University of Virginia Library

MEMORANDUM.[90]

In the evening of the 29th of August, 1814, Being on horseback,
I stopped at General Armstrong's lodgings for the
purpose of communicating with him on the state of things
in the District, then under apprehensions of an immediate
visit from the force of the enemy at Alexandria.

I observed to him that he could not be unaware of the
great excitement in the District produced by the unfortunate
event which had taken place in the city; that violent prejudices
were known to exist against the administration, as having failed
in its duty to protect it, particularly against me and himself
as head of the War Department; that threats of personal
violence had, it was said, been thrown out against us both,
but more especially against him; that it had been sufficiently
known for several days, and before his return[91] to the city
(which was about one o'clock P.M. of the 29th) that the
temper of the troops was such as made it expedient, if possible,
that he should have nothing to do with them; that I had
within a few hours received a message from the commanding
General of the Militia informing me that every officer would
tear off his epauletts if Genl Armstrong was to have anything
to do with them; that before his arrival there was less difficulty,
as Mr. Monroe who was very acceptable to them, had, as on
preceding occasions of his absence, though very reluctantly
on this, been the medium for the functions of Secretary of
War, but that since his return and presence, the expedient
could not be continued, and the question was, what was best
to be done. Any convulsion at so critical a moment could
not but have the worst consequences.

He said he had been aware of the excitement against him;
that it was altogether artificial, and that he knew the sources
of it, and the intrigues by which it had been effected, which
this was not the proper time for examining; that the excitement
was founded on the most palpable falsehoods, and was
limited to this spot; that it was evident he could not remain
here, and the functions belonging to him divided or exercised
by any one else, without forgetting what he owed to his
station, and to himself; that he had come into his office with

the sole view of serving the public, and was willing to resign it
when he could no longer do so with honor and effect; that if
it was thought best therefore that he should adopt this course,
he was ready to give up his appointment; or he could, with
my permission, retire from the scene, by setting out immediately
on a visit to his family in the State of New York.

I observed that a resignation was an extent which had not
been contemplated; that if made under such circumstances,
it might receive constructions which could not be desirable,
either in a public or a personal view; that a temporary retirement,
as he suggested, tho' also subject to be viewed in some
lights not agreeable, was on the whole less objectionable,
and would avoid the existing embarrassment, without precluding
any future course which might be deemed most fit.

He dwelt on the groundless nature of the charges which
had produced the excitement, and on the limits within which
they had and would operate; affirming that his conduct in
relation to the defence of the city &c. had proved that there
had been no deficiency on his part.

I told him that I well knew that some of the particular
charges brought against him were destitute of foundation,
and that as far as they produced the discontents, these would
be limited both as to time and space; but that I suspected
the discontents to be in a great measure rooted in the belief
that he had not taken a sufficient interest in the defence of
the city, nor promoted the measures for it; and considering
the heavy calamity which had fallen on the place and on its
inhabitants, it was natural that strong feelings would be
excited on the spot; and as the place was the Capital of the
nation every where else also. I added that it would not be
easy to satisfy the nation that the event was without blame
somewhere, and I could not in candour say that all that
ought to have been done had been done & in proper time.

He returned to an exculpation of himself, and remarked
that he had omitted no preparations or steps whatever for
the safety of the place which had been enjoined on him.

I replied that as the conversation was a frank one, I could
not admit this justification; that it was the duty of the Secretary
of War not only to execute plans, or orders committed
to him, but to devise and propose such as would in his opinion
be necessary and proper; that it was an obvious and essential
part of his charge, and that in what related to military plans
and proceedings elsewhere, he had never been scrupulous
or backward in taking this course; that on the contrary he
well knew from what on another occasion[92] had passed between
us, he had taken a latitude in this respect which I was
not satisfied with; that it was due to truth and to myself to
say, that he had never appeared to enter into a just view
either of the danger to the city which was to be apprehended,
or of the consequences of its falling into the hands of the
Enemy; that he had never himself proposed or suggested a
single precaution or arrangement for its safety, everything
done on that subject having been brought forward by myself,
and that the apparent difference of his views on that subject
from mine had naturally induced a reduction of my arrangements
to the minimum, in order to obtrude the less on a
reluctant execution. I reminded him also that he had fallen
short of the preparations even decided on in the Cabinet, in
some respects; particularly in not having arms and equipments
brought to convenient depôts from distant ones, some
of the militia, when called on for the defence of the City, being
obliged to get arms first at Harper's ferry.

I remarked that it was not agreeable thus to speak, nor on
an occasion less urgent would it be done; that I had selected
him for the office he filled from a respect to his talents, and a
confidence that he would exert them for the public good;
that I had always treated him with friendliness and confidence
and that as there was but a short distance before me to
the end of my public career, my great wish, next to leaving
my country in a state of peace and prosperity, was to have

preserved harmony and avoid changes, and that I had accordingly
as he well knew acquiesced in many things, to which
no other consideration would have reconciled me.

He said he was very sensible of my friendly conduct towards
him, and always had, and always should respect me for it.

The conversation was closed by my referring to the idea
of his setting out in the Morning on a visit to his family; and
observing that he would of course revolve it further, and if
he continued to think of it as he then did, he would consider
me as opposing no restraint. We parted as usual in a friendly
manner. On the next morning he sent me word by Mr.
Parker that he should proceed immediately to visit his family;
and on his arrival at Baltimore, transmitted his resignation.