The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1810-01-06

| ln the MOST 0eiCate manner, tn3s
ms language is susceptible of construction.
which would imply a knowledge on the part
lGfour government, thar Mr.. L. had violated
MS instructions; and denies sulcmniy that
any such knowledge existed. After this de-
NAL, Mr.. Jackson was bound to admit the
fact; and the most favorable opportunity was
Afforded, TO removc every nisund outstanding,
Iby liberal retraction of the insinuat lion -
There can never be friendly intercourse a.
mong nations, unless their respective asser-
lions are admitted. as to facts which rest
within their own knowledge. Where jea-
lousy aud distiust are extcn!ed even to the
veracity of governments. there is an alb
sence OF that confidence which is the basis
OF every negotiation. II is upon the suppo-
sition of that confidence alone, that Mr. Can
ming has asserted lin opposition to Mr.. Frs
kinney that the letter of tn SD of January
was the o'.ly authority which that minister
had, to conclude an agreement with US
fias not America AN equal right To require
that her assertions shall be respected, Has
she ever degraded herself by breach of
faith! Are tee short annals OF her infa ntne
existence, more stained with crimes, than
those ct her old. ambitious. and powerful
competitor!
| But this opportunity to cultivate harmony,
was totally neglected by Mr. Jackson. This
however might be considered only as the o
der intercourse agreeable, but Cannot be de-
manded as right. A minister really anxi
oas to remove all obstacles to friendly adj
ijustment, would undoubtedly have sez ID
this occasion to shew his respect for the go
vcrnncnt tn which he was sent, by expires
sing that confidence in its assertions, TO
which all Independent nations are entitled.
Mr. Smith did not complain of this negative
offence bu, if he had no right to extort
&c
| on he was at least bound TO forbid his con
itrnd;ctiag it.
Bu, what was the conduct of Mr.. J. after
this} In his letter OF Oct. 25d. he repeats the
charge, by inferring the privity of the A
mercan government to Mr.. Erskine's in
structons. from the circumstance of other
terms being 81 as.ienfed by Mr. Saith, = in
lieu OF those orig finally prop .,sed," Nov viii
rot say, that in all these passages OF Mr.. rs
letters, there is not abundant roo II for a spe
!c;al nleader turned into a statesman. to find
many exceptions and 70 start many doubts
but were such gentleman employed to pro.
secute Mr.. Jackson for libel, he must lay
his inueutioes very badly, not to bring him
to conviction. certainly shall M, degrade
MY country, by answering in her name, the
bubbles of a LAWYER: nor trust her honor to
TIE umpirage of a PARTY JUDGE.
But even soDhistry itselfis deprived of any
After the repetition of this insinuation, Mr.
Smith, in his letter Of Nov. Ist. explicitly
tells Mr.. Jackson that the government will
not permit such destinations to be made. -
Here again the fairest opportunity presented
itself, for MIR. Jackson to deny that ne in =
tended TO make so offensive charge MIR.
Smith had previously given him delicate
hint. This being answered by repetition
Of the same language, the Secretary ofState
then the negotiation would not have been
broken off. if Mr.. ]. had simply dsavoweii
the obnoxious idea. He kew the construc.
: ton which had been put upon Sis words; lie
saw that it was likely TO produce rupture OF
the ncgociation; and all these evils might
: have been prevented by declaration on his
part, which the American government had
right TO expect, and his own government
could not refuse, if It's wishes were truly
> friendly. Under circumstances like these,
not to give the explanation, was TO adopt the
obnoxiuus construction. But Mr.. ]. was not
willing that a shade Of obseu'.ty should rest
on his meaning Speaking of the offensive
allusion which Mr. Smith had ascrbed t,
him, he says in his letter of the 4 h Of Nov
" Bat as 70 the firohriety o. my aRaS;oUs,
YOU must allow me &c acknowledge only the
decision OF my own sovereign, whose com
mands obey. and 10 whom alone can con
> remarkable in this passage-1st. hat he
does not deny that he had made aNusiona to
the conduct OF our government, Of the import
stated by Mr.. Smith ;he letter to which
this is an answer; & 2ndly he advances the
strange position that he is not ans. cradle to
the country TO which he is sent, for the fro.
hriety of his illusions Taking this pas, age
: in connection with its context, To what does
it amount! ." do not deny that have ch&r
Il FIJI
that Mr. Erskine was violating his iDstruc-
: tions, at the moment you concluded an agree
ment with him, admit that have made
!, this charge after you had positively asserted
that you had no such knowledge. But altho
Ihave thus charged you with deliberate
: falsehool, i am not responsible to you Tor the
! 'hrehriefy Of my aiiusions." In the same
!, letter he contends for ;he correctness of his
differences, when he says I have carefully
!. avoided drawing conclusions that did not ne
!, cessarily follow from the premises advanced
by me, & least of all should think of altering
: an insinu1tjon, where was unable to SUB
stantidfe n fact"
l might multiply words on this subject, and
might notice many cavl, which Cannot
deserve the respect of reply. even altho' il
was ushered into existence on the Aoor of
Congress. But am confident that have
. said enough to satisfy those, who Can be af-
fecied nv argument--I turn with pleasure
from discussion which only exposes the
wrongs of my country, and the blindness or
depravity of those who arc insensible of her