Broadside - Andrew Jackson accusing John Sevier of fraud, 1803 July 19

[page 1] Mr. Bradford, SHORTLY after my return from Philadelphia, I was dragged into a public political discussion in defence of the character of a man, which stood so high for probity and honesty, that I had supposed not even the shaft of calumny and malice would have attempted to wound it: it was no less than the character of Archibald Roane Esquire, the present governor of this State, which I was called upon to defend. I then stated that the facts alledged in his late letters, did exist, and were susceptible of proof; and to support that statement I now come forward to exhibit to the public a part of the proofs upon which the charges mentioned in those letters against General Sevier rest, and if they should not prove sufficient to quiet the calumny against Governor Roane, they may be considered as only a preface to the publication of the whole record, the original files, and depositions that may be necessary to support the charges. But to do this is not my wish, as my only object is to exonerate Mr. Roane from the imputations maliciously circulated against him, and to prevent a character, charged with crimes of a deep die, from ascending to the executive chair; an event which would wound the character of the state and reflect disgrace upon every good citizen in it. By the enemies of Mr. Roane it has been alledged and promulgated, that he had stated in some letters to gentlemen in this part of the state, that certain documents in his possession proved John Sevier guilty of defrauding the state of North Carolina, by surreptitiously obtaining from that state, grants to a large quantity of vacant lands: that, that statement was false, and that he, Mr. Roane, had published these falsehoods against General Sevier, with an intention to destroy his character, prevent his election, and to build his own greatness on the ruin and downfall of his rival. Having had a long acquaintance with Governor Roane, having sat upon the same bench with him as a judge for more than four years, I knew him to be a man of strict truth, I thought him unambitious, and my sincere belief is that he would not knowingly promulgate a falsehood against any man to raise himself to the highest pitch of official dignity; added to this knowledge of Mr. Roane, I had seen the documents alluded to, and had received particular information respecting them from Mr. John Carter entry-taker. A love of truth and respect for the welfare of my country, then compelled me to assert, that the charges states to be contained in Mr. Roane's letters (for I have seen one of them) were well founded and susceptible of convincing proof: First, that Carter's books were stolen or by some person destroyed, in or about the year 1795. Secondly, that among papers belonging to the office, were found soon after, "a file of papers purporting to be locations, to the amount of 175, of 640 acres each, 165 of which appear to be for John Sevier, all in the same hand writing, and all dated the 16th of September, 1779, and numbered from 1634 to 1808, inclusive." To shew that the books were destroyed and a file of fraudulent papers left in the office, I insert a certified copy of the oath of John Carter, entry-take, on his delivery of the papers of Carter's office to William Maclin, appointed a commissioner to receive them. A copy of this affidavit is left with the printer and is as follows: I, JOHN CARTER, do solemnly swear that I have delivered all the papers belonging to the entry-office of Washington county, which has been in my possession since the books belonging to said office were destroyed or stolen, unto William Maclin, a commissioner appointed to receive them, to the best of my knowledge and belief, except one file of papers purporting to be locations, which I have delivered to his excellency Governor Roane, which file I found amongst the papers of the said office about the year one thousand, seven hundred and ninety-five, and believe it did not originally belong to the office, but has been fraudulently put in. And I do further swear, that I do not know of any of the papers belonging to said entry-office to be in the possession of any other person. [Signed] JOHN CARTER. Sworn to and subscribed before me Willie Blount, one of the justices of the peace in and for the county of Knox and state of Tennessee, this 16th day of February, 1802. [Signed] WILLIE BLOUNT. I do certify that the above and foregoing is a true copy of the original affidavit filed in the office of the secretary of the state of Tennessee. WM. MACLIN, secretary. It will be important to keep it in mind the time when these papers were fraudulently put into the office, in order to compare it with the date of a letter hereafter to be noticed. The question will now naturally arise, who destroyed the books, and who placed in the office these fraudulent papers, purporting to be locations? No person who held bona fide entries would destroy the books, because he would thereby destroy the best and surest evidence of his own title. On the other hand the person interested in introducing these fraudulent locations, was deeply interested in the destruction of the books; for while they existed, it would be immediately ascertained that no such entries as those contained in the fraudulent file of papers, were ever made upon them; in fact, while the books remained, it was impossible to carry the fraud into effect. To prove that John Sevier was the person in whose name these fraudulent locations were made, who was the most interested in the destruction of the books, and who must be supposed to be the perpetrator of the fraud attempted and actually accomplished upon the state of North Carolina, I must recur to my own memory from a view heretofore had of the original file alluded to in Mr Carter's affidavit and to a written document from high authority now before me, which letter states "that the file alluded to in the affidavit, as delivered to Governor Roane, contains 175 papers purporting to be locations, 165 of which appear to be for John Sevier; are all in the same hand writing, and all dated the 16th of September 1779, numbered from 1624 to 1808 inclusive. I will just add that I have understood from Mr. Carter, that he believed them to be in the hand writing of Mr. Sevier. Should the accuracy of the above statement be called in question by the friends of Mr. Sevier, it shall be substantiated from a view of the files by respectable authority; supposing that if a certificate from the private secretary of the present governor was offered to the public it would be said to proceed from inordinate ambition and a desire to exalt himself upon the downfall of Sevier. I refrain from bringing into view the person in whose name the remaining locations are entered — it might disturb the ashes of the dead or the character of those who are not now before the public. If the above facts are not sufficient to convince any unbiassed mind, that General Sevier was the author of, or privy to the destruction of the books of Carter's office, and the fraudulent and surreptitious introduction of at least 165 papers purporting to be locations, there is still further proof ready to be laid before the public. There is record rectified by the present secretary of the state of North Carolina, (which, if necessary shall be published) proving that lands have been granted to John Sevier, founded upon these identical warrants, by the state of North Carolina, and also proving that by a fraudulent collusion between James Glasgow, late secretary of the state of North Carolina and John Sevier, the consideration expressed in the face of the grant to be paid for the lands granted, has been inserted "ten pounds for every hundred acres," instead of fifty shillings. ‡ To expose this transaction more fully to the public, with all its impurity about it, it will be necessary to bring to view, that in Carter's office every individual who complied with the requisitions of the act opening the county offices, & paid to the entry-taker fifty shillings, had a right to enter one hundred acres of land within the limits of the county. By a law passed in the year 1778, en tries in Carter's office in Washington county, were confined to be laid and entered above a line known by the name of Brown's line. In the year 1783 the act was passed opening John Armstrong's office, which entitled any person to enter any quantity of lands West of the Apalachian mountains, not otherwise appropriated, upon payment to the entry-taker of ten pounds for every hundred acres intended to be entered. By a subsequent law, any person having entered lands previously appropriated, had a right to remove his warrant to any vacant lands within the state; but it was never understood that this law authorized the removal of fifty shilling warrants to the West of the Cumberland mountain. However, whether this was or not the case, is foreign to the present question; it is sufficient that the record states the patent to John Sevier to have been founded on the warrants or locations sworn to be Mr. John Carter to have been fraudulently put into his office, that these were fifty shilling warrants, that the patent expresses ten pounds upon the face of it, and then to shew how this transaction took place. It was in the first place necessary to pretend that the lands expressed in these fraudulent locations or warrants were lost by prior claims, and that it therefore became necessary to remove them. Accordingly George Gordon as chosen to locate and survey them on Obe'ds river, West of the Cumberland mountain (as appears by the plat of survey) which he performed. It will be recollected that at that time it was not supposed that Carter's warrants, even when fairly obtained, could be laid West of the Cumberland mountain; in order therefore that the illegality of the grant might not appear upon the face of it, it became necessary to procure by some means ten pounds to be inserted instead of fifty shillings. This could be effected only by the addition of bribery to forgery. Whether this has been the method taken, the public can judge when they read the following letter, of which the original still remains in the office of the secretary of state of North Carolina and can be proved to be the hand writing of John Sevier, and then reflect that the request therein contained had been complied with. The letter is as follow— Jonesborough, 11th November, 1795. Dear Sir, I AM highly sensible of your goodness and friendship in executing my business at your office, in the manner and form which I took the liberty to request. Permit me to solicit the completion of the small remainder of my business, that remains in the hands of mr. Gordon. Should there be no impropriety, should consider myself obliged, to have ten pounds inserted in the room of fifty shilling. I have instructed mr. Gordon to furnish unto you a plat of the amount of three 640 acres, which I considered myself indebted to you, provided you would accept the same, in lieu of what I was indebted to you for fees, &c. which I beg you will accept, in case you can conceive that the three warrants will be adequate to the sum I am indebted to you. I am with sincere and great Esteem, Dear sir, your most Obedient humble servant, JOHN SEVIER. Hon. James Glasgow STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA Secretary's Office, 14th Aug. 1802. This qualifies that the above is a copy of a letter addressed to the back thereof Honorable J. Glasgow, secretary of state"—"Mr. Gordon,"— which is filed amongst those papers that were taken from col. Glasgow and others when the office was arrested and taken from him in December, 1797. Given under my hand, at Raleigh, the date aforesaid. WILL WHITE, sec. I do hereby certify, that the foregoing is a true copy of a certificate of Will White, secretary, and of the letter as by him certified. JAMES P. H. PORTER. Knoxville, 15th July, 1803. The public are now requested to attend to the date of the loss of Carter’s books, the time of depositing the fraudulent warrants, and to the date and tenor of this letter. Is it possible that any man can believe John Sevier so ignorant as not to know that altering a grant agreeably to his request, so as to make it speak a lye, was a crime of the highest nature? View the “three 640 acres” that were to be “furnished unto" the secretary, by way of convincing him that there was “no impropriety” in making the grant read ten pounds in the room of fifty shilling, contrary to his oath of offices and to every principle of justice and honesty. But why should I make one remark? Can an honest public view the scene and not feel indignant at characters who are endeavoring to place a man guilty of crimes like these in the executive chair of this state? Much has been said by Gen. Sevier’s friends relative to an expression made by me in conversation with Maj. W. T. Lewis at Nashville, and my meaning has been perverted in order to rouse the feelings of many well-meaning advocates of Mr. Sevier against myself and Mr. Roane. I did then assert, and on cooler reflection am pleased with the assertion, “that no honest man, attached to private character and honest to the interest and respectability of his country, who is informed of the charges against Gen. Sevier will vote for him.” I now ask, where is there such a person, that will view Carter’s deposition—view the 165 locations of 640 acres each, all in Sevier’s name, bearing date the same day and in the same hand writing—view his letter to the secretary of North Carolina, requesting him to commit what I would call a forgery—view the 1920 acres of land given in fact as a bribe, under pretense of paying fees, where none (or if any very small) were due—and at last view the patent issued precisely according to the request of that letter—I say what honest man can be found, with these facts before his eyes, would vote for such a character to be Governor of this rising state? I did intend noticing the charge against Governor Roane for appointing Col. Charles M’Clung commissioner to the state of North Carolina; but when I view the fair and unblemished character of that gentleman and reflect that no precise allegation has been brought against him, and that (as I have always hitherto been taught to believe) at least some charge of criminality ought to precede the necessity of justification, I shall dismiss that subject, merely observing, that the appointment has by judicious persons been thought one of the best ever made in the state, and the talents of the man as adequate to the extent of his duties. Col. M’Clung’s character stands so fair that any accuser must shrink from the attack, and until an attack is made on better foundation than heretofore no injury can arise either to him or the Governor in the mind of any unprejudiced person. But, Mr. Printer, the most villainous charge that has yet been bro’t against Mr. Roane, and the most remote from truth, is that of having pardoned a young man convicted of murder, because he was the son of a general and of a rick man. This wanton attempt to injure the feelings of a respectable person, and to stigmatize the character of Governor Roane, by the propagation of a gross and notorious falsehood, shews that the friends of Gen. Sevier will stick at nothing to carry their point. I presided at the trial of the gentleman alluded to, who was fairly and agreeably to the rules of law and the evidence adduced at the trial, acquitted by a respectable and impartial jury; [page 2] of course the Governor had no opportunity of interfering in his favor, even if he had been so inclined. I have noticed this story now only for the respect I have for the young man; as I know that such lies cannot ultimately injure the election of Mr. Roane, because that “truth is mighty and will prevail.” I will now leave the subject with the accompanying documents to the consideration of the public. If Mr. Sevier’s friends wish the whole record published, as certified by Will White secretary of state of North Carolina, they have only to notify me and it shall appear in due time: But I flatter myself, if they wish to support his election, that they will request him to come forward, and as he has stated in his circular letter, wipe away the charges against him by shewing that his warrants are good, and his grant issued agreeably to the tenor of his warrants. Until he does this (which, from the documents herewith published appears impossible to be done) I will repeat again, that no honest man, attached to rectitude of private character, honest to the public weal and respectability of the state will vote for him; but will support Mr. Roane, who, as to rectitude of conduct, honesty, and probity, sets at defiance the shafts of calumny and detraction. ANDREW JACKSON. Hunter’s-Hill, July 19, 1803. P.S. I did intend taking into view, another objection raised by mr. Sevier’s friends against mr. Roane, and which they have urged as a great impropriety in his conduct—provided the facts as stated in his letter against mr. Sevier does not exist—that is, that after he (governor Roane) was in possession of those documents alluded to in his letters, he appointed mr. Sevier to a high and confidential office, not less than that of one of the commissioners to ascertain the true boundary line between this state and Virginia—I will answer the objection by stating a few facts,—Maj. Carter’s affidavit bears date 16th of February 1802, the secretary of states (William Maclin) certificate, of counting out the votes for maj. general, bear date 16th Feb. 1802,—The official letter of Governor Roane, announcing to the governor of Virginia the appointment of Messrs. Fisk, Sevier and Rutledge, commissioners to run the line, is dated the 6th of February, 1802, which is ten days previous to Carter’s affidavit, this letter is recorded in the secretary’s office, and open to the eye of every person, hence it follows that the appointment of Sevier was made before governor Roane had any documents before him, and that, that objection is founded like all the rest that have been made against him, in falsehood, and the truth is that the more Mr. Roans conduct & character is investigated the brighter it will appear.—What a difference between the opposing candidates. A. J. ‡ The record contains certified copies of the warrants of the same numbers with Seviers, and which issued from the same office, on which grants has issued to sundry persons, this July proves the fraud in Sevier, when compared with maj. Carter’s deposition—and the fact is, that there cannot be two good warrants of the same number issuing from the same office, one must be fraudulent, and maj. Carter’s deposition fastens the fraud upon Sevier, without the aid of his own letter to the secretary of state, which puts a finishing stroke to the picture.