Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-01-24

liberty. (p, 1922 "The dertee OF authority
which might rightfully he exercised by the Mo-
Their Country, over her colou'cs. bad never been
accurately defined. In Britain Il had always been
asserted that Parliament possessed the power Of
binding them in all cases whatever. In America.
at different times and in different provinces, differ
ent opinions had been entertained OH this gubject.
The enforcement of this plausible Authority, going
only TO the collection of inronsidcrahle tax, and
Infringing no written charter of liberty, reused our
ancestors r. arms. And yet their sons are per-
suaded by the Richmond meeting 10 submit 10
papable violation OF their bond OF Union and Go
vernmcnt, subjecng them 10 unlimited expense
and involving avital change OF its provsionsi We
ry, the patriotism OF this conrenticlc, "passcth
all understandings
Taking counsel OF their loyalty they evidently
deem lightly OF the principle at issue between the
country and the cabinet and conceive that the prac
teal waiver of ii, the part of Mr.. Adams, in the
case OF the Panama Mission ought, OF right, 10
have prevented the opposition, which they ascribe
10 ga personal and viniicve spirit In this SEN
tment they will probably he pleased 10 learn that
they coincide with h0t prince of Novelists and
Tories, Sir walter Scott. In attempting the Life
Of Napoleon. lac reproacheS The people OF France
with . rancorous and vindictivc opposition be-
cause they objected to the kings assuming the
right 0G granting constitution TO the nation, and
insisted on the constitutions emanatin. from the
people. Sir Walter tayors The arrogance of the
Monarch, and says the objections of the Frenc,,
people were, practically speaking, of no conse-
quence." g 1t signifies nothing" says he, 10
the people of France, whether the constitution
was proposed 90 the king by Tire National Repre-
sentdtives or by the King TO them" In the same
spiri; the Richmond meeting conceive that the lini
tltions of executive power, " are, practically
speaking, of equal value, whether they are sccur-
ed by the provisions Of the constitution granted
by the indulgence of Mr.. Adams. But if they DO
not regard the existing encroachmcnts and actual
mlsruic OF the President OF sufficient importance
TO warrant transfer of power 20 more able and
honest hands, let them remember that Mr.. Adams
came into Office with - smaller approach to una
nimity' than any Of his predecessors, and that his
iirst message and his FIRST term, TO be taken
the lowest range of his ambition Elect him
again, and ratfy his missayings and misiongs by
the voice of Virginia-that State which, in the
language of Burke, once was foremost to 90 avgur
mlsgoVernmcnt at a distance and snuff the APP
proach of tyranny in every tainted brcczc'-will
not his high born spirit, which looks above the
constitution, for the sources of power, take holder
and a lofuer flight May he not sim at transforming
the ftHe Of safe precedent into the power of APP
pointing his successor, which would show his no
BILE dsdain of g the will of his constituents" his
diplomatic intimacy with the spirit of foreign mo-
marches, end would rise above his present pre-
tensions about far as they above tfe level of
the constitution?
The first years of Charles the Seconds reign,
Nitcr he was restored TO the throne of has father
are admitted all hands, b. round head and cava-
Her, wing and tory, to have been legal and mode
rate. But as soon he got firmly seated, he
showed the people that love Of pleasure was infe-
lior to lust OF power and that g the careless
language" often escaped from the most determined
tyrant.
Louis the XVIII, for the first year or two was
moderate and gentle in his sway, but he soon nuz-
lied the press and effected complete despotisrn
And why should think that what is true of a
Stuart, or a Bourbon Is not true OF an Adams?
Shall we act prudcntly 10 ourselves, gratefully
10 our ancestors, or justly TO poSterity, if for no
other object than the enolument and qualification
oil few unworthy men, again risk or rights
and liberties our inheritance of glory and freedom
IN their unclean, and incapable hands: When the !
Richmond meeting ask the people of Virginia |
" what benefit they expect TO derive, what triumph
OF principle they expect 60 achieve by the cleo. |
ticn of Gen. Jackson they may be answered that
they expect to yndicate the putty Of election, by
the exemplary punishment oits violation, the safe
" OF the constitutions by Withholding power from its
aYowed enemy s. the liberty of the press by relic
wing the treasury from the expense of IFS corrupon
that they expect TO restore dignity and truth TO
our foreign intercourse, economy and justice to |
our domestic government, fidelity TO the rcprcsen-
tatves and influence 10 the constituent supremacy
TO the law, and satisfaction to the people.
The Richmond meeting having disin tered from
'the tombs ofthc Capulets the old charges connec-
ted with Gen. Jackson's defence of New Orleans &
occupation OF Pensacola, beg leave to iRu1de
your columns briefly in his defence, at the risk of
being denounced, III the same wise and equitable |
spirit, Tor violation of the laws of courtesy and
the limits Of editorial neutrality. Their accusations
branchcd out into the eliminating counts of an in
dctment, and reiterated with the spiteful tautoogy
OF attornies, amount 70 these two that Gen jack
son has invaded neutral country in defiance of |
orders, and i'll violation of that provision Of the con
sl'tution, which entrusts the power OF peace and
war 10 the President" and ''has suspended the |
writ oil hd6eas corpus upon his individual authori-
ty'
How far the invasion of Florida was in defiance
q orders, may be determined by reference TO the
following documentary abstract. On the 9th of |
December, 1917, the Secretary OF War ordered |
Gen. Gaines 'should the Indians assemble in force
on the Spanish side of the line and perscyere in !
committing hostilities, within the limits of the u |
nited States, IN that ereH, to exercise sound dis
cTetion, as TO the proPriety Of crossing the line
for the purpose Of attacking them and breaking
up their tOUnS." On the 18th December he !
writes to the same, f'shouid the Seminole Indians
siill refuse 10 make rcparaion for their outrapes
and depredations on the citizens OF the u States
1t rs the IRISH ofhe President that you consider
yol1Scy at liberty 10 march across the Florida
tne and attack them lcfhiB its IimitS.''~ Soon az
ter this last ORDER the president received intelli-
gence Of the massacre of Mrs Carrot and her flni
ly, and the shocking butchcry OF Lieut.. Scott aud
ms detachment OF thirty men. Under the rnclan-
choiy impression OF these events, he had recourse
10 the wen known energy aud talent Of ''the Mill
tary Chieitan and called upon him 20 repair 90 the
scene oiSdanger and terminate the conflict"
The first order he received, dated the 26th Dec |
1917, reeited ''thc increasing display OF hostile in
tentions by the Seminole Indians" and authorized
him TO call on the executives of the adjoining
states for military force sufficient "to beat The en-
envy IL also informed him that Gen. Gaines his !
second in command, had been directed .sto pene-
iratc from Amelia Island through Fiorida 10 the
Seminole towns ''Nih this view Ohe Score
tary ADDS ''you may be prepared 10 concentrate
Eour force, and 70 adopt the necessary measures {
80 terminate the conflict" il canno, be disnuted
that these orders not only authorized Cen. Jack /
son, but actually commanded him IN invade III. /