Jenks's Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland [Me.]) 1799-1802, 1799-11-04


sioh, TO ,eauile thar tic firf advances on the
road to conoiiation ihoud be made by shofe
,clro Asd 20 grossly violated net only The law
of matt n, bur the laws OF holpltaii'y and II
-zas for tie Executive alone to appreciate the
nature and weight of the agaranesl which wete
rpouifitc previous 10 he renewal Of negotiation
Whatever may be tie iiuaien OF Europe, II
1bould be pararnte nt object with Us to avola
being inv lived IN war with any o. rs nation.
Il would be preferable even to iacriice TO thi'
ourpofe, the " ffi7nets 81 COURT" IL IS better
to be huolble IN our endeasours TO avoid
ruinous war, than by itubeorn pertlnaey o;
opyielding animoilty, to provoke one.-lt was
therefore boz h candid and honorable IN the Pre-
iiaent TO declare, that until h ihouid receive
sluranccs, TO him fatsia6tory, that any iuture
attempt TO negoc ate, would be received by The
French government, with a reciprocal ififlt 81
xrpity and due degree OF reipeet, he woula
sorbe all eorciliatory msafures.--lt was allie
proper, that after this dec araton, ieioit ihould
DC had TO defenive Preparations that 10 aay
poiIible ifue we might be ready either to en-
coulter war or TO &c commence negoeiation.-
Tbs was the mott prudent aud honorable
oemearour 1t was at the lame time inviting
tie laneuihing virtue of the French government
40 fair opportunity TO be 'eitored to the
irlrndlhio of her ally, and aCqoir'ing our gov
ernmelt ON the charge 6 OF wanton deter
1ninaion 10 provoke WAL Theie raniaet
il rs, as was reafonably forefeen had their pro-
per efreef They wrought powerfully on the
felt intereR of the French Nation and the late
agents of the outrage on the eignities OF our
government, were the frit and loudet in offer
ing apologies for their mi(condntt. Proteita-
ITEMS have been made, declarations have been
repeated, and promifes multiplied. The Pref
dent has received hefe declarations through
confidential channel and relying on their
fineesity, has nominated new embahy. Here
we are tempted to pauie, in order to lament that
mifpuided zeal by which lome men, who have
profeled an admiration OF the wfiom and
integrity of the administration, have been
promptedto arragn the policy & expeliency Of
this nesfure. Self.opinionased and raih, before
they knew the nature of the afurances received,
or even that any had been offered /; and forget
ling the pfecepts which they ,hemlelves bad
advocated. refpetng executive dignity, thought
lefsly commenced an outciy, which has been
more fatal 10 the caufe of tederaliim, than The
united cabals of its opponents and which is
till uttered in iul'en murmurs
the exerci,e of The executive functions, It
becomes every one either to be lilehr, OF 10 ipesk
with the utmoA defetence and refped. indeed,
il ourht to be RATED above the popular voice,
except when given in collective form. The
individual who exercfes them, is always to
eonfuls bis own knowledge on he matters which
his duty NAV bring before him, independent ct
the pubic ientmtnt. From his commanding
Ration, he.is enabled TO fnrvey more ertenieeiy,
and to di(criminate more accurately the variety
OF fhadss which The tame iubjeet may aiume,
TO different judgments, aaing under different
eirenmaances and impreflions. Hence it is
not only mprudenr bat highly perm clous' to
ccuntenance. fpirit Of animadvertion on the
operations of the executive department. Benz
II their nature Confidential, and often neceiiar'y
private, ,hele only who are engaged in them
are. competent to decide on their proP'ie'y.
Let us therefore believe, that in every tantae-
ton of this department. fncere deiire to pro
mote the general honor and bappineis Prsdomi.
mates. Lctfus not when The policy OF any par
ucular act, i beyond our dfeernmenr, defend
to ungrstelul repieings, or break ont in the
utterances Of depair. The virtue OF our
aosrrnmert i its bef bulwark. 1t oaly requires
the energy of its friends to eniurc its perpetual
duration.
n - +. = IN ~ =