Barret, the present register,
retained. I have already said he has done the duties of the office well,
and I now add he is a gentleman in the true sense. Still, he submits to
be the instrument of his party to injure us. His high character enables
him to do it more effectually. Last year he presided at the convention
which nominated the Democratic candidate for Congress in this district,
and afterward ran for the State Senate himself, not desiring the seat,
but avowedly to aid and strengthen his party. He made speech after speech
with a degree of fierceness and coarseness against General Taylor not
quite consistent with his habitually gentlemanly deportment. At least one
(and I think more) of those who are now trying to have him retained was
himself an applicant for this very office, and, failing to get my
recommendation, now takes this turn.
In writing you a third time in relation to these offices, I stated that I
supposed charges had been forwarded to you against King, and that I would
inquire into the truth of them. I now send you herewith what I suppose
will be an ample defense against any such charges. I ask attention to all
the papers, but particularly to the letters of Mr.
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