The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1806-11-25

DEcius is much mieaken, when he fuppo-
frs that his publications are not read with
much in;ercf and attention. Many hoped,
and Others feared, that facts, but little, il any
thing, lefs han trea.ou, would be eitabhihed a
yaina the PRECEDENT and thefe differences were
the natural consequences of the high characters
and talents OF the &C. ufers. Thefe hopes and
have, excrpt with few, diiappear-
cd: shut the public are ftill deiirous to under
ftand, fully, the motives which occafioned 70
much political folicitude.
Tn the Taft commune alton, Decius has ex-
prefied himfelf as follows
81 BaN ,ecrye for a Exbjeqnsnt eommnnica-
tion, the djfelo/ire Of Eieb other fats and epini-
as I deem material to proper understanding
eftbe evenfs ettbe Ian SsDfon Of CongrcG. In
that number I@aV so to tie root Of all the re-
publican IebiiinJ."
When this ptomife is fulfilled, it is highly
probable that much important and intereiting
political truth may be dfclofed. 1t is now
we'll known that fome private communications,
or perhaps in6nuations, were made, to thoie
members Of Congrefs, who are denomnated
the republican minority, BY the Secretary or the
Treafury, which had great influence upon their
fubiequent conduct and votes. What were
,thefe inhnuations ;thefe innuendus; theiehnts;
or theie communications !: Did they indirectly
beguile, or directly miflead the republican mi
norty? Were they bold, plain and ineligible;
C~NWas Mr. GaIlatir offended did he iuppofe
himfelf neglected or degraded becaufe the Pre-
hdent did not proltitute the honor OF his coun-
try, and his own perional retpeetability, by cal
ling him to his council upon the great aRaits of
fate If MIR. Gallatin or Mr.. Any-body-ele,
thinks that fuch was the duty of the Preiident,
he will be 70 condefcending AS to thew any eX-
preiiion in the contribution, either direct or in
direct, which either requires, or will even tole-
rate the notion.
The people of the United States, in placing
confidence in Thomas Jrfferfon, did not fuP-
pofc, that they ut The fame time, and by the
lame vote, were about TO entangle themielves
with any ether. There are thouiands, and
tens of thoufands, who have unbounded
political confidence in Mr.. Jefferfon, who would
withdraw it, if they fuppoied, that in all great
political GOVERNMENTS, he would 70 entangle
himfelf with any other public funStionary, as
to form but one Integral character. Iheie
and many other like observations occur i'll re-
lation to the word or term Cabinet which has
lately been noticed and conlidered. MIR. JEFF
- i.rion has been cenfured, becaufe he proceed
ed in the dfcharge of the functions Of his of
See. without convoking the heads of depart
ments, prvy councillors, and fubmittng TO
their prudence, integrity, and Judgment, the
SECTIONS upon matters which belonged only
10 M, cfelf--matters which related to the du-
80 % '".11refdent; and thus contributing 4
Ua a o,nes1 II; not known nor any
exprefion which can b. fonnd in that inarn-
ment, any way fGvoyiug the co ,Il;Cbmrnt of :,
Cabinet, is this which now follows.
Federal Contribution, AIT. q Seet. Cd
I" He (meaniog the PFiident) nroy REQUIRE the
lilo. m s-'5e'pai officer in
"each OF the executive departments, upon any
fubiett relating TO the duties of their reiPec-
tive Offices, and he ihsl have powerto grant
"repricvrs and pardons for offences aealnit
&c the United States, except in cafes of lmpeach-
"ment."
AS this is all which the contribution contains,
it brings us to enquire what is the Cabinet ?
When and where did it originate? Who gave
it birth? What circumstances reared it to
maturity? BY what mFgc, has this word &C.
CURED the power TO diiturb the tranquility of
an Empire to overleap the fonors of long
and meritorious public deeds; bcltriding, asst
were, long lite Of virtue which has never been
fullied or even quefoned; putting firft to tor
ture, and then expoting to cruchXion, the mott
refpe6fabIe characters.
Ii will be ALTO admitted, that theie Queftons,
Rbftra fedIy of Mr.. Galiatin, deferve notice. In
the contribution, in the laws, in the policy of
the United States, they can receive no anfwers
or iuRratoH yet anfvers may be given ::
IL is true they may not iatisfY every one, but
until better folutions afforded, the public
will be entertained with what follows.
Although the contribution of the U. States
gives to the PRECEDENT, and to him only, the
power and privilege of deciding upon all queni-
ons which relate TO the executive department,
yet il was'the practice with general Waiting
ton, to hold a council with certain perfons CAL
led the heads of departments, who afIumed, or
fome ycho obtained, the name of the Ca6i8et.
This cabinet coniiited of Mr.. Jefferfon, then the
Secretary of State, MIR. Hamilton the Secretary
of the Treafiry, MIR. Randolph the Attorney
General, and Mr.. Knox the Secretary of War.
The Cabinet being thus contributed, general
Hamilton contrved, by the means of the in
fuence which he had obtained, over the mind
ofgen. Wilmington, to obtain a dangerous az
cerdrucy and influence in the Cabinet which
was Il leading, perhaps the fole caufe of the
political ichifm which foon after fucceeded,
and which finally overthrow the party to
which gen. Hamilton was attached. Among
many, very many, caufes OF complaint which
eSfted, againft that influence, few only will
be here meniiond. Alexander Hamilton, while
he held the Office Of fecreiary of the treafury,
was allowed by Prefdent Wilmington to alp.
point i mi. /scrCfnry to atl under him, and by
bis orders, while gen. Hamilton, d;lerting OF
abandoning that duty, followed the army which
scioGtd the Allegheny to queli the weftern in.
furetton and there, by the permition Of, Of
under 4 conmiiiion from Preiident Warrington