152
Al\IERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
gentlemen, as well as on the-authority of the U. States, such outrages unnoticed has created the most sovereign contempt for the constituted authorities, and imbolden the perpetrators of repine and discord to ·continue these outrages. I trust I shall be excused for ex.pressing my solicitude on this occasion as Messrs. Mathews and Hart leased lands of the U States by my advice, and in consequence I consider myself in some measure instrumental in placing them in the situation in which they now stand, .I have always expressd my confidence in the Justice of the General Government, also my firm belief that Gov. Lewis and yourself would shield them from the daring attempts of Smith and Brown, nor can I yet believe _I shall find myself disap- pointed in my expectations of the just intentions of the Executive of this Territory, you are fully apprized of my determination (hereto- fore made known to you) not to interpose in any wise us to ap- pointments that might be contemplated for this district, either civil or military, yet such is my extreme concern on seeing the bold at- tempts to again introduce John Smith T. into office that I cannot remain silent, it appears to be a principle adopted by the General Government that all persons who have in any manner associated with Aaron Burr, ought to be divested of all authority, nor trusted with confidential offices under the Government, that John Smith T. did actually enter into the views of Burr, (in my opinion) may be established by concurring testimony sufficiently strong to com·ince every man in this district friendly disposed towards the U. States of the impropriety of his holding an office under the Government, the ad_vocate~ of Smith have a double object in view, by reinstating him in office, they expect by so doing to fix a stigma on the Secretary of the Territory, and prove to the World that his removal from office arose from personal motives and not from any improper acts of his, they also expect to regain a complete ascendency over this District, and create a breach between the Gov. and Secretary which, is said and impressed on the minds of the people has already taken place, and that Gov. Lewis has expressed his dissatisfaction of the secre- tary's conduct-thus you see the engines of discord are in motion to influence the people against every man that has dared to act in contradiction to the will of the Ex Secretary and his friend Smith. I cannot but feel deeply impressed with the importance of the present question, whether John Smith T. shall be reinstated or not, a ques- tion _of no small consequence in my estimation, my confidence in the correct views of Gov. Lewis are such that until I am convinced by seeing Smith clothed with the ensigns of his office, I will not believe him reinstated in the confidence of the Governor, altho proclaimed by a thousand tongues. . MosEs AusTrN.
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