The New-Jersey gazette — Burlington [N.J.], 1778-12-23 00:00:00, page 2

I Shall now take a Short review of what Mr. Deane
calls " flubborn and undeniable facts." Mr. Deane
muff be exceedingly unconverfant both with terms
and ideas, not to distinguish between even a wander
ing probability and a fad; and between a forced
implication and a proof; for admitting every cir
cumstance of information in Mr. Deane's address to
be true, they are still but circumstances, and his de
ductions from them are hypothetical and inconclusive.
Mr. Deane has involved a gentleman in his unlimit
ed censure, whose fidelity and personal qualities I
have been well acquainted with for three years past,
and in refpe&to an absent injured friend, Col. Richard
Henry Lee, I will venture to tell Mr. Deane, that in
any stile of character in which a gentleman may be
spoken of, Mr. Deane would fuffer by a comparison.
He has one defect which perhaps Mr. Deane is ac
quainted with, the misfortune of having but one
hand.
heard on Monday was extorted purely in consequence
of ids address of the sth, and that otherwise he
Should not have been heard at all. I presume Con
gress are anxious to hear him, and to have his ac
counts arranged and fettled; and if this should be
the case, why did Mr. Deane leave his papers in
France, and now complain that his affairs are not
concluded? In the fame note Mr. Deane likewise
fays, " that Congress did on that evening, Monday,
" resolve, That Mr. Deane do report in writing, as
" soon as may be, his agency of their affairs in Eu
" rope, together with any intelligence refpecling
“ their foreign affairs which he may judge proper.
But why does Mr. Deane omif giving the remaining
part of the resolution, which fays, " That Mr. Deane
" be informed, that if he has any thing to commu
" nicate to Congress in the interim of immediate im
" parlance, that he should be heard to-morrow even
" ing." I can fee no propriety in omitting this part,
unless Mr. Deane concluded that by publishing it he
might puta quick expiration to his credit, by his
not being able to give the wondrous information he
had threatened in his address. In the conclusion of
this note, Mr. Deane likewise fays, " 1 therefore
“ conceive that I cannot, with propriety, continue
'' my narrative at present. In the mean time,! sub
" mit it to the good sense of the public, whether I
" ought to take any notice of a publication signed
" Francis Lightfoot Lee, opposed to Jiubborn and
'' undeniable facts."
Thus far i have compared Mr. Deane with him
felf, and whether he has been candid or uncandid,
confident or inconsistent, I leave to the judgment of
those who read it. Mr. Deane cannot have the least
right to think that I am moved by any party diffe
rence or personal antipathy. He is a gentleman with
whom I never had a syllable of dispute, nor with any
other person upon his account. Who are his friends,
his connections, or his foes, is wholly indifferent to
me, and what I have written will be a secret to every
body till it comes from the press. The convulsion
which the public were thrown into by his address,
will, I hope, juftify my taking up a matter in which
I should otherwise have been perfectly silent ; and
whatever may be its fate, my intention is a good one ;
besides which there was no other person who knew
the affair fnfficiently, or knowing it, could confid
ently do it, and yet it was necessary to be done.
The charges likewise which he advances against
the Honorable Arthur and William Lee, are, to me,
circumstantial evidences of Mr. Deane's unfitnefs
for a public character; for it is the business of a
foreign minister to learn other men's fecrcts and keep
their own. Mr. Deane has given a short history of
Mr. Arthur Lee and Dr. Berkenhout in France, and
he has brought the last mentioned person again on
the stage in America. There is something in this so
exceedingly weak, that I am surprised that any one
who would be thought a man of sense, should risk
his reputation upon such frivolous a tale; for the
event of the Rory, if any can be produced from it,
is greatly against himfelf.
He fays tha a correspondence took place in France,
between Dr. Berkenhout and Mr. Lee ; that Mr. Lee
Shew part of the correspondence to Dr Franklin and
himfelf, and that in order to give the greater weight
to Dr. Berkenhout's remarks he gave them to under
hand, that Dr. Berkenhout was in the secrets of the
British Ministry. What Mr. Deane has related this
for, or what he means to inter from it, I cannot
underhand; for the political inference ought to be,
that if Mr. Lee really thought that Dr. Berkenhout
was in the secrets of the British Ministry, he was
therefore the very person with whom Mr. Lee ought,
as an Ambassador, to cultivate a correspondence, and
introduce to his colleagues, in order to difeover what
those secrets were, that they might be transmitted to
America, and if Mr. Deane acted otherwise, he un
wisely mistook his own character. However, this I
can assure Mr. Deane, upon my own knowledge,
that more and better information has come from Mr.
Lee than ever came from himfelf; and how, or
where he got it, is not a Subject fit for public en
quiry, unless Mr. Deane means to put a flop to ail
future informations. I can likewise tell Mr. Deane,
that Mr. Lee was particularly commissioned by a
certain body, and that under every sacred promile of
inviolable fecrccy,to make discoveries in England, ard
transmit them. Surely Mr. Deane must have left his
diferetion with his papers, or he would fee the impru
dence of his present conduct.
In the course of Mr. Deane's narrative he mentions
Dr. Berkenhout again. "In September last, (fays
Mr. Deane likewise tells us that Mr. A. Lee was
suspected by some of our belt friends because of bis
acquaintance with Lord Shelburne; and perhaps
some Mr. Deane in England will find out that Lord
Shelburne ought to be suspected because of his ac
quaintance with Mr. Lee. Mr. Deane appears to me
neither to underhand characters nor business, or he
would not mention Lord Shelburne 011 such an occa
sion, whole uniform and determined opposition to
the Minifery appears to be known to every body but
Mr. Deane. Mr. Deane has given us a quotation
from a letter which he never law, and had it like
wise from a gentleman in France who had never seen
it, but who had heard it from a correspondent 111
England to whom it was not sent, which correspon
dent had seen the person to whom it was lent ; and
this traditionary llory is another of Mr. Deane's flub
born and undeniable facts. But even fuppoling the
quotation to be true, the only inference from it is
naturally this, '' 1 hat the footer England makes peace
" with America the better it quill be for be to ." Had
the intimation been given before the treaty with
France was signed, it might have been justly ccnfur
ed, but being given after, it can have but one mean
ing, and that a clear one. He likewise fays, that
Charles Lox " declared pointedly in the Houfe' of
Commons," that the treaty between France and
America was signed, and as Charles Fox knows Lord
Sheiburne, and Lord Shelburne Mr. Lee, therefore
Mr. Deane infers, " as a stubborn and undeniable
fa&," that Mr. Lee must tell it. Does Mr. Deane
know that nothing can be long a secret in a court,
especially where the countries are but twenty miles
apart, and that Charles Fox, fiom his ingratiating
manners, is almost universally known in France ?
Mr. Deane likewise supposes that William Lee,
Esq. continues an Alderman of London, and either
himfelf or feme other gentleman Since, under the
Signature of Observator, fays that " he has con-
Julted, on tills point, the Royal ICalendar or Annual
Register," and finds it true. —To consult a Kalendar
to find out a name must be a learned confutation in
deed! An Alderman of London is neither a place
at Court nor a place of profit, and if the city chafes
not to expel him, it is a proof they are very good
whigs; and this is the only proved fad in Mr. Deane's
Address. But there is, through the whole of it, a
barbarous, unmanly and unsupported attack on ab
sent characters, which are, perhaps, far superior to
his own ; an eagernels to create suspicions wherever
he can catch an opportunity ; an over (trained desire
to be believed ; and an affected air of giving import
ance to triples. lie accuses Mr. Lee of incivility to
the French nation. Mr. Lee, if I can judge by his
writing, is too,much both of a scholar and a gentle
man to deserve such a censure. He might with great
justice complain against Mr. Deane's contracts with
individuals ; for we are fully sensible, that the gen
" he) I was informed,ihat the Dr. Berkenhout who
" I have before mentioned was in gaol in this city.
" I confefs I was surprised, considering what I have
" already related, that this man Should have auda
'' city to appear in the capital of America." But
why did riot Mr. Deane confront Dr. Berkenhout
while he was here ? Why did he not give information
to Congress or to the Council before whom he was
examined, and by whom he was discharged and sent
back for want or evidence against him ? Mr. Deane
was the only person that knew any thing of him, and
it looks very unfavourable in him that he was lilent
when he ihould have spoke, if he had any thing to
fay, and now he is gone has a great deal to tell, and
that about a nothing. " I immediately (fays Mr.
" Deane) Jate myfelf about the measures which I con
'' ceived necefiary to invefligate bis plans and de
" fgns." This is indeed a trifling excuse, tor it
wanted no great deal of Jetting about, the whole
secret as well as the means being with himfelf, and
half an hour's information might have been fuflicient.
What Mr. Deane means by '* invefigating bis plans
" and deJigns," I cannot underhand, unless he in
tended to have had the Doctor's nativity cat by a
conjurer. Yet this trifling round-about itory is one
of Mr. Deane's " Stubborn and undeniable facts."
However, it is thus far a fact, that Mr. Deaxe kept
it a secret till the man was gone.
lie likewise entertains us with a history of what
passed at New-lork between Dr. Berkenhout and
Governor Johnftone, but as he mult naturally think
that nis readers must wonder how he came by such
knowledge, he prudently Supplies the defect by fay
ing " that Providence, in whom we put our truit,
'' unfolded it to me, repealed it, I suppose. As to
what Dr. Berkenhout was, or what he came for, is
a matter of very little consequence to us. He ap
peared to be a man of a good moral character, of a
Studious turn of mind, and genteel behaviour, and
whether he had whimsically employed himfelf, or
was employed on a foolilh errand by others, is a bu
siness not worth our enquiring after ; he got nothing
here, and to fend him back was both necessary and
civil. He introduced himfelf to General Maxwell at
Edzabeth-Town, as knowing of Mr. Arthur Lee ;
the General wrote a letter of information to Coi. R.
H. Lee, who presented the fame to Congress. But
it does not appear that Mr. Deane moved in the mat
ter till a cenfiderable time after the Doctor was lent
off, and then Mr. Deane put a furies of queries in
the news-paper to know why he was let go. Ilittle
thought at that time that the queries were Mr.
Deane's, as they really appeared to me to be the pro
duce of some little mind.
Jr these States are threatened, it is by internal d -
vision. Those that are avowedly and publickly ini
mical, openly triumph at it ; while others that aie
fecrctly so, will be unwearied to support that fie e
which gives the most fatal Shock. I have seen tl:
pertinent remark, That when individuals, under a
pretence of great zeal and friendship for their country,
exclaim against particular tranfattions of these th d
have been esteemed the most patriotic and difinterefi
ed, and throw out blind innuendos and invectives to
render them odious, and diftrulUd by their fellov -
citizens ; such persons may be marked as dangerous
and difaffeded to government.—l am sorry to find 11
the Pennsylvania Packet of December 19th, 177';
evident signatures of this fort. —The author of tl e
piece Signed Plain Sense evidently means to throw a
gross reflexion on Congress, by comparing Mr. Lee's
For the New-Jersey Gazette.
To the virtuous Citizens in the United State
^AMERICA.
LONG has your reason been enlightened, and
paflion genuinely inflamed against the oppreflive
fti ides of Britain: but it is natural for the mind to
loose fight of other obje&s, when an interesting one
engrofles its attention. The enemy took poffeffioa
ol Syracuse, and, :s some fay, even dragged Archi
medes from his, table, while he was solving a mathe
matical problem—The Roman government was in
dangered while her general was intriguing with the
Egyptian Cleopatra. Now it is with Society, in this
refpe&, as with individuals. 1 grant, that the pub
lic attention may be involved with weighty matters
it oiten judges rightly about them: and may purfu•
piopei means to attain a laudable end —but the popu
lar passion is like a large torrent, not so readily turned
as that of individuals ; and while it is projecting
means to avoid one danger it is sometimes not im
pressed with others. I remember to have read of
the Athenians; that they were zealous 2nd active
against their open enemy, while the bowels of their
constitution were rotten with internal feuds and dif
fentions : they would all unite to relift a Persian Me
narchy ; while JEfchines could accuse Demodhenei,
and each had his party.
Such appears to be our case at prefect : and the'
we have not yet experienced those horrid factions,
the natural offspring of inveterate parties ; yet we
have began early, and hitherto ripened apace for fuel
an event. Altercations, and personal differences
among Some of our firlt leaders, the disputes between
Messrs. Deane and Lees, that has laid the founds -
tion for violent parties, are the matters I refer ta.
For Heaven s falie, what have we at present to d#
with these :—Are we organized as a legislative body
t° hike cognizance of the personal allegations cf
individuals : If to what purpole do our Congress and
refpe&ive Legislatures answer ? We ought always 1 ,
have a careful jealousy over our rulers.—As pubb
bodies, their conduct ihould be watched : but neve r
let us Substitute what evidently feeiris to be matter
of personal animosity, instead of that of a more pul
lie and general nature.—
tlemen which have come from France since the arrival
of Dr. Franklin and Mr. Lee in that country, arc of
a different rank to the generality of those with whom
Mr. Deane contrasted when alone: And this observa
tion will, I believe, explain tiiat charge no ways to
Mr. Deane's honour.
P. S. The writer of this has been waited on by a
gentleman, whom he supposes, by his converfatiom
to be a friend of Mr. Deane's, and whom Mr. Deane
but not any other person, is welcome to know when,
ever he pleases. The gentleman informed the writer
that some persons, whom he did not mention, had
threatened mod extraordinary vengeance against him
(the writer of this piece) for taking the matter up
the writer alked, waat, whether right or wrong : and
likewise informed the genikman, that he had dour
it solely with a view of putting the public right in ;
matter which they did not underhand—that the
threaten served to encreafe the necefiity, and wa
therefore an excitement to his doing it. The gentle
man, alter expressing his good opinion of, and per
fonal refpe& for the writer, withdrew.
Upon the whole, I cannot help considering this
publication as one of the molt irrational performances
I ever met with. He seems in it to pay no regard
to individual fafety, nor cares who he may involve
in the consequences of his quarrel. He mentions
names without restraint, and flops at no difeovery
of persons. A public man, in Mr. Deane's former
character, ought to be as silent as the grave; for
who would trust a person with a secret who (hewed
such a talent for revealing ? Under the pretence of
doing good he is doing mifcUcf, and in a tumult of
his own creating, will expofc and distress himfelf.
Mr. Deane's Address was calculated to catch seve
ral forts of people : The raft, because they are fond
of fiery things; the curious, because they are fond
of curioflties ; the weak, because they easily believe -
the good, because they are unfufpicious ; the tor%
because it comforts his difeontent; the high whig,'
because he is jealous of his rights ; and the man of
national refinement, because it obfeurely hints at
national dilhonor. The clamour, it is true, has been
a popular one, and so far as it is the sign of a living *
principle, it is plealant to fee it ; but when once uii
derftood it will amount to nothing, and with the ra
pidity that it rose it will descend.
COMMON SENSE.
Philadelphia, Dec. 14, 1778.