Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-09-18

al Client 1t is true that we did not agree on
one of the many important questions which a
rose during the negotiations at that city; but
the difference equally applied to our present
Minister at London, and to the lamented Bay
ard, between whom and myself, although we
belonged to opposite political parties, there ex-
listed warm friendship to the hour ofhis death.
It was not of a nature 10 prevent our co-pera-
ton in the public service, ash demonstrated py
the Convention at LONDON, subsequently nego-
tiated by Messrs Adams, Galatin, and myself.
1t , as difference of opinion on point OF ex-
pediency, and did not relate to any constitutions
al or fundamental principle. But with respect
to the conduct Of the distinguished citizen OF
Tennessee, l had solemnly expressed, under the
highest obligations, opinions, which, whether
right or wrong, were sincerely and honestly en-
RETAINED. and are still held. These opinions
related TO military exercise of power believed
TO be arbitrary and unconstitutional. I should
have Justly subjected myself to the grossest
inconsistency, if had given him my suffrage.
thought, if he were elected, the Sword and the
CONSTITUTION, bad companions, would be bro't
too near together. / could not have foreseen,
that, fully justified as have been, by those We.
ry constituents, in virtue Of whose authority |
exer.ed the right Of free suffrage, should ne
vertheless be charged with breach oEduty and
corruption, by strangers 10 them, standing In
no other relation to them but that of being CT
tizens of other States, members of the confede-
racy 1t is in vain, that these revilers have been
called upon for their proofs; have been dehed;
and are again invited, to enter upon any mode
of fair investigation and trial. Shrinking from
every impartial examination, they persevere
with increased zeal in the propagation OF calum-
ny, under the hope Of supplying by the frequen-
cy and,boldness of asseyeration,the want truth
and the deficiency of eyidence--until we have
seen the spectacle exhibited, of converting the
Hall Of the first Legislative Assembly upon
earth, on the occasion of discussions which "a
bove ali others, should have been characterized
by dignity, calmness and temperance, into a
theatre for spreading suspicious and ground!ess
imputa;ions, against an absent and innocent in
dividual Driven from every other hold, they
have seized on the only plank left within their
grasp, thar of my acceptance of the office OF
Secretary of State, which has been asserted to
be the consummalion of a previous corrupt ar
rangcment What can Ioppose to such an as
sertion, but positive, peremptory, and unquali-
fed denial, and repetition OF the demand for
proof and trial? The office to which | have
been appointed, is hat Of the country; created
it, and administered for its benefit. In d.
Gliding whetherI should accept it or not, did
not take counsel from those, who, foreseeing
the probability ofmy designation for it, sought
to deter me from its acceptance by fabrlcatlng
anticipated charges, which would have been
preferred with the same zeal and alacrity, how
everI might have decided. took counsel from
my friends, from my duty, from my conscious
innocence of unworthy and false imputations.--
was not left at liberty, by either my enemies
or friends, TO decline the Office. | would viii
lingly have declined it from an unaffected dis
trust of my ability to perform It's high duties,
if could have honorably declined it. hope
the uniform tenor Of my whole public life, will
protect me against the supposition Of any un
reasonable avidity for public employment. Du-
ring the administration of that illustrious man.
10 whose civil services, more than TO those Of
any other American Patriot, living or dead, this
country is indebted for the blessing of its pre-
sent constitution, now more than ten years ago.
the mission TO Russia, and place in his Cabl-
net, were successfully offered to me. A place
in his Cabinet at that period of my life, was
more than equivalent to any place, under any
administration, at my present advanced age =
His immediate successor rendered me the same
place in his Cabinet, which he anxiously urged
me to accept, and the mission TO England
Gentlemen, hope you will believe, that far
from being impelled by any vain or boasttnl spi-
rit to mention these things, do il with humi-
liation and modification.
IfIhad refused the Department of State, the
the same individuals who now, in the absence
Of all proof, against all probability and in utter
disregard of all truth, proclaim tile existence OF
a corrupt, previous arrangement, would have
propagated the same charge, with the same at
fected confidence, they now unbushngly as
same, and it would have been said, with at least
as much plausibility, that had contributed to
the election Of Chief Magistrate, Of whom
thought so unfavorable, that would not accept
that place in his Cabinet which is generally re-
garded as the first. | thought it my duty, un-
awed by their denunciations, to proceed in the
office assigned me by the President and Senate,
to render TO the country the best service Of
which my poor abilities are capable If this
Administration should shew itself unfriendly
to American Liberty, and to free and liberal in
situations; if it should be conducted upon sys-
TEN adverse TO those principles of public poll
cy, which have ever endeavored TO sustain, and
/ should be found still clinging 10 office, lhen
nothing which could be said by those who are
iuimical 10 me would be undeserved.
d.. a. ,cl,t Iloya