The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1821-08-22
[Frem the New-Y0fk stafesman.1
CaRLMET SECRETS

causes, which have never been fully un-
derstood That comparatively small
army, wholly unacquainted with the
country through which it was TO march,
and the opposition it would have to en-
counter, should be able to penetrate far
into the interiour of one of the most
populous districts of the United States,
take possession of, and plumber the cap
ital, the protection of which was guar
anteed by the collective wisdom of the
President and heads of department,
with as many troops at their command
as might be needed, are facts wholly
irreconcileable with the skill, bravery,
and spirit of American troops, and who'll
ly inexplicabIe, except upon the suppo-
sltion of some radical Encouragement
on the part of those, who had THE di-.
rection of these movements.
The mystery has at length been IN
ravelled. A writer in the 5th number
of the New-York Literary and Scientif-
lex Repos Dry, has undertaken to ex-
plain the mischieVous agency, which
occasioned the failure of our arms, and
brought upon our country the stigma of
suffering its capital to be sacked and
burnt by foreign foe. Although we
may doubt the propriety of bringing to
light transactions, over which it would
be more creditable to the nation if the
veil of oblivion were forever drawn;
yet as the subject has now received
degree of publicity which renders
longer concealment impracticable, there
can be no harm in speaking of it as
matter of history, and as such we intro
duce itinto our columns, without espous-
ing either side of the controversy, OF
offering any opinion on the disclosures
made by this writer. One side of
story is always good till the other is
told; and although this seems to be
supported by facts, yet, it is possible
other facts may be adduced to counter
act the differences, clearly deducible
from those which have been made pub
lick, and to shift the burden of censure
from the shoulders on which it now ap-
pears to rest Such serious charges a.
gainst member of the Cabinet will
doubtless excite much interest, and
draw forth a defence from some able
pen; as the friends of Mr.. Monroe will
not suffer him to rest under imputations
so untavourable to his character.
The origin of the discussion in the
cabinet will be seen by the following
extract -
s 1t will be remembered that, during
the summer of 1918, an alarm for the
safety of the Capital, was created by
the ascent of the British feet up the
Pntn4aao, high the Kettle Bottoms
and that, on this occasion, (there being
no general officer of the army within
the District, the Secretary of War
stationed himself, for a week or ten
days, near Fort Washington, where had
been brought together a few regular
troops and militia. This movement, on
his part, was promptly met by cor
responding one, on that of his colleague,
(Coi. Monroe,) who took upon himself
the partisan duties of accommodating the
enemy and reporting their progress,
&c. &c. With these views, and adher-
ing to the northern bank of the Poto-
mack, this gentleman CONFERENCE.-THE
the fleet, and descended the river, as
far as Blackstone's Island. Discover
ing there an hospital establishment,
which admiral Warren had left behind
him, he instantly conceived the project
of freshening his revolutionary laurels,
by attacking and carrying off this col
lection of doctors, nurses, and invalids.
But to this end, he required troops in
whom he could better confde than in the
neighbouring militia; and accordingly
despatched an Aid-de-Camp for one of
the two battalions of United States In
fantry, then at Fort Washington. This
was refused by the War minister; and,
what was perhaps more offensive, the
reasons assigned for the refusal were so
full and conclusive, as left no plausible
ground for caviI or objection. Hinc
lilac lachryme Here was the mortal
offence The conduct of the Secretary
was considered as an act of Defiance
signal for hostilities-a wager of battle
against the supremacy of Virginia--and
was accordingly to be punished in the
person of the perpetrator, as such high
contumacy might be found to merit"
The other charges brought against
Mr.. Monroe, are, steady prosecution
OF the means to satiate this hostility