The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-02-23

other alternative, bat 70 adopt similar
measure -iha, this is incre p.etext, can-
rot Ciewins All circnmsiancrS) doubt for a
oment.s i..r Mcnrce arrived ia Richmon,,
IN Richmond carly in Deccaiber. The sccnc
Gun never be forgotten. Every crs strained
to behold him every hand was stretched forth
to receive him, every heart beat with ho-
nest graduation. His name and image were
associated III the bosoIns OF all men, with
those nooiest feelings of the soul--the love
ana the pride or country. Nriaycd in all
the simplicity Of fepubica,sm. In nil the
loneliness of virtue and in all the majesty OF
wisdom. the mild yet radiant glory that
beamed from his brow, dispcled for the mo-
nfent the gathering clouds. of faction, and
warmed IN their very dens the cold and heart
less MINORS or intrigue. At tina; moment
OF enthusiasm, had caucus been called of
the friends OF Mr.. Monroe only, they might
certainly have calculated on The most favor
able possible result They saw, yet wiifully
neglected, the golden opportunity, expecting
doubtless Just reciprocaion OF fair dealing.
hey could not have made mistake more
honorable to themselves, or more n. full to
their opponents. Then began that shower of
letters from Washington which raincd fo,-fy
days AID .forty nights, dcm,,cd the public
mind, and drowned all scrupics OF coasi,-
tency and honor So SION as affairs were ripe.
Caucus was called in Richmond of Mr.. Ma
dison's friends only. 1t is at all times diff
cult to prove notice of fraud do not posi-
lively affirm, that the time when the caucus
was to be held in Washington was known ::
but considering the good correspondence
mat was keptup, l certainly believe It. But
II not-Mr. Madison's friends knew, that at
least a fortnight Of the session of assembly
was yet to elaHc. Where was the neces-
sity OF anticipating the congressional eau
Gus which might be held in the ititerval!-
Whence this sudden preciptancye How can
such conduct be reconciled with declara-
ton, (Which / dare believe, sprung from
mind informed by wisdom and enlightened
oy hrohhecy} "that to the friends of Mr..
Madison expedition was every thing-to
their opponents nothing could be gained by
it, and much might be lost ."-Sir it is plain,
that instead of awaiting the opinion of other
states, or respecting their choice, the friends
OF Mr. Madison designed that Virginia sho Id
give the tone and take the lead: for they
maze her ferfOrnl that hart. Yet in spite of
the evidence of facts which the meanest I'M
derstanding is capable OF colating and com
pairing; the very champion of the cause
talks to us about ate-jealousies--the cul-
tiVatlon OF harmony among the different
members of the union-the fatal tendency
OF narrow, local, arrogant policy-the
states-the high honor conferred on Virgil
mia by their nomination Of another Virgini-
an to the presidency-the propricty of re-
speeding their selection-and the presump-
ton OF requiring that they should not only
select Virginian, but just such Virgini-
an as we like Sir, this language is
strong, though undersigned censure, on those
whom this writer has generously undertaken
to defend. 1t is worse. 1t is direct at
tempt to batter down the common sense of
mankind, and to resume the ground, which
the party had abandoned, either through pa
mic or design. Let not the gentleman hope
to succeed in this desperate attempt, this
torlorn hope.-Yet he must not be disheart-
ened. 1 sincerely respect his talents. But
he toUeth .ait-d pouring words. His fluent
etoquence is delightful to the ear, but can
| not even perplex, much less subdue the I'M
lderstanding; and though it shall be useless
to his cause, it will not, IhoPe, be unproft-
able to himself
Such then is the retrospect. We have seen
talsehoods invented to effect objects which it
was feared, truth was too weak to accom-
pIsh the SLY hand of intrigue stealing the
molly boon which the influence of virtne and
talents and character ought to command :;
ana the instruments or victims of these IN
| holy arts boldly retorting on their opponents.
charges to which they only are liable as if
| denomination could conceal their guilt, or
drown Its consciousness: 1t is fair TO pre-
| sumo that the most specious extracts of let
ters from Washington have been selected for
publication ; that the least defensible have
circulated in silence that if falshood has
been given to the world, SANDER has been
Propagated III secret If shining counterfeits
nave been imposed upon us in open day; we
may concc We what baser Coin has been put
off in the night. If so many efforts have
been directed against Virginia, can there be
doubt that similar exertions have been
made IN other parts of the union Who shall
define the extent of Mr.. Nioholas's CORES
pondence beg pardon the gentleman is
only "laboring in his VOCATION if am not
grossly misintormed, he went to Congre SIS
not merely to represent his district, but to
elect president.
The subject of these intr";ues has perhaps
already been exhausted and bnt for the va
nifty of recording my opinion, had passed it
over in silence. The prospect of president
torule over this great nation, at period like
the present, TO zVhoSe election a caucus is e.
Sentiai, fills me with disgust, dismay, hor-
ror.-I hasten, Sir, to quit this odious to-
pic forever. cannot linger among scenes of
political dcpravity, even for the purposes of
reprobation. / should never wander with
delight, over the ruins of the constitution,
however grand and majestic, nor find in the
meekness of sorrow, any consolation for the
woes ofmy country. POWHATAN.
49, w 1eic,h