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fence of which it was advanced, and pin all their claims ofsnperior 

 service upon their ineffectual opposition to a proposal which they 

 did actually concur in making, and which failed, not in consequence 

 of their objections, but because the enemy disdained to accept it. 

 If by the sturdiness of their adherence to their opinions, they had 

 prevented the proposal from being made, there might have been 

 some semblance of a claim to credit from those who tremble at the 

 sight of an Englishman afloat upon the Mississippi. If the enemy 

 had eagerly snatched at the offer, and British emissaries, British 

 smugglers, and Indian wars, had swarmed upon us, in consequence, 

 the minority might have had some apology, for disengaging their re- 

 sponsibility to the act, and casting upon their colleagues of the ma- 

 jority all its evil report. But so far as the proposal could possibly 

 have operated mischief, they are answerable for it by their con- 

 currence. So far as the immediate rejection of the proposal by a 

 clear-sighted enemy, can test its possible consequences, the event 

 affords as little cause for the minority to glory in their foresight, as 

 their assent to what they thought so pernicious, gives them reasoa 

 to be proud of their firmness. A loud call upon the nation to dis- 

 criminate between the profound wisdom and comprehensive pa- 

 triotism oi the minority, and the dulness, absurdity, and contracted 

 spirit, or treachery, of the majority, could scarcely rest on weaker 

 grounds, than upon the aversion of the minority to principles which 

 they nevertheless did sanction ; and upon their arguments against 

 measures to which they did subscribe their names. The majority 

 have asked for no discrimination. As one of them, I have as little 

 desire to conceal*, as to proclaim, my separate agency in the transact 

 lions of the mission, or my vote upon any measure discussed by 

 them. I ask, only, not to be misrepresented. 



JOHN qUINCY ADAMS. 



21st September, 1022. 



