Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-02-28


ished i" that part of our country This
res liution WAS adopted ~ congi ess, scccded
to by the state OF Virginia, and afterwards
Came into effect.
Il third circumstance IS no less worthy
of notice. 1t affords strong proof OF the
est;nat On in which Mr.. NJ was held, e
| ven at that early period of his life, by
Congress. The territ rial limits of some
OF the states. were then unsettled. 4 cor
troversv snbsisted between New York ard
| Massachusetts, respecting their claims to
land under their original charters. 1t was
| thought proper to constitute a court for its
adjustment. Congress, with the coasento az
both these states, appointed Mr.. NJ. one of
| the judges Of this high tribunal. The cause
was never broushtto issue, being settled by
| an amlcable arrangement.
After serving the then constitutional term
OF three years in Congress, Mr.. NJ at III
end OF 1885, returned home. In l7S7, he
was elected, from Tho county OF S,otsSy!va-
ma, member of the legislature OF Virgil
M, and IL 1888, 4 member Of the conyen-
ton OF that st t., called to decide on tie
present constitution OF the u States The
distinguished men who had CONDUCTED the
al AIRS OF that state during the revolution,
were members OF that Convention. With
them, he was comparatively Young man !;
and 1or tier experience and knowl dye, it
may be presumed, he enterta ned the hjrh-
esr rSorsUt. They had inst CLAIM to take
the Lead in the debate, and did take it,
lie was, however, drawn into a discussion
Oh more than one interesting occasion. In
the volume containing the debates of the
Virginia. Convention, we finL two instances
OF this sort one, bis speech at large on
the general subject the other, STATE
ment made By him of the proceedings of
Congress as to the negotiation, bstw cen the
secretar of foreign affairs and the minis
ters OF Spain, then residing in the United
States, abodt the surrender OF the right to
navigate the Mississippi for twenty five
years. To this measure, Mr.. NJ. had been
decidedly opposed. We refer to the speech
first mentioned, fer proof Of his knowledge
OF the principles of our governm ent eener
ally, ana to the last for proof of his devo-
ton to the interests of the nation on an en-
iarged scale, and his zeal in support its
rights.
IN 1870, MIR. NJ. was elected by the Le-.
gi-l..tC"e o! Virgin :, a member OF the Sen
ate of the T. 5. in which he acted until
1894 1t is inconsistent with our plan to
furnish minute detail of his services in
that station. It is known that he took a
part IN the debate on every important sub
Ject. and made an impression OH his cotem-
por2rics which still continues. Parties had
then begun to assume fixed character.-
The re voiut.on in Trance, which, especially
IN its commencement, had s1ue analogy
with our own, excited tn. feelings of ths
American people. There were some "a
mong US, whose pulse did not beat in uni
son with this great movement. There
were others, who thought that the enthu-
asm displayed in its favor By cur fellow
c.tzens, though honest and praise worthy
III itself, was indiscrcet, and might embar-
rass US, by irritating the powers hostile to
France. In this class, We always uisfe,i
the lllussrious Washington. Many might
be enumerated, who stood forth the advol
Gates and supporters of the sound Irinci
pies CT the revolution, and on which orr
national and state governments are found
Ell. Mr.. Monroe was decidedly OF the lat
ter party. While he sustai led this char
acter IL the Senate OF the y. S. he was ap-
pointed by General Washington in 1894.
minister pienipotentiary to France. IL :,
believed that this appointment was con-
terred upon him, not only without any an
picati1n 10 his behalf, but without -ny rx-
pectat9n Oh the part of himself or his
threads, that such an appointment would
be proposed.
MIR. Monroe was employed in this mis-
sion about three years. a trust more Diff
cult IN It's execution, has seldom boen com.
United to any citizen. France had rises
en- mdS5e. in defence of her rights. and ali
Europe was convu.sed. Mr.. NJ was an.
pointed, IN consequence Of has known a..
tlchmcnt 10 republican government, which
was IN fact that Of us own Country. IL
was anticipated that III would inspire tLe
rul~rs OF France with coRilenceZtbat he
would not intrigue with the ne phbb,iner
powers, and hoped that he might tber,'o
fore, preserve in the French government. a
friendly disposition towards the u. s. II
those neighborng powers, he could do ma
harm, even Il hc had been so disposed =
While the government Of the U. s. mair..
tanned impartial neutrality, those powers
could have no cause OF Complaint. l, Voc
the du'y of Mr. Monroe, rs an honest man
to be ia thful TO his prncipl.f. lie was e.,
OF his Zsalous exertons to serve his co.
vernmeHt and Country, IL every stag and
| occurrence of his misslon abundant Dro Z
has been Afforded by documents v,birb
have been long IN tic possession Of the Drk.
lie. lie was, finally, recaiei hy the gov.
ernment, with an implied censurs. ina
letter from col Pickering, then .crstar,I
OF site. Mr. M. returned without DELAY.
AMI published IA his defence, & copv -
his whole correspondence with his owr,
| government End with the goverl1neet r.
France. The whole reDul,lic,p oert.,
were convinced that lie had been ini,rlS
! He was. ca his return. receivedin this cifv
Philadelphia and Virginia, with deno1.
| STATIONS Of confidence a,d cr.es,or ~