Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-07-18
From the United States Gazette.
THE HON. LOUIS MLANE.
A F. to E. C.
18th July, 1881.
AND THE BRITISH WEST INDIA TRADE.


There are some readers o whom these stricfures
on the diplomatic conduct of Mr.. M'Lane have
seemed severe; and one editor, whose opinions are
Justly entitled to great respect although he admits
the criticism to be just, has thought he could per
ceive in it the promptings of some degree of per-
sonal ill-wil
deny, without reservation, the influence or ex
stence of any personal feeling, unkind or unchar
taplc IN It's nature, towards either of the gentle
men whose official actions have made the subject
OF close and fearless, but candid and honest
scrutiny.
Whatever degree of asperity or warmth, o'cr
stepping the restraint of courtesy or good taste
may have been exhibited in the course of these re-
mdrks,-has been prompted solely by the indignant
feelings OF an American, provoked by a fresh exam
ihaton OF the letter of instructions, the cores.
Pondence and the procla nation the clear evidence
OF determination the part of q secretary and
the envoy, to sacrifice ccmpromit our national
honor and wantonly asperse the character of those
statesmen who conducted the late administration;
and this Tor the sake of acquiring false reputa
tIoH ana OF promoting their views of political
advancement F"N
IL would be to palter with public opinion, and n
perverson of the moral agency of the nress e
personal considerations were allowed IN ninca 49,
mitigate the Just rebuke that such official miscon.
duct deserves
The character of Mr.. M'Lane has been put in
issue; not by me- but by the president b;mseif "a
the presses devoted to his interests
When Mr.. lngham requested to RESIGN an
express avoWal was made by the president that he
was convinced OF the ''propriety of selecting a
cabinet composed entirely of new materials which
would command public confidence and satisfy pub
ic opinion" -
Almost simultaneous with this declaration, it
was ohclally announced, that Mr.. Louis M'Lane
was TO be part of the cabinet; and the presses
in the pay or interest of the administration i'm.
medlately commenced a chorus of which the theme
was his great merit and transcendent talent: and
particularly his wonderful succsssapd ability in +b
recent negotiation"
1t has been asserted in leading paper on the side
OF the administration that Mr.. M'Lane had settled
dlfhculties which bad diplomacy and incompetent
agthtS hao brought us lnto nay more, that he had
gained victory" In this negotiation (which may
vie In fair comparison as regards its rood effects
upon our national reputation with the never to be
forgotten battle of New Orleansm That "to him
our whole countryis Justly indebted for the restored
colonial trade, &C.
Surely the time is come, when such assertions
are SO broadly made. to inquire and show on what
foundation OF fact and TRUTH reputation SO sud.
denly exalted may be found to rest
1t is right and necessary therefore, to look into
the actual public and official conduct of new Sec.
retary OF the Treasury, and see whether it has
1ndeed been such as must command public conf.
ooLce" ana ought to satisfy public opinion"
Certainly it would be more agreeable to enter
upon an investigation ofthis sort, at a me when
tn I erson particularly affected by it, was at home
and at hand. But his absence from the country
supplies no good reason for suppressirp the truth:
or Tor ilently permitting and conniving at its viii
H'strcnds have chosen this moment for bring
ing ms conduct in question, and he has himself
shewn htte of that Oh Various sentiment, which
for6lds an attack when the object of it is not in
condition to make immediate defence.
whatever disapprobation of the conduct # the
late administration, in reference to tho British
west India trade, he may have felt during the ex-
stence OF that administration, he carefully kept
to himself and abstained from an avowal Of it in
the halle ofcongrcss, of which ho was allthe time
a member.
The senate was, certainly the fitting pIa G
for such an aTowol. And Internationally the most
aPPrt pirate time was when tho friends Of that adj
mlnh ttation were present, with the right of imme
dlatc reply and its members were still upon the
scene of action.
The accusation then would have bean answered.
inc banc and antidote would have gone together,
have shown the refuta.ion.
out ne reserved his asPcrsions for time and oP-
portunity that saved him from the danger of a re-
ply, lie has made his attack where he knew there
could be no direct defence
In official papers, which he knew must become
part OF the documentary history Of the United
states: he has embodied and embamed those as
PERSONS, where no rcfufation or denial could ac-
company them. 4 wantou and easily refutabia
ealumny has been preserved for posteritv without
tho possibility Of any attending correstivs anoono
The archives Of tho British and American govern
rnents.
An rsailant who thus avoids the encounter II
open arena, and waits till be has obtained posiion
whence ne can without danger throw his enveno,
mt" ShalS--has surely no right 10 complain that
r., Even handed jnstice
, Commends the ingredients ofthe poisoned cha.
lice to his own lips"
The secretary and the envoy knew that Mr..
Adams and Mr. Clay were not in a situation tbat
gave any opportunity to meet and rePel an attack