Star.
London, England, 1811-09-26 00:00:00

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is stated in his interviews with Mr. Secretary Mon-'
roe, to have assumed a tone of arrogaice and insult.
An intimation to the like effect we have remarked in
the Baltimore Whig, from which it has been copied
into other prints. We have seen' these statements
with much surprise. We cannot say that they are
contrary to fact; but we feel oursel'ies called upon
to sal, that we never'heard of the circumstances sta-
ted in these papers in relation to the intercourse of
the British Minister with our Government ; although,
had they occurred, they would more than probably'
have come to our knowledge in some shape or other.
On the contrary, we had understood that the inter-
views between the Secretary and the Minister were
perfectly amicable ; and. that, however tenaciously
the one or the other might have adhered to the rights
or pretensions of their respective Governments, their
conferences wcre conducted in a perfectly decorous
and fiiendly manner.
The frigate Constitution lay in Hampton-roads en
Friday last. Two British frigates were riding in the
Roads. Captain Hull hailed one, the Atalante. She
not only answered very civilly, but her band played
' the President's /vl;irch, or Hail Columbia."
I Mr. Foster, the British Minister, left Washington
for Baltimore, on Friday last. It is said Mr. F. in-
.

tends to visit this city.
Colvin, we are informed, has been permitted to re•
tire from his Clerkship in the Of ice of State.
AUGUST 15.—The French privateer la Vengeance
arrived at Savannah a few days ago, and in sailing
up the river fired a salute, which was returned by the
revenue cutter, James Madison. The privateer then
gave three cheers, which w• ;s also returned by the
cutter's crew. The privateer was fitted out at Charles-
ton ; and, after cruizing along the Spanish Main, has
carried into Savannah, it is said, a cargo of specie,
cochineal, and dry goods, to an immense amount.—
She was admitted to entry as a merchant vessel, and
allowed to dispose of as much of her cargo as would
repair her damages, viz. to the amount of 17,000
dollars ; which is moderate enough, considering that
the principal injury she had sustained was that of
having been chased by a British frigate.
Is it not remarkable, that whenever a French pi-
i
a • teer is under the necessity of putting into one of
our ports in distress, she always happens to have a
i
1 valuable cargo on board ?—How many American
vessels has the privateer la Vengeance " plundered,
burnt, and sunk," during her last cruize ?
AUGUST 16.—1 t appears to be fact, that a French
privateer is in our harbour. It proves to be the
schooner Marengo, Captain Ordonaux. The Captain
' came up to town yesterday in an Amboy packet.—
We are told that he informs, that he sailed from
i L'Orien; about four months since, and has put in
ihere to repair his vessel, and get a supply of provi-
sions and other stores, for another cruize.
AUGUST 17.—8 y all the late accounts from Cana-
da, it appears that business in that province is in the
most flourishing state. Shipbuilding is now carried
on there to a great extent ; many ships of large di-
mensions having been launched there the present sea-
son. Our anti-commercial system, which impove-
i riches ourselves, operates to the advantage of our
neighbours. Our industrious labourers and mecha-
! r,jcs are quitting our towns, to find employment in a
foreign state. 'I he goods which are necessary for the
' inhabitants of the United States, and which, had they
I been allowed to have been imported directly to our
I ports, would have come cheaper to us, and would
have raised a revenue for our Government, are coat-
i ing through Canada ; and instead of filling our trea-
sury, the trade is strengthening a nation which may
sooner or later be our enemy. The unprincipled
smuggler and the foreign adventurer are encouraged
and supForted, while the real, honest American mer-
chant is ruined and undone. It would seem that this
state of things could not long exist—it appears to be
impossible that our present system can be long sup-
ported : and we really believe, whatever the suppor-
ters of Napoleon may wish, that Congress v.lll be
under the necessity of treading back their Wile.
We find our Government once more exhibiting their
favourite hubby of war with England; and we actually
believe that they are now really in hopes the British
will be provoked to commit some partial acts of ho ti-
lay, This is an excellent hobby to amble over the
ground, and make the people stare.
.It has been
used more than once by our rulers, greatly to their
advantage; but the public may be assured, that they
will never mount and really attempt to ride this jaded
animal. If they should, they would be thrown in
the ditch, and their hobby distanced ; or they would
be more fortunate than such horsemen generally are.
To speak without metaphor, if an ill-judged and
unnecessary war with England should take place in
reality, our present rulers would be divested of power.
They could nc,t conduct the affairs of the nation for
one year. The country would be sold to Bonaparte,
and become a province of France ; or the Federalists
would have to take command. Those men who have
blustered so much about taking Canada and Nova
Scotia, and destroying British commerce by priva-
teering, would be the first to " flee to the mountains."
What can our present rulers do towards a war with
England ? Can they build and man fleets ? Can
they marshal and support armies ? Can they raise,
complete, and supply fortifications for the defence of
our towns and cities ? How long would they be able
to levy taxes, draughts, conscriptions, contributions,
and a thousand other odious things which war would
make necessary ? These things .are beyond their
power, and they know it. Armies would not come
at their call. Democrats are not more fond of dying
than other folks. There is a vast difference between
a noisy battle at an election, against a few unarmed
Federalists, and a battle where British sailors and
soldiers are engaged. There is a difference between
electioneering speeches and British cannon. In elec-
tion squabbles, numbers and noise carry the day; but
against sword and bayonet, something else would be
required. Quebec will never fall, if it is assailed by
none but democrats ; and the British fleet will ride
triumphant on the ocean, if it meets no enemies but
French Americans !
We do not say this to weaken the energies of the
people, or because we think the country is in any dan-
ger pi being conquered, should a war with Eagland
take plate. America was once too many for Great
Britain ; and should the unprofitable contest of doing
each other harm be again tried, she would undoubt- 1
edly be again too many for her. But it must be other
men than those who now rule the destinies of the na-
tion, who must perkrm the duty (hat would then be