1818, March 28: John Quincy Adams noted in his diary more evidence that the Richmond Junto was very much cooling against Monroe, whose “nationalism” was antithetical: “Virginia is already lukewarm to the President and shows a disposition to dictate him his measures without scruple or delicacy. The Richmond Enquirer, which is the voice of Virginia, speaks to him like a master to his slave.”

From JQA, Memoirs, ed. by Charles Francis Adams (Philadelphia, 1874-1877, vol IV, p. 120; cited in Ammon, “The Richmond Junto.”

As Ammon puts it: “Once in office, Monroe was not give the patient and dutiful support that had been accorded his predecessors. His moderate nationalism was entirely unpalatable to the Junto, which was now moving towards a state rights position. Consequently his policy in Florida [the Seminole War], his approval of the tariff of 1816, and his acceptance of limited internal improvements in connection with the Cumberland Road were all subject to general criticism which Monroe’s friends were unable to check.”