The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-08-30

Major Lewis will receive your written cxplana-
ton.
EN- sir,
Your obedient servant,
PHILIP B: KEY.
Hon. Gen Dearborne,
Secry OF ar, sc. SC. Is
Representative Chamber,
y 25th April, 1908.
this day delivered Gen. Dearborn the prisi-
nal of which the above is a copy-He declined
answering it in writing, but observedthat his OBJ
jections to Mr.. Key were not of personal but of
political nature--That he did not respect re-
concentrations from those who had opposed this
country, and who he believed possessed monar-
chcal tendencies, Csuch for instance as the Es
sex Junto, and that he considered MIR. Key Of
that description.
JOSEPH LEWIS, Jun.
April, Is 1908.
SIR,
Your having declined written answer to my
letter ofthis morning, compelled me to resort to
your verbal communications to Majer Lewis
consider your insnuations of my possessing
monarchical tendencies as frivolous prctext
wholly destitute oftruth.
Your obedient servant,
PHILIP B. KEY.
Gen. Dearborn.
Washington, 25th April, 1903
SIR,
When last wrote to you, Iliad not seen your
extraordinary letter to General Smith, the
subject of army appointments, a copy of which l
found on my return from the country, had been
| sent mel had at first supposed that your obser-
vatioas flowed from houghtlessness, from gar
rulity, rather thin from intention to it!urc-
but your silence to my las, letter, and your let
ter to Gen. Smith gave to your original observa-
tons very different compleXion-That you
should have consulted Gen. Smith, an old revou-
tonary soldier or any other respectable individu-
al, in order to lay before the President full nfor
nation of TIT characters for military commissions,
was certainly correct and proper-but to endea-
vor to form caucus out ofthe delegation of Con-
gress to be composed OF senator, and such mem
oers as he thought proper to- consult, and sul
more to place the state Of Delaware, while her
own senator was present, under the protection OF
senator from Maryland, was am nfraction OF the
principles of Republicanism as gross, as it was
obvious-to shift the responsibility OF selection
from yourself the head of department, and
to vest the power of selection and nomination to
appointments for both states in any senator and
select caucus, was open violation of the consti
tuition, which never contemplated that its high
officers should screen themselves by giving pat
ronage and power to those who are irresponsible,
and who in the course of events may be called up
on to act judcially such officers conduct
ffattefmg AS power and patron: sc are, there are
terms on which honest men scorn their acoep-
lance and if am rightly informed, Sen. Smith
and those who met, with honor to themselves
and respect to the constitution, refused to make
the nominations as requested by your letter.
have been informed and believe it, that Mr.. Giles
and such of the Virginia delegates met, also
refused under their letter to make the nominate
ons required.
When connect this letter with your declara-
rations to Major Lewis, and your first rude OBJ
servation respecting me, and with the knowledge
have OF the other parts OF your conduct, | am
satisfied you Intended as far as in you lay to ro-
sc'i6e me-Tiat you have suffered untounded
suspicious and ilieberal prejudicies to influence
your conduct towards me, tor which i feel all
the contempt 1T necessarily Inspires.
We are utter strangers each otiIer--you
personally know nothing of me, of my poll
icai sentiments and yet in contempt of decency
and total disregard to truth, you have, sir, pre-
suaptuoGslly said, that Possessed monarchical
tendencies.-These expressions spoken OF me by
you, IN the situations in which we stand cons.
der as an act of official insolence. The crisis of
our public affairs is interesting, and in proport-
on as 1t is interesting, does the magnity OF your
observation appear, which would represent me
as not attached to the constitution and govern
ment ofmy country. This falshood and SANDER
repel with disdain.
What is meant by your saying that you consi-
derme of the description of the Essex Junto,
uo not distinctly comprehend perhaps It is some
pantheon that haunts your imagination; but the
suggestion that am attached to monarchy, is
the low and vulgar cant, the watch word of par
/ ty desPised By men ofsense, but in the frequent
use OF which, weak men fancy they become pat
riots, and designing ones find an interest.
have been pretty full with you because you
most wantonly stepped out of the path of propri-
ETY. to attack me, in a rude, indecorous manner,
without cause or colour Of provocation & you have
endeavored to cover that rudeness by impuiing to
me sentiments which despise. l therefore ex-
pect you will yet do NE and yourself justice by
an NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. of your expressions, or
faItng to do SOL shall publickly on all occasions
speak of you az unprncipled calumniator.----
Mr.. Tayloe, who delivers this, will my behalf
receive any communication you think proper to
make.
am sir,
Your obedient servant,
PHILIP B. KEY.