Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-03-22
CHE Gomstst,,tioMaI aSlhia.
FuR THE WHfG

anu tedious of past hostili;ies and by
gone events, the people of this country could feel
nut very Slight and transient interest the pro-
JeSSed point of controversy viz: what were the sem
tments and of the Vice President in the cub
met council OF Mr. Monroe, on the conduct of Gen.
Jackson in the Seminole campaiun-Tbe parties
themselves, might vituperate, their interested fooy.
ers, might Glamour, but when stripped of It's extra
neous pomp OF exhibition, and affected Importance,
the whole matter of controversy, would have dwiu-
cled down INTO its primitive nsgniiicance of
private quarrel to which interested cunning had III
faned the vanity or folly of the party who coune1-
ced IT, This correspondence in truth, as far US Il re
iIs TO this pr0eSssH point of CONTROVERSY is SOLELY
snhj"ct of either idle amusement or dignified con
temptit has but served to drag upon the staue the
mutual ntrmtirs of all the parties concerned
But the disclosures of sentiments and facts inc-
dentaly elected by this correspondence, discovers
To the rejecting mind, the dissraccfu spirit of in
rigue conspiracy and corruption that is prevalent
among the most exalted personages and in the hirh
cot places of the land-and consequently becomes
III that pou Of view, of trivial Importance TO the
sood people of the U. Substituted facts and sem
tinlens, 1t behooves them, TO note with no common
care--inveslg gate with ordinary scru,iny--aud fix
on them, the unequivocal stamp of their coudemna-
ton. a voluntary appeal has been taken--they
now stand at the bar of public opinion, and none of
the parties concerned, justly complain, if the
'ohoie subject matter, is thoroughly examined and
nnal Judgment Is rendered. The accused the accu-
sers, and the prompters of these accusations stand
equally charged with corruption, conspiracy and in
t!igue, and whomsoever the verify of these accu-
satons shall be fixed, the brand of public execration
VIII be indehb!y imprinted The parties, now
withdraw themselves from the Lonfict--it has be-
come mortal eud, and bclum al internecionem
must be The consequence.
Bur while the good people of the u States. ma y
SIT calmly IN Judgment, hear with patience and de-
eide with justice between these aspira nts-other
facts declared to exist, and charged this cores
pondence, Interest them far deeply, and compel
them to become directly parties to the enourv The
facts thus charged, they vitality imphcae the char
acter of the first officer Of the Governments IF pro
ven, must to no r'tlng extent, reflect disgrace and
dsnonour on the country itself. 1t behooves that
country therefore, to probe this subject To the very
bottom, and cut up by the rooes this cancer on its
honour and reput alton.
1t is asserted by Mr.. Crawford-admtted (uo mat
ler whether they agree not, to the time of its
exhibliion,) by Mr.. Calhoun and Mr.. Monroe and
most certainly, not even attempted. yet while to
be denied by Gen. Jackson, that he, Gen. Jackson
did write letter 10 President Monroe previous Z
the Seminole campaign, making propositions for
the 1nun&on and capture Of the F2oridaS, of which
Mr. Crawfo d, gives us the substauce-and aohat is
That proposition?
Extract Iron" l Cra"lords Letter 70 Mr. Forsyth dated 5Olh
Mr. Calhoun made some ausion to letter the
Irene al (Jackson} had written the President who
had fnrgoten that he lad received such letter. but
said ii he had received such one he could find it.
and wen, directly to his cabinet and brought the let
Ter ont In 1T Cen Jackson approved of the deter
innatlon OF The Government to break I'd Amelia
Island and Galvetown,* and gave il also as his
opinion TINT The Floridns ought to be taken by The
United States. lie added, 1t might be a delicate
HHCtGF me fIreCulCe LO GecI1e; President
approved Of IL, lie had only 20 gre q HINT to some
confidential member Of Congress- suy johnny Ran,
ana HE WOULD DO IT, and TAKE THE RESPONSIBLE
ITY UPON HIMSELF
Reader, pause--f the burnnir rloyy of vour honest
Indignation will permt--and bcseech YOU peruse
again aud again Mls op0Sition-examiue reflect
rcYoive 1t in your mInd-be certain. that neither
your vision or comprehension have deceived yoJ--
and then, in the name of your insulteI and disho-
nonrcd country, ask yourself these questions:
What, AT the time this letter was written were
the existing circumstances between the Uniteri Stotc,
ard Spain
Did not a solemn Treaty2f Pence and Unity exist
between them?
Are not Treaties, not only the supreme Laws of
this Land, bat the most holy bond between Nations?
On '0t"m, has the Constitution of the United
> ates conferred the sole power Of declaring War,
las no. the President of the United States sworn
TO support the Constitution and Laws of his coun
t'y--dnd consequently, would not "his sancto1r
OF such IA proposition, been Pe,jury2 And ho1y far
snort OF That crime III moral guilt, such a promo.
s'tion from any officer, who had swo,n "trus GiLh
Gna aht@hance" to the United States3 WHAT kind of
IDEAS Of National individual faith could That man
tHettaIn, capable of conceiving such project or
making snch prOPoslIon1 In what sort of venera-
tlon could that man hold the Honour or DiDnitv of
his oov9rnmeht-in what obligation, its Constitution
ohh us Laws-or what respect, could he entertain
'of INC characters of those, whom yon had ap-
pointed ana who had sworn to support and adulnls
ter them, that he could have dared 10 have made n
them, such a propositions Was such man vortby 20
command our armes-shoUld he have held his com
MISSION single hour, after such evidence of his
principles and such insult 10 the honour and di1
nlty OF his country Can such man. be n11o A,ort3
10 represent the faith and honour and dignity of thai
country Is 1t TO be presumed for moment that he
would not connivc at Mqk for which he mas hor.,o
tore so1sht the connvance of oLhers1 |
N"I a man. eAtettaning and avowing suo4, prin-
cples' hcsilaic TO commit any pcFfjdy-to violate or
connve at the violation of the most solemn Treaties
OF the most sacred obligations, that can subsist be-
tween NatIoUs-and can either the Honour or Inter
csS VI great country, be safe in the guardianship of
such depository?
These are important, nay, indispensable inquiries
.oI every honest aud independent citizen of the Uni
Ieu otateS TO put TO his heart 1t is a binh and
sacred daiy, he owes to bIse his country and his
POsLeJiy, that he should enter into this iuqry and
I'D DONG So he should seek GIvest himself Of every
PcPossc5sIon-h he should examine and test the pr.n
C'hcS' winch this Letter Of Gen Jackson dlvulprs
Wy ,nat standard of Honour and Honesty which Is to
DC FOUND IN the virtuous bosom-and ihcn let him
ssn himself the qucstiUn-Can | support man en-
Naming and daring to avow such principles for the
scSC station IN its gift, to represent the Honour
anu dignity, and watch over the. Iutero-fs or as,