Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1810-09-21
BosToN, Sept. IL.
FROM THE PATRIOT.
AN,APoLOGY.

Y
Since the publication of Mr.. Frs
kine's letters, the public cry has been
loud and unceasing against Mr.. Gala
tin. l have paid some attention TO the
charges brought against him, but do not
see the bearing OF these charges upon,
him exclusively. Did our constitute
on contemplate any thing like british
minister, L should most heartily rejoice
in finding the man on whom we might
shoulder our disgrace and make MIN
the scape-goat OF ourreseptment. even
at the expense of his sacrifice; for it
is better that one should be sacrificed
than that a whole people should perish.
But our constitution knows but one
responsible person IN the administrati-
on-The President. The root OF the
evil lies either in the constitution itself
or IN a bad precedent which has grown
up under it. a rnapiie ST deviation
from its letter, and as l believe from It's
spirit, began under the administration
OF our first president.
Whether il were the anodesty Of ge-
neral Washington, or the Insiuuating
arts, intrusive impudence, or seit.Gst-
tered vanity OF others-or all together.
that gathered round him a board of
Cabinet Council, unknown TO the con-
stifution and without responsibility TO
the peopie--these are points which
will not discuss in detail. But the plac-
tice which was introduced under him,
and has since been pursued, certainly
involves principles and facts Of the Ut
most importance TO the nation.
The practice, good or bad. put the
FIRST President OF the u. S. inpetticoats
during a great portion OF his os,ensibie
administration, and eneumbered his
successor with enough of privy coun-
Gil from ST. lanes to have perplexed
the wisdom of solomon and exhausted
the patience of Job. This charm was
broken by his successor, the first mo-
ment that presented an opportunity,
without hazafding the deepest nation
al interests.
I.would havebeen we'll had Mr. Jeffer-
son pursued the high road pointed out
TO him by the constitution, especially
as it had been cleared Gifts cucumber
ing nuisauces by his predecessor. Per-
haps, however, he found it necessary
to have masters of ceremony at the
back stairs.
If ever there was time which (morc
than another, required both the rulers
and ruled of America, TO recur to the
irst principles of their Independence,
which breathed the spirit--and of their
constitution which gave the form of
a nation and to look back with an i'm
partial eye for the great purpose ofpro-
filing both by the wisdom and the err
rors of former times.-that time has now
arrived.
Mr.. G's informal error, If an error
he has committed, merely by indulging
in free conversation with a foreign
minister on the subject of his embassy,
has precedents under each preceding
administration. In substance he GER
tainly Par,skes deeply of what Mr.. E.
calls, the cold ungfacions manner Ia
which our rights have been conceded.
But let it be remembered that no admi
nistration undtr our free and admira-
Bile constitution ever maintained the
rights Of the nation and its citizsns,
with dignity, energy, or any thing short
Of disgrace, unless supported by the u
Rion and energy OF
THE PEOPLE.
MORE FALLING OFF,