Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1819-02-04
RICHMOND, FEBRUARY 4.
TO TIE EDITOR OF THE ENQUIRER.
SIR Ihe Erfrncf nf o. Letta,. fra,,a I'LL

SIR: The Extract Of a iette, from Wash
ington. which you have copied into your
paper of the ID, would probably have al
together escaped my attention, if yom had
not republisbed il (; and would certainly
nave passed without the least notice from
me, It'll did moi infer, from your mannerof
calling my attention 10 ii, that You wish or
expect me, 10 repel the impuiaiion of
personal hostility towards Gen. jackson.
have already soleBnly declared, that |
am not his personal enemy !; and what
can say more He has done me no pri-
vate wrong. nor indeed any public injury,
which is not common TO me with every
freeman in the Union. have done him
no injury, public or private unless il be
an injury, TO examine his official conduct
and character. carefully referring 10 the
evidence Ofevery material fact asserted!
unless II be an injury, 10 vindicate public
right against his open and unatoned vio-
latloBs, laying the reasons of my opinions
fairly before the world The language of
Gen. JacksOn's defenders is, for Tie most
part, calculated TO increase, rather Than
TO ailay, our fears and Indignation. In
their opinion, he is privileged, not enly
from any kind oflegal enquiry or trial. but
from all manner Of public discussion. In
Their opinion, no press is free or faithful
10 The general veal, which publishes any
thing concerning him, but pure panegyric:
and no editor is republican, WHO does moi
exclude from his columns, all complaint
all enquiry, all argument, concerning
abuses of power by the execn;ive or by
the military. Those who complain of
you, Mr.. Richie, would never have incur
red the pains ftbe sediiion law.
The treatment | have experienced aft
their hands is curious enough. They
nave taken great pains 10 manifest their
contempt OF me; not perceving, that in
respect to me, their conduct refutes their
language: and that their affectation of
superiority, makes them al once disgust
ing. and ridiculous. One describes my
style as spongy and verbose another calls il
seriatim style; third, (whoSe whole
force consists IN the free use Oi itaitcs. in
which, TO do him Justice, lie cuts figare)
considers my arguments as too sophisii-
cal to deserve serious answer and
hardly any of them will allow me common
sense-or information about the most ordi-
nary affairs. All rory apart, am really
and heartily obliged TO them. They have
eflectually drawn the public attention 10
NY humble exeriions in the public cause,
and even given them some consequence
] exempt AmicUS JnSfitie from all COM
plalni on the score of i'll manners. His
language is that Of d gentleman. His only
reason for linking me aagsacreus is, that
lie dliIe.s with me in opinion. His main
argument against me, consists simply in
the conversion of precept of the law of
nations iato d piece Of advice.
lbespeak the pardon of HampdtnJmior.
for mentioning him IN the same breath |
with the others though he speaks i'm
lone of authority whicIIill becomes an adj |
dress 10 tie public. am half tempted TO |
enter The lists with him and nothing |
withholds me from it, bat the considers. |
lion, That could effect no end of public
good by continuing the discussion. Let |
blm be assured, that lam Az " arm friend |
Df state rights rs he would have me. At
ne same llme, do not acknowledge,
hat he has any authority TO direct, in |
alat public questions and on wIlat occa- |
SONS, shall take part. amvery sorry |
% iInd, that there Is one very serious DIFF |
erence between US OF this head Of poll |
cs. HIS IealouSies Of The ancrOacLincnts |
II the general government, are directed !
'nly 70 the ji,airjai aud icyistafice branch
IS. Now m'Ie eStend tu tlic federal cac- !
afirs also, ashi 10 He eseeu'ige chiefly, |
'hlcii willis lie whole patfufase and Tie |