Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1828-04-22

luu reading.
The motion being withdrawn.
Mr.. 3crrln sad, before We take any step, It was
desirable Lat,he letter should be read. 1t
ces,ary to know what we were called to act.
Mr.. Smith Of Maryland objected strongly to the
reading Of the paper.
The question being put, it was decided that the
paper should be read to the Senate.
TO the Senate eff The United States.
Learning that the President of the United States
has made communication to both Houses OF Con-
gress stating that his Secretary, while passing from
the Hall of the House Of Representatives to the
Chamber of the Senate, and while charged with a
message from the President to the Senate, had been
way laid and assaulted, am induced to believe that
such communication related to an affair that lately Oc-
CURED between Mr.. John Adams and myself AS
OF the parties concerned is officer Of the Cen
eral Government and the transaction may be
supposed to involve the rights OF both Houses Of
Congress, or of the Executive, feel bound by con-
sderation of respect to that body. to offer sasl
House brief statement of the facts which indnlz
ed the course that have pursued. QN
lately accompanied party OF lathes and gentle4E
men, evening visit TO the mansion OF the Press
ident among whom were Mrs. Jarvis, her pare6ss4 /,
and two young ladies', her relatives. As all the ta-
dies excepting Mrs. Jarvis recently from Bos-
ION, and for the first time in Washington, they weres
DESTROYS of paying the usualokens of respect q the
President and his lady, and made this visit Inisu-
ance of the etiquette usually observed such oc-
caslons. While they were in one OF the drawing
rooms, with other vsitans, Mr.. John Adams, thea
son of the President declared in their presence and
hearing ''that there being at the Presidents nvoly
" ed an improperly, and that if knew the estma-l
IS ton in which was held in that House, would
Z" not suffer myself to be seen there, and that he
" intended the remark to be heard by those con-
&c corning whom it made, and hoped it was so
. heard'' The ladies and the father of Mrs. JAR
Wis, who was a political friend OF the President,
deemng this gross lndgnity to themselves and Il
violation OF the hospallties OF a house to whose
inmates they we're paying complimentary visit,
Immediately retired From respect TO the lady OF
the Mansion, and of the company present, fore
bore to notice, at the time, the conduct OF Mr..
John Adams, preierlng TO seek an explanation after
the excitement produced by the outrage had, in
some degree, subsidized. afterwards addressed
lnoe to Mr. j. Adams, stating that had heard OF his
Having made the remarks above mentioned, and that
the gentleman who delivered the note was author
lzed TO receive his explanations, believing ri.at
election, he would be sufficiently sensible OF what
was required by common cvlllty, to otler sasiac-
tory apology. After reading my note, he affirmed
that he did pronounce our presence at tie Presl-
dents on the occasion above mentioned, TO be high
ly improper, considering the political relation which
bore to his father; that he had no explanation TO
Igive and that he should decline all correspondence
with me on the subject. will here observe, that
| had understood the drawing rooms of the Presi-
ldent were open, upon certain occasions, to all who
were disposed TO honor his lady with their cives,
and that the evening when the visit above mention
ed was paid was of such occa ,ons that had
ON coming to reside at Washington in January last
paid TO him the usual tokens OF respect and that
while at his house on former occasion, met there
the most distinguished gentlemen OF that political
party with which have the honor of being asso-
ciated.
II After receiving this answer, | did not see Mr..
ohm Adams until Tuesday last, when he appeared
in the Hall OF the House OF Representatives, charg-
ed with message from the President 10 that body.
After he had left the Hail, aud while he was III
|Rotundo of the Capitol, accested him and asked
lIi he had given his final answer TO my note for
still hoped that he might be induced TO offer ipne
apology or explanation. On his saying that his tnas
answer had been given, was excited by his contln-
ued refusal, and by recollection of the offence, to
commit an assault upon his person, which consisted
! merely in pulling his nose and Shaping one side OF
= his face with my open hand. In dong this | dis
claim any intention Of naicting upon him any bodily
Injury for was totally unarned, and assailed HIM
merely in the manner above described, while he
:, was provided with stout cane. / also disclam
u any intention Of waylaying HIM, for meeting at
' the Capitol was accidental More especially do
. dlsclam any intention Of infringing on the rights,
assailing the dignlty Oh the Ifesoeh vi tle ohile0
: States, of either House of Congress, any pub
lie functonary, any intention of obstructing an Of
!, fcer of the General Government in the discharge
of his official duties. -When | accosed Mr. John
~ Adams in the Roundo, supposed he had dlscharg-
ed his official duties,-and was his way from the
Capitol. l was not aware Of his being charged
with message to the Senate, or OF his being on his
way to the Chamber of that body. viewed the
o. Rotundo common ground, public passage, not
a. particularly within the jurisdiction Of either House
te of Congress, and differing in respect, far as
it related to the rights or dignity ofany public street
ne CT highway. l know that IN assaalt upon indi-