Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1808-05-31
ed in, as innovations would probably destroy

The merchant cannot of "a sudden, turn
herdsman, Tor the farmer arlizan or mecha-
PIC, or the taylor change his pursuit in life
without great injury. Andwhy wish to ch-nge
the known and useful manners OF a nation Tor
unknown and doubtful ones. Our wise empe-
rors have always been opposed to innovations
of every kind as they have found that steady
habits are productive Of prosperity, harmony,
and happiness. Our cousin Susong reported,
also, 10 our good emperor, conversation
which he had whilein Paris, with your pre-
sent grand Mandarine as follows
Your nandarine appeared greatly delig'lt.
ed at the total destruction Of the civil and re-
igicus institutions Of France. Susong APP
proved otthe civil, but not OF the religious
change, remarking, from the observations he
had made after conyersing with some Of the 2,
hlest men il Europc,as well as irAsia. that the
creates evils had, and always would attend, on
any attempts 10 change the mode Of thinning
in matters Of religion as it was impossible,
.afler destroying Old, to present new doctrines
with such evidence and demonstrations as are
necessary TO work immediate conviction, or
10 afford equal consolation 10 the living ca the
tiYation OF reason, and penal laws were, and
, aught to be the only barriers to the vices o..
mankind. And alenc could advance nation
; to the highest pitch u .hap:,iness-
He further observed, that if ever in power
he never would demand tie observance OF a.
nv particular religion, or Invoke any Deity,
but that Providence which governs al nature ];
that he considered all tic various religions ef
the earth as having arisen cut OF error, foiiy,
ignorance, and design, AID Offering orly in
thc greater or lesser degree 0. moral good in
cuicated. Hence it IS, am told, that he is
never heard to say in pu5iic or private com.
munications any thing which relates to your
holy Christian religion, as he never names
it---no. believing in its fundamental princi-
PIES though approving is morals. Our EN-
rcrors always ciearl. avow, and openly pro-
Tess and practise our divine doctrines, as the
str cngest lie when happily binds society To-
gether.
| AN curious to know, as the examples OF
great men go great way, whether the great
officers of state, and the particular friends and
associates Of your great mandarin have net a.
dopted his northumberland whether 1t is ge-
, morally believed III TIE United States, that a
great people Can long be safely governed,
without some fixed principles OF religion, as
guide and ralying point.
know your Mandarin to be too much of a
gentleman and too great philosopher, TO de-
ny tie Essential points contained in this infoc
nation could WISH, ate r MS long obser-
walton and experience of the world, to know,
from him, whether lie does not sec reason for
retracting, on some oithese speculative poin's
since the melancholy events which have taken
place in consequence Of that revolution Which.
he SO much admired and which has given rise
70 a greater despotism than ever before ex-
is;e1 III Europe.
desire tnis information for the advantage
Of our good Emperor, who has commanded
me in return to make you acquainted with a.
nv thing which may advance the y. Str.ies,
and which is not Inconsistent with t.lc gooi
and prosperity OF lis own subjects.
By order Of my Royal Master,
kULrY KAN,
SULONC.