthews, Cardinal, Buckley, Chevalier, Daunais, Doane, Duquette, Honiffi-
man, Moreau, Leadi, Lynde, Peeler, Perley,. Phelps, the Sanguinettes, and Swete, all of
-whcHU were cruelly put to death in cold blood, with Jackson and Van Buren's Mexican and
Texan policy, where the object was to cover by a pretended revolt the robbery of 400,000
square miles of God's heritage, that it might yield gain to idle, covetous, heartless slave deal-
ers, and, worse still, enable them to control the government of this glorious republic for the
purpose of perpetuating the most cruel scourge that can desolate the family of man. This
proclamation encoura^ the convictdriver of Van Dieman's land to redouble his cruelties — ^it
showed no generous feeling for the injured. How could it 1 There is not on earth a more
heartless, cold, calculating enemy of free institutions than M. V. Buren — there perhaps
never will be.
Some jears jei^, ,Mr. Calhoun o^ced a report on the U. S. mail, in which an e^it i0 tnade
5 but httle better off than negro slaves, fii reply. Dr. Chan-
to shew mat nofmera laborers are I
ning writes to Mr. Clay, thus : *' Is it possible that such reasonings escaped from' a man who
has trod the soil of New England, and was educated at one of her colleges 1 Whom did he
meet at that college *? The sons of her laborers, young men, whose hands had been hardened
at the plough. Does he not know, that the famihes of laborers have furnished every depi^rt-
mentin life among us with illustrious men, have furnished our heroes in war, our statesihen
in council, our orators in the pulpit and at the bar, our merchants whose enterprises embrace
the whole earth 1 What 1 the laborer of the free state a slave, and to be ranked with the de-
spised negro, whom the lash drives to toil, and whose dearest rights are at the mercy of irre-
sponsible nower 1 If there be a firm independent spirit on earth, it is to be found in the man,
who tills tne field of the firee states^ and moistens them with the sweat of his brow."
Although, in a report by Col. Young, in 1839, adverse to anti-slavery politics, and sustain-
ing what is called tne Atherton gag in Congress, he spoke strc«igly against what he called
the boiling cauldron of abolitionism, its misguided fury and ferocious spirit, inebriated abo-
litionism, antir>ma8onic and abolition phrenzies, and the hopelessness of southern slave eman-
cipation while northern agitation continues, yet it would seem that he is firmly oppose^ to
Texan annexation, with daveiy as her dower. In a discussion in the Senate oi New York
on the a7th of January last, Col. Young said he was opposed to the admission of Texas as a
slave state, and that Governor Wright had said he was opposed to it. Mr. Hard remarked,
that believh^Col. Young to be against that wicked measure, he and his whig friends had
been anxious for his return to the U. S. Senate (in place of Dix), as that would have prevented
annexation. That had Governor Wright, and his peculiar friends^ been honest aiid sincere in
their professions of hostility to it. Young might have been returned — that they could hstve
secured that result— but that Wright had so managed that the hunkers ga both senators (tibat
Polk might carry annexation), and Benton (hunker) had been put in Young's office. Thai
both sections of the democracy had supported Wright, who had hdd it in his power to have
prevented the spread of slavery by secunng the election of Young, but that, had he acted up to
his pnrffeseions, it might have stood in his way to the presidency, in, the minds of the slave-
holders, and that he had interfered to the contrary, and sent a message to his friends to prevent
a caucus Vhich would have carried.it into effect. Mr. Beers said that it was considered fhy
Wright) bad wAicy to send a senator to Washington opposed to the Texas measure. No
doubt ! Read Van Buren's annexation letter, and say if he is really opposed to it. Read
Vache's invitation to Van Buren to attend the ball of the " kindred spirits determined to sustain
the government in its claim to the Texas and Oregon territories,' aiid his answer, approving
of their object— and refiiember, that while old Spain, in 1829, occupied Tampico, with 4,000
troops, intent on reducing Mexico, Van Buren was then in the market offering the Mexican
rebrts cash for Texas. Again, on 2d of Sept. last, we find him addressing J. D. Kellogg, fof
the public eye, from Lindenwald, and assunng him that he considers every obstacle that may
he affiapcdtt t^oottj^leekm of the Texas spoliation « miwise and highly inexpedient," Itod'fliat
, Digitized by ^OOQ IC
1^ GREELEY ON FLORIDA. OAlf ADA IN 16^.
if these states should be involved in war with Mexico in consequence of annexation, he (Van
Bnzen) cannot doubt but that Polk would be supported " l^ the hearts and hands of fiie irhole
fKOple." All this might have been looked for from the man, who, in the teeth of the constitu-
tional provision, that Congress may make all needful laws for the territory of the Union,
asBurea North Carolina, when seeking a re-election, that Governor Dodge's «laveholdlng is
Wisconsin, and Judge Doty's in Iowa, was legal, and could not be interfered with ! Intoxicat-
ing liquors, slavery, covetousness of other men's lands, what curses they are ! Florida was
. bought for six millions to please slaveholders, and is now a slave state. We had an Indian
war there, to protect slavery — " a war [says Horace Greeley] provoked and conomenoed by our
wople, originating in land-stealing, abominable frauds and slavery, and which we steadily re-
iufled to terminate on any terms which did not require the utter expulsion of the Seminoles
£rom the territory. The reason for this was the proved impossibility of cherishing Slavor in
tbe neighborhood of Indians, as the negroes ran away to the Indians amd were harbored by
. them. So we drove the savages to desperation, pursued them through the swamps and ever-
glades>, shot some of their women and children, and starved many more, until we compelled
Uie remnant to submit to exile. The co6t of these various wars and purdiases to the people of
the United States has not been aae farthing short oi My millions of dollaiB over and above all
they have received for Florida lands, to say nothing of very many iraluable lives."
' ON
CANADIAN ANNEXATION AND INSURKECTION.
The Canadia/ti Insurrection in 1837 cmd lS3S.i-^Jt vngwred Vam. JDwren amd fmPriends.-^BfM
erJu^, John Adams, PramkUn, Bleecker, Randolph, Pitkin, Fdfx Chnmdaf^ PresideTit Mvivroe,
CaHunm, BuU, Smytk, SotUhwick, Macon, Widgery, Wells, Clay, RUchie, and tAe North
American, Review, on Canadi4m Awnexation. — Pamell on Canadian Independence. — Eustis,
Desha, Swartwout, and Wheaton, on taking Canada. — Were ike Canadians JTist'fed in resist-
ing in 1837 and 1838 ?— A brief reply. — Lord Durham's Report on that question. — Bis affiid-
ing details of Colonial Oppression. — Lord Goderich's reply to my threat of Revolt. — Sir F, B,
Bead^-^Durham harshly treated for telUng wnpleasant truths. — Would the Conqwat of Canada,
he an easy task, and oughit it to be attempted J^Error of the Merp of 1837.— i>«er, Cot. W. E.
Mme.-^Letter, General O. M. Keim.'-Letter, Geo. Dawson.^Letter, Col. R. M.Johnson.
Tre insurrections, in the Canadas, in 1837 and 1838, and the movement in Maine, in 1839,
affected very unfavorably the foundations of Van Buren*s power; and, if it were eaaentially
necessary, 1 think I might produce conclusive proof, that, by exciting the suapicitm of the
alavehokting south, and the indignation of vast multitudes in the free north, east, and west,
Ids management of public affairs, connected with or arising out of these insurrections and
ftontier movements, were, independent of the question of the currencyi most embarrassing to
his administration, and, in 1840, the cause of his political j^ilure.
There must have been powerful causes at work, to turn a majority of d6,0(X) for Van Buren,
in 1836, into a minority or 146,000 in 1840, .to induce New York to set^aide a president born
on the banks of the Hudson, in 1840, by a inajority vf 13,000, in order to place in his
stead a native Virginian, after having given her sufla^age for the former, ifi 1836, by a
majority exceeding 28,000, to induce every northern frontier coumy, without a single excep-
tion, to cry out, in Michip^an, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont,
New Hampshire and Maine, in 1840, " Away, away, with Van Buren !" while Georgia,
Korth Carolina, Tennessee, Louisiana, and Mississippi, in the «ouiCh, betrayed by their
votes equal impatience. Endorsed by Andrew Jackson, endowed by nature with great
ability fbr intrigue, ever ready to contract with the leaders for the iubserviencc of their
followers, an experienced, ambitious and unprincipled politician, possessed <^ power for
tw^ve long years, with presses and profligates at command,. the ;iatio|ial lev^msBs ia
Ibe ^d3 of his chosen partizans, ana 60,000 offices^ besides vast contnctfe U his contiol.
Digitized byVjOOQlC
Van buren in 1640. opinions on tfiE caNadas. d8d
Tkif ««ui Jiis Mitioa when he was defeated by General Hartison, who had no oflicial
patronage at all in his gitl, and no other office in his possession but that of clerk of a
law court in Hamilton county, Ohio. E[arri8on's civil and military qaalitics and charao
ter were as well known, ana remembered, in 1830, when he received .but 73 electoral votes
out of 294, as in l840, when he obtained 174, but Van Buren's reputation had deluded mul-
titudes in 1836, who, in 18^0, knew him by his works. Even in 1840, after having con-
demned him in many things, I, being ignorant of nine-tenths of his early history^ believed
that much that appeared inexplicable would at length be cleared up, and those who bad in-
finitely better meaAs of knowmg, assured me that such would be the case. Colonel Johnson,
whose generous heart prompts him to favor freedom, endorsed Van Buren in the most
emphatic terms. Disliking van Buren personally, owing him no favor, a sufferer by his
partiality and injustice, poor but at heart independent, I supported him in 1840, while I de-
nounced, through the press, that extension of slavery's horrors, of which it is now evident to
all that he was the willing instrument of the south, to carry it into effect. Calhoun did in-
deed kill him with kindness. Virginia voted for the New Yorker, a|id New York for the Vir-
ginian ; and besides Virginia, Van Bnren got 25 votes, from tlie slave states, including eleven
&om Calhoun and M*Dutfie for S. Carolina, and from the free states just twelve, in the
place of 140 only four years before ! His Mexican and Canadian policy, the profligucy of
nis expenditures, the wide-spread distress and ruin caused by the blow up of his oanking and
financial schemes, his cringing course toward the slave power, the corrupt and dishonest
agents he emp/oye<l, his donUle-faced game with the tariff, througn Hoyt, Butler and others,
and the want of sympathy and respect which he and. his friends manifested for real denfto-
cracy and free institutions ; these, added to his militia law scheme, and the bad reputation he
had with those who had known him long and well, erushed him to the ground. If he has the
materials to show to the world, that one solitary aspiration for the welfare of the millions, who
had raised him to. high honor among men, ever came from his selfish and sordid soul, it is
time that he took a thousand piastres from his hoarded stores, and employed some other than
Benjamin Franklin Buder to revise Holland's romance for a more authentic record of hjs
doings. I thought well of him and his while I dared to do so ; and if here I have said any-
thing in error to his prejudice would, for the honor of human nature, and of the institutions of
a people placed as the vangualrd of rational freedom, most gladly ddmit it.
During the discussion, in Congress, of the resolve to notily England that the joint occu-
pancy of Oregon must soon cease, Mr. Brinkerhotf remarked., that it had been said, and hit
believed it, that the battle for Oregon, if it came at all, must be fought in Canada, and " he
was glad that Britain had an assailable point here, where we would reach her with efiSect
Take Canada, and Oregon would fall into our hands as a matter of course." There is much
of this sort of Ta,i^uage afloat now, but very few remember how much more of it there was in
1811 to 1815. Washington wanted Canada. J(^n Adams desired Laurens to make an efoft
to get it in 1782. Franklin's writings show that he was most anxious to attach it to the Union.
As far back as 1759, and 1760, wc lind him urging England to get and keep it in the same
interest as the other colonies. Conffress took the same view, as witness the Canadian clause in
the constitution of 1778. The "Washington National Intelligencer, then the organ of Madjsen's
administration, said, November, 1813, " We may not obtain possession of these territories
[the noithern colonies] next summer, but eventually they must be ours." The editors go on
to state, that the Canadas embrace and conmiand the outlet and entrance, aend share the whole
extent of the mighty St. Lawrence, one of the two great waters of N. America, and the natu-
ral channel of import and export of many millions of men — that the conquest of Can<'^da
" was in vain attempted by the heroes of the revolution'* — but that once gained they could bid
defiance to England^that (Quebec guards the St Lawrence more effectually than any o&er
fortress in a like position in the world— that the transportation of the means of offensive war
to the frontiers would not be difficult— that 100,000 troops might soon be collected on the St
Lawrenee-^and that " on oiAt own exertions and united efforts alone depends the time when it
[Canada] shall be oifrs." Not many months after, the same paper said, "when we entered
into the war, the people, and we amongst them, and perhaps the government too, made too
light of the conquest of the adjoining provinces of the enemy."
Among the oj^onents of the war were Harmanus Bleecker, Qeo. Tebbetts, Garret Wdi-
dell, W. A. Duer, James Emott, Jesse Oakley, and Blisha Williams. In April, 1815, thef
addressed the public in these words : " Another object of the war was the conquest of Canada,
tnd its cession was more than once intimated to be an indispensable condition of peace.'* * In
Ihe H. of R., Dec. 10', 1811, John Randolph of Va., opposed the notion of "conquering Cana-
da, thus : " what a horrible retort might not be made on the Southern and Western slaveholding
states ! How was the Chesapeake to be protected ? He wished the house to comider the
chances (^ failure ^nd count the cost, to think of the blood that would be spilt, and the empty
coffers from which the cost is proposed to be defrayed." Mr. Pitkin, H. ot R., '<had no wish
to see the-heterc«eneo«»mass of Cfanad an population represented on this floor, nor to a^ Can-
Ada and Nova Scotia to^the republic." That was honest. 1 like it. To say, We dont want
any eonfieeti(»i with ytsu, is much better than to invite by laws, and then, insult the stwi^gec
thus asked to wme, by Philaddphia riots, and New Yor^ native corporatioQS.
_ Digitized byCjOOQlC
^ ORUMDV) lidNftOE, dALiaoUI^ tVEBSTEA, iNb iVitiiAtOlf, Oil ^MjSAi
On the 9tIiof Dec. 1811, Felix Grunot, a member of Congress for Tennessee, and on the
committee of foreign relations, declared, in his reply to John Randolph, on the question of
augmenting the forces i^ " that he would drive the British from North Ani^rica, and de-
ll^ prive them (rfthe Canadas : and would receive the French refugees as adopted brothers.
g^ Although a southern man, he was ^ling and desirous to have the Canadas. They were
rt» necessary to balance the increasing weight of the southern and ijvestem states, by the
O* accession of Louisiana. If this weight is not balanced in this way, there is reasoa.to fear
t^* Oppression by the government." Another version of his remarks, in the N. Y. E v. Post,
reads tnus : " I am waiting to receive the Canadians as adopted brethren j it will hAve bene-
ficial political effects: it Will preserve the equilibrium of the government. When Jjouisiana
shall be fUlly peopled, the northern states will lose theii^ power ; they will be at the discretion
of others ; they can be depressed atpleasure, and this nation may be endangered — I therefore
feel anxious not only to add the Fioridas to the south, but the Canadas to &e north of this
empire." Mr. Grundy was Van Buren'^s attorney-general, and perhaps one of the hesst men of
his party. President Polk was his law student. Grundy was the son of an English emi-
grant, in Oct 1814, Colonel .Monroe, afterwards president, said. " we must not be content
" with defending ourselves— different feelings must be touchea, and apprehensions excited in
" the British government. By pushing the war into Canada we secure the command of the
" Indian tribes, and command tneir services." In the session of 1812, before the war, John
C. Calhoun said in Congress, that " So far from being unprepal-ed [for war], he believed that
gr^* in four weeks from the time that a declaration of war would be neard on our frontier, the
't^ whole of Upper and a part of Lower Canada would be in our possession.'* Geneeul
Hull said to the Canadians, July 12, 1812, " I come prepared for ev#ry contingency — I have
a force which will look down all opposition." Four months ailer General Smyth said, " In a
few days the troops under my command will plant the American standard in Canada." GJen-
erals M*Clure and Wilkinson spoke with equal confidence ; but in the fall of 1813, the latter
officially reported to the secretary at war, that " The whole male population Qf Canada are
f:^ universally and actively hostile to our designs of conquest upon that country." Solomon
Southwick, in the Albany Register, then the official journal Of this state, Nov., 30, 1813, a&ks
the cabinet, " Are you a&aid to take CanaHa lest it might create a preponderating InflaeDce
against the Virginia dynasty 1 Is there a secret" understanding on the subject 1" At all times,
to the hour of his death, SouthWick continued to assert that the indisposition of pretended pa-
triots in the slave states was the true cause of the failures in Canada : and considering the
superannuated, eccentric, and feeble old men often placed in command, and the sentence of
death against Hull, which was a mere waste of time and money, as far as punishment went,-
he had some cause so to speak. New York was opposed to the war. She voted against it in
Congress, and the Assembly at Albany was against it. The East, with an unprotected com-
merce afloat, was against it j and a powerf cd southern minority steadily opposed it. Nathan-
iel Macon voted for the war, but he did not like it. In Jan. .1810, Jhe saia in Congress, tiiat
** setting aside the affair of tne Chesapeake, France and Britain were equal aggressors. Ought
we to sacrifice our property which floats on the ocean for two such countries as Canada 1"
Massachusetts voted in Congress against war, 8 to 6— New York, 11 to ^Connecticut, 7 to
none— Rhode Island, 2 to none— New Jersey, 4 to 2. Mr. Horsey of Del. said that " if all
the states which had voted for war had shown themselves as hearty as Kentucky, we would
have long since overwhelmed Canada, where the people were united in- resisting us." Daniel
Webster, then from N. H. said, Jan. 3, I8l4, ** that if tne cause had been one which the people
had espoused with ardor, and been united upon^ Canada, to the walls of Gtuebec, would have
been ours in thirty days."
Dr. Eusds, War Secretstry, sa^d, in 1612, <' We can take the Canadaj» without soldiers ; we
have only to send officers into the province, and the people, disaffected to their own govem-
ment, will rally round our standard." In the fall of 1813, the National Intelligencer said,
*' Since then our enemy forced us to war, and compelled us to territorial reptiia3s, foar her
ixseanic outrages, and still persists in refusing a recognition of our violated rights, we trust our
readers will generally agree with us, that the Canadas once ours, they shall be, as these
states have been, forever divorced from British sovereignty." The present American Eavoy
iit Berlin, Henry Wheaton, who* has been recalled, doubtless to occupy an important trust here, in
case of war, was editor of the National Advoeale in 1813, and no paper in the tlni^ was more
decided in its tone, in favor of taking and keeping Canada for eyer. At Tammany Hall on
the 25th of Nov. anniversary. General Dearborn being present. Collector Swartwout^ brother,
John, gave as a toast <^ Waj", stem, unrelenting war, till the haughty foe acknowledge our
rights to the waters of the St. Lawrence and the Mississippi." On tiie same day, the Inde-
pendent Veteran Corps of Artillery of the city of New York, drank, as their l(Wi reg^ar
toast, " Florida and the Canadas--^necessarily ours by ccHiquest or purchase," as their 11th,
*' Cuba, Texas ^d Mexico ; voluntarily ours as free states of the Union"^~and as their 1st,
"The destiny or our country, briUiant and co-extensive wiUi our national boun(^ries. the
Atlantic, Pacific, and Polar Star." And in the Nat IntelL of Oct. 17, 181% it is noted that
Digitized by ^OOQ IC
diiAV, Bltoaii» JPAANJSl4t9 pBBHA^ ANp DtTBilAM, DM 6a1UD^ ^
#100,000 were roted to the President, " fat the ptupMe of taking the Fkundas.'' Joeepb IMm,
o^ Kentucky, in Congress, Jan. 33, 1810, said, " We craght to talse Canada and Nova Scotia;
and expel the English from N. A.— the militia -will do it Indeed we have hot to hold cot to
the eolonists that we mean to release them from their chains, and they will aboEioet take it
themselves." Colonel R. M. Johnson was also for war and the oonqneatof the northam oolo-
nies. At a ptiblic dinner in Buffalo, Oct. 25th, 1813, at which Hairy Clay's relatiye, General
Peter 6. Porter, presided, and at which General Harrison and Ccomnodore Peiry were goeits,
the 13th regular toast was, " A free navigation frcnn Quebec to Tf ew Orleans by the lake^'— 1
ite 17th, Was *' The inhabitantsof Canada— we fight not to conquer them, but the policy which
made them our enemies. May they soon be united to the American Republic." On the 3lst
of Dec. 18H, Mr. Widgery told Congress to " give New England authority, and she'll take
Canada without putting you to any trouble." On the Land Bounty BiU, in the U. 6. Senate,
Feb. 1814, Mr. W. Wells of Delaware said, that although disaster had attended its progress,
" Canada is still the fond object of our wishes," bufe that there would be neat difficulty in get-
ting and still greater in )}«eping it. Mt. Grosv^Hior of Columbia Co. N. Y., in Congress, Dec.
1814, quoted from Mr. Clay's speech in Congress, on the eve of the war, as follows: '* I am
** not, sir, in favor of chenshing the pasi^ion of conquest, but 1 may be permitted to conciiide
'< by declaring my hope to see, ere long, the New United States, if you will allow me the ex-
*' presfiion, embracing not only the old thirteen states, but the entire country east of the Mis-
** 8issim>i, including East Florida, and ^ some of the territories to the north of us also."
Grosveftor's lanfiruage-was eloquent and impassioned against any other than a war for de-
fence. He coiMcmned annexation on the north, and said that tne conquest of Canada had
been " avowed in all Ihe gazettes of th6 government, in the speeches of those members who
declared the war, and in the proclamations of the gederals i^no had conducted it, nor had it
been disavowed by die executive." The Richnond Bnquirer^ then edited, as now, by T. Rit-
chie and those he trusted, and speaking, no doubt, the language cd' Jefiersan, dedared in $%b.
1814, that '< Whenever Canada nods to her fkll, G^at Britain will be just, and not till then
" i^U we obtain any security for the rights and prosperity <rf our countiymen, the honor and
^* independence of tne country." Some filteen years later, the North Aiiurican Reneto said,
" Most ardently it is to be wished, that the happy example which has so prosperouiriy attached
"to our Union, on the south, the French colony of Louisiana, woula effectually point the
" way to an equally auspicious junction of the French colonies of the north What
" a noble accession would it constitute to our republic." Again, in 1832, Sir Henry Pamell,
a member of the Whig government, in his wok on Financial Reform, took ground in ikvor
of cutting the connection. He said that '^ With respect to Canada, including our other pos-
sessions on the continent ofNarttk America, no case can be made out to show that we should
not have every eommereial advantage we are supposed now to have, if it were made an inde-
pendent state. Neither our manufacrares, foreign commerce, nor shipping, would be injured
by such a. measure." Many persons would be inclined to differ with the baronet on this
question. Though an Irishman, he represented in parliament my native city, and in argu-
ment, in private, I have seen him go still farther in favor of independence to the north. If
thrown off by England, which is a very unlik^y event just now, the colonies could not, I
fear, sustain an independent character ; and I trust they will take warning l^ the signs of the
times here, when applause and high staticm is reserved for our Van Burens, Butleis, Walk-
ers, Barkers, Lawrences, Marcys, Morrises, Wetmores, Polks, Cave Jc^nsons, Houstons,
Wrights, Causes, and Woodburys, and seek no change but that Which educalion and gradual
improvements can secure to them. Railroads, canals, revenue laws righdy framed, high-
ways, and the Primer, properly taught, are patent and powerfrd auxiliaries to annexation, and
wilthal cheap, and usefal to ourselves.
Why did Canadians revolt in 1837 1—1 have read the Declaration of Independence, of 1776,
car^uUy, and there is no one cattsc of revolt stated in it, bat what was applicable to Axe, condi-
tion of Canada, in 1837. The British Parliament, by a solemn act, appointed the Earl c^
Durham, one of England's most eminent nobles, and the son-in-law of the prime minister,
Eari Grey, to go to uanada as its supreme governor, and inquire whether any real grievances
that would warrant revolt had existed. His report is on record ; and so dai^ are the recitals,
that, had it been possible, its worst (features would never have seen the light. His cj^rtime
sincerity embittered those whom his statements condemned. Premeditated insult met him on
his landing in* Britain. The presses of the offended party ceaselessly calunmiated him. The
royal court is said to have slighted him. His feelings were wounded. His health gradually
declined, and but a few short months elapsed, ere John George Lambton, the I6th in lineal de-
scent from Robert de Lambton, a proud baron o[ 1513, though surround by all the cmnforts
which 500,000 dollars of a yearly income can produce or bestow, had gone to his last rettv I.
was not personally acquainted with him, and only saw him once in my life, At the house of his
relative Mr. EHice ; but I remember &at lie was iof many years a co-worirer wHIi the faide- .
fatigable Hume and Lord Althorp in the House of Commons, in denouncing and exposing
oppression and wasteftd extravagance; that he opposed t^e fettering of the press, and the d^
Digitized by ^OOQ IC
d86 LORD DURHAM^S AP6LO0Y tOJL R£V>OLT IN 0AKa1>A.
fejited cdA'lJfw of 181*, and earnestly icfrged afkr moirt Awongh kform' tka* wis obtained
in the popular representation in 1832. Perhaps Van Buren has been guilty of more heinous
offioces man his calefarated iiiTitatioA to the autocrat of Canada, erewhile the envof of fiof*
. land's queen al the court of the. autocrat of Siberia.
hcffd Durham officially stated to the Ctueen's ministeiB, that it would almost seem as if the
object of those who (ramed the Canadian system of government " had been the combining of
IJrappareatly pcnpuiar institutions with an utter abeonce of all smct^NT .control of the people
•ovdrthcir rulers, that the government was Responsible, a^ ite motives and actual purposes
shrouded in mystery from the colenists; tiiat a '' family compact," a small body of intriguios
men, retain ^' a monopoly of power and profit," and that even a native of Britain or Ireland,
if not one of this combined faction, is " less an alien in a foreign country'' than in Canada;
that every seventh form in Upper Canada had been bestowed to unhold one small denomioa-
.tipn of christians— that the Irish Catholics, though very numerous, nad been excluded from a
thaie in the gov«rnm^t-^that settlers from' the United States bad been harassed^ and the
. titles tQ their lands called in question— «Cbat parliamentary elections of Jiigh officers of govern-
•meat had been carried- by outrageous vidence-r-that the orange societies, oaths and proces-
. sion3 which caukd so much ill blood in Ireland, had been greatlv encouraged in Canada b7
the executive— that the administration of justice was impure, and that a colonist teels that his
linlrin the empire is *' one of remote dependence*'— ibat blocks of the public lands had been
granted to favorites who had, in many cases, never seen nor settled on them, and that thej
^ place the actual settler in an almost hopeless condition"^that emigrants finom Britain are iU
treated by the Toronto authorities, and retire to the U. S. in dvsgu^—that aany parts are
without roads, mills, postroffices, and churches, the peoi>le getting poor, education neglected,
and the valuable lands set apart for schools by orders ol' the Puke of Portland 40 yeajrs «j{o,
ever since withheld from that useful purpose— that the U. S. frontier is a, picture of prosperS^,
while that of Canada is the reverse-^that unless the system «f government i» changed, the
people would not long support British rule-— that Governor Head had pfocured the return of a
- Ho'jse of Assembly, the members of which were elected under such circumstances '* as to ren-
der them peculiarly objects of suspicion and reproach to a large number of their, country-
nsn"— Chat *' in a number a( instances, too, the elt^ctions were carried by the nnscrapuloos
exercise of the influence of the government, and by a display of violence on the part of the
tories, who were emboldened by the countenance a0brded to them by the government; diat
such facts aud such imnressions produced in the ^^ountry an exasperation and a despair of
good government, which extendea far beyond those who had actually been defeated at the
polls" — that the legislature thna corruptly elected tor one year, had prolonged its existence
other three, " in defiance of all constitutional right," and " Such , are the lamentable results
of the political and social evils which have so long harassed the Canadas; and at this moment
we aie obliged to adopt immediate measiaes against 4angers so alarming as are i«bellioD,
foreign invasion, and depopulation ki consequence of the desertion «« Tiutsse i)i a people I^
duced to despair.
England's queen and parliament constitute Liord Di»ham an umpire between revolted
subiects and the authorities. This-was his report Yet was my valuaoltprc^rty scattered
to the ibur winds of heaven— myself declared an outlaw— and at the end of nine years, I do
not find eniMigh of nobleness of soul in the great country, or-its nders who caused tlie wrong, to
reverse that outlawry, because 1 do not choose humbly to beseech a minister, whose predeoes-
aocbetter dsmpved impeaehmsnt than some whom England's annals mention as having been
so treated. I am, I believe, the only political outlaw of 1837, belonging to Upper Canada.
In a secret despatch, Lord Durham to Lord Gknelg, dated Cluebee, Aug. 9, 1836, say!>:
" My sole purpose i» to impress upon )oar Lordsbip my own c(^victiun, which has been
formed by personal experience, that even the best informed, persons in England can hardly
conceive the disorder or disorganization which, to a careful inquirer on the spot, is mani^
in all thinp pertaining to gpveminent in these eolonies. Such words scarcely express the
whc^e truth ; not govesnment merely, but society itself seems to be dissolved ; the vessel of the
statfB is not in great danser onlyv but looks like a complete wi^ck." And a^ain, Sepu 24tb,
liOrdDajrham writes:-^" Nor shall I regret thgt I have wielded these despotic powers in a
maonsr which, as an Englishman, I am anxious to declara»utterly inconsistent with the Bri-
tish constitution, until I l^arn what axe the constitutional principles that remain in force when
' a whole cOBstitution is suspended; what principles of a B^ritish constitution l^old good in ^
country where the- people's money is taken witliout the people^s consent, where representaiive
government ia anmnilated, where martial law ha& been the law of the land« and where the
trial by jury exists, only to defeat the ends of justice, and to provoke the righteous scorn and
indignation of the community, I should indeed regret the want of applicability in my ovn
principles of government, or my ow4 incapacity ibr applying them, nad the preclsx: course
which I should think it imperative on me to pursue in a land of freedom and of law, proved
to be the only one that I could adopt in a country whiph long misgovernment and sad aissen-
sion have brought to a condition that may fairly H deserU>edvas one of constituted anarchy."
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AM AyO)iO«t rOR tHB AUTHOR^S OONl>UCt IK CANADA. Hff
With reordf like diess on the foumaJs of pariiament, is it noUe, is It just, is It acoenliiiff
to th^^igliih notion ui fair dealing^ to proscribe a man from visitisig the place of hisUrdi,-
and the graces of his children-r-to hold up that pidscription for nine long years-^to raqakt
concession from the injured 1 D^d I not for many a long year, in the kgiBlatore of Caaa-
da, oppose all wasteful extravagance, lend an aotire help to f<M7rard, the public hnsineaa. to
expose dishonesty, to shame partial judges, to remove real grievances^ Did I not, throi^ a
fearless pr^ss, amid endless |yrosecmioD8, with the plaudits of ooaanmuty, stand up ibr coascita-
tional right, and to the last dedare we would ask no more 1 Did I not carry to England the
petitions of a maj(»nty of all the male population of Upper. Canada; and while oiheni with
not a tidie of the popular influence I po^essed, were courting power for place, which I aerer
stooped to do, did 1 not warn Lord Goderieh, now Earl of Ripon, five yean betbre the onthceak,
what it would etid in, if justice was denied and the*col(mi&ts scorned 1 In that nobkman's
reply to my statement, a docmmeat of great length, and ppssessing much sonad rtasoniDg, and
wnieh, had not its promises been disieemded by his suceessois, there would havte been no
insurrection in 19S7, he says, **^Mr. Mackenzie has oondaded this paper by predietioiis of
" bloodshed and civil war, and a dissolution of the connection with this kingdom. He may
" well suppose that such a pro^et would be ^regarded by his. majesty's gbvemme&t with a
" (tegree or c(mcem and anxi^ to which it would be difficult to give any adequate esprotaioiui,
^ But agaitiBt gkxnny propheciesof this nature, every man conversant with public busmeas moat
'* learn to fi^fy his mind. They have ever been the resource of those who endeavor k> extort
** from the fears 6f government concessions, in favor of whkh no adequate reasons can he
'^^iren.*' Does Lord Durham's Report contain no adeouate reasons 1« Did my reman-
stiances, yet «n file in the eoton^ office, contain ncme 1 Did the continued proofe of pnUic oqb-
fideace which I obtained While in Engiaad, and on my return to Canada, eotOaiu mme 1 Bd4
I Mm desinms efexeiMmff a wanUm iansumetion wfuld / ^ocr gone to London tlTus to warn the
colonial office to prepare for it 1 Would I have remained there 16 months, earnestly and aax-
ioB^y urging ihe^ improvements in the commercial code-*in the postage system—in the
communications between Halifax and Britain— and in die municipal concerns ai the Cana-
das, which were so much required by all parties 1 So far was I from being ultra in my
views, that I frankly told Lord Howick and Mr. Stephen, that if they wouki give us a man of
tnniness habits as goremor, in exchange for the old military hero who i^ad so long been eon-
tfolled by " the femily compact," so justly condemned by Lord Durham, we would try toget on
iirithout tiiat full m^aMtre of self-control which our memorials required, so far as it was op-
posed to the eokmial system. On my return to Canada, a committee of a new legislature, on
which I served as diairman, went fully into an examination of the condition of the cotony.
The result of our labors was an octavo of some 500 pages ; and, armed with that volume and
tiie liaron of Glenelg's instructions in reply, Sir Francis Head dropped down among us in mid
winter, as a reformer^ than which a more indiscreet and unwise cnoice never was made by
any actministrakion — neidier hare I a doubt but that Lord Melbourne was as sensiUe of his un-
iimess when he sent him out, as he seems to have been when Sir Francis had set the colonies
on ire, through the trouUes of 1837. He began by exhibiting in Upper Canada part of Lord
Gosford's instructions which he had been directed to keep secret->their publication stopt the
aopplies in Lower Canada, and dashed the cup of popularity firom Lord Gosford's lips, fbr
iliey showed insincerity at head-quarters. Head^s conduct as gtwemoc^ slandering the u n^
States, encouraging orange societies, Quarrelling with, the advisers he had chosea, biit never
once consulted, stating fhls^oods ana getting convicted of so doing, was such that supplies
were refused to him also, and be had to set every semblance of popular rule at defiance, in
* I am siflcerdy 'sorry that a single individual remains outlawed or banished from Canada, or held fs eon-
finement in Van DiemanS Land, letatlte to the insnrrection. England was so clearly in the wniiif. by the
horrible mli>rale she sslbred to exist, that when she j«w laen lilce me turn round and do our very UMKMrt to
saclfir the frontiers, after iKsisf plundered of everything, she should hnve tajten the risk of returning u> their
famltles the innocent victims of her carelessness. I am very cool now ; and yet although 1 havs a packet of
most Important papers in the hands of a friend for safe keeping, relative to Caiadlaa aflhirs, 1 think it too early
t« write an account ef the evenie of 1836 to ie3& I have preserved some iOO letters of the Navy fsiaiwl cuv
R^poadeiiee, but It i« not yet a fitting tUne to give such matters to the world. 8o strong is my prasent convic-
tion of the ImiMTOpriety of adding any inilammatory materials to the Or«gon blaxe that, althofiEh the worthy
printer of my ** Sons of the Emerald Isle " presded me to allow him to nnl«h it. I have sUipt after tbe secona
number, rather than continue just itotf these exeitlnf relations of ancient mlerule. I never have|>Iayed wil-
lingly into the hands of the enemies of real reform anywhere, and wili not now. The following note was
addressed to me, by that Une and long and weU-uied l^end of poor and rich, Joseph Hume, when I was last
leaving liondon.
To W. L. Mackenzie : *' Brtanston Sqitars. June 94th, 1881
** DcAR Sir : I cannot allow you to leave this country withoilt expressing my sense of the great advantage
Ihs peeiple of Upp^r Canada have derived from your exettl<Mis which have Iteen unwearied and peneverirg
mHm» your arrival ; and. I may add. comparattvely soccessfhl in obtaining many alterations from Lord Code*
rich in orders respecting the future Government of Upper Carada. I (ini sorry to observe by some of the pro-
teedlngsof Mr. StNniey, that he is rather didimsed to prnmotei than to punl>h the mSn who have been m-
Bunred tlrom Upper Canada for lmpn»per conduct, and thereby to encooiage mlsgnvsrament on the pan of thf
sahlie oflfoMs in that hovht^ whliOk Ima 6sd8ftak*s Ists proseedisp wcis ^calated to jMevvat.
/of ara Vvni*"
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^ THE CANADIAN iNSUUECTlONa OF '1^57-dd.'
order to d0cch« hi* mpBiom Ia Ho^^d throorh a jnock kgialatore, obtained on %ft yriiwi^
vtdchLQfrdDwiiam too tridydeaojlied when fi'^ Sir Fnustcis
writes to Lord MeHxxime after this fiisbion : ^' On n^. arrival in Upper Canada t foond mj.
•aetf not only bounded on the one aide by LOMrer Canada. on the eve of a revolty and on t£e
. odier aide, by the United Stntee. wboee GOV£RNMKNT, aa well as people,, jv^e secretly
ttsiag thnir inflaence to exten^nate&otn the continent ot*. America monarchical io^titatioBs,
' but 1 found myself exposed to and ^poaed by a repubtican bouse of assembly.'' Aper my le-
. torn from England I had nothing ^halevar to do, with eiter i^vernmeoit or paopie in these
^Btttles; and they had no pan in causing^ tiK revolt; ncadidthe,natiT¥» Ameiioaiiain Canada
take tiK labeling oar m it. ' If this country had secret emissaries I nerer knew of it^ nor do I
bc2iev» it; The revolt inf 1^7 began tiov. 6^ in Montreal. That ^ 1838 n^rvt jvonld have
Mgun at all, had L«oni Durham been kindly treated by fili^and ; tut his whig ^nds allow-
< td htei to hd denounccvl in the House of Peers^ dot an nciof kindness and Imaanity towards
-^ght Gaaadiaqa seni la Bermuda; ai^ in the House of Commons sanctioned &e insult his
' (Wsmies had yrepsffed elsewhere. His^Kults and foiUas were many--I may nei deny tha
But he^had a manly soul, ^as handily treated, meant right, would have ccmciUated iiH parties
•"had he been let alone, and his indisoreet removal wan the signal for new trqubka, in which I
' had no part ^ductever, althongh'fbr several years^ I confess it with reg|fet» | would gladly have
wim^ssed war en tins oontineht. Calmer leieciians have sinee retorned-r-and in i^. vpisit
in which 4 remained^so long in' Europe, ever anxious to av^m the caiises pf war <V> Inev
i ymfjoob this statement. \it U a pleasant tUng tt> see tiie staitesmen ef Britain at kiigth ^pursuin^
thai liberie policy which even a Humei, a Roebnek, and a BuU^ caonot ^oA &ult with.
What honest heart on this aidethe Atlantic^ would da^ea the dawnings of a better day to
mankind, with the hitter and Mooc^ scourge of trar, as if there were not pains and privatioDs
- en<ough in the wortd which are unavoidable, without adding to. them a renewal of those deadly
' struggles for^ower and dominion, wiiicfa in the % years preoedingt 1815, caused <' conntless
thousands to mourn" for the inhumanity of eiviU2e£maa mors savage jkhwd the tenant of the
foresn ^ . , ^
I hare not a wish, left to see Canada incorporated vith-thisnnioo. If it pbtaiii^ a. direct i«-
presentatlo^ in the Brftisk Parliament, on. the ^sagacious plan proposed'by the ftr-seein^
Framklin, and renewed bv Hnm^ in .the House of Oommoos, it may remain coiiae<^ed with
Britain for ages. Shoukl that not take plac^, its annaxation to these uprtharn sta^ is aA
event of no remote pMbaCbtttty. At pceaMt,'tb&.€hanc«s ace, thi^'aninraaJton ^ Oanada^lrom
Ais side (although, considering the £uitity of transportation of men and matenala, it might
nrove ra&er more ^nceessful than i( did In 1812), would end in a failure, or its eqi^valeoL
The clergy g^Eierally in Canada are uniavorable to achani<&-^and altbougn in 1837 » p^ 1838,
many 1^ them to johi in the moveoaent, vet I have never sinte seen one who was thus engag-
ed e^ht years ago^^ thst did not coDleas Ms disa|}p<nntmfint on witn^ing the woa^dng of the
potiHeal maehinery in gear here, and which we had alt so much admir^ Of the populatkm
of thecolonies there undoubtedly is a- large majorityKat t^ day who are hostile to im annexa-
tion to this Union*^and there are no soaocity of states on this side the St. X^wrencav quite as
steiulily oj^Msed to an amalgamation wi& the Canadians. The more I see of the halelul effeets
<tf southern slaivry, in retanling education and maaing useful republican legislation) the wm
avaFsa a^ i to^witnesa mere of the kee nor^ come under its destructive operation. • i
Those who participaied in &e Canadian insurrections some yeaJS since, were, 1 think, ifl
emor-^-nei: because there was no ffood ground ibr nevolt— nor be^Mise there was not enough of
disaffection — no, nor yet on account of the impossibility of success, for it did seem lobe at one I
time within our easy grasp— but because the reasonable probability of a haj^y terminatioa
was less strong thantkat^of premature failure. JL.ord Sydenham, with whom J used some- 1
times to converse at W^tehail, wh^ in London, did many tyram^cal things in Canada, but i
he began to trust the people, was experienced arid practical, and set up those elective local or |
county legislatuxes among them which answer to the boajr(is of supervisors here.. He .wrote
to his bmther in England, ** I would. willingly give land to setters, but there is, aias ! none ta
give, except what is rendered valueless by the neighborhood of those cursed landjobb^s who
cut off all access to it.*' And again, *< Iknpw that as much as I di^ke Yankee institutions aid
rule, I wouki not have fougiit against them, which thousands of these poor fellows the [femilyjj
contact call rebels did, if it were only to leeep up such a government as they goL"
Tne American people, in two wars, have assuredly got glory enough. If they were desiroas
to establish the fact that they are brave in battle, whether by land or sea, it is so tvell knowaj
as to be undisputed an)rwherew But ware it otherwise, would that be a reason, for destrovinl
commerce, setting the whole world a fighting, killing vast numbers and wounding masy moi^
demorali2ing society, creating mammoth national debts, and embarrassing a whole people M
aik age to come, and all about some barren desert contended fbr by those who have aTready laH
enotigh for twenty times their number 1 '
Por many years, in Upper Canada, Lgave all my energies to the tasfe of instmetibg the pel
pie in the jwnciples of popular government, so fer as I knew them. To comprehend the ardr
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CANADA. DEAtH OF COL. MOOPlB. COL. W. £. MOORE. 5289
ous cnaracter of tfee course I pursued, the reader would require to have resided in these times,
in the colony. Many there were who covertly endeavored to hring about a change. I went
straight ahead. A residence here has fully satisfied my own mind, that I went too fast and
too fer— tjiat the ideal difference is much greater than the reality, and that no one is called
upon to encourage bloodshed in 1846, on the banks of the St. Lawrence, in order that Congress
may have longer sessions and more work, by the extension of such legislation as they bestow
on the ten miles square to the larger area of the two Canadas.
It has often been said, here in New York, that I was a party to the Short BKlls Invasiott— the
Prescott affair, under Von Shoultz, Birge, &c. — ^the Windsor or Detroit inroad — and the Lower
Canada insurrection of 1838. I was not consulted in, nor a party in any way to these enter-
prises, nor has any one that was concerned ever said so. Noak m the Sun, Messenger, &c.,
insists that I injured the Canadian cause by cowardice, and pernaps I did. I do not nnd that
<imf party in Canada have ever said so, however. Sir Rich^ Bonnycastle, of the Royal En-
gineers, Toronto, in a book lately issued from the London press, plainly, and in the most dis^
tinct terms, charges me with having murdered Colonel Moodie ci the British Army, in cold
blood, and even gives my alleged reasons for so doing ! Colonel Moodie^ accompanied by Capt.
Stewart of the Royal rlavy (an old officer who was at the battle of Aboular), and Lieut.
Crewe, rode up to the rebel Imes, dashed past the first line of sentinels, and fired a pistol at the
«cond, opposite Montgomery's Hotel. Refusing to surrender, he was fired at in return by the
sjentinel, as ordered by the officer on guard, and died of the wound— Crewe and Stewart were
then made prisoners. Stewart swore to a narrative of the feicts, which appeared in the Toronto
newspapers. About an hour before that, I had left for Toronto, with a guard of four horse-
men (one of whom Capt Powe* shot dead) — we arrested Capt. Powell and Major A. McDon-
cfU, and while I wa^ on my way back, with McDonell in chaise, as he states in his publish-
ed naxrative. a gentleman rode past and told uS that Col. M. had been shot or wounded. On
our arrival at the hotel (Col. Lount being then in command there), I went instantly to see the
dying man, and he told all present that his own imprudence had caused his death. I never
saw him before in my life ; and as his death was an open, public act, seen by many, and as I
was at the time far distant, in charge of McDonell, a more wanton lie was never told, and that
too by a neighbor whom Iliad never wronged, and who must have known that the tongue of man
never utterOT a more wanton or malicious falsehood. Tue dueen wrote a letter to the Colo-
nel's widow, coiMk^ng tHth her as was natival ; but where can Bonnycastle find a shadow of
proof to his London story 1 Certainly not in Upper Canada.
[No. 314.1 Colonel W, E. Moore, of Kentucky, assistant Editor of the Washington
Olobe, to W. L. Mackenzie, 162 Nassau st., New York.
Washington, D. C, Dec. 12, 1838.
Dear Sir : * * * Should come on, let him have a letter for me, and he will
find a friend with the will, if not the means, of seconding his views. Of course you are
aware tha.t Mr. Papineau is here. * • ♦ Thew are other jports erf your letter I do not like.
You must know that the only party. z» this courUrywhickr^eMy symptdhizes with the Canadian
patriots is the democratic. Hie Whigs, as a party, are opposed to you in pbinciple ; we are
wUh yott IN PRiNCiPi^, in/eding, m keoH^ tmd soul; but ciicunwtances, call them selfish,
.self-interest, if you please (we caJl it our fixst duty to our country), hat^ throvm us into a false
position, but that only for a dme. Much as we admire the man of our choice, placed by us
at the head of the government, yet koto did every denufcrstie press in the country receive his pro-
clamatioH ? Bow has it received part of the annual Message, relating to Canada 7 WITH
DEEP, DEEP MORTIFICATION. At heart tbbjre is not a NORTHERN or WES-
TERN DEMOCRAT, from the summit of the Alleghanies to the bosom of the Father of Waters,
west, and thence east along the feeders of the St Lawrence to the Penobscot, who does not
regret it ; but we repose in the assarance that such documents were called for by ike. existing
state of relations between the two countries. Yet that part of the message, as well as the pro-
damation, elicited the general praise of the whig press, from Mr. Gales downwards. While
condemning every other portion of the message, this, most of them can land. I can assure you
that there is a magazine of burning patriotism now buried in the bosoms of the democracy,
. that wants but a single spark to set it in an active flame. Let the poor Prescott prisoners be
jnassacred in cold blood, and it will light up a torch in this country that all the influence and
power of both governments will be unable to smother or quench. But what would you have
us do now 1 Surely we must not forget our high moral obligations as a government, and we,
the people, are the government in reality. We are at peace with England ; why should our
government go to war with her, or take steps to hurry herself blindly into such a catastrophe 1
^ It may be that our executive may have exhibited too much solicitude to preserve peace ; but
peace is the natural position of a republic, especially of an extended ana diversified one like
ours,.!:^ WHERE AcauiBiTiON WOULD BE A CURSE, «Q and glory but a poor return for the loss
of blood and destruction of prosperity. It would be difficult to explain myself in a few hurried
A
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290 OORRBSPONDRNOE OF DBMOCBATS AND WRI6S.
lines, bnt the democratic party in this country stand in this position ; their prayeny iketr tym^
pathies, their purses, if tkip were rich enough (their personal services too, which would not be
withheld on a reasonable prospect of success), are for the patriots, and yet they will sustain
Aeir government in a firm, digni^Md. but not tmckline adherence to neutral obligations. We
have NormNO to qajx by a war witn Great Britain, however successful it mignt terminate,
and this is not the age ior republics entering a contest for the establishment of abstract,
though correct, principles elsewhere. We of the democratic party throughout the Union,
however, are wim you as citizens, and shall continue to be so. The federalists will apgoae
yon, in public and in secret, by sneering and by slander, in a word, by every trick, till they
see the bones of the last victmi bleached on die plain, and they will Mast his memory after-
wards. Excuse these hasty thoughts. I have written with corresponding candor to your
own ; but I have felt that your letter did my party injustice. Happily, it wiU not be long ere
your convictions will assent to all I say ; for, depend npon it, lo the democracv alone can you
look for support I shall be glad to hear from you. Your friend, W.E. MOORE.
Kom, Paynier, and IngersoPs hOerview vrith Van Buren about Metckenzi^s Imprisonment.
[No. 315.1 To Messrs. William Qilmore and Robert Christy^Secretaries of the Denuv
cratic Union JLssociation, Philadelphia. WAsmNorosr, December 28th, 1830. Gentlemen : —
On behalf of a resolution of the Democratic Union Association, for Messrs. Paynter, Ingiersol
and myself to call upon the President of the United Stales and request his attention to a me-
morial relative to the pardon of William Lyon Mackenzie, it becomes my duty Jo say that we
have fidly discharged the desire therein expressed. The President, who is at aU times audoos
to gratify the desires of any portion of the people, regrets excc»^lingly, that in the present junc-
ture of pending negotiations with Great Britain, it would be xSnoper to interfere with the ac-
tion of our courts ofjustice, and therefisre at present could not oecisively move in compliance
with your wishes. Every possible means have been exerted to make the confinement <k Mr.
Mackenzie a nominal oneJ and to gratify his every wish, save Ids release. My own private
views are, that if the friends of Mr. Mackenzie would appeal to the magnanimity of tne pre-
sent representative of the British provinces in North America, by kis request, he would be re-
leased, and relieve the question fix>m the embarrassment in which it seems involved.
^ ♦GEORGE M. KEIM.
[No.3ia] George DawBoa^ Editor of the Rochester Democrat, to W. L. Miwikenzie, care of
Dr. Cyrenins Chapin, Bn&lo.
RocBBSTBH, Dec 14, 1837. Dear Sir :•— Allow me, as one who admires the sublime stand
yourself and your associates have taken against tyranny, to tender you my sympathy. I have
watched with intense anxiety the progress of events in Canada, and the intelligence (^ your
revolt was received with irrepressible satisfaction. Before open hostilities were avowed in
the Upper Province, that circumstances might hasten such hostilities, was my daily prayer. I
knew that she deserved to be free, and betieved that if she rescued upon freedom, it oould be
achieved. My acquaintance with you in my boyhood, and the tales or persecutions that have
followed you since that period, have been listened to and treasured up. I knew your wrongs,
and earnestly jHrayed for their redress. I looked to yoa as a leader, and from my knowledge
of your character, expected that you woold, soona or kaer, assume a position at once sublime
and noble. Nor have my expectations failed. I have seen your aim raised to strike the first
olow for Liberty. Would to God that its descent had not, to some extent, been foiled I But I
still look upon the Sun of the Canadas as but en^erging frx)m the morning clouds. The day
cannot be &r distant when it shall shine resplendently in the ascendant.
In writing to you, I have been requeited by several of our citizens to invite you to visit this
city, if you could do so with safe^, and consistently with your arrangements. We are to
have a meeting on Saturday evening, as you will see by my paper, which I send you ; and it
would afford me much pleasure to provide you with the noepitalities of my house. Please
write me. Yours sincerely, GEORGE DAWSON.
* General Keim told me himself that the above wee a tme copy of hfci private letter to the Anociatioii. Wa
extraordinary advice, or hint, most have been given in cooMqaenee of what Van Boren . had said to the three
Philadelphia concreMmen. I was advised to appeal to Lord Sydenham or Sir George Arthur's manianiaiity,
in Canada ; and the president of the United Stales would be quite ready to pardon in New YotIe, if it met the
views of the Icnight or baron that might be governing Ibr the time at Toronto ! This, of connet I did doc choose
to stoop to dO| and therefore had to sniibr other five months* iminrisonment— bnt the very day the Baltimoie
Convention met. Van Bnren was made to see tliat my omfinement had been a verv great political blonder, and
I was instantly released, although the followhig note shows that he had not intended to take such a eonne.
NoTB.— John Norvell, Senator, U. S., to Morgan L. Gage, Michigan.— WASHinoroif, Jan. 3, 1840.— Dear Sir :
In reply to your letter in relation to the ease of William L. Mackenzie, I am only enabled to say to yon, that
upon receiving thepetitionB for his pardon, as I am iuibrmed, they were sent to the flXstiict Judge and the DIs-
tnct Attorney of Western New York, and that their report on the tatdect was such as to prevent the ezerdse
by the President of the power of pardon on the occasion. JOHN NORVELU
i Smith Thompson and N. 8. Bentoa.
False, altogether fkOss^W. L. AL
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R. M. JOHNSON, pork's FRIBNPBHIP FOR VAN BCREN. 2^1
[No. 317.] Ool. R. M. Johiistm, Vice President U, S., to John Fegaa, Esq., Philadelphia.
City of Washikgton, 11th Msnr, 1840. My dear Sir :*— Your highly esteemed fayor has
been received, respecting the confinement of Mr. Mackenzie as prisoner, &c., in the jail at
Rochester. I feel as deeply as mjon can feel the misfortane of that patriotic man. I consider
his misfortune abd his suffering very much like the hard fate and cni^ destiny of many on-
soccessfnl patriots befbre our time ; and although the laws of nations and the laws of the land
may have condemned him and legally consigns him to prison^ I think that the deaaand cnf jus-
tioe is satisfied, and i should not hesitate, wdli my views o£ the sahject, to liberate, if I had the
power ; and I presiune that I shall do, and have done, all I can to efi^ this object I am con«
ndent, however, that the President [Mr. Van Burenl has acted from his conviction of a sacred
dutv to do as he has done ; but I hope that he may feel himself justified, without injury to the
diplomatic relations of the country, in exercising the power of pardon hi this case. In my
deuMntte poidlion, having no i^wet, and exercising only that reasonable influence which my
situation gives met I do not wish to take any-prominent agency in this matter, as it would not
do good, and might do harm; but at tl^ place, as for as it is correct and proper, I will do wluH
I ean to pitunote the object in view. Bespectflilly, Rh. HI. JOHNSON.
AN ACCOUNT
BALTIMORE CONVENTION.
VAN BURETS DEFEAT,
Ain> THE
NOMINATION OF POLK AND DALLAS.
** As teas OB flowers aljigliting, oeaae fb«it hmn,
Bottling on pbees, democraCs grow duinbb"
JPd^s PriendsHpfor Van Buren.-^Beiss and the Union, — T%e Globe on Pofk^-^RiJUMe^ Heiss,
Polk, and Cass, — Signijlcawt Voks, — Delegates rewarded. — Marcy^s Position and Prospects.
— Tke Syracuse NominoHons. — Bow Cass lost tke Oame. — CrosweU amd DUkenson^s Views. —
JButler^s NashviUe Jowmey. — Van Buren Threats in the DeinocraUc Review. — Walker wheals
BuUer rownd to Texas, condemns Van Buren, and nominates Wright J-^JFiagg set aside^ —
Marcos Ta/d.-^Bantrofi on both sides. — The Two4Mrd Bvle.'^Bwtler on Bard Cider.-^Van
Buren for Polk, DaUas, and Texas.-'Cass and the Cherokees.^Col. Yovng enraged. — Be
heads the Texas THcket.-^O'SuUivan on Buman Cattle (not PMs Negroes).^Oeorge Miffiin
. DaUas.—Old DaUasand his Bank.—Bis Son a XT. 8. B., V. B. Man.-— Dallas and WiMns
on iM Pnblie Lands. — Mileage of ScTUttors,
Are there those who believe Polk friendly to Van Buren % Let me undeceive them. When
Polk and Ritchie and Walker saw and read the secret correspondence of Hovt which I sent on
to Wa8hiB|[ton, in May, and the discovery, and anticipated publication of which so delighted
them, would they one and all, as also those of their friends who got copies, had they been
friendlVjiiave kqit the secret from the Van Burens, Flagg, Butler, Wright, and Diz, and allowed
the guilty to be startled by the sudden apparition of my mst pamphlet in B^tember last 1 Who
can believe it 1 Polk and Jackson's papa>, the NashviUe union, kept the name of Van Burea
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292 THE BALTlMdRK CONVENTFON OF 1944.
at the heid of its coluums as the candidate of the parly for Baltimore, while it threatened any
Tennessean who would vote for him there. Hearken to Hogan and Heiss ! |:^ " We do
"not believe Mr. Van Buren will receive one vote ftom the Tennessean delegation. If he
" does, that delegate who votes knowingly against the wishes of his constituents, will be
" marked hereaiter, zs s:^man unworthy of their confidence." Why did they keep up Van
Bur^i's name over such remarks as diese 1 The Texas letter was seized on as a pretext to get
rid of a man whom certain leaders no longer wanted. Had Polk and Yea Buren been on the
very best of tarns, although the latter yielded to the former, would langna^ like the following
have fimnd its way into the official journal, (Blair's Giobe,) on the 19th or Jan. 1844 1 .
** I care not how honOTable a man may be, if he is a coward he cannot maintain his honor;
and hence it is such a man is disqualified for the offiee of V. President. Now,«ir, Ooi. King
has never been insulted day after day; and, above all, he traa never caught roughXyby the
arm [by Wise] when escaping from the C^tcd, pulled round and told that he was tne *eaii^
temptiUe tool of a petty ^ant 1' I pledge my head, if he is ever so treated, he will reBem the
insult in the proper way. Will ' A Tennessee Democrat' do the same in regard to Gov.
Polkt What are the facts in reg^ard to Qov. Polk 1 He has been twice r^>udiated in his
own State by large majorities--*defeated by an inexperienced politician ; and it is not pare-
tended that his name would add one particle of strength to the ticket in any State of this
TJnion."
There was a clear understanding between Ritchie at Richmond, and Heis9 at Nariiville, to
go for Cass if Van Buren could be set aside, and for Polk in preference to either. This was
independent of Texas. Ritchie had made up his lilind tohave the printing of Congress. He
was connected wilii B. Greene, who had a very deep interest in Texan scrip and lands. He lived
in a state that raised men and women for sale and trafiic, into perpetual bondage, as if they
were cattle, through the home slave trade. If Van Buren obtamea power, Blair Would have
his interest ; the north, with its Bryants, Sedgwicks, abolitioiiists,.&c., would compel V. B. to
throw cold water on annexation, or oust him ; and Virginia went for the detestame gains of
her human shambles. Moreover, Van Buren's chance was venj doubtful* That had been
proved in 1840. In the summer and fall of 1843, the Richmond Enquirer, in the form of let-
ters to the editor, had said much in fevor of Cass, and the Nashville Union, [Hogan and
Heiss] copied liberally, " by request" The spring deetions of Connecticut and Virginia
went against Van Buren ; Tyler and Calhoun puiSed op annexation, and coaxed Ritchie.
The Richmond Enquirer and Calhoun's Charleston organ became more and more harmonious
and united ; and on the month of the Convention, Ritchie gravely rebuked Blair for censuring
Calhoun, and told his friends that the Calhoun party were with them, and that they had the
same views. Ritchie said, that Clay was " an electioneering demagogue, and would prove an
arrant dictator," and that Texas must be had now, and not waited for 70 years. Before the
Convention met, Heiss's paper, the Naeiiville Union, plainly fbrelrfd that Polk wonld be
chosen there, not as Vice President, but as President, although no public journal or meetii^
in the Republic had named him for the latter office. When the Convention met, Ritchie's
son, William F., was elected its principal secretary, and Virginia and Tennessee went cor-
dially together for the rule that two-thirds of its votes would be required to secure a nomina-
tion, thus defeating Van Buren's nomination at the first ballot. Virffinia [Ritchie], Tennessee
{Polk], Mississippi [Walker] and Georgia, went together steadily during the first seven bal-
ots, for Cass, not giving Van Buren a single vote. On the 8th ballot, Tennessee left Cass for
Polk, and in the middle of the 9th, the N. Y. delegation gave way, tiie farce closed, and the
vote for Polk was unanimous I The result was, that although Jackson was wanulv attached
td Blair he had to make way for Polk's friends — and the printingof Congress, whicn a com-
•»pany of mechanics offered to do, as well as Ritchie does it, and $30,000 a year cheaper, was
the fit reward of tfie intrigues of the Nashville Union, and his new partner of the Richmond
Enquirer. Was there a bargain 1 Is it even probable that Jackson really desired the election
oC Van Buren 1 Polk knew that Ritchie was an original enemy of Jackson's claims, but he
also knew his influence in Virginia. He seems to have agreed with the principal, Ritchie,
and the agent, Virginia, followed of course. If no one bargained" for a reward, it is marvel-
lous how they all got it. Polk had the White House; Ritdiie and Heiss, the printing;
Woodbury, the Bench ; Cave Johnson, the Post-office ; Bancroft, the Navy; Marcy, the War
office ; Gfllet, [anti-Cass] the Registership ; Butler, his old berth ; Mason (from Tyler's cabi-
net), the Attorn^ Generalship. Tyler gave his influence, as president of tne U. S. and Texas
was annexed. The Van Buren section wanted Coddingtcm for Collector here : bctt the Marcy
section, with the aid of Ho3rt's letters, (about the opportune appearance of whicn there is yet a
secret untold,) put in Lawrence. The scheming at. Baltimore, in the Ccmvention, began with
prayer and praise ; after which the clergyman, with very good taste, read to them the 101st
psalm, " Sfe that vjorketh deceit shall not dmBL mtmn my house : he that teUeth lies shall not tarry
xn fMf sight.'*
I jrojM. advise some active and honest editor to take a list of the Convention and ciptoapare
it with Polk and Walker's appointments, with the names of the directors of the ptt banks,
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»FABCT's IITTRIOUES. A mSfiP BEBIND THE CURTAIN. 298
with the N. Y. Custom Hoofie, beginning with Peter Crawford, and with Oliver Lee & Co.
pet bankers, Buffalo, and if he does not obtaili presumptive proof of a base and mercenary
bargain to elect James K. Polk, and of the fulfilment of its personal and pecuniary condi-
tions, too, I shall be most agreeably mistaken.
Those who have known William L. Marcy long and welL assure me, and I believe it,
that he is an adroit, managing man-— more so, perhaps, than van Buren ; cautious, but un-
der no control of principle. In the War Department, Marcy expects to make a fortune (for
somebody), out of Che vast contracts and patronage in his gut. He went into the scheme of
Canadian annexation — advised iiis friends on the frontier — was privy to his wife*s brother's
junction with us at Navy Island — on the very best terms with certain influential Canadians
— came to Bufg^o during the troubles in January, 1838, and spoke strongly in &vor of the go-
ahead policy to certain friends of the Canadians. Walworth and Crosweil, and Porter, (then
Register), took the same view. When Van Buren saw that the affair was a failure, or likely •
so to be, he advised Marcy > Crosweil, .&c, to wheel about, and they did so. The British par-
liamentary papers show that Marcy hired emissaries, and, was really active in procurine infor-
mation for tne Canac^n authorities, and the Journal of Conmierce rightly said, Jan. 10, 1838,
" We have the best authohity for stating, that there is a good understanding in regard to the
Canada troubles, between the cabinet at Washington and the British minister," Fox. In his
present position, in case of war, there would be a suspension of cash payments, the banks
would lend their worthless paper to the government, and jiVe in clover — the war bureau would
be the leading department of the administration— the influence of its head would be immense;
and he might look with good hope to the reversion of Polk's chair, €dthoujgh I am told he flatters
Walker and Polk, by telling them that war would assuredly secure it either to the one or die
other. The Sub-Treasury, if worked again^ Boytfaskwny would be a real gold mine.
On the 5th of September, 1843, a state Convention met at Syracuse ,W. L. Marcy, president
— ^79 for Marcy, ^for Young. The plan was, to name at once, 34 delegates, to represent the
State at Baltimore in the Presidential convention, and it was Marcy's wish to have a majority
of them composed of politicians whom he could control, so as to appear to support Van Buren,
but in reality to go for the candidate who would pay best — say for Cass ; or for Polk, if Cass
proved unavailable. Failing to get that majority, Marcy was dropt as one oi the State dele-
gates, and Young takeo. A committee to choose delegates was appointed, and the choice of a
delegate for each congressional district left to the member of that committee for that district.
Oliver Lee, the Buffalo [Polk pet] banker, Erastus Coming, Daniel S^ Dickinson, J, W. Brown,
Henry K. Smith, John C. Wright, Nathan S. Roberts of the canalsu Thomas B. Mitchell, and
John Stryker, were, I believe, strong Marcv delegates ; but when the 36 assembled at Baltimore,
B. F. Butler and Samuel Young headed the Van Buren section, and they were the most nume-
rous ; that cause alone is stated to have prevented Marcy and his friends from giving the vote of
New York to Cass on the 7th ballot which, with the influence it would have carried, would have
secured to Cass the nomination. On the eighth ballot, Georgia, Tennessee, the Bancroft sec-
tion qf the Massachusetts delegation, Woodbury's interest (New Hampshire), Walker's folks
(Mississippi), and two fit)m Pennsylvania (personal friends of Buchanan) went for Polk — on
the 9th, all parties took him up : and Calhoun's men, Pickens and Elmore, who were in the
secret, play^ their parts in the drama, going heartily (not a ioubt of it) for ''Polk and Texas,
Texan scrip, and down with liberty and the ways ot seventy-six'*
The New York delegation, so far as the Crosweil, Marcy, and Dickinson section were con-
cerned, are generally believed to have desired to throw Van Buren overboard, and to have
secretly canvassed aeainst him, and told other members of the Convention, that so much could
be said to hi^ discredit, that if nominated, all would be a failure, and New York State lost;
which was probably true. Why did Butler and the majority, on the opposite side, prevent the
nomination of Cass from Michigan, and call forward Polk, whom his editor, Heiss, knew and
had already announced as the nominee, though he was 700 miles distant % In May, 1844, Di;
Beekman, banker, Kinderhook, a friend of Van Bnren, and now a senator, was on a visit to
Albany; and he reported on his return, that Marcy, Dickinson, and Crosweil were undermin-
ing him and desertmg his camp. Van Buren wrote to Butler immediately, and the latter set
off on his well known mission to NashviUe, armed with instructions to tickle Jackson's vanity,
by asking him to come forward a third time as a candidate, and thus preserve the party
from ruin. Tins he well knew that Jackson would not do ; but the Boston Post, as instructed,
declared that lus health,. ju«^ then^ had not been so robust for years ; and in the Convention,
May 28th, a member proposed him, but it did not take. Van Buren's retreat could not be thus
covered. At Nashville, a secret arrangement was made, that if Van Buren could not be
nominated, Polk should be, in preference to Cass. Is this the reason why Butler was appoint-
ed to a $20,000 office here, by Polk, the moment he had the power 1 What is the tenure by
which he now holds it 1 Butler, in convention, wanted to take the lead in proposing Polk,
when the time had come to drop Van Buren, but Hubbard was before him: and the man
whom Jones, a whig, had defeated in Tennessee, at the then next previous election for go-
vernor, by a plurality of 3,833 out of 112,781 votes, thus became President of the Union, with-.'
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294 BUTLfiR AND OQ. BVhhT < THB M>UTH AND TRABB OFf' THB IfOHTS.
out even a townfthip nomination, and in the teeth of instructions by 16 state conventions to
sapport another, van Boren never got over 12 votes from the whole of the slave states. In-
iriffjie had been his element, and his own pupils now outshone their master.
The Democratic Review for June looked (as a last resource) to a junction of the tree north
and west, and the abjuration of the slaveholders, if no bargain could be made with them. The
reader will at once see that Butler, and not the Regent (O'SulUvanX must have been the writer
of the following paragraphs, which are by authority :
" It is possible, verv possible, that he [Van Buren] may not be nominated— -that many of his
" own personal irienas within its (the Baltimore Convention's) members, not loving Caesar less
*' but Rome more, may be the first to cast a rductant and sorrowtUl vote against his name. U
"the Convention should come to the conclusion, on a broad survey of the whole ground, that
" the influence of this new question [Texas] is reaUy and truly, such as u> destroy or endanger
" the hope of his election — ^that any other candidate, worthily AilfilUng the comSdon of being
" a true and trusty democrat, can mng more favorable auspices into tne contest with the coln-
'*mon foe— be it so. Thougb we bate never before assumed tse aiGBT to speak foe Mr.
" Van Buren, yet on this occasion and this point ws do not hesitate to assert, that he
" will himself, in that event, be found foremost among the first, and traest among the troe, in
" support of the decision of the Convention."
The writer next specially addresses the slave states, THE SOUTH, telling them the conse-
quences that would follow their deviation from the decision of the party, when delivered at
Baltimore. These are his words :
It* "Whv, there will be a burst of indignation from the NORTH ibr which you are little
i:^ prepared. They will abjure vou and your capricious, if not treacherous aluance, and
f^ leave you to sustain yourselves by yourselves, against all the forms of foreign attack,
f^ which will then be a thousand fold multiplied and embittered. No son of yours need
f^ then indulge a vain aspiration for that high honor for which the votes of Northern Demo-
iii^cracy are threefold more necessary than those of Southern Chivalry. The great free
i:^ North and the great free West will then take the matter of President-making into their
§^ own steadier and trusties hands."
On the 23d of April, 1844, in the correspondence of the N. Y. Evening Post,.! find it re-
marked, that " If the cause of our disasters, as many of our best and most constant advocates
orrepublicanism seem to think, is the want of 3^a new name at the head of our ranks,xj
• we are willing, as individuals, to abandon our first choice, and to rally witii equal ardca: to the
standard of Cass, Johnson, or anybody else."
Judge Douglass of Illinois has recently proclaimed the important fact, that the Texas ^nd
Oregon resolution adopted at Baltimore, was drawn up by R. J. Walker, and offered to the
Convention by his brother adventurer, Benjamin F. Butler, as onp of their claptraps for
President m a k in g . Van Buren opposed to Texas, and his man, Butler, taking the lead for it !
The Resolution is in these words :
** Resohed, That our title to the whole of the territory of Oregon is clear and unquestionable ;
that no portion of the same ought to be ceded to England or any other power ; and that the
reoccupation of Oregon, and the re-annexation of Texas, at the earliest practical period, are
great American measures, which this Convention recommends to the cordial suppoit of the
democracy of the Union."
Looking at the corrupt and mercenary character of Butler, we ask the reader if his position
as district attorney here, is not presumptive evidence that when he thus shifted round to become
Walker's catspaw, there was an understanding, the conditions of which Polk hastened to fulfil 1
Walker was v an Buren's most determined enemy at Baltimore ; Butler his professedly
warmest friend. He went to Baltimore with Young, to oppose annexation. Why did he
there become Polk's organ for denouncing as traitors all who would not consent to it 1
Walker vehemently denounced Van Buren because he durst not go for annexation. Why did
he propose to the Convention that Silas Wright, who professed the very same creed as Van
Buren, and had voted against annexation in the senate, should be the candidate for Vice
President 7 and why did the knaves, who had voted down Van Buren on that score, vote up
Wright at Walker's nod ? Was there any principle there 7 Butler's resolution on Texas, as
adopted, implied a censure on Benton, Wnght, and Van Buren, for not going straight with
thepartyl
The understanding, when Polk left Nashville, was, that Flagg, our Comptroller, should be
put at the head of the treasury ; but Walker and others influenced him so that he decided
that the member of the cabinet for N. Y. should be Marcy, for the department of war.
Marcy, I am well informed, is much mOre practical than Bancroft, whom ne manages, and
thus controls in a large degree, the navy. He mar out-general Van Buren yet, although it is
but a lotterv. He was re-elected governor of this state in Nov., 1836, with nearly 3,000
majority. In the winter of 1837, the party were omnipotent. Nine months after they were
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GEaROB BANCadPT. VAN BUHSN FOR POLK AND DALLAS. 295
entirely routed. E. Lamed, Marcy's relative, is president of one of the copper companies on
Lake Sujperior. They are all in Marcy's departoient He also locates the lands. S. C.
Frey, a brother-in-law of Mr. Calhoun, a late M. C from Mass. wrote me last Nov., that
when the insurrection broke out in Canada, in 1837, Mr. Wills, senator from St Lawrence
county, was requested to see Gov. Marcy on the subject ; that he did so, and immediately
wrote to Morristown to , " Tell your Canadian iriends that they may rest assured
that Grov. Marcy will interfere nofartner than the laws of the country compel him, and that
thiey have his best wishes for their success." " With the example of neutrafity law, as admin-
ist^^ in the case of Texas, and Jackson's unmeaning proclamations [Frey writes me] we
interfered ; but soon found that our rulers were far more anxious to extend the area of slavery
than that of freedom ; and that our laws had one aspect and q^eration on the banks of the St.
Lawrence, and quite another on the borders of slave-freeing Mexico." "Wlien the time
comes, Mr. Marcy and his friends will have facts that may be as inconvenient to hear, as if
given now.
George Bancroft, like Marcy, has " principle in proportion to his interest" A northern
man, he set up for Congress in 183(4, with dn address to suit the meridian of Massachusetts,
of which a sample follows :
*' Slaves are capital ; the slaveholder is a capitalist. Free labor will be the first to demand
the abolition of slavery ; caoital will be the last to concede it. We would not kiterfere with
the domestic regulations of New Orleans or Algiers, but we may demand Uie imtaiU abolition
of the slave trade in the District of Columbia, and should assist free labor to recover its rights
in the capital erf the country. ♦ ♦ • ♦ GEORGE BANCROFT."
Bancroft was formeriy a schoolmaster, his associate being Joseph G. Cogswell of N. Y., he
was (xriginally much opposed to Jackson, but conformed, as he did at Baltimore, and now does
in the Polk cabinet. He is a sensible speaker, but no orator ; and stuck to Van Buren till
matters were othertdse arranged. His best performance is his history. In his eulogy on (M
Hickory, delivered at Washington, he offered a specimen of anti-climax, thus :
*' And Jackscm returned to his own fields and his own pursuits, to cherish his own pdanta-
tion ; to ciffe for his servants ; to look after ms stud."
Only five entire states, Maine, New Hampshire, Ohio, New York, and Missouri, voted
against the two-third rule. It was evident tha^ Van Buren was believed to be odious amon^
Uie people, evervwhere ; yet, had Ritchie said the word. Van Buren would have had the
nommation, such is thepower of leaders to combine for the spoils, in the way that will pro-
mote their interest. Walker was strong against Van Buren; andRantoul, whom Tyler
wanted to make secretary of the treasury, spoke against Butler, and for the two-thirds. Mar-
cy said little, but set others forward. Van Buren got 146 votes at first, and went down gradn-
ally to 99. M'Nulty, the ex-clerk of Congress, was strong for Van Buren. Prazer of Pa.,
WAo was in Buchanan's confidence, canvassed and made speeches for Pdk ; and Cave John-
son announced for Blair and Rives that they would go for the nominee, be he who he might
Senator Allen, of Ohio, S.Medary, B. Tappan, Jacob Brinkerhoff, and Dr. Alex. Duncan,
were for V. B. Senatcors Hannegan (the son of an Irish emigrant], and Haywood, were for
Cass. In reply to Walker, Butler said " he was very sorry, indeed, to find his friends, Messrs.
Walker,^ c^ Mississippi, and Saunders, of N. Carolina, referring to the precedent of 1840 ; the
log-cabin, hard cider, coon hunting precedent of 1840. He could stamp them under his feet
(he was understood to say, stamping violently on the floor as he spoke;." Walker rejoined
that Butler's was the finest specimen of tall vaulting he had seen oi a kmg time. Walker, in
1840, was a Van Buren delegate to Baltimore.
I was present at a large meeting in the Park, N. Y., on June 4th, to respond to the nomina-
tion of Polk and Dallas, and heara a letter from Van Buren read, which nad been addressed
to Gansv. Melville and others, from Lindenwald, June 3, 1844 :
i;:^' I have known Messrs. Polk and Dallas long and intimately. I have had frequent
t^ opportunities for personal observation of iheir conduct in the discharge of high and respon-
ii^sible public dudes. The latter has by my appointment represent^ the country abroad
fJr with credit and usefulness ; they are Ixrth gentlemen possessed of high character ; of un-
J^ questioned and unauestionable patriotism and integrity ; able to discharge the duties of the
j;^ stations for which mey have been respectively nominated, with advantage to the country,
^^ and honor to themselves. Concurring with them in the main, in the political principles
i:^by which their public lives have been hitherto distingui^ed, I am sincerely desirous for
f^ their success."
At a similar meeting held in Faneuil Hall, Boston, Mr. Bancroft said : that man who would
agree to a mean submission to England, as to Oregon, let him turn aside and not vote
for Polk—that as to Texas, Polk would not be found a lackey, taking his cue from St.
James*sj thattherewouldbenowarwithMexico; andthatthe convention "looked with one lie^rl
to Young Hickory of Tennessee. Startling was the effect when the delegation from Maine an-
nounced its vote for James K. Polk! Cheering, most cheering followed the plumper from
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296 CA86 AND THE INDIANS-^COL. YOUNG. O'SULLIVAN.
New Hampshire. And then, ere the final result was announced, came the unanimous vote
of Massachuseiis, and in succession, the unanimous vote of every state." General Cass's suc-
cess in Georgia and Alabama is accounted for by a reference to his efforts to harass the poor
Indians. Half the Globe of March 31, 1834, is filled with his strictures on the Supreme Court
for its honest decision of tjie Georgia question. He concludes, " First, that civilised com-
munities have a right to take possession of a country, inhabited by barbarous tribes, to as-
sume jurisdiction over them, and to * combine within narrow limits,* or, in other words, to ap-
-propriate to their own use, such portion of the Territory, as they think proper. Second, that
m the'exercise of this right, such communities are the judges of the extent of jurisdiction to be as-
sni&ed, and of Territory to be acquired." He then argues, that this power of j udging rests with
the States, the legislatures of whicb may subject Indians, who have not yielded up their sove-
reignty, to what laws they please. As Van Buren was of Jackson's opinion, and as Jackson,
Butler, Woodbury, and all the cabinet were of one mind (for so saith Cass), the removal of the
Cherokees, and the bloodhounds set upon the Seminoles was surely glory enough ! The In-
dians were driven westward, just a hundred years from the time when Jcmn Wesley had land-
ed at Savannah, a missionary of Christ to conVert them. That teacher of teachers got a lesson
there. A giand jury of the colonists indicted him as a law-breaker, and the magistrates pro-
nounced his departure a flight from justice ! Ninety years after, and with the express jper-
raission of the President of the United States, Samuel A. Worcester went tp preach to these
Indians, was arrested for so doing, ordered for four years to the penitentiary ot Greorgiay and
only released when the Supreme Court of the Union nad, through Mr. Justice McLeairs excel-
lent and logical argument and decision, pronounced a barbarous law and the action thereon,
null and void.
Colonel Young, at Baltimore, was true to Van Buren, and opposed the canvass for Polk
as long as he could. A letter from a friend at the Convention, to his friend here, says, ** Col.
" Young is quite in a rage, and even hints that the friends of the other candidates have con-
'* spired to defraud V. B. Every delc^te from Pennsylvania was pledged under hand and
" seal to vote for V, B., but several oi the most active of them visited Buchanan previously,
" at Washington, who told them to support a motion that would be made for a two-third rule,
" and after that do as they pleased. Twelve out of five-and-twenty did so, and when V. B.'s
^* day had gone past, arrangements were made to bring forward the Texan candidate. Young
" declares that Cass, Calhoun, Woodbury, Walker, and even Johnson, are among the con-
" spirators ; and that the democratic platform, of fidelity to instructions, is knocked from under
'' our feet, the party cleft in twain, and Tej^as and its abominations, tied round our necks like
" a millstone. Texas is to be acquired by propagandiam and incorporation, the principles
" which drove Europe into arms against the ambitious and reckless spiiitB in the French re-
" public. By encouragement, secret sometimes, avowed when it was thought best, Italy,
" Switzerland, the Rhenish provinces, the T)rrol, Belgium, &c. were induced to revolt against
" the existing powers. Tyranny used the form and sacred name of liberty to induce these
" countries to exchange one set of masters for another— the imperial decree went forth, and
" liberty and annexation, of the true Texan stamp, went hand in hand. Where are an-
" nexing prinbiples to terminate 1 At Cape Homl At the north polel Shall we annex
"Cuba, St. Domingo, Jamaica, the whole West Indies, enpassaiU^ with slavery as a sort of
" shade or veil to liberty's brightness, and all to uphold our * peculiar institutio
^ , ^ : institutions T If we try,
" I fear that the example of France will keep good througnout." Young's passion cooled.
He headed the electoral ticket which gave the votes of N. Y. to Polk and Dallas, and they
owe to New York not only their nomination, but also their election ; nor could Van Buren, in
1836, have been elected without. New York. He richly deserved his fate in 1840 and *44.
Van Buren's friend, O'Sullivan, in the party journal here, the Democratic Review, let the
cat out of the bag, and confessed tiiat the leaders considered public virtue ^^ all a humbug
I quote the nimiber for April, 1843 : " Since the election of 1840, we have pretty much ceased
" to speak of, or confide in, the • intelligence of the people.' . . . We confess we could
" haioly forbear exclaiming in vexation and contempt, * well, after all, nature will out ; the
" poor devils, if we but let them alone, will Truike cattle of themselves, and why should we
" waste our time and substance in trying to hinder them from making themselves cattle "?*
" . . . If we wish to secure to ourselves and our posterity the blessings of freedom and
"good government, we must procure stronger guarantees than popular suffrage and popular
" virtue and intelligence. . . . SuflTrage rests for its basis, as a guarantee of freedom and
" good government, on the assumed intelligence and virtue of the people. Now this may be
" very beautiful in theory, but when we come to practice, this virtue and intelligence of the
'• people is all a hwmbu^." When the electiwi of Polk and Dallas had put our slanderers into
power again, their Revteto wheeled round, and hoisted up the millions from their place with the
cattle to tiie old perfectional standard of 1839.
A brief sketch of the life of G«Drge Mifflin Dallas of Philadelphia would induce many
reisers to conclude like me, that whS is called democracy, the democratic party, is, so far
as most 01 the leaders or chiefs are concerned, an agreement to hunt tjogether after public
Digitized byVjOOQlC
▲LSXANDBR J. AMU GEORGS M« DALLA9.
piundiRr; or to divide it among ^ imtiated when obtained, by a sort of scale previouslj agreed
on. Dallas, the champion of &e XT. S. bank in 1832, was van: Buren's choice, as ambassador
to Russia, in 1837, ana the selection of the leaders at Baitmiore, in. 1844, for Vice President of
the U. S,, with the cry of eternal hostility to a National Bank ! If I cannot put such men to
shame, I can and dare express for thdr mean conduct that contempt which a true repubUcaa
ought to feel.
George M. Dallas was bom on the 10th of July, 1192, at Philadelphia— is the eldest son of
Alexander James Dallas, a lawyer of Scotch -extraction or birth, who came to America in
1783, became Secretary of the U. S. Treasury last war, died in Jan. 1817, and is spoken of by
Col. Duane as artftil, ambittous, one of the worst o£ the public men of that age. "Wliile' at
the head of the Treasury, Oct. 17, 1814, he thi» describes the effect of the pet bank system,
which^ equally aware of its viciouaness, his son Geoige and M. Van Buren united in 1834, to
re-establish. • '
"The multiplication of banks in the several states has so increased the quantity of paper currency, that it
" would be difficult to calculate its amount ; and still more difficult to ascertaiii its value, with reference to the
" capital on which it has been issued. Rut the benefit of even this paper cUnrency is in a great measure lost*
** as the suspension of payments in specie at most of the banks has suddenly broke the chain of accommodation.
** that previously extended the credit and the circulation of the notes which were emitted in one state into
^ every state in the Union. It may in general be affirmed^ therefore, that there exists at this time no adequate
** circulating medium common to the citizens of the United States. The monied transitions of private lin are
**ata stand; and the fiscal operations of goyernment labor under extreme inconvenience. It is impossible
*< that such a state of things should be long endured.*'
With the above c^cial statement, addressed to J. W. Eppes, chairman of the "Ways and
Means In Congress, he sent the plan of a new National Bsink as the remedy, and his plan
was, 1st, tiiat it should be chartered for 20 years, with power to place its branches anywhere
through the states, 50 millions capital, 100,000 shares of S500 each — 2d, that corporations,
companies or indiTiduals might subscribe ^^r 30. millions, and the United States government
be a partner, holding 20 millionfl of the stoek-^^, that of the 30 millions, four-lifths, or 24
millions, should be paid in certificates of public debt, and 6 millions in specie, the payments to
be at stated periods--4th, that the U. S. should pay its 20 millions in stock, (obligations to pay
at some future timc,^ and the bank lend the Unitea States government 30 millions of dollars at
6 per cent interest !— -5th, that neither the capital, the notes, nor the deposltes or dividends
should be taxed, either by the U. S, or any state, and fihat no other bank should be chartered by
Congress — 6th, that there should be 15 directors, of whom the President of the U. S. should
choose five, one of whom to be the bank president and the ten to be chosen annually by the
other stocknolders, voting in proportion to their snares, by proxy or in person— and 7th, that
the bank paper should be a good payment in all payments to tke United States. At the same
time, Mr. Dallas proposed a tax of 30 cents a galicm on all home distilled whiskey, gin, &c., 5
cents per lb. on tobacco and snuf* , 3 cents per lb. on honie made leather, 7 per cent on home
made paper, $300,000 on lawyers' processes, $250,000 on conveyances and mortgages, and
100 per cent, addition to the U. S. direct taxes, as the Customs revenues, which even a Jesse
Hoyt could not reduce below ten millions, did not exceed four in war times. I mention these
things to remind the prosperous that a war now would be their greatest enemy.
Greoige M. Dallas was taught law by his father, went to Russia as Albert Gallatin's secretary
in April, 1813, in his 21st year, married Miss Nicklin, the daughter of a Philadelphia mer-
chant, and was appointed in Feb. 1817, Solicitor tathe United States Bank. In 1824, he went
for Calhoun as President— was mayor of Philadelphia in 1828, and in 1829 appointed by Jack-
son the U. S. District Attorney for Pennsylvania, the legislature of which sent him to the V,
S. Senate in 1831. In 1832 he was entrusted by Nicholas Biddle with the petition of the U. S.
Bank for a new charter for 15 ^ears, which charter he reported, as chairman of the Senate's
committee, and was throughout its unwearied and willing advocate. He declared the institution
to be very useful, even mdispensdbl^ — ^he made many speeches in its favor, affirming, Jan. ^,
that the bank was '^ enacted under the influence of the purest motives, for admirable purposes."
He voted with Clay and Webster to put down a proposition requiring the consent of the States
to the establishment of branch banks — ^he voted against Benton's amendment which went to pre-
vent foreigners from holding stock— and againist Marcy's reserving to Congress the right to
repeal the charter, and to the states to tax the bank ; also against Wmte's requiring the bank to
pay 3 per cent on deposits. The bill passed June Uth, Dallas voting for it. July 10, Jackson
vetoed the bill, and declared it unconstitutional ; but with Clay and Webster, Dallas, on the
13th, voted against the veto, and that the bill was constitutional and ought to pass. W. Wil-
kins, his terother-in-law, voted with him j and on July 7,. 1836, he wrote his memorable letter,
in which he said : " Of the Constitutional pow» of the Naticoial Government to create a b^jsk
I did not then, nor do I now entertain a dcmbt. Of the ability of Congress to create such a bank
as would be a safe machine of finance and a serviceable agent in preserving a sound curren-
cy, I THEN was, and still am, convinced." His opposition to the scheme for converting the U.
S. Bank into a State Bank, evinced great judgment and foresight. Even the United States
Gazette uow condemns that act. As a State Ban]^ it sou^t to monopolize the cotton trade of
Digitized byVjOOQlC
208 DALLAS, WILKIN8, THB MILSA^ AND TBOKAft EITCHIB.
the south, and foiled. It obUuned the state slodcs of Michina and Indiana, and pledg^
in London for more than thev were worth. " The Unitea 8t»tes Bank, by a snspension of
specie payments, had forfeited its charter. Its effects were abont to pass into the hands of Re-
eeiirers. when a Van BuieD Governor [Porter] and Senate interposed, and not only saved its
life and legalized a protracted suspension, hot allowed the stockjobbos to receive dividends
while the Bank was paying its debts in irredeemable paper !" So saith Weed. The Sdniyl-
kill failed at the same time, and sudi was the morahiy of the legislatore and Gov. Porter, that
they allowed the Pennsylvania banks to divide 6 and 7 per cent as prcxfits, when they were
opraily bankrupt If the misery caused to thousands by the sinking of 36 millions of capital
in the Schuylkill and U. S. Banks could be seen by the people, no such departures from the
laws of trade and currency would again be allowed.
The Baltimore Convention which nominated Polk and Dallas resolved, that thev were op-
posed to the distribution of the proceeds of the public lands among the states. On July 3a,
1832, in Senate, Dallas and his brother-in-law, Wilkins, voted for Clay's bill to distribute the
proceeds of the public lands among the states, and that not by instructions, but as their unbi-
assed opinion. Clay, Ewing, Bell, Webster, Frelinghuysen, Poindexter, and Dickerson were
on the same side, and the bill passed. So, too, on Internal Improvements, Dallai^ went with
Clay in 1833, agsiinst Benton, van Buren and Jackson — and, in 1837, Van Buren made him
his Russian ambassador, offered him a seat in his cabinet in 1839, and in 1844 wrote to the
citizens of New York, that he apraoved of him as the candidate of the anMank party for the
office of Vice-President ! In 1833, Wolf appointed Dallas attorney-general of Pennsylvania.
In Senate, in 1832, Dallas voted against inquiring into Van Buren's conduct and in favor of
his appointment as ambassador to England. To be true to Van Buren and his confederates,
and able to serve the leaders, was the real test in 1837, and something akin to it is the test now.
The decision Dallas gave, as Vice-President, in March, 1846, that those who ftamed the law
for paying mileage to senators intended to place it in the power of the President of the U. S.,
by calling a new session of the Senate to-morrow, as a successor to that which doees to-day, to
pay the senators over $30,000 for travelling manv thousand miles to and from Washington,
when not one of them had left the city or travellea the first mile, was so iniquitous that I set
him down at once as little better than a cheat in democratic pcditics. When the session termi-
nated, March 3, he decided that the senators, not one of whom had left Washington, were en-
tided to mileage or traveling charges td^and from their homes, however distant, though the
new executive sitting began within ten hours of the close of die old ! ! Such ouUrageous con-
duct encourages men in less elevated stations to act dishcmestly. Ashley of Ark. got $1680—
Barrow of La., $1840— Johnson, $1840->Sevier of Ark., $1^8&— Atchison of Ido., $1336—
Breese and Semnle of Ills., $1480 each— Jama^ of Tenn., $1200— Woodbrldge of M|ch.,
$903— Bagby ana Lewis of Ala., $960 each— and so on for the others. Had this man not
been a profli^ite pretender, he had not received the support of Van Buren. I think it was one
of Bennett's Herald correspondents who exposed this miquity in detail. He stated that Daniel
C. Dickinson, not satisfied with receiving pay for two journeys never performed, tried hard to
be paid ftnr three ! How painful it is to have to wntc in this way of a man who was, voted
for by millions of. men as the V. P. of the republic !
V. P. Dallas is an excellent speaker, a man of prepossessing and dignified deportment, and
winning, courteous manners; and has the reputation of being a good scholar. He is tall,
spare, and has an intellectual look, with a h%fa, nairow forehead, thickly covered with long
silvery locks.
THOMAS RITCHIE.
The Editor of 7%e Unions at Washington, is about seventy years of age— tall, thin, spare, and
rather bent— has a long, thin fhce, with a fine, bright eye, and a veiy prominent nose, but has
lost his teeth. His gait is quick, restless, and somewhat tremulous; he is neat in his dress,
fond of talking, and unwearied in industry; possesses tact, talent, great knowledge of men
and things ; is a lively old gentleman, afiable, courteous, polite; an editor of 42 years' stand-
ing, having commenced the Richmond Enquirer in his native state, on the 19th of May, 1804,
and left it with his sons, William F. and Thomas Ritchie, Junior, in the summer of 1844, when
he removed to Washington to take charge of Polk's new paper. Mr. Ritchie entered active
life as a teacher or usher in Richmond, was married on the 7th of February, 1807, to Miss Isa^
bella, daughter of Dr. William Foush^e, sometime postmaster of Richmond, and who died in
1824, aged 75. In 1807, Ritchie was an enthusiastic advocate of home manufactures. That
year, in December, Mr. Monroe and family returned to Richmond from abroad, and at a Vir-
ginia Welcome given to him, the govemcH' being in the chair, the sixth regular toa£!t was,
*• American Manufkctures, the true support of genuine independence"— received wifli three
Digitized byVjOOQlC
OREBLRY ON RrtOHIE— -GRfiJSNB, BABNEY AND TBXA8. 299
eheers. Next first of Jhne, a meeting vrw held at the capitol, Eichmozul, the governor presid-
iBg, and Ritchie secretary ; when his (Ritchie^s) ^uher-in-Iaw proposed that a committee should
be named " to digest a plan for the establishment of manufactures/' and the governor named
the late President Monroe, William Wirt, Peyton Randolph, George Hay, &c. The meeting
also resolved with one accord to &PP^ at the next 4th oi July dressed m articles the manu-
facture of some of the states. In 1^, Ritehie and his Enquirer had veered round to a nulli&>
cation of protecting tariflfe— now he is for just enough of a tariff to keep the wheels of govern-
ment well greased. Mr. Ritchie's family is large and well educated, and his daughters are
married into wealthy and re^)ectable Virginia funilies. I can easily imagine the immense in-
floence which an active, energetic politician, all life and soul, all bone and sinew, would exer-
cise over an agricultural people he had been intimate with for half a century, by referring to
the position I found myself m, isome ten years ago, though on a fkr less extensive theatre of
acticm.
Ritchie has alwavs been what is called a democrat, but of the truckling, time-serving kind.
Leggett told him, tnrough tiie Evening Post, that he was a political hypocrite and trickster-
John Randolph, that he was a man of " seven principles : five loaves and two fishes"— the elder
Duane (Sept 1816) described him as the " self-convicted sycophant and tool of party"— Brodn
of the Express represents him as a very able, but narrow, contracted, selfish bigot— and Horace
Greeley (June 3, 1845,) sums up his politics as follows :
** When it was Democratic to assail Gen. Jackson as utterly unfit for CItU or Political tmst, no man assailed
hfan more fiercely than Thomas Ritchie. Bat when, a few years thereafter, it became Democratic to commend
Gen. Jackson as the parafon of Statesmanship and trustworthiness, no man laid it on thicker than Thomas
Ritchie. In 1888, it was Demoeratic to advocate One Term only for a President, and Mr. Ritchie was very
eqmest for that in 1833 and 1840, it was Democratic to support a President for a Second term, and BCr. Ritchie
did his utmost on that side. In *SO-aO, it was Demoeratic to advocate the Noliuying doctrines of Calhonn and
Hayne, and declare them the very connterpart of * the Resolutions of >98,* and Mr. Ritehie did this very
thoroughly. In 1832-3, it was Democratic to condemn Nullification as utterly inconsistent with orthodox De-
moeracy, and Mr. Ritchie did tkit quite efibctlvely. In 1834-5, it was Democratic to praise the Pet Banks Sys-
tem, and nobody did it more heartily than Mr. Ritchie. In 1838, it had become Democratic to go the whole Hog
Ibr the Sob-Treastay and denounce the Pet Banks ; and though this was the hardest dose he had had yet, Mr.
Ritchie gulped it down for Democracy's sake. Nobody was more ardent than Mr. R. in support of Van Buien
while * Democracy' smiled on him ; nobody did more to crash Mr. V. B. when Southern * Democracy * turned
against him. Nay, more : our paragon of Democrats can be on both sides of a vital question at the same time
when the interests of * Democracy ' require it— can advocate Dorrism for the North and stand ikst by Slavery
in the South— can sympathize with the victims of *Algerine* tyranny in Rhode Island, but breathe not a
whisper of dissatisflMtlon at t)ie Constitution of his own Yiiginia which not only denies any vote at all to a
poor white man while H allows his rich neighbor a dooen, but actually vests the Political Power of the State in
about ooe-thhd of its Legal Voters.**
Ritchie can scold, fret, and be as abusive as John Van Buren when he Ukes-^can sneer at
Noah as " the Swiss mercenary"— mock John Tyler, as being on his return to the path of de-
mocracy " now that he knows the whig party" — and hold up Jackson as a tyrant and a mur-
derer, a curse and a blessing.
O^ of his subscribers thus addresses him. Sept 25, 1838 :
** Hike to show my colors sometimes. I went with you for the gun-boats, and against them, under MBBSUn,
and for the war, and against the gun-boats, under Madison. I followed you and Jeiforson against the bank,
ditto to you and Madison when he went for the bank. I read your paper and supported Monroe when you and
he went against Jackson, and I turned against Adams, tooth and toe-nail ; and went for Jackson when yon did
the like. I loaded my fowling-piece when they began to Ulk about light-houses hi the skies. I went for the
pKoelamatioD, and against the proclamation in spots, and, after that, I resolved not to split the party for eay-
^ing. and swallowed the removal of the deposits, the protest, the black lines, and last, though not least, Mr.
Van Buren and Col. Dick Johnson. But I confess I'm bothered now. I want light, and would like to know,
when it is convenient, whether I must go for principles without men, or men without principles r '
Ritchie has been often chosen |nrinter to the Virginia Legislature, and he pretended great in-
dependence of office in 1829, because his strictures on Jackson had left little hope of his getting
anything valuable then in that quarter. His letters, page 214 to 216, show his views for the
puuic eye. He is poor, lives in splendor, is a speculator, bets high, though not on General
Jackson [see page 240], and advocates, through his Union, the turning out of the most upright
public servants, if they are not as slavish to party and leaders in power as spaniels to the whip.
" A Benjamin W. Greene g£ Richmond (says Blair's Globe) commenced without any capioil
except his assurance," became a great speculator and jockey, dealt in Texas lands and every-
thSig ; and when Dabney disaj^peared, a defaulter for hunoreds of thousands, Greene was
arrested as having had a large share of the spoil, and sent to jail, but not kept there long.
Ritchie, his friend, sympathized with the evil-doers; Mallory, a confederate, was arrested, but
l^e, too, had backers. One thii^ is certain, Ritchie's pecuniary embanrassments were increased
Digitized by VjOOQIC
800 RITCHIE, HIS ENQVIBEB, AND GEiiBAAI< ANDREW JACKSON.
by these explosions j and his errand at Washington, like MaxcfSy is to patch his pantaloons, or,
in other words, make money by monopolizing the printing oi the executive, the departments,
the Senate, and the House or Representatives^: and charging some $&0,000 to $75,000 more
for doing it tiian regular printers, bred to the business, could fairly exact. In other words, he
and his partner are getting some $65,000 a year, over and above an honest comnensation, that
being their share (in part) of the spoils of party, with the principle of plunder for its grip and
countersign, as per last settlnnent at Baltimore.
When Major Lewis and Mr. Polk quarrelled, Lewis had published a letter from Jackson
to him, dated April 8, 1845, which showed that he was much displeased with Polk for dis-
carding Blair. He says, " The Globe is to be bought ; by what political clique, and to sub-
serve what interest 1 Is the renegade politician **•**.*♦ to Have an interest 1 Who
would trust him in politics or for money V* Some say the seven stars meant General Simon
Cameron of the Senate : others strangely affirm that it was intended for Thomas Ritchie !
One thing is certain. All other prints taken together, scarcely combined half the enmity and
bitterness toward Jackson that was maniiested by Ritchie and his backers through Tec
ENauiRER, from the moment thev knew that he [Jackson] intended to compete wish the
dynasty of Virginia for the impenal purple. [See Burr's letter, No. 296, page 259.]
In December, 1818, Jackson was violently attacked in the Enquirer as having set the U. S.
government at defiance in the last war, and insulted it.
" I do not intend to follow him through the war he conducted against the Creeks in 1813*-14.
I mention tiie bloody massacre of Talapooze, only to express my grief for it ; shame and
abhorrence. * * * The historian admits, that the general well knew they had ample
reason for their desperation: and the general himself tells the world, in his official despatch,
that, after the pursuit, or rather hunt (literally with fire and sword), and the carnage had con-
tinued till darlmess covered and concealed his miserable victims ; after he was apprised, that
oi their thousand warriors not half an hundred remained ; after a whole night to cool and re-
flect ^ the Tiext VMming the hunt and slaughter ' wett Teswned^ and sixteen^ (bU. that could be
found), ' of the enemy slain, who had concealed thcmseioes wnder the banJcs' Yet I will not urge
that as a peculiar reproach against Greneral Jackson, which I rather res^ard as a stain upon
my country. History will record that his bloody deeds were received by his countrymen with
general applause, while the clemency of colonel Pearson was regarded with contempt and re-
sentment* TriUy^ sir^ American avarice of Indian lands is equal to Spanish avarice of Indian
gold."
Ritchie next reminds Jackson that he had got a grant from these poor crushed Creeks ; that
he (Ritchie) was sorry to say that which might aficct his [Jackson's] private character, but
that the transaction was such a one as the U. S. Senate had absolutely refused to sanction.
He accuses Jackson of wanton tyranny at New Orleans in proclaiming martial law ; adding,
that ^ The ready resort to violent measures in all situations of difficulty is generally ite result
of weakness of understanding and wickedness of heart combined." That jai^son " rests his
defence upon the tyrant's plea, necessity'* — but that, " During the arduous struggle of ^e re-
** volution, martial law was never once proclaimed. Amidst the distraction of a civil war,*
" when refugees and tones were embodied in the service of the enemy, and their friends and
" kindred dispersed over the country. General Washington, though for a time clothed with al-
" most dictatorial powers, never proclaimed martial law.v. When General Green was flying
" before Lord Cornwallis through the CaroUnas, arid-fejb^^e^emy was deriving almost as much
" aid from the tories as he could obtain frdiii the whigs oi tfiat country, he yet never proclaimed
"martial law."
Ritchie's journal proceeds to acieasp Jackson of continuing this dxtra.ordinary rule "during
his ninety days' tyranny," wh^n w^r had ceased, and of trampling on tSe flre^om of the press,
and on the institutionB of his ^otintrv, of insulting a judge on the bench, banishing him, ex-
posing his function to contempt. ** He demanded [says the Enquirer] leave to abuse and
vilify the judge ! The written defence he offered, being rejected by the court, was prii^ted. I
should smQe at its sophistry, if I were not alarmed at its audacity, and disgusted at the impu-
dence with which he pleads, as his protection from summary punishment, the very constitu-
tion and laws he had so long and so recklessly trampled under foot ; and denies his own plea
oi necessity as a proper fbundation for the known settled practice of our courts of justice in
cases of contempt. He was fined a thousand dollars. In the course of the hearing he inter-
rupted, insulted and browbeat the judge on the judgment-seat." The EirauiRER goes on to
describe the deaths of Arbuthnot and Ambrister as wanton, cruel, unmanly mt^ers. " Thus,
sir, has an American officer [Jackson] destroyed the lives of two of his fellow-creatures,
without any rightful power, without any adequate motive, and with such indecent precipi-
tancy as hardly to give time for prayer in the interval between jtidgment and death. Human-
ity bleeds at the recital ; and national pride sinks in the American heart, oppressed with the
load of shame and grief. He has abrogated the known laws of natiofns, and promulgated a
new code of his own, conceived in madness or folly and written in Mood; he has, in fine,
violated all laws human and divine, and violated them widi impimi^."
, Digitized by VjOOQ IC
POLK, JOHNSON AND MACDUFPIS AGAINST CHEAP POSTAGE. 301
On the extracts lust quoted from the Richmond Ehqnirer, I need offer ne remarKs-^bnt
any one who will look carefully upon the course tajken by Jackson towards Calhoun, most
be sensible that Ritchie, as the author (or publisher, if some friend of his was the anonymous
writer) of them, was, to the hour of Jackson's death, looked upon as his malignant slanderer.
Yet Messrs. Polk, Walker, Marcy, Cave Johnson, Bancroft and Mason hasten to tuhi out of
office a person in whom Jackson fully confided, and to place in his stead Ritchie, whose press
had represented him to his countrymen as an inhuman monster, unfit to live — until his popu-
larity became boundless, and had then meanly swallowed every offensive and violent ezpres*
sion, and become his most fawning parasite I ! All this Polk and his confederates did, as an
annoyance and vexation to the old warrior, shortly before he breathed his last — and yet they,
one and all» uplifted the stave to praise Jackson in death ! ! A strange proof this of tneir sxn«
cerity I Hating, like Crawford, the emigrant, as he does, also, seeminglv, the New England-
er, Ritchie supported Crawford and the caucus, with Van Buren in 1^; and said of Jack-
son, " We would deprecate his election as a curse to our country." This is the democrat (I)
on whom some $50,000 to $75,000 a-year are bestowed, by Polk and Walker, and Marcy
and the party t Thiis is the independent patriot who would not be the hanger-on of power,
and who disliked to see editors rewarded by and becoming the stipendiaries of the Executive f
'Tis a waste of^lime and words to ask what are Ritchie's wi^esor principles, for is it not
evident by his past career, that he is a plaosiUe pretender to patriotism, with art enough to
keep up appearances before the people, and ever ready to sell his influence to the highest
bidder T [See Nos. 147 a, 179 a, ITO b, and 239, in pages 201, 214, 215, and 240.]
Mr. Ritchie's old friends, the Virginia ]danters, breed slaves as a(i article of commerce;
and Texas is a great mart for their unchristian traiOQic ; his family and connections are also
deeply interested in Texan lands and scrip. He was, therefore, with Calhoun, readv to risk
war rather than not add Texan senators to tlie Senate, and secure the power of slavery
as omnipotent in the government. To his wholesale slanders, through Mr. J?(^'s Unions in-
tended to injure me with the American people, I offer no replv here ; and as to the dreadfW
tragedy in which his son was such a conspicuous actor, and which resulted in the death %<
Mr. Pleasants, he probably could not prevent it, and doubtless suffered much pain from it.
Greene of Richmond, according toX>r. Ma3ro, page 119, is interested in Texas lands, over
0100,000. He is son-in-law to T: Ritchie, and a bankrupt. Of course, annexation will aid
him powerfully. The Tribune states, on personal knowledge, that Texas lands, scrip, &c.
are exercising a powerful influence over the press.
THE POSTAGE LAW,
Thou^ not perfection, is one of the great and, I trust, enduring improvements of the age.
President Polk has given us Cave Johnson for postmaster-general, whose narrow mind or
interest in slavery msuie him oppose that law in Congress. Of his administration I can say
but little. Those who ousrht to know, tell me that there are no adequate checks in his depart>
ment. is he the man to devise iamd Sivply any such"? When this excellent measure was at
its third reading. Colonel McDuffie of & C., pale and in bad health, rose to oppose it, because
it would be a burthen on the treasury, and President Polk sings the same song in his mes-
sage. He would '< limit its expenditure to its income." When it was to expend many mil-
lions to drive the Indians firom f^orida, for the comfort of the slave-owners, and to risk war
with Mexico. &c., by the Texas move ; when it was to pay millions of revenue for armies,
navies, and the apparatus of war, to support the slave system ; in these things Cave Johnson
and James K. Polk willingly assented, is not intellig^ice for all, as well worthy a small and
temporary protection as the others 1 Is not intelligience a defence ? Is not knowledge power 1
Ana is not cheap postage of letters and papers a great means of increasing knowledge 1 The
cost of northern postage is almost doubled to pay for carrying the mails to the different localities
in tiie south, where few receive or send letters except a few great slave-holding families. Our
postinaster here has an income far beyond the intention of the law, or the heads of dgoart-
ments at Washington. His duties are very plain, and he has an army of auxiliaries, why
should a man at Richmond, Cincinnati, Buffalo or Rochester get a box for $1 or $1 1, and tie
obliged to pay S4 here 1 Is this uniformity 1 Are not the boxes a great convenience to the
post-office 1 Why tax the small traders here four dollars, or deprive them of a right, in order
to put an enormotis perquisite, perhaps $10,000, into an officer's well-filled wallet 1 McDuffie
is about 56 years oldf- deWlitatoi— muchbrok^ down— small— homely, with strongly-marked
characteristics of his Celtic origin. He declares that slavery is the chief corner-stone of re-
fublican institutions— has a clear and logical mind^-is not eloquent in the popular sense,
lis language is neither ornate nor imaginative ; but, in argument, he is clear, logical, and
perspicuous. Morris's income must exceed $14,000 a-year.
Silas Wright is erroneously termed an anti-slavery man. That is a mistake. When in-
vited in the summer of 1837 to a public dinner at Burlington. Vermont, he wrote in his an-
<iwer, that Vermont was the home of his family, and that he left it, at the age of twenty, for
New York state, in 1816 (when he came to study law at Sandy Hill)— that Van Buren was
Digitized byCjOOQlC
302 WRIGHT, VAN BURBN, AND THKIft {^^ PIP. RUB. SOD.
the rignt-ann qf Tompkins, last war, when he sustained the Union; that "those fanatics (the
abolitionists) are already attempting to agitate the public mind as to the evil of slavery in the
abstract," although " they knew well that any attempt to abolish slavery in the district of Co-
lumbia, while it exists in the surrounding states of Marvland and Virginia, cannot have the
effect to give freedom to a single slave, but would compel their transfer to new masters in the
slave states.'* Wright is opposed to the one term principle for the presidency. He wrote to
Ohio, Dec. 1842, that " the political fate of her JN. Y.] vice-presidents has been satisfactoiy
to her republicans, because they were permitted to serve out the time anticipated by their
friends. . . Not so with the Presidents, they have been permitted to present He[y.BJ»erved
but one term," &c. Wright voted for the Ashburton treaty ; and at Herkimer in 1^, pre-
pared the resolve for Throop's nomination. He went Jackson as a sad necessity. The harsh
correspondence in 1819 between Scott and Jackson is not forgotten. On the 4th of July anni-
versary dinner in 1880, at Albany, Van Buren presided, and one of the regular toasts was —
" Major-Generals Peter B. Porter and Winfield Scott— they were among the first, and the last,
and tne best in the field." Jackson's services were not even noticed, nor his name mentioned,
not even as a volunteer. Just eight years later, Van Buren was intriguing for Jackson all
over the Union. Here is a specimen :
Mr. Van Buren to C. A. Wickliffe. «* New Yom, July 8, 1828.
" My Dear Sir,— I have received yours at this place, and thank you for it. You may as-
sure your friends in Kentucky, that the vote of this state will be stronger for General Jackson
than Ms most sanguine friends anticipated. Of three-fourths there isnottke digged douU, I
care not who you show this letter to, mU keep me out of tke newspapers. In haste, your frieaid,
M. Van Btjvsh/*
The same to T. P. Moore. Same date.—" Our Mends abroad may fjjimlsfff wi^ aheluie
certain^ on at least three-fourths of the votes of this state. There is no doubt of it. Nothing
short of the death of our candidate can, I think, prevent it If Barry [W. T.l succeeds in
your state, the administration will find it extremely difficult to keep their troops in the field in
this. ... M. Van Buren."
I find Thomas P. Moore amongst the Polk appointments of last month— as Indian Agent
ou the Upper Missouri. The above letters to him and Wickliffe, were intended to operate go
the election of the Governor of Kentucky. When President, Van Buren, after making a
show of unwillinsneas, ratified the Seneca Tnidian Treaty, illegally, for he knew that two-thirds
of the Senate had not voted for it The way in which the Indians are treated renders it any-i
thing but surprising that they should thirst for vengeance. Van Bunen visited Tanunany
Hall in March last. M. V. B. at Tammany Hall ! Mike Walsh in prison ! ! and Butler,
Price, Swartwout, H<^. Dabney, Greene, Levis, Boyd and Hawkins, not in prison ! ! ! Is
this arrangement IFnghtl
COMMON AND CHANCERY LAW— VAN BUREN ON THE CONVENTION.
It was with reascm that Lord Coke exclaimed. '' Miserable, miseraUe, is the slavery of that
peopte among whom the law is either unsettled os unknown !" And that it is unsetded in
America, any one who has looked at the conflicting decisions of our courts will readily
acknowledge. We cling to the feudal jurisprudence of England, and refuse to reduce ihe
rules by wMch men are to be guided in society to scientific arrangements, with good laws, and
the examples beside the precept. We speak of giving thirty millions for a steam navy— much
better would it be for us to call together &om all parts of the Union, aye. of the earth, men
famed for dieir learning of law, and ask them to solve the questions, Whetner it is possible fw
youths to b^»>me acquainted with law enough to entitle them to plead for their neiehbors,
without requiring a library of thousands of volmnes, filled with the conflicting decisions of
jurists, the statutes, ordinances, and real or supposed usages of the old world and the new %
Whether it is impossible to obtain fofr the magistracy of this republic, a clear, concise, popular,
yet upright code, which its 3500 judges and justices might comprehend and apply in lieu of the
COMMON law of Ene^land, much of which, accordinff to a learned recorder or New York (who
has since exchanged the duty of charging juries for that of discharging mail-bags), is unknown,
never having been either written or printed 1
A mysterious prescription by the faculty of medicine, said to be indaily use, is: "R.— Pulv.
Pip. Rub. ; Hyd. Chlor. Sod. ; Acid. Acet. ; Mel. Desp. ; Aqu. Fluv., M. Ft. Qai^. sig. ; Sum.
p. r. n." Even this " pip. rub. sod." is not so metaphysical as our anglo^emocratic law, for
Drs. Mott or R. Nelson could tell that it is an advice to " take red pepper, salt, vineizar, honey,
and water, mix and make into a gargle,'* often useful enough in fevers and sore throat; but
in common law, even the learned professors cannot agree either as to the modes or remedies
of procedure to get the good of them. Clinton vaioly reconunended a legal code in 1825, to a
bucktail legislature; Brougham, Romilly, Bentham and Mackintosh,are among the advocates
of a system or code of rules founded on a natural arrangement of those actions which are the
sul^ects of legislation. .Btajor Green, of the Boston Post, tmly remarks, that
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
COMMON AND CHANCERY LAW KEFORM. 303
" A citizen may study the Revised Statutes and all ike state laws till he can refjeat every
section, and yet he knows nothing of the offences for which he may be tried and punished, un-
til he finds out what the laws of England are, and what the judges may think proper to apply
to any case, when they can find no ready made law at home. Even the progress of civilisa-
tion and common sense in England is not allowed to be applicable to our condition here. An
absurd, barbarous, tyrannical law, which may have been repealed and driven from the com-
munity in Great Britain, as unjust even in a monarchy, is nevertheless good enough law for
the free citizens of the United States !"
The wretched condition of the conmion law, in force here, was dearly shown not many
months since in the case oi O'ComxeE and others. They were tried in Hie principal common
law court of Ireland for a penal offence, kept three months in the penitentiary, pronounced to
be criminals by the leamea judges and crown lawyers : and then their prison doors were open-
ed; they were entreated to accept of freedom ; the twelve judges of England, with one accord,
and on oath, had declared that that part of O'Connell's indictment which the whole of the Jiisix
judges had pronounced to be good, at common law, was bad, and no law at all ; and that
O'ConneU and his companions were held in unlawful durance. So also said the House of
Lords; Lord Chief Justice Denman declaring that the trial was a " mockerVi a delusion, and
a snare." I felt the force of his reasoning, for I was twelve mcmths confined, as unlawfrilly at
Rochester as O'Connell was at Kilmainham—but for the poor there is but little justice any-
where. So expensive is an appeal to the Supreme Court of the United States, tiiat my friends
foimd it impossible to raise the money.
When a railroad is laid out we try to make it as straight and level as possible. Should not
our law-road be straight also 1 Lawyers are men of as warm, generous, and kindly feelings
as o^ers— they are equally honorable — ^but if society shall continue to honor legal talent
vrhsre it snatches a villain of the deepest dye from merited punishment— if Gtovemors and
Judges shall continue to act under an imperfect system— if the art of the Attorney must be
learnt, with all its technicalities and barbarous " pip. rub. sod. " j)edantry, by the American
scientific pleader — if the student must set up shop, buy an expensive library, and if he then,
in nine cases out of ten, finds it impossible to exist as an honest expounder of royal law, is it
wonderful that, Butler like, he joins some stock-jobber to jockey the people through a sham
bank ; or Hoyt like, cringes to power till he can perch himself in a collector's office, there to
embezzle wholesale, and fee a legal regiment for defence, out of the plunder 1 Grovemor
Wnght in his message last January, told the Legislature that "the fewest and simplest laws
consistent with the security of the great objects to be attained, and the lightest burth^is which
their enforcement will permit, must be the best and wisest execution of the trust " th^ had
accepted. Look at (heii debates and proceedings for the result, and say if a remedy is not
required 1 The merchant, farmer, landlord, tenant, tradesman, mechanic — all suffer in turn,
and often very severely, by our defective law system, Grovemor Wright's indicator, the At-
las, mocks us wi^ its substitutes for an effectual cure. It is men learned in the law, studious,
experienced, and practical, that New York must look to for a code — and if we were to pay
millions for it. never did any people make a wiser purchase.
As to the Cnancerv Court, i never had anything to do with it until the publication of my
last book. I opposed its introduction into Upper Canada, as a member of tne legislature, not
because I thougnt the S3rstem complete without it, but because I did not believe its substitution
of secret examinations in lawyers^ offices, for open ones before the world — its practice, exceed-
ingly arbitrary and artificial, depending on rules made by its administrators, and upon no
general principle of law— its questionable barriers as to what cases' are doubtful, obscure, and
there£:»e fit for equity courts — its control over mone3ri property, everything, with chancery
judges exported from London, not for their fitness, but in payinent of debts political, would be
an im{HN)vement. Here, Veiplanck, and other enquiring minds, have sought to give an ade-
quate remedy for ccmstituted abuses, but have failed— and the danger is, that some quack will,
Van Buren uke, prescribe a nostrum even worse than the charlatanrietkat now obtains.
What is wanted is a code of law, a system whereby one judge, {residing in one court, can
do all — with rules of practice, not of his dictation, but framed and adapted for his guidance by
the community. Common Ldw is built on old precedents— equity also professes to be guided
by what has been done. If the one can be codified, why may it not include the other % If our
laws are scientifically arranged and equitable, why have oUier conflicting jurisdictions with
unconfined powers ? If they are loose and confused, are not life and |»roperty thereby endan-
gered 7
" Equity, as a separate system," says Verplanck, " can hardly be said to have worked well
anyiivhere. Its uncertainty, its immense powers, and still more, its delays and expenses, have
always been a subject of pt]d)lic complaint. Its mode of taking testimony has been pronounced
by high professional authority to be the very worst ever devised; dilatory, expensive, and
opening a door to the grossest ptrjury, and the vilest frauds. Its advantages are, that its
powers are great and undefined— its pipcess strict and searching. So, too, are those of an ar*
hitmry judge in a half-civilized country, a Mandarin or a Cadi.''
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304 FRANKLIN, HANCOCK, CUSHINO AND PRIVATE LBTTBBS.
Hoyt has astonished this community by swearing that the letters published in my former
pamphlet are genuine, and asking the profits of publication. With profits I had nothing to do.
There have been appeals, bills, demurrers, injunctions, hearings, and -decisions. I cared for
one thing only ; and that "was to get the facts before the people. Were their attenti^ well di-
rected to the Court of Chancen'', a change for the better Aught take place roeedily. Walworth,
f^e Chancellor, I had seen before, when he Called at my office, inquiring for his friend Speaker
Papin«au — McCoun I had.Bot seen, and only h€»rd of him in the ow duel case of Ec^rd,
Decatur, &cc.^ and when he took the circuit judge's place in 1831, on the equity side. I think
the interference of McCoun, as •far as copyright was concerned, was a violation of several im-
portant provisions in the tT. S. Constitution, and .that his decision in the Mitchell case (Wer-
more vs. Scovell^ forms a cvCrious contrast with the course he took in mine*. Befbg very poor,
I keep on the defensive—but had I been involved in such a case twenty years ago, the folks in
Canada arfe mv witnesses, that I would have done battle for the right most cheerfully. . The
permanence of this government depends on its justice, and if the manly electors of New York.
Hdll but wake up to the im|K)rtance of the crisis, the world may yet bless the hour in which
the greatest State in the Union called together the Conventicm of 1846.
In 1769 to 1773, private and secret lejters were written by great men in Bos^n to official
diancters in London, against the people'. Meut. Gov. Oliver wrote " that some method shotild
be devised to take off the original incendiaries, whose writings supplied the fuel of sedition
through ^ Boston Gazette" Secrtt assassination was tried accoiBingly; Mr. Otis, King's
Advocate, a bold liberal, was attacked in his own house with bludgeons and left for dead.
Governor Hutchinson said, " The union of the Colonies is pretty well broke : I habe I shidl
never see it renewed. There must be' an abridgment of English liberties in the Colonies."
Judge Oliver wrote how to harass the Americans, adding, " By such a step the game will be
op with my countrymen." Such letters as these induced the king to refuse wise counsel ; Dr.
Williamson, an eminent American, then in London, got hold of the letters ; he gave them to
Franklin, who enclosed them to Speaker Cushing, in Boston ; Samuel Adiuns and John Han-
cock read them to the Legislature of Mass. ; they were published ; the Assembly petitioned their
King to remove the slanderers; the privy council met, and Wedderbnm insulted Franklin;
his speech was published in the London papers,- and says Franklin, *' It was the ton with all
the ministerial folks to abuse them [the Yankees] and me, in every company and in every
newspaper." The King, Feb. 7, 1774, ordered the Boston petition to be dianissed " as ground-
less, frivolous, vexatious, and scandalous ;" stopt Franklin's salary as Colonial Agent ; took
from him his ofiice of Postmaster General ; and the government backed Whately in oppress-
ing this man, whose memory the proudest monarch might enw, with a suit in Chancery before
the McCoun of that day, to get back the letters and the profits .[ ! ! 1 he had made by publish-
ing them. Franklin could not stand this accumulation of persecution. *" My finances (says
he) are not sufficient to cope at law with the treasury here." He returned to America.
In his speech before the Lords of the Privy Council, Wedderbnm [Lord Loughborouffh]
said ; " Nothing then will acquit Dr. Franklin of the chaise of obtaining them [the secret let-
ters] by fraudulent or corrupt means, for the most malignant of purposes ; unless he stole them
from the person who stole them. I hope, my lords, you will mark and brand the man, for 1h^
honor of his country, of Europe, and of mankind. Private correspondence has hitherto been
held sacred in the times of the greatest party rage, not only.in politics, but religion.. He has
forfeited all respect of societies and of men. Into what companies will he hereafter ge/with
an unembarrassed face, or the honest intrepidity of virtue 1 Men will tsfktch htm with a jeal-
ous eye ; they will hide their papers from nim^ and lockup their escrutoire^v * ^ ^U hen<^
forth esteem it a libel to be called a man of letters, hdmo trium lUeramm ! "—J^r'knMin^s^Me'
moirs, vol. t, p. 319. He concluded by comparing the great philosopher and patriot of the
Western world to Zanga, in Young's Revenge, "I ask, my lords^ whether "thg revengeful
temper, attributed by po&c fiction only to the bloody African, is not ^rp^sed^ftj^e coolness
and apathy of the wily American." ', > ' " y *
A bill from the Assembly of this state was sent, in I8l8, to the 'Senate, for'Concun«ft«,
which proposed to free those who had dealings in smidl sutns, from^ She chicaiiftiy, delajae acd
..-.,. rcsLses<ft0i
enormous costs imposed by trading attorneys, by allowing a single justice .tb'ffy case§'
and under, whether the action was against an individual, a privi!^^ lawyer,. a copipany, or
the officer of a court— authorizing any citizen to explain me nature Sfthfe claim or plea of any
other citiattn — and annulling and pumng an end to that odious -'monopoly p^ pleading* *£ind de-
fence by which privileged attorneys had reaped enormous g^ns from a pillaged peo|jj^so far
•s debts under $50 were concerned. . This attempt lo iiitrodiice practical democracy was re-
garded by Van Buren with horror. He was eloquent against the bill— %ondenmed its princi-
ple— wondered 'how justices, ignorant of the law, could decide case^ of debt — and wfen h«
found the bill would pass, moved [see senate journal, page 187] to add to the bill the following
clause :
" And be it further enacted, that it shall not be lawful for any p»8on, NOT A LICENSED
ATTORNEY OR COUNSELLOR OP THE SUPREME ^bURT OR COURT OF
Digitized by V^OOQIC
VAN BUR£N ANP BEACH Olf JLAWS AND CONVENTIONS. 305
COMMON PLEAS OP THIS STATE, or who shaU not be actually engaged in the regular
study of the Law, TO APPEAR AND ADVOCATE ANY CAUSE rVFOR AN-
OTHER BEFORE A JtJSTJCE OP THE PEACE."
Here Van.Buren*s party deserted him— the bill ailowed'lhose who wanted attorneys to hire
them, and it did not force the poor man, who felt Ije had been wron^uUy prosecuted for S5 he
did net owe, to hire an attorney's apprentice to state his case for a fee of other $3. whf n his
neighbor the machinist, carpenter, or printw, was ready to do it truly and correctly for nothing.
Van Buren's monopoly clause was voted down. Ye^, Van Buren, &c,, 6. Nays, Sam.
Young, &c., 18.
. The bill also pi^Vided that coghovits or confessions of judgment, for $100 and under, nueht be
taken before a sii^le iustice of the peace, whose fee should be 25 cents. (It was $12 in U. Cana*
da when I first se&ed there !) Judgments were' to be a shilling, and so on. Van Buren, Van
Ve(^ten, and Young addressed the Senate against the bill ; it would injure the profession, ren-
der law too cheap, and encourage litigation. The bill passed, 18 to 11. Seepages 1^-6 cyf
senate journal. Among the ^^Nayb on the final yote were Van Buren, Hammond, and
Samuel Young.
On June 13, 1819, it was proposed in Senate to.aflow conii^ courts to try aU cases which do
not affect life ; but if it was a case involving the satQ prison u>r life, one of the judges must be
a councillor of tkree yean^ standing. Roes said if the lawyer held the rank of councillor it
was rarely enough ; he would move to strike out the words '^ three years' standing." Young and
other 9 went for that, but Van Buren defeated them.
On 6th of April, 1819, in Senate, Hammond rep(»rted a bill to prevent lawyers fyom taking
too much fas toreclosing a mortgage, over and above inrinter^s bill, affidavit, and oonvmace
recording, ^. Van Buren moved to give the attorney $25. Lost. Young proposea ISO.
Carried. . But the bill was got rid of. m 1821, the convention made some improvements.
Now, 1846, we are on the eve of another convention. To it Croswell was not vety frigidly,
and Van Buren and Wright could scarce conceal their vexation when the honest Democrats
and Whigs coalesced in its favor. Here is Van Buren*s letter, addressed to Peter Cagger, Al-
bany:
** Lindenwald, May 19, 1845. DparSir: * * * * * I had, however, allowed myself to hope that these
amendments, and especially that which would make the State secure against the abuses of the power to bor-
row money, firom which It has Itself so severely sufiered, and by which so many of its sister States have been
overwhelmed, might, by perseverance, be obtained in the mode provided by the sonstltntion, befiure any mate-
rial inroad was made upon the cherished, and as it was supposed, well established policy of the State in
regard to its finances and public works. For that reason, ana on account of what I believed to be a well-
grounded apprehension of the bad efibcts that might result from the disturbed condition of portions of the pubtie
mind, upon points not heretofore involved in the politieal issues upon which parties have divided, I have been
very decldeaty in fkvor of a postponement of the Convention movement, and that preference has been nmre-
servedly expressed to the few who did me the honor to ask my o|:toion upon the subject.
*' Whether 1 would have retained asd acted upon tliat preference If I had been a member of the Leglslatore
and witnessed the passage through both its branches of a bill, which would, if it had become a law, have
caused so sudden and so injurious a revolution In what was hoped to be Uie established Policy of the Skate,
upon a point of prominent importance, is very donbtftil. As matters stand, my advice to the meeting and to ths
Bemocraey of the State, is to bury their past divisions, and to do all in their power to carry the great measoni
of a Convention to a succestftil and safe result, by united counsels, and vigorous, but temnelrate and discreet
effortt. I am, dear sir, very respeetfhlly and truly yours. M. VAN BUREN.'*
Lo^' at the c(kiduct of the legislature, at its language, s(t the opinions of members touching
it^.puhliO'PT$6^ and'eadh other— and say, Is it a sBpervising eye placed on an eminence, and
seeing aUarpund? Is it a mill for grinding good laws, if sparely fed with complaints and
memoriab-1 Or ift . it the tumult of contending factions, silencing the more patriotic 7 Say
which ; and then t^k youtsf Ives, whetiier, if laws devised, examined and improved by the best
. legal talent ^ N. ^.^s^l^; need revision, how much more those laws which were never laid
•before an^ tegl8lati}re,-asid which are only the opinions of judges dependent on arbitrary kings
dujrm^ the darkles ojt £P#^h history ? ^' Our laws and decisions (said John C. Spencer, m
tRe Aiflenibly 5^ N. Y., Jan.^6, 1820J are numerous and comi^icated, and it necessarily de-
volves upoii t^ ii^dg^ t6,ezpound tnem ; and if the gentleman dislikes the laws, and the mode
of exQQCtndin^ them, he' might ^adopt the recommendation of the late GK>vemor Plumer, of
-NeW(Hampshipe, and propose to have the whole British common law reduced to a code. Let
the gontlpman from Delaware [General Root] devote himself to tjie subject, and reduce the
whole of ojir. muMfailofus laWs and numerous decisions into a code at once, and render them
clear aiAhoonsistent.'' In his nptes on De Tooqueville Mr. S. takes another view.
MOSES f! BEACH ON TEXAS. INFLUENCE OP THE SUN.
The Sun, a pehnysaper of considerable influence and large circulation in New York, was
commenced, as Mr. Beach states, '*on die 3d of Sept. 1833, in a small back room in an ob-
scure piirt of William i^treet," with an edition of 500, and of the size of a ^eet <^ letter pa-
per ; " the entire strength<af the establishment, intellectual, physical, and mechanical, c(msisted
oi one man and one boy." The sale paid expenses, and left profit enough to buy them a sup-
Digitized by V^OOQ LC
306 M. Y. BBACH ON POLK, CALHOUN, HOUSTON, MARCY AND TEXAS.
per. The present owner, M. Y. Beach, states, that he served his ai^r^ticeship to a cabinet-
maker in Hartford: worked long and hard, late and early; and now owns three banks and
his newspaper. 1 was his neighbor in 1838, and noted that he looked carefuUy after his busi-
ness. At that time, as now, the paper professed decoram of language and indepaidcnce of
party. Mr. Beach is not much ofa writer himself, J^ but he employs those editors, and thoee
only, who will faithfully express sentiments in unison with his own. 43 In 1836 he had the
genuine American feelings of the honest and faithful class whose patronage has raised him to
wealth, and who were delighted, no doubt, at the independent, republican tone of liis cheap
and useftd sheet. He took a bold stand then against Texas with slavery, and censured witb
great severity the attempts of Polk, Calhoun, Houston, Jackson, and McDuflie, to crush free-
dom in the north, by extending the curse of slavery to the souUi, in violation of treaties, not
made with a powerful monarchy, but a weak, confidmg sister republic. I add (to Mr. Beach's
honor be it said) his commentary on Samuel Houston's letter to Dunlap at Nashville, asking
aid to dismember Mexico.
ect paramoani lo every raercenaiy consioeniaon loai migni connsTeoe ii, an iLyowea aesign oi uus kwh
unst tbe possessions of a nation with whom the United States were at peaee, would have subjected its an-
>r, if a citizen, to the chane of high treason, and to its consequences, when Aaron Bonr and his aasodates
ore supposed to meditate me conquest of Mexico, and attempted to raise troops in the sontfaem states to
[Item the New York San, by Moses Y. Beach, 1896.]
'* In the earlier days of oar republic, when a high-minded and honomble fidelity to its constitution was tn
object paramount to every mercenary consideration that might contravene it, an avowed design of this land
agains * ' ' " -"— ^- '^-''^ ^' '" " " " '^ "
fhor, ]
ware supposed 1
achieve it, they were arrested for treason, and Burr, their chief, was tried for his life. But now, behold ! tbe
conquest of a part of the same country is aa ok|)ect openly proclafaued, not In the letters of General Houston
alone, but by many of our wealthiest citisens at public banquets, and by the hireling presses in the chief cities
•f our Union. The annexation of a fixeign territory to our own by fiMWgn conquest, being thus unblashingly
avowed, and our citixens who are integral portions of our national sovereignty being openly invited and Incited
to >^n ^e crusade with weapons of war, it becomes an interesting moral inquiry— what is there in the pnUic
mind to excuse (vr even to palliate so flagrant a prostitution of national fkith and honor in these days, any more
than In the days that are past 1 The answer is ready at hand, and Is irrefhtable. An extensive and well
oigftnlxed gang of swindlers in Texas lands, have raised the cry and the standard of * Liberty !' and to the
thrilling charm of this slorious word, which stirs the blood of a free people as the blast of a Qugle arouses
every nerve of the war-norse, have the generous feelings of our citizens responded in ardent deluMon. But,
ms the Commercial Advertiser truly declares, * Never was the Goddess of American Liberty invoked more an-
righteously ;* and we cannot but believe that the natural sagacity, good sense, and proud regard for their aa-
llonal honor, for which our citizens are distinguished In the eyes of all nations, will speedily rescue them from
the otherwise degrading error in which that vile crew of mercenary, hypocritical swindlers would involve
them. The artful deceivers, however, have not relied upon the generosity and noble sympathy of our fellow-
citizens, for they insidiously presented a bribe to excite tlielr cupidity also. They have not only falsely repre*
"" ' of pure, disinterested liberty and justice, as opposed to perfidious tyranny and
cruel oppression, but they have themselves assumed something more than the liberty whleh they basely and
hypocritically advocate, by impudently promising a fertile paradisaical pieco of 'J'exian land, a mt'/e square, to
every American citizen and foreign emigrant who will sally forth to capture it from the Mexican republic ! In;;
duced by^ne or both of these objects, rodny hundreds of our enterprising citizens left their own ample and
unolQectionable country to unite with Irish, Bngllsh, and other foreign adventurers in a war, from the fullest
success of which only some six or eight Land Uompanles, who have ftaudulentiy and audaeiotuly monopo-
lized the Texian tarritory, would gain an important benefit. And to this shrine of ostensible liberty have <
many hundreds of oar gallant youth heen treacherously sacrificed—sacrificed by a mercenary treachery, c<»npared
to which that exercised by Santa Anna, in defence or the Republic of which he was President, was innocence
and patriotism. The ot^ect of the colonizing land agents of the South was to make this prolific province their
own, and the field of a new and lucrative negro slavery. To this they still tenaciously adhere ; and if they
can Induce a strong force of our American youth to shed their blood for the unjust and avaricious cause of
alavery, under the name of Texian liberty and independence, they will undoubtedly secure their object We doubt
not the ability of our gallant countrymen to exterminate any number of Mexicans that can be brought against
them ; but In fighting fot the union of Tfexas with the United States, which Is the avowed meaning of ' Te.rian
Independence,* tkty wilt beJtghHngf&r that wkiek at no distunt period wiU inevitably dieeolw the Union. The
slave states, having this eligible addition to their land of bomnge, with its harbors, bays, and well bounded
geocraphlcal position, will ere long cut asunder the federal tie which they have long held with ungracious aiftt
unmternal fingers, and confederate a new and distinct slavehoiding republic, in opposition to the whole fireo
republic of the North. Thus early will be fulfilled the predictions of the old politicians of Europe, that oar
Union would not remain a century— «nd then also will the maxim be exemplified tn our history, as it is hi fiie
history of the slavehoiding republics of old, that liberty and slavery cannot long Inhabit the sam6 soil."
It is creditable to Beach that he is wealthy, the owner of three banks and a powerftil jofflP-
nal. But, I ask him to explain, why The Sun of 1846 claims to be tbe originator of that dis-
graceftfl act which it denounced in 1836, as the object of that vile crew of " mercenary, hypo^
critical swindlers," traitors to their country, bent upon dismembering the republic 1 Itiordecai
M. Noah, who is hired as principal editor of the Sun, by Beach, now, was in 1836, (as editor
of the Star,') for Texas ana slavery : he has not changed, but why is Beach, the independent
mechanic, become the confederate of those who drive a detestable traffic in the south, and seek
to add us northerns to their plantations of bondsmen? Why is the Beach who once saw a
dissolution of the Union in Texan annexation, now ready to grasp at all Mexico 1 Why is
it thought essential now (Jtme 11th) to say, " We are and always have been in favor of the
Annexation of Texas, and never at any time entertained the impression that Mexico had any
rights in Texas, or could recover that country bv the force of arms. We never believed that
we were doing injustice to Mexico," &c. &c., when old subscribers, myself among the number,
Imow that the Sun thought that those who took Hoiwton's course deserved the traitor's fatel
The question has not changed— slavery and robbeiy are what they t^ere when Houston'*
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4
VAN BURBN% EARLY KNOWLEDGE OP BANK AND STATE UNIONS. 307
** meYceiiary treachery" was odious in Beach's sight. It is asserted, and I believe it, that
Beach, had he not been first silenced, and then brought quite round, could, through The Sun,
have prevented annexation. I do not overrate the power of ^is press when I say this ; and as
it is hinted, both privately and publicly, that Aose mercenary motives, that desire for Texas
land, and still more, tp give new value to Texas serin, which Beach ascribed to others, finally
seduced himself, and caused him to turn and follow Marcy, Houston, and the slave traders,
heedless of the injury he did to his own class, and the good cause of freedom, which he once
Highly valued, 1 ask nim to explain the above paragraph, as compared with his preseut course.
It is right that I should here state, that 1 do not know that Mr. Beach has, or ever had, any
pecuniary inducement to change his course — but as his editors are merely the tools or instru-
ments he works with, and thrown by when they do not snit him, I am warranted in asking
why he has thus used the vast power placed in his hands, for temperate and patriotic purposes,
hy a confiding public.
An account of the Lehigh Bank was written for this work, in connaxion witk the case of
Van Buren's friend, Daniel M'Cook, a delegate to the Baltimore Convention of 1840, and
now in trouble at Harrisburgh. It seemed to be the better course, however, to await the result
of pending proceedings, and not attempt to prejudge, through a publication likely to be exten-
sively circulated, a case of which a jury will sooner obtain all the facts.
VAN BUREN AND THE BANK OF HUDSON.
Report of a Committee of the House of Assembly of New York, on the bankrupt Bank of
Hudson, Feb. 3, 1823.
The committee to whom was referred the report of the Attorney General, [Talcott,] with
accompanying documents, relative to the Bank of Hudson, Report, That the documents
accompanying said report, appear to be an examination at length, by James Fowers and
Robert Dorlon, Eaqrs. commissioners appointed to inquire into the affairs of the Bank of Hud-
son. The examination and report of the commissioners, is, in itself, an elaborate produc-
tion, embracing man^, if not most of the prominent transactions rdating to the affairs and man-
agem&ivt of this institmtumyfor many years; also its situation at the time of the failure thereof.
That it discloses a scene of wild speculation, ruinous and improvident management, on the
'part of many of its officers, regardless of their own characters, and the ordinary or strict rules
of banking mstitutions ; a summary view will in part be given.
Losses have been sustained by large amounts of paper having been placed in the hands of
agents (who gave no security,) for the purpose of forcing it into circulation, by exchanging it
for paper of other banks. Discounts apparently have been made for large amounts, without
a competent number of the board being present : and as it appears from mc minutes, in some
instances, notes have been entered as discounted or renewed, without the directors being pre-
sent. Notes for large amounts have been suffered to lie over, without either payment or pro-
test, thereby discharging the endorsers from their liability. Notes have been discounted for
large sums, ([in violation of a rule for the government of its officers,) having but one endorser,
and in one instance a note for ^10,000, was discounted without anv. One of the cashiers ^
gave no security for the faithftil performance of his duty ; and although worth but ^000 in real
estate, agreeably to his own statement, frequently endorsed for the officers of the bank, to a
laxge amount, and at one time, we perceive his nanie upon paper, to the amount of $25,000,
himself the only endorser. By the report of the commissioners, it appears thai there was due
to the institution, at the time of its failure, from certain of its officers, the sum of S143,794, and
the probable loss, upon loans to said officers, will be $100,000. And from extracts from the
statement showing the present and probable state of said institution, it appears that stock paid
in and ehtered to account, is $110,0i00: and that the notes of the institution, unredeemed or
unpaid, are $68,364: And that the total loss, as estimated upon closing this concern, will
amount to $176,852.
B3r the accompanying report of the Attorney General, it will be observed that he is of the
opinion that the charter of the bank has been forfeited; and that sufficient proof maybe
obtained, to make some of its officers liable to account, in their individual capacity, for a con-
siderable amount of d^ts due the institution ; believing that the public good and justice
require, for the purpose of preventing similar practices, and for guarding the rights of the
community, the adoption of vigorous and efficient measures, against those who have wantonly
trifled with the trust committed to their charge ; but as some doubts exist in the minds of your
committee, whether individuals who have made themselves liable, have the Ability to pay,
they have therefore thought it advisable to give the Attorney General* discretionary powers in
commencing suits in behalf of the state. The committee would therefore ask leave to intro-
duce a bill. T. S. MORGAN, Chairman.
Bank Election. [From the N. Y. Evening Post.]— Hudson, January 18, 1814. At a meet-
ing of the Stockholders of the Bank df Hudson, on the lOth inst., the following gentlemen were
chosen directors for the ensuing year: John C. Hogeboom, Alexander Coffin, Gayer Gardner,
Robert Jenkins, Joseph D. Monell, Richard M'Carty, Thomas Jenkins, Wm. P. Van Ness,
George Monell, Seth G. Macy, Thomas B. Cook, Ralph Barker, Mar^n Van Buren. Robert
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308 THE PUBLIC LANDS. TBE AMERICAN LAND GOMPANY
TaylOT and Moses I. Cantine, directors an the port of the State. At a meeting of 1
tors, Jo^m C. Hogeboora was re-elected president, and Gilbert J«nkias, cashier.
/ . THE SURPLUS REVENUE,
•In Thjtoop's message, Jan. 1830, he asserts that there are prudential reasons for continuing
the duties on imports to a greater extent than the wants of government require, the mzrpius to
be divided ameng the states. Jefferson, in Nov. 1808, wished the surplus revenue to dc ap-
plied to the purposes of education, and the improvement of roads, rivers,' and canals. Jack-
son, in Dee. 1830, advised that surplus funds might be divided among the states for objects of
internal improvement ; and, in 18^2, seemed anxious to confine the land sales to actual settlers
at about 10 cenus atHMTt. In August, 1836, when vast sums had been paid for choice lands
by the public, and these lands thrown into market and bought by speculators with Hbe poblic
revenue entrusted to the Treasury banks, Van Buren took ground against distributioiV| and in
1841 Walker and Buchanan tried to mortgage the whoie of the land revenue for the balance
L debt Van Buren 1^ created in his efforts to expel the Seminoles from Florida. Calhoun
and M'Dutlie have held opinions on revenue as wide asunder as the polls. . M'Connell of
Tennessee proposes in Congress to give each settles: on the public lands a ftee grant — the old
Canadian system, and better than ours — but the national reiorm plan is an improlrenient, for
it secures farms to the industrious for ever — ^it is, in the spirft of tne law of nations, which, as
Vattel tells us, " will not acknofwledge the property and sovereign^ of a nation over any unin-
habited countries, except ihose of which it nas realty taken actual possession, in which' it has
formed settlements, or of \^liich it makes actual use."
In John C. Calhoun's speech, in Senate, Feb, 5, .1840, Globe report, he thiis described tkc
surplus revenue, and land-buying mania:
^* With thv'liicieased rise of prices besaii the gigantic speculatioiM 4b the pnblie doouiid, the prke of which,
being fixed by law, could not partake of tne general rise. To enlarge the room for their operations, I Iraow not how-
many intllions (fifty, I would suppose, at least, of the publle lerenue) was sUnk in purchasing Indian lands, at their
fee simple price aearly, and removins tribe after tribe to the West, at enormous eoot ; thus subjeeting mUUons
on railiions of the choicest publio lands to be seized on by the keen and greedy f^peeulator. The tills now
sv|;eited with irresistible force. From the banks the deposits passed by dlsisounls into the bands of Hut land
speculators ; ftom them Into the hands of the receivers, and thence to the banks ; and again and again repeat-
ing the same circlev and, at every revolution, passing millions of acres of the publie domain from the people into
the handa of speculators, for worthless rags. Bad this state of things continued moch l<Miger, every acre of the
public lands, Worth possessing, would have passed from the Government. At this stage the alarm look place.
The revenue was attempted to be squandered by the wildest extravagance ; resolutions passed this body, call-
ing on the Depi ^ ' ^ * ' ' ' "' ' * ' — -.^.^ '^ —
could Dot spend
currency was oo . . ,
e J fur a moment, but to fitiU again from a more deadly atroke, under which they now lie prostiate.*'
Among the various schemes of public plunder, got up by Van Buren and his fiioftis, I may
name the Mississippi Land Company, got up to buy the Ipdian reservations. Anos Ken-
dall's connection with it was very discreditable. The Coxuier and Enquirer truly lemartes of
another vast monopoly, just like the Canada Land Companies under monarchy, " The history
of the American Land Company is yet to be written; it would have been written long since
'had it not been for the application of the Gag Law by Mr. Polk's packed Committee of sup-
pression and concealment, in 1837."
Of it the Albany Evening Journal says: " The American Land Company was foi«»d iii
1835. It overshadowed the RepuWic. Such a combination of weahh and pow«r had never
before, existed among us. The highest officers in the General and State Government were
st<3ckholders in this ifigantic Monopoly. The Articles of Asaociation were drawn up by the
Attorney General of the United States, who was himself a stockholder, and whose brother
was the President. Its ageiUs were sent abroad thiough the new States and Territories to
monopolise ail the valuable puUic lands. The Land Offices were subsidised. The surplus
revenue, then in the pet banks, was at the service of these ^teculators. Millions of doiiar»
were invested in Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Mississippi, &c. The StockhoJders in thi*
overgrown monopolv were selected from the men in power. Vast political and pecuniary in-
fluences were combined. Standing at the head of the A&any stockholders, were Messrs, Cros-
WELL and Burt, editors and proprietors of the State paper. Then came John Van Bcben,
the son of the President of the IJnited States. Su-as Wright, Jr., a Senator in Congress, .
through whose influence the deposites were placed within the reach of ' speculators,' was a
stockholder in the monopolizing American Land Conanany. And yet these veiy men filled
the country with their croakings against ' M)eculation.*^'
Now is the time for its history. Who will detail it 1 Wright, Butler, and Van Bmen had
their custom house officers, to collect the taxes at the custom nouses — their banlp in whigh io
deposit the cash, charging no interest— they and dieir friends were the dirijctors, and they bor-
rowed out the people's millions at New York, Philadelphia, and Bostoai, bought inun^ise txaietsof
the most valuable of the people*s lands with their own money, at the very lowest price— «iid sold
^leuL back to actual setters at five, ten, fifteen, and even twenty times what they had cast. This
^as Van Burenism in 183U, and it is unchanged.
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