Newspaper Page Text
SOUTHERN RECORDER.
B y GRANTLANU fc •. RIME.
MILREDGEVILLE, GEORGIA, SATURDAY. MARCH 7, IHJO.
No. G or Vol. X.
iuin')<*r
r.- The Kkcmiirn is pubhshr-i weekly, on ii;in- m tl»e legislature during those eleven year. 1 ;
i '« ,..r annum. pnyob'U- in advance, or l our Uol- 11 respectable bust they would be III
' .V“..0t p'ard boioro the end of the year. numbers, intelligence, education, talents
’ v \“ •I , h.I patriotism, yet it might then lmve
™ of insertions, will l*o published until ordered I becil siliti—‘ V oil mean to overpower your
Iclmruod accordantly. , accuser b\ numbers ; you intend to seize
V ._ ao f hn.l anti necrnr.H, by Administrators, Exe- , . *. t J , , , ,,
• or ’tinvdiiin* 1 . fire required by law to bo liotd j tills OCCiiSJO/l to I'CVIVC 1110 Oil! mill lOllg
„|!;; f ,' S i Tuesday in the month, between the l.imrsofj extinct federal party; your purpose is to
»i eJWfSSfriSKtfSP.t.t! «W« I'.' I>upnl»r diininur . Ml,,,, rtkf,
_N,,(iccs of |||« ,*fu of Inml must bo K ivn. in « you me avenging yourselves lor bis nn-
Hililii' eiuette Mxrv d«y»,niMlof negroes Foktv dn»s, ' '
e, i0 «*«-' 'lie .Inv of «Me. .
XXiccii of the sale of personal properly must be giv-
■ i;I 4 p ,i, ■ .1 lier, forts 'lays previous to the ,1 iv of
" . Also, lienee to llie dobiors an ) ereiblors of ail
,'ie mu«'. be published lor fortv days,
(live ilia! application will bo inrfde’lu il.e Conrt of
VrS.iarv for leave to sell land, must be published for
l K M«J sr!t«.
A!! husinPM in the line of Printing, will meet with
r nn)')i :itleit!ion at the Recorder Om< r.
br.r I'KH' (on biHineiw) must be post paid.
cient defection from your party ; you are
conscious ot guilt, hut you endeavor to di
minish the odium of it hy increasing the
number ol you? accomplices.’ These rea
sons bad great weight; ntul the course a-
dopted after deliberation, appeared to be
free from all objection.
The undersigned, comprising so ma
ny of the federal party, that Mr. Adams
were interested, and, as we apprehend,
entitled, to make this dt mand of Mr. A-
da ms.
As to the suggestion, that be spoke only
of certain lenders of the federal party, and
not of the party itself; we certainly in
tended to deny onr knowledge an I belief
that any Midi plot bad been contrived by
any party u batever in ibis State; and it
is explicity so stated in our letter. Tliis
language would include any number, whe
ther large nr small, who might lie sup
posed to have leagued together, for the
purpose suggested by Mr. Adams. There
seems therefore, to be but little ground
for ibis technical objection, that we do not
take tin; issue tendered by Iris charge.
But we wish to examine a little further
this distinct',mi which Mr. Adams relies
POSIT-CAE.
uTi \l to Tin: crmr.xs of tiif, u
mti:d status.
following appeal is mud
liould cot be at liberty to treat them as 1 upon, between a political party and its
unworthy of attention, and yet so few, [ lenders. From the nature ol representa-
Mr. Adams to prescribe to the injured par-1 his refusal to produce the evidence in sup- Mr. Annins in believing it calculated to
port of Ins allegations; and we again up-1 produce effect; and if he did so believe,
peal with confidence to our fellow citizens] it furnishes u criterion by which to esti-
throughout the U. .States, for the justice of; mute the correctness and impartiality of
our conclusion, that no such evidence ex-, his judgement concerning (lie weight and
i^ts. ! the application of the other evidence which
The preceding observations suffice, we lie still withholds, & from which lie liusun*
trnst, to show,that wo have been reluctant- dertalo n with equal confidence to ‘draw
ly forced into n controversy, which could his inferences.’ After the adjustment of
not lie shunned, without the most abject! the diplomatic pcIimimirieN with Mr. Giles'
degradation; tlint it was competent to usi and others, Mr. Adums communicated no*
to interrogate Mr. Adams, in the mode! thing to Mr, Jefferson, but the substance
adopted, and that he declines n direct an- of the Nova .Scotia letter. If Mr. Adatqs
swer for reasons lusufiicirnt, and unsntis- j had then known and believed in the ‘ pro-
factory ; tbits placing himself in the pre- ject,’ (the key to nil future proceedings) it
tics, (and all arc injured who may lic.com-
prclieitded in bis vague expressions) the
precise form in winch they should make
their demand. And his refusal to answer
that which lias been made, is like that of
one who having fired a random shot n-
inoiig a crowd, should protest against an
swering to the complaint of any whom he
had actually wounded, because they could
not prove that Ins aim was directed at
them.
Another reason assigned hy Mr. Adams
for his refusal to name the individuals
whom lie intended to accuse, is that it
might expose him to a legal prosecution.
He certainly had not much t > apprehend
in this respect from any of the undersign
ed. As lie bad originally announced that
lie bad no legal i valence to prove bis
charge, and (lie undersigned bad never-
umi wi uij vi imviiuuii, mm | c c c- n ii j . ' ■ - i - c
that he could not charge them with array- , tivc government, it results, that, in eon-1 tin less called on him to produce such as
The following appeal is made to you,
s which have rendered
it accessary, were exhibited by your liigh-
st public functionary, in a comtnunica-
ii"ii designed for the eyes of all ; and be-
utsc the citizens of every State in the U
aiaii have a deep interest ia the repute
mm uf every oilier State.
lie did possess, he must have been suffi
ciently assured that thou - purpose was not
to resort to u court of justice, but to the
tribunal of public opinion, and that tliev bad
from anv
ling a host against him, addressed to him | ducting the business ol their legislator
j the above letter of November £Ulh. They ,011(1 popular assemblies, some individuals
feel no fear that tbe public will accuse will be lound to take a more active unci
them of presumption in taking upon j conspicuous part than the rest, &. will lie
i themselves the task of vindicating the re- , regarded as essentially influencing pubite j i irtually pi (eluded tbcinscdvc
I putation of the federal party. The share ■ opinion, whilst they arc generally them- | othei resort.
a | which some of them hud ia public affairs selves impelled bv us torcc. But this in-
during the period over which Mr. Adams j thicnce, in whatever degree it may exist,is
has extended his charges and insinuations, temporary, anil is possessed by a con-taut
ucccssion of different persons. Those
3 f 1 ' ". rlu '| 0 V S | °. 11 , ] ted influence enjoyed bv their illustrious who possess it lor tbe time being, are cal-
' .- 1 *** a L friends, now deceased, most assuredly gave led leaders, and, in the course of ten years,
e State ol Mas-l., ,i „„„ ,.i,.._
they must amount to a numerous class.—
It is we known, that, during the cm-1 ... , , , - .. , , ,,
. , , . • and the dectdetl, povverlul and well mcri-
birfo, and ttie succeeding restrictions on ■ - 1
our commerce, and also
vvur widi Great Britain, the i j| ic undersigned a right to demand tin
saehusetts was sometimes charged with :roul| j s oi * jaccusation; a right which Their measures and political objects must
entertaining designs, oangcrous, lf * ,ot ! Mf. Adams himself rcpeatedlv admits' necessarily l>e identified with those of
bi-tilc, to the Uinouot lae States. I tus 1 |n j (lt |,. lvc been justly and properly exer- their whole party. To deny this, is to
c.ilimmy, having been'engendered at a pe- | j . c ., c j, o! ; t |„. m severallv. ' Their 1 pronounce sentence of condemnation up-
riiul political exc. ement, and | (1( , |n . U!( j w; , 9 f oun( | ct | on the' common on popular government. For, admitting
L^^fsidetrd like the thousand others | . )ri|K ,; lo< n . r ..ogiu Z ed alike in the code of it to lie true, that the people may be octta-
’vvhh lint such tunes arc lubricated >y P a ‘-I llonor , uu l of civil jut ispruiknee, that no sionally surprised and misled by those
tv .laanosity, and winch live out then d' l J I mal; s i lou |j IU;| | U , c |, ar g e afl'ecting the I who abuse their eonfubmee into measures
ami <-.\)t,re, has hitherto uttraetcU very j rjj ,| |fs (1| . c i uir;ic ters of others, without giv- ! repugnant to their interests and duty, still,
little attention in tliis State. It stooi on j- ui , them uti opportunity of knowing the : it the majority of them can, for ten years
11 1 • same looting with the charge against'.^. )n( .k i)!] „| 11C |, [t V y as made, aiid of'together, be duped and led hood-winked
li.e alum, for pi dilation ; aguiimt the late , j j SI> ,. 0V j )ifc£ it, if untrue. To this plain to the very precipice of treason, by their
^President Adams, as being m favor of aj^‘ Min ,,|e demand the undersigned re-I perfidious guides, ‘without participating
Monarchy and nolnlity,and against Wash-1 j ,| |C mBwer contained in the above j in their secret designs, or being privy to
m rtoii himself, as hostile to France, and | ( . u , r dated on the 30th of t tiicir existence,’ they show themselves un
fit for self-government. It is not conceiv
able, that the federal party, which at that
time, constituted the great majority of
Massachusetts', will feel themselves indeht-
‘ 1 ed to the President of the'Failed States,
Deeembt
It will lie seen that Mr. Adams alto
gether refuses to produce any evidence ill
support of his allegations. Tin; former
part of his letter contains his reasons for
I.,i..11;,i part Ot tus tetter contains ms reasons lor .
; ,! e u, ' y that refusal ; and in the other part he re- a complnnclit to their loyukv', at the
. f. | peats the original charges in terms even kxpeuse ol the.r cl.orocicr hr tnteJhgeuce
Tbnv .M , o'more offensive than before. When udilrcs- ,111 ‘ 1 independence.
devoted to British interests. Calumnies,
which were seldom believed by any re-
smenable members of tbe party which
nreiilated them.
The publication by the President of the
l.'iuted States, ill the .National lutell
e'er of OetobcT last, lias give
new character to these charge
oiii/.chs of Massachusetts.—They can no
Ion r f . r he considered as the anonvainiis' S ‘"S "> letter, we thought we aught
of political partizans; but as u 1 reasonably expect from Ins sense ot what
“boiumii and ik’iil)ur.itc impiau^iuicut hy the, wus ^ lM ‘ tn ^ as Uh » ^ Ial
fust magistrate of the Fnitcd States, mid! *'« ' vol,1J ‘'"“y disclose all the evidence
wader the responsibility of Ins name, li ' 'ilmb lie professed to consider so satisluc-
appears also that this denunciation, though j lol 7 > ;i, ‘d we felt assured, that in that e-
n-nv for the first tune made known to the, veul WIJ sllould l*« 1- " ]l . v to explain nr
[ al'lie, & to tin; parties implicated, (who- refute it, or to show tliat it did not atl’cet
,■ r they may lm,) was contained in any distinguished members of the federal
s . letters of Mr. Adams, written twenty ! ,:ir F'
x irs ai.-n, to members of the general go-
dieanient of mi unjust accuser.
Here, perhaps, we might safely rest our
appeal, on the ground that it is impossible and oh that occasion
is incredible that it should not have been
deemed worthy of disclosure at that time,
irictly to prove a negative. But though
we me in the dark ourselves with respect
to the evidence on which lie relies, to jus
tify his allegation of a ‘project,’ at any
time, to dissolve the Fninn, and establish
In thin connection wc advert for a mo
ment to the temper of mind, and the btnto
of feelings, which probably gave rise to,
and aceompunied, this communication of
Mr. Adams. Circumstances bad occur-
a Northern confederacy, (which is the on- j red tending to embitter his feelings and to
Iv point to which our inquiries were direc
ted,) it will lie easy, by a comparison of
dates and circumstances, founded on bis
own mlniissiuns, to demonstrate (what we
knew must be true) that no such evidence
warp his judgement.
Mr. Adams, just before the time of hit
interview with Mr. Jefferson, had voted for
the embargo. He bad been reproached
for having done this on the avowed prin-
npplics to any matt who acted, or to the I ciple, of voting, and not deliberating, up*
'measures adopted in Massachusetts, at on the Executive reeominendntion. He
lapse and posterior to the time of the embargo.) find been engaged with his colleague in a
The project itself, so far as it applies to controversy on this subject. 11 is conduct,
1 tim e men and measures, and probably al-: as lie affirms, and as was the fact, had
Mr. Adams suggests another objection
to miming the parties accused, on account
of the probable loss of evidence, and the
forgetfulness of witnesses, after the
of twenty years.
lie undoubtedly now possesses all the I then
evidence that lie had in October last, when together, existed only m the distempered been censured, in terms of severity, in the
lie published his statement. It’ lie then | fancy of IMr. Adams. j public press. The Legislature of Mus*
made this grave charge against certain of j ‘ This design’ (lie says) i had been formed] saehusetts had elected another person to
Ins Id low citizens, with the know'ledge in the trin ter of 1803—I, immediate it/ after, succeed him in the Senate of the United
that there was no evidence by wliicli it J and ns a consequence of, the acquisition I States, and laid otherwise expressed such
of Louisiana. Itsjustifyingcaiises to those j a strong and decided disapprobation of
who entertained it were, that the annex-1 the measures which he had supported, that
could lie substantiated, where w as his sense •
justice. If lie made it without impii-
ind w it limit regarding w hi ther he I ation of Louisiana to the Union transcend-1 he felt compelled to resign his seat before
It is in the above sense only, that a free
people can recognize any individuals as
leaders, and in tins sense every man, who
is conscious of having enjoyed influence
and consideration with his party, may well
deem himself included in every opprobri
had any su; h evidence or not, intending
if called upon to shield himself from res
ponsibility bv sugec^ing tliis loss of do
cuments and proofs, where was then his
self-respect?
But did it never occur to Mr. Adams,
that the party accusi d, might al-o, in the
long lapse of time, have lost their proofs
of iniioceiiet ! He has l n rum for tieenti/
i/rars past that hr had math this secret de
nunciation of his a nr tent polilicol Jriends;
and he nin-t have anticipated the possibility
that it might at some time be mode public,
iflic bad not even determined in bis own
d the constitutional powers of the gov-1 the expiration of his term. These might;
eminent of the F. .Stales. That it form- J bo f< It as injuries, even by men of placat
ed, in fact, a new confederacy, to which j ble temper. It is probable that his fcel-
tbo Slates, united hy the former compact, ings of irritation ntay he traced back to
were not Imimd to adhere.—That it was the contest between Jefferson and the el-
oppres«Mvc to the interest, and destructive j der Adams. It is no secret, that the lnt-
lo tbe influence, of the Northern section I ter hud cherished deep und bitter resent*
of the confederacy, whose right & duty itlment against Hamilton, und certain other
therefore was, to secede from the new body I ‘ leaders’ of the federal party, supposed
politic and to constitute one of their own. | to be Hamilton’s friends. It would not
Tliis plan was so far matured, that a pro
posal had been made to an individual, to
permit himself, at the pro[)cr time, to lie
placed at the head of the military move-
mind to publish it himself, lie has there- meats, which it was foreseen, would he ne-
fore bad ample opportunity, and the most eessnry for carrying it mtoexeciition.’ The
powcrlul motives, to preserve all the evi- j interview with Mr. Jefferson was in March
deuce that might serve to justify his con-| |sOs. In May, Mr. Adams ceased to lie
duct on that occasion. On the other hand, la senator. In the winter of IHI)8—9, he
the parties accused, and especially those made lus cominuiiicuiioiis to Mr. Giles,
venerable patriots who during this long In August, 1K09, lie embarked for Europe,
be mmutural that the son should partici*
pate in the. feelings of the farther.
When Mr. Adams visited Mr.' Jefferson,
and afterwards made his diclosurcsto Mr.
Giles and others, having lost the confi
dence of bis own pafty, lie had decided,
‘ as subsequent events doubtless confirm
ed,’ to throw himself into the arms of his-
farihi r’s opponents. But there was a load
of political guilt, personal and hereditary,
till resting upon him, in the opinions of
interval have descended to the grave, un- i three years before the war, mid did not re-1 tbe adverse party. No ordinary proof of
ous and indiscriminate impeachment of com
the motives of the leaders of that party, wen
.i : and that he ventures to state it
of
Vnd if on the other hand, lie
should refuse to disclose that evidence, we
trusted tint the public would presume, that
unequivocal evidence within
V. I'lluil
-is founded e
h;- own .\iie .. . r _. |
It was imniu-s.bh' for those who had a- l,J hc submitted to an .mpar. lal and
n' offer- of M'l-'oichusi tts do- I tigent cummuu.ti/. Mr. Adams hasadopled
tin. latter course ; and if Ilu; reasons
wc unhesitatingly believe, that it was lic-
bear
utel.
lie 1
qin siio.i, to sutler such
,| atiil i has-assigned for it should appear to be un
to til 11 v. one
u Merit uoMee The ^ satisfactory, our fellow citizens, wc
not, will join us in the above inference— apprc ht.icl that the public will apply .v
Wc therefore proceed to an examination | thcm charges of this vague description,
may join in Midi number'd as they shall
ny part in
ring the period t.i
a charge to go or
•Scriivi to posterity
high official; i <ii the ac-usi r, the s
but baneful i .1 •. nee of tiie original secret [ ^ (> the relore proeee
dt.emciatnMi, and the deliberate and un- those reasons.
pr aoited repot.lion of it in a pul he jour- j Mr. Adams first objects to our making a
hut, authorize 1 an appeal to Mr. Adams, joint application to him; acknowledgin''
fur 'i -|)t oifi'.'iittun of the parties and of the right of each one alone to inquire
tie ev'ij, uce, & rendered such an appeal i whether he was included in this vague and
•nliS'il in ly imperative. No lngli minded sweeping denunciation. It is not easy to
Iiu..or.itih; m,in, ol any party, or of anv | see why any one should lose this acknow-
"State in our Conlederacv, could expect j ledged right, by uniting with others in the
that tbe memory of illustrious friends de- exercise of it: nor why this mere change
ceased, ur the character of the living, I of form should authorize Mr. Adams to
•eliJuld be left undefended, through the fear! disregard our claim. But there arc two
«l awakening long extinguished contro- objections to the course w hich he hascou-
versies, or of disturhing Mr. Adams’s re- descended to point out, as the only one in
tirenicnt. Men ivlio feel just respect for w hich he could be approached on this oc-
their own character, & for public esteem, j casion. Any individual w ho should have
uiml who have a corresponding sense oI*j applied to him in that mode might have
what is due to the reputation of others, j been charged with arrogance ; mud to each
will admit the right of all who might be | of them m turn he might have tauntingly
supposed by the public to be included in replied, ‘that the applicant was in r.o
Mr. Admns’denunciation, to call upon him ' danger ol suffering as one of the *' lend-
to disperse the cloud with which he had I ers” in Massachusetts, and had no occn-
cnveloped their characters. ,Such persons sion to exculpate himself from a charge
had aright to require that the innocent j conveyed in the terms used hy Mr. Adnuis.’
should not suffer with the guilty, if any I The other objection is still more decisive,
such there were, eA that the parties against Viler allowing to this denunciation all the
whom the charge was levelled, should Weight that it can be supposed to derive
have in opportunity to repel and disprove from the personal or official character of
if Mr. Adams has indeed admitted that the accuser, we trust there are few citizens
it-' allegations could nut be proved in a of Massachusetts who would he content
court of law, and thereby prudently decli- ’ to owe their political reputation to his cs-
-wd a legal investigation ; but the persons lunation ol it, and condescend to solicit
implicated had still a right to know wlmt his certificate to acquit them of the suspi-
ff'e evidence was, which he professed to! cion of treasonable practices,
consider as ‘unequivocal,’ in order to ex- Mr. Adams next objects, that we make
onscious of guilt, and ignorant that they turn until three years-after peace, and he
puny, j were even suspected, have foreseen no tie- admits the impossibility of his having giv-
But it would he arrogance to suppose him- cessity, and had no motive whatever, to cn to Air. Jefferson iniorinali m of nego-
self alone, intended, v> lien the terms of that preserve any memorial of their innocence, tuitions between our citizens ami (lie Bri-
accusatiou imply u confederacy of many. | We venture to make thisnp|>eal to the con- tisli, during the war, or having i elation to
Ami while, on the one liattd, it would lie- science of .Mr. Adams himself. the war—condescending to declare that
tray both scltk-liucss and egotism to con-! Mr. Adams in one passage appeals to J lie had no knowledge of suchnegotia-
fiue his demand of exculpation to himself; the feelings of the undersigned, and inti- lions.
so, on the other hand, it is impossible to mates Ins surprise that they should have The other measures to which Mr. Ad-
imite in one up plication all who might just- ■ selected the present moment tor inaking „, ns alludes, were of the most public chnr-
lv he considered as Ins associates. It lbl- 1 their demand. He did them but justice I and tbe mast important of thern
then that any persons, w ho, from the | in supposing that this consideration limi j Letter known, in their dav, to others, Ilian
its influence on their minds. Their only
tear was, that their ap[>eal might lie con
sidered a.: an attack oil an eminent man,
whom the public favor seemed to have de-
think tit, to demand an explanation of clmr- j sorted. But the undersigned had no choice,
ges which will prolmblv affect some of, I heir accuser had selected hismvu time lor
• doubt ' relations thev sustaiiK'd to their partv tnny
il ''
d
them all.
probably
The right, upon the iinmiitubh
I bringing litis subject before the w orld ; and
principles of justice, is commensurate w it li I they were compelled to follow him with va Scotia, as
the injury, and should be adapted to its j theirdefeiiCejOromsciittliHttheseiilsliould no jxissible s
tliev could lie to linn, residing in a foreign
country; and if the chain hy which these
measures arc connected with the supposed
plot blinll appear to be wholly imaginary,
these measures will remain to be support
ed, as they ought to be, on their ow n mer
its. The letter from the Governor of No
will presently Ik; seen, is of
character.
ho set to their own reputations, and °n j thut of liaving constituted the only inf nr-
Again, who can doubt that the public ol tlu '‘ r Ir.eiids forever — \ mat j on ( !ls j lc says) which Mr. Adams
reputation of high minded men who Ikivc r Vo s:llJ ' vlt 1 tmll ‘’ t ) ,at lt " “d 111 ' 1 <u,r communicated to Mr. Jefferson at the time
embarked m the same cause and maintain- ' Mnl . " lsl1 to produce an rued on any 0 f llif . f, rgt| and only confidential inter-
ed a communion of principles, is a com
mon property, which all who are interest
ed are bound to vindicate as occasion may
require—the present for the absent—the
living for the dead—the son for the father.
If any responsible individual at Wash
ington should declare himself to be in [ios-
sessiou of unequivocal evidence, that the
leaders of certain States in our confedera
cy, vverfe now maturing a plot lor the sepa
ration of the States, might not the mem
bers of Congrcs-', now there from the
States thus accused, insist upon a disclo
sure of evidence and names? Would they
be diverted front their pui jMtse by an eva
sion of the question, on the ground, that,
as the libeller bad not named any indivi
duals, so them was no one entitled to make
this demand? or would liter be satisfied
with a misty exculpation of themselves?
This cannot he imagined. They would
contend for the honor of their absent friends
of their party, and of their States. These
were among our motives for making this
call. We feel an inti rest in all these pat
view. It wus written in the summer of
1807, this country being then in a state of
peace. The Governor’s correspondent is
He wus nut,
this unqualified abjuration of bis late poli
ties would be satisfactory-—some sacrifice,
which should put bis sincerity to the test,
and place an impassable barrier between
him und his former party, was indispen
sable. And vvbat sacrifice was so nulurul,
what pledge so perfect, as this private de
nunciation ! Nor does the effect seem to
Ithvc been miscalculated or over-rated.—
Mr. Jefferson declares that it raised Mr.
Adams in Ins mind. Its eventual conse
quences were highly and permanently ad
vantageous to Mr. Adums. And though
lie assured Mr. Giles, that he had re-
nnunccd Ins party, without personal views;
yet this “ denial,” considering that he bad
the good fortune to reenve within a few
months, the embassy to Russia, “ connect
ed with other cireurasti-n es,” which end
ed in hi's elevation to the Presidency,does
indeed, according to bis own principles
of presumptive evidence, require an effort
of “the charity which believetli all things,”
to gain it “ credence.”
To these public, and indisputable facts,
we should not now revert, bad Air. Adams
given us the names and evidence, as re
quested ; and bad lie forcborne to reiterate
his injurious insinuations. But as^thej'
political party <>r question. Wc were not
aware that our appeal might lead to such
measures as would seriously ali’eet cither
Air. Adams or ourselves in the pybbe opiu- j t0 jj,is hour unknown to u - — ,, -
ion.—But whilst we did not wish for any i g(l y S m,. Adams, a leader of tliu Federal j l,ow rcHt wholly upon the sanction of lus
such result, so neither were we di-qwjsed j party. The contents of the letter were! ffi ,i " ion - respecting evidence which he
to shrink from it. altogether idle, but the effect supposed by alout ‘ Presses, v.e think it but reasonable
The necessity of correcting some inis- ; .Mr. Adams to be contemplated by tbe wri-1 ,f> consider, bow far these circumstances
takes in a letter of .Mr. Jefferson, winch ter, could bo produced only by giving! ”>7 I”'™ heuted his imagination, or d.s
bad been lately published, is assigned by J q,,,,,, publicity. It was communicated to
Alt'. Adams as a reason lor bis |iublioati(m. yj r Adams without any injunction of se
ll that circumstance lias brought him he- | L . 1( . (: y, ll c tiuts no doubt it was shewn to
fore the public at a time, or hi a manner! others,
in jurious to bis feelings, or utipropitious to
las jioliti. al views and expectations, wc I
are not responsible for the consequences.
Me would observe, however, tlmi i-world ^ Government were informed oil brynce of the mention of it, or of any plan
have been apparently a very easy task to | n . .'(.termitied upon by France, to | analogous to it, atjhal or any subsequent pe-
correct those mistakes without adding this a ,, Ht of ,f ie > Jrjtis)l IW ,. ‘
denunciation against Ins na-1 • 4 , ‘ . . » . , . .• i uusam
° sums on tins continent, and a revolution » . . , ^ ,
. .. . r i winch we ore ignorant, wo are well assured
r it \r a | „ii f | *n tiro government ot the United states,, lt miJJ?l squallv impossible to tiring any
I innlly, Mi. Adams cli clitics all fuithcr ■ us n mca , lst „ which they were first to pro-1 fm . ts w bich cun be considered evidence to
correspomlcace with us mi tins subject; ,j llcP a war lietween the Fiiited States and i )ear n;ion the designs or measures of those,
and even intimates nn apprehension that j England. A letter of this tenor was no who at the time of Mr. Adams’ interview
he may hate already condescended ,,)0 doubt shewn to Air. Adams, as we must' with Air. Jefferson, and after wads, (hiring
Its object was, lie supposes, to accredit
1 a calumny, that Air. Jefferson and bis mea
sures, wgre subservient to France. Tliut
imp
tiv e
'ov old
State
turlied his rijuanimity, and given to the
evidence, which be keeps from the public
eye, an unnatural, and false complexion.
We proceed then to a brief exitmiii«tioo
of tbe allcdged iirojcct of 1803—1, of the
Northern Confederacy.
In the first plncr, tl't solemnly disavow all
knowledge of such a project, and nil remem-
j riod- Secondly, While it is obviously im
possible for us to controvert evidence of
h.hlUt to the tribunal of the public, before! our application ns the'representative of «!“““] •• ’ "f"” Uie l(nsM |iic.l! «ar, and waived “even the proprieties of; be|ieV8 u(10ll , jjs w ,, rd . The discovery
wmciihe had arraiugcd them. Hc had great and powcrlul party, vvlueu nt the l 1 - - - , . i 1
spoken of thut evidence as entirely satis-, t me rciVred to, commanded, u.n he savs, n . . . , , , , • w , i
fipoxrtr i >n ii • ,* V I • i i . ! venerable lor eminent talents, virtues and
idciory to linn. I ney imd u right 1o as- 1 devotud maiority in the legislature or the , i ♦ .1
.yvh,..,’ , , 4 , , i I n • » ‘ , , it » • irs public services, have gone down to the
n.un whether it would be alike sulistac-, Commonwealth ; and ncueuiesour right to '
v ’ . . . rrrnvr* nncoi
ton to impartial, upright, and ltouorabl
inci.
represent that party. AVe have already
stated the objections ton joint application
It being determined that this deiiuticia- bv all, who might be included in this de-
fiou could not be suffered to pass uiiiin- | nuuciatioti, and to a separate inquiry by
swered, some question arose as to the inode each individual; and some of the reasons
in which it should be noticed. Should it which we thought, justified the course
he by a solemn public denial, in the names which we have pursued. AVe certainly
all those who came within the scope of did not arrogate to ourselves the title of j
Air. Adams’ accusation, including, us it ‘leaders;’ aud.Mr. Adams may enjoy, un-j
docs, all the leaders of the Federal partv disturbed, all the advantage, which that'
• roin the year ' *' ~
cour
■ the year 1R03 to I8U? Such u circumstance cun give him in this contro-\wieijuivocul «o»dc/jee the existence c
so indeed would serve in Alassachu- j versy. But we freely avowed such a close i tr'-nsonahle designs, lie must have
setts, where the characters of the parties! political connexion with all who could pro- whtt,lur tbeparne^vvhoaddress
a re known, most fully to countervail the bahly have been included under thut up*
charges of Air. Adams; but this impeach- pelLition, as to render us responsible lor
tjwnt ot their character may be heard in I all tiicir jiolitical measures that were
'stunt States, and in future time. Aeon-; known to us; and we, therefore, must
'cation might have been called of all who have been cither their dupes, or the asso-
been members of the federal party! dates in their guilt., lo either cuse, we
grave unconscious of any imputation on
their characters.
Air. Adams admits our right to make
severally, the inquiries which have been
made jointly ; tho’m a passage eminent
for its equivocation, lie expresses a doubt
whether we can come within the terms of
bis charges. On this remarkable passage
_ | we submit one more observation. As Air.
Adams declares that lie well knew from
ocal evidence the existence of such
have known,
uldressed him
were engaged in those designs. Why
then resort to the extraordinary subterfuge,
that if the signers of that letter were not
lenders, then the charges did not refer to
them?
the war, tool; an active part in the public
nfi'iiirs of Alnssaclmsetts.
The effort discernible throughout this let
ter, to connect those latter events, which
were of a public nature, and of which the
turnl und adequate causes were public,
a (good name of friends and associates, who, j bi«> situation, ’ in giving us such un answer j would not he surprising, that British, as
as be lias given. 1 well as French officers and citizens, in :i
He very much misapprehends lilt* char- time of pence with this country, availed
acter of our institutions, and the princi- j themselves of many channels lor convey-
pies mid spirit of Ins countrymen, if liejing tiicir speculations and stratagems, to! with the mysterious project,' known only ir>
imagines that any official rank, luuwcvcr other innocent ears ns well as to those ol'j himself, of nn curlier origin and distinct
elevated, will authorize a man to publish j Mr. Adams, with a view to influence pub- source, is in the lust degree violent and dis-
injurious charges ngainst others, und then | lie opinion. But the subject matter of
to refuse till reparation and even uxplana- i the letter was an absurdity. Who did not
non, lest it would tend to impair his dig- know that iu 1807, after the battle of Tra-
nity. If lie is in danger of such a result
in the present instance, ho should have
foreseen it when about to publish his char
ges, in October last. If ‘the proprieties
of bis situation’ have been violated, it was
by that original publication, und not by too
great condescension in answer to our call
upon him, for an act of simple justice to
wards those who felt themselves aggriev
ed.
AVe have thus examined all tlic reasons
Thgre js then no right ojj the pn;t o| by whtph Mr. Adam* attempts to justify
fnlgar, the crippled navy of France could
not undertake to transport even a single
regiment across the British Channel?—
And if the object was the conquest of the
British Provinces by the United States a-
loue, bow could a revolution m their go
vernment, which must divide and weaken
it, promote that end ?
The folly oX the British Government in
attempting to give currency to a story
which savours strongly of the hurlesque
ingenuous.
Tim cession of Louisiana to tbo United
States, when first promulgated, was a theinar
of complaint and dissatisfaction in this part
of the country. This could not be regurded
as factious nr utireiu-otittble, when it is ad
mitted by Mr. Adams, that Air. Jefferson
and himself entertained constitutional scru
ples and objections to the provisions of thor
treaty of cession. Nothing, however, liko
a popular excitement grew out of the mea
sure, und it is stated by Air. Adams that this
project • slumbered ’ until tho period of the
embargo, in l)ec. I8O7. Suppose then for
the moment (what We have not a shadow of
reason for believing, ami do not believe,)
cgji be ' (pinled fiqly bv the credulity of that upon the occasion of the Lotpeiutu*