Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-03-24

rave no doubt nor does any man doubt whateve I,
he may say, that there was design long cherished
~ certain persons in the New England States, to
erect Northern Government. When tdinas of
den. Ilamllton's death reached Virginia, celebra-
ted person said it "the best shot ever made in
illustrating the general belief then enter
ained' that that great man was engaged in support
Of views inimical to the duration ofthe Union.
Let all persons be firmly persuaded of thing viz:
that whatever Mt Adams has publicly said, that he
VIII support even to an extent beyond the expectation
created by his language. OF all men in the world,
lie Is the most cautious in committing himself to any
assertion beyond his ability to intai,--the most ac
curate in his memory most studous and careful
i'll treasuring up all public circumstances and the evil
dence upon which they depend---and were we to
add, that of all men, he is consccntiousiv scr
puous in regard to truth we should be equally sus
tanned by facts As TO what he says of this Northern
Confedcracy he has irrctragablc evidence to prove
every word, ind every circumstance. Delicacy may
exist to prevent his free use oft, but he undoubtedly
has it. We advise the gentlemen to let the matter
drop.
Correspondence 6etueem Nh. adams and lLr.
Hamilton
According to our promise of Yesterday we rive
below the correspondence that has lately taken place
": Y. Post.
WASHINGTON, March 6, 1920
The Hon. JoHN O. ADAMS, Washington.
Slr-A friend has placed in my hands new edition
OF the correspondence between you and Mr.. Fl. G..
Otis and others published in this city, with addition
al papers, said to e<'usrutive of the subject" of
that correspondence; among these papers is letter
written to you by William Plumer, of New Hanp
shire dated "Epping, n. H. Dec 90, 1925" in which
he says During the long and evcntful session of
Congress of 1903 and 1904 1 was member of the
,y,I,, 81,
day of that session. In the ofhat session. at
different times and places several of the Federaists
Senators and Representatives, from the New Eng
land States, informed me that they thought it neces
sary to establish separate government in New Enc
land and If 1T should be found practicable to extend
so far south as to include Pennsylvania; but in all
events to establish one in New England" 60. He
adds: Just before that session of Congress closed
one of the gentlemen to whom have alluded iufor
med me that arrangements had been made to have
the next autumn in Boston a select meeting of the
leading Federallsts III New England, to consider
ana recommend the measures necessary to form
system OF government in the Northern States and
that Alexander Hamilton, of New York had consen
ted to attend that meeting" He further adds ",rhe
gentleman who i'll the winter of 1903 and 1904 infor
med me there was to be meeting of Federa,ists in
the autumn of 1904, at Boston, the Session of Con-
gross in the winter of lS04 and s, observed to me-
that the death of Gen. Hamilton had prevented that
meeting: but the project had not, and would not be-
abandoned"
In your letter part of this correspondence, dated
w ashngton, Dec. so, 1922 YOU saw at was in
these letters of 1903 and that mentioned the do
sign of certain leaders ofthe Federal party to effect
dissolution OF the Union and the establishment of n
northern confederacy. This design had been formed
In the winter OF 1904, Immediately after and as
consequence of the acquisition of Louisiana Its
Justying causes TO those who entertaincdait were
that the annexation of Louisiana to the Union tran
scended the constitutional powers OF the government
OF the United States" This plan you add sswas SO
for matured that the proposal had been made to an
individual to permit himself the proper time to be
placed at the head of the military movements which
it was foreseen would be necessary for carr;i if in
to execution In all this there no overt act of
treason"
Without permitting myself to believe hat Won
Will couhtenance any mputation against the honor or
patriotism OF my late venerable parent it is too oh
Vlous that the publication of Governor Plumers let
ter and your communication to II. G. Otis and 9th
ers not only tend to such mputation, but moreover
adds to 1t the sanction of your names.
Under these circumstances, deeminp II sacred du
~ 10 preserve the memory cfmy father from all stain
must also consIder 1T my right to ask, that YOU will
inform me whether byAEhe publication of Governor
PJumers letter, or II. your communication to IT g
OTIS and others, an opinion is be authorised that
you are IN possession of any evidence or that Won
believe the late A. H. consented to attend the al
lodged meeting OF leading fcderasts of BOSTON mr.
that he was at any time concerned in project to Of
iect dissolution of the Union and the establishment
OF northern contederacy or iii any manner whatso-
ever beg further to ask sir, that if the indication
tin the paragraph OF your letter last above quoted of
phe individual TO whom proposal has been made to
permit himself TO be placed at the head of certain
expected military movements, refers to my father,
you VIII furnish me with the evidence upon which
that Indication and reference have been made.
have the honor to be, sir, your ob't. serv't
JAMES a. HAMILTON
WAsHINGroN, 9th March, 1929
JAMES a HAMILTON, Esq, Washington.
Slr-ln answer to your letter of this date. 7 take
the liberty OF referring you to Mr.. Pler himself for
any explanation Of the statement in his letter of the
Goth Dec. last. - '"'
Inc information which received in the spring of
lSo4 at w Washington was entirely distinct from and
independent of that of Mr.. Plumer part of il was
not mat your father had consented 10 be placed at the
he9G OF the PROJECT or to take part in it, but that it
had been communicated to him with view To enrane
his cooperation in it, and that in the event of Nc
cesslty fer the employment of military force for its