Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-07-08
Richnsosla Prices ciaxeaf.
(conRlc4ED eggxLr)
Rabert snaith's Aaslesss.

Robert S1lita's 4aGslssss.
10 rae gao9lE oTs 1l5ss U1iigED
STATES.
To the people Of the United States owe
an cxpcs:Lich Of the circumstances, which
have produced my resignation ofthe Office o.
secretary Of state. / his duty, irl-some as it
is, it is my plrpose now to perform. itis UNI
expecteoly devolvca upon me by the irresis-
tble necessity of obviating the honest mis-
appreheps;ans of some, and the wantcn mis-
appreheasicns Of others. Constrained, then,
g. reiuS s.,i.lly am, to come forth, have
in vhe outset only to premise, that this expo
sition shall be nothing buc brief unyarnish-
el statement Of facts, with the superadditicn
OF cnly such observations as may occasional
ly be necessary TO distinct understanding
or the narration. My object IS the yinCica-
ton Of myself: And If in this vindicatioA
there should be involved any serioas questi-
oaS Us 20 Mr. Madison, = Will only be because
s;,ch a result is inevitable. In this uadeHta-
king, have an eye to the storm .thar VIII
haV to buffet "a storm that viii be excited
By the Parasites Of power: but Lat the same
time, enjoy the consplation of having in my
view the American axiom "Blea5areS ard
nor nlea - tic distinguishing characteristic
OF The independent people Of a representative
rcpubiie. Besides, 1t IS truth obvious 70 eve
~ understanding, and confirmed BY univer-
sal experience, that IN ''ali exertions Of duty
something is TO be hazarded.'
n1r. Madison's offer to me of the mission
to Russia, which he has allowed to be q of
" the utmost importance to the commerce Of
IS The United States slA the most honorable
appointment abrosYthat is IN the gift OF
Sour government IS demonstrative proof OF
his confidence in me, as TO fidelity and as TO
capacity IL pnblic affairs.
This odcr was accompanied with many OBJ
seryations, IN appearance respectfully made,
as to the contrariety Of opinion, that had un-
happily existed Between him and myself With
resl3eCs TO certain WreSs.r5s and to oeFtala
inakions, and III whoa he seemedto glance
particularly ct the bils, touching our foreign
4 relations, that had been introduced by Mr..
Hfacon at the session Of 1eO9--10, and at
the. nor-intercourse law of the last session.
Although lis language, in the offer OF the
mission and the accompanying observations,
vas not at eli offensive, yet there were indi.
cations of embarrassment and awkYardness,
that excited in my mind doubt asto his rcat
object. Under the influence this suspicion,
rising from my seat, ], wIth a dccoruIn due
t. president of the Uhited States, distinctly
informed hiIn, tilat owing to our different
views Of many subjects, lad scrlc time
since formed a determination to Withdraw
from his administration that ] had &C
tually communicated &c some OF my friends
this deterlnination; and to accomplish my
purpcse had been only waitins, for e. occa-
son, whei Elm II could ce cffeeted wlsheut en-
Cianeeriag conflicting agitatons among our
respective fricHds; and, IN retiring irom his
-oaIu, I remarked 70 him, that ycuid daily
consider v hetler the Oder OF the mission to
81. q
with ine.SEressiblc astoniShmcnt, however,
1 IN a few DAYS learned, that during the last
sSssion Ger .aiii members Of congress had been
enabled, in returning to their respective
homes, to state that this identical CHER would
be made to me with Tic view Of putting Wlr.
bToirsc in ghe department OF state. I his IN
teIiigence ], : tcourse, mentioned with be-
coming Indignation 10 I.r. Madison upon ms
aDpIczti.n afterwards 60 NE for the result
III my reflections ON the proposed mission
lie, Immediately, bot with evident Confusion,
protested tllat he bad not in any manner
Whatever authprised sich report, or even
such III idea. ] replied tilat 1 surely ought
not to attfibute to prevalent OF tie United
States a transaction SO base. tut as re-
mort Of so delicate s. nature had actually
gone forth, ny sense Of honor Could not he
state a rncment in rejecting tie cifer Of tna
mission. Nor could J., upoa eiie SANG pin
cjple, allow. myself Under such circumstance
20 retain nay cclnrission Of sccrotaTye state
7 closed the CONVERSATION by ienlarking Wit
great cornposure, that there must have beer
n th:s agair a most shameful intrigue. and
with very great difficulty, [ suppressed th'
incl;natioa. feit, to tell him, THAT Of this IN
tritie ne had incoRsiLerately been the dupe
Ine power OF president OF the u state
TO remove any osbcer, o-lcr tliaA JnG8e
will be consroyertc4. Nor Vii any pre-
tension be set up 50 absurd as right to -
ci.ice. iJnt It is rnaintaiaed that i..ls powc
cannot consistently With the seijIs II ou
Government aud with The respto. duc to VI.
Tomato, be exercised IS under an arDitral
dcspgism, at tbe hlcTe caprice Of the cAei
bit that in every sHch exercise n Pc &,
president If tie UMted STATES mus IS
sarily actu upon bis responsibility 70 ( 81
f.tuents rs he rec Itldc Of bis motives
This brings nae to the grguud 20 be elanH
ed. namty, the mtasurrs allndcd TO by Ni
Madison, upon when bis been founded b
conduct tow ards ne On Ills orcasion. Laci
then, C lhc Cycfal measures important 4
unimpoftaAt in'whicn there has been, At q
ny time, difference cf opinion between u
viii now, unresew cdiy, in distinct article
present re tie view Of ire AMERICAN Pea Is
Wl nore, perhaps c~!asiYe, ;Aat tlcy vi