Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1808-10-17
FOR THE GAZETTE.
TO The Electors Of YoRK DTS7Rzc9


it is duty to come forward, point out the
errors Of the administration, convince the
people Of their delusion and warn them Of
their danger.
Had the President observed line Of i'm
partiality in his appointments, it would have
been relief to the people and " covered a
multitude Of faults" But we fnd the brave,
firm, faithful and honest patriot ofthe rev.
olution expelled for political heresy, to make
room for fayorites who have nothing but
their vices or their stupidity to recommend
them. Talents are disregarded, and hon.
esty is seldom sought after. Ignorance and
docility seem the essential qualifications to
Office. While this is the case, defalcations
and embezzlements must be expected. To
con6de the public money to spendthrifts,
spectators or foreigners, seems hardly the
dictate Of SuisdOnr; and though there is NJ
evidence that the same embezzlements have
happened in the u. States as in the State
treasure, yet the reason Of this may be that
there has been no examination Of the accounts. BY
a Committee Of Congress since the present ad-
nlinisratiOn. Our Representatives., Uho held
the Paysc-strings of the nation, have no other
evidence that The money Is satethaHthe REPORT
Of The Secretary Of The Treasury. This will
scarcely be allowed to be the bert evidence.
Mr.. Skinner made very correct ctTeporti but
the money was squandered notwithstanding.
Whether this money was expended to relieve
himself or certain Senator from embar-
rassment, or for electioneering purposes, is
not correctly ascertained. This is wrapped
up in the same mystery with the affairs Of
the tzDo millions.
1t is however, ofno small Importance to
the people of Massachusetts, who are now
called upon for money to rePlenish their
cum treasury, to know what exactions are to
be made on them by the UIitea States
Since our Representatives have consented
to take from us the ordinary means Of repken-
ishiEg our treasury, they might have conGe-
scended TO inform Us what is the state of
our finances. Is it not objectionable neglect,
to be unable to give Us any Official informa
ton, relative to the expenditure OF our
money! The people will cheerfulIy eadwe
taxation, if officially assured their money
has not been misappled. They are willing
to contribute their mite to support a NAVY
to protect their commerce, hitherto the
source Of their wealth-but they viii hard
ly bear land tax to pay the purchase Of an
indefinite tract Of country which we did not
want ahI cannot defend, nor to build and
equip gun-boats to blockade our ports and
abuse our citizens.
The silence on this subject, apprehend
is something more than neglect---it is part
OF a system of SECRECY hitherto unknown
IN the history Of this country. It is bad
system and savours ofdespotism. "A repub-
lie should have no permanent secrets-the
sovereign power is in the people, to whom
their rulers are at all times accountable.
Why, then, should oer Representative
with slayish submissionto to the executive,
refuse to call for papers affecting our rela-
tons with France ? Why, when the I" Ber
lin decree" had existed more than twelve
months, was it not to suppose our Cabinet
had taken some steps to prevent or resist its
operations The truth is, the subject would
not bear an investigation and the WHOLE
SECRET will probably never be developed
until the election Of men who are "capable
honest, and faithful to the constitution. "
This mysterious and treacherous conduct Of
our rulers, has brought Us to that grade IL
national infamy, whence nothing but a mira
Gle can save Us. Yet to speak or think. ~,
IN unison with the administration, Il f" stir.
ring up the people to sedition, /" and attemnt-
ing the dissolution Of the Union. Even ~
express hope for the success Of the Scan
ish patriots, j. abetting rebellion against the
GRAND EMPEROR.
The men who could once Join Mr. Geuet.
N an appeal from the government to the
people, and vilify the illustrious Washing
ton, can now take his SACRED name into
their polluted lips" and endeavor To Der.
suade the people they are his disciples
and followers. He was oace the hoayy heauk
~ fraitor, and his deleteriOus influence had vrel.
4igh brosrafefthe liberties Of h,s coa,ltrv ncz.
h's spotless characteris coniured up To sane
TT oppression John Adams was the noa.
archlst, the iiEg, and his son the prince of A
nerica ; aOzD, that this son j. devoted ~ iii
administration, and the destruction of com
msfce, the fafhe5 j. the patriot Of '76. Once