Berkeley and Jefferson intelligencer. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va.) 1802-1810, 1808-07-29

ted States, who, in their opposition 70 the Arnerc
administrations, not unfrequently quoted tt
Sup orted BY majority ofthe people of this eotra-
Try, 4 may be laid down now - a fundamental
principle from which they cannot rctraet. Upon
this tOuehstone, therefore, shall proceed with
out hesitation, to test the wisdom Of Mr.. JefEer-
sons administration and first - Il regards our
national character.
Our newly purchased territory invaded BY the
spahiards, and our citizens dragged from their
famaies, to undergo IN the lingering horrors Of
Spanish dungeon, are certainly no proofs ofour res
pecsAbility in the eyes Of foreign powers; more
than victory, vrested from the grasp Of our brave
officers, BY base peace, precipitately concluded
(at the expense Of sixty thousand dollars) with
Agiers. and our ally meaniy deserted in a foreign
country, l. Of the desire Of cur government to
support that responsibility. The violent attack
upon the Chesapeake, and the insclen. letter Of
champagny, are infrmgcments ofour sovereignty,
which none but . pusillanim0us or aagitious ad-
ministrasion could have borne. The treatment or
our public officers BY France, our merchant ships
detained BY that power. proiessedly a. pledge q
our declaring war against England, andour vessels
csptussd in our very harbOurs. BY both beilige-.
rents, are insults which would swell with indig-
nation, the breast Of any man, less accustomed 10
dsgrsdsion, or more careful Of his eounsry,s he-
nor, than our philosophical president. But what
excuse can the advocates Of the present adminis-
&.o.:c- E.w,. G., .h.:. -. sk,s,.
so Ear from afording protection to their citizens.
suffering them 10 be plandered with iup'uity, and
even murdered BY French priyateers The gralna.
The lamentations Of their unhappy relatives. spsak
language TO the heart Of every American. too
forcib!e to be They must strongly
excite his rcsentments Whilst tl,eS convince him.
that contemp,ible policy guides our cabinet, or
that corruption has found is way intothe Amsri.
can councils. "a H. r.
hmay be said, that the wisest administration
cannot prevent wrongs being inflicted upon Us BY
other nations But certainly il 10 the business If
The executive to prevent their repetition By resent.
ing them with spirit, and BY placing the country
in situation to repel them with energy. Let Us
see what has yet been done to heal the wounds
hitherto inflicted upon or honor, or to secure Il
from more violent attacks in future. Il an army
or navy provided for our defence The addition
Of 5000 men to our four former regiments, Is tho
trifing to be named, when threatened with a war
from either Of the grea. powers Of Europe-and 4
few rosting frigates serve to display the frugal
economy Of government without funds, or the
Energy 10 raise them. Are the Spaniards yet chas-
dsed, The attention Of the public was for while
.excited by the boastfhl letters Of our commander
Ao-sAief. until the .hsro of thu, spsirs'' found
plausible excuse to retreat to New Orleans, ther.
10 play the tyrant with an unarmed popnlace whom
he came to protect, and violate the Fundamental
laws Of that country, whose constitution, the 90.
lcmnity of an oath bound him to preserve. VIVA,
satisfaction has yet been obtained from Great Bri
| tain None but 70 be reyenged Of her, we have
very sageiy come to the resolution Of destroying
! ourselves. Have our mean entresties that appear.
ances Of independence may still be left Us, and
that we may not be forced into war with England,
produced any effect upon the naughty cotsican
Our government has met with that treatment,
which every meanly submissive ministry must
expect, from man, whose energy and valor have
carved out his own fortune injury and insuf,
heaPed upon each otheEin such quick succession,
that the people At largs are now taking the alarm,
and refuse 70 suffer the national entire
y lost, by Tie weak measures Of { pusiillanimcas
administration In vain - this spirit manifest
ing itself in our cOuntEymen-Love, or fear, o.