Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-11-01

tinetIy to understand that, that mea- |
sure would be no cause of Disagree
mcnt between the administration and |
myself. re NAMED and acted accor-
dinghy, and did every thing in my
power to accomplish the views Of my
government and country, aud finally
concluded with Mr.. Pinkney, the best
treaty which it was possible to obtain
of the British government. In uniting
in the negotiation and signing the
treaty, / committed my reputation on
the result, and it is only by the course
which. the business afterwards took,
that any unpleasant occurrence has a
risen between the administration and
myself.
| These were the circumstances which
produced the impression, which have
acknowledged in the commencement
Of this letter, that your friendship had
been Withdrawn from me. But the
assurances which you now make me
and the perfect knowledge which l
nave of your rectitude and sincerity
have completely effaccd that impressi-
on, and restored to my mind, that en-
tire and friendly confidence, which it
had always been accustomed to che
IRISH.
| am perfectly satisfied, that you
never meant to injure me, and that i
belief, that / had suffered by any act, to
which you were an innocent party,
would give you great pain. Still the
circumstance of my having signed a
treaty which was disapproved, for i'm
puted great defects in having exceed
ed our powers, i'll signing it, which |
should not have done, but in firm
belief that promoted thereby the best
interests OF my country, & of the admit
Illustration, while ! exposed myself to
great responsibility by the measure,
have given handle to those who have
welded it, with great effect against
me. You can little imagine to what
extent the mischief has been carried.
l could give you many details which
It would be as painful for you to read,
as for me 10 recite.,
| When J saw that was depressed in
a country which l had SO long served
with fidelity and zeal, could rot be
indifferent either TO the cause, or the
consequences resulting from it. NV
sensibility was naturally increased, by
the excitement ofthose on the ground,
who, by taking part in my favor, had
essentially compromised themselves.
replied to the denunciation that was
circulated against me here for impro-
per purposes to many OF my friends,
who called on me In decisive terms and
complained earnestly of the injury
done me, by it. The sum of these
conversations, which were always of a
nature confidential, it is not IN my
power TO recollect. with precision. 1t
IS possible that on some cases NAV
have expressed myself with too much
zeal, and 10 Others been misconceived.
You may howeverbe assured, that my
sole object was TO do justice to my
self in a case of peculiar hardship.
and that never went Beyond that IL
mit. - X
am happy that we have had this expIa-
nation witheaSh other. 1t has satisfied me ,
that had misconceived your feelings and
disposition towards me. Nothing remains
but TO prevent as Far as possible all further
'nqnietude- From the period above men
toned OF peculiar excitement, have been
attentive to this object, and shall pursu. it
IN future with still greater zeal. | estimate
the acts OF my friends by the intention only
beinS satisfied on that point Can bear with
{ patience any consequences which may ca
snsiiy result from them. ! am aware that
under free governments it is difficult 70 a
VOID those of the kind alluded 70, for per.
haps no important good was ever altogether
free from some portion OF alloy. ] an how
ever equally aware, thar evils incident to
the system, II indeed there are any, even
the Individual vino sufFs IS under them, are
tr'fiing, when compared with the great bles
sings which it inparts.
] am my dear sir, &c. &c.
JAMES MONROE.
P s. From an expression in your letter.