Berkeley and Jefferson intelligencer. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va.) 1802-1810, 1808-05-13
N. Y. Oracle.
From the National Intellisencer.
TO THE. PUBLIC.

1t has been with extreme .unwillink-
ness, that l have yielded to the unplea-
sansnecessity of appearing before the pub.
lie. Such aDdpPeal will always be resort
ed to reluctantly by the man content with
the situation, in which he is placed, and
prefsrring in silence the peaceful oceupa-
tons Of industry to the uncertain and a.
gitated pursuits Of ambition and intrigue.
The extraordinary course pursued by
gen. Wilkinson, before the court of en-
quiry, instituted, as it is said, for the
purpose Of trying this officer, calls Upon
me in justice to myself aud friends, to ask
a suspension Of the public opinion for. =
short time, till it will be in my power to
lay before them, IN one perspicuous
view, a stateme of testimony and facts
relative to him, that shall Nave no doubt
as to his eriminality & will suffi ciently ac-
count for his r=EsHs Haede Of proceeding.
Gen. Wilkinson we'll knows that the tes-
timony submitted against him in the
house Representatives, under q reso-
luton OF that body, cannot be rebut.ed.
he is conscious. Of the truth of every
word of It. 1t is therefore, not wonder-
full, that instead Of meeting and endea-
voring to refute that testimony, he should
attempt by every means in his power, to
divert the public attention from hiinself,
and TX it upon others, He knows TOO.
that the disgrace and shame which await
him can only be delay ed or resisted, by
endeavoring to stigmatise and destroy
the character Of those who have been
called upon to testify sgsinss him. Hence
the novel mode Of defence he has pursu.
ed OF eliminating others instead Of at
tempting to exeulpate himself from the
high charges exhibited against him.
Before left Washington, and before
lobtained leave Of absence for the re-
maindsr of the session, l had seen Urn.
moved. gen. Wilkinson's two pompous
addresses to the Court of Enquiry. con-
tanning against me charges Of forgery,
perjury and treason, with no other SEN
tinents than contempt, as he knew the
whole to be without foundation, and ut
terly incapable of being subs,antiated.
l was In Philadelphia, about to sail for
NsW'O Orleans, where my private BUSH
mes. most imperiously demanded my at
tension, when I saw in a paper of that
city extracts said to Be taken from the
testimony of gen. Smith, delivered be-
tore the Grand Jury. and received in
formation that gen. Wilkinson had init
mated the particular case upon which he
Intended to rest his charge of perjury.
hat it related to some conduct Of mine
n 17sS, as eonsignee Of the brig Grand
Sachcm. The circumstances of this
transaction, amonga multiplicity of o. J
ther mercantile concers, had escaped my
reeollec,ion,& am yet at loss to conceive !
why that case is particularly referred to.
However i have here and at N. Orleans
all the papers and information necessary
to explain satisfactorily, my conduct in
relation to every part Of ii, from its COM
mencement in Newt Orleans TO the trial
OF this vessel in Charlie ston, and in it as
10 every Transaction Of my life /: ehal-
!enge investigation. I defy gem VIII
klnson and his myrmidons to cover me
fora moment with the shadow of crimi. -
nal or dishonorable intentions. 1t has
been the practice since the establishment
OF the Court Of Enquiry, for some per.
son, General Wilkinson l presume, to