Jan 14 1836 to Mar 5 1836 - PTR, Vol. 4

[ 1893 J [SMITH lo PUBLIC]

Usurpation and Corruption. Fcllow-Citizens,-Placed on lhe political watch-tower by your suffrage, I consider il my duly lo guard and protect your interests. As the exceulive officer of the government recently organized, provisionally, from necessity, as a first step from anarchy and confusion, I, with diffidence and honest intentions, entered on the duties of my effice. The government so organized, it will be found by a reference lo the organic law, is circumscribed, both in its powers and antics. I consider that the council on their parl, have performed all the duties contempleted by that law, and from their recent conduct, have become a nuisance, and a heavy tax to the public, without producing any benefit. Ci rcumslances have recently rendered it necessary for me to lake a bold and decisive course with the Council; some of whom I considered had amaJgamated and united themselves with lhe speculators and s,vindlers, whose aim has ever been to trammel and ruin lhe true interests of the country. I found the conspiracy had become strong, and that exceptions taken by me, although it would screen me from public censure, yet it would not protect the interests of the country. And these, with similar reasons, impelled me to the course I have pursued. The communication from me to the Council, of which they complain, under date of the 9th inst., was not a public correspondence, nor was it intended for the public eye: il was a private correspondence addressed lo a secret session, and intended to arouse the honest to watchfulness, and goad the dishonest as they deserved. They have, however, committed a breach of faith, tore open the seals, and published to the world their own infamy. They have created offices which have been filled by themselves and their minions, until they have become contemptible in numbers and conduct. They have made public a private document, which cannot be well understood by any but themselves, as il refers lo their own acts, which have not been made public. They have come oul with a long, well written tissue of falsehood, and I have all the necessary documents lo prove it to be so; bul I have no wish by way of recrimination, lo trouble the public. They are well paid for writing, but 1 have more important

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