Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-08-30
The President of the United States.
COM. PORTER

Inc answers OF Mr.. Monroe TO the interrogafo-
ries propounded 10 him on Com Porter's t,ial win
show what the interrogatories were without insert
ing them at length The correspondence between
MIR. M. and Com. p. referred to- and which had
been filed in the Navy Department, consists of a
Gard from Com. P. to Mr.. M of the 10Th March
last, III these words:
"Commodore Porter presents his RESPECTS tn Mr.
Monroe, and asks (if agreeable) when he NAV
have the honor OF paying his respects TO him. This
request would have been made at an earlier period
but for the recent changes in the Government.
which have no doubt fully occupied the EXECUTIVE.
and but for the hope entertained by Captain Porter
that ere this he would have been afforded he OBJ
portunity of explaining his conduct, and be ena-
bied to present himself TO Mr.. Monroe, free from
censure. The desire of paying his respects to- and
taking his leave OF, his late thief Magistrate and
as he las had 10 believe friend has oy creams
all other considerations
Mr. NJ. replied on the 18th March, declining
the interview, for the folio ing reasons:
sc All the orders which were given you, relative
to your command in he West Indies, were given
by The Secretary Of the Navy, at my instance, and
under m5 Inspection The, were dictated by
sense OF duty 10 my country, anG with no unkipd
feelings towards you. Your letter of the 9th Of
October, iS24, to me, from New Castle, was re-
ceived shortly after its date, and 10 which deemed
u improper TO give any reply. Ii has become the
1.
that important subject, 10 all its paris in the man
ner which shall appear 10 him most proper. In
this stage, although retired TO private life do not
think that ought to interfere, or 10 receive any
explanations, relative to transactions in which our
country Is ,oyer which another has control
and In which | have concern. Holding in high
estimation your galIsntry and patriotism, / beg YOU
10 be assured Of my good wishes for YOUR welfare.
and that of your family.
Com. Ps rejoinder Of the same day, contains the.
following remarks
6 regret 10 observe that you are under wrong
impressions as TO the object of my note Nothing
was further from my wish or intentions. than 10
make any explanations, touch on any subject of
an unpleasant nature 10 you. l should have made
the request to see you at an earlier PERIOD but for
the most scrupulous delicacy not wishing IL for an
instant to be believ by any one that sought nro
lection, or to give the slightest cause for such be-
lief.
Z" feel confident OF the correctness of nv COM
duct, and am satisfied that the government will
approve it, when shall have an opportunity of
explaining it. My visit was intended as one OF pure
personal respect, and unconnecied with any consi-
derstions OF selfish nature only so far as nv feel
ings were concerned; was not certain whether il
would be acceptable and DESTROYS of guarding against
any thing disagreeabe to you, thought it adyisa
bic to address you note.
"The circumstances which caused me 10 address
you from New Castle, regret most sincerely. and
do assure YOU il would give me more pleasure to
learn that was in error, than to believe that INV
Impressions, at the timo of writing, were correct.
the serious charge, at the time, brought against me.
and the consequences, did not think meriied; the
very circumstance Of claiming protection from YOU
was oil itself an evidence that did moi think yo1
were actuated by any unfriendly feelings towards
me, but did think you were under wrong inn.
pressons, which caused me to enclose you the COW
Of letter which was charged with neglecting TO
vrite.'
answers Of James Monroe to the iateyyogatoyixs
pr0pounded TO him.
LIST. TO the first interrogatory on the part of the
United States, answer, that the letter or paper
numbered one, is, sccording to my recollection.
correct copy Of a letter, from Com. Porter 70 me