Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-09-22


nroy.d and he was sorry to find himself mistak.
On. mr. words 10 this effect. We then went on to
comnare opinions, and discuss the subject
Among other things, stated, expressly, that
from the facts disclosed, it WAS my opinion you
had. in the prosecution of the Seminole war, ex'
ercised cruel and unprecedented severity IN put
ting todeath captive Indians and British traders;
that, by the forcbe seizure OF the Spanish posts,
YOU had transcribed your orders, anu osurPed
the power of Congreas, and, consequently Wo'
lated the constitution of the United States. Mr..
Calhoun replied that he agreed Nth me that Tue
capturing the Spanish posts was unauthorized ana
illegal; and he said, when the subject was hfst
presented by the President, he had been Tor TAX
ing pretty strong ground, and institutins an IN
uury into your conduct. but, after mature con-
sideration, the Cabinet mad made different de.
cision, aud he had acquesced; and ne observed
he had yielded his opinion with less reluctance,
finding the President strongly Inclined to adopt
different course; and, he added, that, while he
was member of the Cabinet, he should consider
1t his duty to sustain the measures oi the Presi'
dent if it could be done with any propriety,-or
| words to this import. To suggestion by me,
that we differed in opinion as to whether you
were or were not reprehensible for your conduct,
he replied, to decide this question regard must
been pure and patriotic; that, from mistaken zeal
in the service Of your country, you had exceed
ed the powers given you, any the President
had a right to bc,tow. At the same time he Oh
served that Spain deserved from US the treatment
she had rec eived and surrender OF the posts was
ali she had a right TO look for; that, whether
you were culpable or not, was concern OF our
own. and not hers. He spoke Of the acquisition
OF the Fiorldas, then subject of negotiation with
/, the Spanish minister Don 0nis, and the prospect
of favorable result, that he was apprehenslve
might be defeated or endangered by q vote Of
censure. or the disapprova Of your conduct. /
told Mr. Calhoun. in reply, that his views, or
those OF a similar nature, or the subject, had
been previously presented to me BY the Presi.
dent, but he had failed to convince me that there
we're either consistency or safety in the course
adopted by the administration. That, If the seiz.
ure of the Spanish posts by you was lawful, con.
sttutiona, and 10 obedience to orders given, they
should not have been surrendered; and, on the
other hand, if their capture was illegal, uncon-
sttutional, and in violation of yuur orders, you
were highly reprehensible, and to pass over such
conduct without censure or animadVersion, was
to sanction it, and acting upon and fortified by
this precedent, every land or naval officer in our
service might, in future, involve the nation in
war at their uIScretl0n or caprice.
Such, ! stated, were nv views, ard, having
been charged by the Senate with the investigation,
I should not shrink from the responsibility OF
faithfully dscharging my duty. Mr.. Calhoun
then said he would not wish to be understood as
Injecting TO the inquiry; it was rather the spirit
with which it was carried on that had given hlm
surprise. He had understood that Governor
Mitchell, Of Georgia, who had just arrived in the
I'll nod hson uant FIR tn Ui evidences. that his
testimony should be viewed with allowance, as
he was the personal enemy of General Gaines,
and. he believed, equally so of General jackson;
that Mitchell was an Indian agent, and charges
had been, or would be, us he understood, prefer
red against him. that would. il established. seri.
Ously affect his character, and he wished to put me
on my guard. l assured him Governor Mitchell
| had not been sent for BY order Of the COM
mittee, nor, to my knowledge. written to by any
member Of it. That, after his arrival, was
told by Mr.. Forsyth that he was in possession Of
many facts connected with the Seminole war,
and this had mentioned to the committee, and,
by this order he was subpoenaed.
In repeating the above conversation, between
Mr.. Calhoun and myself, do not pretend that
have used the precise words made use Of by
US, but am certain that have not been mistak.
ell in their import or meaning.
his conversation was not considered 0y me as
confidential, nor was it enjoined on me as SUCH
s. Z" Was your object in consulting Mr.. Cal.
houn to procure Information to aid you in form
ing your report upon Cy conduct in the Seminole
war, made to the Senate on the day of Fe-
bruary, 1892 Did Mr.. Calhoun understand that
to be your objects"
.Ans,ccr. never did consult Mr.. Calhoun, or
any other member of Mr. Monroe's cabinet, with
view of obtaining information or aid IN forming
the report. unless the circumstances and facts
am about to mention, may be SO considered.
Previous to Mr. Forsyth's appointment as mi.
mister to Spain, and when he was member of
the Committee, he had more than once stated to
me his belief that you had issued orders to &c.
neral Gaines, after the close of the Seminole war,
directing the capture of ST. Augustine, the CAPT.
tai of East Florida, and that these orders had
been countermanded BY the President. But, as
the documents furnished by the War Department
contained no evidence of the fact, we were un.
informed on the subject until was, long after.
wards, informed by Mr.. Eaton, Of the commit
tee, that orders to that effect had been issued by
vou and that the nlace wnuId have heen "a on