Berkeley and Jefferson intelligencer. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va.) 1802-1810, 1808-05-20

| IN reIatlon 10 our foreign a1lalres An1
particularly in relation to the embargo
some very material differences in point
of fact as wen as Of opinion, will be found
in my statements, and those Of the let
ter, which alone can apologize for this.
They will not, l trust, be deemed in a.
ny degree disrespectful to the writer
Far more pleasing would it have been to
me, could that honest and anxious pur.
SUIT Of the policy best calculated to pro-
mote the honor and welfare of Our coun.
Try, which, I trust is felt with equal ar
dor BY Us both, have resulted in the
same opinions, and have given them the
vikor Of united exertion. There is a
candor and iberality Of conduct and Of
sentiment due from associates 10 the
sane public charge, towards each other,
necessary to theft individual reputation,
to heir common influence, and to their
pubic usefulness. In OR republican
sovernment, where the power OF the ma.
ton consists alone in the s.mpathies Of
opinion, this reciprocal Difference, this
opeA hearted imputa.ion Of honest inten.
tionS is the only adamant at once attrac
tive and impenetrable, that can bear,
unshattered. all the thunder of foreign
hostility. Ever since l have had the
honor Of seat in the national councils,
I have extended it to every department
Of the government. However differing
Va my conclusions, uTon questions OF
the hi Shest moment, from any other
man, ct whatever patty, have never,
upon suspicion, imputed his conduct to
corruption. If this confidence argues
ignor1nce of public affairs, to that igno.
rance l must plead guilty. l know, in.
deed enough Of hu man nature to be sen.
sible that vigilant observation is at all
times, and that suspicion NAV occasional.
ly become necessary, upon the conduct
of men in power. But, Lkno~~as we'll
that confidence is the only cement Of an
elective governmeut-election is the We
ry test Of con6dence-and its periodical
return is the constitutional check upon
its abuse Of (which the electors must Of
course be the sole judges. For the exer.
else Of power, where man is free, conf
denee Is indispensible-and ~hea- it
once totally fails-when the men to
whom the people have committed the
application oftheir force, for their benz
fit, are 70 be presumed the vilest OF man..
kind, the very foundation Of the social
compact must be dissolved. Towards
the gentleman whose official station re-
suits from the confidence Of the same
Legislature, by whose appointment I
have the honor Of holding similar trust,
I have thought this confidence peculiar.
ly due from me, nor should l now no.
tice his letter, Notwithstanding the dis.
'appr oaati"n it so obvi. usly implies at
the cause whtrh have pursued in reta*
ton to the subjects of which it treats,
did it not appear to me calculated to pro.
duce upon the public mind, Impressions
untavorable to the rights and interests Of
the nation i
Having understood that a motion in
the senate of MASSACHUSETTS was made
by YOU, requesting the governor to trans
init MIR. Pickering letter to the legisla-
ture; together with such communiea.
tons, relating to public affairs, las he might
have received from me, I avail myself
ofthst circumstance, and of the friend
ship which has SO long subsisted between
US, tostake the liberty of addressing this
letter, intended for publication to you.
Very few of the facts which shall state
will rest upon information peculiar to
myself-Most of them will stand upon
the basis of official documents, or of pub
lie or undisputed notoriety. For my O.
piuions, though fully Pursuaded, that
gwen where differing from your own,
they will meet with a fair and liberal
judge in you, yet of the public ask
neither favor nor indulgence. Pretend
ing to no~extraordinary credit from the
authority Of writer, am sensible they
naust fall by their own weakness, or stand
BY their own strength. n
The first remark which intrudes itself