The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1849-07-18

swouldayou believe. that it would have been a
breach of confidence in Mr.. Monroe in writing
6 confidential letter to friend of high standing:
to say that bis Cabinet were unanimous; ana
especially, as the question was one of constItu-
net of General Washington was divided on the
question ofchartering bank and what size
every member took? Col. Renton's explana'
ton is destitute ofeven plansiblity, and leaves
the draft to speak for ITSELF as it stands; ana
that clearly is against the Cabinet beng unan
imous.
The diary of Mr.. Adams furnishes the only
onno<ing evi,encr. Now, hold it to be
sound ruIc. that diary is no evidence OF iacl
AGAINST anv one. but hr who keeps II. lhe
opposite rule would place the character OF every
man at the mercy Of whoever heePs o'ary'
It is not nv object TO call in question Inc We,
raci,y of Mr.. Adams, but he was a man OF
strong prriudices, hasiy temper, and much o's'
po,ed TO view things as he desired. From his
temperament he would be liable 10 no'ce a"'
mark what passed within his Own VIEWS ana
to pass unnoticed what did NOT. l venture
little in saying that if his diary should be Puo'
lishrd during the lifetime OF those VINO were
on the stage with him, its statements would De
conradicied by many, and confirm all l have
stated. But few statements from II have yet
been brought, to the notice Of the public, but
even Of these few two have been contradIcted !;
Zone, (f my recollection serves me. related L"
General Jackson, and the other to a Mr.. Har.
ris, OF Philadelphia, during the administration
Of Mr.. Monroe.
Oppose 10 the statement OF Mr.. Adams,
stand the fact, that opinions as Is admitted
by Col. Benton, arc to be found on the hles OF
the Department ofState, nor any evidence 'ha'
any such opinions were ever filed although 'he
statement purportng to bc from the diary OF Mr'
Adams SAYS. that Mr.. Monroe directed 'hem 10
he filed. One oftwo things would seem |" ne
clear, either he fell into an error, in making the
entry, or that he failed to place them on hle,
in consequence of some subsequent direction
from the President. 1t is hardly possible, ltthey
had been placed on file, nut that they would sun
he there, or some evidence in existence that
they had been there. My own recollection ls'
thai Mr.. Monroe requested the opinion OF The
members Of his cabinet in writing; but that IN
consequence of want OF time to prepare "r'''
ten opinion, or some other cause, none was
given, and this stated in the Senate, wheh
Gen. Dix brought up the question as 10 .he
opinion of the cabinet of MIR. Munroe. before
the fact was disclosed, that there was no WITH.
Ten opinion on the files of the department.
have entire confidence, that il any was gwen
il amounted to no more than the simple aftlr'
nation or negation of,he Fower. ihe time
did not admit the preparation OF an elaborate
opinion, and if any such had been gwen II
is impossible that should forget it; and next
to impossible that it should so long have re-
n,ined concealed from the public. AS T."
the insiuualion, ,ha, am the only member
of the cabinet of Mr. Monroe, who has since
been Secretary of State, and all others of like
character, pass them with the silent contempt
due 10 their baseness, and the source whence
they come.