Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1804-10-18

lhio "p"aeliul conspiracy, without associ
ates, without witnesses, without evidence
without support, and above all witbon,
conspirators
Learn from Roland.
Roland says that Pichegru, who intriop
ed for the royaists, not having been Der
1nitted to explain himself 70 Moreau. .,
then last interview, and seeing all his in.
situations disregarded or repuIsed, sent
Roland to make the famous overture 1--WE
use his own words. |. had NOT then
, been made and consequently at this tim.
Moreau had not been associated in anv
Of their plans as tileir confidence had nor
then been given to, MN. Roland adds that
he made his proposition, and that Moreau
absolutely refused to take part in any
movement in behalf of the Bourboas. M.
rean therefore is not guilty of any conspi.
racy whose object vas their restoration,
Roland goes on to say, that at the same
time Moreau proposed that Pichegeu
should change his plan, that he should frs,
remove the consul and governor OF Paris.
and then Moreau would avail himself ola
party in the senate to obtain the dictator.
ship, and would act according as opinion
should direct.
Roland at the trial, when pressed By tis
conscience, though he let one part of his
former testimony remain resclnded Others
He there said that he did lot understand
the words the consuls and he 8overnor If
Paris must disappear, as s,gnityng de-
sire that thev should be murdered that
Moreau speaking to him on his pretentions
to power or authority had said, that before.
he could receive it, the copsuls and all
those possessed of public dignity must be
no more.-Judge what credit should be
given to witness who is capable Of vary
ing his testimony on point Of such I'M
portance and on what tenure do our best
citizens hold their lives and honor, if they
depend upon the construction which cvary
wretch shall please to afix to real or i'm.
aglned conversation.
A conversation The very idea that
conversation, however seditious it may be,
could constitute the crime Of high treason,
is repugnant to every principle OF justice.
Moreau is not reproached with having per-
formed one reasonable act. His conduct
is at least pure, whatever his heart may be.
He has taken no steps, seduced none TO be
his accomplices, in this supposed plot
But, as we are assured by Roland, he spoke
seditiously; and we are to believe that
Roland neither heard indistinctly, mlsaP'
pretended, nor have forgot any part OF
what Moreau may have said. Is the me-
nory of any man SO vigorously tenacious as
to be positive, after such lapse OF time,
that, such and such words were used in a
conversation; that they were used IN the
same order in which they are repeated;
tt at no modification, no infection, no &C
companying lenauve, by escaping from re-
collection has distorted the meaning OF the
speaker. And admitting them to have
been spoken, shall the utterance OF mere
fugitive words, send man to to the scat
fold? No the government under which
we live, delights only 10 justice, never
can permit such wide departure from it,
No! never under this government shall we
hear ola citizen being condemned tor the
crime of words, on the unsupported word Of
4 detailer. But when this detailer, besides
being proved By the accused to be lars
acc or ling to every rule ofjpdsment, vie
calumn ator, the object of his cal1mny IS
much less exposed. We shall now out OF
lis own mouth prove the falsehoods Of
Roland.
If we believe this Roland, he was the
agent Of party of Royalists. If from hin
Moreau received inc confidence OF Plcht'
CRU, he must have known that Picheg0
acted in concerr with Georges and Ms
friends; thai is to say, IN concert with INC
mostresoivcd and faithful adherents OF the
house Of Bourbon. and we are told tna'
Moreau, in answer 60 the overtures 'nao'