The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-02-11

III which you vainly attempt to defend the
purity OF the motives Of those, who had sup
ported the Yazoo claim in Congress, there
are some passages to which your attention
Is particularly desired. You adopt this re-
markable ianyuage.-(8) az would have gi-
ven my voice for imposing heavy penalty On
the man, who should dare to assert. such
detestabIc claim to the indisputable pro-
perty OF the nation, and thereby disparaee
that property" You afterwards proceed to
defend Mr., Findley, who had supported the
fazoo claim, or rather the compromise which
Mr.. Madison had recommended /; and Won
unequivocally pronounce him virtuous poll
tician; but you add nevertheless-"M Mr..
findley's vote was improper. Were an
Elector OF Pennsylvania, would use every
exertien to exclude him from seat in Con
gress, so long as this Yazoo question was pend
ing "C9) Ihiswas thenthe deliberate language
OF your best judgment. Alanguagewhich fear
1t will require more ingenuity than you possess
10 reconcile. with the part you have deter
mined to take in the approaching presidenti-
al election. That that language was the no.
nest dictate of your heart and Judgment. I
nope you have too much self respect to deny
and tor your present conduct, leave you to
explain your own motives.
In 1905, you would have imposed heavy
penalty on any man, wlpo should have dared
to assert the detestable Yazoo claim. You
know very well, that it was chiefly from the
sanction of Mr.. Madison's name and charac-
ter, the Yazoo claimants first dared to hope
success; and that, Upon the strength of his
appreciation, they still presume to disturb our
public councils with the most odious clamor.
Yet you support Mr.. Madison for the presi-
dency -
In 1905, you would have used your utmost
fn ~l,,IA
Congress, SO long as the Yazoo question was
pending, miserable old man, honest as
weak, incapable Of mischief, and probably
governed entirely by the example of his SUI
periors. Let it be admitted that Mr.. Ma
dison Is as lncorrupt, as you suppose Mr..
+. to have been (1o). AT present, the va!
zoo monster has re-appeared with additional
and great patrons. perceive very plainly.
you are deeply sensible of. the overwhelm
iiig influence attached TO the presidential of
hce: 1t were strange indeed, if your own ex-
perience could not instruct you You know
MI. Madison's opinions concerning this va
zoo claim. You are prepared, doubt not,
to exhaust those stores OF panegyric which
you have been so long accumulating, in
praise of his transcendant talents which as
they ought to have secured him from the bale
ful heresies into which he h:-s faller:, will EN-
able him, when cloathcd with power, to
screen them from the ahhnrremce and re-
commend them to the adoption of his coun-
try. Yet you support Madison for the pre-
sidency -
What defence you will be able to make a.
sainst this charge of glaring inconsistency
know not. twill not suffice to charge me
with malignity, or to rctort with abuse -
you Will not provoke the respect of a reply.
nave no idea you can assign any satisfacto-
ry reason for the change in your opinions on
this subject. Yet you have great examples
to justify you. Net to mention Mr.. Duane
himself, Mr.. Giles and that whole gang,
have acted precisely as you have done. It
is not for your own sake alone, be assured,
that have taken the trouble to expose this
inconsisteney in your conduct. Most of your
virtnous associates IN this new cause are liable
to precisely the same Imputation; and, lest
You should be distressed to find yourself
singly exposed to censure, / pledge myself
you shall not long want company.
One Of your niosf constant readers.