Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-10-04

the wrong to Mr. Monroe's character which you
call unon me TO repair. The fact stated BY me,
il perfectly consistent with the public orders,
comforting discretionary powers upon uenerai
Jackson, to conduct the Seminole Campaign
and perfecty consistent with the declaration
made BY Mr.. Monroe "befors the oorid'" after
its conclusion, as TO the mode IN which MS orders
had been executed. .,,
Mr.. Calhoun, who, as Secretaryof War, Crew
up the orders under which the campaign was 10
be conducted, placed his own construction upon
them, and made the communication IN ahuciPa.
ton Of the event that "Gen. jackson - vested
with full power to conduct the war IN any man'
ner he may think best.
After the termination Of the campaign, Mr..
Calhoun, speaking OF his orders to Gen. jack
son, in his message to Congress, character'zes
them as authorizing Major General Jackson 10
enter Florida in pursuit OF the Semlnoles ne
then speaks of the Generals conduct under this
authority. and it will be found that so far from hav.
ing .'disavowed before the world his conduct IN
FIorida'-or Of having "disapproved" his acts
as YOU assert. he in the most explicit terms, re-
cognizes his proceedings. and just6es his bo!dest
acts; carefully and satisfactorily explaining the
motives of the General in taking St. Marks and
Pensacola. He SAYS" In entering Florida to
suppress this combination, no idea was entertain
ed Of hostility to Spain. and however justihable
the commanding General was in consequence OF
the misconduct OF the Spanish officers, in enter.
ing ST. Marks and Pensacola to terminate it. by
proving to the savages and their associates that
they could not be protected even there, vet the
amicabe relations between the United States and
Spain could not be altered BY that act alone
By ordering the restitution OF these posts, those
relations were restored"
In speaking Of the secret orders Of the Gov
eminent, aliude to private instructions given
through friend to the commanding General,
assuring him that the course which is thus JUST.
fed ia the message would las It did, meet the
appreciation Of the Government The object OF
the discretionary power conferred, being thus
pointed ont to the General, the private under.
standing blended itself with the public orders re-
ceived through the Secretary at War, and was in
effect secret order as To the mode in which they
were TO be executed The private wishes of Mr..
Monroe were in every respect compatible with
his public orders previously given; with the pub
Ilc vindication made in his message subsequently
to the war; with the law OF nations and our rela-
tons with Spain. which did not sanction the in
vaslon of the United States by the la"lrss savage
subjects of Spain. nor the equally lawess OH
GERS of Florida, who. according to Mr.. Monroe's
message, were the associates OF the savases IN
the war.
In this state of the case, how do YOU attempt
to make it appear that the article IN the Globe Is
meant as an attack upon the "puri'y and no.
nor" of Mr.. Monroe. You force the conclusion
from erroneous premises and by double infer.
ences
pass over the strained construction through
| which YOU obtain the "undoubed Inference that
| mean 10 charge " dupGcity" anu "erasi'n"
! personally on Mr. Monroe nv abiding in gene
raj terms to - the orders Of the Government
and repeI your final inferenres with regard
to the aim of the article in the Globe, by abso-
lutely denying your premises. l assert that Mr..
Monroe, SD far from having - disau0'ped before
the world his General Jatkson's} conduct IN
| Florida" expressly nroWs 10 Congress that lis
orders authorized the invasion of Florida. while
his message pronounces the boldest acts OF the
General jusiifabie. declaring at the same time
that they made 40 alteration IN the amicabe re.
la,ions between the U. States and SPAN.
| lam sensible that private correspondence be-
tween Mr. Monroe and Gen Jackson. has been
brou sht before the public, in which the former
expresses opinions, not altogether reconeieabie to
the subsequent messag. to Congress on the same
subject. 1t 1, not my fault, however, That this
conflict, between the private and public views OF
| Mr. Monroe. is exposed. The guilt belongs 10
| those who fu, nshed Mr.. Calhoun with the pri-
vate and confidential correspondence. and with
Mr.. Calhoun himself, who violated the most sa
cred principle Of honor in giving it publicity
1t is not improbable that this individual, VINO had
secretly made the charge OF violation OF orders
against the general in the Cabinet, originated this
correspondence (which proposed that he should
negotiate with the General to the construction
to be given to those ORDERS. that he might obtain
some admission from the generous and conhdins
soldier to counteDance his covert accusation.
To this correspondence, however. the article
in the Globe had no reference; and from It alone
those injurious differences spring to which you
have alluded You must, therefore, turn to Mr.
Calhoun as he produced it. to explain any incon'
gruity which may seem to exist between the mes
sage of Mr. Monroe and his confidential letters.
You have referred me to him as one OF ''Me
DISTINGUISHED individuals connected Nth the
discussion," who &" tOoult take pleasure IN fur
nisting rme1 materials TO correct the error,"-
but as have not the slightest intercourse with
him, you will pardon the request, that you apply
Immediately to him for the information which You
| cool from him through me.