Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-02-23


entered the sanctuary of domestic retirement,
= AMI dragged before the bar of tho public, load-
with the base,t sllniers, the character OF an in
- nocent and much injured lady Have they
' done this, and do they now complain, and charge
% us with wishing to heap calumny on the Admin
g istraiion!"
[Mr. Carson said he referred to the Administers
ton presses.l
Sir, / admit the explanation. l remarked, in the
outset, that would act on the defensive. But
Would wish TO show the gentleman, that there
are two sides to this NATTER and that, in reference
to the presses enlisted in the present contest, the
Administration have IA much TO forgive to be
forgiven. Allow me, sir, TO relate TO YOU an anec
dotc. Ii so happened, that, IN the family OF MIR.
and Mrs. Adams, at st. Petersburg, virtu
Gus aud respectable young woman, w'io had gone
with them from Boston, in the capacity of attend
ant their infant child spossessing unusual share
OF personal beauty, and an education above her
employment in life. On her arrival at ST. Peters
burg she heard the stories, such often circulate
in the European capitals, whether true or false,
OF the private life and habits the Emperor. These
stories formed part Of the letters which she
wrote 10 her friends in America. Gentlemen
know that, in many countries in Europe, (and il
was especially al the period in question, which
was one OF anxions political eNcitemenD letters
committed TO the post Office opened at the po-
lice. II done in this case; and comisg
as they did fiom person in the family OF
n foreign Minister, and dealing freely with
the Emperors character, the letters of this indiyid-
uai were submitted by the police to the Emperor,
and by him to the Empress as matter of plea
santry to both About this time, by an act of at
tention not unusual towards the families of for
egn Ministers, the Empress requested that the in
FAINT child Of Mrs. Adams should be sent on visit
TO the palace. This was accordingly done, under
the charge OF the individual mentioned and the
letters alluded to, and her appearance, caused her
TO be the object of some slight notice on the part
of the Emperor and Empress. This is the whole
OF the affair. She remained in the family of
Mr.. A. till she returned TO Boston-inarred
there respectable citizen; from having been the
servant became the friend and visiting acquain-
lance OF Mr. aud Mrs. A, and is now dece aScd.-
Such are ;he real facts. Now, sir, since the Ad-
mini -traton presses have been charged, in this
debate with invading domestic retirement and
sandering female character, let me show you what
has been made out Of this innocent afiir. | read
it, from pamphlet, which, as / have been told
has been widely circulated, and which purports,
on rs title page, to be printed for who has
been introduced into this debate, by the gentle
man from Pennsylvania, rs victim of the pros
cribing and vindictive policy of the Adimnlstra-
ton. viii first read the text, and then the
comment.
{. To avert so dreadful calamity, was. the first
fruits Of the victory; (of New Orleans) and the
hero who achieved it, is for this entitled not only
to the fervent benedictions Of the designated VIC
Tins, but to the veneration of all who prefer the
guardian OF innocence, and the protector of vir-
tue, to customer of bawds, or the pander of an
Autocrat"
This is the text and now follows the comment :
appears that the lady ofour minister to ST.
Petersburgh, some years since, took with her a
very pretty young woman, TO superintend her chill
dren. The charms of this person, while at that
capital, had been loudly and highly extolIed,
that they at length reached the ears of the mma-
cuate Alexander, who expressed a curiosity 10
behold such aprodigy OF beauty. To indulge this
curiosity. secret coalition formed, by which
IT was arranged that the Autocrat of all the RusSi
as should, at a certain hour, take bis airing i'll
certain public walk, and that its unsuspecing OBJ
ject should be punctually sent thither, by those
who could control her movements. This interview
accordingly took place, with the consent and con-
trivance OF those who ought to have been the spe-
ciai guardians OF the innocence OF the pronered
victim, but entirely without her knowledge, or
even dreaming of the frghtful petiIs to which
she was thus wantonly exposed. Fortunately,
however, the abused maiden escaped outrage, and
preserved her peace and honor, because the fastdi
Gus taste OF the lascvious monarch did not accord
with the grosser taste Of thoze who had -
Sir, L can read no farther have touched this
oiious topic in reply to the gentleman from North
Carolina, who accuses the Administration press cs
OF warning on female character, in reply TO the
gentleman from Pennsylvania, who has alluded, in
this debate, to the person whose name is on this
pamphlet, as prosecuted man, and who here holds
up TO the horror of the country, its Chief Magis-
trate and his wife, having conspired TO poison the
virtue OF an individual 10 whose care they had
committed their own infant child.
You remember, Sir, when vile question was
put to the unfortunate Queen of France, by her
Revolutionary Judges, touching her SON, she APP
pealed to every female in the crowded audience
who was herself mother, to find an answer in
her own heart. L call no hard names-I never
call them. But, | appeal to every father who
hears me, especially to every who has left his
wife and children at distant home, to Judge of the
commiseration to which he is entitled as a perse-
cutcd man, who could put his name to a tale ike
this, and send if, as am informed, by facilities of
transportation arising from Government patrona xe
into every cottage in the State.
Dir, there were other TOPICS on which meant
TO have touched, but have exhausted the little
strength which brought into the House. In the
part have taken in the discussion, have but
acted on the defensive. ] own that | have been
little surprised, that il has even been made
question, whether the Administration was assaied
or not. Why, Sir, there has not been a day, nor
an hour, since it was formed, that it has not
been asSailed. do notnow complain of ths-I do
but state the fact; and the gentleman from Penn
sylvania tells us now, what we were told two
years ago, by the gentleman from South Carolina
that the very existence Of the Administration, was
political feiony that they have burst unlawfully
into the Offices Of State and that he would no more
make terms with them, that is, no more &" Judge
them by " their acts than with the robDer, who,
having broken into his premises, should promise
TO behave himself well One gentleman from
Tennessee, MIR. MITCHELL says they are already
too much worn out 20 be attacked; and the gentle
man from Tennessee, MIR Bell that they are
run down; and yet we are accused OF kindling
fancied charges, and bristling up in the defence,
when nobody has attacked ia.
Sir, such an assault, in any limited acquaintance
with the history Of the country, / have no where
found. Chief Magistrate of more than ordinary
simplicity of life, and purity Of character, is de-
pomp; atihe nexta the pfoiligate corruper Of the
youth ofthe nation. AS able, faithful, and patiot-