Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-02-23

Instead of yourself and Mr.. Crow unshei5, was not
IN the least degree influenced by any want of conf
dence IN either of you, but simply by feelings of del
'caey growing out of political relations, and which
to appreciate.
learn by letter from Mr.. Crawford, addressed 10
me subsequent to the close of my correspondence
with General Jackson that he has written 80 you, and
obtained your answe on the subject which it
tiers, though he has not furnished with copy of
MS ,etter to you, nor that OF your answer
This step Gu his part, has of course, removed tn c
delcacy which ! at first felt and which then preven-
ted me from addressing you.
The part took IN the cabinet delberation was die
tated by of duty, uninfucnced by either the
feelings of friendship or enmity That General Jack
son transcribed his orders in taking ST. Marks and
Pensacola, have doubted, then or since. In
my opinion. the Executive neither did could con
stitutionay give orders take either of those places
or any other Spanish post. Under this impression |
was decidedly in favor in the early stage of the de-
liberation of bringing the subject before a Of
inquiry, but finally yielded my opinion to considera-
ton, as connected with Spain, which presented
by you ard Mr.. Monroe; but, in yielding to them,
Still believed, and do now, that apart from them, and
considered under the military aspect of the subject
| rs at first view, my opinion was correct.
Having thus consurrcd i'll the final decision of the
Cabinet gave faithful support, without however
abandoning the correctness of my first conceptions.
make this preliminary statement i'll order that you
may perceive why my inquiry should be directed only
to what might seem mere collateral circumstance,
whether the letter of General Jackson Mr. Monroe,
cabinet which. though calculated to affect the
question OF the correctness of my COURSE however de-
cded, from the prominence that Mr.. Crawford has
given it, has assumed small degree OF Importance
IN the correspondence. He In his letter For
sy tn, Says "Indeed my views on the subject had
undert one material change after the cabinet had
been convened. MIR. Calhoun made aIusion to
letter the General had written the President who
had forgotten that he had received such letter, bus
said, If he had received such one he could find IL,
and went directly to his Cabinet and brought tue let
ter out. la it General Jackson approved of tile deter
mination of the President to break up Amelia Island
and Gaiveztown and gave it also his opinions that
the FoTidas ought to be taken by the United States.
He added, that it might be delicate for the
executive to decide, but, if the President approved
OF 1t, he had only TO give hint confidential
member of Congress, say Johnny Ray, and he wou
do IT, and take the responsibility of it hnself.'
The object of my addressing you Isl obtain state
ment from you, whether such letter was, or was not
before the cabinet d uring its deiberaton.
| AS connected with the subject of my enquiry I
mus ask of You the favor to furnish me, if you can
with Proprety, with copy of Mr.. Crawords letter 10
you. and copy of your answer. make tie request
on the assumption that the urresponience can con-
tain nothing that would render il improper that copy
should be placed in my possession. would make the
request of Mr. CraN ford himself instead of YOU had
not declined all communication with him in relation
to the subject of the espondence between Gen.
Jackson and myself except through the General
through which channel opportunity to make the re-
quest has been afforded me.