Oracle post — Portsmouth, N.H., 1804-12-04 00:00:00, page 1

The observations of the council for Capt. Lit
tle will Ihow, whether Government were really
and fubfiantially the party, profecutiug. "An at
“ tentive perusal of thelc charges thews, that they
«' are all comprized in one, that of maltreatment of
« his prisoners. It ,might indeed seem upona'cur
" fury view, as it has been intimated, that the
u charges contain something more viz. an adual
“ embezzlement by Capt Little of certain prize
6 ! goods with an intent to defraud government ; but
“ I must in(ift that no foch charge is even fpecifi
" ed by the government. In the prelent instance
" government forbears to prosecute for any Jireft
" injury, fuftaiaed by irfelf. It lends its authority
# to prosecute a complaint exhibited by individ
" nils for injuries, done to them, and which impli
-66 cate the national honor." This opinion was
given on such an investigation of the caule, as en
abled Mr. Otis to make a true and lolid defence ; a
defence founded on the evidence of faAs, which
Induced the court martial unanimously and
' aioMouRABLY to acquit Capt. Little of the charges,
' and to pronounce them MALICIOUS AND ILL
founded.— It was not then for defrauding the U.S.
that the prosecution was commenced, but for the
pretended maltreatment of enemies, who had war
red on the property of a country, whole govern
ment was unfaithful to its interest by giving them
its countenance @nd support. Though there had
been evidence that Capt. Little had taken the
left ring from the fingers, and the lift cent from the
purses of his prisoners, it could not be considered
fix criminal—lt would be a violation of all established
principles to inffitute a court martial to try an ofy
cer for seizing the property of his prisoners, and ap.
, Y propriating it to the ule of government, by whose
authority he was ading. Not only the wealth, but
even the lives of the vanquished are at the dilpu.
. fal of the conqueror. The loss of property cannot
be a lubje& of complaint to prisoners. The laws
of nations and the principles of moral justice pro
-1) hibit us only from treating with harshness and cru
elty those whom the fortune of war has placed in our
RE FIE IV OF
JEFFERSON* ADMINISTRATION
— — - No. VIII.
HAVING examined the case of the Berceau
ire (halt now confider the singular and dif
ferent treatment the officers of thrt vessel, and the
commander of the Button received from govern
ment.
Most modern Statesmen seem to be convinced
of the absolute necessity ofa naval power where
' Station render it practicable, to guard the honor
and preserve the rights of their refpe&ive nations.
The S'ate, whose fleets are irrenftah^e, can not
yniy command the riches of the world, but are
befl fined to destroy the resources of other States.
(America has repeatedly felt the want of a navy.
Had flie been m ftrels of the ocean, neither France
nor England would have dared to attack her com
merce, and attempt to render her subservient to
their views.—k is therefore the duty of every com
mercial nation, an obligation imposed on them by
their tafety and preservation, to iocreafe their vess
els of war, and encourage a naval Ipirif. How
have the present admmiftration difebarged this duty?
In language, their hearts did not feel,they may have
/expatiated on the importance of a navy, because
public opinion was strong in favor of it ; while
many of our Chips laid up, are decaying ; others
have been fluttered by storms ; and some are des
titute of provifi ins, when in service without receiv
ing that attention from government, which a sin
cere desire in them for such a power would surely
indicate. But what unequivocally proves the hos
tility of the administration to a naval power is, that
it is not only disregarded and treated our seamen
with neglea, but combined with our most bitter
foe to tarnifli their honor. It was not, it seems,
Sufficient to restore the Berceau with large repairs,
< and to pay her officers during their captivity, but
the brave and courageous commander of the Boston
^^ffi^^tyaa^at their irrigation, to a court
martial to wipe away afperfioas on his ch-trader,
as ignominious, as they were malicious and iil foun
ded. If a government arraign thole before a na.
tiooal tribunal, for mifcondud who vanquish depre
dators on its commerce, no other evidence is wan
ting to infer its determination to deiiroy the mari
time force of th^ country.
The a immigration have not permitted this ex
tir*^#! r^^W 0 p's without a juftifi
it w+% ^ befcv«,
the same futility, which has appeared in the
'fortification of maay other of their proceedings.
(After they had attempted to destroy the reputation
ofa distinguished officerand benefador of the coun
try, and found their eff>rrs, instead of blasting his
gharader, excited the public indignation;they then
gave what they fay were the reasons for appointing
a couu .martial; reasons which the very charges,
exhibited agaioft Capt Little, prove, never had an
exigence in the mind of Government, until after
the court had honorably acquitted him. They
are contained in the letter of the Secretary of the
navy,dated September 2; i3n approving the fen
aence of the court martial. Mr. Smith fays,—"ln
•' the foregoing cafe,among several unimportant a
-66 legations there is a charge of pillage, exhibited
" against Capt. Little ; and it was for the trial
“ of this charge principally, tint the court martial
66 was constituted. Not only the honor of the ot
" tion, but the bailor of this officer was deeply im
" plicated, and therefore called for such a iulmo in
fs vertigation. In this trial it was the government,
6t thatwas the party prosecuting. The foreigners
66 were only the informing witness in a criminal
Vol. XVI.]
I«==========^ _
OF ALL THE DISPOSITIONS AND HABITS WHICH LEAD TO POLITIAL PROSPERITY, BEL^IOuV AND IN^PPN^
_ _ „ L WPPOR TS.—WASHINGTON
Political Miscellany.
b^_ —
From the centinel.
nil! AFT JR PA^T
Tho' in this case it was pretended, yet there was no
charge, that Capt. Little embezzled any prop
erty with an intent to defraud government. —The
charges were the offspring of the malice of savage
and ferocious bucaniers, undeservedly blessed with
a commander, who could " with tears of gratitude
acknowledge to Capt. Little the lenity of his
treatment." To fubflantiate such charges requir
ed the aid of the administration, which difeovered
by granting it no disinclination to bl^ft the fame
of a brave and meritorious officer, that had render
ed the greatest services in eftablifliing bur naval re
putation.
The Secretary of the Navy had not fufficiently
obfeured the original defigo of Government in the
passage of bis letter which we have quoted. Hav
ing without refpett for bimfelf directly affetted,
that the French prisoners had no ooncern in the
prosecution, which was out true and that the Uni
ted Slates Were the party prosecuting, to rescue
their honor from injurous alperfions he proceeds to
approve the sentence of the court martial. He
fays," fiom the face of the proceedings of the
" court martial, it does appear that -The orders were
" perfedly corre& and legal ; that he, that is Capt.
" Little, was not in any degree a party in this
" mean and difgraceful pillage ; and that the charge
" against him has no evidence positive or prefum
" tive, to support it. I therefore do approve the
" sentence of acquittal, pronounced by the court
" martial on his trial." Yes Mr. Smith, you
can acquit Capt. Little on the face os the
proceedings. —Could he not however be abfu.
lutely acquitted without any reservation ? The
phrase, on the face of the proceedings,
does by no means indicate your belief of his inno
cence. It is rather an expression, when conneaed
with the other circumstances in the case, of a full
persuasion of his guilt. But the proper tribunal
had pronounced his innocence, and your official
duty obliged you to approve that sentence, even at
the expence of an honest avowal of your opinion.
The language of approval was calculated to deceive
and mislead the public, and so far it answered the
purpose of government. Like a former great
Secretary of State, your official condud was in
manifeft contradiction to your inclination. It was
easy for you to assert, that there was n, positive or
presumptive evidehceagainft Capt. Little, though
it seems, not without qualifying it by laying, on the
face of the proceedings of the court. In doing this
however, as one of the administration, in imitation
of your master, you unintentionally displayed the
prejudice of your mind against the infant navy of
United States, though it is your particular duty to
farter and cherilb it.
Let now the candid aft, what more Arango, than
to perceive a Government, attempting fecreily to
aim a deadly plow at the source of the power and
refpeaabUity of its country. Our national chara&-
er will shortly from such conduct, attach to itfelf
nothing but weakness and comtempt. The war
like spirits of the nation will not exert themselves
in its defence, when public services receive only
marks of shame and ignominy as their reward. But
delusion and deception will not always exist
When they (ball have no power to blind the un
derstanding ;of the people, a day of retribution will
come.—Men will not be Supported in high Rations
who manifeft a difpofinon to prostrate the honor
and power of their country at the feet of foreign
pirates.
- HUME.
LETTER
From Gen. Moreau, to his Brother, a Tribune at
Paris.
" An express has brought me a permit to pass
some days here with my wife and child. Os tlie of
ficers who conducted me, there remains only Ramel
who has been extremely attentive, and who will ac
company me to the port from which I am to embark.
What ideas, what recollections have assailed me in
travelling this fine country, for the purpose of leav
ing it—never to return !
“ It seems as if they had made me pass through
it in one of its longest dimensions to encreasejmy re
gret. Calm your sorrows, my friend, for I shall still
find in family affections resources sufficient to sup
port the evils which surround me. I have made
great sacrifices to preserve these, and to these I
shall exclusively deliver myself. I know that my
cotemporaries already accuse me of weakness and
want of resolution—of receding from death, and of
almost soliciting the clemency of Bonaparte. Pos
terity will judge more justly—it will estimate all that
was painful, and even terrible in the kind of death
prepared for a man who had acquired some share of
military glory, and who was accustomed to brave
only the dangers of the'field. I acknowledge that
the idea of mounting on-a scaffold, after exhausting
all the sighs of a long and torturing agony, filled
me with terror. I did not find myself exalted by a
ny of those opinions, by any of those sentiments,
that make some men brave whatever is ignominious
in death. I had for a long time renounced all endea
vours to give liberty to my country :—I beleived it
^ad more occasion for repose than for liberty itself ;
%nd although I was far from approving the means
by which this repose was obtained, I did not think it
necessary to devote myself to procure more honor
able ones. I had paid my±pt to my country—it
remained for my fellow-citizens to discharge theirs
to me. My task was finished—their duties began.
If they have, without resistant, suffered a despotic
government to be established; if they sometimes
lent it that aid that makes it probable that they ac
cepted this government without much repugnance ;
if they are all either caxek^ffiried or tfrard^ ;
fl. The following Interesting Letter is from the
Jersey Gazette of the 20th August. The charac
ter and originality of many of the sentiments ac
cord so exactly with the situation of MOREAU
that no discerning reader will doubt its authenti-
City. -
[Translated for the Norfolk Herald.]
—«c^^Oo^
Gen. Moreau's Letter.
Tuesday, December 4, 18%
“ Bareges, 6th July.
I I ask > w ^ it or, me, so little accustomed: to civil
discord, sq 1 le formally , influence political convul
sions,o c c myself to the attempt of giving them
another °
''V' 1 " •,<? ofthings,possessing only that kind of
amoition cii does not refuse itself to propitious cir
cumstance >ut that risks nothing to create * them, not
favored wpthat sense of duty towards my coun
try, that o,iqoa which exalts ,rery faculty St
every chance, I found nothing in my breast my
intuginati in fc it could soften the sacrifice I was a-.
bout to lOcke.fc ' disguise from me the horrors of a
scaffold. Sh, it be said the care of my glory pre
scribed to met <3ath useful to my country and hon
orable to mys\" 1 answer, that I have been ambi
tious of iniiitfr tame alone; that I was content
with the paptih of it I hid obtained, and had little
regard fyrta tt^aown which is acquitted by other
talerrcsanfl siq It At not just to sty, Jilt for
the preset our fame we should he forced to
interfere wittily interior regulations es an illustri
ous state aggrandized by our victories. It is incon
siderate and thoughtless to desire, that a man who
has acquired great military glqry, should possess al
so every other species ofambition. Misery to the
country that shalllbe governed by him.
" You could no have known that before 1 quitted
Paris, I saw M. Bonaparte. At the moment of de
parture, they amounced to me his intention, that I
was to be carried before him :—the reception he
gave me|was a lit Ie derogatory to imperial Majesty.
He was in the ci>inet witli his brother Louis. He
advanced toward me, and with a slight inclination
—" General Moreau," said he, " I have desired to
see you, to know|if before you quit France, you have
an, wish to form or request to make of me. You
may believe that in every tiling that has past, my
heart often felt for the situation you was placed in
by your imprudence, and in which, not to interfere
with the course pf the laws, and imperious neces
sity obliged me to leave you ;—but we will speak
no more of these/unhappy affairs. I have taken care
that they shall hot be renewed ; for in short, they
aimed at my life—-a life that I have consecrated to
the good of France, and which is yet, for some time
to come, necessary for its repose. In all this affair
I have forgiven much ; but I declare that the season
of indulgence is past. General Moreau, you love
liberty and independence, and I do not think I have
made a choice disagreeable to you, in sending you
to the United States. You will there find a new
people, and not such a degenerate nation as inhabit ,
our ancient Europe. I have often been ambitious
of performing the- more useful but less brilliant part
in which Washington has shewn so much love
for his country—so mus i of political and military
talent. —But it was not in France such a part could
be played ; the factions had too much of restless
ness and power not to be drawn away by them, it
was necessary to rein them with a hand of iron. I
know very well this accords but little with liberty
—that one must often violate principles, and even
the established laws; but. in all this one q^ght to
view Hore the ascendance of circumstances than
our ambition. Alas ! General Moreau, I have not
chosen my part—no, I have not chosen it. It is an
inevitable fatality that has thrown me in it—it is
that which holds me ; and forces meat one and the
same time to exhaust every thing that is brilliant
and painful. One is obliged in so difficult a situation
to do many things against one's will. You see in me
the spoilt child of fortune ; but she makes me pay
dearly for her favors ! General Moreau I do not
sleep on roses !" This incoherent discourse almost
as much.surprised as embarrassed me. I was about
to answer, when a courier from Russia was announ
, ced. Bonaparte seemed to be much agitated. “ Gen
eral Moreau," said he, abruptly quitting me, " say
to my brother Louis, whatever you have to say to
me—he will give me a relation of it." I asked only
the favor of resting some days at Bareges ; and it is
this favor that procures me the pleasure of writing to
} ou." -_ @ *= ® _—
DOCUMENTS ACCOMPANYING THE
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.
"YOUR dispatches bearing date the 10th of De
cember, 1303, conveying to us the unpleasant infor
mation of the accidental loss of the Philadelphia,
were not received until late in the month of March
last. The President immediately determined toput
into Commission and to send to the Mediterranean a
force which would be able beyond the posibility of
a doubt, to coerce the enemy to a peace upon terms
compatible with our Honour and our Interests. A.
due regard to our situation with Tripoli and precau
tionary considerations in relation to the other Bar
bary Powers, demanded that our Forces in that
quarter, should be so far augmented as to leave no
doubt of our fcompelling the existing enemy to sub
mit to our own terms, and of effectually checking a
ny hostile dispositions that might be entertained to
wards us by any of the other Barbary Powers.
"The following Frigates have accordingly been
put in Commission ; and will proceed to the Medi
terranean:
President, Gommodbre Barron ; Congress, Capt.
Rogers ; Essex, Capt. James Barron ; Constella
tion, Capt. Campbell.
"Your good sense will perceive that we have thus
been unavoidably constrained to supersede you in a
command in which you have acquitted yourself in
a manner honourable to yourself and useful to your
country, and in all respects perfectly satisfactory to
us. The only Captain in the Navy, now in the
United States, juniors to yourself, are Captains
James Barron and as frigate: cannot be commanded
but by captains, we of necessity have been obliged to
send out two gentlemen, senior to yourself in Com
mission.
“ Be assured, Sir, that not want of confidence in
you has been mingled with' the considerations which
have imposed upoc us the necessity of this measure
You have fulfiled our highest expectations, and the
President has given it in an especial charge to me,
to declare that he has the highest confidence in your
activity, judgement and valour.—Through me, he
desires to convey to you his thanks for the very im
portant services, which you have rendered to your
country, and I beg you to be assured, Sir, that it af
fords me great personal satisfaction to be the me
dium of Conveying to you hi# sentiments in relation
to your conduct.
"With high respect, 1 have the honour to be, Sir
your most obedient servant,
(Signed) ROBERT SMITH,"
%efa> M hebte, Merabi,
"sir,
TRIBUTE TO MERIT.
(copy.)
Aavy Department, May 22, 1804.
The Sham Patriot.
JOHN WILKES. N °+
Ttfp " The Man of the People."
THE bulk of mankind, from the days of Adam
to the present generation, have been easily duped
crafty and designing. They have been be
guiled by fiattery, and gulled by empty professions.
A man of fortune or of parts, however void of real
met it who would artfully flatter the people, has gen
> been rewarded witli their confidence, & some
one with theiradordticu; such a successful adventur
er tor popular favor, was John Wilkes. Few men,in
modern times, have been so extensively celebrated
as he was, for a phre and sublime patriotism, and
an entire devotiqn to the interests of the people.
About thirty years ago, themime of Mr. Wilkes
),3^ „: abo throng boat
or a^nuj°tox was hardly sale
able,unless it exhibited t fyitriotic motto of • \Vilkes
and Liberty."
I remember, that, ^ bout that time, I saw a little
ragged boy standing by a Liberty pole, which had
been erected on the memorable occasion of the A*
merican Stamp act. As I was passing the pole, the
little fellow ooserving me, pulled off his old hat and
threw it into the air exclaiming with all his strength
of lungs," Wilkes and Liberty, Huzza." —ln those
days, any man who should presume to have questi on
ed the patriotism of John Wilkes might have incur
red the danger of a broken head. And indeed I
must confess, that 1 myself partook of the general
phrenzy, and in a measure idolized that renowned
demagogue, that precious" Man of the People. Long
ago I saw my error ; and having lately haddeLure
and opportunity more fully to examine the merits of
the political Dagon, to which 1 once powed the knee
I now communicate to the public, in authentic doc
uments, the result of this examination, as a useful
lesson to all who have eyes to see and ears to hear.
Mr. Gibbon, the celebrated historian in the me
moirs of his own life, writes as follows :—" This
day, (September 23, 1762,) Colonel Wilkes dine d
with us.—He told us himsel, that in this time of pub
lic dissention, he was resolved to make his fortune.
Upon this principle, (to make his fortune) lie hag
connected himself closely with Lord Temple and
Mr. Pitt, and commenced a public adversary t G
lord Bute, whom he abuses weekly in the Nortlißr
ton, and other politcal papers, in which he is con
cerned."
This document, this confession to a bosom friend,
developes the political character of Mr. Wilkes.
His ooject was, to make his fortune. This it was
that enkindled the etherial fire of patriotism in his
bosom. This was the holy motive, that stimulated.
his tongue and his pen. His political career began
with a violent attack upon the administration of
lord Brute. In that Plundering administration, there
were easily 'found objects enough for censure and in
vective ; but, in the mean .<^oo,6€ IA the z@#±-^
have had tester prospects of gain or promotion ini
writing tor Bute, than in writing against him, he
doubtless, would have supported that minister's mea
su^i ; for his aim was, to make his fortune..
While Mr. Wilkes was vilifying the administra
tion of Government, he at the same time took &
prudent care to flatter the people, and made the
warmest professions of an affectionate attachment
to them, and an entire devotion to their interests.
In the British Gentleman's Magazine, for the year
1770, there is the copy of a letter of Mr. Wilkes,
that was to be communicated to the citizens of Lon
don,in which he wrote as follows :—"I have, Sir, a
real pleasure in finding out and following the opin
ion 01 the people. I will through life be faithful to
their cause, I firmly and sincerely believe the voico
of the people to be the voice of God ; I wish always
to hear it clear and distinct. When I do, I will ci
bey it as a divine call, witli spirit and alacrity, fear-'
less of every consequence, and dutifully submitting
my own private opinion."
Behold the man ! What lover in romance could
ever manifest more deep-felt pangs for his Dulci
nea ? See how his patriot breast heaves and distends
with the strongest emotions of sympathy and love?
to the people ! See how their precious interests ares'
closely entwined with every ligament of his heart £
And the people, on their part, bless him with tea
thousand tongues ; and even iron lungs are worm
out or ulcerated in vociferating his praises. At his
approach, they throw up their hats and captain!
fill the air with shouts—unharness his carriage, and
putting themselves in place of the horses, draw !iiai
with their own hands through the streets ; or elsor
carry him triumphant on their shoulders. Indeed
he was a shrewd man, and none knew better, hem
to ride ,upon the people's shoulders.
At length, the day of recompense tame.—Wilk etf
obtained the Chamberlainship of the city of London^,
,worth, it has been said, seven thousand pouL^r
sterling a year. His fortune was npw made ; th^
fire of patriotism in his breast instantly ceased ta
glow, and his sovereign contempt of thefieople sooa
appeared.
When afterwards, Lord George Gorden undera
took to act the demagogue, and headed a vast rio
tous multitude, Mr. Wilkes was a most zealous & ac
tive supporter of Government, and, in persdn, led cuff
tteposse commitatus, to surpress the rioters. Nay h^
went so far as to say that if power mi,t be givea
him, he w6uld not leave a single rioter '&liv&.
The iking and ministry, in recompense of his
zealous attachment, freely forgave his fmmerp^-,
Teal heresies and iniquities ; and he lived and ciect
within the pale of the political church—:^^ 4 oi,$
beliver in and supporter of the measures of admin
istration. Peace to his ashes !—I would pot have dis
turbed them, but for the public good.
These sketches of the political character of Mr. Wl,
, may be instructive to the present age. In all the
different periods of the world, the intrigues cfcutfe
ticils men, and the arts of popular necerirn Ir ve
been much the same. And whenever we ee a man
sounding a trumpet to proclaim his own patriotisns
flattering the people, and professing toward therm
an unbounded affection, anQp entire devotednes#
to their views and interests, we may justly suspect
that he intends to make his fortune.
®*®—-
COMMUNICA TIOJT"
Welearn from Washington, that on the 7th ins©
the House of Representatives, to the astonishment
of a portion of the members, aud probably to th#
community, made choice of the Rev Mr. Eentleyo
Salem, as their Chaplain. Will it be imagined thaf
no Clergyman, within the compass ofFi, e Hundrdt
I miles, could be found properly qupUfic 1 to perform
I th, sugi ffvty atteffa j, tytf tyfee,
[No. 11.