Page:Life of Henry Clay (Schurz; v. 1).djvu/164

152 ages to hostilities; and when, on very insufficient evidence, they were found guilty, he had them promptly executed, after having changed the sentence in Ambrister's case from mere flogging to the penalty of death by shooting; he took Pensacola on his way home, deposed the Spanish governor, appointed a new one, left a garrison there, and conducted himself throughout as a victorious general with absolute power in a conquered country, like a Roman proconsul in a subjugated province.

When the news arrived in Washington, the President and the Cabinet were astonished and perplexed. Except Adams, who was always inclined to take the highest ground for his country against any foreign power, they all agreed that General Jackson had gone far beyond his instructions and done lawless things. Calhoun, the Secretary of War, thought that the General should promptly be held to a severe account. But they shrunk from affronting the “hero of New Orleans.” The administration finally concluded to restore to the Spaniards possession of the forts taken by General Jackson, and to affirm that the capture of those places by Jackson and his conduct generally were justified, on the principle of self-defense, by the hostile attitude of the Spanish governors, thus denying that any warlike step had been taken against Spain, while at the same time making a case against her officers.

On January 16, 1819, the House of Representatives began the discussion of a resolution reported