Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1831-03-01
Mr.. Calhoun to Mr.. Hamilton.

.. ARLINGTON March 2, 1928.
DEAR SIR: received three days since, your let.
Ter OF the 20 OF February aud have seized the frs
leisure moment (, an,wer it,
In the eonverss ion, to which your letter alludes
supposed you did not state tho object that YOUR in
quiIy as to what had passed particular point in the
caoinet elaboration on the Seminole question: was 10
ooah Information In order to meet mere general rumor
eney put out TO influence the result OF the n.
uai election My answer was accordingly predicated
on such supposi ion, and intended to meet
ons unsupported by the authority Of any in the
same general manner without name; and was intep-
ded 10 be limited even with that view TO the denial OF
what wa' falsely stated TO have occurred. now learn
mat your object Is more specific. You state that you
desire the Information because with to fulfil the oh.
Ject oil my inquiry by confirming Mai Lewis conf
Dental friend OF General Jackson at Nashville in the
truth, .o with The view of his akng publication on
the subject at present. but to be prepared against an an
prehended attack founded with that
campaign. have, under this aspect of the subject
uehoerate'y considered how far could with proprie-
W speak OF the proceedings Of the cabinet az ALL
mas resulted In the conviction that duty of verv
high and delicate character imposes on me silence
NO relation can be moro confidential than that be-
tween the President and members of the Cabinet az his
constitutional advisers. Charged he s with the ex
ecutive duios Of the Government which were ve.,ed
Nngle peIsop, TO give energy and promptitude 10
execution IL lie manifest that 10 divuee the Cabinet de-
ber.hons by any OF its members would introd ce dis
trust and dsccrd and thereby tend to defeat in thi, inn
Portant particular, the object Of the Constitution Nor
on point so delicate, member of the Cabinet in
my opinion, be justified by reference to the imporsoce
OF the object intended to be effected by disclosure o.
IT'S Procssdngs Deeply as any man Of correct feel
ogs must rsprobate the foul attacks on G.n Jackson
and as important as every patriot consider the de-
fence OF HE character against such attacks in This
political struggle, involving, as sincerely believe, the
liberties OF the country yet cannot reconcile IL 10 nv
sense OF duty, even for such an object to do an act
tsndng in any degree to weaken, by its example the
confidence which ought TO exist between the Chief
Magistrate and his constitutional advisers; and am
greatly mistaken IL General Jackson would not be the
last man to assent to be SO defended 1t is however
asatLisc'lon, In pursuing the that du impes
o.. IN tha inf Ito
will never be needed for his defence cannot believe
mat an attack so unfounded will be made; not
ou' that he ha, snemes airocous enough to resort to
ths most dsooIical false hoods in order wound his
reputaoD but is manifest ID Al an attack of the Kind
supposed cannot be made with the slightest prosoee
success without the countsnance OF some of The
members oil Mr Monroe's Cabinet al the time, and I
cannot admit the possibility that any one can be S, lost
to honor and duty 20 be tbs agent or nsrume MT In
such an attack Bot, II what seems TO me impossible
should prove otherwise by there being found one base
enough to lend himself to such purpose then would
II become Question worthy of gave copsidera.
uop on the part OF the Other members TO determine
whether under all the of the case dntv
would not impose obligation, in order to coup,er,c,
the injurious effect of false partial statement of
me Cabinet proceedings. to demand OF the then Chic
Magistrate release Of the njun ton of secrecv or
whetter the Chief Magistrate himself would not he
hound to disclose what necessary 10 the yindics
lion OF the character OF General Jsekon assaed in the
manner supposed. Should such a case occur, though
10 me apparently impossible, may with confidence
appeal to the past 10 prove that would not b.. want.
ng 10 zeal TO 20 as far as duty would admit in defend
ing the character OF General Jacksop and in maintain
ng 10 bis person. the great Of liberty and the
Constitution.
Entertaining these We've, you will see that cline
the introduction OF my name i, any shane as connsc,
ed with what passed in the Cabinet on the occasion 10
which you refer. What stated in conversation was
negative in is character, and intended above
10 enable you meet by general conr sdicton with
out the Introduction OF my nsme, what supposed ex-
i'ted only in the shape Of rumor; and must request
you TO consider it as limited TO tina, purpose only.