posed, to me, which was out of my posses- January, 1828. We ask the reader to note sion, and was intended to be used for political that this confidential letter refers to the construcpurposes. My friend could not inform me in tion which Mr. Monroe and Mr Calhoun, both whose possession the latter was. On hearing placed on General J.'s instructions. Mr. Monthat there was a letter of Mr. Monroe's in Geroe says, "Our views of his powers are deneral Jackson's possession, I concluded it must cidedly different from his;" and, also, it may be the same, though I was utterly at a loss to be my duty to state to Congress, that he tranconjecture how it had passed into his hands, scended his orders on his own responsibility." or how he could conceive that it indicated un- Let him also look well to the dates and to the friendly feelings to him on the part of the wri- facts developed in the following extracts, and The will see why it was that the letter was not assumed as the basis of the quarrel with Mr. Calhoun. ter. "I communicated what I had heard to the two Senators, at that time from Tennessee, Judge White and Major Eaton, and my belief James A. Hamilton was delegated by Mr. that the letter in the possession of the Gene-Van Buren's party at New York to attend Gen. ral was Mr. Monroe's to me, and stated, if it Jackson as part of his suite to New Orleans. was, it would be in my power to show that the Hear what he says: letter, so far from being hostile, was directly "On my voyage during the winter of 1827 and of an opposite character. They wrote to the '28 from Nashville to New Orleans, in compaGeneral to ascertain if it was the one suppos- ny with General Jackson and his suite, there ed; and I addressed a note to Mr. Monroe to was much conversation among the General's apprise him of what I had heard, and to re- friends, in which I participated, and particularquest him to send me a copy of his privately with Major Lewis, in relation to the various correspondence with Gen. Jackson, (the one charges against General Jackson which the published with the correspondence between Presidential canvass had originated or renewed, Gen. Jackson and myself,) to be placed in the and particularly as to the unfriendly course Mr. hands of the two Senators, as explanatory of Crawford was supposed to have taken towards the letter in question, should it prove to be the the General in relation to the Seminole war. one supposed. It being understood that I intended on my re"Whether the letter of Mr. Monroe, of the turn to New York to pass through Georgia, to 9th of September, which was purloined from avail myself of that opportunity to visit Mr. me, and passed into the hands of Gen. Jack Crawford, Major Lewis desired me, or I offerson, as has been stated, was intended as one of ed, to ascertain truly what occurred in Mr. the means of placing us in our present relations, Monroe's cabinet deliberations in relation to a or was intended to excite hostility between him proposition supposed to have been made to arand Mr. Monroe, I am now unable to say Arest General Jackson for his conduct in that first I supposed the latter, but subsequent war, and to inform him of the result, in order, events leave it doubtful. The letter was final- as I understood, that he might be prepared to ly returned to me by General Jackson, but repel an attack on General Jackson that was an without explanation of the manner in which it ticipated, connected with that subject, but, above all, if possible to produce a perfect recame to his hands. conciliation between those gentlemen and their "Having so long_remained in the possession respective friends. of the General, and been the subject of a cor- "On my arrival at Sparta, (Georgia) where I respondence, I might have adduced it in my hoped to see Mr. Crawford, I ascertained that correspondence with him, as conclusive proof he lived so far out of my way, that to go to his that he ought to have known that my construc- house, would delay me in my journey eight or tion of his orders in the Seminole war coin- ten days, and that it was probable I would not cided with Mr. Monroe's, and consequently dif- find him at home when I should arrive there. fered from his own. I was restrained, however, I therefore pushed on to. Savannah, whence, on from doing so, by considerations which may be the 25th January, 1828, I wrote to Mr. Forsyth easily conceived, but as the letter is neces- the letter referred to by him in his letter to sarily connected with the immediate subject of Mr. Calhoun, dated May 31st, 1830. As I did this statement, I am now obliged to present it not retain a copy of that letter I must speak of to the public as a part of my vindication." its contents from recollection. By it I inform We proceed to explain, in part, the mystery * Mr. Lee returned from New Orleans in comwhich yet hangs over this letter. Early in the pany with Gen. Jackson, and in the autumn of session of 1826-7 this letter was in the posses- that year he visited the north with introductory sion of Major H. Lee and Gen. Houston, then letters, addressed by Gen. Jackson to promia representative in Congress from Nashville nent individuals in those States. He met Mr. district; suspicion rests on a Mr. "" who Van Buren near Albany, and Mr. Speaker Stehad held an office in the War Department, as venson in Boston, where he gave it to be unthe individual who placed it in the hands of one derstood that he was a confidential agent of of them. Major Lee went to Nashville in the Gen Jackson. He returned to the Hermitage spring of 1827, under a pretext of writing Gen. and accompanied the President to Washington. Jackson's biography, and remained with him He was immediately afterwards appointed conuntil he visited New Orleans on the 8th of sul to Algiers. M ed him of my disappointment in not having the import of that part which, it was under been premitted by my arrangements to visit stood, was not to be considered as confidential Mr. Crawford, the inquiry I wished to make of "In reply to my inquiry "whether, at any him as above stated, and requested him when meeting of Mr. Monroe's cabinet, the propriety he should meet Mr. Crawford, to show him my of arresting Gen. Jackson, for any thing done letter, and communicate the result to me at by him during the Seminole war, had been at New York. any time discussed?" You answered: "Such "On my arrival at Washington, in February, a measure was not thought of-much less disI resided, during the day or two I remained cussed. The only point before the cabinet was there, in the same house with the Vice Presi- the answer to be given to the Spanish Governdent; and being anxious to obtain the informa- ment." tion before referred to-(having, as I feared, lost "I am thus particular, in endeavoring to asthe opportunity to do so from Mr. Crawford)- certain from you whether my recollection is after advising with a very honorable and discreet faithful or not in regard to this part of our confriend, residing in the same house, as to the versation, because I wish to fulfil the object of propriety of doing so, I requested an interview my inquiry, by confirming Major Lewis, acon with Mr. Calhoun, which was granted. When fidential friend of General Jackson's, at Nashwe met, I asked Mr. Calhoun "whether, at any ville, in the truth; not with a view to his mak. meeting of Mr. Monroe's cabinet, the propriety ing a publication on the subject at present, but of arresting Gen. Jackson, for any thing done to be prepared against an apprehended attack, by him during the Seminole war, had been at founded on events connected with that camany time discussed"" To which he replied-paign.” "Never: such a measure was not thought of, much less discussed. The only point before the cabinet was the answer that was to be given to the Spanish government." Mr. Calhoun to Mr. Hamilton. “WASHINGTON, March 2, 182g. "DEAR SIR: I received, three days since, "Our conversation was extended, and, on his part, embraced much that I have never felt myself at liberty to disclose. After he had your letter of the 25th February, and have seiz gone over the whole ground, in order to avoid ed the first leisure moment to answer it. the possibility of mistake, I asked the Vice "In the conversation to which your letter al ludes, I supposed, as you did not state the ob ject, that your inquiry, as to what had passed on a particular point in the cabinet deliberation on the Seminole question, was to obtain information, in order to meet more general rumor, falsely put out to influence the result of the Presidential election. My answer was accordadvised, and communicated to him with sincere pleasure the statement Mr. Calhoun had made. ingly predicated on such supposition, and was intended to meet assertions unsupported by the I think I also mentioned it to another gentle-authority of any name in the same general manman, who was of the same house; and the next ner without a name; and was intended to be li morning, at an early hour, I left Washington mitted even with that view to the denial of what for New York, where I arrived on the 17th of was falsely stated to have occurred. I now learn February. On the 19th I wrote a letter to that your object is more specific. You state that Major Lewis, of which the following extract is you desire the information "because I wish to all that relates to the subject: "I did not see Mr. Crawford, as I intended Major Lewis, a confidential friend of General fulfil the object of my inquiry by confirming to do, because he was seventy miles out of my Jackson, at Nashville, in the truth; not with way; but the Vice President, who, you know, the view of his making a publication on the was that member of the cabinet best acquainted subject at present, but to be prepared against with the subject, told me Gen. Jackson's arrest was never thought of, much less discussed.'" an apprehended attack, founded on events connected with that campaign.” I have, under this aspect of the subject, deliberately consider ed how far I could, with propriety, speak of the proceedings of the cabinet at all, which has resulted in the conviction that a duty of a very high and delicate character imposes on me si lence. To a proper understanding of this transaction it is necessary that we should publish the folowing correspondence between Mr. Calhoun and Mr. Hamilton. It will be found in the Weekly Telegraph, Vol. IV., pages 410 and 411, appended to Mr. Calhoun's supplemental address to the public. Copy of a letter from Mr. Hamilton to Mr. Cal houn, relating to the deliberations of the Cabinet on the Seminole question. No relation can be more confidential than that between the President and members of the cabinet as his constitutional advisers. Charged as he is with the executive duties of the Government, which were vested in a single "NEW YORK, February 25, 1828. person to give energy and promptitude in exe"DEAR SIR: To avoid mistake as to what pass cution, it is manifest that to divulge the cabinet ed between us at the conversation I had the ho- deliberations by any of its members would innor to hold with you, the evening before I left troduce distrust and discord, and thereby tend Washington, I submit to you the following, as to defeat, in this important particular, the ob ject of the constitution. Nor, on a point so de- M. Hamilton to Mr. Calhoun. licate, can a member of the cabinet, in my "NEW YORK, March 10, 1828. opinion, be justified by reference to the impor "DEAR SIR: I have received your letter of tance of the object intended to be effected by the 2d instant. Your reasoning as to the confia disclosure of its proceedings. Deeply as any dence which ought to observed in regard to man of correct feelings must reprobate the occurrences in the cabinet is so clear and confoul attacks on General Jackson, and as impor-clusive as to command universal assent. tant as 'every patriot must consider the defence "I have written to Major Lewis to day, that of his character agains such attacks in this your name is not to be used in any manner in great political struggle, involving, as I sincerely connexion with the denial, should a publicabelieve, the liberties of the country, yet I can- tion be called for at any time, which I do not not reconcile it to my sense of duty, even for believe will be the case. such an object, to do an act tending in any degree to weaken, by its example, the confidence rest by a communication I received after I wrote "The subject has acquired increasing inte which ought to exist between the chief magis- to you. trate and his constitutional advisers; and I am greatly mistaken if General Jackson would not With very great respect, "Your ob't serv't, "JAMES A. HAMILTON. Washington." Mr. Calhoun to Mr. Hamilton. be the last man to assent to be so defended." To the Vice President of the United States, It is, however, a satisfaction, in pursuing the course that duty impels me to do, to reflect that the information, as I conceive, will never be needed for his defence. I cannot believe that an attack so unfounded will ever be made-not "WASHINGTON, 15th March, 1828. but that he has enemies atrocious enough to "DEAR SIR: On reflection, it has appeared revert to the most diabolical falsehoods in or- to me desirable, on several accounts, that if an der to wound his reputation; but it is manifest attack on General Jackson is meditated in the that an attack of the kind supposed, cannot be manner supposed, I should be put in possession made with the slightest prospect of success of the facts from which it is inferred. My without the countenance of some one of the knowledge of the facts, might enable me to asmembers of Mr. Monroe's cabinet at that time, certain from what quarter the blow might be and I cannot admit the possibility that any one expected, and to take measures to parry it. can be so lost to honor and duty, as to be "If you should concur in this view, and the agent or instrument in such an attack. But, should feel yourself at liberty to make a comif what seems to me impossible, should prove munication of what you know, it might prove otherwise by there being found one base enough ultimately serviceable to the cause. Whatever to lend himself to such a purpose, then would it you may commmunicate, will be received in become a question worthy of grave consideration strict confidence. on the part of the other members to determine whether, under all the circumstances of the case, duty would not impose an obligation, în order to counteract the 'injurious effect of a false, a partial statement of the cabinet proceedings, to 'demand of the then chief magistrate, a release of the injunction of secrecy, "NEW YORK, March 20, 1828. or whether the chief magistrate himself would 15th inst., I regret to say that I am not permit "DEAR SIR: In reply to your letter of the not be bound to disclose what was necessary ted to disclose to you what I know of the matto the vindication of the character of General ter to which it refers. "With great respect, &c. &c. &c. "J. C. CALHOUN. "James A. Hamilton, Esq." Mr. Hamilton to Mr. Calhoun. Jackson, assailed in the manner supposed. "The information I received was not deShould such a case occur, though to me appa-clared to be confidential, nor was it, from its rently impossible, I may, with confidence, ap- character necessarily so; and yet, as it was compeal to the past, to prove that I would not be municated to me only because I could be in-, wanting in zeal to go as far as duty would strumental in obtaining the means of resistance, admit in defending the character of General I feel that, having done so, I ought to consider Jackson; and in maintaining, in his person, the myself as no longer possessed of the informagreat cause of liberty and the constitution. tion.. believe the anticipation was groundless. "Your obedient servant, · “JAMES A. HAMILTON. "Entertaining these views, you will see that I decline the introduction of my name, in any I shape, as connected with what passed in the cabinet on the occasion to which you refer. What I stated in conversation was negative in its character, and intended, as above stated, to "The Vice President of the U.,S. Washington.' enable you to meet, by a general contradiction, without the introduction of my name, what I To this we add Mr. Forsyth's letter to Mr supposed existed only in the shape of rumor; Hamilton which was made the pretext for the and I must request you to consider it as limited rupture between the President and Vice Preto that purpose only.", sident. It was published in the correspondence, and will be found page 324 Weekly Tele. graph, Vol. IV., part 1st. From Mr. Forsyth to Mr. Hamilton. tunity to visit Mr. Crawford, Major Lewis de. sired me, or I offered, to ascertain truly what occurred in Mr. Monroe's cabinet deliberations in relation to a proposition supposed to have been made to arrest Gen. Jackson for his conduct in that war, and to inform him of the re "MILLEDGEVILLE, Feb. 8th, 1828. "DEAR SIR: Our friend, Wm: H. Crawford was in this place a few hours yesterday on private business. I had very unexpectedly an opportunity to comply with the request made sult." in your letter dated Savannah, January 25th. Mr. Hamilton tells us that, having reached I had a long conversation with Mr. C., and af- Sparta, he ascertained that Mr. Crawford liv terwards read to him your letter. He regreted so far out of the ay that it would delay ed that your engagements did not permit you him some eight or ten days, and, therefore, he to pay him a passing visit. By his authority I went to Savannab, and wrote thence to Mr. state, in reply to your inquiry, that a meet- Forsyth, and requested him to obtain from Mr. ing of Mr. Monroe's cabinet to discuss the Crawford the information which he wanted. It course to be pursued towards Spain in conse- will strike the reader as a little remarkable, quence of General Jackson's proceedings in that Mr. Hamilton should have travelled at the Florida during the Seminole war, Mr. Calhoun, way to Georgia for the purpose, as he alleges, the Secretary of the War Department, submitted of visiting Mr. Crawford; and that, when he to and urged upon the President, the propriety reached Sparta, within seventy miles of Mr. and necessity of arresting and trying General C.'s residence, he turned off to Augus'a, beJackson. Mr. Monroe was very much annoyed cause, to visit Mr. Crawford, would delay him by it; expressed a belief that such a step would on his journey!! Incredible!! not meet the public approbation; that General It will be seen, in the sequel, that Mr. ForJackson had performed too much public service syth, was well informed as to all the matters to be treated as a younger or subaltern officer about which Mr. H. bad promised to make the might, without shocking public opinion. Mr. inquiries. It is apparent that this proposed Adams spoke with great violence against the visit to Mr. Crawford was political, and that proposed arrest, and justified the General Mr. H. had ascertained that his object could be throughout, vehemently urging the President better accomplished by the agency of Mr. Farto make the cause of the General that of the ad- syth than by his own visit. Who can doubt ministration. that the object was to interpose as many agents as possible between Mr. Crawford and Mr. Van Buren, who was Mr. Hamilton's principal? But to proceed. "In consequence of the strong excitement produced by the President's obvious embarrassment, Mr. Crawford interposed in the discussion, and suggesting that there was no necessity Mr. Hamilton avows that the object of his for deciding upon the course to be pursued to visit was, "if possible, to produce a perfect wards the General, as the question for which the reconciliation between those gentlemen (Mr. cabinet was convened did not required it, They Crawford and Gen. Jackson) and their respec were called to determine how Spain was to be tive friends." How was this to be done Mr. treated in relation to the Florida affair; the con- Crawford's letter to Mr. Balch, gives the only duet of the General was a matter exclusively condition on which he supported the re-election between the General and his own Government; of Gen. Jackson; it was his confidence that he in which, however Spain might feel interested, she had no right to meddle. The subject was then disposed of, and was not renewed. could produce a rupture between Gen. Jackson and Mr. Calhoun; and when we remember that Major Lee, who was one of the party, "Mr. Calhoun had previously communicated then had in possession Mr. Monroe's letter to to Mr. Crawford his intention to present the Mr. Calhoun, no one can doubt that that lever question to Mr. Monroe; an intention Mr. was the fruitful source of their consultations; Crawford approved, although not believing as or, to use Mr. Hamilton's own words, "the he stated to Mr. Calhoun, that General Jackson much conversation" between Lewis, Lee, and would be either arrested or censured by the Hamilton; and it is also apparent, that Mr. President. Hamilton had heard that Mr. Callidun had made a proposition to arrest General Jackson, because he says that he promised to visit Mr. Crawford, to ascertain truly what had occurred in Mr. Monroe's cabinet deliberations, in relation to a proposition to ARREST Gen. Jackson for his conduct in that war. (See Mr. Hamilton's address to the public, in the New York Evening Post of Feb. 24, 1831.) And he also says, that after reaching home, he wrote to Mr. Lewis, on the 19th of February, 1823, as "With great respect, "I am, dear sir, yours, "JOHN FORSYTH. “Major JAMES A. HAMILTON, New York.” It will be seen that Mr. Hamilton says, that there was much conversation among the Gene. ral's friends, in which he participated, and particularly with Major Lewis, in relation to the various charges against Gen. Jackson which the presidential canvass had originated or renewed, and particularly as to the unfriendly follows: course Mr. Crawford was supposed to have "I did not see Mr. Crawford, as I intended taken towards the General in relation to the to do, because he was sevenly* miles out of my Seminole war. "It being understood that I intended, on my return to New York, to pass Only seventy miles! Why, then, did not through Georgia, to avail myself of that oppor- Mr. Hamilton, who had travelled all the way way; but the Vice President, who you know The letter of Mr. Monroe to Mr. Crawford, was that member of the cabinet best acquainted stolen from the latter, and placed in the hands with the subject, told me that. Gen. Jackson's of Gen. Jackson by Houston and Lee, was exarrest was never thought of, much less dis- plicit, as to the question of power delegated by cussed." his orders; but that said nothing of the "ARREST." It is thus admitted by Hamilton,that he and Lewis and Lee knew at that time, (in December, 1827,) that Mr. Calhoun had been charged by Mr. Crawford with having made the proposition. The question is, how did they obtain this infor mation? These extracts show that the question of the arrest of Gen. Jackson was the topic of the "much conversation" between Lewis, Lee, and Hamilton, on their way down the river that they then knew Mr. Crawford had said that the proposition had been made by Mr. The answer is given in Mr. Forsyth's letCalhoun; for Mr. H. tells us, that the object of ter to the editor of the Telegraph, dated at hiş visit to Mr. Crawford was not only to asGeorgetown, February 19th, 1831. [See Weekcertain truly what had transpired in the cabi- ty Telegraph vol. 4, part 1, page 396.] Mr. Fornet deliberations, in relation to a proposition to syth, speaking of Mr. Hamilton's application to arrest Gen. Jackson," but, if possible, to pro-him to furnish the President with the informaduce a perfect reconciliation between those tion contained in his letter to Mr. H., dated 8th gentlemen (Mr. Crawford and Gen. Jackson) of February, 1828, says: and their respective friends." No one can for a moment suppose, that Mr. Hamilton could "I then said, Mr. Crawford spoke to me, and entertain any hope of producing a "perfect re- speaks to every body, of this affair (the propoconciliation" between Gen. Jackson and Mr. sition to arrest) with the same indifference that Crawford, by ascertaining that Mr. Crawford he does of any other incident of his public life. had made a proposition to arrest Gen. Jackson. I am sure he does not care what you do with the That he expected Mr. Crawford to say that Mr. letter: you may give the President a' copy." Calhoun had made the proposition, appears Now, if we suppose that Mr. Crawford, who, from his letter to Lewis, referring to the con- it seems, "spoke to every body" about the arrest versation which they had had on their way at the sarae time that he authorized. Mr. Van down the river, and which led to his proposi- Buren and Mr. Cambreleng, in April, 1827, to tion to see Mr. Crawford on the subject. In make known his opinions on the Presidential that letter he said: "I did not see Mr. Craw-election, also told them, as he told Mr. Forsyth, ford, as I intended to do, because he was seven- that Mr. Calhoun had made a proposition to "arty miles out of my way; but the Vice Presi- rest" Gen. Jackson; and if we suppose that Mr. dent, whom you know was that member of the Van Buren, at the time that he deputed Mr. cabinet best acquainted with the subject, told Hamilton, as his "deputy," to attend General me that Gen. Jackson's arrest was never thought Jackson to New Orleans,communicated it to him, of, much less discussed." and that Mr. Hamilton, as instructed, repeated It is thus apparent that Major Lewis, Mr. the same to Gen. Jackson, Major Lee, and Major Lee, and Mr. Hamilton, at the time they were Lewis, and we have satisfactorily accounted for descending the river in December, 1827, knew the way in which the subject came to be the that Mr. Crawford had said that Mr. Calhoun topic of so "much conversation" between those had made the proposition to arrest Gen. Jack- gentlemen. son. How did they arrive at that knowledge? We find that our quotations have swelled It is true that Mr. Forsyth, in his letter to Mr. our narratiye so much that we must postpone, Hamilton, dated 8th of February, 1828, says: to another number, some very important evi"By his (Mr. Crawford's) authority, I state, dence which casts a volume of new light on this in reply to your iry, that at a meeting of most profligate conspiracy to destroy the charMr. Monroe's cabinet, to discuss the course to acter of Mr. Calhoun; the object of which has be pursued towards Spain, in consequence of Gen. Jackson's proceedings in Florida, during the Seminole war, Mr. Calhoun, the Secretary of the War Department, submitted to, and urged upon, the President, the propriety and necessity of arresting and trying Gen. Jackson." been from the first to identify Martin Van Buren with Andrew Jackson, and, by putting to him as the successor of General Jackson. him up as a party candidate, transfer the party But we cannot close this without first contradicting, in the most unqualified terms, the assertion of Mr. Crawford. The reader will be But neither Mr. Lewis, Mr. Hamilton, or Mr. surprised to learn that, although the charge that Lee had this letter when they had so much Mr. Calhoun made a proposition to arrest Genconversation" on their way down the river, in eral Jackson is set forth in such unqualified December. It was to obtain this statement, that terms in Mr. Forsyth's letter to Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Hamilton volunteered to visit Mr. Crawford. the truth is that no such proposition was ever made by Mr. Calhoun or any body else. from New Orleans to Sparta, for the purpose of Mr. Forsyth, in his letter of the 19th of Feb. seeing Mr. Crawford, travel these seventy miles? ruary, 1831, before referred to, says "the in The answer is clear. If we suppose that he formation was no longer a matter of indifferfell in with Mr. Forsyth, and that they arranged ence, and I did not choose to give it to the Prethe plan by which a written statement could be sident without apprising Mr. Crawford that he obtained, the mystery is explained and Mr. Calhoun differed in their accounts of |