WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1821-1832
7
P. Erwin having however thrown this matter into the news- papers, it is but right that the whole affair should be disclosed, and therefore it is that I present myself. It will be recollected that at the last session of Congress Mr. John P. Erwin was appointed Post Master at Nashville, by Mr. Adams and Mr. Clay, although the law had specially vested the power in the Post Master General, which rendered it improper for any other person to interfere with the appointment. The name of B. F. Currey had been presented for the office, and was supported by a very large proportion of the citizens of Nashville and its vicinity, whilst that of Mr. Erwin was sustained by a comparatively small number. Representing, as I did, the district in which the appointment was to be made, I felt myself bound to obey the ,,rill of my constituents: an additional reason for supporting the claims of Mr. Currey, was my perfect confi- dence in his integrity and capacity. In relation to Mr Erwin, I was differently situated. I had often heard his character im- peached while in Nashville, and was further advised of it pend- ing his application for the appointment; and thus circumstanced, I made my communication to the department. The Senators and Representatives in Congress (one excepted) from this state, united in the recommendation of Mr. Currey. But all was of no avail with Mr. Adams and Mr. Clay; and perhaps the best explanation which can be offered for their extraordinary conduct, will be found in the extracts (marked A):? from Mr. Erwin's letters to the Postmaster General, which were seen by one of our Senators, to wit: Major Eaton, and four of our Representatives: Col. Polk, Judge !sacks, Dr. John H. Marable, and myself. On that occasion, as an additional reason ,vhy he should not receive the appointment, I remarked that it had been stated to me, and was believed by me that he had purloined a newspaper from the Post Office in Nashville: while directed by R·obert B. Currey, he had access to it, as an editor of the Nashville 'Whig. That I was fµlly authorized, and duty bound to make the state- ment, the sub-joined letters (marked B) :! will clearly and satis- factorily prove. With a knowledge of this fact, I could not per- suade myself that he deserved to be trusted with the management of the office. For this offence Mr. Erwin had been pleased to consider me personally responsible, and in the Whig and Banner of last "'ed- nesday, has undertaken to give a detailed account of his proceed- ings. But owing to the suppression of some material facts, I
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