I have seen in the Courier of the 21st ult. The style and manner of the publication show, that it could only proceed from one who has neither the character nor feelings of a gentleman.
The evident object of it was to produce some effect upon my election: the sentiments contained in it, when separated from its ribaldry are of that characteristic grossness, which must excite the disgust of all men of sense and honor.
I can never condecend to enter into a contest with Governor Duval in Billingsgate abuse: I lively concede to him a pre-eminence in that department; and if he was in any wise as distinguished for what is honorable and useful, the people of the Territory would not have so much cause to deplore the misfortune of having so unworthy a Governor.
The controversy in which I find myself most reluctantly engaged; has been forced upon me, because I did not refuse to a citizen of the Territory the constitutional right of presenting a petition to the constituted authorities for a redress of grievances. I never saw the answer to that petition, although I requested it verbally and in writing.
I understood that it consisted of little else than low and vulgar abuse upon the petitioner. A part only of the letter do Crane was read to me by the President himself; I had no permission to take a copy of the letter to Mr. Donelson; and the idea that Governor Duval wishes to propagate, that he had no objection to its being seen, is a most unfounded falsehood.
