Alexandria Daily Advertiser

To satisfy the curiosity of those, who may wish to know the manner in which col. Pickering's letter was received by the governor of Massachusetts, we publish the following from under his own hand and seal. In publishing this, we shall only indulge in a single remark. If it be true, as the governor states, that, on reading the first page of the letter, he closed the manuscript, and wrote his peevish answer to colonel Pickering, he exhibited a petulance of disposition, a deficiency of candor, a want of common decorum, and a destitution of dignity of character extremely derogatory to the high and distinguished office he fills. If there is a decent man in that state, who is a friend and admirer of the governor, his face must be crimsoned with the blush of mortification and chagrin.

(N. Y. Spec.)
OFFICIAL.
Boston, March 3.

SIR,

I YESTERDAY received your letter consisting of six sheets, dated the 7th ultimo. My pressing calls in public concerns would not allow me to attempt to read it until late last evening. Before I had gone through the first page, I was surprised by your novel and extraordinary claim upon me, as governor of the commonwealth, expressed in these words— "I now address it (meaning your letter) to you, sir, as the proper organ of communication." Had this been a request to have communicated your letter to the legislature of this commonwealth, as a favor to you, I should have continued to read until from its contents I became satisfied, whether I ought, or ought not to grant it: but on finding it to be a new and unexpected claim upon my official duty, I folded the letter instantly, in order to reflect upon its principles; I have not unfolded it since, and now return it to you by the mail.

You will recollect that the senate and house of representatives of this commonwealth, are visible, organic bodies: that the former has a president, and the latter a speaker; that both have clerks. You will also recollect that there is a secretary chosen by the two houses; that whatever is proper to be communicated to them, by you, may be communicated through one, or the other of these; but that the governor of the commonwealth is obliged ex officio, to communicate as governor, to the legislature, whatever member of congress shall please to address to him for that purpose, cannot be submitted to by me until I find it to be made my duty by the constitution of the commonwealth. You seem to found your claim in your being a senator of this state: I can discern no distinction in this respect, between members of the senate, and members of the house: all are representatives of the state, and all must have equal claims.

I am, sir, your very humble servant,
JAMES SULLIVAN.

Hon. Timothy Pickering, esq.
a senator from Massachusetts,
in the congress of the United States.