Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1831-03-01

common sense point out the proprety of keeping
! its proceedings secret But after the cabinet nc
longer exists, when its usefulness cannot be impair
d by disclosure OF its proceedings, neither reason,
common sense, nor patriotism, requires that those
proceedings should be shrouded Ia impenetrable
darkness. The acts Of such cabinet become his
tory, and the nation has the same right TO a know
edge OF them, that il has to any other historical
fact II s presumed that all nations have entertain
ed this opinion and have acted upon it, Whence the
secret history OF cabinets, the mos, despotic Eu
rope. Hence the history of the house of Stuart, by
Charles James Fox, which dscIoses the most Sc
cret intercourse, between CharlesII aud the French
minister, by which ii proven that Charles was
pensouer 81 Louis the xiv, king Of France, and
had secretly eugagedto re-establish popery in Eng
audi Ket m the face of all these facts you dare
to pre- sumo upon the ignorance of the distinguished
person tou were addressing, far as 70 insnus,e
thai such disclosures had aeyer been made IN any
C untrt but certainly aut in his republic.
The nexl thing which shall observe il, The man.
uer IN which on attempt to obtain evidence 10 con-
troyert u' statement to MIR. Forsyth. That state
tnent co tanned ore prominent and distinct fact; es-
eCy thing Use ia that statement secondary and
collateral b. that fact. Il asonable m contro-
ertlng that stat ment, that you should have sought
0bsIn evidence TO eoHtrpvert that fact. gu ai,-
ply TO Mr. Monroe snd Mr.. Writ ior evidence. But
oi What Not OF The principal fact, butof a seeon-
! imy collateral matter. The omission 10 appeal TO
! Mr. Monroe whether you made the proposition
cI1ed you in nv letter 10 MIR FORSYTH Is strong
ptesumpuye evidence that you believed his answer
would confirm my statement. You remembered
the excitement which your proposition produced in
the mind aud upon the feelings of the president,
and did not dare to ask Tim any question lending to
Re kts his recollection 81 that proposition. The dit
erenl manner in which YOU approach l.ss president
ard MIR. Writ, even upon the collateral secondary
fact upon which you do venture 10 inlerrogate theu
proceeds from the same fact that made you avoid
nieE1ogaiing them upon the principal fact When
You make the inquiry Of Mr.. Writ you enclose him
81 b An extract FROM my letter as informs him OF
tte nature of the evidence you in search Of be
esuse, presume, you believed that extract would
tot tend 10 refresh his memers, or relied impl cit,
upon Mr. Nirt's disposition 10 give such evidence
as ou desired from him. But on we're apprehen-
size that The extract sent to Mr. Monroe might
refresh his memory aud enable him to give such an
answer as would not suit your views The extract
OF my letter sent to Mr.. Writ described facts and
circumstances ii which Mr., Monroe was princ-
'al actor II was therefore deemed unsafe to sub
mt them 10 him The excitement produced upon
the president WAS 30 manifest that you did not be-
ieye 1t could have escaped the attention Of Mr..
Writ; yoa therefore believe it unsafe to interro-
gate him AS 10 your proposition personally affecting
Cten jackson. Mr., Monroe says not word tend
ing 10 show that the confidential letter as not pro-
d. eed and read in the cabinet which was not sng-
gested by Mr.. Writ. Every tyro in The science of
law, Will tell you that 1t is rule of evidence that
one affirmative witness outweighs many negatives
but although you at the bar several years, il is
possible your law learning never assembled so high.
might safely rest the here; but will produce
one affirmative witness in support Of the accuracy
OF my statement, opposed as it shy Mr.. Wirt's ne
satige statement The Hou. benjamin w. Crown
insmeld in a letter dated 25th July, 1880, saws,
''You ask If recollee, while in the councils of the
cabinet, OF letter written by Gen. jackson to the
president Monroe / do recoIlect of conversation
about private letter which Mr. Calhoun, | believe
asked for, and the president said he had got it,
but upon examination found he had it. This letter
contained information and opinions respecting Spain
and her colony, the Floridas but the particulars
eanaot now undertake TO say or state correctly. |
remember, | think, your stating that the circum-
stances then spoken OF did fully explain Gen. Jack
sous conduct during the campaign. | remember
too that Mr. Calhoun was severe upon the conduct
OF the general, but the words particularly spoken
people of the United States, who can be of no par
~. But shall wait for your answer to this letter,
so far as it respects the paper desired, before for
ward TO you my general letter, which is delayed for
no other cause | shall also rely that you will con-
sent The whole of this affair, however con6den-
tai and delicate, being exhibited to the world. At
the same time, pre- scribe tn myself this condition.
not to mingle any thing which do not sincerely
conceive to belong to the SUBJECT
To which Washington replied:
" 1t is not difficult 10 perceive what Your objects
are; but that you may have cause to complain OF
the Withholding any paper, (however private and
con6dential,) which you shall think necessary in a
case OF so serious nature, ihsve directed that you
should have the inspection of my letter of the 22d
July, sgreeaby your request and you are at full
liberty to publish, without reserve, any and every
private and confidential letter ever wrote you nav,
more, any word ever utteredo or in our pres ence
from whence you can derive any advantage in your
Justification" See American Pamphlets, page 25,
Lib. Con.
In the othnr INSTANCES referred 10 hv Mr..