MAY 5, 1832.]

Wiscasset Collector.

[H. OF R.

assail, on this floor, men of whom he knows nothing, by whether his charges against me were true or false. That making charges against them which he has not a particle of proof to sustain, and many of which he has been forced to retract almost as soon as made?

he did not thus know, was evinced by his avoiding a specification of particulars, or an allusion to any thing by which I could know what was relied on as evidence of Instructed by the people of Mississippi! Sir, does the their truth. It was also evinced by his frequent retraction gentleman suppose me blind to what has passed since he of charges made against other individuals, plainly indicattook his seat here? Did nobody observe the circumstances ing that he had taken no pains to ascertain their truth, but connected with the change of his vote, at a critical mo- had taken them upon trust from others. There was somement, on a very important question, in which the feelings thing in his course and manner which irresistibly forced of the President are known to be strongly enlisted? Has upon my recollection the amusements of my boyhood, nobody heard that a certain gentleman, not long after, when the kite with which I used to sport myself rose upon visited the President of the United States?--that the Pre- the breeze-went this way and that--now up, now downsident, on that occasion, spoke in disparaging terms of a sometimes one end foremost, and sometimes the other; and certain individual who was an applicant to him for office?-- was governed by a cord which reached--not quite as far that the gentleman informed the President that the appli-as from this capitol to the Treasury Department.* cant, of whom he spoke, was his friend and relative, and Permit me now, Mr. Speaker, to devote a few moments that he felt bound to vindicate him? Has the gentleman to my defence. I am charged with having been "a viofrom Mississippi never been apprised of the expression, lent partisan, and a travelling electioneerer;" which is soon after, of that gentleman's feelings in regard to the alleged as the cause of my removal from office. President? Has he not heard that that friend was, soon In regard to the first of these charges, 1 frankly admit after, nominated to an important office? And was he not, that I was ardently attached to the last administration-to soon after this, astonished to see that gentleman come on all its members--but especially to its distinguished head. to this floor, and commence a speech, distinguished for its And how, sir, could I feel otherwise towards a man who high-sounding praises of "the old hero?" If this did not "bore his faculties so meek," and was "so clear in his surprise the gentleman from Mississippi, I believe it did great office?" I believed, and I still believe, that "all every body else; and that surprise was greatly increased the ends he aimed at were his country's, his God's, and when he permitted himself, in that speech, to sport with truth's." Sir, I cannot say more; and my feelings will not the characters of individuals who had been removed from permit me to say less. And now I put it to every gentleoffice, in a manner which plainly evinced either that he man who hears me, whether, when such a man was assaildid not expect to be believed, or did not know that a good ed with the vile charge of "bargain and corruption," my character was worth possessing or preserving. Instruct- feelings could be any other than those of deep and strong ed by the people of Mississippi! Sir, the ostrich hides its indignation. Sir, I felt like a man, and acted like a freehead, and vainly hopes it is not seen. Just as vain is the man. Is this a disqualification for office? It may be in the gentleman's hope. Who cannot perceive that, instead of estimation of the gentleman from Mississippi. But I have acting in obedience to instructions from the people of Mis-not been so taught. When I entered on my duties in the sissippi, he has become the instrument of certain indivi- Department of State, I did not, I could not, divest myself duals here-the conduit pipe through which they eject of the feelings and habits of a freeman-feelings and hatheir crude, undigested venom upon the objects of their bits which were formed among the noble race of men callhate?

[Here Mr. S. was called to order by the Speaker.]

Mr. S. observed that he had no intention to transgress the rules of order. A gentleman from Maine had been indulged in a similar course of remark with regard to a gentleman from Ohio. It was his intention to speak of the motives of no man; but he supposed himself at liberty to state what he understood to be facts.

ed "Green Mountain boys." I wish the gentleman from Mississippi could visit and mingle with them. He might learn something that would be useful for him to know. But, sir, while I retained and exercised my rights as a freeman, did I fail in my duty as a public officer? Did I resort to any improper or dishonorable means to sustain the last administration?

But from whom comes this charge of being a violent [Mr. PLUMMER here observed that he had no objec-partisan? Sir, it comes from an administration which has tions to the gentleman's proceeding with his remarks, and did not intend to make any reply.]

Mr. S. resumed. Mr. Speaker, it is not enough that I have been removed from office: I must be followed into this Hall with a malignant, groundless slander.† I do not, however, claim exemption from the attack, because I am a member of this House; and I so stated to the gentleman from Mississippi, after he came to me, upon making it, with the apology that he did not know I was a member. Did not know that I was a member! No. He supposed me five hundred miles off, where I could not defend myself! He might, and should have added that he did not know

appointed to office scores and hundreds of the most violent partisans in the country. I need not cite examples. Evidence of the truth of my assertion exists every where. That there should, however, be partisans in office, is not, with me, a subject of complaint. While we are permitted to enjoy a free Government, and offices are filled with freemen, we shall, of course, have men in office who will form decided opinions, and take a decided part in the politics of the country. But there is a wide difference between partisans who become such from the conviction of their own judgment, and those who are stimulated by the hope of reward. Under the old-fashioned rule of appointment, there will, indeed, be partisans in office, but It had been moved that the bank committee should they will be such from principle. Under the new rule, be appointed by the House. Mr. P. voted in favor of the they will be partisans from interest--mere mercenaries. motion. After the calling of the yeas and nays was com- In one case, they will be freemen; in the other, slaves. pleted, and it was found that a change of one vote would The early friends of General Jackson were such from decide the question in the negative, Mr. P., upon request, principle. They regarded him as a prompt, energetic, changed his vote, and the result was the appointment of straightforward, upright man. They were grateful for the committee by the Speaker instead of the House. This his military services. They thought that abuses existed change was the subject of much remark at the time, and in the Government, which required reform; and that he was subsequently alluded to, on the floor, by Mr. PEARCE, was the man to effect it. They gave him a manly and hoof Rhode Island.

Mr. P. had charged me with being removed from office for having been "a violent partisan, and travelling electioneerer."

VOL. VIII.-175

* No allusion was here intended to the Secretary of the Treasury. The Second Comptroller and Second and Fourth Auditors belong to the Treasury Department.

H. OF R.]

Wiscasset Collector.

[MAY 5, 1832.

That I was not removed from office on account of my

count of official misconduct, will, I think, be sufficiently apparent to any one who will examine the correspondence which took place between Mr. Van Buren and myself on that occasion.

norable support. However much they were mistaken, and whatever evils the elevation of their favorite has been supposed interference in the senatorial election, or on acinstrumental in bringing on the country, they acted from pure and upright motives, which I respect. But, sir, these early and honest friends have been compelled to give way to a mercenary corps who came in at the eleventh hour, to swell the triumph, and enjoy the " "spoils" Assailed as I have been here, I feel it due to myself to of victory. The first were too honest to serve the purposes say that I hold in my hand a testimonial which was placed of this administration; the last are equal to any purpose. in the possession of Mr. Van Buren more than a month A few words, Mr. Speaker, as to the other charge before I was removed from office. It was from a distinagainst me--"a travelling electioneerer!" It was not suf-guished friend of General Jackson, who had the means of ficient to assert that I electioneered in one, two, or half a knowing whether I had neglected my official duty. I candozen cases; but, that the charge might go forth in the not read it; and whoever should see it, would perceive the most odious form possible, the gentleman was instructed reason why I cannot. I allude to it, not to sustain myself to say that I was a travelling electioneerer! Yes, a travel- here, but to show that Mr. Van Buren acted directly ling electioneerer! Mr. Speaker, I cannot permit myself against evidence which he was bound to respect. to dwell upon this charge, or hardly to think of the man I would, Mr. Speaker, gladly have avoided the ungrawho could make it against any one, without the most am- cious task of speaking of myself; but I have thought it prople proof to sustain it. I might rely for my justification per, and, under the circumstances, necessary, to say thus upon the absence of any such proof, and of any attempt much. I gladly turn from my own vindication to that of to produce it. But I trust I shall be excused, if I occupy others who have been assailed by the gentleman from a few moments in presenting the ample vindication which Mississippi. I regret that I cannot recollect them all. is within my power. Their names and pretended causes of removal were so ra

In the absence of any specification, I am left to conjec-pidly announced, that I was unable to note them. Anxture that it is the old, refuted charge, made against me by ious, however, to defend them, as far as might be in my the late Governor Van Ness, in 1827. The circumstances power, I addressed to the gentleman from Mississippi the under which it was made were these. Governor Van following note:

Ness was a candidate, in Vermont, in the year 1826, for "Mr. Slade requests Mr. Plummer to send him, to day, the office of Senator of the United States. He was defeat- if convenient, a list of the persons mentioned by Mr. P. in ed. He thereupon suddenly abandoned the party who his late speech as having been removed from office; tosupported Mr. Adams, became a thorough-going Jackson-gether with a statement of the cause of the removal of man, (for which he has since been rewarded with the mission each individual, as assigned in the speech.--May 9, 1832.” to Spain,) and charged his defeat to the interference of [Here Mr. PLUMMER said, in an undertone, "Read the last administration, through certain agents which he the answer."] said had been employed for that purpose, of whom he asserted that I was one.

The gentleman from Mississippi has the assurance to call upon me to read the answer, when he knows he has The facts concerning myself were these. I was a clerk given me none! Yes, sir, more than two weeks have in the Department of State, and, on account of ill health, elapsed, during which he has seen me almost every day, sought and obtained permission, in the summer of 1826, and yet not the slightest answer has been given to this to take the agency of transporting the laws of the United reasonable request. This is the way in which it is thought States to the States north and east of Pennsylvania. In proper to treat the men who who have been assailed on performing that service, I went to Vermont. After Go- this floor! But I will allude to the cases, as far as I can vernor Van Ness's defeat, he came out with a publication, recollect them. My limits require that I should be brief. in which he asserted, that while travelling through Vermont, I made myself active as an agent of the administration, in the senatorial election, professing to act in its name, and to express its wishes, in regard to that election, and that several persons, with whom I held private conferences, directly afterwards took an active part against him, and on the ground that I was known to take, that is, that the administration desired a defeat.

Of Mr. Fendall, who was dismissed from the Depart ment of State contemporaneously with myself, I will say that there was in the department no gentleman more wor thy the confidence of its head, than him. Intelligent, industrious, and methodical in business, he was eminently fitted to the discharge of the duties which belonged to his station. I deem it proper to add that the letter of dismis sal to Mr. Fendall was precisely the same as that addressIn my reply to this charge, addressed to Governor Van ed to myself, with the change of name; that letter having Ness, after denying it, I said: "I here take the liberty to spoken of the dismissal as being the "result of an unpleaask you, sir, who are the men who thus took an active part sant duty" on the part of the Secretary. Mr. Fendall, against you, in consequence of holding private conferen- feeling, like myself, that the assignment of such a reason inces with me? And what was the ground I was known to volved a charge of official misconduct, addressed a respecttake? And when, and to whom was it known? I have ful note to the Secretary, in which he says: "Conscious only to say, sir, and I need only say, that to these ques- of having discharged the trust referred to, with a fidelity tions no answer was ever given, or attempted to be given. which might well invite and defy scrutiny, I am impelled Governor Van Ness having alluded, in his publication, by a sense of justice to myself to inquire, very respectfulto an interview between General Francis, of Vermont, and ly and earnestly, whether, in performing the duty myself, the former, unsolicited by me, addressed to me a which you are pleased to style unpleasant,' you acted letter, in which he said: "I well recollect our conversa- on a different estimate of my conduct." To this note, the tion. I introduced the subject of the senatorial election, Secretary returned an answer, word for word the same as and spoke as I felt, in favor of Mr. Seymour. You decided- that addressed to myself; in which he says that his note of ly expressed to me your determination not to intermeddle dismissal "was written without designing to convey the in the election; and no allusion was made to the adminis-imputation Mr. Fendall refers to." Thus it seems the Setration in connexion with it." cretary had a regular "non-committal" form, for use on every occasion!

Here rested the charge against me of interfering in the senatorial election; and here it would have rested, probably forever, had it not been dug up, and put into the hands of the gentleman from Mississippi, for exhibition on

this floor.

Mr. Brown, removed at the same time from the State Department, though a friend of the preceding administration, had taken no part in the contest. He had been educated a clerk, was, therefore, fitted to no other employ

ment, and had been most assiduously devoted to the duties of his office. He was suddenly thrown upon the world with a large family, and destitute of the means of their support.

And there was young Watkins, son of Tobias Watkins, dismissed at the same time. The father had just been removed from the office of Fourth Auditor, and thrown upon the world with a family of ten children, and without property. The son was upon a salary of $800; and this pittance, so necessary to the subsistence of the family, thus, in a moment, reduced from comfort to extreme want and distress, was taken from him, because he was the son of Tobias Watkins!

The three McDaniels, named by the gentleman from Mississippi, the charges against whom he has found himself compelled to retract, were dismissed for no other reaSon than because they had been clerks under Tobias Watkins! whose sins almost every removed officer in the country has had to bear. I hazard nothing in saying that more able and efficient men were not to be found in any of the departments.

[H. OF R.

men to you, because I have understood that efforts are making to remove one or both of them. I should extremely regret such a step, as well on your account as that of the public.

"With the operations of the department I am well acquainted. I am anxious that its reputation shall be sustained; and I am convinced this cannot be done if the above named gentlemen be removed. This remark is made with a perfect knowledge of all the facts. After you shall have acquired a full knowledge of the office, their services may not be so important; though, I confess, I should not, were I to remain in the department, think of changing the assistants. With sincere regard, yours,

"J. M'LEAN."

I could add much more in regard to the Bradleys, but more cannot be necessary to their complete vindication. While I hold in my hand the paper from which I have read this testimonial, permit me to read, as I find it before me, the note of the Postmaster General, dismissing Mr. Bestor, a most valuable clerk in that department.

POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT, Mr. Fillebrown was dismissed from the Navy DepartWashington, October 5, 1829. ment on the professed ground that a draft had been drawn in his favor, for the purpose of transferring funds from "SIR: Your services are no longer required in this one head of expenditure in the department to another-a department. Respectfully, your obedient servant, transfer which has been considered by some as illegal, "W. T. BARRY." though it had long been the practice in the department; Permit me to add, that Mr. Bestor, thus unceremoniousbut for which Mr. F. was as innocent as the paper on ly removed, without a pretence of official misconduct, was which the draft was written. He was, also, charged with an officer in the late war, and has a testimonial from his being a defaulter; having retained in his hands a per cent- commanding officer, which concludes with the following: age on the disbursement by him of the navy pension fund. "I declare, without the least intention to disparage any one A suit was afterwards brought against him in the name of whatever, that Mr. Bestor was the most exemplary officer the United States to recover the sum thus alleged to be I have ever seen, in the course of eleven years' service." in his hands. It is only necessary for me to say that that The last case I will notice, is that of Mr. Coyle, removsuit has resulted in a verdict and judgment in his favor! ed from the office of chief clerk in the General Post OfMr. Fillebrown was left with a large family, and destitute fice. It gives me great pleasure to say that I have known of property. The perplexing and expensive suit that he few men more distinguished for purity of life, and unyieldwas obliged to defend, has added greatly to his distress. ing integrity and fidelity, than Mr. Coyle. He was chargMy heart bleeds whenever I meet him. But it is some ed, and the charge is now repeated by the gentleman consolation, though a painful one, to know that he suffers from Mississippi, with having overdrawn his salary. The unjustly.

facts were, that in October, 1828, Mr. Coyle applied to Mr. Abraham Bradley, who had the charge of making the disbursements in the department, for the sum of $300. On its being ascertained that there was not so much due him, Mr. Bradley proposed to give a check for the amount, and charge it to himself. The check was accordingly drawn. Some time after this, on posting the cash from his counter checks, he, by mistake, charged the amount to Mr. Coyle instead of himself. Mr. Coyle rested easy, supposing himself to be indebted for the advance to Mr. Bradley, instead of the department.

The next case which I will notice, is that of Mr. Nourse, removed from the office of Register of the Treasury. This aged public servant, who had spent his whole life in the service of his country, was suddenly displaced, and charged with being a defaulter to the amount of 11,000 or 12,000 dollars; and all his property was seized, to secure the supposed defalcation, under a treasury warrant, during his absence from this city. Mr. Nourse filed a bill in the court of this District, praying an injunction upon the proceedings against him. A temporary injunction was granted, and commissioners appointed to adjust the account be- On making out a list of balances, upon the accession of tween him and the United States, who decided, after a Mr. Barry to the office of Postmaster General, there appatient examination, that there was a large sum due to peared a balance against Mr. Coyle. The circumstances him; whereupon the injunction was made perpetual. The were immediately explained, and Mr. Barry professed to commissioners were among the most able and impartial be perfectly satisfied. Mr. Coyle paid the amount, and men in the District. was retained in office nearly three months after, during

With regard to the two Bradleys, whom the gentleman which time his salary was regularly paid to him. from Mississippi has alleged were removed from the offi- I am authorized to say that the Postmaster General freeces of Assistant Postmasters General for official miscon- ly declared to Mr. Coyle's friends that his character was duct, I will only detain the House while I read the follow."perfectly fair and unexceptionable," and that the alleg. ing extract of a letter from the former Postmaster General ed overpayment had not in the slightest degree impaired to his successor, dated it in his estimation. And the correspondence between Mr. C. and the Postmaster General, which I will now read, shows that the latter admitted to Mr. C. that no charges affecting either his integrity or capacity had been made against him; but that the Postmaster General had made the change, from the confidential relation which ought to subsist between the chief clerk and the head of the department."

WASHINGTON, March 31, 1829.

"Before I left Washington, I expected to have the pleasure of taking you by the hand, and introducing you to the gentlemen of the Post Office Department. But, as I am deprived of this pleasure, I cannot, in justice to your self and the public service, refrain from recommending the continuance of the Assistant Postmasters General, who "Confidential relation!" What sort of confidence, in have been long identified with the department, and have the discharge of the appropriate duties of the department, been faithful to the trusts reposed. I name these gentle- could not be reposed in any honest man? This is a key,

H. OF R.]

Wiscasset Collector.

[MAY 5, 1832.

sir, which unlocks the whole mystery. The department I will not undertake to describe-for I cannot-the diswas to be made, as it has been made, an instrument of tress produced by many of these removals. Think, sir, party; and a party confidant must be selected to aid in the of a man fifty or sixty years of age, who has spent, peraccomplishment of that object! This is the leading prin- haps, the whole of his mature years in a clerkship, and ciple, which has distinctly marked the course of this ad- thereby become unfitted to engage successfully in any ministration in its removals and appointments. The great new employment, suddenly turned out upon the world question has uniformly been, not whether the incumbent with a large family, and unable, perhaps, within one of an office, or the applicant for it, was capable of serving month, of providing the means of spreading his table with the public, but whether he was capable of serving the the necessaries of life. And yet, to such men the Presiparty. And thus it has been sought to make the whole dent, in his message of December, 1829, administers the Executive Government, in all its branches, a grand engine, cruel consolation of saying that "he who is removed, has to secure and perpetuate the sway of the men in power. the same means of obtaining a living that are enjoyed by The case of Mr. Coyle, though a striking, is not a solitary the millions who never held office!" And not content example of this. Among the numerous cases which might with this, he follows it up with a sweeping insinuation of be cited, I might mention that of the chief clerk in the unfitness for official trusts in all who had been made the War Department. In his letter dismissing this officer, the victims of reform. He first takes from them their livings, late Secretary of War said: "The chief clerk of the de- and then assails their reputations to cover the injustice. partment should stand to his principal in the relation of a "Doth our law judge any man before it hear him, and confidential friend. Under this belief, I have appointed know what he doeth?" This was the severe rebuke uttered Dr. Randolph, of Virginia. I take leave to say that, since by a Jewish ruler to the persecuting Pharisees. It conI have been in this department, nothing in relation to you founded them, and it ought to confound, and put to has transpired, to which I could take the slightest objec- silence and to shame, the political Pharisees, who have, tion, nor have I any to suggest." for these three years, been blowing before them the trumpet of "reform," and pressing into the " uppermost rooms."

I will add, in regard to the case of Mr. Coyle, that, for the publication of the same charge, which has now been repeated on this floor, he instituted a suit against the But the gentleman from Mississippi says that, after all editor of the Telegraph, who has finally consented to pay that has been said about the removals, two-thirds of the the cost, and has publicly retracted the charge. In doing officers in this city are opposed to General Jackson. This this, he has disclosed the important fact, that "the publi- is not true. Less than half are opposed to him. And to cation of the alleged cause of Mr. Coyle's removal was produce this result, about one-fourth of all the friends of founded on a memorandum given by the Post Office De- the last administration have been removed. And what partment, to enable him to give the public the cause for is the effect of this upon the opponents of the administrathe removal." Who gave the gentleman from Mississippi tion, who are retained? Just what the administration dehis memorandum? sire to have it, here and every where. The voice of

Thus it is that the public papers have teemed with complaint is silenced. The spirits of those who dread to slanders of the persons removed. They have been turn-encounter the fell demon of "reform," are subdued. Do ed out of office, and forthwith posted in the papers as you ask for evidence of this? It exists in the fact, which unworthy of confidence; and this, too, in many cases, as in will not be denied, that, of the whole number of clerks that of Mr. Coyle, with assurances or admissions that who are said to be opposed to General Jackson, not one "no charges affecting either their integrity or capacity has dared to attend either of the two last opposition celehad been made against them." I might, Mr. Speaker, brations of the fourth of July in this city. And the allude to numerous other cases, not named by the gentle-operation of this has been so strong, that a respectable man from Mississippi; but I will not further trespass upon gentleman, having a brother in one of the departments, the time of the House.* actually refrained from indulging his inclination to attend the last celebration, through fear that it might induce the *The removal of the librarian of Congress presents a case removal of that brother from office! It was the indulgof usurpation of power, too glaring to be passed entirely un-ence of the same apprehension that induced Mr. Clay, noticed. This officer, though appointed by the President, upon the occasion of a public dinner given him on his constitutes, properly, no part of the Executive Govern- retiring from the Department of State, kindly to sugment. He is, in point of fact, an officer of the two Houses gest to the clerks in that department to refrain from gratiof Congress; and is required, by law, to execute a bond, fying their desire thus to testify their regard for him. conditioned for the faithful performance of his duties, in such sum, and with such sureties, as the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives shall approve. Supposing, then, the President to possess, in strictness, the power of removing this officer--which it might easily be shown he does not--yet a decent respect to the two Houses of Congress, for whose benefit the library was established, and whose wishes in regard to its custody should obviously be consulted, would seem to have suggested the propriety of waiting for some indication of those wishes in regard to a removal. But, in the full tide of experiment at "reform," this consideration was entirely overlooked. Waiting for no expression of the will of either House of Congress, the President, during its recess, proceeded to assume the power of removing the librarian; and that, too, without any pretence of official misconduct, but for the mere purpose of substituting in his place a partisan friend. And to put the finishing stroke to this act of usurpation, the President committed the custody of the library to the new librarian, without the security of a bond approved as the law requires it should But, sir, there has been no liberality and indulgence. be, before he enters upon the duties of the office. The desolations of "reform" have, indeed, been stayed

These facts, sir, speak volumes. They show you the genuine effects of the system of "reform." Sir, the very atmosphere of this city is tainted with the pestilential influence of Executive power. There is no man here who does not see it and feel it.

In the true spirit generated by this system, the gentleman from Mississippi says that the individuals retained in office hold their situations "by the bounty and liberality of the President." And, in the same spirit, the official paper in this city has recently said of the retained opponents of General Jackson, that they are spared by the indulgence of the administration." Bounty!-liberality!--spared by indulgence! Who does not see that all this is based upon the assumption that the offices are the property of the administration? What a strange perversion of all just ideas of the character of public trusts is this! Sir, these officers are the ministers of the law, not the creatures of the President. To talk of bounty, and liberality, and indulgence, is an insult to them, and an outrage on the constitution.

MAY 5, 1832.]

Wiscasset Collector.

[H. OF R.

for a season; but the spirit in which it has been con- so characteristic of the usual modes of meeting the quesducted assures us that the retained officers owe their tion, that I must be excused if I devote one moment's safety to other causes than feelings of liberality and in- attention to it. Alluding to the suggestion of a gentledulgence. It is a notorious fact that the administration man from Kentucky, [Mr. ALLAN,] that if the system of found the public business could not go on if removals "reform" were carried out, we might bid farewell to the were carried to the full extent originally contemplated; republic, he says, "The true translation of the matter is and there are numerous individuals whose names were, nothing more or less than this--we, of a particular party, three years ago, on the black list, who are, therefore, are the only men qualified to hold office. We held the still retained in office. To this may also be added the offices--now you have them; and if you do not give them fear produced by the strong indications of public disap- to us again, farewell to the republic!" It is thus, Mr. Speakprobation, which it has been considered unsafe to encoun-er, that the gentleman thinks to dispose of this great quester. But take away these restraints-give a sanction to the tion; thus that he taunts the victims of proscription; thus that system, and who will undertake to set bounds to it. he meets the loud and indignant complaints of the country. I will only permit myself to say that it is in the true spirit of the system of "reform, "--a flagrant perversion of facts, and a disregard alike of the public judgment and the public feeling.

Allow me, Mr. Speaker, to present a single illustration of the manner in which this system of reform has been conducted. About the 20th of May, 1829, there were three removals made in the western district of Louisiana, viz. John Brownson, district attorney, Adrian Damartrait, Mr. Speaker, I have, as I trust, satisfactorily shown that marshal, and David L. Todd, receiver of public moneys. the charge against the collector in this case is sustained And now, sir, let me read to you the copy of a letter by the testimony; that, for the offence thus proved, he from Mr. Van Buren to a gentleman in that district, dated ought to be removed from office; that there exist no contemporaneously with these removals. I have seen the grounds of confidence that the President will do his duty original, and know it to be in the handwriting of the by removing him; and that, therefore, it becomes the late Secretary. duty of this House to endeavor to effect the removal by impeachment.

WASHINGTON, April 20, 1829.

MY DEAR SIR: I have the honor of acknowledging the receipt of yours of the 21st ultimo, and of informing you that the removals and appointments you recommend were made on the day your letter was received.

With respect, your friend, &c.

M. VAN BUREN.

thus forming the basis of my argument, I have endeavored The position that the President will not do his duty, to sustain it by facts drawn from the history of his administration. I have shown that he has violated the pledges on which he was brought into power-the "comprehensive scheme of retrenchment" having been changed to a comprehensive scheme of extravagance. I have shown Done to order! and with as little ceremony and as much how the promises which, at the moment of taking his promptness as an order would be executed for a bill of oath of office, he solemnly proclaimed in the face of the namerchandise! How many cases of this kind would be tion, have been disregarded-how he has changed the presented, if the secret history of the "reform" could be settled policy of the country in regard to the great prinlaid bare to public inspection? Permit me, sir, to cite two ciples on which the momentous power of removal and or three others, which show how utterly regardless of appointment had been exercised by the introduction of merit or demerit the administration has been, in the a system based entirely on party principles, and looking exercise of its removing and appointing power. Charges alone to the accomplishment of party purposes; and that, were preferred against Colonel Humphrey, Indian agent, in the execution of this system, merit and demerit have and David L. White, collector in Florida. An agent was been alike disregarded, and devotion to a party, of which appointed to investigate them, who made reports favor- his name constitutes the rallying point, has been made the able to the accused. And yet they were removed. They only sure passport to Executive favor. were friends of the last administration! There were two Permit me now, Mr. Speaker, to detain you a few moother cases in the same territory, in which charges were ments, while I look at the operation and tendency of the preferred by respectable and responsible individuals, and system to which I have adverted.

an investigation asked. It was refused. The officers. The great leading duty of the President of the United accused were friends of General Jackson! I need hardly States is to execute the laws, which are supposed to be remind the House, in this connexion, of the case of the supreme. His course is a plain one. With the constitusuperintendent of the Cumberland road in Ohio, which tion in one hand and the book of truth in the other, he has been alluded to in this debate, in which charges of gross will make the simple inquiry--How shall I best execute misconduct were preferred, and an investigation ordered, the great trust committed to me, and meet my responsi which resulted in a report unfavorable to the accused. And yet he was not removed. He was a warm partisan of this administration. What, in this case, the President would not do, this House has done, to the extent of its power, by incorporating, in an appropriation bill, a clause, abolishing the office!

bilities to Heaven and my country? He will have no excited passions to gratify; no favorites to reward; no sinister purposes to accomplish. With a calm, dignified, and firm step, he will go forward in the conscientious discharge of his duty, merging all selfish considerations in the noble and exalted purpose of becoming the benefactor of his country; and it will be his "whole country, and nothing but his country."

Now, sir, while these cases stare us in the face, how can we expect that the President will do his duty in the case before us? This collector is a rewarded partisan, invest- What an interesting object of contemplation is such a ed with an office at the expense of a man who was pun-Chief Magistrate! How much, by his precepts and by his ished for his political transgressions by removal from it. example, may he elevate the tone of moral feeling in this But, sir, after all which has been said about the system great community, and how largely contribute to advance of "reform," the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. KENNON] the peace, the happiness, the prosperity, and the glory of disposes of the whole matter in a single sentence. It is his country.

Now, sir, who can dwell for a moment on the adminisThe well-known list of persons to be removed, pre-tration of the present Chief Magistrate without feeling pared by the central committee, on the accession of Gen- the contrast? I entreat his friends to look at it. I beg eral Jackson to the Presidency. It is worthy of remark, them soberly to consider whether it can meet the approthat nearly every member of this celebrated central com- bation of those who will see it through the medium of mittee has been rewarded with office! impartial history. What has been its most prominent cha