Page:Henry Adams' History of the United States Vol. 3.djvu/164

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152
HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES.
Ch. 7.

in diplomacy, having failed to obtain the mission to Paris, wished the dignity of a special envoy to London, and was supported by Wilson Gary Nicholas. The friends of Madison were willing to depress Monroe, whom John Randolph was trying to elevate. Even Mrs. Madison, in the excitement of electioneering, allowed herself to talk in general society very slightingly of Monroe;[1] and there were reasons which made interference from Mrs. Madison peculiarly irritating to Monroe's friends.[2] Dr. Logan, the senator from Pennsylvania, while helping Madison to satisfy Napoleon in regard to St. Domingo, was prominent in suggesting that it would be well to set Monroe gently aside.[3] This coalition of Madison, Smith, Logan, and Wilson Gary Nicholas was so strong as to control the Senate.

The second Resolution was adopted Feb. 14, 1806; and a week afterward. General Smith and Dr. Mitchill were appointed a committee to carry the two Resolutions to the White House. Two years later, in response to Monroe's complaints. President Jefferson explained how these senators managed to impose on the Executive a policy of their own.

"After delivering the Resolutions," said Jefferson [4] in an aggrieved tone, "the committee entered into free conversation, and observed that although the Senate could
  1. Diary of J. Q. Adams (March 13, 1806), i. 420.
  2. Adams's Randolph, p. 203.
  3. Diary of J. Q. Adams (Feb. 1, 1806), i. 395.
  4. Jefferson to Monroe, March 10, 1808; Works, v. 253.