Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-09-07

co 20 De raked up against Col. Smith, shevs, II
giaring colors, ispersevering spirit. 1t is pleas
ing to believe, for the honor Of poor, weak hu.
man nature, that such ludicrous traits of cha
racter are rarely exhibited. -
The letter he gives us of General Hamilton to
Coi. Smiths creditor, Major Burrows, to engage
nun to release Smith from the clutches of the
sheriii, while 1t does great credit to the Gene
rars heart, forms so striking a contrast to the
conduct OF the ex-Sccretary, who pursued so
unreicnt'ngiy this hgli-minded, gentlemanly
man, that we are at a loss to account for his
btndness to the reflections which must naturally
rush INTO every mans mind to his prejudice on
perusing 1t. In the one we see natural Ao,v
oi noble, generous sentiments. In the other y
haieVoienCe bordering on crime.
from ms manner of spinning out this affair of
,hitn' 1t appears evident he felt the force of
y, W.T. Auains accusations and his own guilt; and,
therefore, doubled his diligence to collect infor-
,nauon on thesubject ofthe Col's. unlucky specu-
iaoions, which he obtained from his enemies g. in
winch he has given the highest possible color
ihs' wcii knowing that the defunct cannot
sPeaH' out forgetting that dreams (which console
'ne honest, while they confound the unprinci-
Pieo' ana irighten the criminal, may yet terrify
MN; and If this pamphlet does not cause many
shsp iess nights to this wicked, weak old man.
Ialous as ne IS to the feelings of humanity,
nave no knowledge of human nature.
Tins long account of his intrieues arainst
SHith, he closes by touching on the Miranda
expedition, which he states Col. Smith lent his
ana 'o--,'and y ito not mistake, y saws he cauti.
ousiy, ne permitted one of his sons to ro with
nn, lie who knew every particular of the
MIRANDA expedition, and took so much pains in
heaping up every thing he could find against
o'h',n' 10 wipe away, if possible. the indelible
stains, which his conduct towards Mr. Adams
and ms son-in-law, has fixed on his character
STAINS OF much deeperdie than those he has at
tempted to fix on Smith--for one was the result
OF misfortune; the other of base deliberate acts.
repeat, the man who knew SO much of Smith
must certainly know, wl.atevery body did know.
mat his son accompanied Miranda in his prema-
lure expedition against the Spanish colonies; but
lie chose to speak of in the uncertain manner of
"V mtsfdAe not, !" lest some his readers mipht
be led to suppose that he wasuot ignorant of the
celebrated letter of Col. Smith to the Marouis
frujo, OH the subject of his son. Col Picker
ing Is too well acquainted with human nature.
not to know that the man, capable of writing
such letter, will always be considered high.
inihded' honorable man, in spite of his asper-
sions.
AS this attack on his SON. n-law is meant for
the heart of Mr.. Adams, who knows his yirtues
VIII parry the thrust of the assassin, by giving
reliei to the character of Smith, i'm calling TO
yonr recollection, through short extract. that
chivalric, Roman-like letter.
The Marquis de Casa Yruio (says the histo-
ran OF the Mexican revoution,) ambassador
OF spain In the Y. States, shaving received
A'from the government of Caracas, list of the
''namcs of the prisoners, taken in one of Miriam
"das schoopers, and finding Mr.. Smiths son a.
"mong them, he addressed on the 98th June.
Nl6O6, to friend of his in New York. a letter
ITO be communicated to Col. Smith, of which
1.-The following is part-"Not the least doubt
exists but the greater part of the prisoners
win ne put to death as pirates; and L should
,oe very happy to be able, by a timely and i'm
meuiate interference to save the life of the I'M
fortunate youth, grandson to the venerable
MN. adams, and his worthy spouse. But to
| render my lntercesson effectual / would re.
| 'qulre as the only condition, that COL Smith
would disclose to me through you, on his word
'of honor all The knowledge he has of .Miran,
''dd's plans; Of has intended points of attack Of
't1e persons a1iM rytom he hat connection m
"Cafaccas; dadthe nnnesofhte Spaniayxsin tai
s'co'oatsy ioho sharedinhis scheme and erpedition
/ IN fact all the material information he may bt
! possessed of, which may be useful to nv po
t'vernment."
ssAs remember your attachment to Mr.. A.
s'dams, have no doubt you will employ all
''yourmeans to relieve from afIlictian a worthy
Fand oisconsoiate family" YRUJO.
| This letter was communicated to Mr.. Smith.
who returned noble, dignified answer. OF
Which The following is an extract:
NV It'll regard to my son, he was not made ac-
"qualnted with the plans of Miranda He went
with HIM as young companion, to share his
fortune and his fate; accompanied by some of
Shis friends, capable Of deeds of bardibood and
''yaior, worthy of their leader-worthy of their
s'cause.n
CIV hatever may be the situation and fate of
''the prisoners on board the schooners, | can
''never tacitly sanction the lash of TYRANNY on
''hls associates, and snatch my son from n par
''nc'pation in their fate, whatever it NAV be
HNothing but the Marquis's want of acauaiu-
stance with me, can plead an excuse for the in
"dellcacy of the propositions
''Do me the favor, my friend, to inform the
sMa1quis, that were in my sons situation. I
0wonld not comply with his proposals to save
"myself; and would not cast so great an ndp
entity on my son, my family and myself as to
''shelter him under the shield of disgrace
"W. s. SMITH,
Do you think that the coward mind of this
renowned Col. Pickering, who marched so ,.os
pidty and prayed so succcsstitYy on his road to
the battle of Lexington, is capable ofsucb sub-
lime sentiments as these?-What greater proofs
could man give of his high sense of honor than
this,-Docs not this letter prove, that. however
unfortunate Col. Smith might have been in his
mercantile speculations at crisis when 60 ma
ny shared his fate in New York, he was inca
pablo OF deliberately doing disgracef1 act
and that he would rather die, and that his he
ioVed son should die, than consent to be disho-
nored?-And who would not love and provide
Tor SUCH son in-law?--I know nothing more
heroic IN history than the sentiments contained
-, III