Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-02-17


prove tina, his aim directed az them
/ Another reason assigned by Nh. Adams for his
refusal 10 name the individuals whom he intended
TO accuse is, that might expose him to a legal
prosccu;ion-He certainly had not much 10 ali-
pfehend IN this respect from any OF the under
signed. As he had originally announced chat he
had no legal evidence TO prove his charge, and the
unde rsigned had nevertheless called on him 10
produce such as he did possess, be must have been
sufficiently assured that their purpose not TO
resort 10 court of justice, but 10 the tribunal Of
public opinion; and ,at they had virtually preciud-
ell themselves from any other resort.
MIR. Adams suggests another obje ction 20 nam
my the parties accused, account of the probable
loss OF evidence, and the forgetiulness OF wit
ncsscs, after the lapse of twenty years.
lie undoubtedly now possesses all the evidence
that he had in October last when he published his
statement IT he then made this grave charge "a
gdinSt certain OF his fellow citizens. with the
knowledge that there was evidence by which il
| could be substantiateJ, where was his sense OF
justice? If he made it without nquring, and
without regarding, whether he had any such eEi-
dence or not, intending if called upon 10 shield
himself from responsibility by suggesting this loss
| OF documents and proofs, where was then his
sef-respcct:
! But didi never occur TO AIR. Adams, that the
parties accused nigh also in this long lapse ofme
nave lost the proofs of their innoce nee? lie has
hnoon for t,centy years prs. hathe had made
Lhts secret denunciai:0n IF hiS ancient political
FRIENDS; and he must have anticipated the posi-
NIFTY that might 4, time be made public,
! ii he had not even determined in his own mind TO
publish 1t himself He has therefore had ample
opportunity, and the most powerful motives, 10
preserve all the evidence that might serve 10 JUS
! THY his conduct on that occasion. On the other
hand, the parties accused, and especially those
venerable patriots who during his long interval
have descended TO the grave, unconscious of guilt,
and ignorant that they were suspected, have
ioreseen no necessity, and had no motive wha,e-
yer, TO preserve any memorial Of their innocence
we venture to make this appeal 10 The conscience
| o.! Mr.. Adams himself.
| Mr.. Adams in passage appeals 10 the feel
! ings OF the undersigned, and iniima:es his sur
prise that they should have selected the present
moment Tor making their demand. IL did them
but justice in surprising that this conside ration had
ITS influence on their minds. Their only fear was
that their appeal might be considered an attack
on an eminent man, whom the public favor seem
ed TO have deserted. Bat the nnde signed had no
choice. Their accuser hal selected his own time
for bringing this subject before the world; and
they were compelled 10 follow him with their de-
ience, or consent that the zeal should be set TO
their own regulations, and on those OF their de-
ceased friends forever. We said with truth that
it was not our design nor wish TO produce an el-
feet on any political party question. We were
not aware that our appeal might Lead TO such
measures as woad seriously affect either Mr.. Ad-
ans OF ourselves in the public opinion But whilst
we did not wish for any snch result, so neither
were We disposed TO shrink from il.
| The necessity Of correcting some mistakes in 4
letter OF Mr.. Jefferson which had been lately pub
! Shed, ia assigned by Mr.. Adams a reason for
his publication. II that circumstance has brought
him before the public at time, or in 4 manner in
furious 10 his feelings, unpropitou= 10 his polit-
! ical views and expectations, we are not response
| h'e FOR the consequences. We would observe,
however, that II would have been apparently a We
~ easy task TO correct those mistakes without adj
ding this unproyoked dcnunca,ion against his ma
| tive state
| Finally, Mr.. Adams declines all further CORES
| ponhence with on this subject; aud even init
| he cIn N no IN haN-e al ~
condescemded too far, and wavc'l "even the propi-
cites oil his situation, IN giving III such answer
as he has given
! He very much misapprchenAs the character of
our institutions and the principles and snirit of his
| conntrymen, II he iInlgncs that any official rank
however elevated, will authorize 10 publish
injurious charges against others and then refuse
all reparation and even explanation. les; IL would
tend TO impair his dignity II he is in danger Of
such result ia the present instance, nc should
have iOrcseen il when about 20 pulli-h hi, charges
in Oct. last II 'the prophecies OF his situation
have been violated.i il by that original publ
cation, and not by too great condescen siou in an
swer 10 our call upon him, for an act OF simple
justice towards those who fell themselves ag-
grieved.
We have thus examined all the reasons by
which Mr. Adams attempts TO justify his refusal 10
produce the evidence in support OF his ale ~ ton;
and we again appeal with confidence 10 fellow
citizens throughout the u. 5 for the justice Of our
conclusion, that no such evidence exists.
i me preceding observations sutlce, trust. 10
sbcw, that we have been Reluctantly forced into A
controversy, which could not be shunned. without
the most ahjcct degraiaon; that it was coiupc-
tent 10 us TO interrogatc Mr.. Adams in the mode
adopted, and that he declines direct answer lor
reasons insufficient, and unsasiactO ry thus piac-
ing hiusolfn the pFodcamen. Of an unjust Gcciser
Here, perbaps, we might safely res, orr appeal,
on The ground that u IS impossible strictly TO prove
a negative. Bot tho we are in the dark ourselves
with respect 10 the evidence which ne relies 10
! Justify bis allegation Of project az any time
to dissolve the Union, and establish Norihern
confederacy, (Which IL HE only pont 10 which our
inquiries were directed it will be e,sy bya COM
paTison Of dates, and circumstances, founded on
hrs own admissions, 10 denonstfats t,,hi, we X ow
must be trUe) that 10 such evidence applies to
man who acted, or to the measures adopted IN
Mss-s chusctts, and pos'ciior 10 the time Of ,he
embargo. The project it-ch 80 Gar as it applies 10
those men and mcusures, and probably altogether,
existed only in the jisiempeJcd lacy Of Dir. A.
dams.
This design (be says) 'hnd bcfn frmcd IN
The i0inttr NJ 1861. i0iprd' ntcfY after, aud a.
. consequence Of The acquisition Of Tc,G iaol IL
ri iusfyng oauses, 70 those who entertained II were.
that the annexation of Loui.isna 20 she VI ion
transceudrd the constitufi nal pow cfs Of IA" GOV
erumrnt Of the n < That II formed 10 fact
new confederacV 10 which the States. united hy
III FORMER compact, we're not bound to 9dherc. -
I ThItit was oppressive 10 the iuieresis aud de
u sru tive 10 no influence, u the Northern sec
ton Of the conicderdcy, whose right and duty II
therefore was 10 cecede from the new brdy poll
IT,. aud 10 constitute enc Of their own. This plon
was 50 fJT iuatGfed, That propo7al had seen made
~ an nl,.,duNl, ~ permit himself al the prop
ima, "a be- placed at the heal 81 Nic military
movements, winch. u was fcrescer. would be ne
ces arY tor carrying II into exec u,'ot,' lhr