James Monroe to Pa., Citizens of Lancaster County, May 8, 1798

[ post 8 May 1798 ]

I have seen in a gazette < from > of Richnd. as published from one of Philadelphia, in a reply from Mr. Adams P. of the US. the following passage—

I have seen an address from the people of Lancaster to Mr. Adams P. of the US. & his reply < to it, > [. . .] both which papers were published in the gazettes of Phila., & afterwards in < most of it of those States > throughout the union. In < Mr. Adams’s > < the > Mr. As reply < to that address > is the following passage.

Every < person > one who reads < Mr Adams’s > this reply < to the abovementioned address > to the [. . .] will < immediately > perceive that I am the person to whom Mr. A: designates by the terms “disgrac’d minister, dismissed in displeasure for misconduct.” since I was the minister who was dismissed by our admn., & < to whom the President of > who took leave of the directory of France < addressed himself in terms > upon the occasion to wh. he refers. I therefore am the person whom he < thus [. . .] > denounces < to a [. . .] > to his country in terms thus < indecent > harsh & opprobrious, since every one knows that I was the minister who &ca.

< In favor of > agnst the first measure < it is to be recall—observed that > [the popy.] of Mr. W. is an object wh. always occurs. In favor of it, it is to be observed that as he wrote me a letter after my recall in terms of amity, & < likewise of > spoke of me in like terms to Dr Ed: < It > The discussion with him improper < conducted with him > managed with advantage, as he wd. not otherwise than put himself [trammed] by those [comissions] . This it is [true might be used] in a discussion with any one.

on appeal—whatever J. M. does a controversy in France a movmt.—. Here opinion—govt. has taken its position— [Propocters.] not organised—