Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-03-02
Tbe Constitutional geati1.

day.
Copy Of teller from Mr. Monroe 10 Mr.. CALHOUN.
HlGuLAND, Sept. Q, 1913.
DEAR Str: have General Jackson's reply to nv
letter of July 10, from Washington respecting his
taking possession Of st. Marks and Pensacola, He
contends strenuously that his orders left him free to
adopt that course, if he found it necessary term
nate the Seminole war; that orders to Gen. Canes,
an inferior officer, not referred to in the orders to
him. OF subsequent date were inapplicabe, & not OBJ
igatory to him, especially his enlarged the sphere
Of his duties His letter is on the whole conciliatory
and friendly. He promises to write another. Our
view of his powers Is decidedly different from his on
which too acted without Entertaining suspicion
that he would misunderstand IL. / am inclined to
think that had better answer this letter immediate
~ lie may expect that his conception of his orders
should appear by document IN the department. and, it
seems to be proper that the IN which they were
given, and understood by the department. after what
has passed, should be recorded there. comrnuni
cation betveep you. under this bead, and in this
stage, seems to be tho necessary from he pre-
sumption that may be my duty to state to Congress
that he transcribed his orders his own RESPONSE
blity; at least to state the in which they
were understood by Us. AT present nothing to this
elect exists IN the correspondence with him. 1t is
in mine only, which Is private. A communication
this point may commence either with you him.
will suGges, it to him. thinking do, that it had
better begin with him. The affair may, l hope, be
terminated to the satisfaction of all parties. I will
send you in few days his letter with former one)
with the answer, which propose giving to it; which.
if you see no objection to it, be good forward
TO him. But II you do, return it with your objcc-
tions to it. BY coming from him. it will put YOU
more at ease in your answer and afford better op-
2ortunty for the exercise of kindness and bei atty.
shall attach no particular Importance to the affair,
in my letter, leaving the argument to you aud him.
so tar as 1t becomes necessary to enter into it,
d.
Letter from .Ir. Monroe to .IUr Calhoun.
OAK HUI, Dec. %, 1927.
DEAR Sin: In my compliance wi your request
now nd III thn
mcnts referred to in it, which you will End TO cores
pond with the name enclosed. II would DO very graf
flying to me to know by whom and from what quar-
ter this attack ME has been medtated. l arm far
from wishing you to communi cate to me any thing
which you may not feel yourself perfect liberty to
communicate by the strict rules of deicacy: bu, the
hostility towards me is SO marked and uniustfable,
that 1t may be useful TO me to know in what quarter
1t exists L have been much annoyed in this way
ever since my retirement: which is the mora extrs
ordinary because am satisfied that have given no
just cause for 1t to any one.
Copy Of letter from Mr. Hamilton, reIaliye to the
deliberations Of the Cabinet on the Seminole oues-
ron NEW YoRM, Feb. 25, 1928
DEAR SIR: 10 avoid mistake as to what passed
between us at the conversation had the honor 20
hold with you the evening before left WASHINGTON
submit to you the following, the import of that
which, 1t was understood, was not to be considered
confidential
In reply TO my inquiry "whcther at any rnee,n,
OF MIR MonrOes cabinet, the propriety of srres,inG
tIen jackson. Tor any thing done by him durnr the
Seminole war, had been ut any time discusseG?" You
answered: "Such measure wac not thouoht of
much less discussed The only point before 1he cab
iiet was the answer to be given to the Spanish Go
vernmeBt."
am thus particular, in endeavorng to ascertain
from you whether my recollection faithful or not in
regard to this part of our conversation because
wish to fulfil the object of my inquiry by confirming
MAJOR Lewis, confidential friend of Gen Jackson's
at Nashville, III the truth; not with view IN hi,
ha
10 be prepared against an apprehended attack found
ed on events connected with that campaign.
NIr Calhoun to Mr. Hamilton
WASHINGTON, March ., 1928
DEAR SGR received, three DAYS since vour 10,
ter of the 25th of February, and have seized ,ba
first leisure moment to answer it.
IN the conversation to which your letter alludes
supposed, as you did not state the object, that
your inquiry, as 70 what he'd passed on paTticuer
point III the cabinet elaboration on the seminole
question, was to obtain information in order to meet
mere genera! rumor falsely put out TO influence the
F's"t OF the presidential election. My answer was
accordingly predlcated on such suppostion ,n1
was intended to assertions unsuooor,ed hv tho
authority OF oRy nome in the same general manner
without name; and was intended to be limited D.
ven with that view to the denial of what woe FaI.aI
stated 10 nave occurred. now learn that your OBJ
ect is more specific You state that you desire tho
information because wish to fulfil the obIeo, of
my inquiry by confirming Maj Lewis, a confidential
friend OF General Jackson at Nashville in Nh. t,utL
not with the view of his making a publication nm
the SUBJECT at pre- ent, but to be prepared against
az aPprehended attack, founded on events connect
ca with that campaign" have under this aspect
OF the subject, deliberately considered how far I
cou'u with proPriety, speak of the proceedings of
Inc cabinet at ALL which has resulted in the conv;c
ion that duty OF very high and delicate charac-
ter imposed on me silence.
No relation can be more Confidential ,L 49, |
between The President and members of the cnbinc, |
as Ms constitutional advisers Charged ae he 10 !
VIII Tue executive duties OF the Government which
were vested in single person to give energy and
PTomPtitudc in execution, it is manifest that to d.
vuge the cabinet deliberations by any of its mem
0cTs would introduce distrust and dscoId and thero
Dy tcnd 10 defeat, in this important particular tho
o9Hct OF the constitution. Nor on point so doll.
cetc' can member Of the cabinet in INV oninion |
DC Justified by reference to the Importance Of the
object intended to be effected by disclosure If io
proceedings, Deeply any man of correc, fool
lIngS must IeProbate the foul attacks on General
JACKSON, and as important every patriot must con-
elder the defence Of his character anains; such az
lacks IN this great political struggle, involving, az
sincerely believe, the liberties OF the country, vet
cannot reconcile it to my sense Of duty, even for
such an OBJECT, to do an act tending in any degree