Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-01-01
x.,, c,,7 Nm. 81. 1896.

Yyd Cruz. NoU. 81, 1896.
NV Dear Sir.-As l had by indenlIiylng my
self and interests with the interests OF this he
public, and solar as l was officially connected
with the executive Of the United States ceased
to exist, it was but fair and reasonable to hope
tha,I should be permitted to pursue undis.
turbed the course / had marked out for myself
from the land Of my birth, l have ceased 10
trouble with my grievances, being perfectly
satisfied with the prevailing sentiment IN the
United States with regard TO my public con-
dae,, and with the proofs of the estimation III
which I was held in The two republics OF Mex
ic6And Colombia. But it appears that l am
stillto be pursued-for some unknown offence
| am to be made the subject OF the anlmad'er-
fsions oiithe friends of the executive OF the ".
States and by the papers in its employ:
4 The paragraph l send you, taken from the
National Journal, commenting on one IN Co
rams Champion, does not state facts as they
occurred. with respect to my interview with Mr..
Adams and Gen. LID Fayet,e This is the Sec
ond statement which has appeared, endeavoring
to throw Blame on me and TO excuse the con-
duct of.Mr. Adams in that affair. On the pub
LEGATION of the first l was under arrest and dare
not contradict it, for fear of having my name
struck from the list Of the Navy. There is no.
thing now that should prevent my making the
facts known as they occurred, which shall do
as briefly as possible.
was invited by the son Of General Lafayette
to call on his father, who, he said, was very de-
sirous of seeing me. / expressed my doubts Of
the propriety Of my going TO the Presidents
House, being then under arrest, and uncertain
how Ishould be received, should / meet the
D..:lo,. liz inforrpad ',po tha hic r. ihpr haH
rooms, where | might see him without, meeting
any of the family. | then told him | should
| call on him. The same evening Mr. Dupont
ca lied on me, on the part Of Gen. Lafayette, to
know how / would receive any advances on the
part Of the executive towards a reconciliation.
/ told him it would afford me the greatest plea
sure to be on good terms, but that | would not
consent 10 be released from my arrest, for
expiale il by suffering the punishment 10
which | had been sentenced. l was then told
by Mr.. Dupont, that General La Fayetle had
set his heart on mending the breach be-
tween me and the executive, and as my son was
on board the Brandywine, he wanted me 10 be
invited to accompany him to the ship. twas,
in fine, arranged that should call on him at
g o'clock next morning. About that hour |
called, with Lieut.. Skinner, of the navy, at the
lodging of Mr.. Dupont, and proceeded from
thence TO the Presidents house; the carriage
was at the door; we assembled the steps, & while
in the act Of ringing the bell, the President
preceded by General La Fayette, came out
Not knowing whether Gen La Faye,te would
recognize me, / waited for an introduction,
and, in the mean time pulled off my hat to Mr..
Adams, and said distinctly to him, "Good
morning, Mr.. Adams" He looked me full in
the face-his face became very much flushed
he rushed by me in a very ~scornful manner,
and took his stand by the carriage door. 1t
was some time before we got over our embar-
rassmen, and surprise. was at length intro
duced 10 the general, who expressed TO me
great regres al what had happened, but invited
me TO call anotner time, which Invitation ! de-
clined. He then observed, that the President
who manifested great impatience) was waiting
for him, and he left US.
The evening after this meeting, Gen. La Fay
cite informed several Of my friends that on go
ing into the carriage, the President informed
him that his treatment Of me was caused by a
letter OF mine in reply TO an invitation from
the ~cilizens Of Washington, which had appear
ed in that mornings paper, a circumstance OF
which ! was entirely ignorant, and for which |
was no ways responsible. 1T is within the
knowledge Of thousands, that some ofthe very
citizens who published the ofensivelsder, were,
a very few days afterwards, received with po-
likeness at the house Of the President.
This is a plain narrative OF facts as they os-
Cured, and for the truth Of them / appeal to
Gen. La Fayette and the gentlemen who were
present. Whether the conduct of Mr.. Adams
on the occasion was such as became the Presi.
dent Of the United States, or any we'll bred gen.
tleman, / leave the public 10 determine.
Yours, with esteem,
DAVID PORTER