Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-05-17

spirit.
Our correspondent LUcIUs has favored us
with another Political Essay, accompanied by
private note, asking an explanation OF certain
expressions contained in our last remarks re-
spectng him. His essay we insert with much
pleasure; and his inquiries we will answer as
explicitly and as perspicuously as we cam
First, then, as to motives. LucIUsi is at loss
10 conceive what could have been our impress
sions in regard to his object. 1t really seems
10 us that our remarks of the 10th inst ought
not to have been misunde. stood; but since they
appear to admit of doubt, we will endeavor to
dvest them Of their ambiguity.
When we received LUcIUs's second commu-
nication, which is unpublished, we hastily con
Guided that he might be one of the detestable
gang Of counterfeit patriots, who have recently
associated to pull down the Administration, and
to erect on its ruins military despotism.
For aught we knew, he might be one Of
Mr. Calhoun's minions, sent upon the forlorn
hope of shaking the existing confidence between
distinguished friends Of the Administration
Mr. Calhoun and his partizans will stoop TO
any Thing, and we are well advised that The ex-
pedient Just mentioned, has actually been re-
sorted to by these political desperadoes.-
Only day or two ago. gentleman OF the
Virginia Delegation, said he would give one
of his hands TO detach certain man from
the administration ranks. Efforts are max
ing to do so; and LUcIUs should look to the
matter. The third communication OF LUcIus
(this was published) removed some Of our
doubts, and determined us to become his organ
10 prudent extent; but still he failed to con-
vince US that his motives were pure; and we
told him so. His last favours, however, have
been successful; and we beg him distinctly 10
understand that we now repose IN him the at
most confidence Nevertheless we believe him
10 be misguided in relation to the subject Of his
second letter, but we shall avail ourselves Of the
references he makes.
LucIoUs asks us-"What am to understand
bv your declaring publickly that you have not,
and will not make any contract with mef-
And again he says-"Do you conclude from
any part Of my letter that propose contract'''
A few words will explain our meaning. We
certainly could have entertained no idea OF
peeuniary contract with person utterly unknown
10 us: nor was there any thing in LucIUs's letter
susceptible Of such ridiculous misconstruc-
ton. The word ''contract" was used, perhaps
inapplicably, with reference to what Lucius re-
ouired US to do, and intimated that, as honora-
bic men, we were bound to do. Our purpose
was TO tell him that we had not bound ourselves
TO comply with his wishes, neither would we;
because, in as much as we then thought II pro-
ba5le that he was an enemy in disguise, we in
tended to make such use Of his letters, al pro-
per time, as good citizens ought to do; but we
said he should be treated tairly-that is, that
we would Weld to his wishes until we became
convinced that he had imposed on us, and
we meant TO look only to his writings for that
conviction. We hope our explanation is salts
factory 1t is at least sincere.
We court continuance Of LuciUs's conf
dence, and promise him, that we shall not OBJ
ect to his scaling things by their right names"
The crisis demands San outright, downright,
and upright course"
PANAMA MISSION.