Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-04-06
IMPORTANCE OF PERSONAL CHARACTER

inr.
IMPORTANCE OF PERSONAL CHARACTER.
| Ccntcnfing themselves with ihe result OF events,
men do not generally take the trouble inquire into
the causes which have produced them. The writer
tot this communication most fofciblv struck with
the truth of this observation, in rejecting upon the
cause which brought about the late peace with
| Great BsitIin. No person, the least acquainted
with the history of the la e have forgotten,
that shortly after it declared, the celebrated or
dcrs in council OF Great Britain were revoked and
that Admiral Warren arrived off coast, charged
by the British govenmentwith official notificat ton
of the fact, and also with authority to suspend he's
tiliics.
1t is equally well known that this proposition was
rejected by our governments, proposition having
been offered TO put end to that stigma upon our
independence the impressment of our seamen. The
disasters whci bcel the French army in Russia the
ensuing winter. and the subsequent events which
led to the gene al peace of Europe, gave to Great
Britain such commanding influence upon the con-
tincnt-so intoxicated her rulers with success and
placed at her disposition such formidable military
force that it not reasonable suppose that she
would soon have made another direct Overture for
peace.
Tie causes which rendered the war both Jus, md
| Necessary, blockade and mpressment) having
ceased with the general peace Of Europe il was no
longer either the policy the wish Of the United
| States to prosecute it.
R' as is was not TO be supposed that fresh over
lures would he made By an enemy flushed with
victory in Europe, AMI as it would have been de-
grading to oar government to make propositions for
peace, after having so recently rejected Admiral
| Wafrens overture, how then were negotiations to
have been brought about?
Fortunately the door for pacifica ton had been
previously opened by friend; and though his me-
diaton was not accepted, yet it led 10 direct over
| ture from the British government for peace.
of Tho. L.,
were therefore principally indebted for the speely
| termination of the This observations made
without int ug in the smallest degree to detract
| nom the valoT and proves of army and navy.
whose deeds have covered them with iraperishabe
| tame As the time this overture was made. Mr..
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS was our Minister 4; ST. Pc
tersburg. The writer of this article was in Euronc
both before and since the war, and has visited St
Petersburg since the peace.
From authority which cannot he doubted inc
learned that the offer of media tion originated with
Count Roman2o'1, who that time was Chancellor
Ct the Empire, as well as Minister of FOREIGN if
| fairs.
This gentleman who was as distinguished for his
nf2xible integrity, for the beralty ofhi prnci-
PIES entertained for Mr.. Adams the highest personal
regard He saw in the American Minister, the en-
| iightcncd statesman-thc profound scholar-the
skilful dIplomatis-the modest, una assuming natrio
! Qualities Ike these rarely united III Euro
pean diplomatsts, that they could fail 10 be pro-
perry appreciated by one, who mad such profound
knowledge OF human nature.
1t was the high personal regard which Count 70
! manzoff entertained for Mr. Adams. Which induced
HIM to suggest 10 the Emperor, the offer of mis- media
ton.
The agents of Great Britain were ondeavorrr Il
impress upon the governments of Europe, but more
particularly upon the mind of tic Emperor Aexan
der, the opinion that the government of the United
States was composed of the mere sycophants of Ma
poleop, and that it by his orders that they hat
declared war against England.
his was done at time when the French arm,
was still III Russia, and with view to excite thu
indignation eff the Emperor Alexander against u.s.
MIR. Adams refutcd this foul SANDER and mos
ably vindcated the course which the government o
the United States had pursued. So high 4 rcspec
had the Emperor Alexander for the personal charac
ter Ut Mr.. Adams, that he considered his dcrlara
tinnS ouwoiging all the dissertations of his DO
Iitlcal enemies. fhe emperor, therefore, satisfied
with the propricty Of the course adopted by tlr
United States in indicating their rights by The ad
vice Of his Prime Minister, Count RomanzoG, offer
cd his mediation, which, though il was not ac
cep;cd by Great Britain, yet it produced direc
overture from her, TO enter into negotiations whie
terminated III the Treaty of Ghent.
How far Adams was Instrumental in brinpin
about the peace. independent Of tho share which m
took IN the pegotaions at Client, tie public will HI
bost able to judge. MARCUS.