Newspaper Page Text
from the National Advocate*
* i . - " - • | V { ' ** ' • Y ' * ♦
•fepted, tnm {lie eemetf ef Sp#rtt*ylt*nTa>, a jtfeeftpil Awful The mrtt reo-arksVe foci
Riejrebor oF be leg<sUtur» of Virginia, eod i» de^t b* wHicfi ti was dtatsr.guished* wa* a pn-
iysg a member of the contention ol ih*i
a-aje, called to decide on the present constitu
tor of the United States. The distinguished
men who bad conduc ed the affairs of that
s >a»e during the revolution* were members of
that convemkn. With them he was compa
ratively a fouogman ; and for their expert-.,
ehceand knowledge, it may be presumed, he
entertained 'he nignejt respect. They bad a
just claim to take thp lead to the debate, and
d d take it. He was however, d^awlr into a
dtdcusskm op more than one interesting ••ca
sino; Jn the volume c f o a'oing the debatespf
the Vi r g n‘ta convention *« find two instances
of this sort j one hit speech at iarge on the
general subject ; tt e other a sta emeot node
him of the proceedings of-congress, a* to
facta only as are necessary «o convey | tie r.egr.c'atiDn, between the seentary of lo
j -rr .gflairs and tile ministers of Spain, then
f'idi n g in the United States, about the sur*
der of the right to navigate the Mississippi
twen'y fi** yes'*. Tit this treasure Mr.
had been decidedly opposed We refer to
speech ,fi «st
A HOST SKETCH
Ot the public the of
1AMKS MONdOli.
mee Monroe having bee.., for a cefcsidera--
tim , heid up tetiie view of the nation as
t> perse, who ouKhtto succeed the present chief
gutisti of fi U.'.ttd a i>h .rt ;ketch
•i the pijneip il incidents of his puhiio >itc may
J.0U be utiavcepnabie.
*“ ‘ In ttiis 'ke ch v, cannot go intomuch d.-tail*
e.work would on u»o ex’i-niive it «e were So
Ve a full vi w of his conduct ia ail the tr***-
cions to wn cte he w. * f. rarty. More than
-, w uty year* j. u.lie service, the greater part of
kl-'Si employed in tot ; rraiest liu ts.connoct-
him With its non tfnportant and viul interest*.
e ball, therefore, conh.ie rur*el*«s to sudh
• unnent - # _ .
cits , nt idea of the mtt*re and extent of Lis
aeve*. Thse facts we have, collected-from
•r to res .that may be relitd on, and we state
tfum without comment.
Mr, Mohm«u ri-.--.ut fi'iy-rix years'of_■*•£•—
He was born in !7.'9. in Westmoreland coimf^,
Vtrgi-.ia, oh the Poiomac, on the laod of which
his ancestor, .who fir .t migrated to Ant era ck, a
Century and a half ago, *».-.* the original gran'
tee* He was edu-Ated at William ami Miry’s
college, and in JITS entered with several other
you-.g men of respectable connections, cf the
same college, as a cadet, in the 5d Vi; ginia re
giment, tht o commanded by colonel, afterwards
general Mercer, the tame who fell at Prince
ton. He was very soon appointed a lieutenant,
in Thornton's company, and in the summer of
that year* ha marched, with the regiment, un-
jected unurree'i-in of th« riavesr-W' 1 efi
discovered:on the day preceding -.hat of tbe i >
tended explosion, and suppressed by »i»e n»'>*
prompt nod^decisive msa u es. 1' e was efect
ed each year W'lh an increased map.rity, and
so general was the cktisfaciion'afforded hr h
f.;‘ >
whs expected,
wool* leave England tor tkm
United States ;\bul t&e s 1 ate df uur affairs with
.that country forbade h**'return, Mr. p/tt died
in the winter of T8U5 -6, and was succeeded
in the'ministry f<y Mr. Fox. With him the ne
gotiation was resumed with a better .prospect
1 of success ; but. his indisposition and death de*
prived both nations of the benefit anticipated
from his fneodlj poriejf and councils. In the
administration, th'it he received, at r.s close, j spring of 1806 a special mission was instituted,
-- ■ -- 1 -- ' l - u ' *- * : in which Mr plonroe was associated with f.l».
i Pinkney of Maryland^ who arrived in London
un unanimous votedf ihsnks from both branches
of the ieeisiauie. i N r u, , . - . ...
_ .. , . •. > . . .. I early iu the summer of that year. Lords Ho!»
Immediate,v after Mr...Monroe s term U the j an 4 ^nd Aacktapd were *pp >jnt-'d eorurui-.-non
government of Virginia had expired, he was ap
pointed, by the President of ibe United States,
to a trust of the highest importance to the .na
tion. The Spanish government had Supressed
the right of deposit *t New Orleans, stipulated
by the treaty of 1795.' This suppression whs
affected in a way which indicated a disposition
lo resort, if necessary, lo force. A vital bitjw
er3 to meet ybem. A treaty was finally conclud
ed, which, although it failed in some impor
tant objects, and particularly in relation to the
subject of impressment, and was, therefore, not
authorised by the iiistruction-s of our govern
ment, (of wnicb fact th'. British government
was duly and fully informed) was jet such a
treaty as Mr. Monroe and Mr. Pinkney were
the
kn-wledgc of the ijrir cipies of 5 pSTsonTn^he United States for u mission,
’ * * —- - — * ■ hose object frns to accommodate this differ-
at the prosperity of a vast and fertile portion of. w j»|jdg to accept and submit to the considers-
our country, excited a ferment among our - —
western brethren, and was felt in every quar
ter of the Union Spain, it was known, bad
ceded Louisiana to France—and it was.theie-
fore to be inferred,that the French government
President Jeffer-
. t -r ' bad instigated Ihe measore
nief. iiii.cd for piooicf h« , onK . on ,i* pred Mr. Mdnree to be the fiUevt
per.etaHy, and to tlie last for proof of bis t»e»« -
lion to 'hx-intsreils of the n; t:on on an enle-g
led «c»V. and hi* x-'-il in support of S'.s right*.
’ I.t ir?0, Mr. M. wa* elected br l he *« g-sl-*
*uie cl Virg-nia, a riertibftr cf he sanaie ol
l ne Cni-ed IVs’es, in which lie acted until
; 7S4« I' is inct nsi*fenr with our pier., to fhr-
n sh a rr Inu e de arl of his sei vfess in th-tt ,^’a-
tion. li is knrwn that fc« m-k a p^rt iif'h*
der tiic command cif colonel Weedcn, to Newr f d?bate on evey jr. potiant subject, and V‘*d<*
Y-rk, whkre it joined the army of general j an imp cssicn on h s cr-tenipt ra tes which stil 1
Washioetoa, immediately alter the affur j continues. Parties h-»d then begun to atsunr.e
Long-Islands He was engaged with his - ; a £- ef j c |. a :»cttr. The revolution in F<aoc/ ,
wient in the^battleof Harlem Heights in that | w {,; c |, epeciatiy in its coR-ir.encemeri', had
of White Plains-—in the retreat through the ^ .. nsi w ,, h nur own , exc j !e d t ee i
Jerseys, and m the attack on Trenton. In tne j p' . „_•.
latter he was in the vanguard, commanded by i ,r R 0 t,:e tre ' T • . .
•sptain VV. Washington. The caprait »„d j *em,. among us whose pu,se d'-d not Uat in
himself were both severely wounded- Mr. i loisoo with -h'* g'oat n otcu.tnt. I hc>e
Monroe received a ball through his lelt shoul- j wete other*', who <hcugbt that the enfliuvi^str
fiar. . ! d splayed .1. its favor hv our fellow, c tircLs,
For their gallant conduct io that action, cap- J
tain W. w*s promoted to the rank of nri 'jor in a
regiment of cavalry, and Mr. M. to that ot
captain io a reg.mer.t of infantry, which were
•curred to be raised \ the latter under the
command of colonel Thurston. Soon atter this
event lord Sterling Invited Mr. M. into hi* fa-
joily as aid-de-camp. Ir: this capacity he serv.
ed in the campaigns of if77 and 1778. •.ind was
engaged in the action of Brandywine, German-
town and Monmouth, in which he obtained, in
a distinguished manner, the approbation, not
only o! his lordship, but of the commander-in
eh’.ef. Lord S.commanded in those campaign
Wayne’s and Maxwell’s brigades i by whose
efficers Mr. M was always much esteemed,
and by th^ survivors he is still remembered
with ..Section. %
By entering the family of lord S. Mr. M. bad
the lin*. which he was anxiou
to i l g«i«* a« thj# coaM not Acdoiy ia the coo-
tinental army, he formed, in 1778, the plan of
transferring his services tn the south, by raising
a corps in the state of Virginia, Genera! Wash
ington approved his design, and gave him a let
ter of strong recommendation to promote it.—
The legislature of Vi- ginia also approved it.—
Ail act was passed authorising the raiding at
a regiment, th«- command of which was given
to Mr, M, This regiment, however, in the
than exhaused state cf the countrj, coaid not
Ba raised. Thus disappointed, Mr. M. r suii-
•ti his studies; and having been originally dev
tffted for thri ba r , he commenced the study of
the law in the latter part of that year, under
the direction of Mr, J- ffl-rson, then governor of
V ginia. In the subsequent invasions oi that
• o»te Mr M. was active, as a volunteer of mi
litia. After the fail of Charleston, in 1780, at
the request of governor Jeffers n, he vis-ted, ic
the character of militarv ct ni.viis^i..ner, the
aouthern army, under De K 1-. Li this service
hi.- conduct was highly ap* r;ve6.
In 1782 Mr. Monroe was elected, from the
Chewy of King George, a number of the as
tetn >ly ot V.rginia, ana, in ih= same year, was
chosen, i*y ihut body, a m-mber of the extra
cutive council. In 1783, a' the age oi tweu;y-
four, he was-appointed a miinb<,r of the old
congress, in which he served ttts cinstitutionai
terra of three yeaps. As the debates cf that
body were conducted with closed doors we ctn
speak of him as one of the members, enty from
public report and the jcurnai cl it* proceedings.
By these we find, that he was always at his
post, and engaged fn the most important duties.
The following instances deserve to be pai ticu-
larlv noticed :
The incompetency of the pow ers of congress,
under the cot.federauon, was feit after the re vo
lution, ns well as during' ha progress. Mr.
Monroe appears to have been sensible of the
detf cts of the system, and desirous of removing
th n. ; we find, in the j urital of congress ter
3788, a nvolvm ir.teMlueLd hyhiaytL vyyy jhaj
be-dy with power to regulate the trade wita all
the 'titfcv. This motion was several time* dis-
cu>sed, but never decided. ^ he convention at
Annapolis, which led to that of Philadelphia acd
to th.. a!option ot our present Constitution, was,
pevh-ips the cause. One of the cotiditii r.s oa
wn-.ch the state of Virgiuia'bad ceded tnat por
tion <t htr territory which lay to the noith
west ol -he Ohlo^ was, that it should be laid off
into states, not exceeding miles io
leog'h, and in width, Mr. Monroe
foresaw, t^at if this condition was observed *he
*h *it: df that territory must remain for a long
timin the colonial state, if, indeed, it. should
ever be admitted into the union. He introduc
ed a re*o!ution recommending to the state ol
Y rginia an amendment of its grant, so as to au
thorise congress to enlarge the bounds of the
state•*, to be established in that part of our
o untry. This resolution w is adopted by con
gress, acceded to by the state of Virginia* and
aft-rward*came into effect.
A third circumstance is no less worthy of no
tice. I> affords a strong proof of the estimation
in which Mr, M wa* held, even at that early
period ot his life, by corgr-ta. r i he territorial
limits of some of the state* were then unsettled.
A controversy subsisted bet wet u New York
and Massachusetts, respecting their claims to
land* under itieir original characters- I- was
thought proper to constitute a court lor it* *d-
ju>nnent. Con;
these states, app
e* cf this high .tribunal, me cause was never
brught to issue, being set Jed by anambtatfie
arra;gcm?nt.
'Aher setfieg the thee eonjiitutioraJ lorm
enre which led directly to war. Mr Monroe
! bad supported the right of the United States to
ithe free navigation of the Mississippi on many
interesting occlsions. He had distinguished
himself in Ural cause in 1786 in the old con
gress, in the convention of Virginia in 1788,
and in his former mission lo France. He thers-
fore possessed, it might be presumed, in a high
degree, t he confidence of the western peop e.
It ihigbt hare been, and, no doubt, was aiiti-
cloated, that he would be favorably received in ,
France. His recal from his former mission to
that country had as was before remarked
ted much sensibility; and it could not be doubt- ^
edthat this return would be highly acceptable *
to his former friends who were still in power.
It might reasonably hare been inferred, ‘hat,
the French government would be vnliirg to
concede to him what it might refuse to snot .er.
Mr. Jefferson, therefore, appointed Mr. Mon
roe in conjunction with Mr. Livingston, than
resident minister in France, envoy extraordina- j
ry and minister plenipotentiary to that coun
lion of the president. For the reason just stat
ed, the president rejected the treaty, and in
structed our commissioners to make another
attempt, by negiciation, to put an end to a prac
tice so humiliating as well as injurioi*. Ano
ther alteinp. wesynade, but war. the same re
sult. The,attack on tl.e Chesapeake, which
!occurred soon afterwards, excited % fiatne
which sprfci.v tnrougi.out the union. Mr. Mon-
;ree, as resident r.u:ris‘«r, was instructed to
; de mail, d reparation for this insuit ut:d injory,
»r.J to insist that a provision against impress
ment shou.d be a part cf such rcp»i ation. 'Plus
Ceiaaai was made with pronspiiiude *nd decis
ion, and the special mjssion ot Mr. K >,e ta the
| Uni’ed Slates was the consequence H re
1 en* J Mr. Monroe’s cession t«, £ .gland, alter
‘ an aoitUice c: uua.iy hvt j'ears from tins conn-
try.
’ * r _
Monroe in all th-ee ('■>.
exei- : porl tnt lrr.uiat.un:;*, r-ceiy-.-L. toe unqailifi '4
j spprc.ra'.ion ol our government, in tne nt g-
Ciat:on far Lauiaidiia ;ie coatri‘;ut:-d to rentu r
to tais Cju ;lry a service of ’ ir.eitima'ise valae.
By ttu: treaty which terminated that aegeteia.
ti^n, a war appirefitiy inevit > As, was prevent
ed, and the prosperity and h-'ppine.*.s of bar
ng|CJ*# wttlt the Consent of both
ipSlitedlilr. M. one of tit: iude-
The “ s
•f i
!l.v^ v«*v*. if* CJ
iT&g w.«ri*4-
bough hor.es! ai d. pra tewertbf rri tjseif, was
iod c cr<-e , ord ni ght en burrass us ( by irrital*
ipg ’.hpr wers hosii'e to France. Is this class
we always p'ated 'he illustrious \V*shi r g:on.
M*rv m ph' be enumerated, who »|ood tonh
*he ad-»oraie. and Mipportera of .be afund prin
cip>e* of the rev'du ion. *rd on xh : ch our
na- orul and sta.e goyerntrenf* »re founded
Mr, Monroo wa* decidedly of tl e lifter party.
Whii ha su'taived this c haracter In,the senate
of the Um;ed S's'es, ho was apphiDted by
ganeial Washi g on, in 1794? minii or pieui -
poter'ia r y to France It is bel'evei that (liii
ippoimraent ws* conferred u on hirfi, rot only
wiihcu' sny application in h's beha l j, hu' with.
"at any expec'ation on the part cf’Uiireelfor
bis friends, that such an appointment would tu
proposed.
Mr. Moores wes employed in tbia mission
about three yea<*. A trusr more d fficult ini’r
execution na» seldon: bean committed re jr y
ci isen. France had lien en mave, Id defehcr.
ol her righ *, ard ail Europe w*« vo; vu’syd
Ml M. was srp in'ed. in conieq;e> ce cfifci*
know.v anacbmertr to republican ^■neinuiz.i
wh’ch was in fac: that ofhi« own c entry/ ]i
was antic : pated that he wcu'd inspire tfck ru
lers cf France with a cor fi !er cc—i.hai he
would not iotrlgne with the i cighb'• ing'pow
e< s, and booed- that bo might, ihe»efore, pr«
sev/e ia the French government, s friei dly
disposition !• wards the Ucti ed S.a’es. Ic .
those neghbo ’■ powers he cotiid do nc
h*'ni. even it ..a had been so deposed..
While ilie government of the Ur.iied Ivates
maiota'i.td i.nr ariial neutreji y, rhoss power*
cqu’d n?iye nu esuse of enmpid nt. It w^s ihc
duty cr? Ztl r . Monrce, a* sn ho;.eji mao, io he
faithful to bis pniiC'pies. Fe jvas s.j. O
hia sea inus exertions ‘.o te xs hi* g-yerpme r'
ansi country, in every stage *r d occurrence o!
bis mission, abundant proof has been bff.rdcii
If documents which huvn been loi'g in t-iie
ptitjesatC!) of tb« public. He was, jfinsdy, re
called by the goveriimem, with fn implied
ceo-itue, io a leffer from coloneHPickerir.g,
then s«cretaiy of state. sMr. re urnsc,
oithoat delay, snd published; in his defence, *
copy- of hi* whole coi retponchfrce with !ns
own government ard wish the government f,|
France, ^he whole republicau p«r:y were
convinced that ha had been tr jured. He w a s,
ca his re'urn, received in tir* city, Plrisd* l-
abia, and Vrgi.nli, wuh demonstrations of can-
fidonce and affaction. We have heard, sod - t f ,e British governthen* h«d been conciliatory
believe, that g*r.eial Washington himself,alter 1 if not friendly. The objects of hit mission to
way tern brethren ware purnaaoently secured.
When it is recoil eared that, in the early
part of hi* political career, the free navigation
of the MissFtipj i had calleS* forth in the oM
try, and to act in conjunction with Mr. Charles ! congress his best exer—an-, -and th.t
Pinckney, in the *ame character in Spain.— ut other perio-i , f 'ur»ucd the same o&iect wi ’s
The mission to France was attended with com
plete success Mr Monroe’s reception was as
flattering as had been anticipated. In a short
time after Iris arrival a treaty was formed, by
which the French government ceded to tha
United States, for a pecuniary ct>-sideration,
the entire province of Louisiana. This treaty
was carried promptly into effect-rand it is by
vfrtne of this treaty t ! ,at w? are now in posses
sion of both banks of the Mississippi. In this
negociatioo we have understood that entira
harmony prevailed between Mr. Monroe and
his colleayne, Mr Livirffston
Mr. Monroe di<l n >t remain long in France.
Immediately after the conclusion of the Lou
isinna treaty he received instructions to repair
to London, as the successor of Mr Kinc. who
had ohtainted perm ; s»ion to return to the Unit
ed States The war which brok'. oyt about
that time between France and England had
been anticipated by our government, »nd ,t
was important in such an event thatth* Unit
ed State* should he represent d w’;U- both pow-
ar*. hlr. Monroe arrived in I. ndo’t tn the
sUKitner of 1803 and remained th.-re until late
in 1804, when he went to Spain, ’n ".on Nr mi tv
w'tb the original plan of his mission lie took
Paris in his route, with a view to obtain the aid
of the French "overement in the nexociation
with Spain, llearrived at Madrid in he com-
meneement of the year 13^5. The negotia
tion with the Spanish government, with which!
he was charged, jointly with Mr.Charles Pinck
ney, occupied about six month. At the ex
piration of this time he returned to London,
where he was detained by very important du
ties nearly two years and a hilfmosa.
This specification of the courts to which Mr
Mo nroe was sent, and of the duties be had to
execute with each, will enable Us to form art.
idea of the wide range of action which was as
signed to him. and of the confidence reposed in
him by our government and country. More im
portant trusts have rarely been committed to
any individual. The result proved, that this
confidence was not misplaced. A view of his
various ne^ciations has been at different times
noabwte.d en-rgy and solicitude, it w 11 r-adrly
be conceived, if.it its final accoo;hnue.-.t
mjit have sft.rded kina, a sa’bfactiua whici
d.-.-es not often ad to the lot oi iSn most success <
fui negotiate-!.
It bis diplomatic transaction wish Gfeit
Britain and Spain, Mr. Monroo p -r: r-nedi uii
duty with anwcaried astk’uVty ’Vlue icti v
ny hisnsflf, he pressed our cla-.n* wtta ef - t
:power, to tne full extent oi nir rights io j.
ni ; i!,cr wide'; was no !e*s d cided tnr.n tr
ioiiia'ory ; and while acting Wuh ilii collegcn,
lie pursued the sruitf couis- with their efc-'r-a
tod Cordial co. pc racier.. Tlltr:jv'.ctior. of L-r
.cuaty -oticiudsd with th - British ebtb.nmi
ers f*y h.nateli and his colleague M', I'iukr-y,
^ave btin, as we infe-r-fr-. m ti* *ubi,.quri:t ccr-
r - .poodence vritia Mr. J-.ff.raon much c.-r.ct r.t;
j;tU nrr ntyve stc,., with g:e»t w'i fiction, i :
;: p'oduscd na r.h irg : in t>;s public <rt T«-a> :u
j-oiduct. F i* but iu.tice to coord ude r ii:s
nt th* ikalch, nv remars'ng, tciit VLorr
(luring tne sh .h peri ol oi his v -rious u,;*. ;,s
irr -s i. u b?'i-vrc to huvemaivaia.-d the
|>;;y of h>* -.Giu 1. a-, wsll as the purity of du
1 rivHe c:ia.r,i.c;-e.
M «
Mcr.roe remained the two su-cs.
ju < >o hr. f-.-Tj :i ate cuira'V of Aibecht
! V*”g n> •) ligvgedio tai man -g un ;nt p,
1 nvit< aff±;r->, w -h it may tu pre'uuved,
XPerirnccd
April ia::>
t-
n>co, slide table derange sn»ot.
w», elected rn .e mo-Si uieu.
a semhu.c. V
r.n
.*1
11
ie g-neral a senvo's-c v "g i.a. ani i
w -its after tne ratsfL? f ;m. uody . -vai
I igtin etecteJ governor .-.f hat tali.' 'lott- d^.cr
i ! 'is event.He was catted y ! >i- Preiideot .1 she
jjxii-'d *v rte* to th. title • if ’• ,crct«i;-y (V
wuich cfi5 -e h-. nw hn; n, ...jrj n.is heki -ta
(taunt Apsit.'lStr, except <; ;r., g the per-. d io
tyntcii he ncia the d* - a- tio »>f war The
sUuvddn o : ‘ this country at ti;e time when he
ft litted a static a ol renose, and po.iiical Eecuii-
i*, to enter into one of the h'g'aeit respo.tsic'.it y
and ceaaeles* labor, can never be f rgoften, si d
pr -tects bis motive* io ass nring,.at cac . t *'re
ch^nire, from the pns iai itv of rv» n £• rp,tts.'i"i.
VVe premised in the commeacemeui cf tin*
etail
v- sa
Tris
.rty in the coarse of his pa.lie live
exhibited to congress and to the nubiic hv the u . ■ ,,:.i , r, • ,
,. u - , | sfcetcu. tauPwe uiunat mean in !urai*i ad
president, in hu official communications, and } _ ■ . ,, . ..
fu V .. , . . , , j , ot all the traoiacuons to wnica Mr. Monro.'
the aeprobi ton of his conduct expressed by J _ f|
the aomioistration, has been confirmed by tha J
public opinion. We shall offer a few remarks j
on his conduct in each negociation, and tliea 1 '
proceed to occo r rence* of mors recent dale.
During Mr. Monroe’s stay in England, pre-
i vious to hisjourney to Spain, the conduct of
re
he bad *een his defence, vneke cf hifu with that were, to prjmde against im
-respect. and decUr^d, jhat he bud aisreys be j P^f t, to.Bgree upon a deun.tion *, neo-.
Mr. Si’s.
fipTght
respecr f- r
ar.d an honcrab'e man,
the virtue* of general Waseing on, ard hi* a
•achment to him personally, experienced no I
change. Any reproach under the sanction oi
a man whom he had so long venersied, '-rd !
under whom, in hi* you;h ul diys, he had
for/ght and bled, could nor fail to wound him
deeply, yet could nor cbbieva'e impressions
which had so long been cherished.
Mf. M. was so*n honor ed wiih a ?’gnal proof!
of the confidence cf hi* conn ry. Jo 1799 he i
was elected, by the generai assert.b y ol Vir
ginia, governor of ib»t sta'e, a-d served for .lie-
term ol three year?, allowed hy i^s consti vi
tioo;_ Hit election gave talisfaction to the re-
pob’icxns through, ut ‘he union. I J ia leliow
citieen* h#d se *cd the fitsl eppo- sunity to
evince lb( favotebie opinion wh ch they en
ter<ained of his conduct, end fo show their con
tinned confidence W> bim, J)r, Msdison, then
a member of the Yrrginla assemb.y, made ib«
nomination of Mr, M. for'.his j and hi.
election was among the fi si of ihe impurtan
event* which indveated and led to ihe poiiiical
revolution, which sooo afterward* onk place.
The federalists bad ce^cetyed gfea! p<rj'.dices
egaioar bim—-but they became af< rward* cor-
vinced, that although he. was a zealous repub
licao, he wa* no pareecdtor. He wa* ai'acb-
-ed to the gauge of free 'governmeu' from prin
ciple, and knew th^( it was iocoos.atent with
the spirit of 'hat cause,«s it was the spirit of
at the end , true religion, t' attempt to propagate it hy yio
BA 17&7 hs wao$fence. H* admittsusuoa waideiigeot,
k is more p.irticu:ariy applicable to I
to which we liavenow aAvanceil. At ti.e
ti.ais of M* M iriroe’.* entr.nce info tiir rfrpart.
insnt of irate, we were at variance with Frs.ice
nod Gr^at Britain. Bun powers haJ doae u*
gr:at iiiury ; bu 1 a hope wav er.tcrtsincd that
bur difficulties with each might oe s ttied with,
out an appeal to war. Mr. ilo-.roe’* ccromu-
nications with each of these power*, and his re.
on th*- cofidoet ot both, have been laid be.
The negotiation respecting these obreets' hit* %*«■*** P«5»'ic. His corro^w, »ivb Mr.
been commenced. When he went to Spain, it ^ os *" a «mcrli*tory character and d i-
- - - - - - tioctlv manifested anxiety for tne nre^ervat! n
that while the negociation ‘if P. e, ‘ ce Bu * th4 V wa * in»IW»e*icaMs. Tbe
as suspended, the conduct of England should 8m,sh S^ernment haa resolved to enforce its
correspond with what it had been front the * impressment and ep^wtirn. The
commencement of that war. During this pe ,* a!terna»iye presented loth American govern,
nod, our neutral rights had been respected, and ?> eut a . ntl waysuam swon. or war. . he
there was but fittle complaint on any other : ’htter, aat pily for this country, was preferred
subject. Mr. Monroe remained yt Paris buta‘ Cantroued acqu-.e^cence and su*iras«nn would
short time—probably not more than two have suox us to the .owes* point ot nations! de-
months. The conduct of the French goferu- < gradation, and h-*e fixed upon oar republican
ment, though in the main conciliatory, was less lh ‘ chargeof imarcijiiv, writ which
satisfactory th»n had beep expected. With j
was agreed between himself and Ihe British
secretary of state.
the Spanish government no arrangement was
they have been >o clamorously assailed, lo
this charge the conduct of the.Americsn peo-
roade! Mr Monroe exerted himself, in con- j during thr war. and >he r*iult of .he con“
junction with Mr. Charles Pinckney, but with - trst - haTe iB'rded the most s&tULclory r^
out effect, to settle all our differences with ' P^7*
Spain. For the objects and the resalt cf his
mission to that country, we refer to his late let
ter to the Sapiinish minister, at Washington. It
is needless to report whabis there so fully stat
ed.
The first subject to which the attention of
Mr. Monroe, on. his return to London, was
called, was the violation of our neutral rights
by the seizure and condemnation of our vessel*
under orders of counei! which had been recent
ly issued, but r.ot promulgated to the world
nor evrn notified te our government The min
istry had been changed. Mr. Pitt bad sue
ceeded Mr, Addington, and the (policy of i793
still formed a part of bis 5«*t*n». The opposi-
tioft madrby Air. Monroe to this me^sora haa
been seen in several letters, addressed by h*e» ta
the British secretary of foreign affairs. Tktte
b*ve been published ; and we particularly refee
to letters dated in
i« the a«t«oMt *f that year Mr. KWH H
The offer ef the Russian mediation gave to
our government an opportunity, of which ad
vantage was immediately taken, to evince it*
disposition for peace. The instructions ta our
ministers appointed to negociate with the Bri
tish government under that mediation, snd the
Subsequent instructions authorising them to nev
gociate separately and directly with Great Bri
ttain after the mediation had been rejected,
have all been published, and, we believe, h gh*
ly approved.
! New and extraordinary events soon after*
wards pressed on our government and country.
The overthrow of France enabled the British
government to employ it* whole force in th#
proseextion of the vrar against the Ucite*
■ tales. The storm .seemed about to bre*x
fn *vaey part of tae Union at the same ra°*
mant. On the lakes and the fit Lawrence.
On the districtmf Jg*hM, and on the » hol «
fff fr«n lYMhejfet* N f w Orle*«*i »* i v ’