The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1824-05-12
crrata.

tons, in gen. Jsckson's letter, having occurred
in part of our last publication, we rerublsh I,
below, corrected:
Washington, May 6,18e4. Dear Sir:
have received your letter of yesterday
and, with much cheerfulness and canJor,
shall reply TO your INQUIRY.
II has been repeatedly pressed before
the public, that [ had written letter 10
Mr.. Monroe, Recommending him 70 Sc
lee, for his cabinet, two distinguished
republicans and two distinguished fede-
ralists > and that to Mr.. Lowrie and Mr.,
Eindlay, senators from the state of PENN
sylvania, the letter had been read.
have not been able to persuade myself.
that the fact was so, inasuuch as our
correspondence was private and con6dep-
tial- because Mr.. Findlay, who was pre-.
sent, has no recollection Of it-because
no snch letter was ever written by me-
and because the president denies hat ha
read any such letter, or, indeed, any let
ter at all. regret that Mr.. Lowric. in
presenting this matter, should not recol-
lect one material Circumstance When
frs, il was spoken of, he stated to me,
ard 10 others. that letter purpor,ins,
and declared to be mine, had been read
to himself and Mr.. Findlay, by the presi-
dent, which advised that his cabinet
should be formed of two distinguished
republicans. and two distinguished iede-
:alists' My reply to him was, that no
such letter had ever been written by me,
that so far asi could recollect, only ore
person, col. DTayton, Of 5. Carolina, had
been recommended TO him that | had
suggested to the president the propricty
of appointing him secretary of war; for
the reason that he was man of high and
honorable feelings, honest, virtuous, and
of energetic character. Personally. 1
knew not col. Dray,oD but, from infor-
nation of his general character, felt
teuds which unhappily prevailed in the
army, than any other man of whom had
any knowledge. The contents of my
letter, as read to him by the president,
that two distinguished federalists, and two
distinguished republicans, should be Sc
lected, was not only stated by MIR. Low
RE TO me- but TO yourselfs and TO Mr..
Eaton, of the senate, and TO others.
HE has changed, however, his ground,
and now. says, il was recommendation
TO the president, to form his cabiner
from the two great leading parties Of The
country Both statements are alike unfoun.
ded no such letter was ever written by
me; on the contrary, my advice 20 tho
president was, that, in the selection cf
his cabinet, he should act upon principles
like these consider himself the head OF
The nation, not ola party that he should
have around him the best talents the
country could afford, without regard to
sectional divisions and should, in his Sc
lection. seek after men Of probity, virtue,
capacity, and fiEmness; and in this way,
he would go lar to eradicate those feel
ings, which on former occasions, threw
so many obstacles in the way of govern
ment ; and be enabled, perhaps, TO unite
a people heretofore politically divided.
gave it as my opinion, that the best
evidence of devotion to the government.
its constitution, and laws, which any
could afford, was, when these were as
sailed to venture forth in their defence,
and maintain them amidst privations,and
at the sacrifice of domestic quiet. That
names were mere bubbles and he who
would, as col. Drayton had done, aban-
don his freside and the comforts of home,
and continue in the defence and pro,ec>
ZION of his country, through the war, me-
rited The confidence ofthe government, iet
him bear what name ofpariy he might:
such a man did recommend to MIR.
Monroe he was one had never seen;
yet one whose conduct, character, and
good qualities, entitled him 10 any and
every confidence. As well might the
conclusion be adduced, that had re-
commended selection exclusively from
one or the other of the parties, as that
the cabinet, from motive OF policy,
should be kept equally poised, by APP
pointing two of each, for my advice was,
TO select men of probiiy, virtue and lal,
ents, without regard to- party,
The voice of Washington, in his fare.
well address to the nation, was, that par
tY animosily was not to be encouraged,
because sit was calculated tn distract
the public councils, and enfeeblc the pub,
lie administration : and, with his, the.
voice OF every patriot will accord. Viz
tue being the main pillar of republi-
can government, unless viStuous. men
shall be drawn into lis administration, the
fabric must tremble. Designing and
corrupt men may cover their intriguts