Ashwood Place, Wilkinson
Co., Dec. 25th, 1829.
My Dear Sir, —
I had written you, before I received yours of the 22d, on the subject to which
it relates. I differ with you entirely as to the effect of a visit to Jackson.
It would be degrading to both parties. On my part, it would manifest a mean
solicitude for office which, thank God, I do not feel; and, on the part of the
electors, it would imply that they might be led from one man to another, with
perfect ease, if one would only take the proper pains. Show yourself in person,
flatter their vanity, and convince them by actual inspection of your physical
powers, and you will find them the most docile creatures on earth. If I had no
public character to rest my claims on, if I had rendered no service to the
state, if I were entirely unknown as a politician and a jurist, I would eagerly
substitute for merit personal attentions, urgent solicitations, and disgusting
professions and protestations. The line of conduct which I have marked out for
myself is founded on moral virtue, and supports the dignity of the senatorial
character. The other course is sycophantic and demoralizing in all its tendencies.
You will find that no gentleman who intended to vote for me will decline doing
so because I do not choose to approach him with personal importunities. Those
who do not mean to vote for me may make my remaining at home a convenient
excuse. There can be no mistake about the state of my health. If I am worthy of
the high trust of senator in Congress, I certainly may be trusted to tell the
truth as to the state of my health. On former occasions I have rejected
important offices, because my health would not justify my accepting them. This
very office of senator was offered to mo in 1825, but I could not fulfill the
duties, and it was declined. But if other evidence is wanted concerning my
health, my friends and neighbors, who will be at Jackson, and my physicians
will testify to it. If I had the strength of my overseer (a very stout man) I
would not make my personal appearance at Jackson until after the vote is taken.
I should then take great pleasure in paying my respects to the members.
Candidates without merit, who are willing to rely on management, will honor the
members with their company and conversation on all occasions, and will be “all
things to all men,” that they may gain favor with a few. If, then, my friends
think that my presence is a sine qua non, they may drop my name as a
candidate. You seem to doubt whether the senator from —— will vote against me.
I can assure you I should as soon expect to see a white crow as to obtain the
vote of any man in this state of the name of ——. Huston and others are laboring
in their vocation. They expect to get a share of Mr. Adams's practice — all
pure patriotism and love of country! A Clay man supporting a Jackson man, and
the Jackson men of Adams County electing a Clay man to the Legislature. “Heads
I win, tails you lose.” The good people of Mississippi have been duped
and ridden for many years past, and I suppose they are not yet sufficiently
gulled.
Your friend, most
truly,
Geo. Poindexter.
Hon. J. F. H. Claiborne, Jackson.
SOURCE: John F. H. Quitman, Life and Correspondence
of John A. Quitman, Volume 1, p. 98-100
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