Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-08-29


humble servant, r. SMITH.
The Hon. JOHN QUINCY ADAMS, Boston.
ROBERT SMITH, Esq Baltimore, Md.
Quincy, 18th August, 1888.
SIM have never seen the publication in the
Boston Atlas, to which your letter of the 9Th in
slant alIudes-not until received your letter
was aware Of its existence.
/ never expressed The opinion that is imputed
TO me in the statement raich you consider as
having virtually the sanction Of my mamie. II
has not mine. -;
It is not unlikely that at some dinner table
conversation within the last twenty years, may
have said that had heard from some one pre-.
tending to be acquainted with the secrets Of the
British Administration al the time Of what was
called Erskine's Arrangement. that although
that gentleman had transcribed his Instructions.
they would have ratified his agreement with you,
but for an expression, at which the King George
iii took personal offence, Thus much may
have said. because l have distinct recollection
of having heard or seen the fact so represented.
The offensive expression consisted in the last
member of the closing paragraph of YOUR letter
to MIR Erskine Of the 18th April. 1909" nor
the less persuaded that it would best comport
with what is due from his Britannia Majesty to
his opn honor"
Whether this statement Of the intentions Of
the British Administration was correct or not,
do not know; nor have / ever spoken Of it as a
fact Of the Truth Of which felt assured. But
after mentioning it as a circumstance thus dubi
Gus, | may have spoken Of it as an additional
exemplification to numberless others upon histo
rio record, Of the tr.aIng incidents upon which
the question of Peace and War between Nations
exasperated against each other may depend.
Nor is II impossible that may have express
ed a sentiment OF regret that the expression in
your letter to Mr. Erskiae had been used, be.
cause although just IN itself it gave an air Of in
gratiousness to the acceptance Of conciliatory
proposilon, and because it seemed to me de.
parture from the sound principles Of discussion
between independent parties, that each might be
exclusively the judge Of what 10 due TO his own
honor in his own conduct. Put as your letter
stated that you had it n express charge from the
President to make this remark, and as I had
read think declaration by you that you had
objected to this very expression at the time when
the letter to Sir Erskine, in which il was con.
tanned, was prepared, Inever did consider you
responsible for il, whciher my opinion Of its i'm.
port ,oas Just or not. + therefore, never can
haze spoken it tn the spirit MANI by the ar.
tiele in the Atlas, as you hare understood it..
1t 10 proper that l should appr1ze you that
while admitting the probability that may have
spoken as have explained, in the unrestrained
freedom Of private conversation at dinner table,
Ihare no recollection Of such concentration, nor a
suspicion Uho has made such cohcersation real
or supposed, the suyect Of an article in ne,Vs-
paper. Accustomed as l have been to the gross.
est perversons and misrepresentation Of what
have said, as we'll as whatI have written have
seldom tho't them worthy Of notice. But from my
experience have been ledto the conclusion, that
the temper and morality which indulg ethetnselves
in detailing to the public, dinner table converse.
tons, are always united with an aptitude Of blum.
dering, which disquafy for the correct represen.
tation Of them even when unconscious Of the intent
of wiIful Justification. / am. with much respect,
Sir, Your obedent servant, =
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.