WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1821-1832
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To JOHN QUINCY ADAMS 1 Hall of Representatives, U.S., 18th March, 1826.
To John Quincy Adams, Esq., President of the U. States, Sir, It is with respect and delicacy that I address you on the present occasion; but the peculiar situation in which I have been placed by the suffrages of the citizens of the 7th Congres- sional District of Tennessee, which I have the honor to represent, has determined me in the execution of a duty, which I conceive importantly binding upon me! The Postoffice at Nashville in said District has become vacant by the resignation of Mr. R. B. Curry. To fill which vacancy there have been several applicants to the P.M. General of the U. States. Among others Mr. B. Y. Curry, at present in charge of the vacant office at Nashville, and for eleven years last past, a deputy in the office. The manner in which he has djscharged his immediate and relative duties in that station will be best understood by the recommendations of nearly six hundred citizens of Nashville, and its vicinity-among others the resigned postmaster-seconded by the united recommendations of the senators and represetatives from Tennessee (W. Cocke excepted) who has declared that he would in. no wise interfere in the appointment. Today, I have understood that Mr. John P. Erwin, a resi_dent of Nashville, and brother to the son-in-law of Mr. Clay, Secretary of State, has been nominated by you to fill the vacancy. Being the immediate representative of Nashville, I would ask leave to call your attention to the following reasons as founding a ground of objection why he should not receive the appointment. The citizens of Nashville and its vicinity have preferred the claims of Mr. Curry. He, therefore, would be the most acceptable appointment to them. Mr. Erwin is not a man of fair and upright moral character. He is the Editor of a newspaper in the Town of Nashville. He has taken the benefit of the act of insolvency, and now lives in ease and affluence. He does not pay his debts, tho' all believe him able to do so, so far as I have ever heard an expression. He was detected by three respectable members of the State legislature, evesdropping at the window of a Gentleman of character, to whom he was politically opposed, at a very late hour of the night! He would not command public confidence, because these facts are known in the society of Nashville!
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