The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1810-07-31

members OF Congress There is not an
executive measure. says MIR Adams. that
members of Congress are not almost con-.
stantly employed in pumping from the heads
OF departments. There is not a legislative
measure that the head2 of departments do
not meddle in." And what is worse, is,
that whatever drops from them has the grea.
ter weight with 1t, because it is supposed to
proceed through the Divan from the Presi.
dent himself.
This step too detracts FROM the reshon,i.
6Rity of The President--rbese ministers
become a sort of shield between him and
the people. was over-ruled bv my coun.
ell. The council were ST. divided in their
opinions, that it was impossible TO obtain
any better resolution On the point" "These
and similar preteXts are constantly at hand.
whether true or false t"-rhe people.
however, did not choose these ministers for
the + President. But they put their TRUST in
him alone. To throw then. every thin up.
on the shoulders of the cabinet. is really TO
abuse the very trust which the people have
thought fit 10 repose in him.
But when the ministers OF the adminis,ra
ton so even a step, further than this-when
they are not only consulted by the President
on affairs touching our general concerns, but
when they tamper with foreign ministers on
our foreign relations, the evil becomes too
great to be endured. BY what rights do the
secretaries of the Treasury o.. navy cross
their own thresholds? What right has Mr..
Gaiiatin or Smith TO converse with Mr. Frs
kine. on our concerns with G.. B.! Were
they the Presidents of the U. S. or we're
they the Secretaries Of State?
In the first place, it is improper; because
these very men may betray the secrets of
your cabinet.
In the next place ; they may misrepresent
your views. because they do not understand
them "A foreign minister, however, will look
upon them, as your trumpet-whatever 10
thcir's is supposed to be yours * therefore
expectations may be excited on the part OF
their government. to which you, sir, may
never have given the least encouragement.
Propositions viii be shaped according TO
these impressions, the rejection of which
not only leads to disappointment, but resent
ment. And even IT those conversations are
not shaped into propositions. they are used
as the means of intrigue they are circula
Ting through other countries as the senti-
ments ct The adnn'nistra ion. WHY ? to give
a tone of resentment against that very admi
0lStrailon. FOR instance. sir. see the des
patches OF Mr.. Erskine circulating over Eu-
rope, ere they wete laid before the House of
Peers.
In fine, sir, in whatever light, We view
this abuse of powers, il strikes us as a most
dangerous practice
On the whole whether we view our sec
retaries as parts of Cabine , or as holding
with foreign ministers, we feel
the deiicacy of their interpretation, and the
necessity of reducing it within certain
rules
SiCk. sir, 10 the tex of the constitution. as
early a. you propeIly can.
II Id no cabinets. cXcepl on The most inn
portant questions
'AbIure the idea OF being tramelled by their
decision. Hear their opinions, but follow
YOUR own judgment.
L; the President must take council. LEI
him converse with all the best & wisest men,
'Nhn have not only the sense to advise him,
bur t" keep his secrets
II We an eye upon these comets lest they
~ from their own orbits Warn the Score
.ary OF the Treasury, not to indite NJn-Inter
Course laws Nos. Z and Q.
I. Above ali, warn DO n your Secretaries OF
Treasury and the Navy, NOT 10 tamper with
the foreign ministers or our Foreign Con
Germs.
p Such are my own sentiments. on these in
teresting points. They spring, Sir, rom a
heart that warmly beats for your honor
ihey are offered rather as hints to excite
your notice, Than as lessons to guide your
Course. ..
ii the ideas of your Cabinet may improve
your measures; why, Sir, may not your
view OF the proper useso of a Cabinet, be also
assisted . by d comparison and collision"
With the ideas ofothersf
49, CASSIUS.