Star.
London, England, 1808-10-22 00:00:00

REMARKS ON MR. JEFFERSON'S LETTER.

We would always wish to respect the communica.
eon of our first Magistrate, especially when it is
couched in language so civil and soothing as the let-
ter from Mr. Jefferson to the town of Boston ; but
we must not be led by its honied words into a ready
credence of its contents. We have had enough of
projinions under this Administration, and would now
wish to realize that our Rulers sympathise with the
people in their distress, by seeing some effort to re-
lieve
it. Now we know Mr. Jefferson has not taken
one step toward our accommodation with England;
and if he has not done any thing more than send to
the Court of the Continental Tyrant assurances of
obedience, we know no relief is to be expected; for
at the very moment the haughty Napoleon assures
Mr. Livingston of his hearty approbation of all Mr.
Jefferson had done to please him, lie positively de-
clares he shall not relax, and orders our ships to be
condemned.
Not so with England. While suffering every
insult from us, in non-intercourse and prohibitory
laws, and the most abusive language from Govern-
ment papers, accompanied with threats of our ven-
geance, she makes every concession to us, even to a '
degree satisfactory to the patrio,ic Pinckney ; yet all
is in vain. No adjustment must take place, lest it
offend Napoleon, and bring us into a war with France,
as if we were not already at war, while her cruizers
arrest, and her COurts condemn every American
ship brought into her ports. Citizens of Boston, be
not deceived! The danger to which our commerce
is exposed,' as described by Mr. Jefferson, is of his
own making. He keeps up a quarrel with England
to please his French Master, who issues his decree for
this very purpose; and he then takes advantage of
these dangers (brought on and continued by his own
choice) to annihilate our commerce. This is the grand
object in view. Mr. Jefferson says, 44 We have wished
war with neither." Yet we know that be did try
every means to work Congress up to a war with Eng-
land, but could not succeed. We do know that this
is now his object. lie speaks in his letter to New
Hampshire, of preparing for his last appeal ; and Ire
have already some hints from Washington of Isis
insidious plan to involve us in a war, which is to
be brought forward in Congress, and which In time
we shat fully expose.
We forbear to remark on the attempt of Mr. Jef-
ferson to convince the people that all our commerce
with each of the Belligerents is interdicted by the
other, when it is notorious that Great Britain will not
interrupt our immense trade with our enemies' colo-
nies. But a volume of severe reply might be written
to this letter, which is full of cold, hollow-hearted hy-
pocrisy ; but one point only have we time to touch
upon : his apparent indifference to the fate of Spain.
Astonishing boldness in the Ruler of a free people,
after all his professions, to speak of the contest for
Government in Spain" with such indifference ! Does
be think our feelings are buried with our servile acqui-
escence in his own arbitrary measure ? We may have
ost Boling for ourselves, but we do feel for the patriots
of Spain.
Yes, the people of Boston, the cradle of American
independence, do know and feel that the Patriots of
Spain- are engaged in a contest like ours—foi national
independence ; though with much stronger grounds
of union. There is no subtle point to e cliscussed.
go iliac about the right of taxation. The only alter.

native there is sonsission to the dominion of a foreign
despot, to the most odious and hateful tyranny, or a
successful resistance and re-establishment of their
own self-government. We also know there is no di-
vision among the people ; every soul is animated with
the holy Ere of patriotism, and resolved to live free
or die. We know that they have been hitherto suc-
cessful, having possession of nearly all the kingdom,
and having possession also of all the colonies. We
know, that with this whole people we might, and
/ ought on every principle, to have free trade, and we
should have it, if this cold-hearted philosopher was
sincerely willing to relieve our distresses. But it is
, too plain that he is not : he affects to doubt that
a peace is made between Spain and her colonies
and Great Britain ; yet he knows that there is the
1.
most friendly intercourse, and that, with regard to
those immense tracks of country, the English orders
do not proscribe neutral commerce, and, of conse-
quence, we might have free and profitable trade, suf-
ficient to take nearly all our produce ; but he dares
not to offend the tyrant Bonaparte, who calls the Spa.
niards rebels : he, too, probably does not wish to open
any commerce to us again, and he therefore pretends
there is no such peace as will authorise him to grant
us permission to trade. •
NEW YORK, SEPT. 10.
We at length have it from Mr. Jefferson's own
lips, that the embargo is not a temporary measure,
but in a word, that it would be " unwise ever more"
to enjoy the benefits 2f conuner...e.
The following lett& to the New Hampshire Legis.
lature, fully explains the views of the Administra-
tion ; and taken in conjunction with the great expence
Government is about to incur to equip armed vessels
on the Lakes to enforce the embargo, it leaves not a
doubt behind, that the embargo will be continued un-
til the people take it off, that is until there be a change
of Rulers. Read the following letter, and see whe-
ther any other meaning can be attached to Mr. Jef-
ferson's declaration :
TO TILE LEGISLATURE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
a In the review, fellow-citizens, which, in your
Address of the 14th of June, you have taken of the
measures pursued since I have been charged with
the:r direction, I read with great satisfaction and
thankfulness the approbation you have bestowed on
them, and feel it an ample reward for any services 1
may have been able to render.
" The present moment it certainly eventful, and
one which particularly requires that the bond of con-
federation, connecting us as a nation, should receive
all the strength which unanimity between the Na-
tional Councils and the States' Legislatures can give
it. The depredations committed on our vessels and
property on the high seas—the violence to the per-
sons of our citizens employed on that element, had
long been the subject of remonstrance and complaint,
when, instead of reparation, new declarations of
wrong are issued, subjecting our navigation to gene-
ral plunder.
" In this state of things, our first duty was to with-
draw our seafaring citizens and property from abroad,
and to keep at home resources so valuable at all times,
and so essential, if resort must ultimately be had to
force. It gave us time, too, to make a last appeal to
the reason and reputation of nations. In the mean-
while, I see with satisfaction that this measure of
.41f-denial is approved and supported by the great
body of our real citizens ; that they meet with cheer-
fulness the temporary privations it occasions, and are
preparing with spirit to provide for themselves those
comforts and conveniencies of life, for which it would
be unwise ever more to recur to distant countries.—
How long this course may be preferable to a more se-
rious appeal, must depend for decision on the wisdom
of the Legislature, unless a return to established prin-
ciples should remove the existing obstacles to a peace-
able intercourse with foreign nations.
" In every event, fellow-citizens, my confidence is
entire that your resolution to maintain our national
independence and sovereignty will be as firm as it has
Eiden forbearing • and looking back on our history, I
am assured by the past, that its future pages will pre-
sent nothing unworthy of the former.
' a I am happy that you approve the motives of my
retirement. 1 shall carry into it ardent prayers for
the welfare of my country, and the sincerest wish for
that of yourselves p2rsonally. (Signed)
" August 2, 1/106. ig TH. JEFFERSON."
NEW YORK, SEPT. 9.
Extract of a letter from St. Louis, dated July 19:
—"' One of Mr. M.Clelland's barges arrived here a
few days ago from the Maha village, up the Missouri,
laden with fur and poultry. The master of the barge
informs us that the Rickarees have built another vil-
lage on the other side of the river, surrounded by
strong piquets, with caves made at some distance, as
a place of retreat for their women and children dur-
ing an attack. They are determined to prevent the
Americans ascending the River, and are extremely
insolent. It is supposed the agents of the North-west
Company are their abettors. It is thought that the
Mahas killed Messrs. Chateau and M.Clelland's hun-
ters, some time ago. Their conduct latterly has been
somewhat hostile." --

CHARLESTOWN, AVG. 30.
We learn by Captain Bexley, from St. Mary's, that'
the news of the recent revolution in Spain has been
received in Florida with the greatest demonstrations
of joy. A number of .Frenchmen who had fled from
that province in consequence of the rigid treatment of
the Spaniards towards them, have arrived at St. Ma-
ry's in several small vessels.
HALIFAX, SEPT. ge.
The whole of the troops from all parts of the pro-
vince are collected here, and under orders to embark
at a moment's notice. Our Governor, Sir George
Prevost, will have the command in Chief ; but their
destination no one but himself is supposed to know.
There are 28 transports lying here, and provisions,
water, great-guns, sand-bags, scaling-ladders, and
all sort,, of shells, shot, and ammunition have been
embarked on board of them for these ten days past.
-Every thing is•ready, and it only remains for the
men to go on board, which will take place the mo-
ment Sir George Prevost receives some dispatches,
the arrival of which is hcArly expected.
The troops amount to four thousand, are admira-
bly appointed, and fit for any service. Some think
they are going to Martinique, others that they are
destined tor Spain. The transports will sail under
convoy of two frigates which are here ready to escort
them.