Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-03-26
kiNMMOND. MAHIIH sG- 10


Gf.NEKIL J.7CKSON-No. = -
IL has h-rn ih- fortune of Gen. jackson in
every situation where he has been trusted
with great authority, to signalze himself in
some way ar other. Power in his hands 4
NOT very apt Ia sleep. His ardent temp.r
hurries hun INTO measures, fromlthe RESPONSE
hility at which his independent spirit disd,ins
Ia shrink.
Florida has been destined to witness the
exhibition both Of his military and civil now
trs. Asa GENERAL, he occupied the Spanish
'or's subsequently as Governor, he arrest
ed The Spanish Col. Callava, and summoned
an American judge to answer 10 a charge of
contempt.
Il Is unnecessary to enter into the particu.
lars OF these transactions. They are too re-
cent tn be forgotien.--It is sufficient TO touch
upon few OF the points which they deyelope
They show that Gen. jackson does NOT
possess that equanimity of temper which is
so essential to the due ad,pinistra,ion of the
powers of the Chief Magistrate.
IL Is NOT necessary TO decide whether Col.
Caiiara was at the time of his arrest a Com
n'ssary on the part of Spain, as her minister
contrndsin his letter Of 9th October I82i--or
whether his functions had ceased las Mr..
ADAMS states in reply with the expiration of
the SIX months nom the exchange of the rati-
ficatIons of the treaty. Yet he had been so
recently the representative of the Spanish
Government, that Gen. Jackson was bound 10
manifest every courtesy towards him, which
was compatible with the duty which he owed
70 ms own country.-When Caava. there.
iore' detained certain papers which ought to
nave been surrendered with the other archives.
was the Governors course towards him as for.
bearing as circumstances permitted?
what course did he actually take? When
He,' y. asctrtained that the papers had been
sealed up IN boxes, in the possession of Calls
va or ms steward; and that they would not
voluntarily surrender them, he directed Them
pom 70 De arrested by military gua,d and
brought before him. Here scene of consi-
derable alteration ensued between the mar
Ties. The Generals manner was animated
| MS language warm, and he struck the table
WIN Sehtmrnce. On Callavas refusing To
ueii'er the papers, the GcHeral ordered him
10 he committed To military guard-and
then ms house 10 be searched, the buxes Tn
be broken open, and the papers Ia be taken
out allara was then SET ut liberty.
But what course might Gen. J. have taken ;
ne mighf immediately have ordered the search
10 DE madr, and the papers taken out of the
o"xes' without offering the violence TO the
person Of CaIlava These military arrests this
imprisoned language might all have been
avoided, without defeating in the slightest de-
gree the ends Of public jusIiee,-Lcok 10 St.
Augustine, where similar object was to be
attained See the difference between Secre ary
Worthington and Governor Jackson. Wor-
'hington appointed three Commissioners, to
wait upon Col. Coppinger, the late commis-
sIoner at ST. Augustine, when the following
scene took place
Ersrsot from Report eftit con,rris,ionsr.
In tie mean time qne OF tie undersigned, accompanied
oy one OF the Secretaries this Commission and the She
run OF st. Johns county proceeded the honse Of Col
ooPphger and made similar demand and received The
same answer as given by Don Entraigo the No,sryA
request was then made that coppnger would e
hen he papers In his possesssn should and was
also requested 10 ahx his the boxes
one oil undersigned there remain until an examination
Oh Tue papers should take place. both of which
were rejected by hiuhe Continued protest against all
he proceedings OF the undersigned refused 70 open
the door Of bis Office. The undersigned then nrocas
The only alternative left them, TO force open the
lucy then took possession of the papers amounting TO six
ooAes boxed them up and deposited in the public
s'ore-house Tor safe keeping In to ensure the safety
OF the papers, archives and records which
nave aken possession Of guard hos placed in front
oil me building IN which they deposited &c. All the
papers will remain In the place where they are
deposited Until the Undersigned receive your (orhnp
tons Instructions concerning tben"-dr. w. took the
papers he wanted-npd copPinger left the city,"
But no yiolence-no arrests-no impasson-
ed language--and yet the object was efectu-
ally accomplished without them.
The scenes which grew oft of Callara's ar
rest between the governor and the Judge
might too easily haze been avoided. Admit far
moment that Florida was no better than a
Proconsulship; that the immunities secured by
the constitution of the u. s. did not extend TO
this newly acquired terrtory-ihat the writ of
h10eds corpus was denied TO her inlabiiants--
ana that Judge FromeDtin had no authority
10 issue SUE b writ on the application OF Cal
lava, yet was il necessary thai Gen. J. should
summon The Judge before him To answer the
charge OF Contempt shown TO his "supreme
Judicial authority ?"- Why conld not he cool
y have said TO the Judge 90 You have mis-
taken your commission, and the authority
which 1t confers. Your Jurisdiction extends
emily to the laws Of the u. S. relative TO the
revenue and ille slave trade. You have no
right to issue writ Of Uabeos Corpus and
my officers are directed to neglect ysur man
date. Forbear!"
The course actually taken, however, led To
the most unpleasant consequences. It called
i0rth correspondence between the iarties.
which all persons mist regret. In the course
OF II, Gen. }. employs the following language :
Sir have this received your second note Of
this day Tie first created my astonishment IL is true but
me second my indignation, and contempt for did not
suppose until your note before me furnished eonela
sve evidence that you capable Of stating deliberate
and wlul akchood That you hive dome co In vour noe
Of this evening" do assert and the enclosed certificate,
OF Dr. C brunaugh (who directed by me 20 pay par.
heui'r attention TO our eonvessaton) and Mr. Ru,edgs
iniy prove That you have the bardhood TO deny that
when you called my house that did not send for mi
DION 70 the Office containing the record ofny commissions