Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-11-25


The good effect would have been lost. But while
1t remained in the then state, that effect would
Continue. and a hope might reasonably be enter
tanned, that on his retirement the amicabe rcia-
ons, between the two countries, would be so far
restored, as 10 leave the government at liberty, to
pursue the course which principle Of general
policy, in regard 10 other nations. il might deem
most advisable, and without the least injury, in
either event, in the case in question.
Jfthis view DC correct, as we are perfectly So
tished that II 49, and think that is proved well
by unquestionable evidence, as by consistent
course Of policy, the point to be de cided is ought
the loss which he has thus sustained to tall on
him! ought he to be the victim under all the cir
Cumstances oil the case OF n measure which he "a
dopted with view 60 the interest OF his country'
We think not and satisfied are IL tho illustrious
individual, by whom he was recalled, had lived
Until he had become acquainted, with all these
circumstances, he would have promoted differ
eht result, in thi' as well az in every other in-
etsnce. The epoch was peculiarly difficult;
were menaced with war every side, and an i'm.
preston that Mr.. Monroe might have, by mis-
taken zeal, put 1t out Of his power, to render all
the service to his country, which the then posture
of affairs at hons, required, must have led to his
recall From the sentiment which he expressed
toDr. Edwards. he could have had no other mo:
tive tor IT. Magnanimity marked his character
and we cannot doubt, had he lived TO have known
all the details OF Ms. Monroe's conduct in every
circumstance with the considerations applicable, to
the theatre on which me acted, and which he was
bound to regard, that il would have been display
ed in his case.
Soon after Mr.. Nj. returned from this mission, he
was elected governor Of the State, in which office
lie served the constitutional term of three years.
His conduct in that office approved by the &C.
neral Assembly, and by his fellow citizens of the
Slate. On his retirement from it, he took house
IN Richmond, and resumed his station at the Bar
with hrm resolution to pursue the profession Of
the law, until he should have retrieved his affairs.
We have no doubt, had he pcrsevered in that plan,
with the same industry and zeal that he had be-
fore. and has since, devoted the service Of his
country, that he would have succeeded, and in
winch event, however great the injury he had
sustained, never have mentioned his claims TO
congress.
Just as Mr. NJ entered on this career, new
difficulty occurred 70 the u. S. of very menac
ing character The Government of Spain had
coded to France, Louisiana, and had las might fair
Iy be inferred, at the instance of the latter, sup
pressed our right OF deposte at n Orleans, which
was secured by our treaty of 1905. This mea-
cure was taken was concluded, under the infiu-
ence OF the first consul; and with a decision on his
part to maintain. The character of Napoleon Be-
naparte justified this conclusion The agitation
Throughout The union was general Submission TO
II was impossible. Even apparent acuuiescence,
would have convulsed the Union. War therefore
seemed to be almost inevitable, and TO avert it was
Che great object OF our government With this
view the President called Mr. NJ. from his retire
TDent, and sent him 20 France to meet the danger,
which menaced his country. He nominated and
appointed him without his knowledge, and an
nounced II to him in manner to leave him no al
tentative. lie did not hesitate to obey the sum g.
mons; Tor full Information this point. we refer
20 MIR. Jeiierson's letters, which are published in
air. Monroe's memoir; with the result of the
Mission, as relates to his country and himself, we
are well acquainted. The one was crowned with
blessings the ether oppressed with accumulated
msfortunes.
In this mission MIR. Nj. was employed nearly five
years His appointment in the first instance, was
TO France and Spain, but afterwards extend
ed TO u. Britain. For the mission 10 France no
outht was aIlowed sum advanced to defray
travelling expenses, and for which he was held
accountable Very extraordinary expenses at
tended this mission, in every stage. diversion
being made from the original plan after the OBJ
iect with France had been accomplished, by Or
dering him to England, TO execute certain duties
and TO remain there until he should be ordered "a
spain, the sum thus advanced was applied TO the
oufft 10 England, & thus no other acco Innodaton
was afforded 10 enable him to leave home or 10 de
fray his expenses 10 France, his expenses there
than the ordinary salary belonging to the Offices OF
SUCH restriction, there has been no example, in
any mission before, or since, that in question Ii
was more severely felt in this, from the circu,nstan
ces attending the former one. He proceeded TO
England, in the expectation of fulfilling the imme-
oate OBJECTS OF the mission there, in two three
months, and OF returning at the expiration Of that
term through France, for Spain, for the completion
oil the objects which yet remained TO be adjusted
with that power But he was detained in Eop
iano one year ana TWO months, by unavoidable cir
cumstances, living at the greatest expense TO
which such mission could DC subjected. On his
return to England from Spain, lie had permission
10 sail after few weeks, for Ce u. States and was
prepared, and soIicitous 10 do il, but was again
prevented by extraordinary causes for two wears
and hour months, whereby he was exposed for the
whole time, 10 like expenses; his debts were thus
much increased by these missions abroad and like.
wise al home by his absence and neglect While
IN Spain, his tract of land above charlottesville NJ
$50 acres, on which the University now stands.
was sold in consequence of his long absence and
at price far below its value. The price AZ which
- was sold and that at which il now sells NAV be
seen by reference to Col. James I.ewis's letter
which has been published by Mr.. NJ. in his me-
snoir.
On the settlement of the account for tiis Mis-
sion, on his return home SUN equivalent, TO the
outht on his first appointment was allowed 10 ac
count OF balance which he fell in debt 10 the gov
eminent, but TO allowance was made for the fern
during which ii had been suspended. An made
quate allowance made for contingent exnen.
ses, and the claim for an additional allowance for
his detention in England after his return from
Spain. was suspended for further consideration in
winch state 1t remained, until his retirement 10
private life, and the passage of the act of 1926
Had his claim TO an allowance for extra expen-
ses, incurred by his detention in ENGLAND af,sr
JUS return from Spain been decided on the GOV.
eminent would have been considerably in his debt.
lad any allowance been made, for his TRAVELLING
expenses, voyage TO France, the balance anna.
rently due, would have been much reduced The
fact, however, was, that nothing was due; that the
government had always been Considerably 10 hi,
debt
by the act Of Congress referred TO- the interes,
on the QUILT which had been withheld ON his an
poin'nient TO this mission, was refused and tfe
az age adop'ed Tor coDtingen expenses which
paced his allowance below thai Of his predecessor
WHO had served in peace, whereas Mr. M had
served in war. more expensive period An al
Jowance was also made for his detention in Eng
i.nu aiter ms return from Spain and like wise for