Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-11-18


yembey Is, 1926
Objections have been raised TO the allow
ance Sf interest on Mr.. Monroe,s claims, and
IN elveral instances 10 the claims themselves.
nrbnose TO examine these obJectlo.:s, and In DO
mo which shall advert 10 the argument only,
and not 10 the spiri, with which the objections
are urged. nor to the quarter from whence they
come IF well founded, they ought TO have
weight. If not, they ought TO be disree arded.
IL will be proper, in the proposed investiga-
ton. to proceed with the items, In the order III
which they stand, commencing with those OF
the first mission. To do justice to the subject,
a repetition Of what has been already suggest
ed, be unavoidable. To comprehend the
force of objections, the claim must be stated, &
10 repel them, the reasons which were adyanc-
ed in its support, when presented, must be re-
peated. shall, however, be as concise as the
nature of the case will permit.
The first item in his claims for the first, IS
for compensation for the three months and 90
DAYS. the term Of bis deten .on in France after
his recall To this il is objected, that the ethce
having ceased the compensation should cease
also: that his delay in France, afterwards, was
voluntary, and that, on the same principle, ne
might have claimed il for a year, ii he had re-
manned tnere that term. The fact was other
wise. Mr. Nj was recalled, at season, being
in the winter, when it would have been danger
Gus 10 have sailed, had he been able to have OBJ
tanned a suitable vessel, In which to have en-
barked with his family. II is shewn, however,
by the evidence of impartial and very resPecta-
BILE citizens, that such vessel could not at that
time be procured. The ports Of France were
generally 5iockaded by British cruisers, and
our commerce much interrupted otherwise,
with that country. He was detained through
the-wirter, by compulsion, and finally forced TO
go to the most distant port, that OF bordeaux,
to find vessel in which he could sail. To dis
miss Minister from office, on a belief that he
did not perform his duty, or was placed by cir
Cumstances, in situation, TO be less able to
perform it than others might, and at period
when he could not leave the country, and to
take from him, during that term, the salary al
lowed TO the Office, thereby subJecting HIM to
heavy expenses, which he could not avoid, bears
on its face the strong mark OF injustice. Ills
claims rest on the principle, not OF a reslgna'
ton of his Office, and voluntary delay IN the
country, for the term specified, but OF dlsmis-
sion from it, al time when he could mol leave
the country 1t appears that he never asked,
or would accept any allowance for it, from any
subsequent administration. That there never
was time when he thought it proper to bring
IL forward. sooner than that Of which he awaited
himself, the period of his retirement from othce;
and that he would submit It then only TO Son
press, who might examine II, on Its merits, I'M
partially, with view TO all the circumstances
connected with il, and without reference TO the
individuals concerned.
TIE second item claims an additional allow
ance for contingent expenses IN that mission, <
TO which an objection is also raised Mr. W.
was allowed for the whole mission, only ITO
pounds 1t cannot be doubted, when the cir
cums,ances attending it are duly weighed, that
not single month elapsed, during the whole
term, in which larger sum was not expended.
The crisis was unexampled in modern times
The ancient despotism had been overthrown,
and the power transferred, by sudden convul-
sion, to the People, who, unused to lis exercise,
had, with blind enthusiasm, committed 1t to
leaders, who quarrelled among themselves,
those of the prevailing party cutting OH the
Others, thereby disgracing the revolution, and
sappinp the foundation On which it rested. Ev-
cry port of France was filled with our vessels.
which had been seized, many of which hae been
condemned, and others were under trial. dis
predecessor, disregarded, had retired to the
country. Our fellow-citizens were without re-
source, and in the most distressed and despon-
dent state. He was, for time, distrusied, and
kept al distance, by the Committee OF fuo-
lie Safety, in whom the Executive power IN re-
gard 10 foreign nations, was vested On due
consideration he passed the Committee, and adj
dressed the Convention, by whom he was re-
ceived on the next day, in the bosom OF that
body, in the presence, and amidst the accla,
nations, of many thsusands. 1t was natural
after the distinguished reception thus given
him, that his suffering countrymen should flock
TO his house for relief. The fact was SO, as nun
dreds now living can testify, and IN consequence
whereof his duties were accumulated ten fold
beyond the usual amount. He states that he
was forced to employ, through the whole Of his
mission, severa' assistant Secretaries, and to
rent house for them, aud TO incur many other
heavy expenses, the extent of which Can readily
be conceived, whe the character OF the e.
pooh is regarded, and the state IN which ne
found our affairs on his arrival there The ex-
fpenses which he incurred in regard TO Thomas
Paine alone were considerable. Would i: have
osen proper for him to have suffered an indiyid-
uais who had rendered such useful services in