_Mr. Henry to Mr. Monroe._
PHILADELPHIA, _February 20, 1812_.
SIR: Much observation and experience have convinced me, that
the injuries and insults with which the United States have
been so long and so frequently visited, and which cause
their present embarrassment, have been owing to an opinion
entertained by foreign States, "that in any measure tending to
wound their pride, or provoke their hostility, the Government
of this country could never induce a great majority of its
citizens to concur."--And as many of the evils which flow
from the influence of this opinion on the policy of foreign
nations, may be removed by any act that can produce unanimity
among all parties in America, I voluntarily tender to you,
sir, such means, as I possess, towards promoting so desirable
and important an object; which, if accomplished, cannot fail
to extinguish, perhaps forever, those expectations abroad,
which may protract indefinitely an accommodation of existing
differences, and check the progress of industry and prosperity
in this rising Empire.
I have the honor to transmit herewith the documents and
correspondence relating to an important mission in which I was
employed by Sir James Craig, the late Governor General of the
British Provinces in North America, in the winter of the year
1809.
The publication of these papers will demonstrate a fact
not less valuable than the good already proposed; it will
prove that no reliance ought to be placed on the professions
of good faith of an Administration, which, by a series of
disastrous events, has fallen into such hands as a Castlereagh,
a Wellesley, or a Liverpool--I should rather say into the
hands of the stupid subalterns, to whom the pleasures and the
indolence of those Ministers have consigned it.
In contributing to the good of the United States by an
exposition which cannot (I think) fail to solve and melt all
division and disunion among its citizens, I flatter myself
with the fond expectation that when it is made public in
England it will add one great motive to the many that already
exist, to induce that nation to withdraw its confidence from
men whose political career is a fruitful source of injury and
embarrassment in America; of injustice and misery in Ireland;
of distress and apprehension in England; and contempt every
where. In making this communication to you, sir, I deem
it incumbent on me distinctly and unequivocally to state
that I adopt no party views; that I have not changed any of
my political opinions; that I neither seek nor desire the
patronage nor countenance of any Government nor of any party;
and that, in addition to the motives already expressed, I am
influenced by a just resentment of the perfidy and dishonor of
those who first violated the conditions upon which I received
their confidence; who have injured me and disappointed the
expectations of my friends, and left me no choice but between a
degrading acquiescence in injustice, and a retaliation which is
necessary to secure to me my own respect.
This wound will be felt where it is merited; and if Sir James
Craig still live, his share of the pain will excite no sympathy
among those who are at all in the secret of our connection.