The Republican ledger — Portsmouth, N.H., 1799-09-19 00:00:00, page 1

FROM THE PHILADELPHIA AURORA.
MR. "EDITOR, , j I
IN reading-the hiftory of man attend
ing ,to the important and noble Struggles
of eminent individuals either for the pre
serving their liberty when assailed by rapa
cious tvrants or freeing themselves from the
galling yoke of Slavery and oppression, I have
laid to mv friend the Latineft,as we fat chat
ting the "other day under a tree, I felt for
them in all their troubles, my heart has bled
for their wounds, and gladly, were it in my
power,would I havered the good Samari
tan, and poured in the wine and oil,—But,
continued he, I do not remember that ever
my feelings were excited to a higher pitch
than by the fate of Jonathan Robbins. Why
what of him ? said 1,1 think 1 never heard
his name before—l do not remember any of
our ministers, or confute, or generals, or com
modores, added 1, of that name, if he was
one of them—to be sure he might be an ob
jed of pity—for, fays I, he might have been
reedlid and disgraced without knowing for
what—or d'faoured by having a young offi
cer placed over his head -or when almost
worn out, and grown grey in the service of
his country a number of men might come
forward in the face of the world, and pledge
themselves to fopport and proted all such, as
from envy or malevolence may be inclined to
taife and circulate (lories calculated to injure
nis regulation, and fully his fair fame—ln
the half of the time said my friend, in the
time that you have been coojenuring-—I
would have told you his dory— Ods my life,
said I, let me hear it—has poor Robbins been
carbonaded for going to France (as Dr. Lo
gan did) to make peace and keep us from
murdering one another —or has he been Hog
ged like Schneider and Duane, for writ
ing the truth, as many people fay ? or—ll
vou co on at this rate Robert, said my friend,
the moon may change belote IHget ttm 10
tell you the itory-Wny, said he you well
know I would fifty times rather find out a
thing myfelf than be infoimed of it by any
man alive—l hope you will go on and tell
the story vour way —some time ago, laid my
friend, a Britlh lhip called the Hermoine,
was taken by the crew, carried into a Span
jib port and then fold by thole who carried
her in—the captain and some others were
killed—and the men made off with the boo
tv ; after some time however —the affair was
.tend out, and it was made appear that a-
Jonathan Robbins was some how concerned
in this bulinefs —1 his Robbins a citizen oi
the United States had before that fatal affair
been pressed aboard the Heimoine, and there
obliged to work and fight in a cause centra,
to his confidence, yet this man was taken in
the United States, imprisoned—med not by a
jury—mind that, and delivered over in chains
to the commander of a Britilh frigate,who im
mediately failed forJamaica, w here he will un
doubtedly be hanged like a dog — tis all a joke
said 1, there is no more truth in it than there
is in the Alcoran—A citizen of the U. States
delivered up to the Britilh tor to be hanged
because he used every means in his power to
obtain his freedom when actually a Have ! !
—No, no, fays 1, tis by circulating such sto
ries as this that your democrats will loose a
, my little credit they may have acquired— don't
labour under a miltake Robert, replied my
friend, 'tis as true as the (jofpel—well, an
swered I, it it is indeed true, Lam, as lure
as I live that if any State Government has
given him up, or President will immediately
claim him: fottly good friend, returned he,
the President advised and requeued them to
give him up. Did he indeed fays I, then it
be did, but 1 cannot believe it, 'tis all over we
must be once more a Britilh colony—for it
that were not the case, could any man be
blamed at the rifque bf his life to obtain his
freedom, I think fays I, I have as much of
the milk of human kindness flowing in my
veins As ever a president or king in the world,
and yet I believe in my heart, added I, it 1
were taken prisoner by an Algerine cruder,
it I had it in my power to gain my liberty
by fending the whole Ship's crew to Davy
Jones, bag and baggage, L would not helitate
a moment —nor would any one blame you
for so doing, said my friend ; but you mutt
remember this was a frigate belonging tohis
Britannic Maje Sty the chief supporter of or
r^er, good government, humanity and religion,
in the world—it matters not, lays 1, Some
what ruffled, what the was, a sloop or frigate,
ihallop or what you pierce, or whether Ihe
belonged, to Dick, Billy, Tom, or Hurry—
anfwer me only thi^ plain question was
* Robbins kept there against his mind or not?
NUMBER 4.=VOL. I.]
PORTSMOUTH, (NEW-HAMPSHIRE) PRINTED &D PUltimD BY^EORGE JERRY OSBORNE, fan. MULBERRY LANE, NEXT DOOR TO ROUSSEFF, MUSEUM.
„ WHEN YOU SHALL THESE DEEDS RELATE, SPEAK OF THEM AS THEY ARE ; NOTHING EXTENUATE NOR SET DOWN OUGHT IN MALICE."
The Republican Ledger.
if against his mind then he was as complete
ly a Have on board the Hermoine as if he had
been in Algiers, and is it possible that any
fieeborn republican who loves, or ought to
love his freedom more than his life^can con
demn his equal in rights and in liberty foi
breaking the chains with which he is unjust
ly bound and which every moment rankle in
his fleth : my God, contiued 1, is it possible,
that if a Britilh rafeal make me a flare, beat,
abuse, and compel me to fight contrary to
my confeience, and if an opportunity offers
by which 1 can regain my liberty, once more
revisit my country, my beloved relations, and
dear friends, but by the deftruaion of my
violent oppressor and tyrannical enOaver—
muft I for this, be delivered upby my count
ry r /drzbri,mud I be delivered up to die ; for
asserting my, native right, for repelling the
unjust attack of a cruet tyrant, for support
ing my independence at the rifque of my life
must I be facrificed at the image of despotic
power ? If this is true, added 1, what lan
guage does this unaccountable a&on speak
to the poor American sailors— does it not
speak thus ? Sailors of America remember
that Ihould you be pteffed by any of the Ships
of war belonging to his Britannic Majesty,
ye must there do duty faithfully and truly ,
if you are set at liberty, 'tis well, if not, tho°
it were in your power to regain your liberty,
you must not, for in the attempt ihould you
kill any of his Majesty's fubjetis your coun
try will undoubtedly give yob up to his Ma
jetty, the king of Great-Britain; and Gou
have mercy on your fouls. Why Robert,
said my friend, you talk on this fubje& as if
you felt it ; feel it, replied I, is it possible for
an American citizen not to feel it, if he is
not aaually blinded by prejudice, or mohey
which is ten times worse, his degraded Situ
ation from a citizen of the American repub
lic, FREE and "INDEPENDENT to a SLAVE
in a Britilh galley. gooA heavens, Cays I, it
his blood does not run cold, if he is not agon
ized through every pore, 'tis because he is
bought with a price. This is just
your way, said my friend, you alway^get so
warm on the fubjea you difeourfe of, that I
am glad always to withdraw, left it injure
your health : Health, enjoined I, what is
health ? what is life, what is house, or home
without liberty, but painted baubles, fit for
children only ? That I do hot carry my rea
fonihg too tar, said I, I'll put a case, that I
would with the Judge Bee's of the day would
rightly confider.——Suppose an English fri
gate to make up her complement of men,
fends a part of her crew and presses fifty A
mericans—after some time, these men fine
that it is in their power to take the frigate,
they do so; but fifty Britons are Slain in the
Struggle i they run the veflel into the nearest
port, suppose a Spanish —dispose of her and
so return home, and openly avow what they
have done ; Sir Robert Litton prosecutes them
—pleads the article of the treaty —and aSton
ilhing, " our President gives his advice tharf
they ought to be given up," Judge Bee, pre Tides,
and ihefe fifty men are delivered over to be
Sacrificed to iVL/^—-Spirits—of seventy-six
said I whither a^ye flown ! What Shall a
rouse you from your lethargy ? free-born A
mericans awake, awake, ere thou fleepeti
the sleep unto death—But Itayßobert, said my
friend, have you not Stated this case Wrong ?
You know that these fifty men perpetrated
an high crime on, or in Britilh territory, that
sis on board a Britilh veltel, and by the treaty
they must be given up—'tis falfe, said I, 1
know no such thing, they a&ed virtuouily,
they a&ed nobly—they so atted, said 1, that
Great-Britain, were they her Subjects, would
load them with honor —but let us,added I,
examine this case—suppose, fays I. this fri
gate's crew had landed, and inlteacTof taking
men, had gutted two or 3 merchants' itores,
and carried away whatever they could fin t
valuable, what would you call themr Pi
rates urfoubtedly, answered my friend ; and
had they not forfeited, said I, both the lhip
anef their lives—l am of opinion, said he,
they hadr Suppefe I, or Jonathan, or Na
than, or Dick, or Tom, lays I, Ihould kill a
dozen of them or the whole ofthem —-have 1
or he committed a crime ? By no means said
he, but they did not do this— I'll prove they
did worse added I—do not you know, lays 1,
that in the law of God, which weJa) we re
verence, it is fairly dated that he who Iteals,
or robs, from me, any of my property,mutt
restore it four fold; but he who Reals a man,
thill, fays the Scripture, die the DEATH. Bu
Hill, fays nty friend, admitting the full force
of this reasoning, for indeed it cannot be de
nied, they did not come ashore and take a<
way Jonathan Robbins, but pressed him out
THURSD^r, SEPTEMBO. 1% 179%
of one of our Ihips;that; fays I, does not
alter the case—You know the Britilh coun
cil argued that on board a Britilh ship, is
Britilh territory, aad hence I would suppose
that an American ship is, American territo
ry, at least my weak brain cannot fee* the
difference And, fays I, by this mode of
reafuring I prove that a Britilh officer preff
mg, enslaving, and confining an American
citizen, is a man dealer; a pirate, a robber
of the worst possible description, and that any
American confined and enslaved aboard any
vessel of any power whatever, as by his con
finement & slavery all ties of amity are brok
en which did formerly fubfilt between him
me! them, he is justifiable in the fight of God
and man, to regain his liberty even with the
leftruaion of the whole (hip's crew, and de
serves the highest approbation of his country
tor asserting his right in so noble a manner,
and, added 1, 'tis all a joke to talk about the
treaty, because they, by prefling a Single A
merican, broke the treaty effectually, unless,
added I, there be a Secret treaty by which
they are permitted to press American citi
zens to aid the cause of Kings against the
cause of Republicans. Which I have often
irnes thought before now to be be the case—
One thing, said I, is pretty certain, there are
-fcciW, there are clews, there are conspira
cies ; but, whether the sagacious (harper will
be able to ferret them out, or whether Peter
will bl^ them; Robert acknowledge them,
or the Ruffian Committee open the way for
them ; is as great a Secret, as the Secrets
themselves. But, honest Americans, 'tis full
time ye were undeceived, 'tis time ye Ihould
think for yqurfelves, 'tis full time; ye saw
what the fate of Jonathan Robbins leads to,
and what Security it holds out, for the Safety
of our hardy sailors and infant navy—and ye
ihall be made acquainted with it, said 1,
snatching up my hat, and adjuring my wig,
which I had much ruffled in my parcon, for
I'll go this instant, and fend it to my friend
Duane, and my friend Callender, and fays I,
to that noble fellow, that I would be very
glad to be acquainted with the Editor of the
Albany Regitter, and fays I, well hold up
the A's and B's, and C's, and D's, and E's,
who yielded up poor Robbins, to that infa
;mous government, may they be branded with
{ eternal execration.
ROBERT SLENDER.
Born the INDEPENDENT CHRONICLE.
LETTER 4th.
* Won tali auxilfo, nee defenforibh iftie
•' Tempos eget —= - —#. —t,
MR. RHOIDER,
TF there is any just reasoning contained in
1 the condition of my last letter, it cannot
oe redutted by heaping npon the French abu
sive epithets ; feurrility never can supply the
place of rational argument; amongst an en
lightened people no cause can be Jo Support
ed : such language, on the contrary, disgraces
those who use it, and at a time when it is im
agined that the fortunes of the French are on
the wane and they are somewhat humbled by
disaster, such torrents of inve&ive poured out
upon them, seem also to prove a want ot
courage as well as generosity ; whoever will,
exult over the misfortunes of a fallen enemy
will crouch to a victorious and fuccefsful one ;
and we cannot suppose that when the wheel
of fortune shall have made another revolution,
and the current of liberty, when the French
shall again triumphantly bear down all oppo
fition and extend their copquefts and their
principles; that the abject humility of such
reclaimers will correspond with their now
arrogant exultations. We cannot but recoi
led also that many of those who are now
most vehement in their abuse of the French,
and who are. endeavoring to deride and de
grade the revolutionary fyltem, were once
celebrating with civic festivals the triumphs
of the republic ; did they then confider the
dodrine of moral, perfonal,and civil equality
“ ludicrous," the plan of universal liberty
r fanatical," and a " stupendous doarine of
confiifion"? Did they celebrate a revolution,
which had destroyed all civil institutions, an
nihilated all moral habits ?-An whatever
light the subsequent conduct of France to
wards this country may be considered, yet it
does not alter the principles of their revolution. ;
We celebrated then what we Ihould celebrate
how, the principles of liberty ; we may resent
their ill conduct towards us, but we muftftill
rejoice id the emancipation of 26 millions of
our fellow men, we must Hill triumph in the I
fuccefles of republicanism: But even tho' we
had ceased to refpe& republicanism, and had
madly defeated that principle upon which all
[[ DOL. $0 CTS. PER ANNUM.
our happiness and prosperity is founded, yet
'nothing can juftify the virulent abuse which is
now made use of. Imagination indeed seems
to have been tortured to invent terms and de
scriptions Sufficiently expressive of the malign
nity of the orators—-Apes, tigers, crocodiles
and monkeys " dance through their pages in
all the mazes of metaphorical confufion,”®
these are not " the creatures of a disturbed
imagination" but are rather the venomous
Spawn of a perverted and perverting judge
ment ; to such ah extent is this language
carried,that it lofcs the character of feriousdef
cription and becomes mere farcical bombast.
All the poets, antient and modern, have been
ransacked and pillaged to dress out a descrip
tion of this terrible, this " all devouring re
public" of France ; it is supposed to be an
heterogeneous amphibious fanged monger, to
have the malignant intention ;horrefco refer
ens) of barbarizing and vandalizing the world ;
his nutriment is carnage ; his pq/time is to in
flia human wretchedness;
“Whilst from his jaws with carnage till'd
" Foam and human gore diftill'd." GREY.
It is a Hydra, a Gorgon, a meteor ; it de
vours men, women, old and young (after
having firft ravished them foung and old) and
children :
“ Monftrum, horrendum, informe, ingens,—/
VIRG.
This is a descriptive pidure, polilhed, var
nished, burnished and bronzed ;it seems to
comprize every thing, and may probably
have been borrowed for the mod part from
that great describer Milton ;
«. i .—^—Nature breeds
“ Perverse all monstrous, all prodigious things,
''Abominable, unutterable, and worse
“ Than fables yet have feigned, or fear conceived ;
“ Curgons and Hydras and Chimeras dire."
So much for the physical description ; as to
the moral, it may be contained in the com
prehensive terms of Vandals, Huns, Goths,
Vicegoths, cut-throats, vagrants, vagabonds
and villains ; and this is a “ faint," very faint
and very candidadefcription of this accutfed
Behemoth.
« Spernit human fugiente penna.''
It is not neceflary, I presume, to enter in
to any argument to disprove such absurdities,
I will, however, take some notice of the
regular charges upon which all this abuse
appears to be founded : It is said, that the
French have at home abolished all the inffto
tutions of civil society, obliterated all mon
uments of learning, cut asunder all moral
ties, annihilated all religion : that abroad
they have violated the law of nations, that
they have formed in lieu of it " a digest of
piracy," that they have diffoived the monarch
ical, ariltocratic ^and ^ven republican forms
of government in every country where the,
have conquered, and finally that they aim at
universal domination. All this is mere de
clamation, unfuppoited by any rational ar
gument, the mere itfe dixit of an orator, and
would be very fufficiently answered by con
trary assertions. It Would seem impossible
that those who charge the French with having
broken the bonds of civilized society can an
nex any meaning to the idea, or can have
considered upon what the civilization of so
ciety depends, or how it is held together : if
civilization depends upon the degree of in
formation generally diffufed amonft a people,
and if society is kept together by laws pro
testing the persons and property of individ
uals, then the French have done more to
wards the perfection of these objects than
any other people, (ourselves excepted) be
cause their laws for the education of children
and their eftabliftments for the general dif
fufion of information are better, and the
system of government which they have form
ed is more perfed ; as to the charge of hav
ing obliterated all monuments of learning
it is dire&ly in the face of truth ; from no
one circumstance in the French revolution
do they derive more honor than from the
care which they have taken to collea and
preserve every thing that is valuable in the
arts, and the foftering help which they have ^
offered to genius of every kind, even their'
most desperate circumstances ; there is no
country where merit of that kind has been
or continues to be more generally refpe&ed,
or more liberally encouraged. The most
honorable testimony of their love of learning,
the molt brilliant evidences of their taste for
the arts now exist at Paris, the envy and ad
miration of the world. Was not the nation
al Institute (the most ufeful and belt consti
tuted Scientific body in the world) formed in
the lap of the revolution, and during the most
tempestuous times ? The national libr^r.