Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1811-07-08


many observations, N appearance tts-
pec,fnll,. made, as to the contrariety ~
opinion that had unhappiIy existed ~.
tween him and myself with respect T.
certain measures and 10 certain nomino.
lions, and in which he seemed TO glance
particularly at the bills touching our
foreign relations, that had been Intro.
duced by Mr.. Macon at the session cf
lSOo-lO, and at the non-intercoursn
law of the last session. Although his
language, in the offer Of the mission.
and in the accompanying observations,
was not at all offensive, yctthere we've
indications Of embarrsssments and
awkwaFdness that excited in my mind
a doubt as 10 bis real object. Under
the influence Of this suspicion, rising
from my seat, T, with deoorum due
to President Of the United States, dis.
tinctly informed him, that owing 10
our different views Of many subjects.
| had sometime since formed deter.
mination 10 withdraw from his admin.
istration that | had actually comm.
nicated to some a my friends this ~.
termination and 10 accomplish nv
purpose L had been only waiting for ",
occasion wherein il could lie effected
without endangering conflicting agita.
tons among our respective friends
and, in retiring from his room. I remar-
ked to him, that would duly conslJ-
er whether the offer of the mission M
Russia would afford such an opportu.
nifty. With inexprcssitle astonish.
mont, however, in few days learned,
that during the last session certain
members of congress had been enabled,
in returning TO their respective homes,
to state, that this identical offer would
be made to me with the view Of putting
Mr.. Munroe in the Department al
State. This intelligence, I, OF course
mentioned with becoming indigna-
ton to Mr.. Madison upon his applica-
ton afterwards 70 me for the result oG
my reflections on the proposed mission.
He, Immediately, but with evident con.
fusion, protested that he had not in any
manner whatever authorized such re.
port, or even such an idea. replied
that surely Dug hit not to attribute toa
President Of the United States trans
action SO base.---But as a report Of 50
delicatea character had actually gone
forth, my sence Of honor could not he.
state moment IN rejecting the offer
of the mission. Nor could upon the
same principles, allow myself under
such circumstances, to retain my com
mission of Secretary Of State. Icloscd
the conversation by remaTking with
great composure, that there must hare
been in this affair most shameful III.
trigue. And, with very great difficult
ty, | suppressed the inclination felt.
TO tell him, that Of this intrigue he had
ineonsiderately been the dupe.
The power OF President of the Uni.
ted States 10 remove any officer, othey
than Judge, will not be coutrcscrted.
Nor will any pretension be set 10 ~
absurd as right to an office. But II
Is maintained that this power Cannot
consistently with the genius Of our
Government and with respect due To
the Senate, be exercised, as under an
arbitrary despotism,st the mere caprice
OF the Chief /; but that every such ex.
ercise OF power, President of the Uni
ted States must necessarily act upon his
responsibility 10 his constituents lur
the rectltude Of his motives. This
brings me 70 the ground to be examin.
ed, namely, the measures alluded 70 by
Mr.. Madison, upon which has been
founded his conduct towards me ON
tins occasion. Each, then, OF the sew
eral measures, important or unimpor-
tant, in which there has been, al apv
time, difference Of opinion between
US, l VIII now, unre seryedIy, in distinct
articles, present 10 the view Of the A
merican people, with hope, perhaps
deluslve, that they will therein fad al
apology, u not Justification ii my BE-
half.
FIRST The following letter was not
prepared IN virtue Of anv direction. Or
even iniimation from Mr.. Madison.
II was written and sent by me when h1
was at his seat in Virginia. Before
ms departure from Washington, be
however knew, that / had II I'M rontem-
patton 70 make such call upon Mr.
ErsNine, aud, as he bad expressed no
disaPprobatien, 1t of course took MAGE.
Hus I have e;ne. -