MVB to David Ellicott Evans, 9 June 1824
MVB to David E[llicott] Evans, 9 June 1824
Washington
June 9th 1824
My dear Evans,
The Physicians have pronounced Mr. Crawford to be out of danger & there is but little reason to doubt his speedy recovery. The Edwards committee are in session. Edwards has protested in writing agt. being examined as a witness—declaring that he has nothing to communicate of his own knowledge but the committee have decided that he should be examined & that one of Mr Crawfords friends should be permitted to cross-examine him. Mr. Forsyth has been designated for that purpose. Could you have supposed it possible that our old friend Gov Hardenburgh could have been brought to the commission of so suicidal an act as that which he has committed. The contempt which is felt & expressed for him is without qualification. All reflecting men must be sensible that nothing but a bold & vigorous course can save the honour of the party & maintain its ascendancy. The eyes of the Union are upon us. If the Legislature truckle or even do their duty in a shamefaced manner all will be lost, by loosing public respect. If on the contrary the Republican members of both houses act in concert and magnanimously sacraficing individual preferences for the general good, place this act of the Gov on its true grounds; they will not fail to command the respect of the union and secure the support of their own people. The Correspondence betwen Monroe & Jackson must satisfy the most sceptical that it has been from the beginning the settled purpose of Mr. Monroes administration to destroy the Republican Party by amalgamating it with its opponents. With the aid of several of his Cabinet & the effective co-operation of Mr Clays course he has nearly succeeded. All hope of the restoration of the party to what it was when Mr Monroe became the chief object of its favour now rests on the fidelity of Virginia & Newyork. Not that there are not sound spots in other parts but without the two pillars I have named the edifice cannot be sustained. I hope such of the members as are friendly from your part of the country will come prepared to act like men. I wish to god that Mr. Redfield would throw off his amiable reserve & apply the weight of his talents & the force of his character to the cultivation of such a spirit as ought now to pervade the Senate & as could not fail greatly to distinguish those who acted under its influence. There is nothing so acceptable to the Republicans of our State as manly and vigorous action. They will sometimes support & what they do not precisely approve if done in their favourite manner. Nothing would give me more pleasure than to be a member of a state Senate at this moment nor do I know a more promising opportunity for a man to distinguish himself. Make I will be at Albany by about the 20th June where I will be impatient to hear from you. Make my best respects to Mrs. E. Mr Ellicott Mr Redfield & Mr Follet & believe me to be as before
Yours very truly
M.V.Buren