Descripción
Quarto, three pages, plus stamp less address leaf. Significant letter with several faults: Lacking a first page or pages written at an earlier date than the remaining text. Band of staining across all 3 pages some holes in the paper, affecting signature and 3 or 4 lines of text on each page with the loss of several words. 1830s Former Speaker of the House of Representatives recalls the transition from the John Quincy Adams to Andrew Jackson Administrations and the ?folly to which demagogues would lead the people.? ?Aug. 11. If the gravity of the last page needs apology, you see by the date it is a Sunday exercise and gravity can not be unsuitable to one obliged to say with Job in affiliation ?I am made to possess months of vanity and wearisome nights are appointed to me.? But while I write Sarah Jane comes with Album in hand and asks if I remember the Jubilee party [50th anniversary of Independence], at the same tire presenting a memorial of a meeting sufficiently joyful, however, otherwise some reflections may now be arising from it. After the public exercises were over in which I made an oration acceptable to my friends, you with a few others came in the evening to close the celebration in my drawing room. In the course of conversation it was proposed all should write their names that it might be seen how many could be found at the next Jubilee. Sarah Janes album was honored with the entry as follows ?Jubilee July 4, 1826 Samuel Freeman MD, Anson Brown [long list of names]? The simple copy tells a tale of grave import. In reviewing the past I find some political errors among these I reckon my refusal to be a candidate for nomination as governor. I preferred remaining in Congress, thinking it necessary to secure the election of Mr. Adams, as it proved in fact to be . Without the vote of the Saratoga district N.Y. would have been divided. With it my constant and earnest efforts barely saved the state. This event then considered so important to the country was likely injurious. As Jackson was to be President, it probably would have been less injurious in 1825 than 4 years after when his passions had become heated by the protracted contest. At the first period he would have fallen into the hands of safe counsellors. Mr. Adams honored me by asking my advice whether if Jackson was elected he ought to remain secretary of state. To which I said yes with good reasons. Clay too might have occupied an eminent post. And even Calhoun saved from the comet course of disappointed ambition. In my last conversation with Calhoun he attributed the political calamities of the country to the error above mentioned. But we acted uprightly and did not foresee the folly to which demagogues would lead the people. Again. In the office of governor I should have exerted the proper influence of the station to prevent or at least to postpone mad projects which have involved N.Y.in debt, until the enlargement of the Erie canal was completed. This last work can not be delayed without serious injury from the competition of the Welland, Pennsylvania and Chesapeake & Ohio canals. I might enlarge but am admonished to forbear. With all my offences and imperfections, this comfort remains. My conscience acquits me of any vote or act against the public good or the very right of the case, according to my judgment after diligent examination or any neglect to vote in Congress or the legislature. Nor can I recollect any offence growing out of envy, hatred or revenge. The prosperity of others has always given me pleasure and I have forborne to retaliate injuries against my bitter enemies when effectual means were in my hands; feeling how much I needed forgiveness of God I sought to practice it towards others. If I have been saved from this class of offences I attribute it under Providence in a good degree to the wise counsels of my excellent mother who in early youth impressed my mind with a horror of malignant passions by shewing their nat. N° de ref. del artículo 030911
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