Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-04-18
TO THE PEOPLE.
LETTER ".

| 1 shall now submit to consideration ano.
Their part Of the tmforkaut testimony, reli-
ed on by M'Rae, Heath and Munford, to
convict me Of falsehood, and to protect from
further injury one of the most fagitious
transactions which has ever come under my
notice.
Ono of the documents relied on by M'Rae,
Heath and Munford, wa, letter OF Col.
Monroe. 1t appeared afterwards that this
letter was sort of sheet anchor: and one
OF the committee stated npon oath that il
had great weight with him. John Clarke
has published in the Euquiter short ex-
tract from it, and. compl AIMS that the com
| mi,tee paid no regard to this imHersant let.
ter. This is one of the very few truths
which have fallen from his pen. 1t was
impossible For any man of common under.
standing, not led away, by interest, preiu-
dice, or entangisd in plot, to pay any Sc
rous regard to it.
When the name and high standing of Col.
Monroe, is so freely used, by wicked men,
io- wicked purposes, and with whom there
appears to be a considerable degree of per.
SQUAT intimacy; who call themselves his
friends lsay when his name C opinions are
used not only to varnish enormous offences,
but likewise to fix the stigma of falsehood
upon met becomes douDly nv duty 20
bring before tho public the whole letter, SO
that the people may understand why this
part OF Mr.. ClarSe's testimony was so liz.
tie regarded.
Col. MowRoR's LETTER.
Richmond, December Sd, 1903.
DEAR SIR,
nell remember that it was intend
led by the executive council, zvhen the con i.
! tract far rte machinery, u, the n1an1facto-
| ~ Of arms Tcas entered into with major
Clarke, that the boring Of muskct barrels.
the grinding generally, the blowing OF the
Ibellows. polishing. SC. should De conseruc-
ted, according to the model of III. manu- :
factory at Springfield. Major Clarke had
visited that mandatory, AZ the instance
of the executive, and recon- ncnded il as A
model, in all those particulars. But Ie
tquat'y NEIL remember that he afterwards
lsuggested to the executive many inhrove-
1tents, in thac system, Which mere s1nct. I.
! oncd by it. Iii most certain shat the ex
! ecutivc rcposea fuii confidence in his know
ledge OF the machinery, which would be ne
lcessary tosuch an institutions: and that they
J relied on it as rhe most effecsual means Of
lcarrylng the object Of the legislature CON
{ pietely into effect. add with pleasure,
THAT having taken much interest in the sue
cess OF the institution, I obtained of major
Clarke, an outlins of its parts, when was,
fists and some military men on them for hi.
information, and that I did consult charac.
sers OF THAI description, and among others
general kosciusko and Mr.. Fulton, who as
sured me shat the institution had been con
structed in the most perfect manner, &C.
cerding to the Improvement OF tho presen
tday. am, dear air, with great respec,
and esteem,
Very sincerely, yours,
\ JAMES MONROE.
ITO A M'RAE, ESQ.
, The Importance given 70 Col. Monroe
letter by the executive COMMITTEES, demon
strates how dangerous it is to allow too rnucl
, to the influence OF names, however consoi.
cuous, respectable, or popular. This lie,
! Ter is dated on the Sd OF December, 1903
the very day on which their lengthy repor
: bears date. Ii commences in the mos
strong, perspicuous manner--these are tn
words" rel remember IL zvas infendes
BY the eCccative couscil, zuhsn me eotrac,
5'c. was entered into."
From this it would seen, that the contrac
had been entered into i'm the presence ant
during the administration of Col. Monroe
: Now mark what an going 20 say !--Th,
;, contract referred to was executed in Au
gust, 1893, willis general Wood was COVER
nor, and Col. Monroe was not even an in
lowing, Col. Monroe became the governor
and ash he reaided at considerable dstancs
from this place, the presumpd ion is, Until h.
became the chief magistrate, he knew yer,
, little about the Contract, or the manufactory
e ofarms--so that it is most likely that instea,
i OF his being able to testify or certify any fac
relating TO the contrsct when executed, n,
: lcould not know any thing about it.
This mistake having been made in mat
ter of so much importance, there is reasor
to presume, that other mistakes were ais,
: made.
i But suppose IL to DO exactly as il is stat
$ ed What then Was the governor of Vir
ginia either with or without the advice q
council, authorised 70 make verbal con
tracts upon so importanr subject, or 4
: consent by verbal assurances, to alta.
change or modify public contract; or Il
4 lberate the contracting party, and still 4
. allow him TO receive ali the money Gale,
tor by the contract; or to substitute such q
: Their work as the contracting party mich
: think proper tc perform and to be himsel
y the sole judge Of its fitness, its value. AN,
the time and manner of execution S,lcl
are the differences, attempted to be drawn
Al.