The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1822-07-03
M.Adan1s and Mr.. Russell.

our readers with the state of the controversy
between these gentlemen, we publish, this
week, an abstract of Mr.. Adams's remarks on
Hir. RusselPs letter. 1t furnishes pretty fair
exposition of the case, inasmuch as the purport
OF MIR. RS letter, and the variations between
that and its " duPticate' are easily understood
from the course of Mr.. Adams's remarks.
Our opinion Of the merits of the controversy
has heretofore been htimated; and we have
yet seen nothing to change it. Mr.. Russen's
answer has appeared, and we are disappointed
in not finding it more plausible justification
than it appears to be. We knew his ability az
writer; and, therefore, anticipated power
full appeal and vigorous defence. That his
answer is neither the one nor the other,i is, we
believe, the general voice. Whether his per-
sonal appeals and verbal explanations, in this
vicinity, have had the effect to soften the tones
OF dissatisfaction, or in any instance wholly to
suppress them, we do not pretend todetermne.
Certain it is that, on the very day previous to
the reception of the Boston Statesman. in
which his answer is contained, few individu-
ais, hereabouts, had the advantage of hearing
from Mr.. Russell himself, his statement of the
ease, made, we dare presume, in as ample and
favourable manner, at least, as the written
defence before the publick. II, therefore, any
such individuals have obtained higher de-
gree OF satisfaction than the publick generally,
it must be attributed 10 the more fortunate cp-
portunities that have occurred to them. We
do not, however, gel learn that there is, after
all, even one exception to the general senti-
ment, that Mr.. Russell has mol satisfactorily
Explained the motives for giving his original let.
ter the character it possesses, or the cause of
the striking variations between that and the
"duplicate,'' nor cleared him, .'r Though, in.
deed, it is hardly possible he could of the sus-
picion that he was the remote, if not the irnme-
date, cause of the publication of the correspon-
dence.
Notwithstanding, however, the insuaciency
Of Mr.. Russell's defence, it contains some
things which will probably call forth further
remarks from Mr.. Adams. If so, we hope they
will be confined to sthe efucidaton of those
points about which there seems to be some
cont addiction between the parties. There has
been'as much personal severity resorted to, on
both sides, as either an indignant or wound
ed spirit can hope TO be INDUCED by the pub
lick in using.
Hating given the substance of Mr.. Adams's
remarks, we are bound also to furnish Mr..
RusselPs answer in The same manner AT
present we can only add, concerning it, that
ITS styleris generally very different from that of
MIR. Adamss remarks The latter are con-
Veyed IN the earnest, glowing, and sometimes
imprisoned language of a man who feels that
he has been wronged, and makes no effort to
conceal his indignation. MIR. Russell. on the
contrary, writes like one who sees that an an
peaTance OF moderation and equanimity will
oest promote his purpose, but yet discovers.
byrepeated indulgence in taunt and oblouuy.
That he-Possesses some bitterness Of spirit, and.
by occasional hesitation and embarrassment.
that his feelings are by no means unrutied.
Mr.. Russell speaks of his "duplicate," as
having been " obtruded on the House, after
ms departure, at the special instance of Mr..
Adams himself, and to afford him an opportu-
NIFTY OF giving another specimen of his taste and
temper to the publick."
After endcavouring to explain away the va
nations contained in the :" duplicate,n he
says" Thus much for the important differ
ences between the private letter received from
Paris, and the paper left at the department of
state, which have afforded such an ample
field to MIR. adams for the display of the eari-
Gdie qualities Of has head and hearth
lie concludes by saying" regret equally
with MIR. Adams, the necessity which he has
supposed to exist for the virulent character of
ms remarks but ! shall have abundant reason
70 rejoice, if, in directing the nfrmiiies of his
temper against me, they shall have been di-
verified from a course in which they might
have been disastrous to the country"
But we must forbear further extracts until
we are able to give view of the whole de-
fence. In the mean time, however, it is prop
or to remark that one circumstance is mention
ed in The defence, which is repugnant to a
representation which las been understood 10
have been made by MIR. Russell in CONVERSE
ton. To do away the impression that Mr..
Russell had, Ut the commencement of the late
session Of Congress, carried with him TO Wash