surrender of the posts, and his punishment. to the General, will be right, if the facts on The evidence justifying the corkluct of the A- which he rests made it a measure of necessity, merican general, and proving the misconduct and they be well proved. There is no war, or of those officers, will be embodied, to be laid breach of the Constitution, unless the Governbefore the sovereign, as the ground on which ment should refuse to give up the posts; in which event, should Spain embargo our vessels, their punishment will be expected. If the Executive refused to evacuate their and war follow, the charge of such breach posts, especially Pensacola, it would amount to would be laid against the Government with a declaration of war, to which it is incompetent. great force. The last imputation to which I It would be accused with usurping the author- would consent justly to expose myself, is that ity of Congress, and giving a deep and fatal of infringing a Constitution, to the support of wound to the constitution. By charging the which, on pure principles, my public life has offence on the officers of Spain, we take the been devoted. In this sentiment, I am satisfied, ground which you have presented, and we look you fully concur. to you to support it. You must aid in procur Your letters to the department were written ing the documents necessary for this purpose in haste, under the pressure of fatigue and inThose which you sent by Mr. Hambly were firmity, in a spirit of conscious rectitude; and prepared in too much haste, and do not, I am in consequence, with less attention to some satisfied, do justice to the cause. This must parts of their contents than would otherwise have been bestowed on them. The passage to be attended to without delay. Should we hold the posts, it is impossible to which 1 particularly allude from memory, for I calculate all the concequences likely to result have not the letter before me, is that in which from it. It is not improbable that war would you speak of incompetency of an imaginary immediately follow. Spain would be stimu-boundary to protect us against the enemy, lated to declare it; and, once declared, the ad-being the ground on which you bottom all your venturers of Britain and other countries would, measures. This is liable to the imputation that under the Spanish flag, privateer on our com- you took the Spanish posts for that reason, as merce. The immense revenue which we now a measure of expedience, and not on account of receive would be much diminished, as would the misconduct of the Spanish officers. The be the profits of our valuable productions. The effect of this and such passages, besides other war would probably soon become general; and objections to them, would be to invalidate the we do not foresee that we should have a single ground on which you stand, and furnish weapower in Europe on our side. Why risk these pons to adversaries who would be glad to seize consequences? The events which have occur- them. If you think proper to authorize the red in both the Floridas show the incompeten-Secretary or myself, to correct those passages, cy of Spain to maintain her authority; and the it will be done with care; though, should you progress of the revolutions in South America have copies, as I presume you have, you had will require all her forces there. There is better do it yourself. The policy of Europe respecting South much reason to presume that this act will furnish a strong inducement to Spain to cede the America, is not yet settled. A Congress of the territory, provided we do not wound too deeply Allied Powers is to be held this year, (Novemher pride by holding it. If we hold the posts, ber is spoken of,) to decide that question. her government cannot treat with honor, which, England proposes to restore the colonies to by withdrawing the troops, we afford her an Spain, with free trade and colonial governments. opportunity to do. The manner in which we Russia is less favorable, as are all the others. propose to act, will exculpate you from cen-We have a Russian document, written by order sure, and promise to obtain all the advantages of the Emperor, as the basis of instructions to which you contemplated from the measure, his ministers at the several courts, speaking of and possibly very soon. From a different the British proposition favorably, but stating course no advantage would be likely to result, that it must be considered and decided on by and there would be great danger of extensive the allies, and the result published, to produce a moral effect on the colonies, on the failure of and serious injuries. I shall communicate to you, in the conhdence which, force is spoken of. The settlement of in which I write this letter, a copy of an answer the dispute between Spain and Portugal,, is which will be given to the Spanish minister, that made a preliminary. We partake in no councils you may see distinctly the ground on which we whose object is not their complete independIntimations have been given us that rest, in the expectation that you will give it all ence. the support in your power. The answer will Spain is not unwilling, and is even preparing be drawn on a view, and with attention to the for war with the United States, in the hope of general interest of our country, and its rela-making it general, and uniting Europe against us and her colonies, on the principle that she tions with other powers. A charge, no doubt, will be made of a has no hope of saving them. Her pertinac ious breach of the Constitution; and to such a charge refusal to cede the Floridas to us heretofore, the public feeling will be alive. It will be said though evidently her interest to do it, gives that you have taken all the power into your some coloring to the suggestions. If we enown hands, not from the executive alone, but gage in a war, it is of the greatest importance likewise from Congress. The distinction which that our people be united, and with that view I have made above, between the act of the that Spain commence it; above all, that the Government, refutes that charge. This act, as "Government be free from the charge of com- be considered. If these be adopted as the mitting a breach of the Constitution. I hope that you have recovered your health. You see that the state of the world is unsettled, and that any future movement is likely to be directed against us. There may be very impor tant occasions for your services, which will be relied on. You must have the object in view, and be prepared to render them. proper rules of construction, and we apply them to my order of December 26, 1817, it will be at once seen, that both in description and operative principle, they embrace that or der exactly. The requisitions of the order are for the commanding general to assume the immediate command at fort Scott, to concentrate all the contiguous and disposable force of the division on that quarter, to call on the execu tives of adjacent States for an auxiliary militia force, and concludes with this comprehensive NASHVILLE, August 19, 1818. command: "With this view you may he preSIR: Your letter of the 19th July, apprising pared to concentrate your forces, and adapt the me of the course to be pursued in relation to necessary measures to terminate a condict, the Floridas, has been received. In a future which it has ever been the desire of the Presi communication, it is my intention to submit my dent, from motives of humanity, to avoid, but views of all the questions springing from the which is now made necessary by their settled subject, with the fullness and candor which the hostility." B. Gen. Andrew Jackson to Mr. Monroe. importance of the topic, and the part I have In no part of this document is there areferacted in it, demand. At present, I will con-ence to any previous order, either to myself or fine myself to the consideration of a part of another officer, with a view to point to me the your letter, which has a particular bearing on measures thought advisable, or the limits of myself, and which seems to have originated in my power in choosing and effecting the n. It a misconception of the import of the order un- states that Gen. Gaines has been ordered to der which I have commenced the Seminole Amelia island, and then proceeds to inform me campaign. In making this examination, I will that "subsequent orders have been given to make use of all the freedom which is courted General Gaines, (of which copies will be furby your letter, and which I deem necessary to nished you,) that you would be directed to afford you a clear view of the construction take the command, and directing him to re-aswhich was given to the order, and the motives sume, should he decline the public interest to under which I proceeded to execute its intentions require it, the command at fort Scott, unil you It is stated in the second paragraph of your should arrive there." Lastly, it mentions that letter, that I transcended the limits of my order,"he was instructed to penetrate the Seminole and that I acted on my own responsibility. towns through the Floridas, provided the To these two points I mean at present to strength of this command at Amelia, would jusconfine myself. But, before entering on a proof tify his engaging in offensive operations. The of their applicability to my acts in Florida, principle determining the weight of references, allow me fairly to state, that the assumption of in subsequent orders, to instructions previous responsibility will never be shrunk from when ly given, is well settled. Such references are the public good can thereby be promoted. I usually made with one of these two intentions have passed through difficulties and exposures-either the order is given to a second officer, for the honor and benefit of my country; and to effect a certain purpose which was inwhenever still, for this purpose, it shall become tended to be effected by another officer, and necessary to assume a further liability, no the instructions of the first are referred to as the scruple will be urged or felt. But when it guide of the second; or the order contains and shall be required of me to do so, and the re- is designed for an extension of authority, and sult be danger and injury to that country, the only refers to interior communications to give inducement will be lost, and my consent will a full view of what has been previously atbe wanting. tempted and performed. In the first case it This principle is held to be incontrovertible, is always necessary to connect the different orthat an order, generally, to perform a certain ders by a specific provision, that no doubt may service, or effect a certain object, without any exist as to the extent of the command; and thus specification of the means to be adopted, or the several requisitions and instructions are limits to govern the executive officer, leaves amalgamated, and the limits of the agents plain an entire discretion with the officer as to the ly and securely established. In the second, no choice and application of means, but preserves such provision is necessary; for an entire discre the responsibility for his acts on the authority tion in the choice and use of means being prefrom which the order emanated. Under such viously vested, the reference, if there be any, 'an order all the acts of the inferior are acts of is only descriptive of the powers antecedently the superior; and in no way can the subordi-given, and the results of measures attempted nate officer be impeached for his measures, ex-under such specified limitation. But admitcept on the score of deficiency in judgment ting that, in my order of December 25, 1817, and skill. It is also a grammatical truth, that there is such a reference as I contemplated in the limits of such an order cannot be transcend-the first case, allow me to examine its character ed without an entire desertion of the objects and amount. It is stated that "orders have it contemplated; for as long as the main legiti-been given to General Gaines, (copies of which mate object is kept in view, the policy of the will be furnished you,") but without affirmmeasures adopted to accomplish it is alone to ing that they are to be considered as binding on me, or in any way connected with the com- cessity for giving it an immediate answer, I deprehensive command that I should terminate layed it until my return here. the Seminole conflict. On the contrary, so I was sorry to find that you understood your far are they from being designated as my guide instructions relative to operations in Florida, and limits in entering Florida, that, in stating differently from what we intended. I was satheir substance in the ensuing sentence, no al- tisfied, however, that you had good reason for lusion whatever is made either to means or lim- your conduct, and have acted in all things on ilation. that principle. By supposing that you understood them as we did, I concluded that you proceeded on your own responsibility alone, in which, knowing the purity of your motives, I have done all that I could to justify the measure. I well knew, also, the misconduct of the Spanish authorities in that quarter, not of recent date only. Finding that you had a different view of your power, it remains only to do justice to you on that ground. Nothing can be further from my intention than to expose you to a responsibility, in any sense, which you did not contemplate. How, then, can it be said with propriety that I have transcended the limits of my orders, or acted on my own responsibility? My order was as comprehensive as it could be, and contained neither the minute original instructions, or a reference to others previously given to guide and govern me. The fullest discretion was left with me in the selection and application of means to effect the specifical legitimate objects of the campaign; and for the exercise of a sound discretion on principles of policy am I alone responsible. But allow me to repeat, that re- The best course to be pursued seems to me sponsibility is not feared by me, if the general to be for you to write a letter to the Departgood requires its assumption. I never have ment, in which you will state, that, having reashrunk from it, and never will; but against its son to think that a difference of opinion existed imposition on me, contrary to principle, and between you and the Executive, relative to the without the prospect of any politic result, I extent of your powers, you thought it due to must contend with all the feelings of a soldier yourself to state your view of them, and on and a citizen. Being advised that you are at which you acted. This will be answered, so as your country seat in Loudoun, where I expect to explain ours, in a friendly manner by Mr. this will reach you, I enclose you a copy of the Calhoun, who has very just and liberal sentiorder to me of the 26th December, 1817, and ments on the subject. This will be necessary copies of the orders of General Gaines therein in the case of a call for papers by Congress, or referred to; from a perusal of which, you will perceive that the order to me has no reference to those prohibitory orders to General Gaines, that you have referred to. may be. Thus we shall all stand on the ground With great respect, and sincere regard, JAMES MONROE. D. Extract from General Jackson's letter of November 15, 1818, to Mr. Monroe. It will afford me pleasure to aid the Government in procuring any testimony that may be necessary to prove the hostility of the officers of Spain to the United States. I had supposed that the evidence furnished, had established that fact-that the officers of Spain had identi fied themselves with our enemy, and that St. Marks and Pensacola were under the complete control of the Indians, although the Governor of Pensacola at least had force sufficient to have controlled the Indians, had he chosen to have DEAR SIR: On my return from the Chickaused it in that way. For the purpose of pro-saw treaty, I found it necessary to pass by Milcuring the necessary evidence of the hostile ton's Bluff, where I had established some hands acts of the Governor of Pensacola, I despatch- for the culture of cotton, hearing it had been ed Captain Young, topographical engineer, and laid out for a town and the lots sold, to have as as soon as obtained, will be furnished you. I much of my crop preserved as existing circumtrust, on a view of all my communications, (co- stances would permit. From thence I took pies of which have been forwarded by Captain Huntsville in my route, and did not reach the Gadsden,) you will find that they do not bear Hermitage until the 12th instant, and on the 13th the construction you have given them. They were written under bad health, great fatigue, and in haste. My bad health continues: I la bor under great bodily debility. Accept assurances of my sincere regard and esteem; and am, respectfully, your most obedient servant, ANDREW JACKSON. JAMES MONROE, President U. S. C. James Monroe to. Gen Andrew Jackson. WASHINGTON, October 20th, 1818. DEAR SIR: I received your letter of the 19th received your letter of the 20th ultimo; from an attentive perusal of which, I have concluded that you have not yet seen my despatches from Ford Gadsden, of the fifth of May last, which it is reported reached the Department of War by due course of mail, and owing to the negligence of the clerks was thrown aside as a bundle of revolutionary and pension claims. This I sincerely regret, as it would have brought to your view the light in which I viewed my orders. The closing paragraph of this despatch is in the following words: "I trust, therefore, that the measures which of August, while I was at home, on my farm in have been adopted in pursuance of your in Albemarle; and there appearing to be no nestructions, under a firm conviction that they are calculated to ensure peace and security to would afford me great pleasure to hear that the the southern frontier of Georgia." Colonel was comfortably seated in an office in The moment, therefore, that you assume the Newport, where he could spend his declining ground that I transcend my power, the letter re- years in peace and happiness with his own ferred to above will, at once, unfold to your countrymen and friends. mind, the view I had taken of them, and make Accept assurances of my high respect and es manifest the difference of opinion that exists. teem, and believe me to be, respectfully, your Indeed, there are no data at present upon which most obedient servant, A. JACKSON. JAMES MONROE, President U. S. F. Mr. Monroe to General Jackson. such a letter as you wish written to the Secretary of War can be bottomed. I have no ground that a difference of opinion exists between the Government and myself, relative to the powers given me in my orders, unless I advert either to your private and confidential letters, or the pub- DEAR SIR: I received your letter of Novemlic prints, neither of which can be made the basis ber 13 some time past, and should have answerof an official communication to the Secretary of ed it sooner but for the great pressure of busiWar. Had I ever, or were I how to receive ness on me, proceeding from duties connected an official letter from the Secretary of War, ex- with the measures of Congress. planatory of the light in which it was intended The step suggested in mine to you of Octo. by the Government that my orders should be ber 20, will, I am inclined to believe, be unneviewed, I would with pleasure give my under-cessary. My sole object in it was to emble standing of them. E. you to place your view of the authority under which you acted in Florida, on the strongest General Jackson to James Monroe. ground possible, so as to do complete justice to HERMITAGE, NEAR NASHVILLE, Dec. 7, 1818. yourself. I was persuaded that you had not DEAR SIR: I have just received your mes- done yourself justice in that respect, in your sage to both Houses of Congress, forwarded by correspondence with the Department, and you, and have read it with great attention and thought that it would be better that the expla satisfaction. The Florida question being now nation should commence with you, than be infairly before Congress, I hope that body will vited by the Department. It appeared to me take measures to secure our southern frontier that that would be the most delicate course in from a repetition of massacre and murder. regard to yourself. There is, it is true, noFrom the report of Col. King, received and thing in the Department to indicate a difference forwarded to the Department of War, you will of opinion between you and the Executive, re. discover that the Indians had concentrated their specting the import of your instructions, and for forces on the Choctaw Hotchy, which gave rise that reason, that it would have been difficult to to the affair between them and Capt. Boyles, have expressed that sentiment without imply which Col. King reports. ing by it a censure on your conduct, than which The collection of the Indians is said to have nothing could be more remote from our disposi taken place at this point on their hearing that tion or intention. Pensacola was to be restored to Spain, and that On reviewing your communication by Capthe Indians have declared they will never sub-tain Gadsden, there were three subjects premit to the United States. If this be the fact, eminently in view: the first, to preserve the and as to myself I have no doubt, as soon as Constitution from injury; the second, to deSpain is in the possession of Pensacola, we may prive Spain and the allied powers of any just expect to hear of a renewal of all the horrid cause of war; and the third, to improve the o scenes of massacre on our frontier that existed currence to the best advantage of the country, before the campaign, unless Captain Boyles, and of the honor of those engaged in it. la on his second visit, may be fortunate enough to every step which I have since taken, I have destroy this operation, which you may rely pursued those objects with the utmost zeal, and springs from foreign excitement. according to my best judgment. In what conCol. Sherburne, Chickasaw agent, requested cerns you personally, I have omitted nothing in me to name to you, that he was wearied with my power to do you justice, nor shall I in the his situation, of which I have no doubt; his age sequel. and former habits of life but little calculated) The decision in the three great points above him for happiness amidst a savage nation. But stated, respecting the course to be pursued by being dependent for the support of himself and the administration, was unanimously concurred sister on the perquisites of his office, he cannot in; and I have good reason to believe that it resign; but it would be a great accommodation has been maintained since, in every particular, to him to be transferred to Newport, should a by all, with perfect integrity. It will be grativacancy in any office occur that he was compe-fying to you to know that a letter of instrue tent to fill. I have no doubt but he is an amia- tions has been drawn by the Secretary of State ble old man; and from his revolutionary servi- to our Minister at Madrid, in reply to a letter ces, I sincerely feel for him. He is unacquaint- of Mr. Pizzaro, which has been published, in ed with Indians, and all business which relates which all the proceedings in Florida, and in n to them; but at the treaty, as soon as he did un-gard to it, have been freely reviewed, and derstand our wishes and that of the government, placed in a light which will, I think, be sath he aided us with all his might. The Colonel factory to all. This letter will be reported ever can be happy amidst the Indians. It'Congress in a few lays, and published of cours ( WASHINGTON, OCTOBER 8, 1832. VOL. VI................$2.50 PER ANNUM..... BY DUFF GREEN..........No. 26 GEN. JACKSON AND THE LATE PRE York to-night. I know not what may be his SIDENT MONROE. course in relation to the subject upon which information is asked by you. I have no doubt, It is now no longer denied that General Jackson places his conduct in the Seminole war up- expected of a man of honor, and that he will however, but that he will do all that can be on the ground that he was acting under the be found careless of the consequences, when "secret orders" of Mr. Monroe; and it has been the reputation of my uncle is any way called instated, on authority which leaves no room to to question. Bu, be that as it may, I now Calhoun, General Jackson brought Johnny that you and the public shall have, at a very pledge myself, as the nephew of James Monroe, Rhea, then a superannuated old man, to this early day, the facts, which is all that is required city, where the latter, under the dictation of for the def nce of my uncle. I have this mothe President, wrote a letter to Mr. Monroe, ment seen the article in your paper, and the which, if true, would have covered his name mail has closed for the south; this letter will be with the deepest dishonor. mailed at Powles' dook. doubt, that after the correspondence with Mr. In haste, I am, wtih much respect, your obedient servant, JAMES MONROE. P. S. I will thank you to publish this letter, as due to the blood representative of my uncle. J. M. When this letter was written, his friends in this city were expetting every moment to hear of bis death. Such was the state of his health, that an express had been sent for a part of his family who were in Loudon, who did not ex, pect to find him alive on reaching New York (A copy of this letter was retained by General THE CORRESPONDENCE. Jackson, and put aside for future use, who boasted, to more than one of his flatterers, that We lay before our readers the correspondhe had the document in his possession to prove It is full of interest, and cannot fail to arrest ence between Mr. Gouverneur and Mr. Blair. that he acted under Mr. Monroe's "secret orders.") But Mr. Monroe lingered longer than their attention. We pause to see how it will was expected. He was not only alive when the be treated in the Globe. Mr. Gouverneur's letter which was to have immolated his fame, letters are marked with a force and perspicuity the rich inheritance left to his children and which show that he is not only master of the country, arrived; but he had the full possession subject, but fully competent to discuss it. of that intellect which won him the highest of although we wait to see whether the Governearthly honors. Instead of leaving the letterment organ will not entomb itself in mock dig unanswered, as was anticipated, he gave to it nity. roe. Mr. Blair says, "But there is another cir the most positive denial; and placed unequivocal proofs of its falsity in the possession of his cumstance much more decisive on this point. representatives, one of whom is Captain Mun-Jackson Mr. Monroe's purpose as to the mode The individual who communicated to General We are gratified to hear, through the Globe, ed by letter, as I have understood, the attention of carrying into effect his public orders, invitthat Mr. Gouverneur has denied the statement of the latter to the fact alluded to in the article of that print, and more so to receive from Capt. of the Globe, and presented to him all the parMonroe the pledge that the memory of his de- ticulars of the transaction, with an inquiry as to ceased uncle will be vindicated. The repre-his recollection on the subject. With this genBentatives of the deceased patriot are no longer tleman, then, if there were any certainty (dicharged with the simple duty of defending his character--they owe it to the people of the versity) of opinion, in regard to the facts stated United States, that all the facts should be sub. by him, the issue should have been made, and mitted to their judgment. Let us have the not with one, merely repeating what this indi whole truth. vidual, cognizant of all the circumstances, had asserted, without contradiction." To the Editor of the United States' Telegraph: le ter was in answer to one written on the 15th By referring to the reply, we find that this New York, Sept. 27, 1832. of June, and was not received until the 26th, SIR: I find in your paper now before me, an although it bears date on the 20th. This fact article headed "General Jackson and Mr. Mon- proves not my that it was written with great roe," in which you call for information in relation care, but that its purport was deliberately exto the remarks contained in the Globe of the amined before it was transmitted. Taken in 9th June and 22d inst. The latter I had not connexion with what General Jackson has himseen or heard of, till your paper of the 25th self said, it gives us distinctly to unders' and came to hand. Mr. Gouverneur is now absent, that Johnny Rhea, in his letter to Mr. Monroe, and I understand that he is expected in New alledged that Mr. Monroe had communicated, |