The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-03-18
FOR THE, ENQUIRER.
TO L.4lnES MADISON.

You will not be surprised when you see YOUR
nane at the head of letter. The situation in
which you have placed your self as the expect
ant OF executive honors, renders your character,
aproper subject of scrutiny, and you must have
calculated, on receiving applause or condemnati-
on, according TO the light i'll which your conduct
was viewed. The former has been lavshly bes-
towed the latter, feel most unwilling to ex-
press. But, sir, am one of the millions interest
ed IN your prospects, and have doubts respect
ing you, which mar my pleasure in contempla-
ting you as tie future chief of our nation 1 will
not apply.to either Marcus or Tullius-their la
boured sophstry and verbose zeal are lily calcu-
Lated 10 satisfy my anxiety. Do not think howe
yer, that have any peculiar interests or selfish
views before nIt. IIVC loaded with present
honors-a greedy eXpectant of patronage-nor a
laborer for literary fame. My age aid Inv situa-
ton, alike unfit me for either.
"A President the United States should be
person OF eminent talents, off great political saga
city. He should be capable, not only of thcorc-
tcal but IMPRACTICAL excellence in the science of
po'ltics-capable of dcvcloping the effects Of prn
ciples, adapting them to tie state of society DIR
suing and supporting them with the. perseverance
OF integrity and conviction. do not believe you
such man. The history of your life does net
justify the belief. That you possess much virtue,
must be evident--but perhaps we may discover
that 1t is fthat unsuspecting, plant kind, which
is better fitted for the farm and the fire side thai
You have made frequent displays ofganus and
proved yourself to be capable OF supporting an o.
Pinion, with energy and elegance. After disco
verng the truth, or being directed 10 il by expe
rience, you are one of its ablest defenders But
unfortunately you have too often discovered It
when for oughtyo could do, it was for ever too
late Do you suppose the principles you advoca
ted at the formation of the constitution the Uni
ted States calculated at this moment to secure
the confidence of the people Were you then
inc aaherentof principles you nowprofess The
memories Of the people are not treacherous, nor
their confidence in political conversions, hasty
or unlimited. Your efforts on that occasion were
sreM, put were they great in, support, of those
sentiments which republicans love You shine
will; considerable brilliancy in the Virginia con-
vention--you perhaps merit much of the applause
arising from the formation of many parts of the
constitution, but were they its republican features
for which you stood sponsor! One would ina
glne not, from your public speeches and your es-
says in the Federalist With all the alterations
and amendments to which that instrument ba q
been subjected and which you opposed, we have
seen, that in too many instances it NAV bereadiIv
converted IN practice, to something widely DIFF
fcrent from republican constitution. S6ould
you not, ifyonr dsccrnment be not too highly an
pauded, have foreseen these effects & instead OF
opposing, have exerted your self to add new
guards against abuse Or does your merit lie IN
forming theoretic beauties and practical ncongr.
ities Are you certain that as President vel,
viii not ind cases where something more than
theory will be required' You will not shelter
yourself behind the excuse, which Marcus Il. :
erected to save you You will not tcf me that
we have only seen what may be made OF the con.
slItution intfe hands of sklful artist For vccr
discemment, and skill in political science. have
reen PRAISED Besides, you were told wnhrbe
energy OF inspiration, what /" skilfu aI4i,t,,
might do with IL. The case, with which II MIGHT
be perverted, gained Hamilton's support and,1as
one OF the strongest objections to it's rati6cat;on'
rct you braved the danger; you thought 4 Der.
Iect without amendments. And am at loss
TO discover how he can be proved to he the very
pest person to manage it, who saw no necessity
Tor many of its parts. The mariner who heed
egsly or fgnorantly runs into danger will scarce.
~ be tru5tedJ when more provident pilot can
DC procured Ask your memory if your opponent
be not suchan one OPf'''''"'
TINS Is not The first time tIis YOU fayd had fi4
honor OF contest with James Monroe. Your
popularity aad talents have before been tried a.
sAihst hnl-and you may possibly see the yer,
same result. Docs The recollection Of the primo;
PICS on which you cpitendcd, afford any grat;G.
CATION 70 your republican feelings Do YOU feel
grow oi conscious satisfaction, at the SUPER.
or accuracy Of your Judgment At the tirae 70
"hich refer, youhad no longer the plea of dis,,
Ihoh as the consequence Of the mcasE.e. your on.
Ponen advocated The horrors of anarchy nc