with the Indians; and this conference must necessarily take place before the subject can be submitted to the president: nor is it probable that if it were again submitted, that it would undergo any change. I cannot, therefore, but express a confident hope, that your excellency may see the propriety of abstaining from the proposed surveys, both of the boundary line and of the land within the late ceded territory, until the period arrives at which the removal of the Indians is required. doned by Georgia, because of any embarrassments which may arise in the intercourse and negotiations between the U. States and Indians-I set too just a value on your high character, to believe that you would willingly create them-I am equally persuaded that none will be suffered to exist which can, with propriety, be removed; and I know you will pardon me, when I take the liberty of saying, that those to which you refer ought not to exist, for a single moment. Upon every principle and practice of diplomacy, the particular instruction of your government, which has given rise to these embarrassments, ought, at this moment, to be taken and held as no instruction at all; for it is now known to you, that what purports to be an instruction, was given upon information which was believed to be true, but which has turned out to false; and, the presumption is irresistible, that the state of things being changed, your government, so far from desiring to press the execution, would glad In the expression of this hope, I am actuated by no other feeling than that of an earnest desire to devote my best efforts toward an amicable adjustment of the existing differences with the Indians upon just principles, regarding the interests of the state, as in all respects the same as the interests of the union or general government: they are, in fact, the same, as different parts of one great animated body, through which the vital principle of life must circulate with equal freedom, affording equal health and equally withdraw the instructions, and that without incurvigor to each, as essential to the preservation and efficiency of the whole body. With great respect and regard, I have the honor to be, EDMUND P. GAINES. His excellency G. M. Troup. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Milledgeville, 14th June, 1825. DEAR SIR: It may be important to you to know, before you communicate with your government, and proceed to meet the Indians in convention, that the laws of Georgia are already extended over the ceded country, and, of course, that it is my bounden duty to execute them there. The statutory provisions, on this subject, will be found in the papers of the morning, and in the act entitled an act, "to dispose of and distribute the lands lately acquired," &c. With great consideration and regard, I am very sincerely yours, G. M. TROUP, Maj. gen. Gaines, commanding, &c. &c. ring any, the least, responsibility, you are at perfect liberty to consider it withdrawn. It is not for me to instruct, but to derive instruction from you, in every thing connected with the military art; and you know as well as I, that no principle is better settled than the one which justifies disobedience to positive orders under a change of circumstances. I say that the instruction had its origin singly in a falsehood imposed upon your government by its own agent; and that, but for that falsehood, the instruction would not have been given. You have the proof of it in common sense, and in the documents and evidence connected with the late disturbances: if you want more proof, look into the gazettes of yesterday, where you will find a council of hostile Indians assembled by the agent, proclaiming, by acclamation, his innocence of the death of McIntosh, because that death followed not from the survey, but the law of the nation. Your government is informed by the agent, that the hostile Indians are in array against us, because the government of Georgia interfered to procure the consent to the survey. The same Indians testify to the falsehood of the declaration, and the dilemma is, that if the agent is to be believed, in the one case, the Indians cannot be in the other. You see, therefore, sir, plainly the result. The government of the United States, indentifying itself in all things with the agent, assumes, for granted, what is false; issues, in consequence thereof, a peremptory order to this government to forbear an act which it feels it is its right, and duty and interest to perform. The falsity is made known to the officer instructed to carry that order into effect: the officer feels it to be his duty to It would give me great pleasure to be able to com- proceed in the execution of the order, notwithstandply with any request made by yourself or your go- ing the change of circumstances which produced it. vernment. You would make none that did not to On the part of the government of Georgia, the will of your own apprehensions seem reasonable and pro- its highest constituted authority has been declared, per. As, however, there exist two independent par-upon the most solemn deliberation, that the line shall ties to the question, each is permitted to decide for be run, and the survey executed. It is for you, thereitself; and, with all due deference to yours, I must fore, to bring it to the issue; it is for me only to rebe permitted to say, that my apprehension of the peat, that cost what it will, the line will be run and right and of the wrong, leads me to the opposite con- the survey effected. The government of Georgia clusion; the conclusion to which the legislature of will not retire from the position it occupies to gratify Georgia, upon mature reflection, recently arrived, the agent of the hostile Indians; nor will it do so, I by an almost unanimous voice, and which was made trust, because it knows that, in consequence of disothe foundation of my late communication to the se-bedience to an unlawful mandate, it may be very cretary of war, and my more recent one to you upon the same subject. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Milledgeville, 15th June, 1825. SIR: I have this moment had the honor to receive your communication of the 14th inst. on the subject of the survey of the ceded country, and the running of the dividing line between Alabama and Georgia, and in which you request, that, in conformity with the expressed will of your government, both the survey and the running of the line may be foreborne "until the period arrives at which the removal of the Indians is required." soon recorded that "Georgia was. Suffer me to say also, that your government has I would deeply lament if any act, proceeding from acted very precipitately and unadvisedly in this afmyself, should cause the least embarrassment to fair. After receiving the notice of my intention to yourself or to your government, especially consider- make the survey, it interposed no objection, though ing the critical relations in which the United States it had time to do so. A considerable interval elapsed, stand to the Indians, and the great interest which the and it receives false information from the agent, upor government of Georgia feels in their early and satis- which it issues its peremptory order; soon after it factory adjustment; but it cannot be expected by receives further false information, from the same your government, that important interests are to be agent, upon which it issues other orders, confirmatory surrendered, and rights deemed unquestionable aban- l of the first, and which you seem to consider final. 994 NILES' REGISTER-AUGUST 20, 1825-AFFAIRS OF THE CREEKS. But for my direct and active interference, hostilities would have immediately followed the death of McIntosh, and of a character so inveterate as to put at defiance any interference whatever, even on your part. Your power, not your influence, might have been availing, to be sure, but your power was not here; and for preserving this peace, you know what a respectful testimonial I have of the thanks of your government, couched in most delicate and compliimentary terms. I cannot but regret the difference of opinion between us upon this subject—and that it should have called forth any feeling or expression of controversy, is still more to be regretted. from the proper department of the general government, fully and satisfactorily upon the subject of Having no doubt that you will, in due time, hear your letter, generally, I take this occasion to tender to you my acknowledgments for the promptitude and the information you had obtained, in respect to the late disturbances on the frontier-and with which frankness with which you have furnished me with you have given me assurance of your readiness to co-operate with me in the discharge of the important duties to which my attention is called. The suggestion you make in derogation of our claim to participate in the construction or execution of the treaty, giving to that suggestion its utmost force, is merely that we are not nominally parties to the treaty, whilst the answer to it is, that we are a party in interest, deeper ten fold than they who appear upon the paper, and that the paper, in virtue of another spirit of hostility among the Indians may be restrainpaper, to which we were parties, both nominally and ed, and that peace may be restored between the conAlthough there is much reason to hope that the in interest, passed a vested right of soil and of juris-tending parties; and moreover, that the frontier may dietion to Georgia, which none but the Great Jeho-be rendered secure without a resort to further bloodyah can divest. You will be pleased to understand that there is no and more effectually secured by preparatory meainclination here to urge, hastily, either the survey or sures for coercion, I have to request that your excelshed; yet, as the desired objects may be facilitated the running of the line, so as to interfere, in the least, lency will be pleased to order a detail from the with the measures to be taken to pacify and tran- militia or volunteers of Georgia to consist of two quilize the Indians. On the contrary, all the facili- complete regiments-one of cavalry, and one of inties we can give for this object, will be readily af- fantry, to be held ready to assemble at a moment's forded; but it is believed that, in reasonable time, warning. Arms, ammunition and subsistence will be this happy result can, with wise and prudent mea- provided at the agency, or at some other suitable sures, of which your special agent was advised yes-point upon the frontier, where it may become necesterday, be easily accomplished; but never to be ac- sary to assemble the forces, of which due notice will complished, if the condition of that accomplishment be previously given. be the abandonment of the survey and running of the ine. What, in our verbal conferences, had been promised is now repeated, that the military requisitions, which, in compliance with your instructions, you may think proper to make upon the governor of Georgia, will be promptly attended to, and the force placed under your command with the least possible delay. The implicit reliance, in your high sentiments of honor, is my sufficient security that that force, if it could, will, in no event, be employed against us. With great respect and consideration, General GAINES will take an early occasion to advise governor Troup of the result of the intended conferences with the Indians. lutes governor Troup with esteem and respect. General Gaines saThursday morning, 10th June, 1825. HEAD-QUARTERS, Eastern dep. With great regard, and respectful consideration, I have the honor to be, EDMUND P. GAINES, no officer to make a fair copy. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Sin: In acknowledging the receipt of your excel- of the recent disturbances in the Creek nation, and SIR: The commissioners appointed under the auMilledgeville, 18th June, 1825. Jency's letter of yesterday evening, I hasten to assure more particularly into the conduct of the agent, as thority of the legislature, to examine into the causes you that, in whatever I have said verbally or in writ-connected with them, will make you acquainted with ing, as to the prospect of evil consequences, or the my instructions. Having, like yourself, no other obirapolicy of entering upon the late ceded land, and of jeet than the developement of truth, no doubt is enthe surveys in question, before the Indians can be re-tertained that they will receive your confidence, and quired to depart therefrom, I have not permitted myFelf to be influenced by any statements from colonel Crowell, the agent, (though by no means prepared to condemn that officer without a hearing): on the contrary, my impressions were the result of many years of attentive observation and experience in official and unofficial intercourse with the southern and western Indians-added to a knowledge of the construction which the treaty had received from the presideat of the United States. These impressions lead me to the conclusion, that the proposed surveys, with the consequent indux of white men, strangers the Tedious, during the existence of feu is among ther, would not fail to fan the flame of discord that Leady produced so much mischief among them. I that, by concert and co-operation, such aids and fa- that this government should be represented at the I renew to your excellency, assurance of my re- truth and justice, that the commissioners should be Maj. gen. Gaines-Indian Springs. G. M. TROUP. HEAD-QUARTERS, Eastern dep. HEAD-QUARTERS, Eastern dep. Creek nation, July 1st, 1825. SIR: I had promised myself the pleasure of sending you a detailed account of my conference with the Indian council at this place by this day's mail; but the mail is on the point of closing and my account is not ready. I have, therefore, only to say that the council here SIR: I have to acknowledge the honor of your ex-promise to be peaceable, and to settle their differencellency's letter of the 18th of the present month, in ces with the friends and followers of gen. McIntosh, reference to commissioners appointed under the au- upon just principles. thority of the legislature of the state of Georgia, to examine into the causes of the recent disturbances in the Creek nation, and more particularly into the conduct of the agent connected with thera. In reply, I have to observe that, however much I might be aided by the experience, talents and integrity and honor of the commissioners, refered to on the part of the state of Georgia, I do not feel myself authorized, without new instructions from the department of war, to comply with the demand contained in their letter of yesterday's date, "to be admitted to a full and free participation of the council of the Indians." The council will be assembled for the purpose of enabling me to discharge important duties confided to me by the government of the United States, and of which your excellency has been apprised. The Indians appear disposed to yield to the just and pacific views of the president. But they are still laboring under some delusion and excitement. This would be increased, rather than diminished, by adding to the number of individuals by whom they are to be addressed; or by any addition or multiplication of the matters of controversy to which their attention may be called. They protest against the treaty-they refuse to receive any part of the consideration money, or to give any other evidence of their acquiescence in the treaty. But they have, in the strongest terms, deliberately declared that they will not raise an arm against the United States, even should an army come to take from them the whole of their country-that they will make no sort of resistance, but will sit down quietly and be put to death, where the bones of their ancestors are deposited; that the world shall know the Muscogee nation, so loved their country, that they were willing to die in it rather than sell it or leave it. This was their mode of expression, as interpreted in presence of B. Hawkins and several other interpreters, who were instructed to state whether or not the public interpreter did his duty. The council, fully attended, has thus appealed to our magnanimity-an appeal which never can be unavailing when addressed to citizens of the United States. With great respect, I have the honor to be, To governor Troup. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT Milledgeville, July 4th, 1825. SIR: I had the honor to receive your letter of the 1st inst. this morning, for which be pleased to accept my thanks. I am fully authorized and instructed by the government of the United States, to protect the friendly In dians-to mitigate their calamitous condition, and, in the event of hostilities having ceased on the part of the opposite party, to restore harmony between them. Hostilities have, indeed, ceased, and I have How does the obstinate refusal to remove, consist received satisfactory assurance of an earnest desire, on the part of the chiefs of both parties, to remain at with the universal consent, given at one time, to the peace with each other, as well as with the United treaty at the Indian Springs, with the exception of States; it becomes my duty, therefore, to make peace the Tuckabatchees; or with the report made by Hamupon just principles, and consequently to avoid an In-bly to colonel Williamson, that he had the yea or nay dian war. My impression of the high responsibility in the matter, and by the authority of these same of the trust reposed in me, suggests clearly the pro-people, or the placid contentment and good feeling priety of my having the entire control of every indi- for McIntosh, manifested in their talk to col. Lamar, I much fear that this ardent love of country vidual white man allowed to address the council; &c. &c. and that I should moreover have the entire control of is of recent origin. We can scarcely believe that the every expression uttered to the council by any citizen amor patria is all upon one side, and that side the or officer of the United States. Without such con- hostile one. Will you not be able to discover, in the trol, our councils on both sides might be involved course of your investigation, that every thing had in confusion, and the benevolent objects of the go-been said and done by white men to prejudice them vernment, entrusted to me, might, by my improper acceptance of the proposed "participation," be defeated. To avert an evil so pregnant with mischievous consequences to the Creek nation, to the peace and honor of my country, and to my own reputation, I must decline the demand of the Georgia commissioners. against their new home? It is, indeed, a pity that these unfortunate men should be the dupes of the most depraved of our own color, and so far the dupes as to be made to act in direct repugnance to their own best interests-it is more to be lamented that the inposters and knaves cannot be dragged from their hiding places and punished. Pre-supposing these unhappy people to continue blind and obdurate, the utmost which your government can do, in the spirit of magnanimity and forbearance, will be to relinquish the benefit which would result to it from the execus tion of the treaty, and guarantee to them, for their Should I be instructed by the proper authority to recognize the proposed co-operation of the Georgia commissioners, I shall take great pleasure in serving with them. My whole duty, as a public officer, is comprised in one single word, which suggests the propriety of the course pursued by me on this ocra-permanent home, the lands west of the Georgia line. sion-and that word is obedience. Obedience to the Jaws, and to the orders of the authorities placed over If the Cherokees continue to conduct themselves in like temper, the like provision may be made for them but how will this accord with the recent pull cy adopted by the United States, or with the substan- cellency's letter, of the 17th of this month, by which tial and lasting interests of the Indians? In every it appears that you had "only a moment to say one estimate of humanity, it would be better that this de-word" in answer to mine of the 10th. ceitful charm, by which they are bound, should be broken and dispelled, that, after adjustment and reconciliation of differences, the entire body should move, without sorrow, to the country allotted to them. I am persuaded that no efforts of yours will be unessayed to accomplish this most desirable and holy end-holy, I say, because it is the only one which can consist with their peace, safety and happiness. Pardon me for throwing out these basty and desultory reflections-they have no doubt already presented themselves to your own mind. Presuming that the followers of McIntosh, who, almost exclusively, occupy the Georgia lands, will remove, and that, in their present unsettled condition, it would be very desirable to them to do so, whilst that it would save the United States the expense of their maintenance and support here, I would feel myself obliged if, consistently with your duty, you would give every encouragement to such dispositions. With great consideration and regard, pretty closely written pages, coming as it does from member of the United Siates, demands my attention. Your one word, comprehending, however, two Not being disposed, however, to follow your examthe chief magistrate of an enlightened and patriotic my table for a week past, in the expectation that a litple, as to time, I have permitted your letter to lie on the reflection would suggest to you the propriety of calculated to call forth an answer partaking of the climate and heated atmosphere in which I find myself, against which it has been my constant purpose correcting some expressions, apparently hasty and carefully to guard. But your letter, having made its appearance in a newspaper, just now handed to me by a friend, I can no longer see the propriety of withholding a reply. G. M. TROUP. Maj. gen. E. P. Gaines-Fort Mitchell. You say "the certificate of Marshall, no matter how procured, is one of the most daring efforts that ever was attempted by malignant villainy to palm a falsehood on ignorant credulity." "No matter how procured"-I will first state to you [Here follows gen. Gaines' letter, of the 10th July, the manner in which that frightful certificate was published in the REGISTER of the 6th inst.] EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT. SIR-I have only a moment left to say one word in Milledgeville, 17th July, 1825. answer to that part of your letter I had the honor to receive yesterday, which relates to the assent given by McIntosh to the survey of the country. The certificate of Marshall, no matter how procured, is one of the most daring efforts that ever was attempted by malignant villany to palm a falsehood upon ignorant credulity. Now sir, that you may be at once undeceived with regard to the trick which has been played off by somebody, I have to assure you, that, independently of the assent three times given by McIntosh, under his own hand, which I have in my possession, this same man Marshall,has repeatedly declared to me, that there was not a dissentient voice from the survey among the friendly chiefs-all the chiefs I have seen have uniformly declared the same; and so they have declared to others, both in and out of council: and for this, you have my word of honor, and may have my oath. I very well know, that from the late events which have transpired under the eyes of the commissioners of Georgia, that the oath even of a governor of Georgia, may be permitted to pass for nothing, and that any vagabond, of the Indian country, may be put in requisition to discredit him. But I assure you sir, if that oath should not weigh one feather with your government, it will weigh with the people of this state, who, so far as I have knowledge of their history, have never yet refused credence to the word of their chief magistrate, and I believe will not to the present one, unworthy as he may be. "procured," and then proceed to show that its "daring" character consists only in its truth, and its direct lity of many of the good citizens of Georgia and other tendency to expose in part the "malignant villainy" states in reference to the treaty. The facts containwhich has been extensively practised on the credu ed in the certificate in question were voluntarily, and to me, unexpectedly, communicated by Mr. William Edwards and Joseph Marshall, whose signatures it bears. Of the character of William Edwards, who is a citizen of this state, I have had no means of knowing much personally. He has been represented to me by col. Broadnax of Pike, and by col. Phillips of this county, as a man of truth, poor, but honest and upright: a description of character, applicable to a large class of the inhabitants of this and other parts of our western border, in whom I have usually found as much devotion to truth, as in any other class of American citizens. Joseph Marshall is personally better known to me. is deemed to be a good interpreter; and, however defective, as I know he is, in education and refined moral sentiments, such as have obtained the sanction He is a Creek half breed, and of civilized society, I have no doubt that he is one of the most upright chiefs that ever belonged to the little treaty-making party. Neither of these men, Edwards or Marshall, appeared to me at all qualified for what you denounce their certificate to be "the most daring effort that ever was attempted by malignant villainy." rently unprejudiced and unimpassioned. They were made after the principal business of the council had Their statements were simple and appabeen brought to a close, and in the presence of many vinced of the propriety of all my duties with the Indians being performed in open day, and in the preof the respectable citizens of Pike county. Consence of as many as would attend, of all states and of all colors, I took care that the certificate should be taken and explained in presence of the council and all others who had seen fit to attend. I had no secret projects to promote, nor any "secret griefs" to remedy, or se ret hopes to gratify; and consequently had no occasion for separating the chiefs, or for secret examinations. The certificate was written as it was dictated, as I believe, word for word, by my aid-de-camp, lieut. E. George Washington Butler, a young officer of accomplished military education and talents, with unbending integrity and spotless ho ex-father of his country, with whose name he is honornor; and who is as incapable of giving countenance to a trick or misrepresentation as was the beloved Permit me to say, in frankness, that I do not like the complexion of things at all, as disclosed by the commissioners on the part of the state, and sincerely hope that you may never have cause to regret the part you have taken in them-every prepossession here was in your favor, and it would have given me great pleasure to cherish it in behalf of an officer who had rendered signal services to his country, through many a perilous and trying scene. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Maj. Gen. E. P. Gaines, commanding, &c. Copy of a letter from gen. Gaines to gov. Troup. HEAD QUARTERS, Eastern dep. Sia: I have to acknowledge the honor of your Indian Springs, July 28th, 1825. G. M. TROUP. ed, and whose patriotism and virtue he constantly might have failed full handed, and now, instead, of beand scrupulously imitates. ing reduced to the condition of despised poverty, would wanton in the luxuries of plundered wealth. It is no longer possible in America to make freemen believe that "the king, (or he who governs), can do no wrong." Having thus explained to you the means employed to obtain the certificate in question, for which I hold myself responsible, I have now to remark that, although I never entertained a doubt but you were deceived into a belief that, gen. McIntosh had consulted the few chiefs of his party, and had obtained their assent in council, to the immediate survey of the ceded land; yet I have found no satisfactory evidence of any such council, consisting of the chiefs of the ceded territory, having ever acted at all upon the subject. And it is apparent, from McIntosh's letters, "no matter how procured," (I will offer no apology for making use of your excellency's pregnant phrase), or by whom written, that he himself considered the permission to survey as merely conditional. But I contend that neither gen. McIntosh nor his vassal chiefs had any right to give such permission: for the treaty, "no matter how procured," had become a law of the land-its provisions, could not, therefore, be changed or rendered inoperative by any correspondence or any subsequent agreement between your excellency and any part, or the whole of the individuals of one of the contracting parties, without the consent of the other. The treaty makes it our duty to protect the Indians against the whites and all others. To protect them from the whites, it is necessary and proper that we should maintain the usual line of demarkation between them and the whites. I am charged with their protection. To accomplish this important duty, my first object has been to take effectual measures to prevent all intercourse between them and the whites, excepting only such as is sanctioned by the laws of the United States. The enlightened citizens of the republic, having long since found it to be fruitless to look for angels in the form of men to govern them, know full well how to discriminate between the high office, and the man who fills it. Your excellency will I doubt not always receive a degree of respect proportioned at least to that which you are wont to bestow on other men in office: more than this could not be expectedless than this would not be just. That a great part of the citizens of Georgia are magnan imous, just, generous and chivalric, I well know--and that they are disposed to do justice to their chief magistrate I am equally convinced: nor can I doubt that they will do equal justice to their United States as well as to their state officers. I rely upon the wisdom and justice and patriotism of at least nine tenths of those with whom I have the pleasure of an acquaintance-many of whom are cultivators of the land, to which class, in this and every other state of the republic, I look up with confident pleasure and pride, as they form the adamantine pillars of the UNION; against which the angry vapouring paper squibs of the little and the great demagogues, of all countries, may continue to be hurled for hundreds of centuries without endangering the noble edifice; this beloved monument of American wisdom and valour and virtue, will stand unshaken, when the disturbers of its infantile repose will be remembered only to be pitied or execrated. The good people of Georgia, I am well aware, are You say "I very well know that, from the late anxious to obtain possession of the land upon their events which have transpired under the eyes of the western border: but they would abhor the idea of commissioners of Georgia, that the oath of a govern-fradulent or lawless means being resorted to, to treat or of Georgia may be permitted to pass for nothing, for, or after treating, to obtain possession of it, beand that any vagabond, of the Indian country, may fore the time authorized by treaty-and I am conbe put in requisition to discredit him; but, I assure you, sir, if that oath should not weigh a single feather with your government it will weigh with the people of this state, who, so far as I have knowledge of their history, have never yet refused credence to the word of their chief magistrate." vinced that the president of the United States is as sincerely desirous, as any upright citizen of Georgia can be, that the Indian claims to the land within her limits should be speedily extinguished; and that the Indians should remove therefrom as soon as they can justly be required to remove-but he owes them protection and justice. To this apparently very serious, but certainly very It is not to be denied, that there is in Georgia, as vague charge, I cannot undertake to reply, until you well as in every other state, a small class of men, do me the favor to give me some specification of the who, like the "holy alliance," profess to employ themmatters of fact to which you have reference. I will, selves in the laudable work of enlightening and gohowever, take this occasion to remark, that what-verning all other classes of the community; but ever statement you may have received, in support of the insinuation, apparently contained in your letter, that I have called in question, or ever put any person in requisition to call in question the oath, or the word, of a governor of Georgia, during his continuance in office, is wholly destitute of truth. I have, indeed, believed, and have expressed to you my belief, that you have been greatly deceived by persons in whose honor you placed reliance, but who were unworthy your confidence. But I am by no means disposed to yield even my tacit assent to the high toned rule of English law which your remarks, just now quoted, call to mind, that "the king can do no wrong." Truth is a divine attribute and the foundation of every virtue. "Truth is the basis of all excellence." This inestimable moral treasure, truth, is to be found in the cottage as well as in the palace, at the plough as well as at the official bureau of state. Many of the unfortunate wanderers of the wilderness, and its borders, are as firm votaries of truth as any men I have ever known. Some of them who have been unfortunate, and whose regard to truth and honesty induced them to give up the last dollar justly due to their creditors, had they regarded money a little more, and truth a little less, whose labors consist of vain and "daring efforts" to prove, that the light of truth is to be found only with the party to which they themselves respectively belong; and that all others go wrong. If you will take the trouble to read the newspaper essays, with which the presses have been teeming for some years past, you will find that many of the essayists have had the hardihood to "refuse credence to the word of their chief magistrate," and yet we have no reason to despair of the republic. You say, "I do not like the complexion of things at all, as disclosed by the commissioners on the part of of the state, and I sincerely hope, (you add), that you may never have cause to regret the part that you have taken in them." Permit me, then, sir, to conclude with a sincere hope that the commissioners, with whose report I am thus menaced, may prove, by their conduct, that they belong not to the aforementioned one-sided enlightening class. Should their report be found to contain the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, your excellency may dismiss your apprehensions on my account, as I have nothing to apprchend. But, if their report is not true, I can only say that the tongue and the pen of calumny can never move me from the path of duty, nor ever make |