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Extra. Towanda, Bradford County, Pa., September 3, 1840

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Extra. Towanda, Bradford County, Pa., September 3, 1840 Porter & Visitor, — Extra. Towanda, Bradford County, Pa., September 3, 1840. PORTER & VISITOR,—Extra. Towanda, Bradford County, Pa., September 3, 1840. CORRESPONDENCE. We insert, in another column of our paper this week, a correspondence between several citizens of Smithfield and the Hon. A. H. Read, to which we invite the attention of our readers, as exhibiting the state of public feeling in that place, in relation to the administration of Gov. Porter. But one sentiment seems to prevail in this section upon that question. Public opinion in the north was never more unanimous in favor of any public officer than it is at this time in favor of Governor Porter. We should be pleased for our Smithfield friends, if time and circumstances would have permitted his Excellency, now while he is journeying through the county, to accede to their request and visit Smithfield, as we know it would afford them the highest gratification to receive and welcome him to their homes. But we understand he is under engagements to be at Paoli, near Philadelphia, to attend a military encampment, about the middle of the present month, and, in consequence, will be compelled to improve the whole of the intervening time in order to complete the journey he has undertaken by the day fixed for that interesting occasion. [CORRESPONDENCE.] East Smithfield, Pa., July 24th, 1840. Dear Sir: —We enclose to your care a letter from the people of Smithfield, Bradford county, Pa., to his Excellency Governor Porter, inviting him (in the event of his making a tour to “Northern Pennsylvania”) to visit East Smithfield. The letter is signed by the great mass of the voters of this intelligent and independent district. It speaks for itself. It give us great pleasure to be able to transmit to your charge such manifestations of the regard and confidence of the people in their chief magistrate. Our pleasure is increased from the fact that this is emphatically a farming district — the tax payers, men most deeply interested in the great measures of Gov. Porter's administration. Indeed, in reference to his administration of the government, there seems here to be but one party, the people; and but one opinion, that justice, wisdom and moderation, with a deep knowledge of the wants and interests of the people have directed his course. When we see the Executive sustained with such merited unanimity by those who make Governors by their votes, it is full evidence that he has not mistaken their interest, or disregarded their will. Gov. Porter's well earned popularity has its foundation in the judgment and affection of the people, so well secured, that faction cannot reach it Porter & Visitor, — Extra. Towanda, Bradford County, Pa., September 3, 1840. http://www.loc.gov/resource/rbpe.1540030d —a republican, deeply imbued with the principles of the Jeffersonian school. He has evinced a high veneration for the constitution and the spirit of our free institutions; no latitudinal construction, no doubtful powers of that sacred instrument has been entertained by him. A practical statesman, he has gained an endearing reputation with our sister States, and within the borders of our own State; he is, in truth, the man whom the people “delight to honor.” May we ask of you sir to be so obliging as to hand to the Governor the enclosed letter and express to him our earnest hope that it will meet his convenience to comply with the very cordial invitation of his Smithfield friends, who are anxious to have the pleasure of taking by the hand the Chief Executive Magistrate of this great Commonwealth, who has protected and advanced their welfare, “regardless of denunciation come from what quarter it may.” Be assured that it would be a source of much gratification to us to see you in “Northern Pennsylvania,” especially in old democratic Smithfield, whose citizens have so often manifested their kind regard for your prosperity. Time and distance have not abated their well tested esteem and respect for your private and public character. With sentiments of high consideration, we are, esteemed friend, Yours truly, SETH SALISBURY, SAM'L. SATTERLEE, T. M. BEACH, LUMAN KELLOGG. Hon. Almon H. Read, State Treasurer, Harrisburg, Pa. Harrisburg, 11th August, 1840. Gentlemen: —Your letter of the 24th July, also a letter signed by more than one hundred and sixty of the democratic citizens of Smithfield township, approbatory of the administration of our worthy and talented Governor, and inviting him to visit Smithfield, in his contemplated tour to Northern Pennsylvania, have come to hand. Governor Porter is now absent on a tour of inspection, of the public works, west of the Alleghenies, and is not expected to return till some time in September. With a truly paternal solicitude for the best interests of the Commonwealth, our excellent Governor, not content with trusting the public welfare to the uncertain action of subordinate agents, seems determined to ensure healthful Porter & Visitor, — Extra. Towanda, Bradford County, Pa., September 3, 1840. http://www.loc.gov/resource/rbpe.1540030d and vigorous action on the public works, and a due and correct extension of the powers vested in those agents, by occasional personal supervision. On his return to the seat of government, it will give me great pleasure to present to his Excellency a document so fraught with enlightened views of his successful administration. His Excellency must be highly gratified with the unanimous expression of deserved confidence, of a district so deservedly celebrated in the annals of democracy as Smithfield township. A district which, in the darkest aspect of our affairs, has never wavered or faltered, never been beguiled by the insidious arts—the multitudinous aliases and disguises of black cockade federalism, but has always maintained the pure political principles taught by Jefferson and his patriotic coadjutors. The wide spread intelligence pervading Smithfield readily enables her sons to perceive, not merely the strong analogy, but the absolute identity of the federalism of '98, and miscalled whiggery of the present day. Not content with sustaining the principles of the elder Adams, the federalists are attempting to foist upon us one of his prime agents and confidential advisers in the person Gen. Harrison. And such a candidate! The ward of a conscience-keeping committee, who resigned his military station in the midst of a war, and who, not content with the stains of ancient federalism, has, in modern times, in his own proper person, outraged the first principles of humanity, by his attempt to subject poor white men to slavery; and, as if to remove the least doubt of the identity of ancient and modern federalism, a high judicial functionary, now in office in Pennsylvania (under the commission of ex-Governor Ritner) since his appointment, in my presence and hearing, approved and attempted to justify the vote of Gen. Harrson for the sale of poor white men and women into slavery. The democrats of Smithfield have but duly appreciated the merits of Gov. Porter, when they say that “under his administration, the constitution has been maintained. the honor, happiness and prosperity of the people consulted, while the integrity of the commonwealth has been preserved in its purity.” I having been the first person who suggested the propriety of selecting David R. Porter as a candidate for the executive chair, have great pleasure in witnessing the entire success of his administration, as also the merited approbation of one of the most thorough going, sound democratic districts in the commonwealth. Permit me, gentlemen, through you to express my grateful feeling to the democratic citizens of Smithfield for their manifold kindnesses to me in by-gone days, as well as the notice of my former labors, in selecting me as the medium of communication with the Executive Department. Accept, gentlemen, for yourselves my best wishes for your health and happiness. Your ob't. servant, A. H. READ. Porter & Visitor, — Extra. Towanda, Bradford County, Pa., September 3, 1840. http://www.loc.gov/resource/rbpe.1540030d Messrs. Col. Seth Salisbury, Col. Samuel Satterlee, T. M. Beach, Esq., Maj. L. Kellogg. Who is Martin Van Buren? The eighth President of the United States was born on the 5th of December, 1782, at Kinderhook, Columbia county, New York. Mr. Van Buren acquired the rudiments of his education at the Academy of his native village, which he left at the age of 14 to commence the study of his profession. He entered the law office of Francis Sylvester, Esq. of Kinderhook, but finished his studies under the direction and in the office of Wm. P. Van Ness, a distinguished lawyer of New York. In November 1803, at the age of 21, he was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court, and soon after commenced the practice of his profession in his native county. He very rapidly rose to distinction at the bar, and soon became known as a distinguished and active politician. He supported Morgan Lewis for Governor against Aaron Burr, in 1804; and Daniel D. Tompkins against Gen. Lewis in 1807. In 1812 he was elected a member of the State Senate. He gave a warm support to the war, and the administration of Madison and Tompkins. In 1815 he was appointed Attorney General of New York, and a regent of the University. In 1819 he was removed from the office of Attorney General for his hostility to Governor Clinton. During this year he came out in support of Rufus King for the Senate, and exerted his influence successfully in his behalf. Mr. King had only three votes against him in the Legislature. In 1821 Mr. Van Buren was elected to the Senate of the United States.
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