Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-10-25

4
offensive invcctive against Mr. Jefferson, I'M
der tue poets mask.
Its a matter of public concern, and not of
mere curiosity, them ascertain, what produced
one OF the most extraordinary political mctanor
l.hoses which the annals Of party describe II
Mr. Adams had gradually retired, and relnquish-
/. eel former principles and associations. all men
! would have acknowledged the since it, OF his con.
version: if he had sought 10 assuage the violence
! Of his former partisans, merely 10 expose the
pcri:icious tendency Of their course, he would
have ineritcd the gratitude of his country: If
| when he saw them on the verge OF mischief, and
punishment, he had sought 10 arrest tho one, and
prevent The other. the goodness Of his heart would
| have been manifest But, in vain do seek such
| traits these: Mr.. Adsms's change was
! sudden and un!ini'cd and, TO all appearance, his
in,ipa,hics and his attachments were at once
| given up, with as much composure and tact, as
a veteran comedian exhibits, i'm the prepar-
| alton for various parts Of the plays, in which
| he acts: He did not change from extreme fed
eralist 70 moderate federalist, moderate
! Icpubcan-hut 10 an absolute zealot in the ranks
Of the party, Ivy which his father and himself had
been deprived of all power, and against which his
father and himself had written with pens dipped in
gal.
Can You explain to VS., gentlemen how this
! most singular result was brought about Were
| the motives OF Mr.. Adams pure and patriotic. il
| they were, what can so we'll promote his cause
now, as TO make them known TO the people! You
! must be aware. that, many good men, OF both the
parties in our country, object 10 MIR Adams espe-
ciay for his conduct in lS07-e-what can be so
! necessary, then, TO his own fame, and indeed TO
! your own political reputation, his supporters, as
manly explanation Of he curlses OF his change O!
political party? But, if all such explanation Shall
| be refused, we must OF ncccs sity form our own
conclusions and, in that case, what think you,
gentlemen, OF this sentiment Of MIR. John Ad-
ans -
90 &c a family, which has been high in Office,
, &c and splendid in wealth, falls into decay
. Z" from Proiligacy, folly, vice, misfortune,
how, He
/ =" the lowest Of the people, with an srdor
/, &c an art. a skill, and consequently with
I q" success, which vulgar democrat can
, " attain" Cunningham Letters: III
/ turc, that bring Mr. Adams TO your contempla
'on' his family had sunk into decay from causes
which need no explanation; his political family,
| too had lost all influence, in the disposition Of
power that lac turned democrat in his own
| boast; aud that he has since done, what has
| brought bushes into many democratic cheeks,
| the history ot the times establishes. For in.
| stance 49,.
| /. In Marcel, 1907, MIR. Adams presided y, the
great federal convention in Massachusetts, in the
next month the federal party was routed in the
| state in The next October, MIR. Adams resumed
| his seat in the Senate U. 5. on the 18th Decem-
Der, MIR. Jefferson sent his message to Congress
recommending an embargo in the senate Mr.
Jefferson had large majority of political and ma
ny personal, friends: some OF them asked to put off
a decision of so momentous subiec,, ven for one
4 - u.
sired at once, he had friends able and disposed 10
say so, and did not stand in need OF the support of
| Dir. Adams-but Mr.. Adams had fallen into de-
cay, aud now saw the moment, al which 20 turn
democrat hc arose, and said. not merely that he
was for proceeding at once, but. Sc 1 wouIi not
. dei'beratc-l would act: doubtless the president
possesses such further information, as wiiiiustiiy
- the measures" 10 dependent upon the will of a
despot could descend lower than this:-even from
| a republican c0ntdant OF MIR. Jefferson such
sentiment would have been mpoli'ic, uusound, and
unmanly; but from Mr.. Adams il must have been
listened to with amazement well as disgust
But thus he Z" courted the people" Soon after
although Mr.. Jefferson had the pens OF hundreds
oil able men TO defend his acts. Mr.. Adams vo,un-
| teered in his cause, and wrote iabored defence
| oil the embargo
| limit the zeal OF Mr.. Adams " He most unexpcct-
edly, but avowedy," says Governor Giles
&c made a complete political somerset from the fc.
deral TO the republican party" Sc How was this
" done II was hrSt done by most solemn commu-
g nication to myself, and afterwards TO Mr.. JEFF
g terson, as am well informed" &c At the time
| Mr. Adams made the disclosure to nue. he impos-
- ed no injunction OF secrecy whatever he spoke
" oil the occasion, however, OF awful mag
" matchmaking less than hazarding the seve
Is rance the Union" After quoting letter from
Mr.. Jefferson 20 him, this subject Mr. Giles
proceeds :" Hencesthe following fadts evidently
+" appear that Mr. Adams made the disclosure Il,
" lnc oil his nendir:, TO desert the federal party,
&c in the winter of ls07-S-to the best of my re-
" collection short time previous to the first EN-
barge that II was made under the most solemn
" assurances oil his patriotism and disinerestec-
" ness, and oil an entire exemption OF all views of
personal promotion by the party, to which he
" had pro5e!yted. MIR. jefferson states the grounds
" oil tins charge, as communicated by MIR. Adams
himself to be, the reasonable uie,cs Of the fed
. eTaf party, and those reasonable vietos extend.
"ed TO disunion."
la snort, gentlemen, as you know, Mr.. Adams
accused The federal party OF being engaged in a
conspiracy 10 dismember the union and made this
the pretext for his conversion!
.. Although MIR Adams professcd disinterest.
ednesS, III all this, who believe him! man.
VINO deserts any cause, must, II he has any feeling
al all, prefer retirement TO exposure If for 10 other
reason to avert suspicion AS to his motives no scI
sentiment seems 10 have ruled Mr. Adams; he did
indeed, when the iedcralists in Massachusetts, i'm
lSOS, unexpectedly reganed power, resign his
seat IN 'he Senate OF the l.. s. but in doing So he
sought 10 persuade The republicans, that he was
sort Of political marty, and he certainly produced
the desired effect
d. MIR. Jefferson, TO whom Mr.. Adams made
his disclosure OF the reasonable designs OF the fe-
deral party, profIted by the disclosure we nTe-
sumo, SO far as TO watch the yerncnts 10 Massa-
chuseits espeeiaIiy-bui he gave no reward TO The
informeT
lccied, than, ON the very day of his Inauguration
| March 4, 1909, ne nominated Mr.. Adams minister
! to Russia the senate did not confirm the nomiua-
ton and twas not, until the extraordinary session
! in the same year, that Mr. Adams ascended Che
! tirst step 10 republican promotion.
6. III 1914, he was minister az Client subse.
quenty At London, aud si last in 1920 entered the
cabinet having thus with ardor, art and skin ,"
success fully reached point, TO which many dis
Iinguished republicans, even Mr.. Clay hin elf,
I asplred in vain.
7. Whilst secretary Of state. he delivered IN o.
inn BE- af.ftst+a l..