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TO THE PEOPLE OF
JONES COVJTTY.
rn.rr.xs : Avery unfounded and invidious charge,
ft'- 10 "' „' s iii a recent publication to which Peter Glower’s
niched, makes it my duty to submit the following truth
-1,lt ”e Mioaioii ate detail of the causes and circumstances, of a
f* all J; [ ‘ v j,i c h S eems to have engrossed pulilic attention, elicited the
' lent nas3Jons of the heart, and become the fruitful source
barc-faced and unblushing falsehoods. To be arraign*
llVetlie lii<*h and fluctuating tribunal of public opinion, un
i . 'n-nciitable and unpleasant excitements, which unfortunate*
i wade oar community, imposes a responsibility and delicacy of
well calculated to embarass one. circumstanced as my*
su ![ |.’ t Wlt i, a firm and unshaken reliance upon the generosity
vl!l ifirnauiimtv of a people, who have once honored me in the
. °of their elective franchises, and a determination to be
33 m this matter by the light of truth, 1 shall await the issue,
1 it patience and submission, which is characteristic ol one who
all public matters, abides by, and is pleased with the will of the
voile .Son" time m the month of May last, Peter Glower cotn
rrm-atedtoMr.* John Cockrum the following statement in rela
;o; to mv votes, to wit : That I voted against the Indian Tassels'
Hut huim,and also voted against the Laws being extended over
•bo Indians'- It seems that on the very same day the said Cockrum
informed Mr. Lightl’oot of what he had heard front this man Peter
rio, vrr _Mr. kiglitfoot feeling interested as to the efl’ect of such
injurious and false accusations, made mention of them byway rtf
e-'C'iirv. in company of John L. I*ewis, who told me he. tvas un
d'rtlieinnressimi that something in relation to the Land Hill, or
t\c rttmlon of the Laws over the Indians, and the execution of the
Indian Tassels, had been said by this Peter Glower, calculated to
iivv.rr me as a candidate —l therefore availed n yself of the first
bnnortiniitv to ask Peter Glower if he had told any individual 1
voted amuust the Land Bill, r the extension of the Laid over the
Indians, and the Indian Tassels’ being hung. I made no specifica
•;on of charges ; but said I bad requested a friend to learn the par
riculars, and when l prepared myself by the certificate of John
r of !(rum (who Ims always been one of Peter Glower’s most devo
ted party friends) to specify regularly the charges against him, I
only accused him of having said I voted against the execution of
the Indian Tassels, and the extension of the Laws over the Indi
ans. Now, fellow-citizens, this is the question properly before
'on for decision. It is by the evidence which I shall adduce, that I
'■xpeetto prove, that Peter C lower did actually, with malice and an
intention to injure my popularity, make the aforesaid accusations
against me in relation to my votes. And i expect to show you by
the vote I gave on a substitute to the original resolutions, that I
was as much in favor o< the execution of the Indian 'i assels, as
any member of the Legislature. The act which extended the
Laws over the Indians, passed in 1829, one year anterior to the
time of my being a member. In justice to my friend John L.
Lew is and myself, 1 will here explain the facts in relation toobtain
ing the certificates of Messrs. Gockrum and Lightfoot, to which
lie hand-bill having Peter Glower’s name very indelicately alludes.
The friend who 1 requested to call and see Mr. Cockrum, to as
certain the particulars of what Peter Glower told him, in order
that l might be authorized to make my’ charges in a direct and spe
cified manner; informed me that he visited Mr. Cockrnrr.’s residence
twice, but lie was absent both times, so that 1 had not prepared
myself With certificates by which I could make a spedifiication of
'barges against Peter Glower, until the day after the written de
mand of the 15th June by Doctor Hamilton, whose right ffi net
or him in this matter, I refused to recognize, blit pledged myself
flie would make profert of his letters of guardianship for his ward,
i would then divulge the name of my author. Here all demands
to g-ve up my authority ceased; hut in anticipation of a direct
jdl from Peter flower for my authority after having replied to
fr. 11. as above stated, 1 announced to Mr. John L. Lewis that I
diouM give him as my author. He then paid Mr. Lightfoot a
nsit, who gave him the certificate which is hereinafter shewh, in
which lie unequivocally states that John Gockrum told him Peter
lower said, 1 voted against the extension of the Laws over the
■iwlians, and the execution of the Indian Tassels. Having no per
■onal acquaintance with Mr. Cockrum, I requested Mr. Lewis to
Company mo to his house, for the purpose of obtaining a certifi
ttrut what Peter Glower communicated to him. And being un
lir I" > ~ l ,P ro ssion that the accusations were, that 1 voted against
j r VV B 5 or^ u ‘ extension of the Laws over the Indians, and
, c ( n 1 f'sels’hcing hung, Mr. I,ewis drew up a certificate to
T his impression was predicated on the ground, that
, , ' L ’ cr Glower has most indubitably done, that I voted
nhl- ■! i Vs being extended over the Indians, was such a pal-
J'j p 1;; ““blushing falsehood, that he must have alluded to the
y ’‘e- as that was warmly discussed at the last session of w hich
h.!
i Mr. Gockrum’s, where Mr. Lewis called on him
r/r pPbcitiv, v,hat Peter Clower had said to him about my
~ stated what von will read in his certificate. Mr.
In /, t ' aß^ bim if he had any objections to signing a
iCn " ' ,n which lie made a negative answer. Mr.
r •, tn : / (ir die first time discovered to him, that he had a
nan , , a<!y drawn up, which he read to him. Mr. Cock
;h ,!, t b ;it the Land Dill should be erased, w hich was done
r.* lln S| "’b a manner that the w ord bill is not legible, he
rr,3. |l ' l Vlol,s| y stated he had no pen and ink, which made it
ti ■, ! , * S '~ ll b‘ s name with the same pencil, with which the
f or .i f ° v r> * °ckmtn's affidavit which was obtained by Mr. Lew
o,is ", ‘M'tfss purpose of reluitting some ungenerous, and inju
ie cepabout the means which were used in obtaining
i*W?‘ Cfro,n Ir * Gockrum. Peter Clower has insinuated
nv.tv:""! ""diirly obtained the affidavit.
satte r s ! ' n m,r community save himself, whose heart in this
*i,r msto llf! cal| ous to'every thing like truth, honor, and
tJOfi n , "V'' r/0,, bl Orlievn from the unimpeachable character,
ndup m 3 S ’ lll(1 r, T utnt 'on, of John L. Lewis that he would take
rtrpnsp] p S , 111 obtaining an affidavit or certificate to subserve any
tunirv 1. 1 ' r * b'wer must certainly think every man in the com
iilt' i-i,,, a< Sector, in cases when* affidavits are used. How
nip \j r . s ’ ,! "?<'iitlcmnnly, and malicious, was his attempt to rid
uhlir. " |s , ’'y tnißcnliing his name, and presenting him to the
lorsho ' " nn " l! h readiness assumes the responsibility of au-
Siteli ' ,s ' s “bout which he knows nothing,
poq f,,j ! lcl towards a vonng man who has so recently entered
business of life untie; fnfourablo auspices, end
whose object is to bti useful to society and nn honour to his fartii*' ,
deserves, as I hope it will meet, public indignation. This, fellow
citizens, is the manner in w hich Peter Clower lias attempted to dc
hide von m relation to my votes. He has as you obviously disco
ver attempted to injure my popularity by making an unprovoked
attack upon me. lie knows lam a candidate mid he is not, and
hence he cannot sustain any injury m public opinion, and it must
also appear he has attempted by a falsehood too barefaced to bear
the ordeal ot investigation, to destroy the confidence you saw lit tr
repose in me, in preference to his renowned Doctor, and supposed
guardian. Sinister views, and utter destitution of honor and
truth, have characterized lus acts against me in this controversy.
He tells you he has called on me at different times for my authori
ty. I deny that he has ever demanded personally my authority
since our first interview. It is true Doctor Hamilton, in a let
ter to me dated loth June asked a specification of my charges a
gainst his Father-in-law Peter Glower, w’hich shows conclusively
that 1 did not make any positive and direct charges against him
at the time he asserts I did; If so why the necessity of a second
specification? It was my object (nfe all the facts clearly show)<*u
calling on him to get a candid communication of w hat he did sav,
not to charge him specifically. In conclusion, fellow-citizens, I
must ask you to consider well the facts and circumstances of this
case. See the injustice which he has done me in charging mo
with an accusation which in the honesty’ and candour of my heart,
I never made against him. See in what manner he has perverted
the statements of a man who has rtfiule a solemn oath that ho
(Clower) told hiio I voted against the execution of the Indian
Tassels—and against the extension of the laws over the Indians.
Look at the mean and underhanded way in which he has taken
advantage of the honest intention of said Cockrum, by couching his
certificate in such terms as to present to his mind anew accusa
tion. It is entirely probable that Cockrum did not know that the
extension of the law s over the Indians of course included the crim -
inal laws—and hence was deceived by that very expression in the
certificate which lie gave Peter Clower. He w ould have certified
that Peter Glower told Into 1 voted against the laws being extended
over the Indians because he told Mr. Lightfoot so, the same day
lie first beared Peter Clower say it w hen it w as fresh in his memo
ry, and when nothing had been said to him by myself or friends,
and because in bis affidavit he solemnly swears it. I now submit
it to you; who lias told the falsehood \ Who is it that has adduced
the highest testimony !—And who has been prompted by those
highmiuded arid honourable motives which never fail to call forth
that applause which constitutes the public man’s highest gratifica
tion and richest reward ? It is high time, fellow-citizens, to act with
the utmost circumspection when such a man as Peter Glower
whose head is covered with the grey hairs of age, who is a mctv.-
her of a Christian church, and w ho for two years was your Senator,
breaks loose such restraints and fabricates the most palpable false
hoods to subserve party purposes. And now that I have redeemed
my pledge, to give a truthful and dispassionate detail of the'facts
in this case, and presented all the evidence under my’ control to
support them. 1 think the delicacy of my situation as a candidate!
authorizes me to take leave of my old, hut unfortunate at*
quaintauce Peter Clow er.
Jonathan parrisH
Jones County, July 29/h, IS3I.
GSBTS.FICiI.TES.
GEORGIA, Jones County, \
June 10/A, 18*31. S
I So hereby certify and most Unequivocally affirm, that tonic time during fii4
last month John Cockrum told ivie Peter Glower comnmntratcd to him the follow
ing statement in relation to the votes ofV.ipt. Parish, (to wit.) That he voted
against the extension of the laws over the Indians in the occupancy of the Chero
kee hurls; and also that he voted against the Indian’s being hung. All these
tl-inss l communicated to John L. Lewis as having fie-n received from Air
Clower through and by Cockrum ouly. TIIOMAS LIGHTFOOT
GEORGIA, Jones County, )
June 1 !*///, 1831. )
I do hereby certify and most solemnly affirm, that sometime during the Ja?‘
month at the Blacksmith's shop of Peter ( lower, he (the said Peter Clower*
told me Capt. Parish voted against the laws being extended over the Indians,
and that he also voted against the Indian Tassels’ being hung ; all these tilings i
tohi Thomas Lightfoot soon utter said Peter Clower told them to me.
JOHN COCKRT’.V
—o-
AFFIDAVIT.
GEORGIA, Jones County, \
Personally eanie before me, Stephen Renfroe. a Justice of fire Peace in nud
for said county, John Cockrum who being duly sworn deposed) and saith that
on the 18th July last, John L. Lewis called at his house and requested him to
repeat what Peter Clow er said to him in relation to the votes of Capt. Parish, and
that after having told him, the said John L. Lewis, that Air. Peter Clower said
Cant. Parrish voted against the Indian Tassels' being hung, and also that he voted
against the laws being extended over the Indians-—the said Lewis for the firs*
time discovered that be had a certificate and requested hitn to sign it, which was
done after said Lewis crossed out with a pencil the words Land bill—md further
the said Lewis nor any other per-nn exerted or attempted to exert any influence
over him in certifying that Peter Clower told him Capt Parrish voted against tho
Indian’s being hung ; and the laws being extended ovtft the IndianH
jUMIi CUCKuI
Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 2‘M of July, 1831.
SSTDPHLN RENFROE, J. F.
THE StTBSTITETE TO THE ORIGINAL RESOLUTION
Pcsolred by ihr Sinutr avil floust of Viprtsmtnhrcs of the State of Georgia .*
General Assembly met. That we v ievv any attempt by the Supreme Court of the
I Hited Stag's, to interfere with onr criminal jurisdiction, as highly dangerous to
and destructive of the rights of the State, and calculated to interrupt the peacu
and hannotiv of our happy union. , , _ . . ~
And be a further resulted. That the acts of the State of Georgia in regard to the
right of exclusive jurisdiction over the Indian tribes within her limits have been
too numerous and too long sanctioned at borne and admitted abroad to be at this
time questioned for a moment, and that the State of Georgia will with tirmm- i
yet temperately support her rights as guaranteed in the Constitution agumst.any
invasion legislative or judicial.
I)r David \ Keesn of Jasner find Hugh AV. I>tnrof Aferriwether rritny, hnw*
both certified that the above is the substitute to the oitginnl resolutions for w ire ,
I voted And Dr Reese has certified that the late hour of night, great excite,
meat, and the yeas and nays not *elufi called far, n tho cau< .= ef it-u f
journalized