Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-09-15


instances, his incom2etency discharge their du-
ties.
1t has been said that bad some differences with
the present Chief Magistrate at Client Ii is ,,u.
that we did not agree on one Of the many important
questions which arose during the negotiations i'm
that city, but the difference equally applied to our
present minister at Lcndon and to the lamented
Bayard, between whom and myself, although w.
belonged TO opposite political parties, there existed
warm friendship to the hour of his death. II wa,
ho' OF nature to prevent our cooperation together
IN the public service, as is demonstrated by the
Convention at London subsequently negotiated bv
Messrs. Adams, Gallatn and myself II was a
difference of opinion on point of expediency and
did not relate 10 any Constitutional or Fundamental
principle. But with respect TO the conduct of the
distinguished citizen Of tennessee had solennl,
expressed, under the highest obligations, opinions
which, whether right or wrong, were sincerely and
honestly entertained, and still held These
opinions related TO military exercise of power he
iievei to be arbitrary and unconstitutional [
should have justly subjected myself 10 the crosses,
inconsistency, II had given him my suffrage I
thought II he were elected, the Sword and the Con-
sttuion, bad companions, would be brouaht ,on
near together could not have foreseen that,
iuiy Juslhed as have been by those very Coo
stituents, In virtue of whose authority, exerted
the right of free suffrage, should nevertheless he
charged with breach of duty and corruption by
strangers to then standing in no relation TO The m
our that OF being citizens of other States members
OF the conederacy. Il is in vain that these reyilers
nave been called upon for their proofs; have been
"eneu ana are again invited to enter upon any mode
oil isr investigation and trial shrinking f cm every
impartial examination, they persevere, with in
creased zeal, IN the propagation of calumny under
the nope OF supplying by the frequency and bold
ness OF assevcration The want OF truth and the de-
hciency OF evidence: until we have seen the
spectacle exhibited of converting the hail of the
f1rgf lasrfs 1aNr, 4
sion o. discussions which above all others should
nave been characterized by dignity, calinness and
temperance, into theatre for spreading suspicious
and gronnd'ess imputations against an absent and
innocent individual.
Driven from every other hold, they have seized
on the only plank left within their grasp that of
my acceptance of the Office of Secretarv of
state, which has been asserted 10 be the consp,r
'ha'ioh Oh previous corrupt arrangement. What
can oppose 10 such assertion but posi,iva
peremPtory and unqualified denial, and a ren.,i
tlon OF the demand for proof and tris3 TIE oific.
10 winch have been appoint ted is that of the Coun
y' created by 1t, and administered for its benefit
In deciding whether should accept it or mo-;
did not take counsel from those who oreseeine the
probability of my designation for it, sough, TO de,e
me from It's acceptance by fabricatng an,icipated
charges, which would have been preferred with the
same Zeal Il alacrity, however might have decided
TOOK eounsei from my friends, from my duty, from
my conscious Innocence ofunworthy and false impu
taiions was not left at liberty by either nv enc
mics or my friends TO decline the Office Ivonl5
willingly have declined it from an Unaffected dis
uuS' OF my ability to perform its high duties. if
couiu nave honorably declined it. | hope the uni
form tenor OF my whole public life will protect M.
against The surposition of any unreasonable ayidity
lot Puons employment. During the administration
OF mat iilus'Iious man, to whose civil service.
more Than TO these OF any other American patriot.
living or dead, this Country is indebted for The
blessing OF Its present Constitutions now more than
zen years ago, the mission to Russia and a place in
ms Caoinet were successfully offered me- A place
IN ms Cabinet, al that period of my life, was more
tnan equivalent to any place under any admnistra-
tion, at my present more advanced age His i'm
mediate successor rendered me the same place in
MS Caoinet, which he obviously urged me TO accent
and Inc mission 10 England Gentlemen. | hone
you VIII believe that Tar from being impelled by
any vain or boastful spirit, 10 mention these tbings
do 1t with humiliation and modification.
ii had refused the Department of State. the
same individuals who now, in the absence. of all
proof against all probability, and in utter direpsrl
oil all truth, proclaim the existence of rorp,,t
previous arrangement, would have propaested the
same charge with Tie same affected confidence
which they now unblushingly assume. Aud il
would nave been said with at least much cl,usb;l;
W mat had contributed 10 the election of Chief
Magistrate, of whom thought so un(avorabI,, tbat
Is generally regarded the first / tbonobt !, nv
duly, unawed by their denUnciations to.nTocead -,
Tue once assigned me by the President and Senate
70 render TO the Country the best service of which
my poor abilities are capable. fthis administrators
should shew itself unfrendly TO American libart,
and 10 Tree and liberal institutions; if il shouId he
conducted upon system adverse 10 those princi
pies oil public policy, which have ever ende,vcr
el 10 sustain, and should be found still cIinsino
TO 0ihce, then nothing which could he coil bs
those who are inimical 10 me. would he urd.,
served. N"'e-
But The President ought moi 10 have annoin,sl
one who had voted for him. Mr. Jefferson 1;d mn,
think so, who called TO his cabinet a eeptIe,na,,
who had voted for him, in the most varmIv err
tested election that has ever occurred in the Tos
oil Representatives and WHO appointed tn cir.
highly important Offices other Members of the .a,
House, who voted for him. Mr.. Madison did no,
think so, who did not feel himself restrained f,,
sending me on foreign service, because had SIN.
ported his election. Mr.. Monroe did moi tbink -
who appointed in his cabinet gentleman. nov ~ :
ling the second Office in the Government. who a,
tended the Caucus that nominated and WARMLY and
efficiently espoused his election But sunoosa
the President acted upon the most disinte-
rested doctrine which is now contended for bv
those who opposed his election and were 10 annoint
10 public Office from their ranks ONLY to the eot;r
exclusion of those who voted for him. womb he
then escape their censure? No! we have aeon hin
charged, tor that equal distribution of the public
vice among every class Of citizens, which has hi
therto characterized his Administration with the
neiarious purpose OF buying up portions of the
community. spirit OF denuncialion is abroad -
win some, condemnation right or wrong, is the
Trl nE flto Ia NJ.