Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1819-04-16
FOR THE ENQUIRER.
70 JA5!ES MONROE,

~ ia .! I'd mo- N{(Oi T.,
PRESIDENT or THE UNITED STATES.
Sir: Your elevation to the honorable
station of chief magistrate of Il free coun-
try, while ii insures our being approach
ed with decent respect, does not exempt
your official conduct from that free exam
inaiion which the principles of our gov.
ernaent extend 10 all persons honored
with the public confidence. The writer
OF This article is neither your political or
personal cHemy. On The contrary, he
feels respect for your character and priu-
clpies, aud sincere regret that owe human
being should have suspected in the dis
charge of your official duty as president
ot the United States, you hal not mani
tested that firmness and Independence,
which before your elevation formed the
most prominent features i'll your PUBLIC
character. la your political careerit WAS
your fate TO differ in opinion with some
of the most distinguished patriots which
America has produced. Not even The
venerated name of Washington could
prevent your maintaining with freedom
and Independence the convictions nf our
own mind. To The exalted opinion en-
teriained Of YOUR iIrmness and indepen-
dence, and not TO your talents, however
respectable, Won are Indebted for yeur
j
dent commenced under circumstances
peculiarly fortunate ii,e termination Of
the war had crushed The hopes of our en-
emies, Internal and external; and gene
raj disposition seemed 80 exist 20 consign
10 oblivion theraneor ofpariy feeling and
malice. Your active aud jealous exeT-
ilous during lhis struggle, may be consi-
dcred as ore only of tie circumstances
which produced your appointment 10 the
office OF president. The zealand operative
cause, however, is the one before stated,
The general opinion entertained by The
great mass Of ibe people of this country,
that nature had bestowed on youa chafac-
ter uncoHmonly firm, and devotion 10
tie principles ofcililliberty q he consti-
futon oiyouT country. Which would cause
both 10 be respected IS sacred and nvio-
fable. The most gloomy Of your foes
would never have predicted thai military
nsufpaii0n or disobedicnce would have
found protection or couniCDance under
your administrations. iiai a military of
ficer, IN violation Of youT Instructions,
should Dy his Own authority take forci-
bic possession Of tie territories Of 70
reign power With whom, tic United States
were al peaep, and instead OF being repri-
manded or dismissed from Office BE- cuio-
gized By the president The officer him
self denies hayug violated his inslruc-
lions. NOwar, however, existed between
Spain and ;he United States. Your pow
efs OF aggression were c0ntined 10 the
Seminole Indians, by whom alone lie
United STATES had been invaded, and were
derived solely from Tie law authorizing
tie executive ~ repCl Invasion. Nor do
i believe you capable o! conipudIug, that
waging war AGAINST foreign power. vest
ed by The constitution exclusively in con.
gress, could gy the executive he made 10
attach as Az incident 10 repellng an in-
dian INVASION. MOI having tic rover to
make war against SpaiG, you could BY in.
structi0ms transfer 30 such authority TO
your commanding general. II indeed
such power could have been vested by
youi Ia thc commanding general, the cap
lure Of ST. Marks aud Pensacola would
have been lawtul--nor could eiihc, have
bocn restored On your own authority 3,
without The advice and consent Of toe
senate. Your c0udNet, however, SUITE
cienllV manheeis yOur Opinlpn on this
transaction. Your commanding General
lad 40 authority so make tbe cupluge--
twas unauthorized and unconstitutional.
You repaired, on Your own authority, u.s.
Ia os you were able, 'hc iairrg done 20
Spain, by promptly rcstcfIug places So
which the United Slales c0uid set 40 uu
Claim bot force. in ilius prampily re-
pairlQg Tie iHiugS done BE- !ogrien pta-
cr, ~ an un.Dlh0ri1eG aud urcotslifu-
ilOnal act, ycai condo . meets ,leanpio-