Page:American Historical Review, Volume 12.djvu/609

Calhomi s Political Opinions and Prospects 599 able. And it may be also conceived, that to send over a fresh diplomatic character, at this stage of the business, would neither be very easy, nor very expeditious. " It is also contemplated by the President, to propose that, for the purpose of saving delay, the ratifications may be exchanged here. For, altho' he does not doubt the constitutionality of the Senate's act, and is advised too, that the proposed article, if agreed to by his britannic majesty, need not be submitted to them before ratification; yet he enter- tains serious doubts, whether he can himself ratify, without having the very article under his eye, after it shall have been assented to by his britannic majesty. The difference of time in the one form or the other will consist only in a voyage from London to Philadelphia. Provision will be made for the subscription in London of any papers, which jorm may require. " You will oblige me. Sir, by giving me your sentiments on this statement." According to Mr Hammond's reply, so will the Government conduct itself. If the thing can be arranged with him, it is humbly offered to the President, as the best expedient. If it cannot, let us try, whether Deas cannot be so prepared, as to have little more to do than what an auto- maton would be equal to ; that is, the mere delivery of papers, and the receiving of answers. If Deas cannot be substituted, then some of our European ministers must of necessity be sent over ; unless some quali- fied person would go from hence, without eclat, in the character of a mere agent. I have the honor. Sir, to be etc. etc. Edm : Randolph. P. S. I forgot to add, as to the order for seizing provisions, a cir- cumstance greatly critical. The reasons, adducted by Mr Adet against the treaty, are all against him. But if this order be tolerated, while France is understood to labour under a famine, the torrent of invective from France and our own countrymen will be immense. J. Virgil Maxcy on Calhoun's Political Opinions and Prospects, 1S23. The following letter, at present in the possession of the man- aging editor, is of interest in the paucity of Calhoun's published political correspondence for 1823 and the adjoining years. It is especially so because it shows him at that time pointedly adhering to the position on the tariflf which he had taken in his celebrated speech of 1816. The letter thus supplements that which Calhoun wrote directly to Garnett on July 3, 1824 {Correspondence, p. 219). The communication of Calhoun to Maxcy on which it is in part based is not in the collection of his letters to Maxcy in the Library of Congress.