Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-05-16

w AsHINCToN City, May IL.
The following is an extract of letter
from gentleman in this city to a
friend in the country:
had hoped that the sensation ex-
cited, among those who would wish TO
be thought the exclusive friends OF the
late Secretary of State. by the change
In that department, would have long
ago subsidized. 1 conf SIS, sir, it has
excited no little surprise in my mind,
that they should exhibit so much sen.
sibility at an occurrence which was the
result of voluntary act of the Secrecy
tary In his retire ment from the de-
PARTNER of state. The secre. AIRY him.
self, am well informed, ielt nothing
OF irritation on the occasion; for that
it was his determination, previously
expressed to his friends, to resign his
post, tor the purpose of enjoying the.
p easures of social life, unembarrassed
by the trammels of official duties and
that he WAS grati6ed at the opportuni-
ty afforded him, by the offer of the
Russian embassy, to spend a few
months or years in an honorable public
station on the European continent, in
exchange for the burthensome routine
OF Office at home. The intent; on of
going to Russia Yas probably relin-
quished only in conpl ance with the
wishes of his relatives, who were a.
verse to his taking SO long a tour from
home. Whatever induced the Secre-
tary to change his determination, in
Ter that his resignation, was not atten.
ded with any circumstances of irritation
as regarded his f elings, because he
remained in the departm MT, in the
performance of the ordinary duties of
his Office, until the arrival of the time at
which it was understood that he pro-
posed to accept the mission to Russia.
As therefore l was entirely at a loss
to perceive motive for the angry e.
builitions of some of our public prints,
so am not little surprised that
more mature reflection has not pro-
duced a cessation of those persona ties
and aspersions of our most estinlable
citizens, than which nothing could be
more injud cious on the part of Mr..
Smiths friends.
whilst 1 say this. sir, far be il
from me to depreciate the merits OF
Mr.. Smith. / cannot be ignorant that
the character and talents of that gen
tleman were appreciated so highly by
MIR. Madison, that, on his induction
to the Presidency, he was selected for
the important trust of Secretary Of
State and the fact that a difference
of opinion existed bet%eeH the Presi-
dent and himself argues nothing a.
gainst his integrity or patriotism for,
blessed be God y in this nation the
doctrine of infall.bility has been long a.
go exploded. Entertaining becom-
ing respect>for Mr.. Smith, it would
be as gratlfyiAato me and to many who
have been nupkAers d among his friends,
as honorat ITO Nmsyssto see him dis
avow any privitJt or consent to the
publications which are daily made, a
vowedly by his friends, and which de-
rive Importance chiefly from their au-
thoritative tons<wRlying his sanction
to their contend
"I have not hezr It denied that the
Secretary of State had right to re-
sign and the President to accept his
resignation and appoint successor,
without either party consulting the in
clination of the other or his friends;
as have reason to believe that no dis
satisfaction, but the contrary, was ma
infested by the late Secretary on the
offer of the Russian embassy and
as the President cannot be supposed
to entertain any hostility to Mr. Smith,
l trust that those who have volunteer.
ed in support of chat gentleman a
gainst nobody fot nobody assaulted
himl will see causeth abandon course
of conduct which~ife cannot sanction,
and in which they are certainly not
supported by public sentiment"
Nnnynr NJ.