Berkeley and Jefferson intelligencer. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va.) 1802-1810, 1808-07-22
Fraas tie Washington Federalist
nfYnLrI IL. ",

.y Jny IL.
The contents, Of the Official advices
received from France and England by
the Usage have not been suffered TO
transpire. Indeed, judging from the
1'ast, it is not to be expected. In this
Epefiod of danger and alarm, it appears
our rulers have adopted system Of
mysterious secrecy, aud fitiful intrigue,
which will either not bear the light, or
else the people are thought unworthy
to be trusted with knowledge Of their
own affairs. We are perfectly aware
that negotiations, to be conducted adj
ttsantageeusly, must not be at all times
unfolded to the public view; but we al
SO know that there are q thousand things
in which the interest Of the people Is
deeply involved that may at any time
property be divulged, without in any
degree embarrassing the government, or
defeating its honest views. We know
that the governmental England always
take care to let their merchants know
the political relations Of the country,
that they may calculate their risks, and
regulate their enterprises and I'VE
know that In former times the same po.
Icy was parsued 10 this country, But
now. tsat We have an administration III
specializing philosophers saddled upon
us, cur merchants instead Of having their
views. enlightened, are held in utter
darkness, and instead of their enterprise
being encouraged i is absolutely cut
of-destroyed, without either necessity
or reason. = : + +,
This! system, Of secrecy which has
been adopted, and is now so steadily
pursued, by the'present men in power,
IS more threatening to our constitution,
than 9ll other dangers combined. Hnot
speedily checked--if that blind conf
dence in mcn which gives birth to and
tolefates it, be not Withdrawn, It will
form an avenue through which some
daring adventurer viii pass to . throne,
erected on: the ruiz Of his countrys II
berries. It is fact, that during the
last nine months, there has been more.
of mystery and coucealmen. on the part
of administration, than was praetiscd
dlring the twelve years the government
was administered by the fcderalists. Il
behoHes the peoples look to, these
things. ~ - II =: sVf p =. =. ~ r.,
= :. -" ~ "a
. - Inonr last we stated that Mr.. Lewis
undeniabiy confirmed the declaration ef
Banaparte. thar we should no longer, re.
main neutral. We have since had the
pleasure of seeing Mr.. Lewis, and find
the expression used, was rather too
strong. It might be inferred from it that,
he knfrv The fact. The statement Of the,
affair is this. "A idepusation of the fmer-
chants of Bordeaux waited on Bonaparte,
soliciting permission 10 carry on their
trade in brandy through the medium of
neutrafs. The answer of the emperor
ITO the request, rs It was reported among
Tho Americans In Paris, was, chat there
shsuH Be no neiltyaks. J.. i H. NJ, q, s..
: We take . pleasure in making this
corrected statement, because we have no
wish to 'misrepresent the language Of
Others, NOR to induce Improper impress.
sions on the public mind. r. r. -
From anothss expression IN the same
article. II nigh, be inferred that Mr..
Lewis was indetoroussy treated in
France. as Il Is particularly mentioned
that he wasdscorously treated in Eng.
land. That gentleman assures US thar
his reception aud treatment ! In both
cof,n,ries was neffectly friendly and res.
psctful---thas in both they hid some dill