Hon. NATHANIEL MACON, _Speaker of the House of Representatives
of the Congress of the United States_.
SIR,--I have received information, from various sources, that
both my public and private character and conduct have been
arraigned on the floor of the House of Congress by a member
of that House, in a debate of the 29th, and in another of the
31st ultime, in a case where no examination of my official
conduct was proposed. As there is not, within my knowledge,
any instance of a similar abuse offered to an officer of
Government, I know not of any precedent whereby to regulate
my conduct. I wish at all times, and more especially on an
occasion so extraordinary and unprecedented, to approach the
representatives of the nation with all that respect and regard
to which they are entitled. My feelings do not allow me, at
present, to exercise that coolness and judgment which I might
call to my aid in a case less interesting.
Conscious of the purity of my conduct, and that no charge
can be made or supported against me consistent with truth
and justice, it is a duty which I owe to my country--to
the government which has confided in me--to myself and my
family--to declare (and I do now most solemnly declare) that
every charge or insinuation which has been made against my
private or public character, or against my fairness and
impartiality, or of my attempting, by bribery, or in any
improper manner, to influence any member of Congress upon any
question pending before that honorable body, is absolutely and
altogether untrue, and founded at least in error only.
The high respect due to your body and every member of it during
your sessions, will not allow me to hazard a conjecture as to
the motives of the gentleman who has proclaimed these charges.
I court and solicit of Congress an investigation into my
official (and if they please my private) conduct, from the
first moment the Post-Office Department was committed to my
charge to the present period. Nor have I any favor to ask, save
only this, that an investigation may be had the present session.
I pray you to communicate this to the House of Representatives;
and I tender to that honorable body, and to you, their Speaker,
the assurance of my high esteem and respect.