Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-02-08
Fer the ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE.
COL. MONROE.


waited to the gubsraaiorial chair OF VIZ
einia, several eonjeetures presented them
selves to my mind as probably Prooue-
ing tina, appointment. and likewise OF G
vents which would probably grow odt OF lie
Whoever has paid ths slightest attention
to the history Of this gentleman, knows
TIA, he was the intimate friend of Mr.. jef'
ferscn, who, ia conjunction with MIR. Mad''
son. formed the twin pillars Of his haPPl'
ne s., and that he brought them both 'nto
public life at an early period. He had
natural prediction for Madison, OF when
he himself was not conscious. This par
TALLY did not arise from any superiority
of mental eudowments for it is tact
which will not be con,roverted by those ac-
auain,ed with their characters, that how
ever the talents Of Mr.. Madison may DE
blazonsd to the world, thar there is evil
den,!y degree of infsriority too perce'va'
bic to he overlooked, if we will only suit.
fer OURSELVES calmly and canaid!y to make
thar examination. If you but strip MT
Madison of the high sounding names q
President and Secretary of State, can see
no Just Cause for that ex.o!latlon OF shining
Qualities which has at different times been
lavish,d upon him. by sycophan's and place
men, who can always see merit where there
is power. and grow frantic with the smile
OF nod Of appreciation. 1t has been trying
70 my feelings as an American, and citizen
of Virginia, to See men OF unelran hands
and impure habits pushed into Offices;
patronage introduced, and dependencies crc-
sted but this modification is increased,
when see beings, creatures cast in natures
fou!es. mould, strut.ing in all the pride OF
Eastern Empire, tie friends Of order and
good ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Of the mos,
reproachful kind. Pardon this DEPRESSION.
Is is ,he faint outlines Of faithful picture.
| will now return 10 my enquiry. Upon
what is the reputation Of Mr.. Madison
,ottomed? hope not the correspondence
with the Marquis dc Casa Yru]o! No;
for there his abilities appear in a more hum.
bic view than they really deserve. His
difereu. messages to Congress exhibit
nothing uncommon, either as to soundness
Of judgment, or elegance of composition.
IF indeed they are remarkable for any
thing it is iadecision. and fear of respon-
sib.i,y. His protlamations arc in the U.
sual form. His UNCOMMON attachment for
quotations proves the barrenness OF his ir.
yen,ion, which needs no stronger elucida.
ton, than reference to the correspondence
between Mcssrs. Smith and Jackson, the
merit Of which his friends pertinaciousIy
claia for him. Upon the law of nations,
he is weary and tiresome. In Formally he
is not deficient. Could Mr.. Jefferson nave
effected the election without injury to Col.
Monroe, he would willingly have done so
because he had had a sincere affection for
that gentleman, and wished to retalo his
confidence, which was particularly desira-
bic, as he wanted to carry with him in,o re-
tiremens blaze of popularity, which would
cover every &C. of his administration. Mr..
Monroe discovered he had been treated
with duplicity-,-a GOODNESS was produced.
Mr.. Jefferson discovered the character of
Co.. Monroe would live oser investigation,
and that unless reconcilement took place
his favorite scheme of popularity was blast.
ed. Letters covering the most warm and
friendly sentiments, were addressed to him,
accompanied with professions OF sincerity
.n,l ;,,n.rtiali,x, which were answered " th